Tidbits 4/1

AmericanIdol.com jumped on the Clay Aiken bandwagon with a nice write up for the new CD, "On My Way Here", out May 6.

• Happy April Fools! Raleigh Chronicle's article is hilarious:

  CLAYAIKENVILLE, NC - According to Mayor Charles Meeker, the City of Raleigh has now been officially renamed "ClayAikenville", after the famous singer.
  
  In a press conference near the Capitol building which was announced today about 10 minutes before it started, ClayAikenville Mayor Charles Meeker said that the name change for the city would help create a fresh new image.
  
  The city council stood behind him, applauding after the announcement.
  
  "Naming the city after Sir Walter Raleigh is so 16th century," said the mayor. "I mean, does anyone here actually know what Sir Walter Raleigh did for a living? I know I don't and I'm the mayor."
  
  "Clay Aiken on the other hand is a person who can lead us into the 21st century," added Meeker.
  

• Boston Herald - The Edge - former Idols receive the "Idol" boost -

  Similarly, season two contestant Kimberley Locke recently performed the song “Fall” from her latest CD. Locke’s run on “Idol” was five years ago, so some kids who watch the show might not remember she finished third behind Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard.

• Detroit News - Josh Gracin's "crazy ride" -

  He finished fourth on "Idol," behind Kimberly Locke, Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard. After the show, he signed with Disney-owned Lyric Street Records -- home to one of Gracin's favorite acts, Rascal Flatts -- and released his debut album in June 2004. Success followed, and Gracin played concerts with Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins and more.
  

• All About Jazz - We think this is another April Fool's Joke, but it's not as obvious, so correct us if we are wrong:

  Since the quartet Fourplay released its first CD in 1991, it has become known as a solid, if rather uninspiring, smooth jazz band, playing mostly R&B-flavored pop while incorporating minimal jazz content.
  
  This session, recorded for a brand new label, may surprise their longtime fans, as they've gotten a little more adventurous with their choice of material, though guest vocalist Clay Aiken isn't that far from their mold. Keyboardist Bob James composed three of the tracks, with two each from guitarist Larry Carlton and bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason penning “E. D. Blues.”
  
  The set list is sort of a suite, representing a single guy heading out on the town for the night looking for companionship. James' “Night on the Prowl” has an urban swagger, while Carlton's tender ballad “Do You, Miss September” will appeal to female listeners, especially with Aiken's vocal.

• Taking A Moment - Britney Spear's April Fool's letter to Clay Aiken -

  Hey Clay!
  
  It’s me, Britney! I haven’t seen you IN, like, what. SO LONG. I mean, GAWD, sometimes I think I’m NEVER going to get my present.
  
  Did you see me on your tv the other day, tho? I don’t mean actually SITTING on your tv, haha, but I would if you wanted me to. I had a guess-star roll on How I Made Your Mother. It was real good. I haven’t actually WATCHED it yet but I heard I was real good.
  

Raleigh Chronicle's Article about Clay's Mexican Visit

The Raleigh Chronicle always comes through for Clay and this is certainly no exception. They ran a great story, titled "Clay Aiken Visits Mexico Over Holidays", about Clay's current visit to Mexico on behalf of UNICEF:

The Raleigh Chronicle 30.DEC.07
CHIAPAS, MEXICO — Raleigh native and recording star Clay Aiken spent the holidays as a UNICEF ambassador visiting children in Mexico that were affected by recent floods.

UNICEF says Aiken is traveling in the region with his mother and younger brother who is a Marine on leave from Iraq.

During his trip, the Aiken said in his blog that the airlines were delayed and also lost his family's luggage, but that after visiting with the people in Mexico, his problems with the trip felt insignificant.

"They have lost so much (much more than a few suitcases) but they have an unbelievable spirit and contagious joy," said Aiken in a post from the field. "This is the holiday season and the spirit of family and giving is alive and well here."

The event where Aiken was present was also attended by Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, the First Lady of the State of Chiapas and was held in the city of Ostuacán where 19 deaths were recently reported after a series of mudslides swept over the mountain community of Juan de Grijalva.

