We Have Winner's Report

Yeah, Zippy888 has an exciting story about her luck with the raffle tickets for the Champions for Change Gala 2008. Here it is as reported on the Clayboard. Congrats Zippy, you so deserve this after all the wonderful Clack you have provided us with over the years.

Hello everyone! Here's my recap from the Gala event. Yes, I'm still on . I purchased 3 raffle tickets at $20 each and decided to put all 3 tickets in the drum for the autographed hockey jersey. When the time came for the hockey jersey to be raffled off, Clay called out for his mum to come up on stage to draw the ticket. While Clay was spinning the drum, a ticket "spat" out accidentally. He picked it up and dropped it back into the drum and proceeded to rotate the drum a couple more times. Then, Faye drew the raffle ticket.

I held my breath. Then, I heard my ticket number drawn. I had memorized the 3 ticket nos. before and then passed the tickets to my mum to look after as clayheaven (my sis) and I were busy taking clack. Of course, when the winning ticket was announced, I gasped and looked at my sister with wide eyes. I was sure I had won and when my mum stuck up her hand to give me the winning ticket, we were jumping around in our little area at the back of the room.

I proceeded to go up to the stage area and it took a while as I had to meander amongs the tables, chairs and people. I still had my camera around my neck. Finally, got to the front row of tables and Clay announced that he didn't have the prize on stage. So, I stopped and was thinking if I should return back to my seat. Then, our eyes locked 'cos he said, "Oh, it's you!" Then, he told me and motioned me to come on up.

I was in an Aiken fog. I didn't go up on stage but stood beside the stage instead and handed him my ticket for verification. I don't know why I stuck out my hand but it was an instinctive action on my part. He then said something like "Good idea! Let's verify the ticket, Mom!" Faye verified it and it was all good!! Yay! He then handed me the ticket back and then........he bent down while still on stage to give me a HUG!! OMG!!

I was surprised when he gave me a hug and I hugged back. He then patted me on my shoulder blades and I did the same. It was so good to be in his arms. He smells really clean and is really lean. I can feel his bones. I was in an Aiken fog. Gosh, I love Clay Aiken! I collected my beautiful hockey jersey in a shadow box and managed to transport it home with me on the plane.

"On My Way Here" Digital Download Coming Soon

"On My Way Here" - the song, that is - will be released soon exclusively to the Amazon Music Download store, according to the CH's Corabeth who received the information from RCA marketing: "The digital single of 'On My Way Here' will be available via Amazon's digital music store exclusively as we go to radio (starting on April 29)."

Call us a little confused, as to why this single would be "exclusive" to Amazon.com, especially when we're hearing that Amazon's competitor, Apple's iTunes music store will offer an "exclusive" bonus track for everyone who pre-orders before May 6.

As always, we'll keep you posted!

RCA Issues New Press Photos

Yep, we're been officially spoiled rotten of Clay the past week. But, hey, that's not a bad thing, as these new RCA press photos prove. THUD.

RCA Marketing Email for OMWH

Many of you will have received an email from RCA Marketing today getting the word out about the new album. At the end of an email is a Raleigh phone number - if you call it, you will get a recording of Clay talking about the album. Cool!

LATEST NEWS FROM CLAY AIKEN

Be the first to hear "On My Way Here"

Go to AOL's PopEater.com to catch a glimpse of Clay's new album with the title track "On My Way Here." The album hits stores May 6th and is available for Pre-Order now!



Creating the Album - Webisode:
Now you can catch Clay's new webisode about the creation of "On My Way Here" on MP3.com.



Mobile Sneak Peeks of "On My Way Here"!
Call Clay at 919.883.5111 from your mobile phone to hear exclusives and sneak peeks on his new album!

Tidbits 4/8

Clay is featured in Yahoo! TV's gallery of American Idol's Biggest Transformations.

• Austin 360 - New Clay Aiken CD on the way -

  Claymates everywhere are rejoicing — and rightfully so.
  
