Tidbits 5/27

• A few Clay mentions over at Fred Bronson's Billboard Chart Beat -
  
• First up is this one Billboard Chart Beat about Avril Lavigne's new single -

  "Girlfriend" is the first No. 1 on the RCA label since Clay Aiken's "This Is the Night" occupied the penthouse in June-July 2003. Lavigne is the first solo female to have a No. 1 on RCA since Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" held sway for two weeks in October 2002. "Girlfriend" is the first non-Idol No. 1 for RCA since Christina Aguilera's "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" topped the chart for four weeks in October-November 2000.

• And this one is a Billboard Chart Beat Chat about the successes of American Idol contestants -

  Season Two
  "Measure of a Man," Clay Aiken, No. 1 (2003)
  "Soulful," Ruben Studdard, No. 1 (2003)
  "One Love," Kimberley Locke, No. 16 (2004)
  "Josh Gracin," Josh Gracin, No. 11 (2004)
  

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette - AI article ...

  Jordin is talented and lovely -- I'm happy for her. But Blake never stood a chance with "This is My Now" -- how could he beatbox and jazz up a sappy, dull pop song? Oh well. We all know second place is just as good as first when it comes to "American Idol" -- just look at Clay Aiken and Katharine McPhee, or even fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry. But as a Blaker Girl, I'm bummed the hip beatboxer doesn't pull off the underdog victory.
  

• A few mentions of the summer tour:
  
• Sun Sentinel
  
• Foster's Online

• The ConCLAYve - Buzz disappears from American Idol finale -

  the American Idol finale seemed like an afterthought. There was no buzz. I kind of feel badly for Jordin Sparks, she will need some serious manufactured buzz in order to have a successful album.
  
  This year's AI finale was more like that televised Yule Log film loop that you turn on at Christmas. Contrast this year with last year when a simple hint that Clay Aiken might be performing set off a frenzy on the entertainment shows. When he did appear in the infamous segment with fan and wannabe Michael Sandecki, the buzz Clay created lasted for a week after, nearly eclipsed the actual winner's moment and completely overshadowed the fact that Prince performed later.