Clay's Appearance on "Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson"

Clay's appearance on "The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson" has been canceled. No reason was given for the cancellation.

The unofficial reason from sources is a conflict of interest with Clay performing last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live:

Ferguson was cancelled when the performance was added to Kimmel. It seems you can appear on competing shows within a short period of time but you cannot perform on the competing shows within a short period of time.

Groban or Buble' did Leno and Letterman within the same window but I think it was at least 3 weeks apart so that may give an indication of the gentlemen's agreement/protocol.

"They Can't Keep the Climmel Apart for Long!"

Clay was on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, and as Jimmy put it best, "they can't keep the Climmel apart for long!" We'll let the video do the talking... don't miss these two great interviews - a 9 minute interview, plus a performance of "On My Way Here":

Clay & Raleigh in May 26 Issue of OK!

Clay and Raleigh are featured in the May 26 issue of OK! Magazine, hitting newsstands this weekend. Check out the scan courtesy the CB's claikendee:

New OMWH Reviews

Two more OMWH reviews:

• Orlando Sentinel -
  

  With On My Way Here, Clay Aiken's first album of original songs since 2003's Measure of a Man, American Idol's most endearing runner-up continues to develop his own sound.
  
  When you don't have to watch Aiken, or witness the ridiculously over-the-top reactions of his fans, it's easier to be overtaken by his utterly pleasant voice. It's well suited to the relentlessly upbeat messages on these 12 songs.
  
  Oh well, the guy's on a roll. At various points, he's rising from the ashes, holding on to forever (but "stuck in yesterday") and coping with doubts about love, cushioned in a backdrop that makes it all sound grand.
  

• Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune -

  Few pop stars come into a project with more baggage than Aiken. "On My Way Here" is only his second album of originals (he released a poorly received covers album and a Christmas collection). Its title and tracks such as "The Real Me," "Where I Draw the Line" and "Weight of the World" tease that they might address personal issues Aiken has battled to keep private. Instead, "On My Way Here" trots out clichés and lush ballads that blend into one other. What is undeniable is the purity of Aiken's tenor, which gets its best showcase on record yet. This CD paints him as a hopelessly square balladeer, a role he says he welcomes. 5311

Tidbits 5/17

• Tampa Bay Online asks: "Which American Idol non-winner will have the most successful career?"... CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CLAY!
  
• Associated Content - it's David vs. David on American Idol finale -

  No other singer on the competition has been able to recreate a moment like this on the show since Clay Aiken performed "Solitaire" back in 2003.

• Cleveland Plain Dealer - Taylor Hicks to join Broadway's Grease -
  

  Taylor Hicks is going from "Idol" to "Angel." The "Amer ican Idol" alum will join the Broadway cast of "Grease" on Friday, June 6, play ing Teen Angel in the revival of the popular musical. The gray-haired singer - whose "Idol" fan base was called "The Soul Patrol" - said he plans to add "soulful flavor" to his performance of "Beauty School Dropout." The flashy role, he said, is "a classic fit for a classic performer." Hicks, 31, took home the title in the fifth season of the top-rated Fox show. He'll be the latest "Idol" to hit Broadway, following runs by season-three winner Fantasia Barrino ("The Color Purple") and a host of also-rans including Clay Aiken ("Spamalot"), Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray") and Constantine Maroulis ("The Wedding Singer").

• Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - another article about Taylor Hicks -

  Another 'Idol' on Broadway
  
  Idol's silver-haired winner Taylor Hicks is following Fantasia Barrino and Clay Aiken to another stage: the one on the Great White Way. Hicks will make his Broadway debut June 6 in Grease as Teen Angel.

• More on Taylor Hicks heading to Broadway:
• Los Angeles Times -

  The Alabama-born crooner's run ends Sept. 7. Hicks, 31, will be the latest "Idol" to hit Broadway, after runs by Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino ("The Color Purple") and a host of also-rans including Clay Aiken ("Spamalot"), Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray") and Constantine Maroulis ("The Wedding Singer").

• Seattle Pi -

  Hicks is following the footsteps of other "Idol" alums, including Fantasia Barrino and Clay Aiken, in appearing on Broadway.

• Chattah Box -

  He will follow other Idol notables who have also headed to Broadway, including Fantasia Barrino, Clay Aiken, Diana DeGarmo, and others.

• Fashion.ie -

  Ex-American Idol champ Taylor Hicks is heading to the Great White Way — just like fellow Idol alums Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple), Clay Aiken (Spamalot), Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray), Frenchie (Rent) and Constantine Maroulis (The Wedding Singer).

• eFluxMedia -

  The gray-haired singer's run ends on September 7. He'll be the latest "Idol" to hit "The Great White Way," following runs by season-three winner Fantasia Barrino ("The Color Purple") and a host of also-rans including Clay Aiken ("Spamalot"), Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray") and Constantine Maroulis ("The Wedding Singer").

• Blogcritics - "Season two runner up Clay Aiken is currently starring in Spamalot, season three's Diana Digarmo was in Hairspray, and season four's Constantine Maroulis was in The Wedding Singer."
• Associated Press wire -

  The Alabama-born crooner's run ends Sept. 7. He'll be the latest "Idol" to hit Broadway, following runs by season-three winner Fantasia Barrino ("The Color Purple") and a host of also-rans including Clay Aiken ("Spamalot"), Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray") and Constantine Maroulis ("The Wedding Singer").

• TV Squad -

  With Clay Aiken having wrapped up his run as Sir Robin in Spamalot, the Idol quotient on Broadway was down. Fortunately for theatergoers, it's Taylor Hicks to the rescue. Kind of. He's a bit of a step down from Clay Aiken, isn't he? I mean, Clay's new album debuted at number four, and Taylor was dropped from his label.

