Tidbits 8/2

• Apparently, today's KOST-FM interview we told you about yesterday was really boring... still, if you'd like to hear it, a cap is available at SendSpace.
• The CB's claysweetea heard Clay's "Without You" while holding on the phone for a customer service representative at Hartford Insurance ... I guess it goes to prove how Clay shows up in the weirdest and most unexpected places!
  
• Encore by the Nashua Telegraph - MEADOWBROOK CONCERT ... Claymates very protective of Clay -

  I’m a Clay Aiken fan. But I know now, I’m by far not the biggest Clay Aiken fan.
  
  For a series of reasons that are way too pedestrian to list, I not only didn’t get to meet Clay, I didn’t even get to see the orchestra rehearse. What I did get was permission to take photographs at the foot of the stage for the first two songs of the concerts.
  
  I, along with real photographers with real cameras, positioned ourselves in front of the stage and readied ourselves for Clay’s and, of course, the Nashua Symphony Orchestra’s appearance.
  
  Meadowbrook’s videographer warned me that when the music started, the fans in the front row would do their best to get us to sit down. I was prepared for some snaky remarks. But I was not prepared for the army of gray-haired women who found it their duty to tell me and the others with cameras not once, not twice, but perhaps 20 times that “the flash hurts Clay’s eyes.”
  
  For a second, I thought of asking them how they know this. I’ve been on Claymate sites. I have been to four Clay Aiken concerts. I didn’t know his eyes hurt. But these women who looked like maniacal grandmothers (I swear one of them had a rolling pin in her hand) fancied themselves Clay’s personal protectors

• We have a slew of tour related mentions today:
• California dates:
• Press Enterprise -

  INDIO Clay Aiken is scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. The pop singer, who rose to fame as runner-up on the second season of "American Idol," will perform in concert with an orchestra led by Coachella Valley band leader Ted Herman. Tickets are available for $39, $49 or $59 by calling 760-342-5000.

• O.C. Register ... and O.C. Register event listing -

  Clay Aiken: The popular "American Idol" singer performs at 8 tonight. Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. Admission: $35-$65. Call 714-740-2000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets.
  

• Other dates:
• Asheville Citizen Times -

  The estate’s Summer Evening Concert Series also features Kenny Rogers on Friday, Chris Isaak on Aug. 10 and Clay Aiken with the Asheville Symphony on Aug. 11.

• Bradenton Herald - "AUG. 17: Clay Aiken, 8 p.m., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; $55.50-$75.50"
• Augusta Chronicle
• Sarasota Herald Tribune
• Pollstar - Clay adds his voice to Griffith Park Reconstruction fund with LA charity auction (read more here) -

  Clay Aiken, Tony Bennett and Los Lonely Boys are adding their support to the effort to restore Los Angeles' Griffith Park, which was damaged by a wildfire earlier this year.
  
  Aiken, who will perform August 4 at the venue, has donated an array of autographed merchandise, including a limited edition poster, an autographed book, a T-shirt, CDs and more, which will be offered as a package during a silent auction to be held in the Greek Theatre plaza prior to his show. The winner of the auction will also receive hospitality passes to the Greek Theatre's VIP Deck after the show.

• Argus Leader - Chris Daughtry article... American Idols quick to become tabloid targets -

  The success has put Chris Daughtry on the same level as “Idol” favorites like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken. But with the looming fallout over Clarkson’s recent public flap with record mogul Clive Davis and the scrutiny over Aiken’s romantic affairs, it’s hard to forget that “American Idol” darlings can quickly turn into tabloid targets.
  

• New York clubs fined for illegally playing Clay Aiken music (copyright issue):
• Gothamist - "The other New York club that got hit is Fusion 215 for playing Usher and Clay Aiken (actually, there should always be a fine for playing those two)."
• New York Post - "FUSION 215 - “When I See You Smile” - (unclear if Bad English or Clay Aiken version)"
• Jaunted - has some air travel tips... makes reference to Clay's "plane incident" from last month -

  Making it through an overnight flight with your sanity intact is a delicate art. Sure, there are lots of uncontrollable variables that can throw an already unpleasant travel choice into a tailspin -- Clay Aiken's feet, an overexcited geek podcasting next to you, or simply having a middle seat.

• All That Is Clay Aiken has a great collection of tidbits collected from the various Meet & Greets that has happened over the past month... my favorites are:

  • I could smell Clay. He smells of fresh linen. It's very comforting and sweet. He just smells clean. It's quite refreshing.
  • Clay said All is Well is his favorite of everything he's recorded - that he really loved doing that EP.
  • Clay said that it would be really difficult for him to tour between the albums because he is not on TV and is not as visible. He said last year’s xmas concert sold really well because he was on TV and had the controversy with Kelly Ripa. Clay joked that he was going to have to create another controversy like putting his foot on someone’s armrest or slapping his hand across someone’s mouth. He mentioned that this summer concert series while doing well, wasn’t doing as well as the Xmas tour, and he attributed that to his lack of visibility.
  • I then followed up with: Does RCA have anything to do with the fanclub and he said yes, they do with Clayaiken.com. He said with respect to clayonline.com the better question would be: “Do they even know it exist?”
  • Clay said that it is too early and since he doesn't have the songs picked he could not say whether the new album will be more like MOAM or more like ATDW or a combo. He also stated that the the sound is developed toward the end of the album process. He said hopefully it will be all originals and then he said, it will be all originals.
    

• Taking A Moment's Jemock takes a break from moving to update us on her status:

  I've been so busy moving all my Clay shrines to my new house. That's back-breaking work, let me tell ya. All those heremeticallly sealed (and by "hermetically sealed" I mean "empty") Clay clothing containers, striped sock archives, Clay ebay snotty tissue displays, authentic turkey baster replicas and whatnot are a pain in the butt to relocate. But just you wait until you see the new Jemock Clay Aiken Endowed Museum. Wait, that doesn't sound right. But you know what I mean.

• There Was A Man - Clay thrills Newark fans