Tidbits 8/06

• Lycos50 - Clay is #2 on Lycos top 50 for this week! that is up one from last week's #3 spot! The caption under his name says, "Continues work helping kids in Kenya and Somalia". I find it amazing and awesome that Clay even beat out the extremely popular movie, "The Dark Knight", which comes in at #5 on the list. Just another advantage of being one of King Arthur's knights! (*grin*)
• EOnline - In an article about the Top 100 turning the big 5-0, Clay is mentioned as follows:

  Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud" claims the dubious distinction of being the only No. 1 song to spend less than 10 total weeks on the Hot 100. The 2006 song debuted at No. 1, a feat accomplished by fellow American Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Fantasia and Clay Aiken and by no one else in nearly a decade.

• Clay is on the Yahoo Music Live homepage. At the top is a banner with a picture of Ruben and the caption, "In the studio-Ruben Studdard". Clay's picture is under that in the left column, and it says, "We brought Ruben into our studio, so its only fair that Clay get a shot in the Y! spotlight, right? Watch now and enjoy the rematch." A link to an exclusive interview and a performance of "Without You" is under the caption.

Tidbits 7/16

• Access Atlanta crunches American Idol winning single sales numbers -

  My numbers-obsessed friend Ken Barnes at USA Today posted the total sales of the various coronation songs here.. Given that back in 2002-03, most sales were CDs and now they are all downloads means a bit of an oranges to apples situation but Clay Aiken is at the top (and he didn’t even win!), followed by Kelly, Carrie and Ruben. Taylor is fifth but David Cook’s “This is My Time” will probably lapse it in a couple of weeks.
  

• Mullet Wrapper - Taylor Hicks follows idol footsteps to Broadway - "Fantasia Barrino starred in The Color Purple, while Clay Aiken nabbed a recent role in Spamalot."
• The Liberty Papers on why American Idol democracy doesn't exactly work -

  How have the results turned out? Well, not so stellar. Of all the American Idol alumni who are releasing records, the top two sellers are Idol winners, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. The next two highest on the list, Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, are non-winners. Being from different seasons than the above two, one can’t claim that they were “overshadowed” by the winner’s success. Following these two, in 5th and 6th place, are season 2 and 3 winners, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia. Given the length of time between their seasons and now, one can be sure that their album sales won’t climb much in the future– unlike Daughtry above them, who is still on an upward path in his career. In the case of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Aiken– who finished runner-up to Studdard– has sold over 2 million more albums and his follow-up albums have peaked far higher on the charts than Studdard’s non-debut albums.
  

• Washington Post -

  Washington Post music critic J. Freedom du Lac is online every Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET to talk about the latest on the music scene: alternative, country, alt-country, pop, hyphy, harp-rock, reggae, reggaeton, R and B and whatever it is that Clay Aiken does.
  

• Clay's appeal for Somalia:
  • Something That Really Happened -

    Clay Aiken has been blogging about his recent trip to Somalia. So far, he has posted two blogs. The situation is dire. My heart goes out to the children. Here are some excerpts from the blogs, but be sure to click on the links for the blogs to read the rest of what he has to say as well as to see more pictures:

  • FlippinBirds
  • The ConCLAYve -

    UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken is continuing his work to promote support for the children of Somalia, following his recent trip to the northwestern region of Somaliland.
    
    In a blog entitled Somalia: Keep spreading the word, Aiken thanks donors for raising $50,000 for Somalia's children in the last six days, and challenges UNICEF supporters to take action in advocating for children.

  • There Was A Man -

    In light of Clay Aiken's recent trip to Somaliland on behalf of UNICEF, I would like to feature a 2005 documentary of Somaliland produced by BBC journalist Simon Reeve. Somaliland is a breakaway state that no one in the world recognizes as a legitimate land.

    
    

Tidbits 4/4

• Playbill's National Magazine has the "It Takes Two" article about Clay (that was in the Spamalot Playbill) in their March 31 magazine. Clay is also mentioned on the cover as "Idol no More". You should be able to find one at a bookstore in your area.
• Florida Times Union - Josh Gracin giving free concert in Florida tonight -

  Meanwhile, Josh Gracin plays a free concert tonight at The Jacksonville Landing. Gracin came in fourth in Idol's second season (the Ruben Studdard/Clay Aiken year.) Stacey was in the Navy during his Idol days; Gracin was in the Marines. Gracin got out soon afterward, and his self-titled debut album went to No. 2 on the country charts. His second CD, We Weren't Crazy, was released this week.

• Crossville Chronicle - AI transforms "some average American" into stars -

  Maybe it is just nice to see that some average American can become America's next biggest star. Just look at what the vehicle known as American Idol has done for Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few.

• USA Today grades the Idols -

  Clay Aiken
  
  •Evaluation: Ruben Studdard's runner-up enjoyed huge popularity initially with early singles and debut album Measure of a Man, but sales have steadily fallen. While mainstream support has eroded, Claymates remain ferociously loyal, and the geeky popster's odd projects and antics keep him in the headlines (a memoir, Spamalot role, in-flight tiff).
  