• Radar - "(Hicks joins Clay Aiken in the illustrious roster of Idol contestants who wind up stunt-cast on the Great White Way.)"
• People Magazine - "Taylor Hicks is following in the footsteps of Fantasia and Clay Aiken: The American Idol winner will make his Broadway debut June 6."
• Rolling Stone -

  Following in the footsteps of fellow Idols Clay Aiken and Fantasia, former people’s champion Taylor Hicks will hit the Broadway stage by appearing in Grease from June to September.

• NY Post - "Clay Aiken recently wrapped up a three-month stint as the cowardly Sir Robin in "Spamalot.""
• E! Online -

  Hicks, who is no longer signed to Clive Davis' J-Records, joins Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Tamyra Gray, Frenchie Davis, Diana DeGarmo and Constantine Maroulis on the list of Idol winners, shoulda-wons and also-rans who have appeared on Broadway in the past several years.
  

• South Coast Today - the week that was in history: "2003: Ruben Studdard barely beat out Clay Aiken to win Fox's second "American Idol" competition."
• Vancouver Sun - Simon Fuller developing new shows -

  The partnership between Fuller's 19 Recordings and Sony BMG has yielded a string of platinum-plus albums by "Idol" winners and finalists, according to Nielsen SoundScan: Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" (6.4 million units), Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" (4 million), Daughtry's self-titled debut album (4 million), Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man" (2.8 million) and Fantasia's "Free Yourself" (1.8 million). Self-titled debuts by Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks have sold 700,000 and 655,000 units, respectively.

• Philly Burbs - what should David Archuleta sing on the Idol finale?

  What’s left for him to sing? I don’t know. I’m still really liking two of my previous song choices for him: the Joey Mac opus “Please Don’t Go Girl” and the song “Anthem” from “Chess.” Also stay away from anything previously performed by Clay Aiken.

• WorldScreen.com - AI2 finale remains the most viewed American Idol episode -

  Overall, the most-watched American Idol episode was the final hour of season two on Wednesday, May 21, 2003; more than 38 million viewers tuned in live to watch the face-off between winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
  
  Kelly Clarkson is the best-selling American Idol contestant, with album and digital download sales of 18.9 million, followed by Carrie Underwood in second place with album and digital download sales of 15.7 million. Clay Aiken rounds out the top three with album and digital download sales of 4.8 million and digital download sales of 469,000. Until 2006, when the winner was Taylor Hicks, each season's American Idol champ sold at least 1 million copies on his or her debut album.
  

• The Money Times - what's after Idol for contestants, winner?

  Some Hearts by Carrie Underwood (6.4 million units), Daughtry by Chris Daughtry (4 million), Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (4 million), Measure of a Man by Clay Aiken (2.8 million) and Free Yourself by Fantasia (1.8 million) are some of the albums, that the 19 Recordings-Sony BMG combo have churned out in the past.

• Press Democrat - Josh Gracin back with new album - "He finished fourth on “Idol,” behind Kimberly Locke, Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard."
• Arizona Republic - "Among the first six champions, three - Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Fantasia - have soared to the top of the charts. So have some - Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry - who didn't win."
  
• Zap2It.tv comments on Clay's CD sales for OMWH -

  According to media reports, Neil Diamond has scored the first No. 1 album of his career, selling 146,000 copies of his Home Before Dark CD. Considering that Diamond has placed 15 albums in the Top 10 and 46 in the Top 200 in his legendary career, it's interesting that it took a two-night stand on American Idol to put him over-the-top.
  
  American Idol Season Two runner-up Clay Aiken may be wishing he'd spend less time talking about how his reality show roots are something in his past. The Spamalot co-star, whose only Idol appearance this season was a behind-the-scenes tour of his Broadway show, saw his fourth album, On My Way Here, debut at No. 4, selling only 94,000 copies.

• MusicWeek - album sales wrap up -

  All told, there are 20 new entries in the Top 200, with seven crammed into the Top 10. Apart from Neil Diamond and Toby Keith, they are: Clay Aiken, runner-up of the second season of American Idol, whose fourth album, On My Way Here, debuts at number four on sales of 94,000;

• MTV.com - American Idol ...

  "[Archuleta] falls into that Clay Aiken sort of square, which is a tough sell at radio," he said. "And when he was doing the Chris Brown song ... he clearly doesn't have it when it comes to contemporary music."
  
  [...]
  
  "Idol" hasn't been particularly kind to male runner-ups, either, from season-one also-ran Justin Guarini and season two's once-shining star Clay Aiken to season-four former major-label rocker Bo Bice and last season's beatboxing flame-out, Blake Lewis. Though Aiken is back with his fourth studio album and just finished a well-received run on Broadway in "Spamalot," it does seem as if "Idol" fans love voting for the boys but aren't nearly as hyped on buying their records.

• Reality TV World - All male AI7 finale -

  Next week's finale featuring Archuleta and Cook will be the first time two guys have faced off since Idol's second season, in which Ruben Studdard defeated Clay Aiken by a razor-thin voting margin.

• Nielsen Company PR about tracking American Idol viewership -

  The most watched American Idol episode ever was the final hour of Season 2 on Wednesday, 5/21/2003 -- more than 38 million viewers tuned in live to watch the face off between winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.

• 411 Mania - OMWH - "Clay Aiken's On My Way Here debuts at #4 with 94,000, less than half the first week sales of his last album."
• LiveDaily - OMWH -

  The aforementioned pair of debuts push Madonna's "Hard Candy," last week's No. 1, down to No. 3, while former "American Idol" contestant Clay Aiken debuts at No. 4 with "On My Way Here," and Mariah Carey's "E=MC2" drops from No. 2 to No. 5.

Rachael Ray Gives a Great Interview To Clay Today on Her Show

As an interviewer, Rachael Ray gave Clay one of the best interviews he's had in a while. There was no cooking of macaroni and cheese or pineapple salad...there was no singing from the new CD, however, Rachel was able to squeeze in lots of questions in the 10 minutes or so that she talked with Clay.

