Tidbits 6/12

• David Archuleta inks record deal with 19/Jive Records:
  • SheKnows.com -

    Our bets are that Archuleta will be a pop star akin to Clay Aiken, another number two finisher, compared to his winner, Ruben Studdard.

  • Associated Content - why David Archuleta got signed to Jive instead of RCA -

    RCA and Jive Records are part of the same conglomerate Sony/ BMG.. While RCA works well with more established artists, Jive Records is a better fit for younger artists. American Idol's Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Chris Daughtry are signed with RCA while Jordin Sparks is signed with Jive Records. Reigning American Idol David Cook is signed with RCA.
    

• Post-Tribune - Aiken's TBAF funding summer camp for 20 children this summer -

  Let's ALL Play Hobart camp
  
  Through the generosity of popular entertainer Clay Aiken, 20 Hobart children, ages 3 to 5, will enjoy a fun-filled day camp through the Let's ALL Play initiative.
  
  This "inclusive recreational model" has camps set up nationwide each year to serve children with special needs. This year, there will be 20 camps, including Hobart.
  
  For the second year, 10 children with disabilities will join 10 children without at the Hobart YMCA for swimming, arts and crafts, story time and to learn that they are not that different.
  
  The Center for Possibilities (Cerebral Palsy Center) and Hobart YMCA took advantage of a grant set up by the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to make this possible.
  
  In a recent booklet, the Hobart camp was said to be a "model worth copying."
  

• Broadway World - Clay performs for President Bush earlier this month at the National Theater in Washington D.C.:

  Actor Hal Holbrook, Trisha Yearwood, Clay Aiken, Michael Lanning, Gene Miller, Brandi Burkhardt, Cheryl Freeman,Lauren Kennedy, Capathia Jenkins, Ray McLeod, and Maya Angelou were some of the main performers and artists present. The musical was directed by Jeremy Roberts, the orchestra was conducted by Kim Scharnberg, and the gospel choir was conducted by Dave Clemmons. Jeff Calhoun directed the performance.

• American Chronicle explores our "obsession" with celebrities -

  Obsession with celebrities has gotten out of control, and shows like Celebrity fit club and dancing with the Stars reveal how truly absurd this phenomenon has become. Who would you rather be stranded on an island with, Clay Aiken or Marilyn Manson? Obsession with celebrities makes us dumber as a society. In line at the store all you see is Star and People Magazine promoting celebrities.

• There Was A Man - Clay's AOL Sessions performances
• Something That Really Happened - two Clay videos charting at AOL Music -

  At this moment, Clay now has two videos charting on AOL's Top 11 Music Video Countdown Show. "Ashes" is currently #2 in the countdown and "Everything I Don't Need" is #7.