Wildcard Show on AI2 Rewind This Weekend

AI2 Rewind has been airing on TV for the last several weeks, and this weekend the Wildcard Show was aired. Now we all know what an important show this was for Clay. Clay was brought back as one of the wildcard contestants to be voted on by America and chosen by the judges to continue on in the Top 12.

Most everyone knows how this played out. All the wildcard contestants sang another song, were judged by the three judges, and then four were chosen to return. America voted, and......CLAY WAS CHOSEN TO RETURN!! Of course, this really shouldn't have been a surprise. Clay sang better than them...he shined singing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me". Even Simon thought he was great! I believe that if America had not voted for Clay's return, one of the judges would have chosen him. He was that good, or should I say great!!

If you didn't get to watch the show this weekend, you can download several videos from Clack Unlimited. Take the following links there, and just look for the "WC" show on that page. Right click, and you will have these videos at your beck and call!

Clack Unlimited (look for "Wildcard" or "WC" item on each page):

• Interviews/Bios/Q&As/Clay Specific
• Solo Performances
• Judge Critiques
• Post-Performance Debriefs
• Results Show Readings-Clay
  

And check out the YouTube video of Clay singing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". Check it out and give it a hit and a comment if you'd like. You'll love it! I've already listened to it several times!!

Here's the YouTube video for you to enjoy:

Tidbits 12/14

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Minneapolis St. Paul Star Tribune -

  For each of his four holiday tours, Clay Aiken, "American Idol's" most successful runner-up, has come up with a special wrinkle. This year, he invited fans to write letters about their Christmas celebrations, and four have been chosen to read their words as the Minnesota Orchestra plays behind them. Read an interview with him in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Orchestra Hall, $35-$77.) (J.B.)
  

• Southtown Star -

  Star Plaza Theatre - Interstate 65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville, Ind.; (219) 769-6600 or (773) 734-7266. Lineup is: the Temptations, Saturday; Clay Aiken with an orchestra, Dec. 22; Styx, Dec. 28.
  

• MTV Canada News - this week in Music history - "In 2003...American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken was named the Best-Mannered Person of 2003 by the National League of Junior Cotillions."
• Philly Burbs - article about Christmas CDs and the compilation "Crooner's Christmas" which features a track from Clay -

  “Crooner's Christmas” rounds up male singers Clay Aiken, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams.

• Citizen's Voice - outstanding musician Lee Vincent passes away ...

  Vincent performed with many of the greatest musicians of modern times. Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra Jr., Jerry Vale, Bobby Rydell, Danny Thomas, George Burns, Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, the Dorseys, the Temptations, the Four Aces, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marie Osmond, Rosemary Clooney, Glenn Miller, Aretha Franklin and Clay Aiken.

• Belleville News-Democrat reviews Blake Lewis' album -

  The second string (heck, even the third string) has been good for "Idol"dom. (See Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson for reference.) But this time, the pickin's aren't so lush.

• Foxes on Idol - poor first week sales for Blake Lewis -

  Blake Lewis’ Audio Day Dream hits the Billboard 200 this week, entering at #10 (Hot Shot Debut) with 98,000 copies sold. This is the same spot in which Jordin’s CD debuted with 119,000 copies sold. Blake’s first week sales are a little lower than last year’s runner-up, Katharine McPhee, whose self-titled debut entered the Billboard 200 at #2 with 116,000 copies sold, and also lower than Bo Bice (227,000) or Clay Aiken (613,000). But he did better than Justin Guarini (57,000) and Diana DeGarmo (47,000), which is definitely a good thing. Audio Day Dream also shows up on the Digital chart (#3) and Internet Album Sales (#23).

• Inside Pulse on "American Idol Rewind", which is currently broadcasting Clay's season of American Idol in syndication nationwide:

  Currently airing, American Idol Rewind is highlighting Season Two. This is the season that really got the ball rolling for the show. We all remember the final battle between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Who would become the next American Idol? It was a close vote, but we all know that Ruben eventually won. Now you can relive the exciting journey that Ruben and Clay took to the finals. You will also get to chance to catch up with all the "Top 12" contestants from that year as there are over 30 exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage from the second season of American Idol presented on American Idol Rewind.
  

