Tidbits 7/25

The news is definitely slow these days, but somehow I managed to find a few tidbits to write about.

SOMALIA/KENYA MENTIONS:

• Koin News (Koin.com) - In an article about his trip to Somalia, they say:

  The UNICEF Ambassador spent time with Somali children, and got to see first-hand programs to improve child health, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary education, child protection and girls' empowerment.

• News4jax - Same as above mention. Both Koin and News4jax got their news stories from ET Online.
  
  
• JustJared.com - Another great Clay mention at JustJared:

  UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.
  
  The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field....Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Hint: Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

• People.com - A great mention about Clay's UNICEF trip here:

  Aiken, 29, recently visited Somalia and Kenya, and has been blogging about the trip on the UNICEF Web site.
  
  In his final posting, Aiken writes how violence during the country's election earlier this year left thousands of children homeless. And even though the unrest has decreased, many of the kids have not returned to their schools.
  
  "Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives," Aiken writes. "The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans."
  
  Aiken continues, "Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too."

The "Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?" quote about Barack Obama's traveling entourage is making the rounds:

• Patriot Post US - The "quote" is mentioned on this site as follows:

  Obama traveled with dozens of his “national security advisors” selected from his staff of more than 300 (yes, that’s THREE HUNDRED) foreign policy advisors. There were dozens more—strategists, campaign gofers, makeup artists and court jesters—enough to create an entourage that looked genuinely imposing in transit. As John McCain’s campaign spokesman Brian Rogers quipped, “Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?”

• KDBC News (El Paso) - This post was seen on Yahoo's news page. Its worked its way to El Paso, TX now:

  Democrat Barack Obama doesn't travel light.
  
  Halfway around the world, the Obama campaign machine appears as sprawling and seamless as it is on its home turf. As the presumptive Democratic nominee tours five countries in five days, he brings an entourage that would make a pop star envious.... "Who does he think he is?" Rogers asked of Obama. "Clay Aiken?"

Other Tidbits:

• Pollstar.com - A small Clay mention:

  Lunchtime on the Fresno Coast and we have new dates for Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, Kris Kristofferson and Boyz II Men, plus links to items about Ry Cooder, Clay Aiken.....Clay Aiken stands up for Kenyan children - People

  If you click on Clay's name in the quote above, it will take you where you can sign up to be notified when Clay goes on tour.

Album News Hits Insider, ET

News of Clay's new album, "On My Way Here", has hit The Insider and Entertainment Tonight's respective websites. The two sister infotainment shows are running identical articles on their websites about the new disc, due out in May:

Let the countdown begin! In less than two months -- May 6 to be exact -- CLAY AIKEN will release his new album, reports Billboard.

The disc, titled On My Way Here, will mark Clay's first album of entirely new material since 2003's No.1 smash Measure of a Man. While details are limited, it will likely include the title track and a tune called "Ashes."

What's more, Clay is getting ready to hit the road in July for a U.S. tour.

Meanwhile, he is currently entertaining audiences in the Broadway hit Spamalot.

The album is also being featured on Pause & Play, a well-known music industry website listing upcoming CD releases:

News Of Clay's New CD Has Hit The Web!

Yesterday at Clay's Daily Double, we told you that People.com had announced that Clay's new CD would be released around May 6. Now the news has flown to several other websites. Here are a few of those:

• The CB's angelcat4jc reports some FOX affiliates are picking up the story as well:

  They showed him at his CD signing for ATDW. They picked up on the article from People magazine. I think they said something about Clay's fans have something to look forward to. They talked about what was in the article, about his new album coming out and that he was starring in Spamalot. They mentioned the part where he said he learned alot in his 20's and that's what he wants his music to be about. (paraphrasing)
  
  I hope someone caps it if it is on someone else's local Fox station. It was the 9 o'clock news here central time after Don't Forget the Lyrics. (and my vcr just went off right before that! Darn!)
  

