Clay's First Concert -- Wichita, Kansas -- Bringing The Concert to You Via Cellcert

Cell Phone Picture Taken of Clay at Wichita, Kansas Christmas Concert, Monday, 11/26

There has been so much excitement in Claynation today that you could practically cut it with a knife. All day people were counting down the hours till Clay's first concert of the Christmas In The Heartland Tour, held in Wichita, Kansas. As all this waiting was going on, The Clayboard was busy getting ready for its first cellcert of the tour. Of course, you all know what a cellcert is, right? Its when someone from the concert calls in a report via their cell phone to a waiting friend who then types this report out, in red lettering, on the message board to the waiting and excited fans.

Tonight I was at The Clayboard Cellcert, waiting anxiously for every red letter to come through. What did Clay wear? How was his hair styled? What songs did he choose to sing? Did he hit all those glory notes? And the list of things we're dieing to know goes on and on.

Below is part of The Clayboard Cellcert. This is a compilation of messages sent by two or three people at the concert. I don't have the names of the cellcerters, so if anyone does. please let me know and we will mention their names in our next Clay's Daily Double.

SPOILER NOTE: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT WENT ON AT THE CONCERT, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. THIS IS IN A FAIR AMOUNT OF DETAIL.

I talked to CP a bit ago and she said Clay was at the venue by about 2.

Two big jumbotrons, 1 on each side and are flashing no videos or cameras but didn't take any from anyone. Not full yet...Balcony isn't really a balcony. About 1/8 men in the audience to women right now. Buses were there at 2:00 when they got there. Beautiful church.

Orchestra all in black, looks like tuxes with no tie. Orchestra is now all in place and it's filling up.

This person is in 6th row. Mary was out a bit ago talking to the pastor. They did tell people earlier that there could be cameras and video so they aren't sure what's going on with that. Someone had a M & G today but she hasn't seen her since. Had a great pre-party with 84+ people. The guy at the door said there were about 700 tickets left, most off to the side. All ages are there; 1/4 men to 3/4 women it appears. KSChristian4Clay is the one who is talking now.

I heard that Clay said in the Meet & Greet that there would be no banter in the show. That the readings were enough.

A faint violin is playing... Playing very soft Christmas music....

Here he comes, dressed in black! O, Come O, Come Emmanuel!!! Loud and clear!!! He is grabbing notes straight from heaven and sounds glorious!!!

Long black coat, black shirt, black tie. Hair is gorgeous. His voice is beautiful.

AWAY IN A MANGER...ONE OF THE GIRLS IS SINGING... OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM....THIS IS A MEDLEY...CLAY SINGING NOW.. CLAY NOW SILENT NIGHT.

Girls are dressed in ballroom type dresses, full skirts, black and look absolutely beautiful!

MDYK now!

Thunderous applause and cheers! Good evening Wichita!!! Good to be here!

Talking about Jesse starting with them 4 years ago. Included local HS & elementary shows with them, then added community theaters the next year, last year had local symphony orchestras.

Realizes Christmas has a different meaning for everyone. Four stories tonight to remind us how different Christmas is for everyone. (Note from CDD: This would be the 4 stories that the fans wrote and sent in.)
He intro'd Merry Christmas with Love. Sounds like the stories are going to be interwoven with this song if I understood correctly.

MCWL......this song is for you.

HE IS CHANGING UP MCWL A LITTLE....AS USUAL, HE SOUNDS GORGEOUS!

SOUNDS LIKE A LADY READING A STORY. CAN'T HEAR WHAT SHE IS SAYING, BUT SHE SOUNDS GOOD! PIANO SOFTLY IN THE BACKGROUND. First reader reading her story now.

Clay went right into It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

ANOTHER MEDLEY I THINK....NOW JINGLE BELLS - AFTER SLEIGH RIDE...

Jingle Bells now. A rockin' version!!!

Back to MWTOTY and then we're off walking in a Winter Wonderland!!!

This is another medley! Just finished Sleigh Ride. Now to Jingle Bells. Dashing through the snow....laughing all the way.....oh what fun it is to ride and sing....it's the most wonderful time it's the most wonderful time it's the most wonderful time.....what a beautiful sight walking in a winter wonderland..... OH I'm loving this!!!!!!!!!!!

The plans that we make walking in a winter wonderland...walking in a winter wonderlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand

Sounds like another story reader. Piano softly in the background.

