Clay "Blown Away"

Clay blogged early this morning to thank us for the fantastic opening night at Spamalot last night. He said the entire Spamalot cast was impressed by the Claymate audience!

1 day down, 15 weeks to go!

Clay Blogs: It's Showtime!

Clay posted to his official fanclub blog today about Spamalot. Although we can't reveal explicitly what Clay said, the gist of Clay's message is twofold:

1. NO CAMERAS OF ANY KIND
2. BE GENTLE!
   

Clay Back in NYC - Rehearsals Begins for Spamalot

Clay has arrived home from New York City after his UNICEF trip to Mexico over Christmas & the new year.

Clay posted what is probably his shortest blog to date - 8 words - to let us know that rehearsals are beginning, as planned for Spamalot.

Tidbits 12/25

• Clay has posted Christmas greeting from Mexico to the official fanclub. Fanclub members can check it out here.
  
• Chicago Tribune via Detroit News - Barry Manilow in the news ... "Manilow, 64, has appeared twice on "American Idol," where he bonded with Clay Aiken."
• Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - Holiday Celebration on Ice mentioned in TV listings -

  Holiday Celebration on Ice: Sasha Cohen and Todd Eldredge host this holiday-themed skating exhibition, but it's guest Clay Aiken, not the skaters, who is likely to draw viewers. 3 p.m., KXAS/Channel 5

• Arizona Daily Star -

  "Capital One Holiday Celebration on Ice" with Olympian Sasha Cohen and musical guest Clay Aiken, 3 p.m., KVOA Channel 4.

• Northern Express - article about holiday music ...

  Holiday jazz from the ‘50s and ‘60s creates the perfect ambiance, but won’t steal the show. Pull out your Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, and Ella Fitzgerald and make sure one of them asks, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Besides the classic versions, nearly every known artist has done some cover version of this song, so you have a variety to choose from, whether it’s the Carpenters, Brian Setzer, Patti Labelle, or even Clay Aiken.

• ClaySpots ... a perfect Clay Aiken Christmas -

  This year, as I have the past four Christmases, I think about how my life has changed because of Clay Aiken. I remember going to my first concert in 20 years to see him, then of, course, I had to go again. And again. And again. 39 concerts later, I'm still planning on going to more. I've made so many friends and acquaintances because of Clay Aiken and this incredible fandom that has sprung up out of nowhere. I've discovered message boards and have met so many wonderful people at the concerts and pre and post-concert parties. I've seen some of my friends go to college, graduate, and get married! Others have passed away in the prime of their lives. Some live charmed lives yet others have problems that have made them stronger.
  

• The ConCLAYve on Clay's UNICEF visit to Mexico -

  In just four days, UNICEF supporters and fans of Clay Aiken have raised $44,000 toward this goal. In the spirit of the season, please do your part to help raise $100,000 to support recovery for the children and families of Chiapas and Tabasco.

• Hobbies - Clay Aiken arrives in Mexico
• Something That Really Happened - Clay making progress on UNICEF mission to Mexico:

  Great progress has been made on Clay's challenge to raise $100,000 by the end of the year to help those affected by the floods in Mexico. So far we have achieved 44% of the goal with $43,749 in donations. Please help if you haven't already done so!

Clay Asks Us To Buy "All Is Well"

Clay blogged today asking us to purchase a copy of "All Is Well" on Apple's iTunes store. With news that the Bubel Aiken Foundation can benefit off these purchases, your $4 could not be better spent... click here to find out how to buy AIW from iTunes with part of the profit going to the Bubel Aiken Foundation.

Clay Blogs About Christmas Tour, Spamalot

Clay blogged last night after the first concert in Wichita. Official fanclub members can read the blog here.

For non-members, Clay wrote about the tour, saying he chose to vary things up between stories, songs and medley because variety is the "spice of life." He also says he is very excited about starting Spamalot in January, but will definitely enjoy the next several weeks with Quiana, Angela, Jesse, Sean, Jamie, Mary and Jerome.

Tidbits 10/24

Clay/Spamalot mention in Knox News Sentinel today ... thanks to the CB's KH25 for the scan!

• Clay blogged today about entries he's received for the OFC Christmas stories contest thus far. He has enjoyed reading our stories, but outlines in the blog some important instructions for to follow when submitting stories.
  