The audience was fairly quiet, which means there weren't very many Clay fans there. However, when the audience was on camera, they really seemed to be enjoying Clay. Rachel covered all the best of topics...AI2, Spamalot,Clay's fans, Clay's new CD, and UNICEF. It was a fun lighthearted interview.

At Rachael Ray's online site, you can watch a portion of the show as well as see Clay answer questions from the fans. You can also download the entire show at Clack Unlimited.

In addition, SmittenwithClay from The Clayboard has taken on the tedious and much appreciated task of transcribing the entire show for us. Wow, what an awesome thing to do!! Here is the transcript of the show:

Rachel Ray Transcript:

Rachel: ya gotta calm it down, your gonna wanna keep on cheering for our first guest. American idol is probably the most watched show on the planet, and definitely one of the most talked about contestants is this guy.
voice over: From teacher to double platinum selling singer in less than a year we all know him from American Idol, of course Im talking about Clay Aiken. Clays got an army of dedicated fans that follow his every move. Theyre known of course as the claymates. With a stint on broadway in the show spamalot, a best selling book and his work with unicef and other charities, Clay has been very busy, but not to busy to debut a brand new album On My Way Here.
Rachel: please welcome Clay Aiken. I told you you were going to want to save some of your hooting and your hollering for him, and I mean, isnt it amazing, has it really been 5 years.
Clay: Oh yes
Rachel: 5 years since the American Idol.
Clay: and I feel so old.
Rachel: You? Im like, it feels like wasnt that last Thursday?
Clay: Ill be in like a grocery store, something like that, or on a plane and a parent will come up to me with there with their 7 year old, and the mother will go "oh my goodness do you know who that is?" to the kid and Ill be like "yeah..no, they dont, they were 2 when I was on idol". They have no clue, I feel like a grandpa now to these little kids.
When I was there we were still singing to tracks ya know, singing to tapes and we had like three cameras and a set about the size of this little area right here and now its like this huge production. Its really gotten so big now.
Rachel: yeah its a whole different world now, you forget how the look of the show has changed.
Clay: yeah, kelly clarkson and I used to joke with newer contestants about how they have a band, and we had a tape we had to sing to. We were such the guinea pigs, and we had nothing, we had to walk 10 miles to school in the snow ya know, and they get all these perks.
Rachel: it is, its a tough...but you dont realize that as a viewer, cause its such an intimate experience, and you get so involved with the people, and certainly for you, that must have been life changing when you saw how the fans, your fans especially..they are..theyre literally

Clay: they must be confused! I mean really though
Rachel: Its fabulous though, the devotion and the loyalty
Clay: yeah they are, absolutely wonderful. And obviously we wouldnt be here without that, but I never quite understand exactly why theyre interested ya know.
Rachel: its overwhelming still
Clay: it is, I mean..I grew up in, you didnt show pictures of me as a kid thank you jesus, but I used to be, I know its hard to believe now the stunning specimen that I am now, but I used to be this really geeky kid...wait a second, I think I still am. I mean, nobody even knew my name at that point, and now people are screaming it, its really odd.
Rachel: so you were just wrapping up in spamalot. You just finished your run, a hugely successful, very well loved by the audience and the critics alike, which doesnt happen a lot. I love that show, how much fun did you have?

Clay: ya know, I didnt expect that I would, not that I didnt expect I would have fun, I figured it would be fun, but I didnt expect it to be as amazing as it was. And its one of those shows thats different every night. Theres a scene where I fall dead on the floor and i get to watch this one scene, and I would still laugh every single night at how funny it is cause the actors and everyone on the show is so great, that they change things up, they changed things up on me, and I just got to the point, I finished two weeks ago, and I just got to the point that I was finally getting used to it, finally comfortable, and then they told me to leave. So I was just finally figuring out my part.
Rachel: so, how was New York City for you though? I mean you seem like such a lovely, kind of small town person at heart, how was working and living in New York City
Clay: very different. Very Very different. I thought that it would scare me to death, and it did scare me, but not to death, but the nice thing is that things are open. like, thats crazy. And back home in North Carolina.
Rachel: and they deliver anything
Clay: everything! food, its great since I cant cook, ya know, some of us cant even pour cereal, I was able to actually have food brought to me at any hour of the day, and if I couldnt I could walk down the street. Im not running away from New York City when I leave it now, Im just running to North Carolina, cause I actually enjoyed myself.
Rachel: You know what, I wanted to ask you, New Yorkers, they can be really warm people to right?
Clay: yeah, they can, ya know what thats another thing that scared me, I was afraid that people were going to be...but honestly some of the nicest people Ive ever met, I mean I really..I really was mostly in contact with the people I work with, but many of them have been in New York for years and years, and everyone I came in contact with, its really been a great experience.
Rachel: see, New Yorkers can be sweethearts to
Clay: ya talk kind of funny
Rachel: Oh WE talk funny? You dont have no accent at all.
Clay: I dont have an accent are you kidding me? I had some cousins who came up to visit and (rich NC accent) they talk just like this, and all the people who came and met them thought they were joking when they talked, cause they just really talked country. So I dont have an accent compared to them. Now people over here are laughing 'you think I have an accent'? She's like 'yes!'
Rachel: well, it may be news to you, but just a little, just a smidge, just a smattering of an accent.
Clay: ok
Rachel: but its lovely! So I want you to tell everybody a little bit about the new album, this is the new album, first of all great shot on the cover.
Clay: oh lots of airbrushing
Rachel: Its not that much! im looking at you, it looks just like you.
Clay: who knows! my hair color changes every third day, theres no way to tell..I think its all grey at this point
Rachel: me to, I havent looked in awhile but Im guessing.
Clay: its the first time weve been able to do new stuff in 5 years now, we did an album of new stuff right after idol, and then we did a christmas album and something else, so we did our best to try to find songs that said something, and over 5 years of getting older, and hopefully wiser and more mature, ya know I think you learn more about yourself through experiencing things then you do with being told something, ya know my mom used to tell me a whole bunch of stuff when I was a kid and I never listened to her and now ive learned through experiences what she says is kinda true. And this kinda talks about that, the title song On My Way Here talks about experiences make you who you are.
Rachel: so, its not so much a coming of age thing but, aging well.
Clay: Aging well, oh my god I never thought Id be saying I was aging, but I am.
Rachel: we all have to, but your doing it very well, and very successful. Its all going really well now. Before I let Clay go though, I dont know if you guys know how much he does with unicef and charities, can you talk a little bit about that.
Clay: yeah, I got hooked up with unicef right after idol actually I was a teacher before idol and they have ambassadors that work in different areas, and they needed someone to talk about education around the countries, so they sent me a number of places and this picture is actually in uganda, where I witnessed children in situations of a 20 year war, and I went to afghanistan last year and watched unicef programs in afghanistan and saw the things they are doing in schools there to kind of help rebuild that country, so its been an amazing opportunity. and the organization, I think a lot of people realize that, i mean they know the name, but I dont think you know exactly what it does, I mean it works in 156 countries all around the world, I mean they save more childrens lives in the world then any other organization, and its true because its the most successful.
Rachel: now we'll make sure we have a link up on our site to unicef cause it is an organization we should all be involved in I think. So I commend you on your great work and your success. Ya know Clay isnt just a nice guy and he came by to say hello but he is a very generous sort, he brought cd's for everybody. We'll see if he can let a few more fall off the truck, we'll give a few away online.

