Tidbits 3/17

It's been 4 years since Clay's beautiful performance of "Somewhere Out There" on AI2.
Watch it on YouTube.

• Baxter Bulletin ... Rosie O'Donnell - "She's accused Kelly Ripa (cute, perky, annoying Kelly Ripa) of being homophobic because she didn't want Clay Aiken putting his hand over her mouth."
• Gazette Mail - where the idols are now ...

  Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken finished first and second in season two. Though Aiken was runner-up, he was arguably the more famous of the two. His third album, “A Thousand Different Ways,” was released in September and debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard chart. Studdard, who put out a gospel album in 2004, went back to R&B with October’s “The Return.”

• ClaySpots gives us green-Clay on this St. Patrick's Day.
  

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

2007 ATDW Tour: Gilford Confirmed, Uncertainty Over Brookville, NY Date

The Official Fanclub has confirmed the July 25 concert to be held at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH:

03/16/07 : New Clay Tour Date Added!
By Team Clay

A Clay Aiken symphony performance has been confirmed for July 25th in Gilford, NH at the Meadowbrook Farm (Musical Arts Center)! Stay tuned to ClayOnline.com for the latest on upcoming tour dates and ticket pre-sale/on-sale information!

There is also word that the concert listing posted by Tickco for an UNCONFIRMED Oct. 24 concert at Brookville, NY's Tilles Center may not be true after all. The CB's shycon says: "An email received and posted at the OFC says they are not aware of a scheduled date at Tilles."

CDD Congratulates Carolina On My Mind - 200 Blogs!

One of my personal favorite blogs, Carolina On My Mind, has surpassed their 200th blog mark! Congratulations to Carolina Clay and her team! What a fine achievement!

For days readers have strongly suggested that one's 200th blog is reason for a major celebration. I checked the archives and noted that #100 was a simple personal remembrance of two dear friends no longer here.

One delighted in Clay's vocals and American Idol successes with me. The other, my college roommate, never knew the man with the golden voice from her home state; but she would have hopped the Clay Train instantly had she heard him sing.

Putting cake, party streamers, and favors aside until the second anniversary of the initial entry on July 7, I propose, instead, that we celebrate the countless communities, close friendships, and special times we share in our support of a singer whose magnificent voice and caring heart affect lives throughout the planet. I thank you for your readership and for your many kind comments throughout the 200 blogs.

Update: you can join the 'celebrations' over at Clayveristy. Carolina Clay has asked us to thank the many PAH'ers both on Clayboard Pavillion and at Clayversity's "Department of Fine Arts" for their regular contributions to the blog. Special mentions go out to Clay Aiken The Ambassador of Love, Cindilu2, ABeautifulMind, AmazingCA, Katt45, and Sally.

Asheville Citizen-Times Mentions Clay's Biltmore Estates Concert

The Ashville Citizen-Times has announced that Clay will be performing at the Biltmore Estate this summer. In the article, they say,

The “American Idol” runner-up on the show in its second season in 2003. He will perform at Biltmore Estate Aug. 11, according to pollstar.com and clayonline.com. His appearance would be part of the estate’s summer concert series. Aiken was signed to RCA Records after his “Idol” appearance and has released three albums. His latest CD "A Thousand Different Ways" was released last September.

The summer Evening Concert Series is held on select Friday and Saturday evenings in August. According to the Biltmore Estates website:

Summer sounds sensational at Biltmore during Summer Evening Concerts. Watch performances from music's brightest stars on the South Terrace of Biltmore House. It's a fabulous evening of music accompanied by breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and stunning sunsets. Past performers include Bruce Hornsby, Clint Black, Indigo Girls, Lee Ann Womack, Manhattan Transfer, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, The Doobie Brothers, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

The Biltmore House, on four acres, is the largest home in America and has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, a bowling alley and indoor pool, and priceless art and antiques. This should really be a magnificent concert for Clay. Well, they're all magnificent, but this one even more so.

Part 2 of "Summer Tour" In The Fall?

We're getting hints of a second leg of Clay's "Summer Tour". According to Tickco, Clay is scheduled to perform at the Tilles Center in Brookville, NY on October 24. No ticketing information yet. Clay performed at the same venue during last year's Christmas tour.

Also, a fanclub member posted on the fanclub message board that the Qwest Center in Omaha, NE is also "in the running" for this fall leg of the tour. No date has been set for that concert.

Neither of dates have been confirmed by Team Clay. Until it is, please take this news with a few grains of salt.