• Lycos 50 - Clay comes in at #9 on the Lycos Top 50 list this week. This is up one from #10 last week. By Clay's name is written "Spamalot"!
• EarthTimes has the Lycos PR about this week's rankings.
  
• New York Observer - Clay Aiken among performers scheduled for the Neil Sedaka 50 Concert this Friday:

  We’re saved by Neil Sedaka, as he celebrates “50 Years of Hits”—not one clunker in the bunch!—at Lincoln Center! Belting some of them out will be Natalie Cole, Clay Aiken, and the Captain & Tenille.
  

• Ticket News:

  Spamalot moves up two positions in the Top Theatre rankings; yet despite the news that Clay Aiken is to join the Broadway cast as brave Sir Robin in January, the show retreats one spot in the NYC Theatre rankings.

• Kansas City Star - Spamalot - "Clay Aiken’s run as Sir Robin on Broadway’s “Spamalot” will start Jan. 18. He’s expected to be with the show through May 4."
• O.C. Register - Clay joins "Spamalot" in NYC -

  From "American Idol" to Eric Idle's "Spamalot."
  
  Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols.
  

• Charleston Post & Courier - another random mention in a sports article -

  The thud the South Carolina Gamecocks made dropping from No. 6 to No. 15 in The Associated Press college football poll sounded worse than Clay Aiken trying to cover a Nirvana song.

• Dixie Sun - another sports article -

  College is sitting over a plate of cold french toast at Denny’s at 3 a.m. discussing who would win in a fight between Chuck Norris and Clay Aiken.
  

• Newsday - Rosie O'Donnell comments on last year's Kelly Ripa/Clay Aiken "scandal" in her new book -

  Feud with Kelly Ripa: "So Clay Aiken went on Kelly Ripa's show. It was clear to me that she didn't like him, for whatever reason.... During some inane segment he interrupted and he put his hand over her mouth as a joke, as if to say, 'Let me get a word in, kid, pass the ball, share.' ... and then she said, 'I don't know where that hand has been.' So I said, on the air next day, that Kelly's comment was homophobic, and she called into the show, wanting to have it out with me on air. Which she did."

• There Was A Man - honoring Neil Sedaka - Clay's "Solitaire" performance

Tidbits 8/23

• Clay blogged yesterday after reading that Raleigh News & Observer article which suggests Clay should run for U.S. senate...
  
• The Insider is asking "Who Would You Like to See on 'Dancing with the Stars?'" in its poll today. Vote for Clay by texting in Clay's name, your name, city and state to 55888.
  
• Harness Link - Non Clay related... update on the horse "Aiken for Clay" - "Aiken For Clay and local fan favorite Jim Morrill Jr. scored their second straight victory when four divisions of the $165,920 New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies invaded Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening."
  
• Desert Morning News - Jacob Luttrell performing at charity event - "Also performing is soulful Jacob Luttrell, who has been a background singer for Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, John Mayer and Fergie."
• Carrboro Citizen... another politics article; mentions that spoof from the Independent Weekly last week -

  Please, someone — anyone — sign up to run against Liddy Dole. The situation got urgent this week when Public Policy Polling announced that they had run out of possible contenders to poll folks about. Last week, they ran the numbers on N.C. Democratic Party chair Jerry Meek and then threatened to hoist Clay Aiken’s name up the flagpole. (The Independent Weekly, it should be noted, was way ahead of them with a recent parody of an Aiken campaign platform in the music section.)
  

• Taking A Moment gives us "HOW TO ELECT CLAY AIKEN US SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA, IN 31 EASY STEPS" ... this list is so funny!

  1. Wait until Clay turns 30.
  
  7. Watch Clay's appearances on "So You Think You Can Filibuster" on FOX on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 PM CST.
  
  9. Wait for his number to appear on the screen. Cry shamlessly when he does the woobly fingers and mouths "pulleeeze."
  
  10. Using three cellular phones, a computer auto-dialer and two landlines, dial 1-800-SEN-AIKEN. Repeat.
  
  13. Cuss because you only got through seven times, even though you dialed AT LEAST 8 gablillion times.
  
  20. Vote.
  
  21. Vote again.
  
  22. Get arrested for voter fraud.

• There Was A Man - the Clay nation describe their handshakes with Clay ... "A Handshake to Remember" -

  Clay has always had a special connection with his fans. One of the things that he does to thank them for their support is the handshake line (sometimes called The Bus Line) after his concerts unless circumstances prevent it. One line this summer was over 1000 people long. It might be a quick touch, but it's become a tradition for fans to wait after the concert. It's just one more thing that strengthens the bond between Clay and his fans.