Clay Receives Two Broadway.com Audience Award Nominations

For the last several days people were voting for their choices for the Broadway.com Audience Award Nominations. Today, Broadway.com has revealed the nominations, and Clay has been nominated for two of these awards. He was nominated for both the "Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)" and "Favorite Replacement (Male)". In addition to these two nominations, Hannah Waddingham was nominated as "Favorite Replacement (Female)" and Spamalot was nominated for "Favorite Long-Running Broadway Show".

It is very, very important to follow the rules when voting. Broadway.com's site says,

Please choose one winner in each category. Voting will end on Thursday, May 29 at 11:59PM, with winners announced on Friday, May 30. You can only vote once from each valid e-mail address. Thanks for participating!

Of extreme importance is to only vote ONE TIME per IP address, so even if you and your husband or child use two separate computers, make certain the IP address is not the same on both or even using different emails will not count. REMEMBER, voting more than once from the same IP address negates your vote.

Also, vote in EVERY category. Don't just vote for Clay in his two categories, but vote for them all or it won't count.

Just go to this link: Broadway.com and scroll down to the words "Click here to vote for winners" and click on them.

Let's help Clay win these awards. And while you are voting, be sure to vote for Hannah and Spamalot in their respective categories.

Bubel Aiken Foundation Announces Details For Raleigh Gala

The Bubel Aiken Foundation website has information now posted about their 2008 Gala to be held on October 18, 2008, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Below is the information as it is listed at their website:

2008 Champions of Change
October 18, 2008

It is with great pleasure that The Bubel/Aiken Foundation invites you to sponsor and attend our annual “Champions of Change” Gala.

Featuring a special performance by Clay Aiken and recognition of our Champions of Change honorees. The gala will be a celebration of the inclusion of people of ALL abilities. The evening will promote awareness of the benefits of inclusion and support The Bubel/Aiken Foundation’s programs which give children with disabilities the opportunity to experience life with their typical peers.

“We hope everyone will join us for an enjoyable evening including dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment - all in support of inclusive opportunities for all children,” said Clay Aiken.

Event Details
Champions of Change Gala
October 18, 2008 at 5pm

Join us for a formal evening recognizing our Champions of Change honorees.

Evening Activities:
•Dinner
•VIP Reception for Designated Sponsors
•Silent and Live Auctions
•Entertainment by Clay Aiken

Raleigh Marriott City Center
501 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601

http://www.marriottraleigh.com/

To receive a special rate on your accommodations, please call 1-800-228-9290 and ask for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation special rate.

Platinum Sponsor: $25,000

Secures table for ten. Includes:
•Designation as Corporate Event Host
•Premium seating
•VIP Reception with Clay Aiken
•Individual photos with Clay
•Event Host identification in all promotional and program advertising.


Gold Sponsor: $10,000

Secures table for ten. Includes:
•Reserved seating
•VIP Reception with Clay Aiken
•Group photo with Clay
•Excellent placement in all promotional and program advertising


Silver Sponsor: $5,000

Secures table for five. Includes:
•Reserved seating
•VIP Reception with Clay Aiken
•Group photo with Clay
•Ad in program with prominen placement
•Excellent placement in all promotional and program advertising.


Individual Sponsor: $250

Individual admission

* Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

To sponsor a table, email contactus@bubelaiken.org or call 919-882-2152.
Individual tickets will be available for purchase online. Date to be announced.

Clay Will Be Performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and Clay will be performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday night, May 16. What great news! Jimmy Kimmel Live's website now lists Clay as the musical guest for Friday. Clay will also be a panel guest as well.

What we still don't know, of course, is what fun the two of them have planned for the show. Many people are as excited about that as about hearing him sing. To get ourselves even more revved up, let's walk down memory lane via pictures and remind ourselves of some of the craziness that Jimmy and/or Clay have cooked up for past shows:

Clay stole Jimmy's girlfriend in 1984


Then threw him against a wall...


...to teach him a lesson.
I think he's getting Jimmy' attention!


The fans had a little more to do with
the festivities on Valentines Day, 2005


Ah yes, Team Aiken & Bacon were "Reunited" then...