Tidbits 3/16

• The Gossip Girl - you don't have to win Idol to be successful ... "Look at Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Katharine McPhee or Chris Daughtry for prime exampes of non-winners making it big. The show continues to illustrate that you don’t have to be number one to still win in the big picture."
• Asheville Citizen-Times article on Clay's scheduled August 11 concert in Asheville, NC... "The “American Idol” runner-up on the show in its second season in 2003. He will perform at Biltmore Estate Aug. 11, according to pollstar.com and clayonline.com."
• Henry Daily Herald - Idol fans respond to anti-Idol columnist ... "At least one person wrote me an e-mail calling me names that can’t be published for decency reasons and said I was a joke of a journalist because I didn’t like American Idol or worship at the alter of Clay Aiken."
• A few mentions of Clay's Aug. 4 concert in Los Angeles:
• Los Angeles Times
• OC Register - "Shows from Clay Aiken, the Fray, Stevie Nicks and Brian McKnight among dozens offered. Performances from Tony Bennett, Alison Krauss, the Fray, Clay Aiken, Chayanne, Michael Buble, Snow Patrol and dozens more have been announced as part of the 2007 Premiere Marquee Club lineup, an annual joint venture from the Greek Theatre and Gibson Amphitheatre."
• Wicked Chops Poker - Very random mention of Clay in this poker article... and not to mention this is the longest sentence I've ever seen!

  In a threat on par with getting a slap on the wrist by Crispin Leyser or perhaps having a Clay Aiken song dedicated to you, not that were suggesting anything here, WSOP man-in-charge Jeffrey Pollack said during a telephone press conference call today with media outlets, and some clueless rep from PacificPoker.com, that if anyone reported that this year's WSOP field would be capped at 10,000 players or that the WSOP anticipates 10,000 players he would personally call them to demand a retraction and make them buy him lunch, and perhaps dinner and a movie and a stroll on the beach, if the vibe was there.
  

• Nothing here yet.
  

Clay arrives At LAX ... With A Beard!

Just Jared Buzznet has some new photos of Clay arriving at LAX in Los Angeles... "American Idol Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken wears his trusty Burberry bucket hat to hide from paparazzi as he arrives at LAX airport. Clay, 28, traveled with his pet pooch(es) Raleigh and/or Durham (both Border Terriers), in a shoulder bag dog carrier."

Tidbits 3/15

• Pollstar - Clay's partial list of tour dates is posted at Pollstar's site.
• The Clayboard - From cuddles4clay03 and belle6827, E News commented about how Clay liked to have his hair styled on AI. Belle6827 said, "The E News thing was mainly Dean B. talking about Sanjaya and that there has never been a male contestant so interested in his hair since well, Clay Aiken. Dean went on to say that Clay wanted his hair styled to cover his ears. They showed a pic of Clay when he was on the first AMA with the light, spiky hair."
• David Foster is already planning River Rock 2007 ... Clay was at the River Rock 2006 fundraiser in Vancouver and according to the Calgary Herald, over $3,000,000 was raised for charity.

  Guests will pay up to $1,500 to listen to as-yet-unnamed musical icons. Foster wasn't dropping any names Wednesday, however last year's event in Richmond, B.C., which raised $3 million, featured Michael Buble, Olivia Newton-John, Clay Aiken and comedian George Lopez, among others. A similar event in Niagara in 2006 featured Andrea Bocelli, American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee and Buble.

• Cinematical ... cute Clay mention:

  We asked -- and boy, did you ever answer. After sharing our Moviefone/Cinematical staff celebrity crushes with you, we wondered who your celeb crushes might be, and got more than 1,300 comments in response. And not all of them were for Clay Aiken... And seriously, all you Clay Aiken fans? Wow. I don't get the attraction personally, but I've got to admire your enthusiasm.

• Song Quarters - Clay's picture is one of many top artists who are in the banner at Song Quarters. Song Quarters is "the world's most extensive tip sheet for songwriting leads to major & developing artists".
• The Clayboard - clayaikenisthegreatest posted this at The Clayboard, "from smittenwithclay from CV: "Jimmy Kimmell just asked Jensen Ackles if his internet fans were called something like Clay Aiken's Claymates or Jimmy Buffet's Parrotheads. Jensen said they did not have a name."
• Nice Clay mention on The View today during their segment on American Idol, says the CB's nky4clay:

  They were talking about AI....who got kicked off...etc.
  
  Then finished up with..naming who had been successful from the show...Kelly...Carrie...etc...
  
  Then said...something like..
  
  "And Clay Aiken...he is selling ...and he didn't even win.."
  
  So...they included him in the list of "winners"..
  

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette - where the idols are now ...

  Clay Aiken: The Season 2 runner-up has a rabid following of Claymates who will continue to support his theater tours, but he's hardly become an American idol to the country at large. There was a three-year wait for his second record (following a Christmas release), which debuted at No. 2 but petered out quickly.

• Albany Times Union - Chris Daughtry experiencing tremendous post idol success ...

  Davis is, of course, the head of RCA Records and one of music's legendary record executives. He has had huge success in signing other "Idol" winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino. He certainly must have recognized that the groundswell of support for Daughtry and the publicity that surrounded his departure made the singer a hot commodity.

• Nothing here yet.
  

Clay to Perform At Meadowbrook on Tour

We have some great news for fans in New Hampshire and surrounding states! According to the Meadowbrook website, Clay will be performing with the Nashua Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, July 25, at 8 p.m.