  Their hero, the almighty Clay Aiken, will release a new CD next month.
  
  “On My Way Here,” featuring a title track by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, offers “a little bit of something for everyone, from symphonic-type ballads to upbeat, edgy stuff,” according to an interview in USA Today.

• Curlio.com - Claymates rejoice for new album -

  Claymates around the universe are rejoicing as Clay Aiken has set a release date for his first album full of original material since the release of his debut album in 2003. Technically this is Clay's fourth album, but albums two and three featured Christmas music and cover songs.
  
  "On My Way Here" will hit record stores near you on May 6th. Clay says these songs show a more mature side of himself.
  

• American Idol mentions:
• Associated Content -

  But in the end, the show is about making only one of them the season's American Idol (regardless of which one goes on to greater fame and success, like Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, and Clay Aiken).

• Reuters -

  Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, and even those who didn't win such as Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, have gone on to successful music careers.

• New York Daily News - Leona Lewis, winner of UK's "The X-Factor" releases CD in America -

  Judging by Lewis' full CD, which hits U.S. stores today, "X Factor" makes "A.I." seem downright avant-garde. No "American Idol" winner yet has released an album quite this slick, conservative or derivative. Not even Clay Aiken. It's wall-to-wall characterless ballads penned by the predicable likes of Ryan Tedder, Johnta Austin and Walter Afanasieff.

• ClaySpots - Clay ready to drop new album -

  It's Aiken's first CD of all original material since his debut CD, 'Measure of a Man', which sold 613,000 copies its first week, with total sold of 2.7 million. Aiken's second CD, 'Merry Christmas, with Love', was, at the time, the fastest selling Christmas CD in Soundscan history, selling 1.3 million out of the gate in just 6 weeks.
  

LALate.com: "Clay's Amazing New Song" is "definate number 1 material"

The reviews are starting to come in of Clay's new single, "On My Way Here". LALate.com's review praises the song:

A very clean, simple, fluid, and beautiful flowing song that seems almost timeless in its melody makes “On My Way Here” definite number 1 material. And that’s irrespective of the fact that it’s so good it doesn’t resemble any other current sound getting airplay currently.

Amen!

"On My Way Here" Impacts Radio April 28

"On My Way Here", the lead single from Clay's new album of the same name, will be officially released to radio on April 28, reports All Access, a music website:

April 28, 2008
impacting songs

Artist - Clay Aiken
Title - On My Way Here
Label - RCA/RMG
Format - AC

Listen to Clay's new song exclusively at AOL Music.

Clay to Sell OMWH on QVC

Clay will sell his new CD, On My Way Here, in person, and live on primetime TV on April 28 via the QVC shopping channel. QVC's website has Clay scheduled for April 28 between 7 and 8 PM:04/28/2008

07:00 - 08:00 PM
CLAY AIKEN -ON MY WAY HERE/GADGETS & GIZMOS

QVC TV can be viewed on the internet at QVC.com - click on "Watch Live TV" on the left hand side of the page.

MP3.com's OMWH "Webisode": Clay on his recording "family"

MP3.com posted a slightly different version of the AOL Webisode that was released several weeks ago showing the behind the scenes workings that went into producing the new CD, "On My Way Here". Clay talked about how it was nice to have a "family" working with him on the entire CD, eliminating the need to switch producers or musicians for every song, as he did for MOAM, MCWL and ATDW.

View the webisode at MP3.com.

Here It Is: AOL Debuts "On My Way Here"

Well folks, we've been waiting for this day since September 19, 2006. Clay's new single "On My Way Here" officially debuted today on AOL Music. Listen to it at the AOL PopEater blog.

The new album, titled after this song, will be released on RCA Records/19 Recordings on May 6 - now less than 1 month away!