• Chexxxy's Pearls - Clay's special connection with his fans ... the bus line walk
  

Media - This One Is For You

Yes, I'm sick of your misleading "facts", your outrageous lies and your crappy yellow journalism. For anyone in the media, this article is for you.

You know, I'm sure many Clay fans have always thought alone the same lines as Clay. When he makes a UNICEF appeal for the children of the world, his calls go unheard. When he sleeps and accidentally touches a woman's armrest, it makes headlines on CNN, FOX, NBC, ABC, USA Today, the Washington Post, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider... you get the point.

This is the sad realization of today's money and sensationalism driven media. Never mind the truth... in fact none of the stories you see below mentioned the important fact that Clay was asleep when he accidentally bumped his feet on to the woman's arm rest!!! In fact, most of these articles blame Clay as being the bad guy who started it.

But, one quote I read this morning did make me laugh:

Pretty amazing how the day they do this live earth concert and Clay is doing his own thing, he makes the front page of cnn, abc, nbc, fox need I go on, and all he did was take a nap!!!!

... and this person is absolutely right. In fact, Clay blogged himself to voice these same frustrations. So, for the record, in case the media is listening up, here is Clay Aiken's first statements regarding the media circus. And, as if you cared, here are the facts. I hope Clay doesn't mind us posting this tiny portion from his blog to highlight the utterly ridiculous state this story has morphed into:

If I were the desperate and threatened children of northern Uganda, who also have gotten almost no attention from the press (again, with the same exception of ET), I would be upset and dismayed that a stupid celebrity non-story is the top story on most news sites today.

Then again, as much as the media seems to screw up the actual facts in a situation, maybe they're better off anyway.

1. Clay was asleep on a Continental Airlines flight traveling from Houston, TX to Tulsa, OK on Saturday July 7 when his foot accidentally touched his neighbor's armrest.
2. Clay was attacked by the the woman sitting beside in front of him and awoke to her shouting and swinging at him.
3. Clay was asked to stay aboard the plane to sign some procedural documents.
4. Clay chose not to press charges.
5. Clay Aiken did not incite the unruly behavior of the woman sitting beside him.
6. ... and no, Clay is not under FBI investigation. No one was charged.
   

And if this doesn't help all you media editors who I know are reading this post ... let me remind you of what happened, via an eyewitness:

I was sitting across the aisle from Clay Aiken and the woman who hit him. I looked over at him at one point and he appeared to be sleeping. I would have loved an autograph, but didn’t want to bother him. I was reading a magazine when suddenly I heard the woman across the aisle shouting, and I saw her hitting at Clay. He looked startled, apparently just woke up, and tried to talk to her and calm her down but she kept hitting at him. At that point a flight attendant came over and blocked my view so I couldn’t see anymore. Later on I signed a statement as a witness to her attack. I don’t know if Clay pressed charges against her or not.

... and here is some of the twisted tales the media is pushing out... sigh... anything to create sensationalism, ratings and hits, huh?

• iVillage -

  It seems Clay had his foot on his neighbor's armrest during the Continental flight to Tulsa. The woman allegedly gave Clay a "minor shove" to remind him of his manners, which resulted in a little scuffle that the flight crew had to resolve!
  
  Who does he think he is? -- (CDD note... ahem... he was like many other passengers - SLEEPING!!!)
  

• Buddy TV -

  Air travel can be a stressful enterprise. Just ask the one and only Clay Aiken, American Idol runner-up. It's being reported today that over the weekend Clay Aiken was involved in a dispute with a woman while aboard a Continental flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Details are vague, but the gist seems to be something like this: Aiken was resting his foot on the armrest of a woman sitting next to him. (CDD note... uh... no, that was not the full gist of it... in fact, the most important "gist" was left out!)

• E! Online -

  The 28-year-old singer, who finished second on the popular Fox talent show in 2003, was on a Continental Airlines flight Saturday morning bound for Tulsa International Airport, when he got into an altercation with a female passenger after she complained about his foot on her armrest. (CDD note... you get the point now, don't you? Clay was sleeping.)