  •Needs to improve: In his easy-listening niche, he'll always be second banana to Barry Manilow unless his songs and performances vastly sharpen. A new album arrives May 6
  
  Sales: A+*
  Airplay: C-
  Artistic merit: C-
  Celebrity value: B+
  Overall: B-
  *Grade predates alarming dropoff

• Anew and Afresh - Wednesday wanderings includes updates on new album
  

Tidbits 3/30

• About.com - Clay Aiken ready to release new album -

  With the upcoming album On My Way Here, due in stores May 6, 2008, Clay Aiken fans will get what they've been looking for a long time, an album of original material. His last album, A Thousand Different Ways, disappointed many fans due to the fact it was loaded with covers of popular love songs. The albums sales were lackluster, and, with the assistance of producer Mark "Kipper" Eldridge, Aiken has decided to head in a different direction this time out.
  
  On his official web site, Clay Aiken discusses how a song from OneRepublic's leader Ryan Tedder set the tone for his new album. The song deals with the shaping of our adult lives by lessons we learn growing up. "“I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I’ve learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album." Check out the link below at AOL Music where Clay discusses working with his producer.
  

• Amazon.com - The listing of tracks for On My Way Here are now up at amazon.com. No snippets yet.
  
  
  
  
• For those who are inclined to vote, here are a few polls for you to vote in:
  
  
  • Votenumber1.com - Vote here for your favorite past American Idol. The top four vote-getters are now up at their site. Here are the poll results as of Sunday afternoon:
    
    Chris Daughtry - 27.69%
    Clay Aiken - 25.11%
    Carry Underwood - 24.07%
    Kelly Clarkston - 23.13%
    
    Note that though Clay is in 2nd place, behind Chris by just over 2%, he is listed as #4 on the voting list. You can vote once per day per computer. Only about 4.5% separates all 4 idols.
    
    
  • American Idol Music.com - "Whose your fav?" asks this poll at American Idol Music. Note that you have to scroll down inside the poll box to the last idol, who is Clay. He does not show on the screen until you poll down. Right now he has a huge lead with about 67% of the vote. Still a little extra cushion doesn't hurt, so get those votes in!
    
• Lycos 50 - Don't forget to search for Clay at Lycos 50. Clay dropped from #3 to #6 this past week. Let's keep searching and move him back up!
• Louisville Courier Journal - not really sure where this comes from ... but, "Will someone please finish one of these Joplin movies before rumors start flying that Clay Aiken and/or Bucky Covington will be playing the troubled legend?"

• The ConCLAYve asks why it took 5 whole years for RCA to get a new original album out from Clay -

  Clay Aiken is releasing a highly anticipated album of original material on May 6th. The album called “On My Way Here” is produced by Grammy award winner, Kipper who is best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The core fandom and likely even the casual fans who first met Clay on American Idol five years ago have been waiting for an album like this for a long time. It is an album that reflects Clay and his journey. It is an album where he had more control over song choice and sound. So, why did it take so long to get this album? Well, to understand that, first let me tell you a story.

Tidbits 3/18

• NYC Official City Guide:

  You might also want to make note of two newsworthy Broadway debuts: Clay Aiken, currently starting as Sir Robin in Spamalot, and Mario Lopez, who joins the cast of A Chorus Line in the role of Zach on April 15th.

• Seattlepi.com: In a blog called Ear Candy with Travis Hay is an article called "30 things you likely don't know about Ear Candy". Clay is mentioned as follows:

  15. Albums in my record collection I won't ever own up to owning: Ethel Merman's disco album, Ashleee Simpson's "Autobiography" and Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man."

• The Buffalo News Entertainment - In "Idol Thoughts: Handicapping The Finalists", Clay has a couple of mentions:

  Season One’s Kelly Clarkson and Season Four’s Carrie Underwood, arguably the best “Idol” singers so far, made it big, and the hotly contested Ruben Studdard- Clay Aiken finals raised “Idol” buzz to new heights....And also-rans have done well. Aiken plays Sir Robin in “Spamalot” on Broadway, Jennifer Hudson collected a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “Dreamgirls,” and Chris Daughtry’s first album was the fastest-selling debut rock album ever.

Tidbits 2/21

• Parade Magazine - the Bubel Aiken Foundation will receive $1000 for its participation in the recent America's Giving Challenge.
• More Clay mentions in American Idol commentary:
• OC Register -

  And it's not just the winners. Diana DeGarmo was a veteran TV actress and performer. Clay Aiken recorded three demo albums. Katharine McPhee was a successful stage actress and singer. Ace Young opened for Brian McKnight and New Edition.

• Rolling Stone ... "4. Alexandréa Lushington needs to adjust her sassy meter to somewhere between Danny Noriega and Clay Aiken." One commenter notes,

  Clay AIken would Kill this group, He knew how to play the game and played it to perfection. In 5 years this group will be forgotten, as quickly as Season 6,

• Bradenton Herald -

  More than 28 million viewers watch "American Idol" each week, according to Nielsen ratings. In the past, the show has churned out stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood.