Amazon Presents Clay's "List of Music You Should Hear"

Amazon.com is sponsoring a page where Clay lists "music you should hear". Some of the tracks Clay mentioned by name include:

• "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman from the album, This Moment - “I've been a fan of his as long as I can remember. It's great that he's getting airplay on mainstream radio with this song.”
• "Fall" by Kimberly Locke from the album, Based On A True Story - “We did American Idol together and I think she is just awesome all around.”
• "Everything" by Michael Buble from the album, Call Me Irresponsible – “A wonderful singer, just a classic.”
• "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles from the album, Little Voice - “That's one of those great catchy songs that you just seem to hear everywhere and can't get out of your head.”
• "Because of You" by Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson from the album, Reba Duets – “What's not to like? Two powerhouses together on a great song."

The page also has a short bio about Clay:

When Clay began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut, Measure Of A Man, he fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.” The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection, On My Way Here

USA Today's Idol Chatter Interviews Clay

USA Today's Idol Chatter had a few moments on the phone with Clay to discuss details about the new album, On My Way Here, in stores on May 6. Some highlights:

My (brief) encounter with Clay

Well, it was a short chat, and Clay couldn't have been more pleasant. We mostly talked about the album (I'll include the item that resulted at the bottom of this post), but I also complimented him on having the most dedicated fans around [...]

“I would like to have signature songs,” Clay Aiken says, “songs that are identifiable as mine as opposed to ‘Clay Aiken sings such-and-such.’ ” That’s why the American Idol Season 2 runner-up conducted an intensive search for new songs he could connect with.

“I went through a bunch of songs,” he says, “and found On My Way Here by (OneRepublic leader) Ryan Tedder, and it hit me in the gut. It became the catalyst for the whole album to be lyrically connected — most of the songs relate to lessons I’ve learned.” On My Way Here became not only the title track for Aiken’s new album, due May 6 on RCA, but also the lead single.

Media Covers New Album Release

Today's press release for the new album from RCA has brought many mentions in the press:

• Reality TV Magazine -

  Looks like the little Clay Aiken we fell in love with during season 2 of American Idol is all grown up now. With more successes under his belt than we can even count, Aiken’s journey has already been long and fruitful. Now he’s using it, and what he’s learned along the way, to inspire the theme of his new CD, On My Way Here.

• USA Today -

  Music: Aiken is well on his way to new CD
  
  "I would like to have signature songs," Clay Aiken says, "songs that are identifiable as mine as opposed to 'Clay Aiken sings such-and-such.' " That's why the American Idol Season 2 runner-up conducted an intensive search for songs he could connect with.

• E! Online -

  Cue the Claynation celebration.
  
  Clay Aiken has finally set a release date of May 6 for his first album of original material in five years.
  
  For those keeping score, On My Way Here is technically Aiken's fourth studio release. But it's only his second to feature new songs. Since releasing the multiplatinum smash Measure of a Man following his runner-up finish on 2003's American Idol, Aiken has failed to match the success with his subsequent albums, compilations of Christmas carols and cover songs, respectively.

RCA Announces "On My Way Here" as Lead Single; To Debut on Monday

RCA Records issued an awesome press release for Clay's new album today, confirming that the title track, "On My Way Here", will be the lead single. Written by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, the song tells "how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults".

"On My Way Here" will officially debut as the single through AOL Music on Monday, RCA said.

Here is the press release in its entirety:

Clay Aiken to Release Brand-New Album, On My Way Here, on May 6th 2008
Friday April 4, 12:30 pm ET
EAGERLY AWAITED COLLECTION IS THE POP SUPERSTAR'S FIRST ALBUM OF ORIGINAL SONGS SINCE 2003

NEW YORK, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum selling pop singer Clay Aiken will release his fourth album, On My Way Here, on RCA Records/19 Entertainment on May 6th, 2008. The collection is the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC, native's first album of original songs since his 2003 chart-topping, double- platinum debut Measure of a Man.

