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Houston Chronicle - There's a great Houston Symphony ad in the hard copy of the Houston Chronicle that includes all upcoming performers with the symphony and is just now starting to advertise Clay. Clay will move up the list each week as it gets closer to his performance on July 6. NOTE: The date is correct in this ad, but they have the day wrong. The Symphony has been called to correct this.
Asbury Park Press - Yamin following in the footsteps of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and other AI runner-ups:
Yamin, who just released a self-titled debut CD and is launching a 25-city headlining tour this week, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, La Toya London, Kellie Pickler and Bo Bice, who all have parlayed finishes in at least the Top 6 into successful record deals.
LA Daily News - very random Clay mention: "Would Rafael Nadal, during his record run on clay, buy a Clay Aiken record"
New York Daily News - In the "Reality Bites" section about American Idol it says:
Clay Aiken's fans were called the Claymates; Taylor Hicks', the "Soul Patrol." Blake's? "Blaker Girls." Speaking of Clay, remember when he showed up onstage suddenly last season looking like a different dude with weird darker hair? Elliot Yamin pulled a total Clay, with a frothy pouf on his head, new teeth and a Joey Fatone beard.
The official fanclub has just posted a flurry of new tour presale and on sale dates for several of Clay's concerts:
05/18/07: NEW CLAY AIKEN PRE-SALES BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 21st!
By Team Clay
New pre-sales for Clay Aiken's upcoming symphony tour begin this coming Monday, May 21st. Pre-sale passwords, links and detailed information will be posted on the TOURS page of the website prior to pre-sale start times. You will need to login using your Clay Online fan club account to see the pre-sale links and codes.
Clay Aiken Pre-Sale beginning Wednesday, May 23rd:
August 15 -- Atlanta, GA -- Chastain Park Amphitheater - Pre-Sale Begins 10 a.m. EDT
August 17 -- Tampa, FL -- Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Pre-Sale Begins 12 p.m. EDT
05/18/07: Upcoming On-Sale Dates!
By Team Clay
Included below are the upcoming on-sale dates for Clay Aiken performances. Visit the TOURS page for a complete listing of tour dates and tour dates on sale to the public now.
Date
Location
Venue
On-Sale Date
July 21
Columbus, OH
Chemical Abstract Service
On-Sale 5/21
August 11
Asheville, NC
Biltmore Estate
On-Sale 5/23
August 15
Atlanta, GA
Chastain Park Amphitheater
On-Sale 5/25
August 11
Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
On-Sale 5/25
05/17/07: Tickets for Tulsa, Oklahoma on sale NOW!
By Team Clay
This morning it was brought to our attention that tickets for the Clay Aiken performance in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, July 7th are now on-sale. Unfortunately, we were not able to facilitate a pre-sale, nor provide advanced notice of the on-sale date as we did not receive any information beforehand from the venue.
FOX 56 in Lexington, KY interviewed an avid Claymate last night and gave her the opportunity to promote Clay. Here's a transcript of the report from the CB's kyCAtfan:
FOX - 56 Lexington Kentucky May 16, 2007 10 PM News Interview with Lexington Claymate
Here's the transcript (to the best of my ability):
News Anchor: As American Idol gets ready to crown its sixth winner, some Lexington fans of the show still idolize Season 2. Every Tuesday and Wednesday night, this group of friends can be found watching American Idol, but before and even after the current episode they pop in tapes of Season 2.
Charlene: I was blown away by his voice.
Followed by video clip of Clay singing Invisible.
News Anchor: They idolize the shows most successful runner up -- 28 year old Clay Aiken -- and Charlene is the ringleader of the Claymates.
Charlene: The only other concert I've been to was Elvis when I was in high school. I had no CDs, no CD players and when I heard him I just melted.
I have two books here, the last one -- Learning to Sing.
News Anchor: She could open a Clay Aiken museum in her home. (Clay music in background.) Charlene has been achin' for Aiken since the first time she saw him and has traveled the country to 17 concerts. A shirt lists the concerts with room for more and she has every magazine article that mentions Clay and every CD.
Charlene: I try to get more than one because you know one might go bad and you need extras on hand.
News Anchor: In fact, Charlene can credit Clay with getting her up to speed on technology.