Internet, phone, box office, and outlet tickets go on sales on Saturday, April 14th, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Ticket prices are as follows:

Reserved Seating (Covered Pavilion) $59.00
Skyy Vodka Club Seating (Covered Including Cocktail Service) $74.00
Upper Reserved (Not Covered Bench Seating -- No Seat Backs) $35.00

This is great news for New England! We will keep you informed as new concerts are added to Clay's tour schedule.

Clay Back At #1 On HOB.com

As the tour shifts into gear, Clay's back on top at House of Blues' website. Keep him there by searching for Clay at HOB.com.

NEW INFO: Now Beta Alpha Teams Can Benefit From The BAF/Six Degrees Charity Fundraiser - SEND THE GREEN TO TBAF!

As most of you are aware, during the month of March, The Bubel Aiken Foundation is taking part in a charity fundraiser through Six Degrees. Clay's fans have been so supportive of this fundraiser that at this time, TBAF is in first place with 555 donations and a total of $15,710 donated. The fundraiser lasts until the end of March, however, so we cannot assume that TBAF will remain in first place. The top six organizations with the highest number of donations (not dollar amount) will receive up to a $10,000 matching fund from Kevin Bacon. This would mean at least $25,710 for TBAF!

We now have some new information available from Aron Hall at TBAF. MBLovesClay at The Clayboard received an email from him explaining how Beta Alpha Teams can now benefit from the Six Degrees Charity Fundraiser. Here is that email:

Send The Green To The Bubel/Aiken Foundation For St. Patrick's Day

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Six Degrees Charity Badge has been well-positioned in 1st place in Kevin Bacon's challenge, but anything could happen over the next 20 days until this competition ends at midnight on March 31st.

The Top 6 charity badges will win a matching fund from Kevin Bacon in the amount of $10,000! That's an extra $10,000 over the $15,000 plus already donated to TBAF through this program.

So let's SEND THE GREEN TO TBAF and celebrate St. Patrick's Day by winning the pot of gold for TBAF!

Starting March 17, St. Patrick's Day, when you donate through the official TBAF Six Degrees Charity Badge you can also benefit the TBAF Beta Alpha chapter of your choice. Simply forward a copy of your receipt from Network For Good to Aron Hall at TBAF at contactus@bubelaiken.org and indicate the name of your Beta Alpha Team in the SUBJECT of your e-mail. Find out more about the Voices of Beta Alpha here:

Voices of Beta Alpha

To donate through the badge, click on the link below or use the DONATE button on the official TBAF Six Degrees Charity Badge wherever it is displayed:

TBAF Six Degrees Charity Badge

Your donations are tax-deductible. The number of donations is what matters to win the competition, not the dollar amount. Only one donation per person will count in the Six Degrees contest. For more information about the badge, to view daily tracking progress and to download flyers to help spread the word, visit the TBAF Six Degrees Charity Badge Page at awAikening.org.

Some special notes on the donation and receipt handling: You may remove any confidential information on your receipt before forwarding a copy to TBAF, such as the credit card expiration date. If you are making multiple donations through the TBAF charity badge, although only one donation per person will count in the Six Degrees contest, your additional donation will be counted toward the SEND THE GREEN TO TBAF campaign. Contact me at contactus@bubelaiken.org for assistance.

Thank you!

Aron Hall
VP of External Affairs

Creating communities where ALL children can learn, live, and play together.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
8601 Six Forks Road
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 919.882.2152
Fax: 919.882.2155

Tidbits 3/14

• A Thousand Days is making its rounds on ClearChannel owned radio stations. For example, you can stream the song live on KLEN-FM's website.
• The CB's renee4clay was featured on The Insider today in response to a question about who would be the best co-host for Kelly Ripa as Regis heads into surgery... "Clay Aiken would be my number one pick. Bring it on Clay", she said.
• Clay was also mentioned on yesterday (3/13)'s Today Show on NBC, says the CB's OneSingerGal:

  yesterday Today did a 2-3 minute tribute to Clive Davis. they mentioned non-idol stars like alicia, britney, justin etc. and discussed whitney and jennifer hudson with Clive.
  
  during a part of it they flashed pics of the recording stars associated with Clive, and mentioned his successes....first mentioned some non-Idols, then mentioned that he's signed Idol winners (flashed carrie) and finalists (flashed a great screencap of Clay from his ATD video....Clay's smiling broadly while singing and his eyes are 'smiling' too...i.e. partially closed....so cute !!! his name wasn't mentioned. ). also flashed pics of other Idols...
  

• There was a cute Clay mention this morning in Chicago. The CB's secretfriendmom updates us:

  I was listening to the Stan and Terry show which is 105.9 FM. They are actually a talk show. But they were talking about last nights American Idol Show and how bad it was, and then they got into talking about Clay and Ruben somehow. And the one DJ goes "Who's Clay Aiken?" and the other DJ goes, "You know the guy that beat Ruben" LOL and he was serious about it too...LOL There was some caller in afterwards that was supposed to have all the "info" on American Idol, so not sure if they set the DJ straight about Clay and Ruben or not. But it made my day...LOL
  

• From One Singer Gal @ The Clayboard:

  Yesterday (the TV show) Today did a 2-3 minute tribute to Clive Davis. they mentioned non-idol stars like alicia, Britney, justin etc. and discussed whitney and jennifer hudson with Clive.
  During a part of it they flashed pics of the recording stars associated with Clive, and mentioned his successes....first mentioned some non-Idols, then mentioned that he's signed Idol winners (flashed carrie) and finalists (flashed a great screencap of Clay from his ATD video....Clay's smiling broadly while singing and his eyes are 'smiling' too...i.e. partially closed....so cute !!! his name wasn't mentioned. ). also flashed pics of other Idols...

