To see the full calendar, go to CDD's page at Google Calendar:
A full list of upcoming events is also available at the CDD Claytracker.
Note: CDD does not necessarily endorse or subscribe to the editorial opinions of these websites/blogs.
The new Clay issue of Collegiate Standard, a magazine published by the North Carolina Collegiate Association, has finally begun arriving in mailboxes. The issue was first put on sale in December 2005.
Thanks to the CB's CharlotteClayFan for these scans! Click to see them full sized.
As many of you may know, some copies of Merry Christmas With Love have the defective MediaMaxx software installed that has been found to corrupt and open a security vulnerability on your computer.
A Class action lawsuit is proceeding in court and all purchasers of MCWL are entititled to a free album download.
You can file a claim against Sony BMG here.
The Bubel Aiken Foundation is clearing out merchandise as it continues to rebrand itself.
There's a lot of good deals, so check it out here - most items are 1/2 price.
William Joseph posted this on his website today about his touring with Clay last year and how Clay loved to play pranks on him. After reading this, there's should be no doubt that Clay was the tour's resident prankster.
Before the tour started I was having dinner with Clay and a few other people. The topic came up of how Clay loved to play pranks. He proceded to tell me all of the funny and cruel things he has done to fellow performers. He is definitely a prankster and loves it. He told me that because I was the opening act I was a
"prime target".
Throughout the tour I was always keeping my eyes open just in case. After Christmas everyone was much more relaxed on the tour and people started joking around much more. When I arrived at the venue for the final show of the tour I suddenly remembered what Clay had told me during dinner a few months ago. I walked through the halls wondering, "Is tonight the night"? I observed everyone as I walked around and I just knew something was going to happen. I started to get nervous because I really had no way of knowing what would happen. I didn't know if it would happen before the show, during the show, or after the show, or maybe it wouldn't happen at all. (Wishfull Thinking).
Two hours before the show a meeting was called. We were told that because this was a Christmas show, Clay did not want any pranks going on. It was said that if there were pranks they needed to be done behind the curtain so the audience would not see them. Gerome then asked, "Does anyone have any questions"? I spoke up and asked, "Does that include me"? He said, "William, you are fair game". While everyone laughed I think my heart skipped a beat. I don't like pranks... Especially in front of an audience.
Well by the time I came out to perform I was ready for anything. As I walked out on stage the smoke machine was going so it made it hard to see. I remember looking around for anything to happen. Right before I sat down I noticed that the holes in the cushion of my piano bench were overflowing with water. Great!! I tipped the bench over to dump out the water and it was then on the stage. I asked for a towel but of course I wasn't given one. A nice lady in the front row handed me a tissue from her purse. I used it (not for my nose) but one single tissue didn't do much for a half a gallon of water. I finally sat down on the cold damp bench wondering what would happen next. Then came a handfull of more exciting events. While I was playing Kashmir, Clay started talking into a mic so that I was the only one that could hear him in my ears. He said, "Hi William, This is Clay... I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed having you on the tour... I want to see how well you can keep time... Good Luck". Well... Two seconds later a song was blasted into my earpiece which made it hard to follow along with the orchestra and drums that I was playing along with. I managed to hang in and stay with the beat and then... They turned it up even louder. I couldn't hear a thing. I just kept playing hoping I could keep the beat but I knew I was out of sync. Well after about 60 seconds of playing and not hearing anything but this blasting music they finally turned it off and I could hear my track again. I was about 5 seconds ahead of the track and can only imagine how bad it sounded to the audience. What was worse is that the audience didn't know what was happening while I was playing out of time. AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!
Another thing that happened... While I was playing, one of the crew members came out on stage and put a lamp on the piano. Random. Then they turned off the lights and at one point I was playing without any light.
People kept talking in my ears and I couldn't concentrate on what I was saying to the audience. Finally I gave up and took the earpiece out and played Great Balls of Fire. I felt like my show was shot so what the heck!! Then I played a song laying on the bench with my hands crossed. What the heck!!!
During my last piece two crew members came out on stage and pulled the curtain apart and put it back together with me behind the curtain. I was then playing backstage in the dark. Clay was standing there laughing but I just couldn't let him "win". While trying to play Austurias backstage in the dark, I used one hand to throw the curtain open so I could finish my last piece. I barely pulled it off.