On My Way Here chronicles Aiken's experiences over the past five years, ascending from popular contestant on the second season of American Idol to pop superstar. The album's theme came to Aiken when he and his executive producer Jaymes Foster fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics -- how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults -- struck a very deep chord with the artist. The title track "On My Way Here" will be the first radio single from the album to be released later this month. Additionally the single, "On My Way Here" will premiere as an "AOL First Listen" on Monday, April 7th.

"I thought if we could find songs that relate to what's gone on in my life over the past five years and address what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for my album," Aiken says. "Since I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself. I think this album covers how far I've come, personally and professionally."

The chance to record new material was an opportunity Aiken didn't want to miss. His previous two albums, 2004's Merry Christmas with Love (which went platinum within six weeks of its release) and 2006's gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways, featured 10 cover versions of well-known songs popularized by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. Aiken's vocal performances on songs like "As Long as We're Here," about not waiting until it's too late to tell someone you love them, and "The Real Me," about being in the public eye, resonate with the kind of emotion that can only come from someone who's experienced this firsthand. "Although," Aiken says, "it was important to me that the songs be interpretable in all kinds of ways. People should be able to find their own meaning in the lyrics."

On My Way Here will be released just as Aiken finishes up his Broadway run playing Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's Spamalot. Since January, Aiken has spent his days in the recording studio with On My Way Here's Grammy Award-winning British producer Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti), and his nights onstage in Spamalot. "I guess I'm a glutton for punishment," he says with a laugh.

For more on Clay Aiken, please visit his official website http://www.clayaiken.com.

Source: RCA Records

RCA Begins Album Promotion

RCA is beginning promotion for Clay's new CD, "On My Way Here", due in stores May 6. The ad above appeared in this week's edition of Playbill.

Sony BMG/RCA To Release Album's Official PR Tomorrow

Corabeth at CH reports that Sony BMG/RCA is prepping an official press release for Clay's new album On My Way Here. The PR, including the announcement of the lead single, will be released to media tomorrow.

An update from RCA Marketing---posted with permission
The press release to announce the album release and the lead single will be out on Friday

There are definitely more webisodes coming
YAY!!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!

USA Weekend Interviews Clay: No Tour In The Works After All

USA Weekend interviewed Clay for the second time in as many months, and Clay burst the bubble, so to speak, when he confirmed that contrary to press reports, there is currently no plan for a summer tour. "I'm taking a break," Clay said.

Here is an abridged version of the interview. Please head to the USA Weekend website to read it in its entirety. A shorter version of the interview will appear in the May 11 print issue of USA Weekend.

Clay Aiken talks music, acting and talk

ACTING: "I enjoy being myself more than I enjoy being somebody else." In other words, he has enjoyed working in Spamalot but he's not looking for another Broadway role, nor is he looking to do movies, as some of you wanted to know.

TOURING OTHER COUNTRIES: Those of you who want him to come to Australia, Norway, Singapore and more are out of luck. Why? Clay says his record label doesn't release his albums in those places.

TOURING IN GENERAL: "I'm taking a break," Clay said. He knows that you all want to see him again, and acknowledged that there were some press reports that he would tour this summer but "we never said we were planning on touring this summer. Do we plan on touring for this (new) album? Yes. But not this summer."

TALK SHOW: Now, here is something he clearly would like to do. "We put feelers out for this, that or the other...we make known what we think we're interested in doing," Clay says, using We meaning He. And he says they've made it known that talk is something he's interested in doing. But, like Spamalot, he says, sometimes it's a matter of ideas and opportunities coming together at the right time. Bottom line: nothing in the works right now.

THE NEW ALBUM: "I know a lot (of the fans) like to like everything I do," Clay says, but on the new album there will be something everyone won't like, but also something everyone WILL like. A lot of you want Clay to rock out, or as he calls it "do rockin' songs" — and he says on the new album he does — but it's hard for him to find such songs. "I can't find one I'm comfortable with." He was reluctant to pick a favorite or signature song from this album but eventually said the song Something About Us could be it.

