Tidbits 4/21

• We've heard some pretty weird Clay mentions in the past 3 years of running CDD, but this one has got to be one of the best ones we've encountered. From the CB's tiggy52winkle:

  I work as a cataloger for a large public library system and came across a book titled, "5-Star Baby Name Advisor" by Bruce Lansky this afternoon. It's a book about the meaning of names you might choose to name your baby. Of course, I had to look up Clay and this is what I found. "First impression: People say Clay is a talented musician who's confident, calm, kind, and cute, much like American Idol winner, Clay Aiken."
  
  You just never know where his name will pop up! Did you catch the phrase AI WINNER? Love it!

• The CB's snarkystripes reports that OMWH was promoted on-air at Syracuse, NY's Y94-FM. The Y94 FM website has a button: "Clay Aiken is back!"
  

  I did not hear it, but my friend just called me and said she was driving in her car, had Y94FM on, and all of a sudden she heard a snippet played of "OMWH" and the promo simply said, "Clay Aiken has a new CD coming May 6....On My Way Here!"
  
  ON-THE-AIR PROMO, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
  

• Standard.net -

  "He is going to be in the final three, hands down. If he doesn't win, he's going to have the Clay Aiken effect where he ends up selling a jillion records anyway."
  
  -- Todd Herzog, "Survivor" winner
  

• WRAL - WRAL reporter Lynda Loveland dances to support Clay's Bubel Aiken Foundation -

  WRAL-TV news anchor Lynda Loveland is among five prominent local personalities pairing with professional dancers for charity.
  
  Loveland, former WRAL News reporter Mark Roberts, radio DJ Brian Dawson, Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs and Elvis performer Keith Henderson will perform April 27 in the 2008 "Dancing Like the Stars" competition.
  
  All proceeds from the contest benefit the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which was cofounded in 2003 by former American Idol alum and Raleigh native Clay Aiken. The nonprofit promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities in activities with children who are not disabled.

• Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - update on Idols -

  Clay Aiken (Season two)
  
  The latest Idol finalist to invade Broadway, Aiken (currently putting the finishing touches on On My Way Here, a new album due out in May) appears through May 4 in the Mike Nichols-directed Monty Python adaptation Spamalot as the hapless Sir Robin.
  

• TV Grapevine - American Idol ... being #1 isn't all that glorious, sometimes:

  Season Two – Reuben Studdard. This was probably the most controversial year because of the talent of the two finalists and the confusion regarding the votes. Reuben has had some success but was recently dropped by his record company. He will be in the touring national production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Clay Aiken, the runner up, on the other hand has had two albums which was considered hits, been a guest host on many shows, and taken a turn on Broadway in Spamlot.

• El Dorado Times -article about singer ...
  

  After auditioning in New York City and Omaha, Neb., for FOX’s hit reality series – which has made bona fide celebrities out of former nobodies like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken – Sidwell is now trying his hand at a different side of the “American Idol” rocket to superstardom.
  

• The Trades - ranking the AI7 idols -

  David Archuleta. Most like Clay Aiken, with a Disney Channel influence. David's fans remind me of the Claymates of Season 2, who went rabid over Clay's debut to a triple-platinum status. Clay's success hasn't lasted through his most recent release (2006's "A Thousand Different Ways"), but he's still a very saleable commodity.

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - selling yourself to America important in winning Idol -

  Selling yourself to an audience of mainstream Americans requires a little bit of repackaging. Think of how Clay Aiken remade himself back in the second season, and he just made it to second place.

• Melodika.net - Idol...

  Sure, Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson made us cheer and dial the phone until our fingers were raw (I nearly cried when my pick for 2004, Fantasia Barrino, won), but the real joy comes from watching those of you who don't have a chance.
  

• Boston Herald - Kathy Griffin rants about Idol -

  “I’m not seeing the next Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson or Clay Aiken here,” she opined. “And the ones who have won in the past are boring. Jordin Sparks is a yawnfest. Melinda really should have won.”

• Something That Really Happened - Clay preps for release of third album, with string of appearances