• Lycos 50 - Clay has moved up three places to #16 for the week ending March 10. Under his name, it says, "Claymates love him." They have that right! Clay has been in the Lycos top 50 for a total of 193 weeks, just 15 weeks shy of 4 years!
• FOX News -more on Mario Vasquez being sued over sexual harassment allegations... Vasquez has the same lawyer as Clay:

  Vazquez had been convinced by an attorney who had worked on extricating Clay Aiken from his "American Idol" management contract that, should he win, he would be stuck with a long deal that would be difficult to get out of later.

• Fayetteville Observer - as Regis Philbin heads into a bypass surgery, Kelly Ripa will find herself with many guest co-hosts... "As long as Clay Aiken is not sitting next to her, the scheduled line-up should complement the witty Ripa."
• Times Herald-Record: AI article ... "More to the point, every season seems to feature a nice, nonthreatening male figure (think Clay Aiken, Kevin Corvais and John Stevens), whose appeal to adolescent girls (and their mothers and fathers) can't be underestimated."
• MLive - cheering on AI6 finalist LaKisha Jones ... "The judges have loved her from the get-go -- even Simon, which is saying a LOT! She's got an amazing voice and presence, and a great chance at winning. And even if she doesn't win, she'll probably still be a star. Remember, Clay Aiken didn't win."
• Your Hub Denver - AI recap ... "Still, these are the growing weeks, the weeks that managed to make even Clay Aiken a star. You never know."
• Associated Content - fewer and fewer Americans tuning into idol and "often the losers of the show do better than the winners. For example, last summer Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson easily beat Taylor's album in record sales. Chris Daughtry, a loser to Taylor, is topping the charts."

• Nothing here yet.
  

American Idol 2 - Remembering Clay's Performances - Top 12

As I was watching American Idol tonight, I was thinking to myself, "There just is no one on there that even comes close to Clay." Yes, Melinda and Lakeisha have amazing voices. But Clay's voice, personality, and inner light, as Diana Ross made reference to, are light years above and beyond the others, in my opinion. I got to thinking, "Why not remember Clay's performances for the next few weeks on CDD".

So, for the next 12 weeks, CDD will walk down memory lane and remember Clay's performances each week of 2003, starting with the Top 12. This will be done in conjunction with the Top 12 through the Finale of the 2006 season. Commentary will be mine. So here is the Top 12 week of 2003.

The Top 12 week of 2003 was Motown week and took place on March 11. Clay sang "I Can't Help Myself" on that show and came walking out, waving, with all the confidence of a pro. No fancy dancing or fancy dress, just that amazing voice and some of the things we have grown to love about him -- the deep knee bends, the lip bite, and the eyes that melt the TV screen. Plus that spikey hair and that smile that is illuminated by his light from within. And when he started snapping those fingers and singing, "Burning in my heart, tearing me apart", the crowd went wild.

The judges comments were mostly good. Randy said, "What's Up Dog? You get the Standing O Dog - Brilliant Baby Brilliant." Paula said that Clay has "this confidence about you" like its "just another day and I'm on American Idol and I'm going to sing and its no big deal. Its amazing." To Clay's "thank you" she responded with "thank YOU". The guest judge, who I haven't a clue who he is (someone inform me!) said that Clay looked like a professional, "like you've already arrived; like you've been doing it for years and that's the look of the stars". Very nice! Oh, and then there's Simon's backhanded compliment..its sounded very good, but "if I'm being honest the performance was Motown the Musical."

Of course, we all know it was fantastic. What we didn't know was that Clay was getting about 80% of the votes every week! The public knew talent when they saw it!

The clothes and shoes that Clay wore for this performance are now housed in the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh.

Unfortunately, I was not watching American Idol yet when he sang this song. But thank goodness for clack like we can find at Clack Unlimited. You can go to Clack Unlimited, American Idol 2 Performances and click on Solo Performances to download all of Clay's songs.

Next week, Week 11 and Clay's next song.

Breaking News: More Tour Dates Announced

The official fanclub has just announced 9 more tour dates, bringing the total number of tour dates up to 12. The fanclub also says there will be around 20 tour dates in total and those other dates should be announced by the end of the week.

Clay will be performing approximately 20 orchestra dates across the U.S. this summer in July and August. The on sale and fan club presale information is just now starting to come together but we wanted to give you as much information as we can as soon as possible. We WILL be doing fan club presales on as many dates as allowed and will post that and the public onsale information as soon as it is available. Below are the dates that are confirmed so far. The rest of the dates should be confirmed by the end of this week, so keep checking back.