Carol (friend): She learned really early on, at her first concert, that the Claymates were e-mailing each other and that there were message boards out there. All of this was quite new to her, but it didn't take her long and before we knew it, she had bought a computer. She had a new CD player and she had really moved into the high tech age.
News Anchor: Now she's into computers. She has 1000's of images of Clay printed from the Internet.
Charlene (admiring Clay's eyes): I still love that look.
News Anchor: Many of Clay's fans have pictures, posters and articles that they can show you at their homes or offices, but Charlene takes her devotion with her wherever she goes. Check out her license plate- LV CLAY.....They do and have been somewhat relieved to see that there are 1000's of other women just like them when they travel to concerts.
Charlene: Sometimes, when we go to the buses, if he's waving to us, we hold the towel (towel has "Thank You" on it)......Thank you for the lovely concert.
News Anchor: Clay has seen Charlene in the crowds and waved to her from windows, but she's not really met him.
Charlene: I could die happy, if I got that chance.
News Anchor: Everyone needs a hobby and Charlene's is an Idol pursuit. Charlene already has plans to see Clay this summer in Knoxville, Asheville and Atlanta.
Co-Anchor: Did you catch on to the Claymate madness?
News Anchor: Well, I didn't, necessarily, but they are true fans and I'd love to be around them the day Charlene actually meets him.
Credits to Rainlover for finding Miami Voice Studio's site. The site shows a picture of one of their students singing with Clay during NAT2004.
Tiny Clay mention in the Knoxville News Sentinel yesterday. Clay tells us why he made his big AI2 transformation in the quote below the photo. Click the photo to the right to enlarge (it only enlarges a little bit!). Thanks to the CB's KH25 for the scan.
For those of you shocked about Melinda’s departure, I’ll say this theory may have something to do with it. Or maybe not. Who really can explain how Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken. Seriously, there’s not an “Idol” winner or contestant out there with more fans than Clay Aiken. Have you heard of the “CarrieMates”? Didn’t think so. But Claymates are all over the world.
Qick Clay mention on last night's Showbiz Tonight on CNN Headline News... just a small tidbit about how Clay was more popular than other Idols ... cap at SendSpace courtesy gerwhisp.
The AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE! Tour won't be making its way to Atlanta until September, but CLAY AIKEN brings the red-hot sex appeal (Aug. 15, Chastain), and rumor has it that country cutie KELLIE PICKLER will hit town later this summer (in her red high heels, we assume) with BRAD PAISLEY.
Houstonist - random mention ... "Secondly, the Thom Yorke from 12 years ago sure does resemble Clay Aiken. Now that's enough to make our stomachs turn."
Fantastic Clay mention tonight on CNN'sAnderson Cooper 360, according to the CB's nky4clay.
Update 5/18: gerwhisp has uploaded a cap of this to SendSpace.
I was just flipping channels...while watching ER....and went to CNN...
Anderson Cooper was talking about AI with a woman...sorry didn't get her name..
They were discussing Melinda being kicked off ....and the woman said..."Listen..she will be alright..I will buy her album...not everyone who wins does that well...Look at Taylor Hicks...not that he is doing that badly but......
It's always heartening to hear stories such as this. A Raleigh boy is raising money for Clay's Bubel Aiken Foundation by setting up a lemonaid stand at Taylor's Fine Wine & Grocery (10005 Six Forks Road in Raleigh) between 9 and 3 this Saturday.
As part of the LemonAID Stand Off, Jonathan is challenging kids to have their own lemonade stand between Saturday and June 9 to raise money for the foundation, which singer Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame co-founded.
For more information, go to www.bubelaiken.org. Click on "What's New" for details. Prizes will be awarded to the two stands that raise the most money.
A few Clay mentions in reactions to last night's AI6 shocker which saw Melinda Doolittle eliminated:
The View - Clay was mentioned on ABC's The View this morning where the discussion was about how Idol runner-ups can find success, like Clay Aiken. Download the cap @ SendSpace.
Tulsa World - " This isn't a eulogy for her career, of course. It's just the beginning -- just ask Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken."
I suppose I can look at this in a positive manner. Melinda won't be forced to sing the inevitably crappy finale song and produce the inevitably bland debut album. She'll still be tied to the soul-sucking Idol machine, but not as much if she had won. And many non-winners have done rather well. I'd say that Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, and Clay Aiken aren't complaining about their lives, and not even Elliott Yamin, who came in third place last year.
