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Clay is usually the one doing the singing, but several members of the Durham Bulls Athletic Park were singing his praises in a WRAL interview in 2007.
Thanks go to procjoiner at The Clayboard who brought this video to my attention. This is a great video, recorded in August 2007 by WRAL.com and shows Mike Birling, General Manager, Matt DeMargel, Promotions Director, and George Habel, Vice President, where they are remembering back to 2003 with many compliments. This was when Clay made his trip home during Top 3 week on American Idol. For part of that trip, he sang the National Anthem at a Durham Bulls game and threw out the first pitch of the game.
The men compliment Clay by saying such things as:
"it was a once in a lifetime experience"
"he was a phenomenon"
"he didn't have any real idea just how popular he was"
"the screaming from the fans was louder than the helicopter"
"he sang the National Anthem and everybody just went crazy...that was just a real special moment...it was an incredible job"
For men of this caliber in such an outstanding organization to have such admiration for Clay after all these years says a lot. Clay is an amazing person and there are so many people who know this!
Check out the video at WRAL.com. And if you really want a treat, watch the youtube video below of Clay singing the National Anthem that day at the Durham Bulls ball game. Perfection!!
Has it really been four years since Clay performed at the PBS special, A Capitol Fourth, on July 4, 2004? As hard as it is to believe it, yes it has. Hosted by Barry Bostwick, the special also featured performances by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, the Bee Gees, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and the U.S. Drum & Bugle Corps. It was an honor for Clay to be included in this celebration, being only one year removed from being runner up on American Idol. From American Idol to America's Big Birthday Celebration!
Clay sang the National Anthem to perfection, then later in the show performed Measure of a Man and God Bless The U.S.A. He received rousing ovations for each performance.
One article, Clay Aiken's Star Rises With PBS Special, that was on Yahoo's music site on July 1, 2004, talks about what it meant to Clay to perform in this Fourth of July celebration. The article, in full, is below:
Clay Aiken's Star Rises With PBS Special
07/01/2004 8:44 AM, AP Lynn Elber
For Clay Aiken , performing at what he considers the nation's pre-eminent July Fourth bash, PBS' "A Capitol Fourth" in Washington, could have been moving enough.
But this particular holiday carries deeper significance. His stepfather, Ray Parker, a veteran, died two years ago on July 4. His younger brother, 18-year-old Brett, just enlisted in the Marines.
"This Fourth of July is special because my dad was in the Air Force and my brother is now in the military," said Aiken. "It gives a little more meaning to it this year."
Aiken, the formerly gawky redhead whose powerful voice gained him "American Idol" fame, plans to sing the national anthem; Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" and an orchestra-backed version of "Measure of a Man," from Aiken's album.
He's in good company at the ceremony, which airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol 8-9:30 p.m. EDT Sunday on public TV stations (check local listings).
With Barry Bostwick as host, the lineup includes Vince Gill and Amy Grant; the Bee Gees; gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and the U.S. Drum & Bugle Corps. A 150th birthday salute to "Stars and Stripes Forever" composer John Philip Sousa is planned.
Rousing patriotism is one thing for Aiken, politics quite another.
"Music gives people the opportunity to come together and all enjoy one thing and politics, as important as they are to the success of the country, do more to divide, unfortunately. I don't want to be part of that," he said.
About a half-million people attend the annual PBS concert — a prospect Aiken doesn't find daunting.
"I'm more excited about it, actually. I was invited to a different Fourth of July event but I wanted to do this one. ... It's just a cooler opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., for the holiday, with a big 110-piece orchestra."
How does the 25-year-old pop star come by such poise?
"I might be a little less self-possessed than comes across," he said, with cheerful candor. "I just do my best to portray it, to make sure I don't look nervous."
Besides, he remains aware of his how far he's come in a short time, from unknown to best-selling pop singer (the RCA album "Measure of a Man") preparing for his first solo concert tour.
"I try to remember it was just barely a year ago that I was sitting in North Carolina not doing much but teaching and going to class and turning my homework in late," he said. "And it could very easily come back to that at any moment, so I try to remember that as much as I can."
A one-time YMCA camp counselor who majored in special education, Aiken was the second-season runner-up to soulman Ruben Studdard . This year's winner was Fantasia Barrino, with Diana DeGarmo close behind (DeGarmo's first single, "Dreams," is just out).
Aiken is squeezing the PBS show in between tour rehearsals. In March, he finished a successful series of concerts with the first-year "American Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson .
The new 12-state tour, set to kick off next week in North Dakota, includes shows in Wisconsin, Tennessee, his native North Carolina, New York and Delaware.
Aiken labels it a "progression" of his concerts with Clarkson, with "the same band, the same crew, even the same bus driver, believe it or not," but with a new set, different material and video flourishes.
He's added songs connected to "American Idol" that were purged from the previous tour.
It was perhaps selfish, he said, but fans didn't get to hear familiar tunes including "This is the Night" and "Solitaire."
"I wanted to make sure I distanced myself from the show a little bit. Both of us wanted to graduate," he said of Clarkson. "We both wanted to recognize that's where we came from, but at the same time stand alone without the need to have 'American Idol' tacked on.
"When you write this article, I can guarantee you're going to write '"American Idol" alumnus Clay Aiken.' Both of us want to be known as Clay Aiken or Kelly Clarkson," he said.
It might just be a question of time, he concedes.
He and other "American Idol" contestants are fond of the obscure fact that Gladys Knight was discovered on "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour."
"I would love to have that kind of history," Aiken said, but diplomatically adds: "I don't want to abandon that part of me because I wouldn't be here if not for that show."
He and second-season finalist Kimberley Locke , who's become a friend and Aiken's roommate in Los Angeles, were waxing nostalgic over tapes of the show recently.
