A Request From Sean at Poughkeepsie Journal To Clay Fans Going to The Poughkeepsie Concert

Sean McMann of The Poughkeepsie Journal has written up some great articles about Clay and his Christmas tour. He had even hoped to go to Clay's concert in Poughkeepsie and then write about it. However, he has a job that night covering a sporting event and won't be able to go.

Sean has an assignment for any fans who will be at the Poughkeepsie concert. Here is what Sean's request is from his blog dated December 8 and entitled, Say, "Hey!" to Clay for me.

Now if you've been here at "Sean's Space" in the past week, you'll know I have a work assignment this evening and won't be able to go to Clay Aiken's show at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

Instead, I'll be at John Jay High School covering the Patriot Invitational, one of the largest high-school wrestling tournaments in the area. Good stuff and there should be a lot of action on the mats.

So here's where I need some help: If you're heading to tonight's Poughkeepsie show, feel free to e-mail me at journalsean@aol.com after the concert and share your thoughts! Snap some pics of the concert? E-mail them, too! Just please include your first name and hometown in the body of your e-mail.

Just like when I asked for fans' questions for Clay, I'll pick some of the best reviews and pics, and post them here at "Sean's Space," hopefully before I travel to Mohegan Sun on Sunday for Clay's next show, which I'll be reviewing. Again, please include your first name and hometown when you send your thoughts and pics so I can give you credit on the blog.

So if you'd like your own review and pictures included in Sean's Space, email him as soon as possible and let him know what you thought of Clay's Poughkeepsie concert.

Sean McMann From Poughkeepsie Journal Publishes Interview With Clay

Sean McMann of the Poughkeepsie Journal published his great interview with Clay at his blog, Sean's Space this past Friday, December 7.

If you remember correctly, Sean asked for Clay fans to write in their questions to him and he would ask Clay. He told us in his blog dated November 29 and entitled Clay Aiken answered YOUR questions! which questions he used. Now Sean gives us the entire interview dated December 7 and entitled Without any further ado: the Clay Aiken/Poughkeepsie Journal story. Sean says:

So after working at a fever pitch for the past week (securing the interview with Clay Aiken, soliciting readers' questions for Clay, actually speaking with him a week ago and then traveling throughout New England earlier this week and finishing the writing), Friday, Dec. 7th is here and my story about the former "American Idol" runner-up and his tour stop here in Poughkeepsie is being read throughout the Hudson Valley.

For all you Claymates from around the country and around the world who've come to "Sean's Space" over the past week and are not in the Journal's coverage area, I give you following ...

Check out Sean's blog to read his outstanding interview with Clay and then scroll down from the top on down to read several days worth of blogs about Clay. Sean had some great things to say I think you will agree.

Thanks, Sean, for a great week of fun for Clay's fans and for a really awesome interview. You have made our day!!!

Idol Stalker Names CDD American Idol Fansite of the Day

Well, call us flattered, but we've been named the American Idol Fansite of the Day by our fellow bloggers over at Idol Stalker.

Thank you Idol Stalker!

American Idol Fansite of the Day - Clay’s Daily Double

by Jeanne on December 7th, 2007

I’m going to try something new :) Every day, I’m going to *try* to point out some great Idol sites - places that I love to visit.

Today’s pick? Clay’s Daily Double!

I love the site because it is well organized and up-to-date. If you are a Clay Aiken fan and haven’t visited, check it out! Here are some of the headlines over there for today:

Pennsylvania’s Time Leader Reviews Wilkes-Barre Concert

Simon Cowell Comments on Clay in December Issue of GQ

Jimmy Carter Praises Clay, Clay Fans’ Work with UNICEF

Official: "Spamalot" Playbills to be Available Online

Is Clay Your TIME Person of the Year?

As part of a promotional push for its big "Person of the Year" issue, TIME Magazine is allowing readers to submit anyone's photo for display on two huge jumbotrons - in New York's Time Square and Toronto, Canada's Yonge-Dundas Square.

Take a look at some shots of Clay gracing the huge display in Time Square (courtesy Time website):

"All Is Well" Enters iTunes Charts

"All Is Well", Clay 2006 Christmas EP which was released to iTunes this week is a smash hit to users of Apple's popular online music store.

Currently, the disc is the #4 on the "Top Pop Albums" chart and #38 in the overall "Top Albums" list.

Don't foget ... If you purchase the EP through the iTunes link at GoodSearch's GoodShop, GoodSearch and Apple will donate 3.75% to the Bubel Aiken Foundation.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Go to GoodSearch's GoodShop.
2. At the top of the page, where it says WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR?, type in "Bubel Aiken Foundation" and click Verify.
   
3. The page will update itself to confirm your support for the BAF.
4. Scroll down and click the icon.
5. The iTunes store will launch. If you do not have iTunes, you can download it for free at Apple.com. All purchases made on this iTunes session will qualify for the 3.75% donation to the Bubel Aiken Foundation. Happy shopping!