Judge Paula Abdul added, "You already have made it," which could certainly be the case, judging by the success of former "American Idol" viewer-rejects like Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.
There were several contestants that were nearly equal but I saw one that clearly stood out from the rest, namely Melinda Doolittle. I enjoy her music and will place her first album in my library on the shelf next to Clay Aiken’s.
I won't say America was robbed (like I would've said about Ruben Studdard beating out Kimberly Locke to be in the top two with Clay Aiken or like America was robbed when Elliott Yamin went home instead of Taylor Hicks last season) by sending home Tennessee native Melinda Doolittle, but it was a stunner.
But the more startling changes happen season-to-season. We all remember Clay Aiken emerging from behind at last year's finale, looking like k.d. lang, to greet his desperate doppelganger, Michael Sandecki (aka Clay Faiken), while both sang "Don't Let The Sun Shine Down On Me." Sandecki became crazed. I wasn't sure if he was going to kiss Clay - or try to stab him. It was a terrifying "Single White Idol" moment. Luckily the robotic Ryan efficiently straitjacketed Sandecki and Clay was safe. (While being carted off afterward, Sandecki was heard pining, "I've always depended on the kindness of Seacrest.")
But Clay's transformation has been eclipsed by two others this year: Kellie Pickler's astonishing new jugs. And Elliott Yamin's new teeth, aka The White Cliffs of Dover.
MLive - uh... American Idol cologne? "Clay Aiken is now asking himself, why did I go through all that nonsense when I could have just worn this fragrance?"
Akron Beacon Journal - Clive Davis preventing Idol alums from achieving success? "Clive Davis, is exactly the kind of bland try-to-please-everybody pablum that has stalled the momentum of a few AI contestants (Clay Aiken's cover album, anyone?). "
Mentions of the summer tour -
Jewish Exponent - "Other stars of note include jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame; Motown star Smokey Robinson; Lyle Lovett; and a 1960s band revue."
Although the future of Clay Aiken, the American Idol runner-up on was extremely unpredictable, he surprised skeptics and burst onto the music scene with transcendently powerful voice. An unlikely pop star, Aiken has remained steadfast in his desire to remain true to the simple values he learned as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina. His authenticity matched by an unconventional sincerity has earned Aiken millions of fans. With a rigorous 20-city tour on the books for this summer, get ready Clay-Mates, Aiken's show at Classic Chastain with the award-winning ASO is going to be a big one!
The HUB - AI5 contestant Elliott Yamin following in the footsteps of previous runner-ups: "Yamin, who just released a self-titled debut CD and is launching a 25-city headlining tour this week, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Bo Bice, who all have parlayed finishes in at least the top six into successful record deals."
Richard Sanders has been named head of Global Marketing for Sony BMG Music Entertainment by CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, to whom he'll report while based in New York. ... As head of global marketing for the company, Sanders will work closely with all of the company's labels and divisions to create and implement fully integrated global marketing and release strategies for the company's artists and projects. He will also oversee the company's global marketing staff and collect frequent flier miles he'll trade in for magazine subscriptions. ... Sanders was most recently EVP/GM for RCA Records since 2001, helping to build and enhance the careers of such artists as The Dave Matthews Band, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, The Strokes and Kelly Clarkson, as well as the American Idol franchise.
Sanders' roots in the music business include selling T-shirts on the road for Aerosmith and Ted Nugent, and subsequently worked in tour accounting and road management. After leaving the road he founded Loud and Proud Management and his own publishing company, Shohola Music. He will now go back to selling T-shirts on the road, this time for Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.
This week on American Idol 6, the Top 3 performers, Jordan, Melinda, and Blake, were featured. At this point in the season, the best singers are usually left. And that was definitely the case in Season 2. Clay, Kimberly, and Ruben. For me, at that time, I did not realize there was this massive group of online fans who were voting for Clay. So I remember being scared that Clay could be voted off since Kim and Ruben were both really good singers. I remember being absolutely sick at my stomach that whole night and then for the results show!
As was the case this week, Season 2's Top 3 sang three songs that evening. The first song they drew from a hat, the second song the judges chose, and the third song they chose for themselves.
