Tidbits 6/2

• Canadian Jewish News - Neil Sedaka classic performed by Clay Aiken -

  Most of us from a certain generation know the words to Neil Sedaka’s Calendar Girl, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Oh, Carol by heart.
  
  How many know, however, that the 69-year-old singer, composer and producer has not only written songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, jazz singer Dinah Washington, American Idol Clay Aiken and the Captain and Tennille, but also that he studied piano at the Julliard School?

• Voice of America - David Cook makes a big splash with debut single -

  2008 American Idol winner David Cook has signed with 19 Recordings/RCA Records and is now working on his debut album. The collection is due out later this year. Cook's first single, "Time Of My Life," sold more than 236,000 digital tracks in four days. That makes it the best-selling American Idol debut since the 2003 release of Clay Aiken's first single, "This Is The Night" (sold 393,000 copies). David Cook will join the nine other Top 10 finalists on this summer's "American Idol" tour. The outing will begin on July 1 in Glendale, Arizona.

• FOX 28 - Clay performs for President Bush -

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A star-studded affair for Washington's Ford's Theatre was held last night with an audience that included President Bush and the first lady.
  
  Actor Hal Holbrook, country music singer Trisha Yearwood, former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken and others performed songs and spoken word pieces from the musical "The Civil War."

• Las Vegas Review Journal - does Idol need a showcase in Vegas?

  But it doesn't take much to imagine a permanent showcase for "Idol" duplicating Walmsley's TV stage design, and a revolving showcase of four or five members of the talent show's growing stable of alumni.
  
  One week might feature Clay Aiken or Kelly Clarkson as headliner. More weeks would give you Reuben Studdard or Taylor Hicks. But, as with any show parked on the Strip, there would be strength in numbers and consistency in year-round marketing.

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