Omaha Christmas Concert Ad

This gorgeous ad was released by Orpheum Theater in Omaha, NE for Clay's December 21 concert at the venue. Thanks to the CB's Joy2talk2U for the scan.

Bubel Aiken Foundation Releases 2006 Annual Report

The Bubel Aiken Foundation has released their 2006 Annual Report. It is available for download in Adobe PDF format at BubelAiken.org.

And while we're on the topic of TBAF - they're having a big clearance sale at the Bubel Aiken Store ... here's your opportunity to show your support for this wonderful organization.

Vote, Vote, Vote! Clammy Award Voting Underway!

CLAMMY AWARDS!

Voting for the 5th Annual, 2007 Clammy Awards are now underway! Go to the Clammy website to vote for your favorite Clay Aiken avatars, blends, concert pictures, essays, fan fiction, fan art, montages, websites and more!

CDD is in the running for the Best Website award. We would really appreciate if you could give a few votes for our website:

• Clammy Awards website - voting
• Vote for Clay's Daily Double - Best Website
  

Tidbits 9/15

• Carolina On My Mind is bring back the summer tour in photo and in videos... plus, don't miss YouTube Clay Aiken montage of "My Favorite Things"
• ... need more eye candy? ClayKat has what you need - a slideshow of some sexy Clay Aiken

... rest of today's tidbits post:

• The Morning Call - comedian on who she'd like to interview -

  And the celebs she would most like to interview? ''Paula Abdul -- I'd like to ask her if I could borrow some of what she's using; Clay Aiken, because I would like to know who does he think he's fooling, and Condoleeza Rizzo, whom you know as Condoleezza Rice.''
  

Pictures From AI2 That You May Have Never Seen

Ca4me from The Clayboard started a thread with a couple of pictures of Clay that she had never seen before. Several posts later, ncsupack88 had posted about 15 pictures, all Getty Images, most of which I had never seen, from American Idol 2. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves. I especially love the silhouette pictures myself. Check these out and see if you recognize any of them.

Tidbits 9/14

• Stubhub - Small writeup on Stubhub:

  Clay Aiken Tickets - Hardly Second Place
  A most unlikely star, Clay Aiken has proven he's got not only the chops to make it as a successful pop artist, but also the magnetism of our most beloved singers. He may have been the "American Idol" runner-up, but his career is a winner. When he's not busy with extensive charity work, he's touring and recording.

• Idol Stalker - There is a new poll here with Clay facing Justin Guarini singing "Unchained Melody". As of the time of this writing, it is Clay with 477 votes and Justin with 14. You can listen to both versions at this website and then vote.
• The Smoking Gun - In an article called "Sympathy For The Devils", Clay's name is mentioned:

  As seen in two of our recent mug shot collections, dozens of arrestees have posed for booking photos in clothing promoting sports teams and cartoon characters. Today, we're focusing on the favorite singers and bands of perps nationwide. On the following 19 pages, the accused seem to be partial to artists like Slayer, Tupac Shakur, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones. And while no Clay Aiken fans make an appearance, Garth Brooks and Elton John represent the easier listening crowd.
  

• Foxes On Idol - reporting the rumored of the K-Lo/Ruben/Clay tour which is NOT going to happen, according to Clay's blog - "There has also been talk of a reunion tour with Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard for 2008."
• All About Jazz - article about a cellist/composer who has worked with Clay -

  He has also appeared on various movie soundtracks and recordings by jazz legend Lee Konitz, performance artist/vocalist Laurie Anderson, folk singer Judy Collins, and pop favorites Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin and Joss Stone.

• Palm Beach Post reports Clay's West Palm Beach show this past summer was well attended -
  

  But as it turns out, this past summer was not so sleepy, after all. The 15-year-old, 2,198-seat center hosted a record 43 performances, including sold-out or nearly sold-out shows by comedian Kathy Griffin, "American Idol" star Clay Aiken and a Beatles tribute group. Demand was so strong that center officials see themselves expanding the offerings in future summers.

• NJ.com/The Express Times - band who opened for Clay in 2004 wins award -

  As a member of the local rock band, Led Foot, Wood got to open for "American Idol" season-two runnerup Clay Aiken on Musikfest's RiverPlace stage in 2004. The following year, the band's debut album took home Best Country CD at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Kane County Chronicle
• Northwest Herald
• The Times Tribune
  
• Lincoln Journal Star - Clay Aiken coming to Omaha -

  Clay Aiken and Chicago are coming to Omaha.
  
  Aiken, an “American Idol” runner-up, will perform a holiday concert with the Omaha Symphony at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Orpheum Theatre.