• Smyrna Clayton Sun Times -

  Archuleta made the top 24, as did fellow 17-year-old Colton Berry, while Leming, and Baines were sent home. Baines, however, is one of 10 alternates; if any of the top 24 has to bow out of the competition, he could be invited back to Hollywood. Clay Aiken, runner-up from Season 2, was an alternate.

• Access Atlanta / Atlanta Journal Constitution - Idol sales report ... tiny Clay mention for ATDW.... sitting at 523k.
  
• North Texas Daily -

  I don't know if I can stomach any more awful singing from this show. While I've enjoyed the musical styles of Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, I think this season might produce the likes of Clay Aiken, Fantasia or Taylor Hicks.
  

• Newsday interviews David Morse, who played in "Disturbia" and "The Green Mile", and is now on Broadway -

  For crying out loud, Clay Aiken's over here in "Spamalot," and when he , that alley is filled with screaming people. Y'know, we've got plenty of people outside our stage door each night who are excited and want autographs, but that kind of mob mentality ... there are people who live with that every single day, that kind of crush wherever you go. That's not a way I want to live a life.

• Boston College - BC Heights - random mention ...

  The Somerville Theatre is not your typical alternative concert venue. But then, the Magnetic Fields are anything but typical. I took my seat (at an altitude that makes the stage swirl) in the cramped balcony and awkwardly positioned myself for a long wait. The seats filled up with hipsters, and I was seated next to a 30-something couple that seemed out of place. I knew I was in for a fun evening when the gentleman explained to his wife and I, "See, all the cheap seats fill up with cool people. I bet all of these 'kids' despise Clay Aiken and his lot." An odd choice, but right you are, sir.

• Lycos press release about the Lycos50 -

  The Lycos 50(TM) Top 10 Search Terms for the Week Ending Feb. 16, 2008: 1) Valentine 6) Britney Spears 2) Poker 7) Paris Hilton 3) Clay Aiken 8) Pamela Anderson 4) YouTube 9) Pokemon 5) Naruto 10) Disney
  

Tidbits 1/31

• Great Clay mention on Ellen today - From the CB's maidenfreckledpaleface -

  Haven't seen this anywhere on here ----- I'm not usually home to see Ellen but yesterday she did a game with 2 audience members---they had to guess different "grammy nominated" artists from her descriptions of them.
  
  One player had to guess Chris Daughtery --- Ellen's clue was something like "he didn't win American Idol, but he's done really well any way..."
  and the player automatically blurted out "Clay Aiken" (pretty enthusiastically I might add) She never did get the correct answer -- I think it was on the tip of her tongue after a couple more clues, but we all know what happens once you've thought of Clay, the train just sort of derails!!!!
  

• Los Angeles Times comments on American Idol -

  “Every season’s first episode brings a lurch to the stomach. We see these 24 unformed, rough talents and the question looms heavy in the ether: is there a Kelly Clarkson among this crowd? Can the next Clay Aiken be hanging over that railing before us?

• Buddy TV - American Idol top 24 partially leaked -

  Carly Smithson (formerly Carly Hennesy): This is the tattooed Irish lady. She tried out a couple of seasons ago, but was expelled due to visa issues. She recorded an album for RCA that sold very poorly in the U.S. One of the songwriters on her album has also written songs for Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.

• Bluff County Newspapers - post-Christmas shopping spree! "The book has made me laugh out loud as Kathy meets her Clay Aiken-obsessed roommate and relives the Friday night keg parties. "
• Burlington Free Press - random mention ... sports ... "And your coach, Bill "Sacks, Lies and Videotape" Belichick, makes Tom Coughlin look like Clay Aiken."
  
• MTV - Clay tired of questions about his personal life -

  Former "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken, who has faced questions about his sexuality since entering the spotlight more than four years ago, recently told New York magazine that not only is he sick of answering questions about his preferences, he's tired of thinking about something that he simply doesn't have time for.

• Buddy TV - American Idol winners fade quickly, except Kelly, Carrie, Chris and Clay -

  The judges have been doing this for six-plus years now, and aside from the money, they have no real reason to get out of bed. Look at the track record: Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are the only two winners with any sort of legitimate career. Losers Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry are the next closest.

• Nothing here today
  

Tidbits 1/30

• Two more online news sites have posted the Spamalot Associated Press Article:
• CNN.com - The article includes two pictures of Clay: 1) the publicity photo in the beige sweater with the following caption:

  Bravely bold Clay Aiken was at first uncertain about taking on the role of Sir Robin in "Spamalot."

  2) Sir Robin holding the rubber chicken with this caption:

  Sir Robin, a luckless knight, was played by Monty Python's Eric Idle in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

• The Robesonian, a North Carolina Newspaper. NClayolina at The Clayboard tells us:

  The county where I live is called Robeson, (as in Robin-son!) which geographically is the largest county in North Carolina, and we fans here were very excited Sunday to see a big, beautiful layout on Clay being in Spamalot in our local newspaper, The Robesonian!