And their friendship (or is that "fanship")
grew even stronger, as Jimmy shows us


Clay shows off his tatoo to Jimmy in 2007...


And sings of sweet candy heart love
on Valentines Day 2007


Finally, Clay surprises us all with
his "horse sense".


Can't wait to see what the
two of them will be up to next!!

Tidbits 5/15

On My Way Here is #1 this week on Billboard's chart of the Top Internet Albums.

• Cute Clay mention on yesterday's NBC Today Show. The CB's claysmama writes:

  Just now on The Today Show, Kathie Lee and Hoda were talking about a New Kids On The Block concert on the show Friday and how there are fans already lined up on the sidewalk for it. Kathie Lee said that even with how much she loved the Beatles when she was young, she would never do that..................then she said, "Except maybe for Clay Aiken, I would".
  

• ABC.com confirms that Clay will perform tomorrow night on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He was initially scheduled as a panel guest only, but the musical guest canceled this week, so it looks like Clay got bumped up into the musical guest position!

  Friday May 16th
  Ryan Seacrest
  TV/radio host Ryan Seacrest, musician Clay Aiken (he will be a panel guest as well as perform)

• Just Jared has some candid photos of Clay talking and walking on his iPhone...

  American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken chats on his Apple iPhone as he strolls along Montana Ave in Brentwood, Los Angeles on Wednesday.
  
  Clay looked summery in his linen blazer and leather sandals as he went to have lunch with friends at Louise’s.
  
  His latest album, On My Way Here debuted this week at #4 with 94,071 units sold this week. Clay’s previous album, A Thousand Different Ways, started at No. 2 in 2006, with the much larger sales of 211,000.

  
  
• Clay's interview yesterday on FOX Los Angeles' Good Day LA is up at MyFOX LA. It's a great interview ... Clay talks about the album and American Idol. You can also download the cap at ClackUnlimited.
  
  
  
• The Rachael Ray Show ran a short promo for Clay's appearance on the show tomorrow. Download the cap at ClackUnlimited.

Might Clay Be Performing On Jimmy Kimmel Live After All?

Two more days until we get to see our beloved Clay and Jimmy united again on The Jimmy Kimmel Live Show. No telling what shennanigans they'll come up with to entertain us. But Clay has not been scheduled to sing on the show. Hmmm, or has that changed?

The following, which was posted at The Aiken Breakin' Broads site brought over from Clayversity, just may say otherwise:

Kitty4Clay is reporting at the CV:

It looks like Clay may be performing on Kimmel after all! My friend had Kate Nash tickets for the inside mini concert, and this morning she got an email saying that her tickets have been cancelled as Kate Nash has been cancelled. Her name is no longer on the Kimmel website! SOOOOOOOOOO.... who else do you think will be performing, hmmm... I wonder... Even though we didn't get inside tickets originally, we have found people who had extra due to cancellations, so we get to be in the audience.

From Quiana's myspace:

May 15 2008 12:00P
Check me out with Clay Aiken on Jimmy Kimmel

I especially love Quina's post that she will be at Kimmel along with Clay. And Jimmy Kimmel Live's Online site shows Friday as the ONLY day that does not mention a musical guest. It just says, "TV/radio host Ryan Seacrest, musician Clay Aiken".

Only 2 days till we find out! Let the speculating begin!!

Jan

Tidbits 5/14

• Los Angeles Times - AI article ...

  David Archuleta: In February, I predicted The Chosen One would finish in second place, citing his “strong appeal to 'Idol'’s most powerful voting block” (tween girls), while warning that his youthful persona might turn off everyone outside that demographic group. It seemed to me that, raised on "Idol," studying the works of Kelly Clarkson, Jason Guarini and Clay Aiken from his infancy, The Chosen One was the fulfillment of "Idol" Prophecies, the messiah of the unswerving voice forged to lead the show from its wayward, clumsy youth into a realm of perfection and vocal gymnastics at heights never before seen in the annals of competitive singing.
  

• TheDay.com - Idol ... David Archuleta -

  Round 2. David A. is wearing some sort of Roman t-shirt and plaid pants. He has chosen for himself With You by Chris Brown. This is what happens when they take his father out of the equation. The minute he sings “My boo” I start to laugh and then I can’t stop. His dancing is reminiscent of Clay Aiken on Neil Sedaka night. The performance would’ve been less uncomfortable if Little David had chosen an R. Kelly song.
  

• Jazz.com ... random mention: "By all means, let's enjoy and encourage jazz's latest developments. But enough already with the hype. Leave that to the pros who shill for Clay Aiken and Miley Cyrus. There really is gold in them thar hills."

• Yahoo debuts new video for "On My Way Here":
• Something That Really Happened
• Hobbies
  

First Week Sales: 94,071

Clay's "On My Way Here" debuts on the Billboard 200 this week at #4, moving 94,071 copies in the first week. This is Clay's 4th top 5 opening on the Billboard chart, a rare feat for any artist.

A number of news websites are running stories about this. RCA issued a press release today, as well:

NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ - RCA Music Group artists dominate the Billboard album chart this week with three of the country's Top Ten best-selling albums. Additionally, RCA Label Group tops the Digital Album Chart with GAVIN DEGRAW at #1, Clay Aiken's ON MY WAY HERE at #3, and Leona Lewis's SPIRIT at #4.