• Nothing here today
  

Clay's Picture Perfect Tours: Part 8 - The Soft Rock and a Hard Place Tour

We've been looking back at all of Clay's tours, starting with the American Idol 2 Tour through today's topic, The Soft Rock and a Hard Place Tour, aka The ATDW Tour. We've seen some great memories of these tours through pictures and video. There hasn't been a bad tour in the bunch. All are classic Clay, from his first shirt tug to his last thank you in Orlando this year. More good memories than we could ever have hoped for have come from these tours.

I hope you have enjoyed each of these articles about the tours and that maybe you saw something in the photos and videos that you had forgotten about and that brought a smile to your face. Being that the ATDW Tour has only been over about a month, there's not too much that you could have forgotten about by now. But its always good to go back and look at some great pictures of Clay, no matter when or where they come from.

Before looking at the pictures, here are some memories that fans from The Clayboard wrote about. Maybe they are your memories as well:

Sunshinewagon - "They're in my SHIRT" (the bugs) and then "Love songs for the mosquitos, gettin' 'em in the MOOD" SRHPT

"Uuummmmm..yeah.......uuuuummmmm.......yeah..dltsl...yeah.....yeah......... It's hot.........that's the problem........it's really hot.
Singing to "Flat Clay" in Pala.
Singing "Listen" with Quiana in Sterling Heights.
Every performance of "Because You Loved Me" especially the last night.

Rpoppert - My very first Meet and Greet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww songs! Slowwwwwwwwww and eeeeeeeeeasy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flat Clay!! The Jeffeerson's dance! Classics medley, especially Party All Night move. More skin ever seen on this tour!! Lover All Alone live! Every single night of Because You Loved Me!!!!
Getting the handshake line two out of my four shows!!! The first two times ever in four years, getting a handshake at the busses!!!! For all tours! Clay's humor!!!!!

Riversend22 - I have two memories from this past tour. The first was when he talked to me in Pala because I had apparently blurted out that he was sexy and Quiana heard me and called me on it. It made for a very funny moment. The second was during the TV Medley at the West Palm Beach show. During the "Who's the Boss" theme, Clay had noticed that I was singing and getting very into the song because I love it, and at one part when he says "Found a trail and at the end was you"...he had reached out towards me which was just cute. So yes...I have many many memories. I love and cherish each and every one and I look forward to making more in the years to come.

BamaClayFan - Summer 2007 Tour - Asheville show - I'll never forget.

Sugar4Clay - Sterling Hts "Listen" duet...beautiful, impromptu, perfect. Participating in the cellcerts, getting to know others in the ClayNation, watching this amazing young man become the huge star that he deserves.

There are so many things I could say to sum the tour series up, but I think I'll just end it simply by saying, "Clay, thanks for the memories...thank you...so much."

















From You Tube - Classics Medley/Orlando (By Floridabelle)




From You Tube - Lover All Alone/Orlando (By Claykitty01)




From You Tube - Because You Loved Me/Orlando (RVzLady)

Tidbits 9/13

• MTV Canada sure didn't get the memo that Clay is NOT going on tour with Ruben and K-Lo in 2008 -

  AMERICAN IDOL ALUM TO TOUR? Every season, the top ten finalists from American Idol hit the road for a tour, and now, some other alumna are looking to hit the road. According to Billboard, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke are in talks to join up for a trek next year.
  

• MSNBC - Rosie O'Donnell should "just go away" -

  Sometimes those opinions were on heavy topics like politics, but often they were centered around questions like whether or not being mean to Clay Aiken makes Kelly Ripa homophobic or a belief that the “American Idol” judges are too mean.
  

• Philadelphia Bulletin - sports article... Clay mentioned - "You've got a better chance of Clay Aiken winning a UFC fight than that moniker catching on in football circles."
  
• Albany Times Union - article mentions the Clay Aiken musical - "Idol: The Musical" ... after closing on its opening night, the show was pronounced a complete failure:

  That six-week stretch amounted to previews alone, because the show -- based on the wild fan worship of former "American Idol" contestant Clay Aiken -- closed on its opening night, Aug. 12, after having its entire cast replaced during the run-up.
  

• Pegasus News - random mention ... "That’s the sin, not homosexuality, although the Christian Right is taking over and making cops shoot our good kids who want to see porn but not Clay Aiken."
• Christmas tour mentions:
• Hartford Courant
• Penn Live -

  Multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken makes a return appearance to Easton with the Chelsea Symphony at 8 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the State Theatre.

• Lake County News Sun
• Metro Weekly (Washington D.C.)
  

• Carolina On My Mind - shopping online helps the Bubel Aiken Foundation

Clay Eats Lunch in New York With Tyra Banks

Rainlover at The Clayboard posted the following bit of very interesting information for us:

Posted by Stripedshirt at CV

Here's a little something exclusive: I found out today where Clay had lunch this weekend, and with whom.