• Lycos press release - Clay #7 on this week's Lycos50 - "7) Clay Aiken"
  
• Ticket News - Broadway ticket sales sink -

  Overall, ticket sales sank to $14,451,085 this past week compared to $16,271,060 in the previous reporting period, a difference of $1,819,975. Spamalot took a 19 percent nosedive in spite of the refreshing Clay Aiken on stage. On a warm note, The 39 Steps had an increase of 15 percent. Attendance was still better this past week than the same period last season, 200,948 compared to 194,268.

• CNN Money/RCA Press Release -

  The RCA Music Group includes J Records, Arista Records and RCA Records. The J Records roster is home to platinum superstars [...] Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, and more. RCA Music Group is part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

• Charlotte Observer - Charlotte Bobcats try to attract bigger acts, more people to the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, which Clay played in 2005 -

  Concerts kicked off in October 2005 with The Rolling Stones, followed by Elton John, U2, Dolly Parton and Clay Aiken by year's end. Since then, musical acts from Aerosmith to Stevie Wonder have played the arena, which also has featured such shows as Disney on Ice, Hannah Montana and "High School Musical."

• MSNBC comments on the New York interview -

  Is Clay Aiken really urge-free?
  Spilling the beans, or lack thereof, about his love life, Clay Aiken told New York Magazine, “I just don’t have an interest in … any of that at all.”
  
  “I have got too much on my plate,” the “Spamalot” star explained. “I’d rather focus on one thing and do that when I can devote time to it, and right now, I just don’t have any desire.”
  
  When asked if he had any of those, you know, human urges, he simply replied, “Ah think maybe I don’t! I mean, not really. I’ve just kind of shut it off, maybe. Is that bad?”
  
  It may not be bad, but according to OK! magazine, it may not be true, either. Apparently Clay has a certain someone in his life, but he’s just not willing to share the details.
  
  “He doesn’t like to talk about these things,” an insider shared with OK! “Saying he doesn’t date or have a sex drive is probably his way of trying to end the conversation.”

• Omaha World Herald - American Idol visits Omaha ... and finds nothing exciting -

  Sadly, the Omaha sessions did not provide an "Idol moment" on a par with the show's first footage of geeky Clay Aiken, who stunned judges and viewers alike with his big, showy voice. There were no sweet surprises like Carrie Underwood, who walked in looking like a mall shopper and then sang like a Nashville queen.

• Clay Aiken, always notable and quotatble!
• Louisville Courier Journal -

  Quote of the day
  
  "I was like, This is chah-urch, people! This is God’s house,
  not a meet and greet!" CLAY AIKEN, 29, on returning home to the Southern Baptist church he attended as a child in North Carolina only to be stared at by his fellow churchgoers throughout the service, to New York magazine

• Press of Atlantic City -

  Not cool
  
  "Let's not fool ourselves. ... There are people like Justin Timberlake, males who are cool on radio right now, and then there's me. If I heard myself in a dance club? If I went into a dance club - which I never do - and I heard Clay Aiken come on, I'd roll my eyes and get out." - Clay Aiken on his reputation for being a bland artist
  
  www.people.com
  

• Clay - The Man - getting ready for Valentine's Day with Clay, and Spamalot!
  
• Something That Really Happened - America's Giving Challenge ... DONATE MINIMUM OF $10.47 NOW ....

  Okay folks, we are down to the wire. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is currently in 5th place and the charity in 6th place is hot on our heels. The Foundation needs to be in 4th place to qualify for the $50,000 donation and a feature article in Parade Magazine.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay nation celebrates 5th anniversary ... Half a Decade! Wow!

  Aiken Fans Mark Five Years
  
  Every year at this time, Clay Aiken fans stop and commemorate the anniversary of The Vox. On Jan. 28, 2003, American Idol telecast Season 2's Atlanta Auditions in which the North Carolina singer's glorious pipes were first heard in homes throughout North America.
  
  For countless fans, now known the world over as Claymates, the beautiful strains of "Always and Forever" were just the beginning. Many have been riding the Clay Train ever since.

Wallpaper by Fountaindawg

Tidbits 1/10

• Reality TV World - Katharine McPhee dropped by RCA Records, following Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard who were also dropped by Sony BMG recently -

  Given all the recent Idol activity, EW reported it "double-checked" and confirmed that Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken and third-season champ Fantasia Barrino's deals are still intact with an RCA Music Group representative.
  

• Glendale Star - Clay mention in sports article -

  Nevertheless, it will be nice to see rabid football fans like Clay Aiken and Amarosa from “The Apprentice” in attendance, while someone who actually writes about the local NFL team sits on his couch. Really, I’m not bitter.
  

• The State News - American Idol in need of "makeover" -

  It’s that time of year again. The new season of the hit Fox reality show “American Idol” is set to debut Jan. 15.
  
  The reality powerhouse that spawned the careers of contestants like Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood will begin its seventh season of the popular search for the next best thing in pop music.
  
