Williamsport Sun Gazette Interviews Clay Ahead of Tonight's Concert

Clay is set to return to Williamsport's Community Arts Center tonight. It will be Clay's 2nd time at the venue, after a sold-out show during his 2006 Symphonic Christmas tour.

The Williamsport Sun Gazette published this interview/concert preview article yesterday. Please give the full version, at the Williamsport Sun Gazette website some hits:

Clay Aiken returning to Community Arts Center

Former “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken will return to Williamsport at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.

This year’s holiday show, “Christmas in the Heartland,” will feature the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra.

In a recent interview with the Sun-Gazette, Aiken discussed “Christmas in the Heartland,” as well as how he’s grown since “American Idol.” Since being a contestant on “Idol,” Aiken said he believes he’s matured and learned the tricks of the trade when it comes to show business. When a performer is a novice in the industry, Aiken said it’s easy to be pushed around.

“Probably more than anything, I’m definitely more savvy when it comes to understanding how not be a pushover,” Aiken said. “When I was on ‘Idol,’ I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to anybody for anything. I think I’ve learned not to be taken advantage of.”

Aiken added that many members of the touring crew have returned to do the show all four years, so it’s become a tradition around the holidays and a family type of atmosphere. Having that bond is important when it comes to touring, and it becomes stronger each year.

Personally, Aiken said touring is something that he’s really gotten into, and he enjoys the consistency of being on the road and knowing exactly what lies ahead for the following day.

“When you’re not touring, you never know where you’re going to be the next day,” he said. “Somebody could call me and say, ‘I need you in L.A. tomorrow,’ and so I’m off to L.A. I like knowing where I am tomorrow — because nobody can change that.”

Aiken also looks forward to bringing the tour back to Williamsport. He said that Pennsylvania is always a great area for them to visit, and he refers to the state as a “microcosm of the country” — having big-city, urban areas, along with more quaint, rural areas.

“I’ve always enjoyed those smaller-town, Americana-type shows,” Aiken said. “The audiences are a lot more in line with what I grew up doing. I just really enjoy small-town audiences because I think they represent the country a little more.”