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Total Album Sales: 4.6 million (Nielsen SoundScan)
Stats: Grossed an estimated $28 million as a tour headliner, according to Pollstar. His 2004 bestseller, Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, sold over 92,000 hardcover copies. His 2004 Christmas album, Merry Christmas with Love, was the fastest-selling holiday album SoundsScan has ever tracked.
The country was quickly divided into two camps: The Rubenites and the (now infamous) Claymates. When Ruben Studdard defeated Clay Aiken in a very narrow victory on that fateful May evening, the contest between the two didn't end there. Although Studdard was the American Idol, it was Aiken who would eventually emerge as the true victor, in the sense that to this day he remains active in the public eye. Aiken did talk shows, magazine interviews, went on tour, did Christmas specials, and became a UNICEF National ambassador. Meanwhile, the quiet, easygoing Studdard slowly faded from sight.
Season two brought winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken. I rooted for Ruben Studdard, though I also very much enjoyed Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke. Both Ruben and Clay have done well, though Clay has out-sold Ruben. Clay went on to make a huge Christmas album, and Ruben enjoyed success as a gospel artist. Their sophomore CDs have been released and I must admit I’m a bit disappointed in both. Ruben’s first single “Change Me” intrigued me enough to buy his CD, but I’m not crazy about the full CD and will likely never buy another unless he agrees to fire his songwriters. Though Ruben has three writing credits on this CD, the rest of the music on this CD is just whack. Clay’s CD will never cross my threshold. Out of fourteen songs, ten are remakes. I’m not a big fan of remakes; if the song was okay the first time, why remake it? (You know, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”) Further, remake albums are typically made by long-standing artists such as Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, and Michael Bolton. I don’t really understand a relatively new artist coming out with an album of remakes. He is, however, well loved by his fans and should enjoy large sales, and that is really the bottom line, right?
I refuse to listen to the lousy-to-middling albums by Idol alumni such as Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino. I do keep William Hung's Inspiration around — but only because his shrill, wheezy Hotel California is astounding in all the wrong ways.
Bet you remember the second season’s runner-up. That was Clay Aiken, who gets more buzz than any of them. He’s been to the King Center in Melbourne twice and sold out both shows fast as lightning.
But even the show’s most ardent fans — the ones capable of reciting Clay Aiken’s Season 2 song list by memory — are likely unfamiliar with the extent of the entertainment empire that has grown up in the long shadows cast by Simon, Paula and Randy.
Clay Aiken might have been edged out by Ruben Studdard, but Aiken's debut album was a better seller than Studdard's (4.3 million to 2.3 million), and he has a devoted concertgoing fan group called the "Claymates."
Times Argus - Bottom five of AI - "Michael Sandecki, that creepy Clay Aiken wannabe from Season Five: Talk about worshipping false idols. Get a clue, dude."... best Idol moments, "Ruben beats Clay: The closest finale ever could have gone either way but saw Velvet Teddy Bear Ruben Studdard ultimately emerging victorious over Clay Aiken in Season Two." and... best seasons of idol - #2 - "Season 2 - Clay was the show's best marquee showdown to date."
Clay Aiken (season two):Yes, he sells a lot of CDs. But he sells them to a strangely overzealous cult of fans who are scary in their intensity.
"When he auditioned, he may have had a geeky appearance, but I loved his voice," said Allison Shea of Norwich. "I followed him all the way through, and it was interesting to see his style change, but not his voice. His singing is great, and I wished he would have won."
Sorry Claymates, but to the general public, he is better known for rudely dissing Kelly Ripa and dodging questions about his personal life. Minus 2.
Wilmington Star - predictions for the new year - whatever this is... "After last-minute cancellations, the Azalea Festival committee asks Ibiza to nominate a queen. Tara Nicole reigns in style, and Clay Aiken becomes the headline act at the festival."
Wichita Eagle - choreographer on new MTV show, "His credits include 2003's "American Idols" tour and J.C. Chasez's 2004 tour. He's also done videos for Clay Aiken and Marc Anthony"
The ConCLAYve - honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -
Clay's album "Measure of a Man" was released on October 14, 2003 --- the 39th anniversary of the announcement that Dr. King had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Another coincidence, I suppose.
Still, Clay has learned a lot about measuring up to challenge and controversy during his four years in the public eye. I think he's doing just fine, but if Clay ever feels in need of inspiration, it's rather wonderful that we have a national holiday for a man of Dr. King's caliber.
Clay's album "Measure of a Man" was released on October 14, 2003 --- the 39th anniversary of the announcement that Dr. King had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
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