• AllHeadlineNews.com - "His fans, who call themselves Claymates, will be happy to know Aiken is in New York now recording his fourth album."
• Fox28.com - "Another Idol star is set to release a new album. Clay Aiken's new CD should hit stores in May."
• TVGuide.com This article, in the Great American Idol Blog, is entitled "Claymates Won't Be Achin' for New Album Much Longer", and check out the great picture that they used!
• RealityTVMagazine.com - In part, this article says:

  Clay Aiken has been a busy boy. While in New York City, appearing in the broadway production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, Clay has had a new album on his mind.
  
  Okay, more than just on his mind. He’s actually been busy laying tracks for his new album when not on the Broadway stage.
  
  The album, which is Aiken’s fourth, will not be, “going down any path that’s crazy,” he told People in a recent interview. “I’m not trying to be cool. I’m not trying to be hip. I’m not trying to do anything other than sing stuff that I’m good at,” he adds.
  
  Aiken has tried to theme the album around the self-awareness and learning that tends to happen to people as they grow through their young adulthood.
  
  Though he jokes that he could use his red Spamalot wig for a new image to go along with the album release, Aiken warns that this musical go-round of his will come with no new crazy styles, such as the dark and messy style he’s been known to sport in the past. This time, it seems, it’s all about Clay staying true to Clay.

  Bolding in this article is mine. I just love this statement!
  
  
• SeattlePI.com - "Season 2 American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken is eyeing a May 6 release for a fourth album that should appeal to his core fans."
• ETOnline - "CLAY AIKEN isn't letting a little thing like being on Broadway stand in the way of his next studio effort -- in fact his new album will likely be in stores in a matter of months!"
• TheInsiderOnline.com - More of what we've already read from other sites, but being on The Insider and ET Online is big!

We'll keep you informed of any news updates on Clay's new album.

ET Insider Online Have Spamalot Story On Website

It didn't take long for the news about Clay joining the cast of Spamalot to spread. Both ET Online and The Insider Online have this story on their home page.

Both sites say:

The singer is set to join the award-winning musical.

It looks like CLAY AIKEN is heading to the Great White Way. According to Playbill, the singer will make his Broadway debut next January when he joins the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's Spamalot...Based on the 1975 film comedy 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' Spamalot won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical and is directed by MIKE NICHOLS, who said in a statement: "Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character."

Check out your local television listings to see if this story is on either of these entertainment shows.

Tidbits 10/4

• KTLA is polling us on our favourite American Idol 2 contestant ... VOTE Claymates!
  
• ETOnline - Scroll down and look on the left side of the page. The video Clay in NYC is #1 of the Top 10 Emailed Stories on ETOnline!
• Syracuse.com - Idol Thoughts by Donna Reynolds tells about the premiere of American Idol 2 Rewind:

  The series will also offer viewers a chance to catch up with the top 12 (Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Josh Gracin, Trenyce, Carmen Rasmusen, Kimberly Caldwell, Rickey Smith, Corey Clark, Julia DeMato, Charles Grigsby, and Vanessa Olivarez) all of whom will talk about their experiences on the show.

• USA Today - the votes are officially in for their "Idol Revolutionist" poll - Clay comes out #3 out of all Idol alumni, beaten narrowly by Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood -

  EARLIER UPSETS
  
  In season-by-season revisionist votes in the Idol Chatter blog, four Idol also-rans would have won their respective seasons:
  
  -Clay Aiken, Season 2
  -Bo Bice, Season 4
  -Elliott Yamin, Season 5
  -Melinda Doolittle, Season 6
  
  It was a close race, based on a simple reverse-point system (10 points for a No. 1 vote, 9 for No. 2 and so forth), as fourth-season champ Carrie Underwood (who fell behind Bo Bice in the revisionist vote for that season) finished a close second, and second-season runner-up Clay Aiken was close behind in third.
  