  Am I the only one that’s ready for a change?
  
  It became taboo that contestants like Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry didn’t even need to win to gain fan following and record deals — while winners like Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks grappled to find that hit song. Ironically, both are no longer on J Records, the label that usually houses the new Idol winners.

• Neighborhood Star -

  In addition to his work with a host of chamber and philharmonic orchestras, Johnston has shared the stage with pop performers such as the Dixie Chicks, Manhattan Transfer, Clay Aiken and Smokey Robinson.
  

• College Times -

  "The straw that broke the camel's back was the 'String Quartet Tribute to Clay Aiken,'" Gorfain said. "That was the moment where I just said 'You know what? We don't want to be associated with this anymore.'

• 23/6 - politics article ... "Trust me. Crying is not weakness. We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world several times over. Even Clay Aiken would look tough if his finger had access to The Button."
• Florida Sun Sentinel via New York Times - reality TV show "transformations" -

  In all reality contests there will be hammy flourishes that make viewers snicker, like the pouty "model mouth" mocked by Ben Stiller in Zoolander and Lisa Kudrow in The Comeback. On the nicer side, there's always a chance for a chrysalis moment, a Clay Aiken-esque transformation.

• Nothing here today
  

Tidbits 12/13

LBFCA - Clay Aiken is the "Jingle Jazz Man!"
Check out the Broads' hilarious adaptation of Clay's Jazzy Christmas medley

• On NBC's Today Show - Heartsaiken4ca posted the following Clay mention at The Clayboard:

  My friend called tonight to tell me she saw a young boy, about 6 or 8, sing on the Today Show today. They compared him to Frank Sinatra and Clay Aiken and even showed a side-by-side picture of Clay and Frank.

• Reality TV World - disappointing sales figures for Blake Lewis -

  Clay Aiken's October 2003 debut "Measure of a Man" remains the highest-selling Idol runner-up debut. It moved 613,000 copies and dropped at No. 1 on The Billboard 200.
  

• USA Today - new Christmas classics include "Mary, Did You Know" -

  Nashville songwriter Buddy Greene says his 1992 Christmas song, Mary, Did You Know?, which he wrote with Mark Lowry, accounts for "the vast majority" of his songwriting income.
  
  Greene recently searched for the song on iTunes and found approximately 150 versions, including covers by Kenny Rogers, Natalie Cole, Reba McEntire and Clay Aiken. "At that point, I figured I'd better quit counting my blessings."
  

• New York Post - American Idol CD sales down, down... way down:

  Hicks, winner of "Idol" season 5, sold 298,000 copies of his debut in its opening week, but just under 700,000 copies in total, according to Nielsen SoundScan. McPhee, the runner-up, sold 116,000 copies of her debut album in its first week and just 362,000 copies overall.
  
  That's a far cry from the debut of original "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, who has sold over 3 million copies, or the 2005 debut of season four champ Carrie Underwood, whose "Some Hearts," has sold close to 6 million copies. And, season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken has sold 3 million copies of his debut.
  

• Washington Post - Clay Aiken to join cast of "Spamalot" -

  Former "American Idol" star Clay Aiken joins the Broadway cast next month, and limited premium seats at the National are priced at more than $175. (When did that Broadway habit migrate our way?) That's the Rialto, and it hardly kills the savvy joy of "Spamalot."

• E! Online - another Spamalot mention ...

  At the same time, I was told Ms. Ramirez had expressed some reservations about American Idol wannabe and Broadway virgin Clay Aiken joining the cast in January as Sir Robin. Aiken’s gig runs from Jan. 18 to May 4. The role was originated by David Hyde Pierce.

• Daily Press on Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul -

  "Chicken Soup for the 'American Idol' Soul" (HCI, $14.95). This installment of the popular series also features stories from "American Idol" producers and fans as well as other contestants, including Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.

• Scranton Times Tribune - local musician passes away ... "He started the Lee Vincent Orchestra in 1946, and still helped book musicians for performers until his death. Members of his band played alongside Clay Aiken on Dec. 4."
• Wilkes Barres Times Leader ... another article about Lee Vincent's passing -

  Most recently, Thomas talked with Vincent because the Lee Vincent Orchestra backed Clay Aiken during his performance at the Kirby Center on Dec. 4.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Southtown Star
• Akron Beacon Journal

• Nothing here today
  

Tidbits 12/6

• Massachusetts Republican - Clay prepares for another Christmas show -

  When Clay Aiken's record company proposed the idea of recording a Christmas album, he was hesitant at first.
  
  "My first response was that I would love to do one, but not just yet," said Aiken, who is bringing his Christmas in the Heartland tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday.
  
  "I had just released my first album and thought we should give it a year, with another album in between," said the popular "American Idol" finalist.
  
  But as powerful record companies often do, they prevailed.
  
  "They were very adamant in feeling that this was the time to do it, and it did work out well," said the singer, whose voice thrilled millions of Americans who watched the performer rise to the top on year two of "American Idol."
  