Clay's first song that he drew out of the hat was Vincent. I personally was not happy that he had to sing Vincent. In my mind it was not the most exciting song in the world, but I knew Clay could make it great. We all remember the Vincent fiasco. After the fact, we found out that Clay was asked to add a verse about one hour before the show. He was given one hour to change up the song and get it right. Of course, we were not told that at the time. Looking back at the video, Clay handled this like a pro. At the time he sang it, I knew there was a spot in the song where he stopped singing, but I thought that was just the way it was arranged. And his ending of the song was fantastic. What he did to compensate for the memory lapse was nothing short of amazing. He never let on, and he found a way to come back in and end the song without stumbling over the words. Of course, the judges had to mention the forgotten part without saying that a verse was added at the last minute, and Clay handled that like a pro as well. Clay talks with Linda Loveland about the forgotten words on a video at YouTube. Check it out and see what Clay has to say.
The judges chose "Mack The Knife" for Clay's second song. I about jumped out of my seat when I heard that. I knew that Clay could knock that one right out of the ballpark and into the next county! And he did. To this day, that is still one of my favorite songs of Clay. He was so cool, so hip, the outfit was awesome, and the finger snapping still gets me every time! I still get chills listening to him sing that song and striking that pose when he hit the last note! Randy gave Clay a standing ovation, Paula thought Clay was ultra cool, and Simon said it was brilliant and amazing. For once, all 3 judges got this one right! Check out the video below for a "blast from the past"!
Clay's final song was "Unchained Melody", which is one of my very favorites ever. Clay chose this because it is his mom's favorite song. Again, this is one song that absolutely sends chills down me every time I hear Clay sing it. That high note toward the end, the deep knee bends, the passion and emotion he puts into every word. This is Clay at his best. Once again, the judges all had good things to say, well, maybe Simon's wasn't all that good. But Clay showed that he definitely deserved to be in the final 2, and of course America voted him in the following night.
Here is a video of Clay singing Unchained Melody to make your day!
If you want to download Clay singing any of the AI2 songs, head over to Clack Unlimited's American Idol 2 Solo Performances. You can also download the judges comments, group songs, and the results shows there.
CLAY GOING HOME DURING TOP 3 WEEK - PICTURE MEMORIES
According to USA Today's Idol Chatter, A Thousand Different Ways' sales rose by 60% this past week. USA Today says, "Not exactly sure why (buildup to the finals?), but Idols on the album chart enjoyed a week of generally increased sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan." The article tells us that Clay sold 800, up from 500 the week before, and now has sold a total of 511,000. Of course, we'd all love the totals to be bigger, but as long as they keep on rising, that's what counts! Maybe Mother's Day accounts for the rise in sales.
Have any birthdays or graduations to buy gifts for? Why not buy A Thousand Different Ways as a gift? Let's make sure those sales totals keep on going up!
Clay wins another The Insider poll. Thanks to the CB's gerwhisp for this cap from last night's show.
TV Guide confirms that Jericho, Clay's favorite show, has been cancelled by CBS.
Entertainment Weekly - An an article called "Sparks Will Fly" about the top 3 American Idols vieing for the top 2 spots, Clay is mentioned as follows:
If Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon, Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, and, yes, even Nikki McKibbin all managed to avoid duplicating their performances up to and including top-three week, how come Jordin and Melinda could not?
...and...
I'm thinking a Blake-Melinda finale could be the most nail-biting episode Idol has seen since the Ruben-Clay showdown of 2003.
Salt Lake City Weekly - This editorial called "Idol In Chief" says, "Presidential candidates could learn a thing or two from American Idol about rocking the vote", and uses Clay as an example:
Like political candidates, Idol contestants can’t stand still. They have to evolve over the course of the season, enlist the audience in their quest to be all they can be. At heart, it’s yet another makeover show, most clearly demonstrated by Clay Aiken’s amazing transformation, in mere weeks, from four-eyed, pale-skinned, carrot-topped geek to two-eyed, bronzer-toned, carrot-topped geek with a hell of a pair of lungs on him.
Lycos Top 50 - Clay dropped one, from #9 last week to #10 for the week ending May 5. Under Clay's name, it says, "Raised over $180,000 for children". What a great thing for Lycos to put under his name!