Here's how I found out. I went to a pretaping -- AND -- Got a little fun scoop from the Tyra Banks Show!

Since Tyra's show has moved here, I got a tkt to go this afternoon. The guest was Rachel Zoe, Celebrity Stylist to the stars and she is promoting her book called "Style A to Zoe, The Art of Fashion, Beauty, and Everything Glamour"

And during the segment where Tyra covered 'F for First Class', she shared a little tidbit about where to get a really great meal, first class style -- it's a place that we read about from a few months back: JEAN GEORGES. Dinner at Jean Georges can run you $100+ apiece - but if you go during lunch, you can still get the same great dishes for 1/4 of the price! And right after she mentioned that she let slip that she had lunch w/ Clay (said it like this 'Claay.....AIKEN!' w/ a big smile & bounce) there a few months back. She didn't reveal what she & he ate - but did share that she paid for the first lunch. The 2nd lunch w/ him was just this past wknd, which he returned the favor. She mimicked Clay w/ " 'Oh, ah'll pay', w/ that Southern accent of his" and she also said "Of course you are!"

It was so totally unexpected. As soon as I heard his name mentioned, I squealed and clapped. Nobody else did - they just sat and stared, either not knowing who Tyra mentioned or didn't care.....aw heck w/ you people' .... I was darn happy & proud I heard his name mentioned, & w/ such admiration. & I love that she shared this - shows to me, as well off as she is based on her growing enterprise & fabulous modelling career, she can still be frugal, budget conscious -just like our Clay.

So now we can connect something else he did this wknd - caught The Color Purple, had lunch w/ a buddy.

Later, I chatted w/ one the producers. I congratulated him & Tyra for the show doing well & bringing it to NYC. I also showed him the little Clay pin I had on my lapel, & expressed how sad I didn't get a chance to show it off to Tyra. The pin was the size of a nickel, but Clay's face was prominantly on it. The producer immediately recognized him; & said "Oh! what a show that was -- the women were CRAZY!" then he caught himself & quickly said "but it was a GREAT show! I loved the rapport between him and Tyra" I had bust out laughing, thinking about how it went last Oct. when Clay first came to show & how those who were lucky enough to attend, blew the minds of those producers who had their hands full that day. Our unbridled enthusiasm certainly leaves a memorable mark every show Clay goes to. Nobody knows when/if Clay will come back to Tyra's show, but we can be sure he will when the time comes for that cd (or whatever else he's got to promote).

I also got a bit of nice loot from the show. Rachel Zoe's book is a nice style guide - she's dressed alot of celebs & will be doing a book signing in the city in October when it's released.

No air date has been announced yet for this show, will have to find it under the topic "Rachel Zoe - Style A to Zoe" book promo on Tyra's website - but my hunch is Oct. since that's when the book is released. Hopefully if the Clay mention isn't edited out, you will hear it when she covers the "F" section in Rachel's book. That certainly made my 1st Tyra show experience. So in case you wanna set your vcrs/tivos.....here's a little something to look forward to in a few weeks

Tidbits 9/12

• Raleigh News & Observer updates us on Gregory Ellis, the Raleigh boy who toured with Clay during the Joyful Noise Tour in 2005 -

  Gregory is an A-student and performer who has appeared in films and on stage. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while on Clay Aiken's Joyful Noise tour in 2005 and has since worked to raise awareness and money. To help him raise $10,000 this year for juvenile diabetes research, find "Gregory's Gang" at www.walk.jdrf.org.

• The Express Times - Clay Aiken returns with Christmas tour -

  It may not be a white Christmas but it will be an intimate one when Clay Aiken returns to Easton's State Theatre with the Chelsea Symphony from New York.
  
  The show is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, as part of Aiken's Christmas in the Heartland Tour.
  

• Earth Times - Kimberley Locke to go on Christmas tour with Dave Koz -

  Locke first garnered widespread attention as one of the top three finalists on "American Idol's" second season (alongside Ruben Stoddard and Clay Aiken) and has since racked up five Top 10 Billboard AC hits.

• Post Chronicle - Clay comes in at #15 this week at the Lycos50 - "Others on the list included Britney Spears at #11, Paris Hilton at #13, Clay Aiken at #15, Beyonce Knowles at #17, Shakira at #18, and Lindsay Lohan at #22. Check out the complete list here."