July 7 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre

July 17 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center

July 19 Rochester, NY Constellation Performing Arts Center

July 20 Chautauqua, NY Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater

July 21 Columbus, OH Chemical Abstract Service

August 2 San Diego, CA Embarcadero Marina Park South

August 3 Pala, CA Pala Casino Starlight

August 4 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre

August 10 Raleigh, NC Koka Booth Amphitheater

August 11 Asheville, NC Biltmore Estates

August 15 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheater

August 18 West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

The Bubel Aiken Foundation Gala Sold Out

According to an article in the Raleigh Chronicle, the March 31 Gala, or as they call it "a special Clay Aiken concert", has sold out. The Chronicle got this news from the Cardinal Club where the Gala will be held.

The Chronicle tells us:

The special concert called "Champions of Change" will benefit Clay Aiken's charity, the Bubel Aiken Foundation which helps sponsor programs for children with disabilities.

According to the concert poster, the concert "will provide scholarships for children with special needs to be included in programs and activities that will allow them to learn and play and have fun."

The Chronicle also quotes TBAF's website as saying, "Both Clay and Diane had witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children...they knew with the right support system doors could be opened to these individuals that had thus far remained closed."

The Gala is approximately two weeks away. CDD will post all news that we find both leading up to and after The Gala.

Tidbits 3/13

• Lycos50 - Clay's up several spots to #16 this week. Clay's caption this week: "Claymates love him". Great job everyone!
  
• Beyond Wisconsin - This site has a timeline of the American Idol Runner-Ups and a place where you can leave your comments about which is the best. Great chance to tell the world that Clay is absolutely the best!
• MediaBase PR on the influence of American Idol on radio ... Clay is the #6 idol in terms of radio play.
  

  The winners of season one and four respectively, have racked up an impressive four million plus radio spins between them. Others who have become household names include Fantasia, Josh Gracin, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and 2007 Oscar and Soul Train Award Winner, Jennifer Hudson.

• Story based on this PR: FMQB Radio Industry news: "Others who have become household names include Fantasia, Josh Gracin, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and 2007 Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson."
  
• The Scripps Howard News Service AI article from yesterday is now floating around various news outlets in syndication. You can read a copy of it here at the Charlotte Observer ...

  The recording sales of "Idol" winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Clay Aiken have soared. Former finalist Paris Bennett came to the red carpet last Thursday and said her album, "Princess P" (titled after her nickname), would be released in April.

• USA Today - an all-female Idol finale show down... the next Clay/Ruben? "A Melinda-LaKisha final could be Idol's biggest since Season 2's Ruben Studdard-Clay Aiken duel."
• EurWeb ... reasons we love American Idol -- giving the underdogs a chance ...

  Ruben Studdard and Jennifer Hudson would have been considered by record executives to be "fat;" Kelly Clarkson would have been deemed ordinary; the nerdy Clay Aiken wouldn't translate to chicks. Carrie Underwood would have been persuaded to sing anything but country. Taylor Hicks would have to lose the gray hair.

• Reality TV World - Mario Vasquez sued over alleged sexual allegations...

  Vazquez withdrew from the fourth season of Idol before the finals began for "personal reasons." Shortly thereafter, it was reported that Vazquez hired Jess Rosen, an Atlanta entertainment lawyer famous for extricating American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken from his Idol management contract last year, to represent him.

• Carolina On My Mind - another wonderful mix-matched post on the Clay's blog, NCAA basketball and the latest buzz in the Clay nation.
• There Was A Man - remembering AI2's memorable Top 12 show, 4 years ago last weekend.

  On March 11 and 12th, 2003 American Idol 2 aired it's Top 12 with a Motown theme. Lamont Dozier was a guest judge. Clay brought magic to American Idol that has not been there since. His voice and his personality melded to together for a Tour de Force to be reckoned with. The whole show had an innocence. A bunch of kids trying out for their dream. These days it's seasoned professional looking for their last chance break. Whatever happened on AI2, the manipulation and unfairness that went on, I will never regret the show that gave us Clay.
  

Lecherous Broads For Clay Aiken Turns 4

Whether you're a member of LBFCA or not, I'm sure we've all enjoyed being entertained by the intelligent and witty folks over at LBFCA (doesn't the photo above say it all? I love the one that says "You. Me. Bath"... ROTFL!!!).

Any so, it is appropriate that on behalf of Jan, myself and everyone else here at Clay's Daily Double, we'd like to wish the Broads a...

HAPPY 4th ANNIVERSARY!

Review From Charlotte Concert - 2004

And here we go again...another "blast from the past" as we await more tour news and exciting developments from Clay! This one is a review of my very own that I wrote after I saw Clay in Charlotte, North Carolina in October 2004. A friend talked me into going at the last minute, and I've never been so glad that I did! I've taken out a few names of friends (to protect the innocent!), but otherwise the review is intact. Talk about bring back memories to me!

I hope you will enjoy reading about this awesome Charlotte concert (okay, they're all awesome) from my perspective. I think that you will!!

Well, I'm finally finding the time to write up a review. Life is crazy over here!!