When I walked off the stage I was absolutely drained! I felt beat up. I was laughing at all of the absurd things I had just gone through. Everyone was coming up to me congratulating me for surviving. (As if I had a choice). I finally saw Clay and said, "You JERK"!!! We both laughed and he gave me a hug. He sure got me!!
William Joseph
We're pleased to report that Clay's album will be out in May after months of waiting. The current issue of Entertainment Weekly (Feb. 17) reports that Clay is heading back to the studio in March to record more songs (Huh? I thought recording was done... but, no complaint from me).
Update: CDD has been informed that it is normal for artists to do tweaks right before the album release, so this may be the reason Clay is heading back into the studio.
The short article says:
WHERE IS CLAY AIKEN'S NEW ALBUM?Update 2/11: There has been an uproar of sorts from Claymates over this short Clay mention. To put things into perspective, read this editorial from berkleylovesclay. She says:
Aiken became American Idol's best-selling loser - and its biggest pop star after Kelly Clarkson - when his 2003 debut, Measure of a Man, hit No. 1 in its first week. Not only that,but his 2004 Christmas album broke sales records and helped build oneof themost obsessive followings this side of Jimmy Buffet. But after almost a year ofanticipation, Claymates have been left mooning over old CDs, wondering when their Idol idol will unveil his follow-up. Well, according to an RCA spokesman, he'll be hitting the studio in March - with an eye toward a May release date - and is sorting through potential material now, which includes both original
tunes and "lots of covers."
This is a rogue mention, EW jumping the gun on the next phase, and it's certainly not enough for me to gain any solid information about the sophomore effort. It has nothing to do with RCA's planned launch of Clay's new CD.
Measure of a Man rose more than 3000 spots to land at 399 at Amazon.com's top sellers list this morning. Earlier this month, the CD hit #3 due to the very supportive Clay fans like you!
Go Clay Go!
An interesting point was brought up bt the CB's OLMass. She posted this yesterday evening as the Grammys were about to start.
Not a half hour into the Grammy's red carpet pre-show, Ryan and Julie DiPanda were talking about Kelly's transformation from her Idol days. Ryan immediately brought up Clay's incredible evolution to show that it happens to both female and male contestants. It was meant to be a good statement.
Speaking of Clay mentions, last night on AI, Clay's name came up at least 8 times. During this whole audition process, Clay's name was mentioned on almost every show. You never heard the names Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia or Carrie. I know many of you think AI is just trying to get mileage out of Clay, but I honestly think that after listening to the horrible talent and looking at past winners, AI is giving Clay his due. I believe they knew how talented he was but just didn't realize how to market him or that he could really market himself, which is the sign of a true star. To me it is good every time Clay's name is mentioned on AI and I don't think there is an ulterior motive.
We have an update on the BAF program running at a Concord, NH high school. The Concord Monitor published an article about the program last month which aims to foster relationships between students with disabilities and 'typical' students.
The Concord Monitor reports today that the pilot program is one step closer to becoming a permanent fixture at the school. The $32,000 program is being argued by the school board currently. The Monitor reports that the program has the support of two-thirds of the administrators, while the other third have concerns about its effectiveness.
Click here to read the article.
KSAZ TV in Phoenix, AZ is reporting that Clay's 2005 tours (Jukebox and Joyful Noise) combined have made it into the top 20 tours list.
Congratulations Clay!
From the CB/ClayDream Believers' group:
Channel 10 KSAZ (Fox) News at 9:30p.m. Phoenix, AZ 2006.
Word for word as reported: (replayed it over and over to get it right)
"American Idol runner up Clay Aiken joins the ranks of Paul McCartney,
U2 and The Stones. Who would have thought when he made his first
appearance, he kinda looked like the awkward, goofy kid, then they
really tweaked his image."
"Aikens Tours breaks into the Top 20 Concert Tours. Tours are ranked
by the amount of money the Box Office brings in. With an average
ticket price of $59 bucks, he did pretty well and it was enough to put
Aikens Tours in the 20th Slot".