  And, so, on Nov. 16, 2004, RCA Records released Aiken's "Merry Christmas With Love," which set a record for fastest-selling holiday album in the Soundscan era. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and tied Celine Dion's record for the highest debut by a holiday album in the history of Billboard magazine. The album went on to sell more than 1 million copies in six weeks and was the best-selling holiday album of 2004.

• Broadcasting & Cable - not sure where they got the idea Clay has won a Golden Globe, in this article about Grammy nominations which came out today -

  The list of Idol alumni who have turned their music into gold continues to grow, and it includes multiple Grammy winners Kelly Clarkson and Underwood, Oscar and Golden Globes winner Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Hartford Courant -

  Two former "American Idol" contestants perform at Connecticut casinos this Sunday in 7 p.m. shows: Clay Aiken at Mohegan Sun and Chris Daughtry at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
  
  Aiken performs "Christmas in the Heartland," a show featuring classic holiday favorites and selections from his album, "Merry Christmas With Love" as a part of his fourth annual Christmas tour. The show is at the Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or www.mohegansun.com.

• Philadelphia Inquirer -

  State Theatre Center For The Arts
  453 Northampton St., Easton; 610-252-3132. www.statetheatre.org. Jimmy Sturr Holiday Spectacular. $31-$38. 12/8 3 pm. Clay Aiken Christmas Show. $65-$100. 12/12 8 pm.

• Philiadelphia Inquirer - another article ...

  Acts from the Blind Boys of Alabama to Clay Aiken will put their own spin on the music of the season in coming weeks, but it's doubtful any of them will match the rowdiness of Marah's annual TLA Christmas show, which takes place tomorrow. Tidings of joy might not seem to jibe with the bar-band grit of the typical Marah song, but guitarist Serge Bielanko says he and his brother, Dave, "have been Christmas freaks since we were little kids."
  

• Albany Times Union has a rehashed version of the Houston Chronicle interview from this summer.

  "I'm never going to be, and I'm fine with that. We all must embrace our inner dork," he said in July.
  
  Aiken, who brings his Christmas show Friday to Palace Theatre, has still managed a successful post-"American Idol" career as the soundtrack of choice for enthusiastic grandmothers.
  
  "People always come up to me and say, 'My grandmother's your biggest fan,' " said Aiken, who just turned 29. "There's a misconception among these ladies that I'm cool and hip and now. And they think that by liking me, it makes them cool and hip and now.

• Fairfield University Mirror - "American Idol Clay Aiken will be at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35."
  
• Ohio.com - Idol show outshines its stars - Jordin Sparks ...
  

  It's all very professional and solidly constructed, and Sparks' voice sounds fine throughout, but just as Clay Aiken's Measure of A Man seemed devoid of any actual Clay-ness, Jordin Sparks could have been made any of a 1,000 decent singers.

• Boston College - BC Heights - review of Blake Lewis' debut CD... not sure what they mean by "untouched on the shelves" when Clay's album sales are in excess of 4.5 million.
  

  Blake lets the music come naturally, skillfully utilizing contemporary elements to showcase his best assets. Despite these two tracks, Audio Day Dream will probably be left dusty and untouched on the shelves of Best Buy, next to those of predecessors Justin Guarini and Clay Aiken.

• NOW Toronto - random mention in review of Peter Pan show.
• Georgetown Independent - another not very good mention: "After a few generically up-tempo offerings to get your toes tapping, the album vomits up an atrocity of a ballad entitled "Top of the Hill" that makes Clay Aiken's most saccharine shite seem urbane by comparison. "

• Nothing here yet
  

Tidbits 12/4

• AOL Sports: Fanhouse - Carrie Underwood at L.A. Kings hockey game - not exactly sure why they think Clay "butchered" his song, "I Will Carry You" on ice.
  

  Oh, we believe it. If the Hurricanes can have Clay Aiken butcher songs on the ice, Ms. Underwood surely can attempt to woo Robert Nilsson away from the sea donkeys back home.
  
  "I will carrrrry youuuuu."

• Citizens Voice - Christmas tour ... "Clay Aiken’s Christmas in the Heartland will be presented tonight at 7 at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Tickets start at $40. For information, call 826-1100. "
• Staunton News Leader - cleaning up my iPod -

  It's an incredible amount of very bad music, not only because there's a lot of bad music being written and recorded today but because most of it was free — the reason that I downloaded it in the first place. Something for nothing, or nothing for nothing. In all the gratis stuff cluttering up my music player, there's only one sing worth keeping, and it isn't "Clay Aiken Sings the Ice-T Songbook."

• Anew and Afresh - "All Is Well" now available on iTunes
  

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.

Tidbits 11/4

• YourErie.com - "Clay Aiken Frenzy"

  It began last night outside the Erie Civic Center.
  
  Some die hard fans proved just how much they want to see their favorite singer -- Clay Aiken.
  
  No, they're not Fanilows! ...those are the Barry Manilow fans.... but they are similar.
  
  Instead they call themselves, "The Claymates" and they couldn't wait for the windows to go up at the Erie Civic Center at 10 A.M. on Saturday Morning.
  