When we got to Charlotte first we went to the Bubel Aiken Foundation Fundraiser. They had lots of things for sale there -- t-shirts, license plates, pins, hats, etc. They were even selling the leis like Clay would give to the dancer at his concert. Oh, and they had Penny Lane there, so we all gave something for that. Turns out they
made $1600 and the total for all concerts was raised to about $20,000!!!! All from our pennies!!!

Next on our agenda was to go to the Clay fan barbecue. There were so many people there - men and women!!!! Its an awesome feeling to be there with that many people who are so obviously crazy about Clay!!! It was all such a good time!!

After the barbecue, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the main event by our main man!!!!! THE CHARLOTTE CONCERT!!!!!! WOO-HOO!! It was almost time to get to see Clay again!! We were all spread out all over the place. Our seats were on row 20 right in the middle of the theater!!!! We just had to look straight ahead to see those gorgeous green eyes!!! And we had binoculars!!!! Like I've said before, I just love "Closeup Clay"!!!! **SIGH**

Sitting 3 seats down from me was a lady I recognized. I asked her, "Were you onstage with Clay?" She said, "No, I was on Kimmel." Sure enough, she was the lady they showed on Jimmy Kimmel and who they asked if she minded being called a Claymate. She had said, "Some people don't." Remember her? That was pretty neat meeting her. I saw Jerome go down the aisle with several people following, including a girl who kept saying, "Please Jerome, Please!!!!" I guess she was begging to meet Clay!!!! Betcha it didn't work!!! :)

When it was finally time for the show to begin, I had goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach. The band starts playing, and then....and then....AND THEN!!!!....out comes Clay singing!!! And its the most exciting thing to see him for that first time in the concert. You've waited and waited to see him and out he comes in the flesh and you just want to run up there on stage and give him a big hug!!!! What a sweetie!!! And to hear him sing in person. Oh my goodness, that voice just melts my heart!!! Have you ever heard such a voice before? I know I haven't!!!

Every song was perfection that night. He was so into each song and I'm sure being jome made a difference. We were all screaming and going crazy!!! My son would think his mom was looney tunes!!!!! But you just want to let Clay know how much you love him so you just scream and clap and scream some more!!!! Clay was a hoot and a half that night. He asked a girl who was up close to the stage what in the world she was wearing. S'von (spelling??) said she had on Clay's thong and she started to show Clay and he just turned the other way and said something like, "No don't show me!!" Ends up she had a grass skirt on with jeans underneath and the thong on top. Still, Clay didn't want any part of that!!! Too funny!!!

Clay was also full of snarky comments when the dancers came onstage. He had a dancer who had been there before (Ethel), and then the other girl who got the lei, and she was dancing all over the place!!!! She was supposed to watch Ethel and dance like her, but she was in her own little dancing world and wasn't paying attention to anything else. Funny!!

Of course, the funniest thing of the evening was when Clay was telling the girl who came up to sing about Ethel. He got a little carried away in showing her what Ethel would do and he did that dance movement with his leg against the girl and then almost immediately realized what he had done and stopped himself. It was like a stand up comedy act after that. One crack after another after another!!! The crowd was going crazy. And of course the band and Jacob were about to die!!! I can't believe how funny Clay can be just off the cuff like that. He is just a natural up there. I think he endeared himself more to the fans with that little incident and how he handled it. He is just such a sweetheart!!!!!

During MOAM, everyone who had brought light sticks held them up and swayed them to the music. It was beautiful!!!! So many people had brought them, so it was like a sea of green lights!!! You could tell Clay was touched and I think held back tears during the song. And when the song was over, he just had this sweet look on his face like he couldn't believe the fans did that for him!!!

Well, all the other songs were wonderful as always. You can tell how much fun they are all having up there in STO and Roseanna. YWT brought me to tears this time. You can just feel the love he has for God when he sings that song. Invisible is such fun to sing along with Clay and to see the joy he has on his face hearing all the fans
sing it!!! And of course, Solitaire is just wonderful. The applause were thunderous before he came back out to sing that one. The only bad thing about it is that you know this is the last song and its almost over and you wish that Clay would sing about 20 more songs and just hang out with the audience and talk and laugh and cut up, etc.

It was so neat to see people from 3 to 103 there, and lots of men too!!! Young parents with little kids, teenagers, middle aged ladies, grandmas. You name it and they were there, all thrilled to see and hear the man of their dreams!!!! And I mean sweet, sweet dreams!!!! :)

When we left this most wonderful concert, we went to Shoney's where the fans were all going to meet. We packed the place -- took them by surprise!!!! They were running out of ice cream and other things. Someone had a portable DVD player and was playing videos of some of Clay's other concerts. We all just sat and talked and had a great time. There's just nothing like being with other Clay fans!!!

The next day we drove back to Raleigh and met several people at of all places a restaurant called something like "Texas Roadhouse"!!! Hey, I left Texas to eat at North Carolina restaurants, not Texas restaurants!!! :) Anyway, we had lots of fun. We took lots of pictures, and then (sniff sniff) I had to leave for the airport. I sure didn't want to leave, but you do what you have to do. And I was just so thankful
that I got to spend the time that I did there and see Clay in concert in his own home state and meet so many wonderful, wonderful people!!!

