Tidbits 4/13

• Families.com - wonderful review of Clay's book "Learning to Sing". This was just published today:

  I admit it freely - I'm a huge American Idol fan. I didn't watch it the first year, but the second year, when Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken were vying for the title, I was a religious watcher. There was just something about Clay that made me genuinely like him. I was disappointed when he didn't win, but knowing that he's been tremendously successful helped me to get over it.
  
  "Learning to Sing" is Clay's story, told in his own words. Surprisingly, it's not a blow-by-blow of everything that happened at American Idol; that chapter of his life only takes a chapter of the book. The rest of the story talks about his growing-up years and the lessons he learned from his mother. I went into it with a little trepidation - I didn't want to find out that he's not as nice as I thought he was. Well, guess what - he's nicer.
  
  This book is an excellent example of a mother's love, a child's listening, and the power that comes from living with integrity. I always liked Clay before; he's got a lifelong supporter in me now that I know he's as genuine as he seems.
  

• Clay will be mentioned on today's The Insider. Make sure you check local listings. The CB's strollynn63 says: "Whooo Hooo, saw him in the wrap.....asking ...Who wants to be a Teacher....Real Fast shot!!!! Love him."
• Raleigh News & Observer - mention of the BAF in this article about a bright young man who is making a difference ...

  Two weeks ago, his fundraising efforts, which totaled $6,400 last year, earned him a Champion of Change award from the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, the North Raleigh group that helps children with disabilities. The group, which provides Jonathan with an interpreter at summer camp, was co-founded by singer and North Raleigh native Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame.

• A few mentions of the Summer Tour:
• Syracuse Post Standard
• Salisbury Post - North Carolina an Idol hub -

  Whatever it is, North Carolina has given the world more than its fair share of singing idols, including Clay Aiken of Raleigh, Fantasia Barrino of High Point and Kellie Pickler of Albemarle.
  

• Chart Attack - small Clay mention in article about a rock band - "Rooney worked with producer John Fields (Clay Aiken, Mandy Moore) on the LP and reportedly recorded about 60 songs before deciding on those they liked most."
• The Hook - Chris Daughtry a unique Idol?

  Apparently, Slash wasn't the only one who understood that deferring to Daughtry was in the best interest of the album. Daughtry has writing credits on almost every track, a feat unprecedented in the meticulously manufactured world of post-Idol pop. If the names Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Bo Bice, and Kelly Clarkson ring any bells, these artists can thank American Idol, this generation's version of Star Search. Yet Daughtry is unique among them.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay makes new friends in Afghanistan.
• A few more mentions of Clay's Afghan visit:
• ClaySpots
• Chexxxy's
• ConCLAYve - recap of Clay's iTunes interview - part 4.