  They spent the cold night in the parking lot of the Civic Center with one thing on their mind - being first in line to get that front row seat for Clay's Holiday concert right here in Erie.
  
  Clay will be performing on December 16th.
  

• Wichita Eagle - upcoming events ...

  Clay Aiken Christmas Show, with Wichita Symphony Orchestra musicians, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, Central Christian Church, 2929 N. Rock Road. Tickets $30, $35, $40, available at the church, online at www.itickets.com, or by calling 800-965-9324.

• Muzi.com, National Post - Carrie Underwood tops Billboard 200 -

  Underwood's total also represents the second-largest week by any "American Idol" contestant, surpassed only by 613,000 sales that greeted the first album by 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken. That accolade goes nicely with the distinction she recently earned when her first album, "Some Hearts," overtook Kelly Clarkson's second set for the best release-to-date total by any "Idol"-related album (5.98 million to date, compared with 5.87 million for Clarkson's 2004 set, "Breakaway").
  

• Taking A Moment - you know you're a Claymate when there are
  

  [...] only 27 more shopping days till Clay's birthday [and you are] spending a lot of money on useless crap for somebody who doesn't even know you're alive. This is my favorite time of year!

• Southern Girl - visitors comment on Clay's "5th Grader" success

  He made it almost to the end, but he wasn't 100% sure about the next answer -- he thought he had it right, but he had won $300,000 at that point and he wasn't willing to risk losing a big portion of that, which could fund 30 summer camps for kids with disabilities. So he stopped without officially answering that question. They had him give what he would have said before they revealed the answer, and...he would have been right. :)
  

Tidbits 11/3

• Clay mention on Jimmy Kimmel last night - a video cap is available at SendSpace. Reports from the CB:

  I don't know if this is a new show or a rerun. The guest is on Hero's and they were talking about his fans and Jimmy mentioned Clay and Claymates.
  
  Somone from the audience yelled out and the actor who plays Silo, asked it she was part of his fan group--didn't catch their name-- and Jimmy said that's like the Claymates and Clay Aiken.
  

• Washington Post - Carrie Underwood shows impressive first week sales -

  Underwood's total also represents the second-largest week by any "American Idol" contestant, surpassed only by 613,000 sales that greeted the first album by 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken.

• BeyondChron - Clay headed to Broadway - "Clay Aiken (American Idol) is headed for Broadway in “Spamalot”. And it had to happen sooner or later…"
• Christmas tour mentions:
• Erie Times News -

  "Christmas in the Heartland": Tickets go on sale today for "American Idol" favorite Clay Aiken's holiday show -- accompanied by the Erie Philharmonic -- on Dec. 16 at Tullio Arena. Ticket prices range from $36.25 to $56.75. 10 a.m., Tullio Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 452-4857 or 456-7070, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

• Clay - The Man has some new Clay blends, graphics up ... check out this wonderful blog regularly!
  
• Something That Really Happened - Clay wins big on "5th Grader"
• Carolina On My Mind - Clay wins a ton of money for TBAF, new fans on "5th Grader"

  "You're a quality human being and a man of character," host Jeff Foxworthy said to Clay Aiken at the close of Thursday's appearance on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"
  
  The opening act for AYSTAFG Celebrity Editions during November Sweeps Week, Clay proved he is intelligent, witty, personable, and passionately committed to the inclusion goals and programs of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which he co-founded in 2003.
  
  The $300,000 prize money will fund almost a third of TBAF's campaign for 100 "Let's All Play" camps for children with and without disabilities in 2008.

• Chexxxy's Pearls - support UNICEF using Windows Live Messenger's i'm program
  

Tidbits 11/1

A new billboard with Clay 's photo is gracing the Las Vegas skyline tonight, as the countdown to the taping of NBC's Holiday Celebrations on Ice hits the home stretch. The special TV Christmas special, with Clay being the exclusive music guest, will be taped at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday November 6. NBC will air the special on Christmas day.

• Access Hollywood had a 2 second blurb about Clay on "5th Grader" during today's show. Cap is available at SendSpace courtesy gerwhisp.
  
• Reality TV World - Carrie Underwood posts impressive first week sales, but fails to surpass Clay's 613K:

  Due to "Carnival Ride's" first-week success, Underwood became the first former Idol champ to post a debut sales week of more than 500,000 copies and was also the first to have his or her second album outsell their debut, according to Daily Variety. (American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, remains Idol's all-time debut week sales champ. "Measure of a Man," his 2003 debut album, sold 613,000 copies in its first week of release.)
  

• Niagara Gazette - Clay mention in Chris Daughtry article -
  

  Davis is, of course, is the head of RCA Records and one of music’s legendary record executives. He’s had huge success in signing other “Idol” winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Fantasia Burrino. He certainly must have recognized that the groundswell of support for Daughtry — and the publicity that surrounded his departure from the “Idol” competition — made the singer a hot commodity.
  