Clay Aiken's RCA Records/19 Recordings, ON MY WAY HERE debuts this week at #4 with 94,071 units sold this week, making this Aiken's fourth Top 5 debut. Released on May 6th, ON MY WAY HERE is Aiken's fourth album and his first album of original songs since his 2003 chart topping, double platinum debut Measure of a Man. The title track and first single from the album "On My Way Here" debuted at #1 on the AOL streaming chart week of release, rocketed to #1 on the Amazon chart the week it was made available as a pre-release, and debuted at #1 on the Amazon download chart the day it was released. Aiken appeared on Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, AOL Sessions, Entertainment

• Variety -

  Clay Aiken’s “On My Way Here” (RCA/19 Recordings), his fourth album, sold 94,000 to open at No. 4. Aiken debuted songs on a “QVC Presents QSessions Live” event on April 28 and appeared on TV shows “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “Today” and “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” during the week of release. Appearances on “Rachael Ray,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” are scheduled for this week.

• The Week Daily -

  Diamond edged out Toby Keith, Clay Aiken, and Josh Groban for the top spot, and his record sold 146,000 copies in its first week.

• E! Online -

  It may have taken him more than four decades and 40-plus albums to get there, but Neil Diamond is finally No. 1, to the dismay of Toby Keith, Clay Aiken and Josh Groban.
  
  The season two runner-up sold 106,000 copies of On My Way Here at No. 4. While he's released two cover albums and an EP in recent years, On My Way Here is Aiken's first album of originals since 2003's Measure of a Man, which set the mark for best sales week by an Idol alum with 613,000 debut copies.

• FMQB - "Clay Aiken debuted at #4 with On My Way Here, selling 94,000"
• Reuters -

  Meanwhile, Madonna's "Hard Candy" (Warner Bros.) falls from the top slot to No. 3, moving 94,000 copies with a 66 percent slip. "American Idol" star Clay Aiken debuts at No. 4 with "On My Way Here" (RCA), with a slightly lower sales total than "Hard Candy." Aiken's last studio album, 2006's "A Thousand Different Ways," started at No. 2 with the much larger sum of 211,000.

• LiveDaily -

  The aforementioned pair of debuts push Madonna [ tickets ]'s "Hard Candy," last week's No. 1, down to No. 3, while former "American Idol" contestant Clay Aiken [ tickets ] debuts at No. 4 with "On My Way Here," and Mariah Carey [ tickets ]'s "E=MC2" drops from No. 2 to No. 5.

• MTV -

  Other mad, mad business in this coming Top 200 include Clay Aiken’s On My Way Here, which bows at #4. The Claymates predictably snatched up the former Idol’s latest, placing Aiken just 100 fewer copies behind Madonna’s Hard Candy at #3 (94,000). (Um, how does Madge feel coming in just behind Clay in only her second week on the chart…?)

• Monster & Critics -

  Clay Aiken’s RCA/19 Recordings album, ‘On My Way Here’ debuts this week at #4 with 94,071 units sold this week. Released on May 6th, ‘On My Way Here’ is Aiken’s fourth album, fourth Top 5 debut, and his first album of original songs since his 2003 chart topping, double platinum debut Measure of a Man.

• Rolling Stone -

  Former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken also got a rub from his old show (and probably a Mother’s Day surge as well) as On My Way Here debuted at four

• Undercover.com.au -

  In fact, it is a brand new top 3. Toby Keith is at no. 2 with '35 Biggest Hits' and at no. 3 Clay Aiken with 'On My Way Here'.

• FOX News -

  Also pushing Madonna down are Mariah Carey, whose shotgun wedding certainly helped spark interest in her latest CD, perennial country music fave Toby Keith and creepy "American Idol" star Clay Aiken.
  

Run, Don't Walk To See Clay's "On My Way Here" Video at Yahoo

Put your running shoes on and head over to Yahoo Music right now!! You are gonna love what's there!

Yahoo Music has an awesome video of Clay recording On My Way Here. This is a very different video from the previous one of him recording it. Lots of old pictures of Clay thrown in as well as some more shots of him at the video session (see the picture at the beginning of this article). And of course, the same wonderful song playing in the background.

And while you're there, be sure to rate the video. Best is 5 stars. Hmmmm, let me guess what you're gonna rate it!!

Clay is #3 in Sales at Hits Daily Double

At Hits Daily Double, the final count of record sales for this past week came to an end on Wednesday, 5/13. When the dust settled, Clay had moved up from 5th position the day before to #3 with a total of 92,887. In first and second position were Neil Diamond and Toby Keith. Clay sold more for the week than Mariah Carey and Madonna.

Hits Daily Double, in an article, said:

Seven Debuts in Top 10 Include Neil, Keith, Aiken, DeGraw, Groban, Bentley, Miguel

May 13, 2008

Neil Diamond set another record in a career full of them. The superstar’s Rick Rubin-produced Home Before Dark is his first album to ever debut at #1, which it does this week with 140k in sales, many of them no doubt to mothers who grew up singing “Sweet Caroline.”

Kudos to Columbia’s team of Steve Barnett and Rubin for executing the feat after being teamed by Sony Music chief Rob Stringer in a bold move last year.

UMe/Show Dog’s Toby Keith bows at #2 with 35 Biggest Hits, one of seven newcomers to the Top 10, one ahead of RCA/RMG’s Clay Aiken, whose On My Way Here sports a #3 debut.

Though this week's count is history, we can still buy CD's to share with friends and family. Let's keep that count moving upward!

About.com Gives OMWH 4/5

About.com's pop music critic Bob Lamb is giving Clay's On My Way Here a 4 out of 5 stars, in his review of the new disc:

First, if you are a serious Clay Aiken fan, you will be very pleased with On My Way Here. The production throughout this album is wisely toned down to make plenty of room for Aiken's warm, sweet vocals. The songwriting, while not spectacular, is solid throughout. However, if polished adult contemporary is not your thing, this is a collection to pass by. Clay Aiken is a master of this style, but you won't find him much on most mainstream pop radio stations. It's a wise decision to stop chasing what's out of reach and stick to what he does best.

Read the full review at About.com.