The gist of her story is that her son died in Dec. due to a carwreck. She threw out her Christmas tree, and all her Christmas stuff and shut down. She was bitter and angry. The next Christmas her son's friend told her that he would have wanted her to celebrate. So, she went to her closet to pull out her Christmas stuff, but realized that she had thrown it all away. All she could find was a little Nativity set and a plastic icicle. She went to her family Christmas celebrations, but was numb inside. On Christmas day she found herself alone and sad. Then she picked up the Nativity figures and looked at them. She began to realize that Mary had also lost her son. Did she also marvel in watching her son grow? Did she sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to him? Did she know she would lose him at an early age also? Then she realized that millions of people the world over had suffered loss of loved ones as well and she was not alone. She cried for Mary and her loss of Jesus. She cried for those who had lost loved ones. Then she felt enveloped in Love and Peace, and realized that due to the faith of a mother, and her love of Jesus, the Lamb of God, that she would make it. This is a rough paraphrase from her story. I'm so proud of her for reading it as her loss happened in '03.

INTERMISSION

Church is about 75% full. He looks beyond gorgeous. Looks slender, had lost weight. No sign of tummy...Acoustics good but speakers are in the ceiling. They are videotaping it (don't know if she means the church or Clack goddesses)

Angela sang the solo and Clay had a huge smile on his face and never took his eyes off of her.

The first lady's story was about having surgery to lose weight and a funny bit about taking 30 minutes to eat one Frito!

Everyone talking is so excited about the show and how wonderful Clay sounds.

They all look very classy and very professional. No joking back and forth. He chuckled when the girl talked about the Frito. A girl in the 2nd row just came and got her camera so she could take better pictures. People are taking pictures and video. There will be Clack!!! The lights are blinking to get people back in their seats. Orchestra is very good and they are filing back in now.

All ages are there. She said he just strode out on that stage so straight and tall and confident. He has AIW hair!!! EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Buses are parked right out in front of the door and have security tape roping them off. Clay did the M&G before the show. Jerome is all decked out and looks very handsome. Shawn is there, too. Clay has a standing mic and there has been some mic action. Readers have been in different places. Clay is like an angel soaring over them. He's on a platform above the piano level. The girls are down on the piano level. (two levels) Audience is responding really well. Security is in place, the camera man is back in place. Lights are going down now.

OH HOLY NIGHT

I know the angels are listening to Clay singing this one!!! It is powerful and beautiful beyond words!!!

Oh Holy Night was magificient. Now he's going into Hark the Herald Angels.

Wind said at intermission that it is a very respectful crowd a little reserved but she said it is hard to clap because he goes right into the next song.

Going right into O Come All Ye Faithful

Another reader telling about someone going to Afghanistan. Her story was about her son going overseas and how she left all the Christmas lights up all over the outside of the house until he came home. More to it than that, but it was a great story.

He always helped her with the christmas lights .. but was in Afghanistan ... so she left them up and turned them on every night until he made it home safe about 4 months after Christmas.

I'll Be Home For Christmas!!!! I know a lot of people got their wish with this song!!! Now into Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire.

The piano plays lightly in the background while the story is being read. Can't make out what this one is about.

Where Are You Christmas by Quianna. While Quiana was singing he dropped his hand and clapped his leg and was grinning from ear to ear.

MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST...
LOVELY.. WITH PIANO, SOFTLY, TENDERLY... AHHH!!

NOBODY sings this song like Clay! Such emotion, he has me in tears with this one. No more lives torn apart and wars would never start....amen.

DOING SOME INTROS NOW..

Clay is talking to the audience and they're laughing. Asking for a round of applause for the orchestra I think and the other performers, I'm sure. He's got the crowd cheering. Mentioned the stories. Not just an opportunity to do a show that we love to do every year but to be with you and share your stories [I'm paraphrasing, you know motor mouth!] He's read about 1,500 of the stories. Tell people around them how much you love them. You know what's coming next!!! Challenge for 2008...

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day!!!

MY GOSH - HE IS BELTING THIS SONG OUT....

WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!

The note went on forever and the crowd jumped to their feet!!!

HE JUST BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE......

Cheers and screams are just deafining!!! People are still on their feet. He's coming BACK!!!

ANOTHER SONG... ????

ALL IS WELL! YES!!!

Clay is in perfect voice tonight!!! Born is now Emmanuel....born is our Lord and Savior!!! The reason for the season.

Again, cheers and screams from the adoring crowd!!! Thank you so much Clay!!!

CERTER SAID HE HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICE IN THE WHOLE WHOLE WORLD....

I AGREE!!

The readers did get to meet Clay. He had the stories typed up on card stock and he signed them. He told them each why he picked their stories. They didn't think that Clay was there for the rehearsal but she saw him. He had a shirt or something that said Canada on it. She just got word Sunday that she would be reading it. Clay told her that no matter how slow she talked it wouldn't be too slow. She talks FAST!!! Long coat is from JNT'05! His hair was feathered and he's got the old cheekbones back. Has lost weight.

It's being reported that LaruaQ and SLC got the whole concert! (Per CDD - on video) Let's hope that's true!!! I'm off to bed. See ya here tomorrow night!