"Man, I wish I could go back and do that show again," they agreed, according to Aiken. "It was just a lot of fun."
With his contractual obligation to "American Idol" over, he's free to pursue any and all dreams. He wants to cement his musical status ("I'm not really an established recording artist yet") and is intrigued by the idea of returning to television in some way.
And what about long-term goals?
"I'll tell you where I don't want to be: Washed up and still trying to struggle to get people to buy my albums. I want to enjoy this like it's a fun summer camp experience. ... But if at some point it's over, I want to understand it's time to go back to school."
And now, sit back and enjoy the memories created by a YouTube video of Clay's performances on July 4, 2004 in "A Capitol Fourth"
Raleigh News & Observer - In an article about rising home values in the Raleigh area, there is a comment on Clay's home:
"If we can figure out where Clay Aiken bought, and there are more houses around it for sale, we might sell them for 14 percent appreciation," said Kathy Sims, a top seller for ReMax United in Cary. But local appreciation "averages 5 percent and it's been like that for four years."
LAist - In another article from Tony Pierce about Idols who have sung The National Anthem, Tony says, "And who on Earth would have thought that Clay Aiken would still be on people's radar?" Not sure what this guy has against Clay, but I mark him off as a reporter who just doesn't have an inkling of a clue.
Beacon News - In an article called Idolatry 101, Mike Danahey, Staff Writer, said,
"Cowell consistently tells contestants to be "distinctive and unique." Sure, some people from the show have gone on to have best-selling albums and to win Grammy Awards, but we dare you to point out anything original about the music of say, Clay Aiken, or the vocal stylings of Carrie Underwood."
I think Merv Griffin answered this one really well:
"...If you can turn on the radio and say oh that’s Clay Aiken, oh that’s Barbra Streisand, oh that Frank Sinatra, oh that’s Tony Bennett…they’re a star, if you can identify them immediately by their sound. That kid has his own sound…he’s got energy, he’s got soul, he’s got, oh that voice pours out of him. And that’s the problem with most singers today…oh no, I’m not criticizing anybody….”
Bella Online quotes Clay in an article about pop music ... “It’s not the money. It’s not the fame. It’s the influence.” ~Clay Aiken
Los Angeles Times - Can AI find the next Clay? "Can the next Clay Aiken be hanging over that railing before us? It certainly is no longer necessary to win “American Idol” to become a star; losers from past top 12’s have gone on to produce bestselling albums (Clay Aiken), receive Oscar nods (Jennifer Hudson) and hold microphones on red carpets (Kellie Pickler)."
USA Today ... reader opinions on American Idol. One reader says: "American Idol isn't just a reality show. The show has become a career launching pad that has led to very profitable paths. Just look at Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken or Fantasia."
Which brings me to Sanjaya. Oh, Sanjaya. Can someone please, please explain this kid to me? Although I didn't think it was possible, his appointment with the flat iron -- and his revelation that he's an amateur hula dancer -- made him seem creepier than ever. I suspect he's seduced the whole Clay Aiken contingency, what with his completely nonthreatening girlish good looks, but please, people, can we stop the insanity? Do not give this boy Phil's spot in the top 12!
Actress Archives - "While Clay Aiken couldn't grab the Idol crown in Season Two, he still became a household name and sold millions of album."
Idaho Statesman - Will Antonella Barba be kicked off AI for racy photos? "Remember Frenchie Davis, who got kicked off in the Ruben Studdard/Clay Aiken year for her own set of racy photos?"
BYU News Net - article mentions Jacob Luttrell, who toured with Clay in 2004 & 2005 ... "professional performer Jacob Luttrell, who has spent much of the last three years touring with multi-platinum recording artists Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken."
NY Daily News on the hand-over-mouth Kelly Ripa incident last November ... ""Dancing With the Stars" hottie Mario Lopez was in NYC Monday to play guest host with Kelly Ripa on "Live With Regis and Kelly." That should definitely make up for the Clay Aiken incident."
The ConCLAYve - celebrating the big 50 with Clay Aiken ... "For those of you out there who have yet to reach this milestone, I can tell you that I am living proof that the popular adage is true: “50 is the new 30.” And Clay, pretty much…it’s all your fault."
Remember back maybe 3 years ago when Clay sang the National Anthem at a Raleigh hockey game? Well, here's a chance for you to relive that moment again.
Clay's version is at laist.com. Now forget what the writer of this article wrote. Its not worth even reading. But read all the support in the "Comments" section. And I believe much of the support is not from Clay fans. One of my favorite comments is from a university orchestra/band director...
Being an Orchestra and Band Director/Conductor at one of our large University,I have heard hundreds of singers sing our National Anthem so I was curious to see how a singer from American Idol will fare. I am not really familiar with Clay Aiken so I watched the video. My verdict: Mr. Aiken has an awesome voice, pure in tone and clarity, great phrasing, and an exceptional vocal range. One of the best singers of our national anthem that I have heard in my life. Wow what a great performance. Thank you to who ever posted this. Posted by: wmharrison | March 1, 2007 5:05 PM
...and someone who states he is not even from America...
I am not even an American and I can appreciate how brilliantly and beautifully Clay sang your National Anthem. I don't get the joke and why is it even a joke that people want to hear Clay sing? He's got a beautiful voice and he is one of the most talented singers I have ever heard. I definitely would love to hear him sing more! NO JOKE! Posted by: Roni | March 1, 2007 8:21 AM
But they are all great.
You will definitely want to go listen to this absolutely fantastic performance by Clay. It will send chills down your spine. And the comments will have you cheering. And whoever wrote the rude words? I think he is slinking away with his tail between his legs.