Look for my shorter print piece on Clay in the May 11 issue of the magazine, and you can read about my previous interview with Clay here.

RCARecords.com, ClayAiken.com Make Album Triple Official

More confirmation that Clay's new CD is now set for a firm release date of May 6. News about the news album have been posted to RCARecords.com and on Clay's official website, ClayAiken.com. There is also a short announcement at Clay's MySpace blog.

New Album!!!
Clay Aiken's new album, "On My Way Here" is OUT ON MAY 6! Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Clay Aiken discussing the recording process HERE! And stay tuned for an all new ClayAiken.com!

4/1/2008 - New Clay Aiken Album!
Clay's new album, "On My Way Here," will be out May 6th! You can watch a behind-the-scenes video of Clay discussing the recording process Here!

Tidbits 3/31

• antiMusic - new details about Clay's new CD (nothing we don't know already)
  
• American Chronicle interviews Debra Poneman, who was the editor of Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul, now available at bookstores:

  Some of the proceeds from the sales of this book go to various charities. Can you tell us about them?
  
  Yes, as with all Chicken Soup books, a percentage goes to a charity or charities chosen by the authors. We chose three charities for this book: Ace Young´s High Roller´s With Heart that benefits the Children´s Hospital in Denver; Clay Aiken´s charity, The Bubel Aiken Foundation whose goal is to create an environment for children with disabilities where barriers are broken down and inclusion is embraced; and Idol Gives Back which raises money and awareness to benefit children and young people living in poverty in the US and Africa.
  

• After Elton- K-Lo and mention of new album -

  Kimberley Locke, "Fall"
  
  She was right behind Clay Aiken in the show’s second season, and American Idol invited Kimberley Locke to perform her new “Fall” single on Wednesday night. She’s slimmed down, but she still has that voice!
  
  Clay's back for more
  
  Speaking of Clay Aiken, check out the cover art for his upcoming, sophomore album, On My Way Here … and we’ve learned Claymates can’t take a joke…

• Quad City Times on the new American Idol video game -

  I tried four songs — “September,” “Save a Life,” “You’re Beautiful” and “It Ends Tonight.” As I sang, the words “Poor” and “Horrible” kept showing up on the screen. My friend sang like that little bore Clay Aiken and the game kept giving him props. I don’t get it.

• Something That Really Happened - Amazon.com confirms tracklisting for OMWH
• Carolina On My Mind - Clay nation abuzz with news of CD tracklisting -

  Clay Aiken often brags about the detective abilities of his fans, never more on display than this week's discoveries of the track list for his new CD, On My Way Here, as well as video and audio demos by songwriters.
  
  Some fans choose to remain "CD virgins." Not me -- I listen to every little snippet and link that comes along because I know these songs will be brand new when Clay sings them.
  
  Saturday morning a news story on the Ace Show Biz site confirmed the playlist CA fans had discovered through a music store a day earlier. From the track listing page, a click on more info takes the reader to OMWH's corner on Amazon.
  

Ace Show Biz Article Includes CD Track Listing

An article about On My Way Here at aceshowbiz.com includes a track listing of the songs on the CD. This is yet another confirmation of the list of songs we will be listening to in just over a month! And check out the picture that they have along with their article. Another gorgeous picture most likely from his photo shoot!

Ace Show Biz, which calls itself "The Ace In Entertainment Zone" also says:

Clay Aiken has unleashed a new promotional picture, which is said be the advanced version of the cover art, for his upcoming and fourth full-length album "On My Way Here". The American Idol runner-up also reveals the track listing that includes a title track and previously revealed track "Ashes".

The list of songs, which can also be found at the CDD article, Breaking News OMWH Tracking Listing, is:

1. On My Way Here
2. Ashes
3. Everything I Don't Need Something About Us
4. Falling
5. Where I Draw The Line
6. The Real Me
7. Weight Of The World
8. As Long As We're Here
9. Sacrificial Love
10. Grace Of God
11. Lover All Alone