• Nothing here yet

Clay's Picture Perfect Tours: Part 7 - Christmas Tour 2006

After going all of 2006 without a tour, everyone was very excited about Clay's 2006 Joyful Noise Tour. This tour had Clay singing both traditional holiday songs and inspirational spiritual Christmas songs. Mixed in with these songs was Clay's typical funny banter. It was a night to be remembered, as all of Clay's concerts are, and a tour to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas.

So many things stand out about this tour. Of course that first night when Clay missed that note in All Is Well was something we never expected. I think everyone left feeling really bad for Clay. But then, the next night at Merrillville, as everyone sat on the edge of their seats scarcely breathing, with fingers crossed and a little nervousness in his face, Clay hit that note right on and never missed it again the whole tour. The place exploded when he hit the note. I was at the cellcert, and you could feel the excitement right through the my computer screen!

Then there was a sick Clay, so sick he had to be helped off stage one night, so sick he had to sit down and hold on tight for one or two concerts. But the only thing he missed out of those several nights he was ill was one encore song. He sang his heart out, hit all the notes, bantered hilariously, and never missed a beat. And no doubt he did this for the fans. Me? I'd have been home in bed, having cancelled the concert for being too sick to perform. Not Clay though. Clay gives his all for the fans. Always and in every way.

Once again, some of the fans at the Clayboard have given us their memories of this tour.

Rpoppert - JNT2006, was the only tour so far I have not attended, but I stil lhave to say All Is Well, and My Grown Up Christmas List, and DSIAFCD.. best memories. Plus, word of the day!

Claykevfan - I've been to one show every tour. I have loved every one and something special has happened at each that I will remember and cherish. But the most special has to be last Christmas's JNT in Merrillville when Clay sang "All is Well" and hit the glory note. It was beyond magical--as everyone in the audience was literally breathing along with him, "willing" him to hit that note, which he did quite brilliantly. Everyone was cheering, screaming--crying. And that beautiful smile on his face afterwards, it was just too incredible for words.

J4clay - I saw him twice in person during this tour, and both concerts were so special. But being at the cellcert the night that he hit the glory note in All Is Well was amazing. The anticipation of waiting for that note and hoping and praying he would hit it that night was unbelievable. You could feel the tenseness right through your computer screen. When he hit it and the cellcerter told us about his reaction and the crowd's reaction, I just burst into uncontrollable tears. I was so happy and so proud of him. I was so pleased that the fans showed him the love and support he deserved. That was an amazing moment for me, especially knowing there was this bond all over the country between fans listening to that moment.

Next time we will have our last part of these special tour memories, and the tour we'll remember was just about a month ago. Hardly forgotten, and yet worth remembering again.

















Don't Save It All For Christmas Day From YouTube(By Clayletter)




All is Well, from the Merrillville show, is our next YouTube video for you to watch. I just watched it at YouTube (see video below). Watching Clay in the video is phenomenal. As he sings AIW, the look of determination on his face is amazing. He had something of the utmost importance to him and his fans to do. He wanted to make certain he hit that last note. He didn't want to disappoint his fans. He was bound and determined that he would not miss it. The focus and resolve on his face brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. You can see it in his eyes and the way he looks intently straight ahead. He is so very focused.

Then he hits the "next to highest" long note as a precursor to the final note. Perfection on that one. A spattering of heartfelt applause can be heard in the audience.

All is welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Then he swallows, the french horn blares its note, and he begins singing the last verse of the song in a higher key.

Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Singing Alleluia
Singing Alleluia
All is (quick breath) wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.

He closes his eyes and sings with every fiber of his being. The note is perfect, not a flaw. He holds it out for what seems like an eternity. And the place comes unglued. The fans immediately show their love for him with a huge standing ovation unlike any he's ever had, except maybe for his homecoming in Raleigh during the AI2 tour. They leap from their seats, cheering for him. They couldn't stay sitting down if they wanted to. Its a reflexive reaction. They want to show Clay their support and that they knew he would hit the note.

Clay goes "whew", throws his head slightly back, bows his head twice and smiles...then smiles bigger. Then opens his eyes wide and opens his mouth wide, like "Wow, I did it! I did it!" He's so proud and pleased that he did what he set out to do, and he did it for his fans. To please them. Next an even bigger smile and a big bow, complete with that long flowing hair falling down over his face. He then raises his hand to his head and sweeps back the hair and then motions a thank you with his hand. He motions to the orchestra and walks off. Task accomplished. Love between singer and fans is obvious. All certainly is well. And he never missed that note again, for the rest of the tour.

Love and pride personified, between Clay and his fans...between the fans and Clay. Its moments like this that make it all worthwhile and that make me feel blessed to be a fan of the most amazing and special person there is.

I dare ya watch the video and not cry. Its impossible.

We love you, Clay Aiken.


All Is Well - Merrillville From YouTube (By GooodBabyBrush)