Tidbis 5/13

• KODA 99.1 Radio - Clay will talk with Dana, one of the morning DJ's at KODA Sunny 99.1 in Houston in the wee hours of morning on Wednesday, 5/14, at 5:50 a.m. Though the interview may be over by the time you read this, check out 99.1's home page to see if the interview is available for you to listen to. You can listen to the interview on the radio station's website by clicking on at the top right of the home page where it says "Listen Live".
• ChrispyCreme at The Clayboard tells us the following:

  The local FOX TV channel in Cincinnati will do a feature on Clay on Wednesday morning. The station says it will likely be run more than once between 7A-9A. (EDT)

• from Jeanne Pierre at Clayversity:

  Anyone who lives in the Baltimore area, Channel 13 just had a promo for "Breakfast with Clay Aiken", tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 6am during their Don and Marty news show. It's usually just a few minutes but the reporters are very respectful with their guests and it's a nice piece. No performance, conversation only.

• MSNBC - Idol 7 coming to a close -

  Best season ever? Really?
  So even though audiences still feel affection for people like Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Barrino (and, yes, even for the much maligned and punch lined Clay Aiken and the recently dropped from his label Taylor Hicks), feeling as though they helped find these performers, they know somewhere deep down that they didn’t at all. And it’s souring them to the process.
  

• About.com - lots of Clay on TV this week
  
• Foxes on Idol - AI7 top 3 offers deja vu to AI2 top 3 -

  So it’s down to the final three. Two men, one woman. Two men with extremely loyal fan bases. One woman who came on strong, late. Of the two men, one has a decidedly female demographic, the other a decidedly male demographic. The woman has undeniable talent, but it is it just too late?
  
  Sounds like we’re talking about Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, and Kimberley Locke, doesn’t it?
  

• AutoBlog - Ford to "debut" its new Focus on American Idol -

  The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe will have a base MSRP of $15,920 when it goes on sale in late Summer, and you can check it out later tonight when Ford officially debuts it in a video on American Idol. We want to hear what supercar collector has to say about the new look Focus Coupe. Is it a Clay Aiken or a William Hung?
  

• NBC 11 Atlanta - Clay on Rachael Ray Show this Friday -

  Friday, May 16th"Clay Aiken"
  
  American Idol's Clay Aiken is stopping by with a preview of his new music video, and his predictions on who will take this season's title! Then, Ace of Cakes star Duff has made some cakes out of some unusual ingredients. But can he make a high end cake using Rachael's pasta dish as the main ingredient? And you'll fall in love with pasta all over again with one bite of Rachael's roasted caprese spaghetti!
  

• OMWH:
• Akron Beacon Journal republishes Newday's review of OMWH -

  Clay Aiken has always seemed like the most bewildered of the American Idol graduates — his instant fame cut with a bit of what-just-happened? caution, his music a hit-or-miss split between what he wants and what he's supposed to want.
  
  Five years later, on his second full album of originals, On My Way Here, Aiken is starting to figure it out.
  
  He is at his best when he wraps his big voice around big ballads, usually ones with big messages attached. He maximizes the drama on As Long as We're Here to poignant effect, with booming phrases that would make Celine Dion proud, followed by vulnerable questioning that emo leading men would secretly admire. He undersells Something About Us like it was a classic Johnny Mathis ballad and fills The Real Me with a quavering uncertainty that makes it work.
  

• Orlando Sentinel republishes the Denver Post review of OMWH -

  What is the measure of an artist?
  
  When it comes to Clay Aiken, you certainly can't tell from 2003's Measure of a Man, a CD released just five months after he lost to Ruben Studdard on American Idol.

• Philadelphia Daily News can't even get the title of the CD right - "Speaking of "A.I.," second-season runner-up Clay Aiken is back with "On My Way Home" (RCA, B-). The set plots the sort of earnest, polished course that this year's first- or second-place winner David Archuleta is likely to take."
  
• Idol:
• Louisville Courier Journal - Clay tunes out of "American Idol" -

  Former "Idol" finalist Clay Aiken is among the missing fans. He told the TV show "Extra" last week that he doesn't watch it anymore. Aiken is thankful it launched his career, but says it's just not the show it once was.

• USA Today Idol Chatter - a few Clay mentions in their commentary of AI7 -

  David's choice to continue working in one style might have him bumping up against the outer limits of his potential support. With everyone now doing three songs, one has to wonder if he can get away with doing three ballads this week in a Clay Aiken/R. Kelly mashup style (sorry for that visual).
  
  [...]
  
  I question if three ballads can get it done with Syesha nipping at his heels and capable of bringing excitement to the stage. Even Clay, who was probably going to the finals no matter what, gave his fans Mack the Knife in his final three week to go along with the more typical Clay fare.
  

• The Rake reviews OMWH... we respectfully disagree -

  There's something deliciously lame about Clay Aiken's new album, On My Way Here. On all his previous outputs, Aiken's milked his boyish, Pee-Wee-esque persona, happy to satisfy both the teenie-boppers and their wannabe moms. On this release, though, young Clayton is trying to mature. Sadly, it seems he's playing dress-up in his father's clothes, without realizing he's just playing.
  

• Nothing here yet
  

Tidbits 5/12

• Clay appeared briefly on "Idol Wrap" on the TV Guide channel, the CB ncsupack88 writes:

  I was just watching Idol Wrap (the one on TV Guide Channel) and in the last 10 or 15 mins they had a clip of Clay from the NYC signing. I saw this clip somewhere else earlier this week but it wasn't attributed to TV Guide. They start off showing all the fans holding up the CD and then show him signing some and then he speaks on camera and they say "Clay gave our Idol Wrap cam a special message to his loyal fans...here it is:"
  
  Clay says "those of you who sat on the street for hours and hours and hours...I think you're a little crazy but I do appreciate it and ummm we love you and we hope that umm we can ah continue to make you happy and hope to make you proud as much as we can with what we do".
  