URGENT NOTICE FROM CDD
Clay's Daily Double is looking for an/some interim news poster(s) who will substitute for me while I move to another city between March 30 and April 15.
I will be unable to access the internet during that 'settling-in period' and therefore cannot update this website.
The temporary news poster(s) will be responsible for posting any relevent Clay news on our site. NO HTML/WEB DESIGN EXPERIENCE NEEDED. If you can type, you can do this job.
If you are interested, you can contact me via our feedback form.
Thanks,
clayisouridol
Owner,
Clay's Daily Double blog.
Neil Sedeka, co-writer of Solitaire offered praise for Clay during an interview with Casino Player Magazine. Mr. Sedeka mentioned Clay's rendition of Solitaire selling 400,000 copies and said that it was 'great'.
Thanks to the CB's claysthe word for contributions to this post.
There are more Clay mentions in articles about yesterday's Boston AI-Clay look a like auditions here.
Michael El Sandecki
It looks like American Idol wasn't done with Clay yet during last night's Boston auditions. A semi-Clay look alike, Michael El Sandecki auditioned for the Idol judges last night saying that "I'm the next Clay Aiken." Ryan Seacrest questioned whether he was "Clay Aiken's lovechild," and even Simon picked it up asking him about his Clay-like appearance.
From the get go however, it was clear he was no Clay. Randy Jackson said the audition was "excruciating" and while Paula shook her head and repeated "No" a few times. Simon commented saying that "at least Clay could sing."
The shocker came when Sandecki also asked the judges if he could go pee -- yes, you read right. I don't recall Clay ever doing that in his audition... right?
So, Michael, for the sake of sparing you humiliation, we suggest that you lay off your Clay Aiken act because clearly you're no Clay. "Idol found, game over."
Kevin Covais
On a side note, Paula brought up the Clay-look issue again during another Clay-copycat audition from Kevin Covais (who could actually sing). Paula said "looks didn't hurt Clay Aiken."
Several media reports of this audition on the web today... all of them have some Clay mentions.
Small mention of Clay in the Feb. 13 issue of TV Guide.
From the CB's WizofOzfan:
Just saw this...Ruben is going to be on a UPN show (I think it was called "Eve") and they have his picture with a girl from the show. He is singing to her, but she does not look interested. The caption says "Sorry, I voted for Clay."
People magazine is inviting readers to submit their suggestions for inspirational celebrities.
Given Clay's work with the BAF and UNICEF, I'd say he's pretty inspirational, not only to Claymates, but to the general public.
E-mail your suggestion to heroesamongus@peoplemag.com.
People requests that you include your name, phone number and return e-mail address.
ClayAikenKids.com got the opportunity to interview Gregory Ellis, the 11 year old who toured with Clay on last year's Joyful Noise Tour. Gregory told CAK.com that Clay was an 'awesome' teacher and helped him keep up-to-date on his school material. He also revealed that the crew visited Sea World and the Grand Canyon via a helicopter fly-over during the tour.
Click here to read the complete interview.
Music Geek Clay Aiken, singer and American Idol winner. This self-proclaimed good ol’ boy geek has young girls swooning like a previous generation did for another shy Southern son with funny hair.
Was Clay at a recent ClearChannel event (ClearChannel owns radio stations and billboards)? It seems Clay was at one recently, according to eBay which is auctioning off an picture that Clay signed at the event. I have my doubts... this picture is from 2003 -- if it was a 'recent event', wouldn't Clay've signed a more recent photo?
The profits raised will will help non-profit organizations and has been donated by ClearChannel. The auction says:
8X10 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOBidding ends in less than one hour, so if you want it, act fast.
SIGNED BY
CLAY AIKEN
W/LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY
Clay Aiken signed this black and white photo at a recent Clear Channel event to benefit City of Hope. It comes with an official letter of authenticity from Clear Channel.
Football Troy Aikman continues to get labeled as Clay Aiken even though today is Super Bowl day.
ABC News made this boo boo yesterday putting up the headline "Aiken, White, Madden lead large Fame class" instead of the correct headline "Aikman, White, Madden lead large Fame class". The error was corrected later, but not before some sneaky Claymates managed to capture the Aikman-Aiken screw up on ABCNews.com. Thanks to ClayReport for the screenshot.
