Tidbits 8/30

A new photo of Clay and the gang at the Cary, NC tour shop earlier this month. This was taken by the symphony's stage manager. Click to enlarge.

• Lake County News Sun - naughty Clay writes manager's phone # on Genesse Theatre's wall of fame ... Clay will return to the Waukegan, IL venue for his 2007 Christmas tour -

  Naughty by Nature: Clay Aiken, who was born on Nov. 30 and appeared at the Genesee last Dec. 1, wrote "Thanx Genesee Theatre for a marvelous holiday (and birthday)." He also wrote his manager's name and phone number with the phrase "for a good time call," but the joke was later painted over.

• Charlotte Observer - NC home to a diverse range of musical talents -

  From bluegrass and jazz to rock and R&B, the Carolinas are rich in musical history.
  
  John Coltrane and Nina Simone were born here. James Taylor and Alabama have musical roots here. Jodeci, Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone and Calvin Richardson grew up here. Doc Watson and Superchunk grounded careers here. And "American Idol" alums Fantasia, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler still call Carolina home.
  

• 5th Grader mentions -
  
• Great American Country -

  Kellie is one of several celebrity contestants scheduled to compete on Fox-TV's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" during the November sweeps period. Others set to appear include fellow "American Idol" alum Clay Aiken, talk-show host Regis Philbin, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Miss America Lauren Nelson and Billie Bush of "Access Hollywood."

• 2007 Christmas tour mentions:
• Lake County News Sun
  

• Carolina On My Mind - "smart men turn me on" ... Clay and how he did on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" (obviously... SPOILERS!)

  Clay Aiken's episode for the Fox show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" was taped Tuesday afternoon. For those unable to attend the taping in Los Angeles, a CA message board was the place to be.
  
  Clay's winnings have long been earmarked for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation project entitled "100 Let's All Play Camps in 2008." Prior to the singer's appearance on the show, the foundation sponsored a "Fifth Grader Challenge" in which supporters pledged money for each of Clay's correct answers.

• Southern Girl - Clay playing for TBAF on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

  Today I'm happy about something that I'm not even going to see until November. During November sweeps, FOX will air a celebrity edition of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and guess whose pretend boyfriend will be playing? ;)
  
  That's right! It's Clay Aiken and he's playing for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, the foundation he founded that, as its mission statement says:
  

  ...serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them. We support communities with inclusive programs and together create awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.
  

  One of the things TBAF does is set up camps where both children with disabilities and those without them can interact, and Clay has set a goal to raise $1,000,000 for the foundation's "Let's ALL Play" project so 100 such camps can be set up in 2008.