"They rolled out the red carpet for us and we celebrated the holiday together singing Jingle Bells and other holiday songs and even taking a whack at a piñata (and, believe it or not, I didn’t hit anyone!)" said Aiken in his blog. "As upbeat and positive as the people are they still need our help -- there is much to do to reconstruct their village and get their lives back to normal."

Tidbits 6/10

Certainly looks like someone over at the Raleigh Chronicle has been converted. Take a look at this article about Taylor Hicks canceling his Cary, NC concert. Even though this is supposed to be about Hicks, Clay's photo is front and center on the page - "However, Raleigh's native son Clay Aiken will still be performing at the Booth Amphitheatre on Friday August 10th at 8:30pm."

• Rival Fish - celebrity logo look alikes... does this logo (from St. Louis University) look like Clay in this AI2 shot?
• LBFCA has a cute post about Clay & "Jericho"
  

• ClaySpots - a tribute to RockysMom's dog Rocky who died last week
• Taking A Moment - something all fanclub members should do in the wake of last week's events
  

Entertainment Weekly Includes Clay in Top 3 Idol Performances List

The Raleigh Chronicle reports that Entertainment Weekly has included Clay's AI2 performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at #3 on their list of top American Idol performances.

The list appears in the special edition of EW, with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks on the cover (on newsstands now!).

Here's part what the Raleigh Chronicle said:

In a special American Idol bonus edition of Entertainment Weekly (issue #937) on sale in June, Raleigh native Clay Aiken was listed as having one of the top song performances ever on the amazingly successful American Idol TV show.

In an article entitled "Best (and Worst) Idol Performances Ever", Aiken was listed at number three in the "Best" category with his performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" on May 20, 2003 during the show's second season.

In a pull-out quote with a picture of Aiken, the magazine spoke about that special performance where "backed by a gospel choir, Clay Aiken delivered a version of Simon & Garfunkel's number one hit that managed to be both over the top and expertly scaled."

In the special issue, Aiken was also named as having the biggest change in appearance since beginning on American Idol.

In a full page photo story, the magazine says that out of all the contestants, Aiken had the "ultimate Idol evolution" and went from "totally geek to totally chic" with his current look that includes longer hair, tailored suits, and contact lenses instead of glasses.

Great Article About Clay's UNICEF Trip in The Raleigh Chronicle

"Clay Aiken Raises $181,783 For Children"...This is the title of an article in The Raleigh Chronicle about Clay's UNICEF trip to Afghanistan. This article is great, and it gives the details of the huge amount raised just recently by Clay's fans.

The article starts by saying:

Through his fan network around the world, Raleigh resident and recording artist Clay Aiken has raised nearly $181,783 for children in war-torn Afghanistan.

But it then tells its readership that not only was the $100,000 in 10 Days Campaign reached in a couple of days, but those donating sent in well above the $100,000 in that amount of time, nearly $140,000, and then went on to raise an addition $40,000+ to make a total of almost twice the original amount requested.

The article then tells of a young girl that Clay met and how the funds will be used:

"On my trip, I met Fwazia. She is 11 years old. Fwazia attends a unique school where boys and girls from grades 1-9 share classes and study in the open. The school is in urgent need of funding to buy tents and materials to build a new school. This will give more children the opportunity to go to school," said Aiken in the campaign drive.

In addition, there are six large pictures of Clay interacting with the children in Afghanistan. The Raleigh Chronicle outdid itself with this article which will spread the word of the outstanding work Clay is doing for UNICEF and hopefully encourage more people to donate to this worthy cause.

The Bubel Aiken Foundation Gala Sold Out

According to an article in the Raleigh Chronicle, the March 31 Gala, or as they call it "a special Clay Aiken concert", has sold out. The Chronicle got this news from the Cardinal Club where the Gala will be held.

The Chronicle tells us:

The special concert called "Champions of Change" will benefit Clay Aiken's charity, the Bubel Aiken Foundation which helps sponsor programs for children with disabilities.

According to the concert poster, the concert "will provide scholarships for children with special needs to be included in programs and activities that will allow them to learn and play and have fun."

The Chronicle also quotes TBAF's website as saying, "Both Clay and Diane had witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children...they knew with the right support system doors could be opened to these individuals that had thus far remained closed."

The Gala is approximately two weeks away. CDD will post all news that we find both leading up to and after The Gala.