• MTV -

  Clay Aiken tangled with a fellow passenger on a flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday morning, AP reports, leading to an FBI investigation but no arrests. The FBI told Tulsa World that there was a dispute on the aircraft between a male former "American Idol" contestant and a woman on the plane, but would not confirm Aiken's identity. The argument allegedly began over the male passenger's putting his foot on the woman's armrest, and the female passenger reportedly gave the man "a minor shove." There were no injuries reported, though Aiken did joke onstage Saturday night that he'd been beaten up by a girl earlier in the day. ...

• ok... you get it now... we're just going to list a few more. If you really need more, you'll find a ton on Google News...
  
• People Magazine
• Entertainment Tonight

Clay Blogs: Looks Like He Got His iPhone!

By the looks of his VERY brief and cryptic blog tonight, our adorably cute and geeky Clay isn't leaving himself out of the Apple iPhone fever that hit its climax earlier tonight when the hot $600 music and video playing phones went on sale at Apple and AT & T stores nationwide.

Clay wasn't the only celebrity spotted hunting down an iPhone today, however. Philadelphia's mayor was spotted lining up outside Philadelphia's Apple store earlier today.

Have fun with your iPhone, Clay!

Update 6/30: Clay blogged again on Friday night... this time from his iPhone! Cool!

Clay Blogs: Album Producer Chosen

Clay blogged minutes ago to share his excitement about the summer tour which is now just around the corner. While we can't divulge too much information, perhaps the best piece of new Clay mentioned was that he has found an award winning producer for the third album and that it will be out "one day".

If you are fanclub member, you can check out the blog here.

Clay Finds Himself in Mexico, Discusses OFC Message Board Issues in New Blog

Looks like Clay found himself, a day too late, in Mexico for his manager, Simon Renshaw's birthday party. Still, it looks like he had a good time down in Mexico after a whirlwind adventure through Canada (and we mean coast to coast) and Paris, France.

Here's a synopsis of what Clay said in his blog from last night:

• Clay blogged from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where he was invited for a surprise birthday party. He arrives in Mexico only to find out he is one day too late for his manager, Simon Renshaw's birthday... this is just too funny!
  
• He jokingly refers to the summer tour as: "Soft Rock and a Hard Place" tour and "A Soft Rock gathers no moss" tour.
• Clay's really PUMPED and excited to see some of the songs on ATDW come to life with an orchestra. Clay teases us saying that during each concert, they will take a trip down "memory lane" ... not sure what it is, but sounds like a cool idea.
• Clay confirms that many of the concerts have already sold out their covered seating, but he notes lawn seating is still available... He has 2 words for you: "Bug Spray"
• Clay apologizes for not being totally informed about the issue with the fanclub message board. He says the original intention was for it to be temporarily shut down and restored. He now realizes that this may not have been the best idea.
• Clay has requested to "the powers that be" to restore the message boards by Monday morning.
• Clay encourages us to participate in active discussions. He cautions that we should ignore trolls, bullies and that small 1% of members who ruin it for us all.

Clay Thanks His "Angels"; Returns from Paris Trip

Update 6/9: the "American actress" Clay talks about is Cameron Diaz. She was confirmed to be at the same hotel Clay was on June 6.

Clay blogged today to thank us for getting his favorite show, "Jericho", back on the airwaves. "UNBELIEVABLE", he notes. Earlier this week, CBS reversed its decision to cancel the show by ordering 7 episodes of it as a mid-season replacement.

Clay also updated us on some other events in his life... since we're not allowed to quote the blog, here's a quick synopsis of what he said:

• Clay's been visiting Paris and mentioned how nice the city was... he says it's been nice walking around the city completely unnoticed for a change
  
• Clay was met with a scum of photographers outside his hotel, only to find out that they were camped out for a "famous" American actress. Clay says he met this unnamed person during his promotional tour for ATDW.
  
• Tour rehearsals start next week... Clay can't wait to see us
• Jaymes Foster-Levy and Clay are close to finding a producer for Clay's third album. Clive Davis and RCA have been very supportive, reports Clay
• Clay's passport, which he lost last week in Calgary, has been found!
• Seeing how successful we were in getting "Jericho" back on the air, Clay wants his own show with CBS
  

Jericho To Be Rescued As A Midseason Replacement?

Rumor has it that after the relentless rallying by fans, including Clay Aiken himself, CBS is considering the possibility of bring back its action thriller "Jericho" as a midseason replacement.

Apparently, CBS is considering options and thinking about bringing the show back for 8 episodes next season.

