Tidbits 1/30

• Two more online news sites have posted the Spamalot Associated Press Article:
• CNN.com - The article includes two pictures of Clay: 1) the publicity photo in the beige sweater with the following caption:

  Bravely bold Clay Aiken was at first uncertain about taking on the role of Sir Robin in "Spamalot."

  2) Sir Robin holding the rubber chicken with this caption:

  Sir Robin, a luckless knight, was played by Monty Python's Eric Idle in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

• The Robesonian, a North Carolina Newspaper. NClayolina at The Clayboard tells us:

  The county where I live is called Robeson, (as in Robin-son!) which geographically is the largest county in North Carolina, and we fans here were very excited Sunday to see a big, beautiful layout on Clay being in Spamalot in our local newspaper, The Robesonian!

• Lycos press release - Clay #7 on this week's Lycos50 - "7) Clay Aiken"
  
• Ticket News - Broadway ticket sales sink -

  Overall, ticket sales sank to $14,451,085 this past week compared to $16,271,060 in the previous reporting period, a difference of $1,819,975. Spamalot took a 19 percent nosedive in spite of the refreshing Clay Aiken on stage. On a warm note, The 39 Steps had an increase of 15 percent. Attendance was still better this past week than the same period last season, 200,948 compared to 194,268.

• CNN Money/RCA Press Release -

  The RCA Music Group includes J Records, Arista Records and RCA Records. The J Records roster is home to platinum superstars [...] Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, and more. RCA Music Group is part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

• Charlotte Observer - Charlotte Bobcats try to attract bigger acts, more people to the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, which Clay played in 2005 -

  Concerts kicked off in October 2005 with The Rolling Stones, followed by Elton John, U2, Dolly Parton and Clay Aiken by year's end. Since then, musical acts from Aerosmith to Stevie Wonder have played the arena, which also has featured such shows as Disney on Ice, Hannah Montana and "High School Musical."

• MSNBC comments on the New York interview -

  Is Clay Aiken really urge-free?
  Spilling the beans, or lack thereof, about his love life, Clay Aiken told New York Magazine, “I just don’t have an interest in … any of that at all.”
  
  “I have got too much on my plate,” the “Spamalot” star explained. “I’d rather focus on one thing and do that when I can devote time to it, and right now, I just don’t have any desire.”
  
  When asked if he had any of those, you know, human urges, he simply replied, “Ah think maybe I don’t! I mean, not really. I’ve just kind of shut it off, maybe. Is that bad?”
  
  It may not be bad, but according to OK! magazine, it may not be true, either. Apparently Clay has a certain someone in his life, but he’s just not willing to share the details.
  
  “He doesn’t like to talk about these things,” an insider shared with OK! “Saying he doesn’t date or have a sex drive is probably his way of trying to end the conversation.”

• Omaha World Herald - American Idol visits Omaha ... and finds nothing exciting -

  Sadly, the Omaha sessions did not provide an "Idol moment" on a par with the show's first footage of geeky Clay Aiken, who stunned judges and viewers alike with his big, showy voice. There were no sweet surprises like Carrie Underwood, who walked in looking like a mall shopper and then sang like a Nashville queen.

• Clay Aiken, always notable and quotatble!
• Louisville Courier Journal -

  Quote of the day
  
  "I was like, This is chah-urch, people! This is God’s house,
  not a meet and greet!" CLAY AIKEN, 29, on returning home to the Southern Baptist church he attended as a child in North Carolina only to be stared at by his fellow churchgoers throughout the service, to New York magazine

• Press of Atlantic City -

  Not cool
  
  "Let's not fool ourselves. ... There are people like Justin Timberlake, males who are cool on radio right now, and then there's me. If I heard myself in a dance club? If I went into a dance club - which I never do - and I heard Clay Aiken come on, I'd roll my eyes and get out." - Clay Aiken on his reputation for being a bland artist
  
  www.people.com
  

• Clay - The Man - getting ready for Valentine's Day with Clay, and Spamalot!
  
• Something That Really Happened - America's Giving Challenge ... DONATE MINIMUM OF $10.47 NOW ....

  Okay folks, we are down to the wire. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is currently in 5th place and the charity in 6th place is hot on our heels. The Foundation needs to be in 4th place to qualify for the $50,000 donation and a feature article in Parade Magazine.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay nation celebrates 5th anniversary ... Half a Decade! Wow!

  Aiken Fans Mark Five Years
  
  Every year at this time, Clay Aiken fans stop and commemorate the anniversary of The Vox. On Jan. 28, 2003, American Idol telecast Season 2's Atlanta Auditions in which the North Carolina singer's glorious pipes were first heard in homes throughout North America.
  
  For countless fans, now known the world over as Claymates, the beautiful strains of "Always and Forever" were just the beginning. Many have been riding the Clay Train ever since.

Wallpaper by Fountaindawg