• Variety - Clay's departure from Spamalot causes ticket sales to plummet -

  On the other hand, the departure of American Idol alum Clay Aiken from "Monty Python's Spamalot" ($519,454) caused sales for the tuner to plummet by more than $300,000, the steepest slide of the sesh.
  

• USA Today - Clay is mentioned in a memoir titled "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler...

  Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea
  By Chelsea Handler
  Simon Spotlight, 264 pp., $24.95
  
  The author: Star of E! series Chelsea Lately.
  
  The book: Wacky tales that read like stand-up comedy.
  
  The tone: Outrageous, politically incorrect (mostly X-rated) stories of therapy, dating and partying.
  
  A taste: "If you're going to make up an enormous untruth, make sure you tell it to people you are not spending the rest of the school year with. I can only imagine what Clay Aiken has to deal with on a daily basis."

• St. Petersburg Times - winning isn't the biggest thing anymore on Idol -

  It's why R&B-influenced belters Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard took the top prize in Seasons 5 and 2, even though people eliminated earlier — rocker Chris Daughtry, popster Clay Aiken — were more marketable to a mass audience.

• Torontoist - American Idol down to the final 3 -

  American Idol has finally rid us of the presence of Jason "Reggae Smurf" Castro, so we can be thankful for that if nothing else. The final three are David Cook ("the rocker"), David Archuleta ("the Clay Aiken"), and Syesha Mercado ("the diva"). At this point the smart money appears to be on Archuleta, but then again, this is a show that theoretically catapulted Taylor Hicks to "stardom." (CTV, 8 p.m.)

• Cape Cod Times mentions a Dr. Phil show Clay did back in 2005 about bullying:

  ''There was this show about bullying and Clay Aiken came on and talked about how he was bullied, but that once he found singing it gave him confidence because he had something he was good at that he loved.

• Louisville Courier Journal - American Idol pop quiz -

  10. Ryan Seacrest's bitter Season 1 co-host, Brian Dunkleman, had a few incendiary things to say about "Idol" in a recent interview. What didn't he say?
  
  A. Clay Aiken actually won Season 2, but Ruben got the glory anyway.
  
  B. He was punished for being nice to contestants
  
  C. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe gets Paula soused on Goldschlager before the show. She likes the sparkles!
  
  D. Seacrest had a master plan to dump Dunkleman from the very beginning.

• Clayigraphy - Clay waves goodbye to Spamalot and begins a new chapter in his musical career with On My Way Here.
  
• Clay - The Man - "Ashes" is "falling" over Clay's new CD

  A week after the first play of ON MY WAY HERE on my stereo, I am still in awe of the beauty of Clay Aiken and his magical voice.
  
  My house plants are close to the stereo, and they have really perked up, they love Clay too! Yesterday I saw something on top of one of the speakers--it was a huge bumble bee!! It looked like it was trying to pollinate the speaker, LOL. How it got in, I have no idea, but she did get put back outside, with an apology that she'd have to listen to Clay from the balcony.
  

• Carolina On My Mind honours a very special Claymate ... her mother
• There Was A Man -

  On My Way Home was released this week. It features an eclectic mix of music from symphonic ballads, midtempo pop-rock, to a song with R&B flavor, one with a bit of country, and a beautiful, jazzy love song. I've never loved all songs on any album before, not even other Clay Aiken albums, but I truly can't pick a true favorite this time. There isn't one song I feel compelled to skip. Three that really stand out to me are "Where I Draw The Line", "Sacrificial Love", and "As Long As We're Here".

Clay performs "Ashes" on GMA

Clay Laughs With Jay and Jack Black, Sings On My Way Here on Tonight Show

As the beginning of this article is being written, it is still about 15 minutes until The Tonight Show comes on. The following report from The Aiken Breakin' Broads site has me even more excited to see the show:

The early reports all seem to say that Clay looked fantastic on Leno -
great clothes and great hair. His segment is the last one. He does a little bit of his Spamalot accent, jokes around with Jack Black (the other guest), and sings perfectly!!

But what can we expect? Clay always looks fantastic and jokes around (can't wait to see him joking with Jack Black!). And sing???? Well, yeah!!!

Stay tuned for more details in about an hour!!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Well, Clay appeared on The Tonight Show with at least his 5th hairstyle since he first went on 5 years ago. They laughed about this and Clay says he changes his hair about every 30 minutes. He told Jay that when it was darker it made him feel older. Jay said, "So how old are you now, about 40 or 43?"

Jack Black and Jay were both asking him questions at the same time. I get a kick out of Clay saying, "Whose doing the interview?" and look back and forth at both of them. Funny.

Clay did his British accent from Spamalot for Jay. He said he goes right into it when he arrives at the theater. I can imagine him doing that too! Then Jay asked him something about superstitutions and he told Jay about the time he said something about MacBeth when he was sitting with several of the cast, and they all gasped and said you were not suppose to say MacBeth in the theater. My teenage son who does theater at school agreed that this is true. Guess I'll make sure not to say "MacBeth" next time I'm at the movies!

Jay asked Clay if he had ever done theater before. Clay said he had been cut from the high school play his senior year but he didn't hold a grudge...even though he would like to announce that teachers address...and phone #...and name...on tv! But no grudge!! Then he gave the teacher the raspberries!! Pretty funny stuff!!

Clay and Jack Black were both funny laughing it up. I knew they would be. And they both sat with their foot under their other leg...a sign of being comfortable in their surroundings. Clay and Jack were still talking as they went to a commercial. Would love to know what they were talking about!

Clay sang On My Way Here beautifully. Quiana, Angela, and Sean were there. I guess Clay stole Sean from Broadway for a little while!



It was a great interview and a great performance. If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, be sure to run to Clack Unlimited and download the show!





Thanks to Gerwhisp from The Clayboard for the screencaps.