Here's the report from a blog called Seriously? OMG! WTF?:

I am so happy CBS is realizing they made a mistake replacing Jericho with a real bomb Kid Nation, which I am still not sure will make it to air. And if it does, I doubt it will survive more than two weeks on the air. So why not just bring back Jericho then! I swear not since Fox announced that they were bringing back Family Guy have I been so happy!!! Ironically enough Clay Aiken blogged yesterday that he forgave CBS for canceling Jericho, looks like he needed to wait 24 hours before posting that apology!

Clay Forgives CBS After "Jericho" Cancellation

Clay blogged a few minutes ago to tell us that he's getting over his "depression" after CBS canceled his favorite show, "Jericho". Clay says he is now watching a "dark comedy" called "The Riches". You can download episodes of this show off iTunes or watch it on the FX Network Mondays at 10.

He adds that he is excited to see us this summer.

Clay Blogs About BAF Gala

Clay just posted a short blog thanking us for our support during the recent Bubel Aiken Foundation Champions of Change gala held in Raleigh. Clay says $333,238.45 was raised for the foundation. Amazing!

Clay Blogs About BAF, Jericho

Clay posted a short blog tonight thanking us for our effort in raising funds for the BAF over the past few weeks. He said the Champions of Change gala was "unbelievable" and mentioned that a tremendous amount of money was raised for the BAF (no total yet, but Clay promised to let us know).

Clay also mentioned his favorite show, CBS' Jericho. He said rumours of him guest-starring on the show are not true, but that he plans on tuning in to the last 5 episodes of the season. Jericho is currently in a ratings sag so Clay's asking fans to tune in and support the show.

Jericho airs Wednesdays at 8 PM on CBS.

Clay Sees Deja Vu, Makes A Six Degrees Appeal

Clay blogged moments ago about the Six Degrees campaign which currently has the Bubel Aiken Foundation in second place. He mused about how the race up to the finish line was "like American Idol" all over again. "Second place, AGAIN?" he jokes.
Claymates - you have less than 9 hours to make your voice heard. For today, Six Degrees has added a PayPal method for our international friends to donate to TBAF via this campaign. The top 6 charities will receive an additional matching donation up to $10,000 from actor Kevin Bacon.

HURRY - YOU HAVE 9 HOURS LEFT TO DONATE... YOU CAN NOW DONATE VIA PAYPAL WITHOUT A CREDIT CARD.

TO GO TO THE DONATION PAGE, CLICK ON THESE WORDS.

Clay Beats Us At Our "Game"

HE Blogged! He Blogged!!! OMIGOD!!! I can't believe it... he's alive, and he blogged!!

-Clay Aiken's first message board post

Sure, Claymates are usually the first ones to post 0.000001 seconds after Clay blogs like he did last night. But this time, Clay beat us to our game, posting his first thread to the official fanclub message boards. The post was short and sweet, and for the sake of Clay nation history, we hope Team Clay doesn't mind sharing his words here: "HE Blogged! He Blogged!!! OMIGOD!!! I can't believe it... he's alive, and he blogged!!"

If you're a fanclub member, check out the message here. The thread is 51 pages and growing.

Clay Blogs - thoughts on NYC, Brazil, UNICEF... tour to hit CA, MO?

Clay blogged today to give us an update on what's been going on in his life the past month or so. Although we can't copy the blog onto CDD, here's a quick synopsis:

• Clay talked about how much fun Kimmel & Mike & Juliet was. He says he had a slight cold when he appeared on Mike & Juliet, but it's all cleared up now.
• BRAZIL! Clay took a trip down there recently and found an excellent new drink called the "Guarana"
• Clay says he's looking forward to the BAF gala to be held on March 31 in Raleigh. He also mentioned that he will be taking his UNICEF trip with his former social studies teacher to an undisclosed location sometime in the summer. Details are not being disclosed for security reasons.
• Clay says he met President Bush's daughter (didn't specify which one!) and former First Lady Barbara Bush at his committee meeting at the White House last month.
• Team Clay is putting details of the summer tour together as we speak. Clay says they will try to hit as many areas not covered during the last several tours as much as possible. Clay gave us the hint: surfboard and stetson... sounds like California and Missouri is in for a treat this summer!
  
• And of course, Clay wouldn't miss the opportunity to tease us when he said he has some really "exciting" projects in the works.