• Nothing here today
  

Tidbits 11/14

• Official fanclub members - new photos of Clay learning how to skate with Sasha Cohen is up on the OFC's photo page.
• Clay blogged last night about the Christmas stories contest ... OFC members can read it here.
  
• Clay was mentioned on a quiz show called "Temptation", says the CB's teddyhugz11. A cap is available courtesy gerwhisp at Badongo.com.

  I don't know if this show is aired in many areas but it does here in LA on Fox 11. On today's episode at 2:30 they had a question about Clay. I don't know the exact wording because it happened so fast and I was too busy EEE'ing and jumping up and down. The question went something like this "What singer's fans dub/call themselves the Claymates?" Out of the three contestants the one male contestant was the one to buzz in and get it right. It was awesome!
  

• Ripon College Days - Carrie Underwood avoids sophomore album slump -

  Even with competition like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, Underwood has surpassed all other contestants of American Idol to have the best selling album of any former contestant. After listening through her newest album, it can be guaranteed that this recognition was not in vain.

• All About Jazz - nice write up for Clay's Christmas tour:

  Clay Aiken Christmas Concert Set for 12/6 in New Jersey
  
  Multi-Platinum recording artist Clay Aiken comes to New Jersey on December 6th for “Clay Aiken Christmas” - an evening filled with Holiday Classics, including many songs which appeared on Aiken's popular CD, “Merry Christmas with Love”. Aiken will be joined by the 45-piece Chelsea Symphony Orchestra, as he brings his family-friendly concert to the State Theatre in New Brunswick.
  
  Aiken's debut CD, “Measure of a Man”, went to No.1 on the Billboard Album Chart and was certified Triple Platinum. His second release, the platinum “Merry Christmas with Love”, was the best-selling holiday album of 2004, and featured such favorites as “O, Holy Night”, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Silent Night”, and more. Clay's third album, “A Thousand Different Ways”, features covers of ten well-known songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s, as well as four new tracks.

• More Christmas mentions:
• Cleveland Free Times

• All That Is Clay Aiken ... reflecting on "AI Rewind" -

  It is really amazing to watch Clay Aiken. He sure had the "IT" factor then. He had the charisma, the confidence and of course the voice. As I have read, a lot of the segments of the try-outs were edited out when season two was first shown. I cannot imagine how it would have turned out if everyone could have seen the snips from the cutting room floor.

Unseen AI2 Hollywood Performace Airs on AI Rewind

Unseen footage of Clay's American Idol 2 Hollywood round performances aired today on American Idol Rewind. Download links:

• ClackUnlimited - Clay performs "Superstar" - AI2 Hollywood round
• ClackUnlimited - Clay performs "Unchained Melody" - AI2 Hollywood round

Join the American Idol Rewind discussion at The Clayboard.

Clay and AI2 Rewind -- Looking at Pictures From Four Years Ago - 3rd In Series

The next AI2 Rewind show will go to Austin to audition people to be on American Idol. Surely the great state of Texas has a lot of talent just waiting to be discovered! In fact, this is where Kimberly Caldwell will get her gold ticket to Hollywood. I am thankful that Kim made the finals, because if not, I may never have watched American Idol and been introduced to Clay. Only because I found out a local girl was in the final did I even want to watch the show! Thank you Kim!!

It'll be another great show, another great walk down Memory Lane, and another fantastic narrative by Clay. Here, to remind you of Clay's time on AI2, are a few more pictures for you to enjoy:

Clay and AI2 Rewind -- Looking at Pictures From Four Years Ago - 3rd In Series

This week on AI2 Rewind we will FINALLY get to see Clay's tryout. Now, to someone like me who did not get to see it during the original AI2, this is big! Of course, I've seen it played time and time again, but seeing it within the whole Atlanta tryout show will make it seem more real to me. I'm excited, as I know most of you are.

We've been looking at "behind the scenes" pictures of Clay during American Idol 2. We don't get to see these very often. We usually see the photos of him singing on stage. So instead I thought it would be fun to go behind the scenes with Clay during these first few AI2 Rewind shows. Here are the next few pictures for your enjoyment:


Simon and Randy said he had a great voice...but he didn't look like a pop star. He proved them wrong on that second point!!