Asbury Park Press - Clay mention in another article about the return of soft rock with Donny Osmond and Neil Sedaka.
PhillyBurbs.com - runner-ups find success despite losing Idol title -
In the grand history of AI, fabulous singers always get the boot and go on to modest or better success in the real world. We’ve lost Tamyra Gray, Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson, John Peter Lewis, and Eliott Yamin. One of these two girls is going home tonight, but which one?
Jordin should be the runner-up (and could still have a successful career as such like past second-place finalists Katharine McPhee and Clay Aiken). Although Melinda deserves to win more, Jordin will most likely end up as this season's American Idol.
With shows like "Idol," that's important: If I'm recalling correctly, my mom still has a videotape containing some of Clay Aiken's Season 2 highlights. This year's show has offered only a few isolated contenders, including LaKisha's "I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," from the semifinals.
and.... on Barry Gibb's reaction to Jordin's "To Love Somebody" which Clay also sang in Season 2:
"I know a couple hundred people have sung this song, but I haven't heard a greater version than Jordin's," he said. (What, he wasn't familiar with the Clay Aiken version from Season Two, which was, to my mind, at least as good?)
University of California, Los Angeles - UCLA has a profile of Simon Renshaw, Clay's manager ... the profile labels Clay as a "pop culture phenomenon"
For example, Clay Aiken has a nice voice but is a bit trendy and may not end up being a megastar [that] stands the test of time. I always say, "If you can live without hearing a certain singer ever again then he or she is forgettable."
If you contributed $50 or more to Clay's UNICEF fundraiser last month, you will have received Clay's personal UNICEF Field Report about his trip to Afghanistan in your emails today.
Update 5/26: looks like this has arrived for our Canadian fans too! Claynadian fans who donated $50 or more should check their emails for a message from UNICEF Canada.
Cary News - In an article called "Summer Stargazing", it says:
Elvis Costello, Clay Aiken, Harry Connick Jr., Wynonna Judd. These are just a few of the names on the schedule for the summer season at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Regency Park....Friday, Aug. 10, 8:30 p.m. Clay Aiken performing with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. $32.50-55.
Atlanta Journal Constitution - In an article called American I-dull by Rodney Ho, he talks about the lack of excitement in this year's Idol and then talks about AI2 and its compelling showdown:
Season 2: Silky-smooth teddy bear Ruben Studdard (right) ultimately edged out geek-chic Clay Aiken. But the “Claymates” got the last laugh: Aiken has sold vastly more CDs than Studdard.
OC Register - Vote for Clay at the OC Register's article about their TOP 10 American Idol contestants. Clay's currently leading the way with 71% of the votes. The same article is up at the Dallas News.
Clay Aiken: He made an otherwise dull Season 2 interesting by briefly standing in the way of a seemingly unstoppable Ruben Studdard. Plus, he started the trend of the show's loser outperforming the winner in the real world.
AOL Music - Clay is one of several before/after pictures of past American Idols. Scroll through the pictures to find Clay before and after. Those eyes have not changed!
Interbridge.com - The "Late Night TV Page" at this site shows the May 10 Jimmy Kimmel Live Show With Clay repeating on May 24.
American Idol 2 alum Kimberley Locke is auctioning off her clothes for charity... shirts worn by current AI6 contestants and former idol competitors including Clay are part of the "Kimberley Locke & Idol Friends" charity auctionThe auctions begins at 9 AM EDT on www.clothesoffourbacks.org on May 21.
Bidding begins at 9:00 AM ET on favorite wardrobe pieces of this season's Top 12 finalists (Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Haley Scarnato, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey) as well as numerous items donated by previous Idol finalists, including, among others, shirts worn by Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken, one of Ruben Studdard's 205 jerseys, a suit of Paula Abdul's and one of Simon Cowell's T-shirts.
Wardrobe from this season's Top 12 will be sold, along with pieces from former contestants and winners CARRIE UNDERWOOD, CLAY AIKEN, RUBEN STUDDARD, ANTHONY FEDEROV, KIMBERLY CALDWELL, MANDISSA, and even host RYAN SEACREST and judges PAULA ABDUL, RANDY JACKSON and SIMON COWELL.