• E! Online -

  A few years ago, a Santa Monica-area DMV office let Madonna come in through the back to avoid, in the words of a spokesman, a "mob scene." Other stars, such as Clay Aiken, have been known to walk in the front door of their local DMVs.

• A few "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" mentions -
• Daily Camera -

  "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" is hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy and will spotlight celebrity contestants this season including TV personality Regis Philbin, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk and "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken.

• Orlando Sentinel -

  If these kids don't provide enough incentive to watch, the game show this season will feature celebrities playing for charity. They include Regis Philbin, Clay Aiken, Kellie Pickler, Tony Hawk and Billy Bush. You'll probably see those installments in the November ratings period.

• MovieWeb -

  In addition to a new set of pupils, the second season of this atypical game show, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, will also feature celebrity contestants Regis Philbin Live with Regis and Kelly), on-air personality Billy Bush (Access Hollywood), American Idol finalists Clay Aiken and Kellie Pickler, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, and Miss America Lauren Nelson testing their knowledge for charity.
  

• Nothing here today
  

Clay Video and Interview at ETOnline

Today, Clay was at the ET set to talk about his UNICEF trip and his rooting for Sanjaya Malakar on AI6. But, in addition to Clay being on TV, this information can also be found at ETOnline.

Get ready for lots of surprises when you see Clay both on TV and online. First, the beard is gone. He must have shaved it off right when he got back home!! For some fans, this will be a time of rejoicing. For others, like myself, I am already missing the beard. But as I've said before, I love the Clay under the beard more, so all is well!

Coming as no surprise are the great things Clay has to say about his trip to Afghanistan. He reiterated again the hospitality of the people there, but also said that he was nervous about his safety there. He said that he and Diane Sawyer wanted to get together to eat, but they could not leave their respective hotels, even though they were only about a mile apart. Watch the video to hear more things Clay has to say about his trip there.

One more thing...what may shock many people is that Clay was actually rooting for Sanjaya Malakar and even hoped he would win AI6!! Now, I find myself cheering and whooping it up to hear him say that, because I was rooting for Sanjaya myself. As Clay said, you gotta love a guy who has the courage to get up before millions of people with a mohawk!! Seems our guy has been watching AI more than he might admit to!

Be sure to check out the interview, video, and picture of Clay at ETOnline. In fact, I think I'm on my way to watch it again!

ET Online Picks Up Quickly on Clay's GMA Appearance

It didn't take ET Online line long to include a story about Clay's appearance on Good Morning America. "Clay's Idol Rival" began with, "Which former "American Idol" contestant is Clay Aiken jealous of?" Thankfully they almost immediately said that Clay's comments were made in a lighthearted way.

"I'm jealous," Clay lightheartedly replied when asked about JENNIFER HUDSON. "There was a point I was considered the most successful 'Idol' loser, but now I'm not anymore. I saw the movie ['Dreamgirls'] and she deserves the Academy Award," he added. "Now I'm going to be in second place again."

Of course, Clay is number one with his fans, the article also says. His fans voted for him and he was ranked as People Magazines "Favorite American Idol" in 2006.

Not to leave out the reason Clay was on Good Morning America, the ET article does talk about his work with UNICEF before commenting about Jennifer Hudson's fame. "CLAY AIKEN made an appearance on "Good Morning America" Thursday to promote UNICEF's public awareness campaign for Child Survival 2007," and "But the singing sensation wants to use his fame to help others, and is a dedicated advocate for children's causes, such as UNICEF's mission to provide health, education, equality and protection for children across the globe," were two things mentioned about his UNICEF work.

Clay also said in the article that one of his roles in UNICEF is to help get people involved. As ET mentions, if you want to find out more about Clay's work with UNICEF you can go to his web page by clicking Clay Aiken's UNICEF Web Page. You can read all about his role with UNICEF here as well as what work he has done in the past. Join Clay today in support of UNICEF.