Clay is excited because...he's going to Hollywood!!


Now what was that you were saying, Simon, about him not looking like a pop star?

Clay and AI2 Rewind -- Looking at Pictures From Four Years Ago - 2nd In Series

On Saturday, October 6, the second show from American Idol 2 Rewind will be shown. This show will be the Miami/Detroit auditions. And, of course, Clay will be narrating the show once again.

The thing about not watching American Idol until halfway into the second season was this...I really hadn't a clue what all went into choosing these singers who performed before the judges or why they were even singing before the judges. I didn't know that thousands of people where auditioned in cities all around the United States. When I first watched it, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why these kids would want to stand in front of these three judges, whoever they were, and be cut down and told how horrible they were. And, of all things, why was Olivia Newton John, who was a big time singer when I was a teenager, why was she on this crazy show that I couldn't figure out? I missed all of this, so watching these auditions from the second season has been a lot of fun for me. Seeing the different singers who were in the top 12 audition for the first time has been an eye opener. And having Clay narrate it and give his thoughts has made it even better!

In this series, CDD is including "behind the scenes" pictures of Clay from Season 2. We've all seen the ones of him singing, but not everyone has seen some of these other pictures. Hope you enjoy.


Clay and Quiana - a friendship that has grown closer through the years.


Clay is happy with his American Idol experience!


We like your ears just fine, Clay.


Clay was wearing those t-shirts even way back then!

Clay and AI2 Rewind -- Looking at Pictures From Four Years Ago

Many of us have already enjoyed watching the first show of American Idol 2 Rewind (New York tryouts), narrated by none other than our own Clay Aiken. If you are like me, I hadn't even planned to start watching AI2 Rewind until the Atlanta auditions...until I heard Clay would be narrating it. All of a sudden those first couple of audition shows sounded a lot more interesting and fun to listen to..uh, er, to watch.

Listening to Clay narrate and watching these shows from the second American Idol are especially fun for me. I didn't get to watch the first half of AI2 the first time around. I didn't watch the first season of AI because I thought it was just "some of that awful teen music that was being played". So why would I watch the second season? Until I found out that a "hometown girl" had made the final 12. That would be Kimberly Caldwell, who is from the Houston area. "Hmmm," I thought, "Maybe I'll watch a couple and root for the hometown girl." Well, all it took was watching the first show to hook me on the skinny southern guy, who I had heard from being on America Online was a nerdy guy with a great voice. That's all I knew about him other than that I had seen a picture of him online at AOL that looked to me like he had stepped right out of the 50's or 60's, and he always came in 2nd place when the AOL voting took place...2nd place to a guy named Ruben Studdard who I knew nothing about either. (2nd Place...seems the AOL members knew as little as the American Public knew about who should have come in first place!).

By now, CDD readers know that I love doing article series with lots of pictures in them. So for the next two or three times, I thought we would look back at some pictures of Clay from AI2 first time around. Not the pictures of him on stage singing. We looked at those not long ago in yet another series! But just hanging out type pictures of him. These AI2 Rewind shows will bring back some great memories, so let's bring back a few more memories with some pictures of our man Clay.


He may have missed making it in Charlotte, but he showed everyone that he doesn't give up easily!


Clay talks to the media after trying out for the three judges in Atlanta.


They liked me...I can't believe they liked me!!


No, I'm not trying to tell yall that I am "square"!

American Idol Rewind 2 Begins Today

American Idol Rewind 2, began airing in syndication today. As we told you earlier, Clay will be narrating the entire season, so don't miss out!

The schedule is as follows:

Sept. 29: N.Y. Auditions
Oct. 6: Miami/Detroit Auditions
Oct. 13: Atlanta Auditions
Oct. 20: Austin Auditions
Oct. 27: L.A. Auditions
Nov. 3: Nashville Auditions
Nov. 10: Best of the Worst
Nov. 17: Hollywood Week Pt. 1
Nov. 24: Hollywood Week Pt. 2

December -- reruns of the auditions/Hollywood episodes.