Wardrobe pieces from all of this season’s top 12, including Sanjaya Malakar, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacy and Blake Lewis will line up alongside clothes from Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Caldwell and Josh Gracin for The Kimberely Locke & Idol Friends online charity auction beginning May 21.
The years are full of stories of talented performers that may never have gotten their break, had they not appeared on American Idol. The most noticeable is Clay Aiken. Ruben Studdard finished first that year and has gone on to a good career in music, but Clay moved on to a much more successful career.
The second season’s top three was stellar. No mistakes here – Kimberley Locke, Clay Aiken, and Ruben Studdard had all proven that they were Idol-worthy and ready to battle for the crown. Kimberley’s rendition of “Inseparable” will forever remain my favorite of all of her performances, and I still think she deserved to be in the finals. But it was not to be. Clay sang “Unchained Melody” that night, a song that has become an Aiken classic, and which certainly sealed his spot in the top two. Ruben was not as impressive this night, but the momentum he had been building was enough to edge him past Kimberley and into the finals. Kim’s elimination the next night was heartbreaking, especially since the vote totals were very, very close.
Season 2: Silky-smooth teddy bear Ruben Studdard (right) ultimately edged out geek-chic Clay Aiken. But the "Claymates" got the last laugh: Aiken has sold vastly more CDs than Studdard.
Occasio - This blog raises some interesting points Clay brought up in his recent Yahoo Music interview in which he talks about American Idol's "Idol Gives Back"...
Since we've been on the subject of "American Idol," check out this interview with Clay Aiken, an Idol success from the 2003 season. Clay has done a fair amount of humanitarian work for UNICEF and has been traveling to impoverished countries on their behalf. Check out a portion of the interview with the Yahoo Music service below and notice the stark difference between his approach and the celebs who visited Africa on the "Idol Gives Back" episode. While Carrie Underwood chose to shoot a music video surrounded by African children (is this on the edge of exploitation?), Clay says he won't sing his songs in Africa again. Clay Aiken gets it!!
I was visiting my dad for a few days, and when I arrived home I found out that Clay was scheduled for a visit on Jimmy Kimmel. It was a short notice visit which I find are the best kind. I hate waiting with anticipation for weeks on end like a kid waiting for Christmas. Clay was a last minute booking taking the place of Cameron Diaz who appeared on Leno that night instead. Leno has an earlier timeslot and better ratings, so I can't really blame Cameron, but I have to say that Jimmy is much funnier than Leno. I flipped channels between Leno and Letterman waiting for Kimmel to come on and I was really surprised at how bad Leno was at interviewing/talking to his guests. It was felt so totally scripted, whereas Jimmy scripted or not just seems more engaged. Anyway, Cameron pre-taped her segment to be aired at a later date before the show with Clay. It worked out all around. I always enjoy Clay's Kimmel visits because the have a chemistry together, and Clay seems more relaxed than some of his other talk show appearances.
SignOnSanDiego.com asks readers who should go an who should stay on Idol ... one reader comments: "Melinda and Jordin would make an excellent finale; too close to call and reminiscent of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard."
About.com - American Idol ... "Winning is not always necessary to kick off a musical career with a bang - just ask runners-up Clay Aiken, Bo Bice, and Katharine McPhee. With that in mind, I ask my first question."
But Bice is one of the most nota-ble male singers to come out of the competition; only Clay Aiken and Daughtry have joined him on the top 40 Billboard chart, though Bice's album has sold far fewer copies than theirs.
ABS-CBN News - post-Idol success not only for winners & runner-ups anymore ...
The CD from [AI5 finalist] Paris [Bennett] brings to seven the number of Idol finalists from last year who have recorded their own albums. This is great. Market interest in the contestants was once focused solely on the winner and the runner-up. Think Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Or only on the winner. That’s why nobody remembers Diana DeGarmo who lost to Fantasia two years ago.
Nothing here today, but check out There Was A Man's post ... see above.
I think this is a repeat ... Patriot News mentions Clay in their article about improvements to the Williamsport Community Arts Center. Clay was there for his 2006 Christmas tour. "For example, she said, for the sold-out December show of "American Idol" contestant Clay Aiken, more than half the tickets were sold to people living outside north-central Pennsylvania and all hotel rooms in the area were booked."