Oh, at the airport when I was going through security, one of the guards saw my Clay Aiken shirt on me. He said, "Clay Aiken!!" Then he said, "Clay comes through this airport all the time." I said, "Neat!" And then he said, "Next time you see Clay, tell him 'hi'." I said, "If I ever meet him I will!" Then I said, "Next time YOU see Clay, tell him hi from his fan "Jan"." He said he would!! I doubt he'll remember, but it was kind of a funny conversation!!!!

Well, I'm sure I've left something out, but that's most of it. It was just a grand and glorious weekend, and I hope all of you can do this some day. I've been smiling since I got home!!!!!

Jan D

Tidbits 3/12

Clay's featured over at Sympatico MSN's American Idol section.

• Yahoo TV - rank the American Idol... Clay vs. William Hung! Let's get voting Claymates! (You'll have to rank a few other idols before you get to Clay)
  
• Foxes on Idol - ranking this year's AI top 12 ...

  American Idol cannot be won in a day – or two days, or with one song. It is a long journey full of twists and turns, potholes and hurdles. Some have held the title in their hands all season long until the last minute (Clay Aiken). Others had it and never lost it (Carrie Underwood). And others still came out of nowhere shocked the world (Kelly Clarkson).

• AOL TMZ - Regis Philbin to have bypass surgery... "Philbin says he'll be away from the show [Live with Regis & Kelly] for five weeks. No word on whether Clay Aiken will fill in for the peppy talkmaster."
• McGill Tribune - stalker songs? "Invisible" on the list.
• Star Courier - American Idol ... gone country?

  That got me to thinking about other possible matchups between American Idols and those you’d least expect — like Clay Aiken and Alice Cooper. Or, how about Season 2 winner Rueben Studdard teaming up with Little Jimmy Dickens, the four-foot Grand Ol’ Opry star who made “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” a hit? You can take it from there.

• CBS ShowBuzz - music article ...

  Carmine and his bandmates decided to go back in the studio on their own with all new songs and a new producer, John Fields, who has worked with Soul Asylum, Switchfoot, Clay Aiken, and Pink.

• Center Daily | OC Register- Idol update... "The recording sales of "Idol" winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Clay Aiken have soared. Former finalist Paris Bennett came to the red carpet last Thursday and said her album, "Princess P" (titled after her nickname), would be released in April."
  
• Dallas Morning News - Jamie Foxx jokes about Clay during concert.
• National Ledger - Rosie O'Donnell article.

• Nothing here yet.
  

CDD's List of "Clay Aiken Please Come Here" Locations

With the new tour starting in just a few months, why not have a little fun. In yesterday's blog, Clay says he's trying as hard as possible to visit "neglected" locations.

Have a location you want Clay to visit? Post a comment to this post and let's see how many places we can list by next week.

Clay Beats Us At Our "Game"

HE Blogged! He Blogged!!! OMIGOD!!! I can't believe it... he's alive, and he blogged!!

-Clay Aiken's first message board post

Sure, Claymates are usually the first ones to post 0.000001 seconds after Clay blogs like he did last night. But this time, Clay beat us to our game, posting his first thread to the official fanclub message boards. The post was short and sweet, and for the sake of Clay nation history, we hope Team Clay doesn't mind sharing his words here: "HE Blogged! He Blogged!!! OMIGOD!!! I can't believe it... he's alive, and he blogged!!"

If you're a fanclub member, check out the message here. The thread is 51 pages and growing.

July 2004 Clay Article Written During First Solo Tour

Now that Clay has blogged, we hope to have more exciting news coming your way in the next few weeks. However, for a few more days anyway, I will continue to post something from the past about Clay. An article, a review, an interview. These are great to read and wonderful reminders of what was going on in Clay's life and career "back in the days".

Here's a great article that was written during his first solo tour. I think you'll enjoy it!

July 08, 2004 Clay's way
Aiken No Second-Place Finisher As Most Successful‘American Idol’ Star Sings On
By Knight Ridder Newspapers

By all standards and measures, Clay Aiken is an A-list celebrity. His first album, “Measure of a Man,” went triple-platinum in six months. He won a Billboard Music Award in December for the year’s best-selling single (his cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”). He was nominated for two “TRL Awards” on MTV: best male artist, along with Justin Timberlake, rapper 50 Cent and Andre 3000 of OutKast.

Aiken’s road to larger-than-life stardom was atypical: void of hype and paved with few of the traditional steppingstones. He didn’t do time as a singer/dancer on the Disney Channel. He didn’t emerge from a boy band. Nor was he the focus of a glitzy, million-dollar publicity campaign from a label trying to hype his talents and spit-shine his star qualities. All Aiken did was be himself for several weeks in the second edition of the Fox network’s weekly talent search, “American Idol,” a role that led to a showdown — and a cooked-up rivalry — with vocalist Ruben Studdard. Aiken lost that little war, but he won the larger battle decisively. He has been, by far, the most popular and successful “American Idol” performer. [His constant touring includes a Charleston Civic Center show on Tuesday.]