Jan. 5: Group 1
Jan. 12: Group 2
Jan. 19: Group 3
Jan. 26: Group 4
Feb. 2: Wildcard Show
Feb. 9: Top 12 to 11
Feb. 16: Top 11 to 10
Feb. 23: Top 10 to 9
Mar. 1: Top 9 to 8
Mar. 8: Top 8 to 7
Mar. 15: Top 7 to 6
Mar. 22: Top 6 to 5
Mar. 29: Top 5 to 4
Apr. 5: Top 4 to 3
Apr. 12: Top 3 to 2
Apr. 19: Final 2
Aprl. 26: Finale

Forbes.com is running this press release about the show:

AI Rewind returns with second season narrated by Clay Aiken - American Idol Rewind is back, and this time the popular syndicated series will highlight Season 2, the year that put American Idol on the map with legendary talent and unprecedented ratings. Premiering Saturday, September 29th in most syndicated markets nationwide, American Idol Rewind will feature an introduction from Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard, narration by runner-up Clay Aiken and the best never-before-seen clips and interviews to-date.

Clay bloggers on AI2 Rewind:

• There Was A Man
• Something That Really Happened
• Carolina On My Mind
  

Tidbits 9/28

Looking to redecorate your desktop? The CB's cindilu2 has 2 gorgeous wallpapers ready for use.

• Earthtimes.org - An article about American Idol Rewind says:

  In the September 29th premiere, viewers are greeted by Idol winner Ruben Studdard as he introduces the new season. Viewers will then hear from runner-up Clay Aiken, as he guides us through all seven audition cities and looks back on where American Idol Season 2 began its new search for the next music superstar.

• TMZ.com TMZ.com lets readers talk to the blog:

  Readers who want to offer their 2 cents about online news have a new way to vent.
  
  TMZ.com, the fast-growing entertainment blog co-owned by AOL, has started letting readers post audio comments about items on its website for playback by other people at the site. That's a next-generation leap from the written comments many sites have added...
  
  ...TMZ refined the technology, then relaunched the service about a month ago with an item - known as a "post" - about American Idol contestant Clay Aiken. The commenting service is free; readers need a laptop or PC with a built-in microphone. Comments are limited to 30 seconds in length.

• ElitesTV - American Idol Rewind 2 returns in syndication beginning tomorrow -

  American Idol Rewind is back, and this time the popular syndicated series will highlight Season 2, the year that put American Idol on the map with legendary talent and unprecedented ratings. Premiering Saturday, September 29th in most syndicated markets nationwide, American Idol Rewind will feature an introduction from Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard, narration by runner-up Clay Aiken and the best never-before-seen clips and interviews to-date.
  

• Louisville Courier Journal -

  Amen to that. Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood and most singers never acknowledge Hanukkah on their holiday albums.
  
  "Oy Vey" is the perfect antidote to that.

• Press Enterprise - American Idol losers come out winning -

  As the records show, you don't need to be a winner on "American Idol" to make it big. In fact, it's even better if you lose. Take Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson as prime examples that losing makes you an even bigger star.

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
• The Times Tribune
• Wichita Eagle
  
• Richmond.com - 15 minutes up for American Idols?

  Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken...
  ...selling me a funnel cake. Your 15 minutes are up, guys. The Fair is hiring. You're welcome. Keep the change.
  

• The ConCLAYve - the evolution of Clay Aiken to become "This Man" -

  Four and a half years later, the boyish looking guy with the big voice is still a big part of my life. He's changed a lot. Some changes are obvious, such as his physical appearance. He's no longer the too skinny guy. He's filled out with broad shoulders and a fuller face one would expect from a man who will be 30 in a little over a year.

Houston's CW39 KHCW To Show AI Rewind; Includes Pictures On Website

Clay's fans all over the country are trying to determine when and on what channel American Idol 2 Rewind will be aired. Now that we know that Clay will be narrating the show, more people will surely want to watch it!

One station, CW39 KHCW, in Houston, TX, will air AI2 Rewind beginning Saturday, September 29, at 12 p.m., and then again on Sunday, September 30, at 3 p.m. New York auditions will be on both days.

CW39 has 8 pictures on their website of American Idol 2, 5 in which Clay is in. You can see these by clicking on this link to Season 2 Photo Highlights at the CW39 site. Clay is in 5 of the 8 pictures, and these are below:




If you would like us to post the time and station that AI2 Rewind will come on in your city, please send us a comment and we'll include it in a later article.