• Clay joins Spamalot:
• Broadway World -

  Break a leg to Clay Aiken as he prepares to join the Broadway company of Spamalot. Actually, I hear that putting new actors into Spamalot is quite easy. They just push them on stage and tell them to just repeat everything the audience yells out.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
  
• Poughkeepsie Journal - They call Clay a heartthrob!! Also here is info about purchasing tickets:

  American Idol heartthrob Clay Aiken will perform at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie Dec. 8, with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic.
  
  Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and cost $56.50 for gold circle seats and $47 and $41 for reserved seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center box office, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie; and Ticketmaster, which can be reached at 845-454-3388 and www.ticketmaster.com.

• Akron Beacon Journal -

  Also on the holiday concert trail is Clay Aiken, whose 2004 holiday album was given the more creative title Merry Christmas With Love. The American Idol runner-up (as he apparently will be forever known, even as we collectively forget the guy to whom he lost) will be playing at Cleveland's Playhouse Square on Dec. 17, backed by a 45-piece orchestra.

• Citizen's Voice
  
• FemmeFan.com - fiddler shared the stage with Clay -

  Fiddle player Jennifer Spingola has been trained in classical music on both violin and piano. She tours with Dee Snider of Twister Sister fame on his Van Helsing's Curse production. She has shared the stage with legendary guitarist Steve Vai and former American Idols Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson.

• Southern Girl - Clay on "5th Grader"
  

Tidbits 10/31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Don't miss Salamader's hilarious Halloween treat ... click here!

• USA Today Idol Chatter - Carrie Underwood tops chart with new album, but Clay's MOAM 1st week record stands firm -

  Full Idol sales details are coming later, as usual, but an earlier bulletin is called for to report that Carrie's Carnival Ride sold 527,000 copies to enter the Billboard album chart at No. 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That was nearly five times the sales of the No. 2 album, and also eclipses the first-week sales of her Some Hearts album, which sold 315,000, on its way to nearly 6 million.
  
  It's the second-biggest Idol debut ever (Clay's Measure of a Man holds the record with 613,000) and her first No. 1 on the album chart.
  

• Gearing up for November sweeps -
• Fresno Bee -

  "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" 8 p.m. today, Nov. 8 and 15, KMPH, Channel 26: Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Tony Hawk, Billy Bush and Kellie Pickler compete for their favorite charities.

• Palm Beach Post -

  Shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are nothing more than big, fat popularity contests. The best contestant or star doesn't always win, but the most popular one usually does.
  
  Except if your name is Clay Aiken.

• Something That Really Happened - getting ready for "5th Grader"
• Carolina On My Mind - 5th Grader

  Clay Aiken Set for 'Fifth Grader'
  
  Even Yankee fans in the Clay Nation ranks rounded up appropriate pom-poms and cheered the Boston Red Sox to a World Series sweep so there would be no doubt that Singer Man would appear on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? on Nov 1.
  
  We could easily have backed the Colorado Rockies, who made their first appearance ever in the championship series. Coming in second is fine, as any Clay Aiken fan can tell you.
  

The Votes Are In for USA Today's Ultimate Idol and Clay Finishes 3rd

For most of the summer, readers of USA Today's Idol Chatter Blog have been voting for their favorite Idol in their Revisionist Idol contest. USA Today announced the winner of the contest along with the order of the remaining idols. Coming in first and second place were Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Clay's ranking was 3rd.

USA Today says about the ranking system:

Voters were asked to choose their favorite 10 Idols from a list of 15 and rank them in order. First place votes received 10 points, second place got 9, down to 1 point for a 10th place vote.

The top four winners in the rankings also have had the most sales of their CD's. Clay's Measure of a Man has sold about 2.8 million.

USA Today also mentions as a side note to the article that in the revisionist votes, four of the idols who did not win their seasons would have won according to these votes...Bo Bice, Eliott Yamin, Melinda Doolittle, and Clay Aiken.

Tidbits 10/6

• The CB's hippoga reports Clay is mentioned in an ad for "American Idol: Singer's Advantage", a kit which claims to improve your singing skills (yeah, right!) -

  It's the time of year when countless catalogs start to arrive in the mailbox! In the What on Earth catalog that arrived yesterday, they are selling "American Idol:Singer's Advantage-The Ultimate Voice Training Program" which is a collection of DVD's and CD's to improve your singing. BUT the first two lines of the blurb are what caught my attention!
  
  "Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood, move over. With these voice training programs, you're going to be the next person to wow (or at least cow) Simon."
  

• Undercover.com.au - article about Kara DioGuardi who co-wrote Clay's "The Way" -

  She is the name behind hits by Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, Pink, The Veronicas, Christina Aguilera, Santana, Gwen Stefani, Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears, Hialry Duff, Jewel, Nick Lachey, Ashlee Simpson, Anastacia, Jesse McCartney, Natasha Beddingfield, Jessica Simpson, Delta Goodrem, Lindsay Lohan, Kylie Minogue, Clay Aiken, Marc Anthony, Paris Hilton, Ricky Martin and Laura Pausini.

• Nothing here yet
  

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.