No matter how temporary it is, his success says a lot about what some people these days want from their celebrity entertainers. Mostly, it says they want someone who isn’t larger than life, someone who is as ordinary, wholesome and homogenous as they are. Nearly every review of an Aiken tour notes the composition of the audience: predominantly females of all ages, including lots of moms and grandmothers. Asked recently whether he brings out the maternal instincts in some of his fans, Aiken laughed and said: “The show lets you watch a person and get to know a person and even take ownership of that person. It’s possible I remind people of a kid who needs taking care of. But I don’t mind. My fans do take care of me. They are amazingly devoted and enthusiastic.”

Aiken brings out the motherliness in some of his fans because, above all, he portrays himself as a moral hygienist: He’s friendly, spiritual, charitable, modest and humble.

He also arrived at “Idol” with a sympathetic story: He was estranged from his birth father and raised by his mother and her second husband, who died in 2002. He started singing in church choirs while still in grade school. While in college, planning for a career working with underprivileged children, a half-sister committed suicide.
Thus, his fans extract something deeper from his music than casual listeners, who tend to dismiss Aiken as another Barry Manilow or the next Michael Bolton. His most die-hard fans document his every move in excruciating detail, right down to the jewelry he wears or doesn’t wear on a certain day.

“I have a chain I wear occasionally around my neck,” he said, “and fans on their Web sites will write about what’s on the chain on a certain day, whether it’s just a chain or there’s a pendant on it.

“I really don’t understand it. I still think I’m awkward and geeky and pretty normal.”

Aiken knows his success comes with a stigma — “People say we’re not real artists; we’re game-show contestants” — which puts him in a peculiar place. For now, he’s obligated to play up his association with the show that made him a star. But he’d also like to slip out of its spotlight and into his own eventually.

“Maybe when I’m done with the second album,” he said, “I’ll be able to distance myself from the show a little bit.”

Aiken knows why so many of his fans were attracted to him: because he isn’t as slick and beautiful and luminous as people like Cherie or Justin Timberlake.

“Most people who attach themselves to someone on the show pick someone they relate to,” he said. “Ruben and I don’t fit the typical image of a star. I’ve told Kelly [Clarkson] several times, the reason every person auditioned for the second [‘Idol’] show was because they saw her win, and they thought, ‘She’s normal; if she can do that, so can I.’”

Clay Aiken performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Charleston Civic Center. Tickets, $34.50 and $44.50. Call 342-5757.

Tidbits 3/11

• Richmond Times Dispatch - In an article about Elliott Yamin, it says, "The album is being released on Hickory Records, an imprint that is owned by Sony, but, according to Yamin's manager, Jeff Rabhan, is a virtual label...Hickory Records doesn't exist anywhere except in Elliott Yamin's world," said Rabhan, who, coincidentally, grew up in Richmond and worked with Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson during his time at major entertainment management company The Firm."
• Pittsburgh Tribune Review - 'Idol' curiosity article - "It's interesting to see how the careers of former "American Idol" contestants are playing out. For every success -- Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and especially Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson -- there are many more who have faded into obscurity. Justin Guarini, anyone?"
• Raleigh News and Observer -

  Hopefully, the Triangle's swerve into the bizarre corner of life that L.A. seems to permanently inhabit is a temporary condition -- nothing more than a momentary alignment of circumstance, sordid crime and media attention. At least one expert thinks that's the case (see accompanying interview). But if it's a permanent shift, then you need to adjust accordingly.
  
  Look into earthquake insurance, for instance. And get used to the idea of a local entertainment celebrity ascending to the state's highest office, a la Ah-nuld.
  
  See how this sounds to you: Gov. Clay.

• Thoughts on Clay's blog...
• There Was A Man
• Southern Girl
  

Clay Blogs - thoughts on NYC, Brazil, UNICEF... tour to hit CA, MO?

Clay blogged today to give us an update on what's been going on in his life the past month or so. Although we can't copy the blog onto CDD, here's a quick synopsis:

• Clay talked about how much fun Kimmel & Mike & Juliet was. He says he had a slight cold when he appeared on Mike & Juliet, but it's all cleared up now.
• BRAZIL! Clay took a trip down there recently and found an excellent new drink called the "Guarana"
• Clay says he's looking forward to the BAF gala to be held on March 31 in Raleigh. He also mentioned that he will be taking his UNICEF trip with his former social studies teacher to an undisclosed location sometime in the summer. Details are not being disclosed for security reasons.
• Clay says he met President Bush's daughter (didn't specify which one!) and former First Lady Barbara Bush at his committee meeting at the White House last month.
• Team Clay is putting details of the summer tour together as we speak. Clay says they will try to hit as many areas not covered during the last several tours as much as possible. Clay gave us the hint: surfboard and stetson... sounds like California and Missouri is in for a treat this summer!
  
• And of course, Clay wouldn't miss the opportunity to tease us when he said he has some really "exciting" projects in the works.