Huge "Spamalot" Ad in Sunday's New York Times

The CV's C finger reports that there is a huge ad for Spamalot in tomorrow's (Sunday) New York Times (see scan above from AustenFan at the CB).

We get part of the Sunday NY Times on Saturday. In tomorrow's Arts Section there is a HUGE ad for Spamalot using the same picture as the pamphlets that were at the Palace last night - same "What a difference a Clay Makes" and then Clay Aiken joins the cast on January 18. I got all teary when I saw it.I am sure hoping that the critics like him!!!!! Anyway, p 12. Arts Section, Sunday NYTimes. I have no idea how to scan it. Carole

Tidbits 12/8

• Poughkeepsie Journal - Clay in town tonight for Christmas concert -

  Clay Aiken set to play Civic Center tonight
  
  Bringing his "Christmas in the Heartland" tour to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, musical superstar Clay Aiken will take the stage at the City of Poughkeepsie arena tonight at 8 p.m. Tonight's show is the 10th on his 22-city tour, which kicked off Nov. 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
  
  "It has gone really well," Aiken told the Poughkeepsie Journal last week. "It's been a lot of fun."
  
  Journal reporter Sean T. McMann interviewed Aiken and has written extensively about the singer, his tour and tonight's show on his "Sean's Space" blog, just a click away at www.seantm.blogspot.com.

• Orlando Sentinel - Blake Lewis' debut album is a "nightmare" -

  I'll never make fun of Clay Aiken again.
  
  OK, I can't keep that promise, but Aiken sounds like Pavarotti compared with the derivative tedium that fills Audio Day Dream, the debut album from Blake Lewis.

• AOL Music Popeater - second place sometimes best place to be on AI -

  When it comes to 'American Idol,' sometimes second is the place to be. Clay Aiken, Bo Bice and Katharine McPhee have all gone on to have widely successful releases, and Blake Lewis is no exception. The 26-year-old beatboxing rocker became a fan favorite during the sixth season of the widely popular talent show, and has been on the rise to stardom ever since.
  

• More Christmas tour mentions:
• New York Times -

  MORRISTOWN The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts “A Christmas Carol,” musical based on the Dickens novel. Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $12. Clay Aiken, holiday concert. Thursday at 8 p.m. $55 to $95. The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008; www.mayoarts.org.

• Get into the Clay Christmas spirit with some absolutely STUNNING Clay graphics from Clay - The Man.
• Carolina On My Mind - Clay's Christmas tour heads up the east coast
  

Christmas Tour In Albany, NY

CLAY AIKEN'S CHRISTMAS IN THE HEARTLAND TOUR 2007
ALBANY, NY RECAPS UP!

Christmas tour blog | Albany recaps

Photos

• Clayboard photos/videos thread - Albany, NY
• toni7babe's photos at SmugMug
  

Videos

• ClackUnlimited
  

3 Years Since "A Clay Aiken Christmas"

Three years ago tonight, NBC aired Clay's 2004 Christmas special A Clay Aiken Christmas. In the week that followed, RCA released the TV special on DVD format (get yours at Amazon.com). The disc has since gone gold for sales in excess of 50,000.

The ad above was created by CDD in 2004 to promote ACAC. Here is a 10 minute snippet from the show via YouTube:

Spamalot Promo Pamphlets Handed Out at Concert.......JUST IN: New Info and Better Promo Pictures Added Below)

Claybug71 from The Clayboard posted a picture of a promotional Spamalot pamphlet/brochure featuring Clay that was handed out at tonight's (Friday, 12/07) concert (see picture above). Her friend sent it to her on her cell phone. We hope to get a better quality picture later, but hey, this is what we have now, and everyone is loving it!

This pamphlet is an official promotion by Spamalot's people. Possibly they are trying to get the word out to Clay's concert goers who may not know that Clay will be appearing in Spamalot.

We'll let you know if we hear any more, and we'll definitely publish a clearer picture when one becomes available.

Now that's one fine knight!!

Update 12/8: We've just gotten our hands on better quality versions of this hand out. Thanks to the CB's ncsupack88 for posting these:




Also just in, Rainlover from The Clayboard reports that a fan at Clayversity found this ad for Spamalot in her NY Times. She tells us:

From CV: We get part of the Sunday NY Times on Saturday. In tomorrow's Arts Section there is a HUGE ad for Spamalot using the same picture as the pamphlets that were at the Palace last night - same "What a difference a Clay Makes" and then Clay Aiken joins the cast on January 18. I got all teary when I saw it.I am sure hoping that the critics like him!!!!! Anyway, p 12. Arts Section, Sunday NYTimes.

Christmas Tour Arrives in New Jersey

CLAY AIKEN'S CHRISTMAS IN THE HEARTLAND TOUR 2007
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ RECAPS UP!

Christmas tour blog | New Brunswick recaps

Photos

• Clayboard photo/video thread - New Brunswick, NJ
  

Videos

• ClackUnlimited