The Tastes of 2007 – A Clay Feast Fit For a King!

Once again we are saying goodbye to another year. 2007 was a mighty fine year for Clay and his fans. Start with a pound of Gala bidding, add two Kimmel shows, toss in a Vancouver performance, and blend with two tours. Then simmer with a pinch of a Neil Sedaka tribute and bring to a boil with a large dose of UNICEF travel. Finally marinate with $300,000 won on 5th grader and cool with an excellent ice skating celebration and you have a recipe for success.

And, yes, successful 2007 was. Does that year have you hungry for more? Does your temperature rise when you think of the possibilities in 2008? Well, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look back at “The Tastes of 2007 – An End of Year Celebration Dinner” with monumental Clay proportions!

MENU


APPETIZERS:

Kimmel Hearts – Heart-Shaped Candy good enough to have its own song. Eat these sweet tidbits and you will definitely have a song in your heart!

Mike & Juliet Layered Dip – Layer a little talking with the hosts, a hot red Claymobile, a Clay trivia game, and some karaoke and dancing with Juliet. Serve with an audience of excitable fans.


Toasted Tribute Tray – This appetizer has 50 years of great items. Cheesy Fondue Dip MC’ing by David Foster, Classy Oysters Rockefeller, complete with songs by Neil Sedaka, and last but not least, a solitaire party cheese ball made more tasty by that Solitaire singing man, Clay.


ENTREES:

Christmas In The Heartland Holiday Dinner – This appeals to those who like a variety in their meal. Enjoy and zing and a little pizzazz with such meaty tunes as Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day with its long lasting flavorful glory note, sit back and take in the haunting lyrics and smooth aroma of Mary Did You Know, and experience a mixture of the gently stirred and yet powerfully succulent All Is Well. Something to satisfy everyone’s liking.

Soft Rock and A Hard Place Smorgasbord – A buffet style table holds a variety of hot and cold dishes to tickle your taste buds. A thousand different dishes that will fill your stomach and your heart with love and have you coming back for seconds. Maybe "Rock" Cornish hen or "Soft" Shelled Crabs. A sprinkling of snarky humor makes some of these entrees not only delicious but also delightfully fun to eat! Consider trying Sloppie Joes or Really Cheesy Macaroni.

UNICEF Entrees With a Foreign Flair – Clay traveled high and low to help the children. While in Afghanistan, he taught Afghan children and gave a vaccine to a baby. Possibly he tasted this savory tidbits from our menu:

• Samboosak (Afghan meat pies) or Mourgh (Afghan Chicken).

While in Mexico, Clay visited the sites of the earlier flooding, including the area of Tabasco and visited schools that had been damaged by the flooding. He shared a smile and a warm embrace with many children there. Some of the foods from our menu that Clay might have eaten are:

• Chiles en Nogada (Stuffed Poblano Chilies), Huachinango Entomatado (Snapper in Tomato Sauce), or Flautas Jaliscienses (Jalisco-Style Flautas).

Possibly Clay ate one or more of these meals while spreading the message of love while in Afghanistan and Mexico.


Desserts:

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? – We've got desserts that not only satisfy your taste buds but also give your brains something to feast on.

• What country is German Chocolate Cake from? How about Brazil Nut Cookies?
• Maybe you would like to try a piece of apple pi…and while you are enjoying those juicy apples in the pie, can you tell us what the mathematical constant, “pi” represents?
• Can you tell me what the adjective is in these delectable desserts: Spicy Carrot Cake, Tart Lemon Cake Roll, Jumbo Molasses Cookies?

If you can answer these questions, maybe you can earn $300,000 like Clay earned for The Bubel Aiken Foundation. If not, you can still enjoy your dessert while knowing you are NOT smarter than a 5th grader.

Holiday Celebrations On Ice – Our desserts in this category are cold and frozen. They send chills down your spine, just like Clay singing All Is Well. Try our icy cold desserts like Cranberry Ice, Frozen Custard, or Hot Fudge Ice Cream Sundaes, which mixes the hotness of our gorgeous singer with the cold chills that run down your back as you listen to that luscious voice.

BAF Gala Goodies Galore –

• How about some tea cookies in the shape of Clay’s auctioned ring…put them in your mouth as he put the ring in his!!
• Maybe some Gingerbread Cookies dressed in an icing shirt like the one Clay cuddled up with to bring in more donations!
• Or maybe have a piece of Southern Peanut Butter Pie, full of southern charm that Clay overflowed with as he flirted with the bidders.
• And finally some Mixed Nut Cookies, for that nutty snarky guy whose humor never seems to end!

Now these are some desserts that you can really sink your teeth into!

And if you can’t find anything you like on the 2007 menu, eat a little bit of spam to tide you over until 2008. Believe me, you will be able to eat spam a lot next year as well.

Are you full yet? You’re not? Well, just sit back and wait until the next menu is available in 2008. It will be a brand new menu of savory, flavorful morsels even better than in 2007! And you’ll never find yourself full enough with the treats that Clay has to offer us!!

Anyone want seconds?

Great Clay Mention in Toni Tenille's Blog

Most of you know that Toni Tenille, who is half of The Captain and Tenille, was at the tribute for Neil Sedaka this past weekend. They sang Love Will Keep Us Together, a big hit of theirs from the 70's. In Toni's blog, called "Toni's Take" , which is an awesome blog by the way, she has some really great comments to say about Clay. Here's what she had to say:

Now.... for all of you “Claymates” out there who might happen to read this..... I never saw Clay Aiken backstage. He wasn’t there for the finale, THAT’S WHEN THE MUSIC TAKES ME, and he didn’t attend the afterparty. In fact, I never saw him at all!!! He drifted in and out of the proceedings like a ghost... almost like he was “beamed” in and out of the theatre. Becky and I sneaked out into the stage right balcony to hear him sing SOLITAIRE, and he sang the heck out of it! And I got such a kick out of the screams of excitement when he appeared on stage, and when he held that four-measure, fortissimo note (“Sol-i-TAIRE!!!!!”) in the middle of the song..... the audience went bananas just like all the young girls who screamed for Sinatra and the Beatles! His fans, who appear to be mostly female, absolutely adore him. What a phenomenon. I’m so out of it, I had no idea how huge he is.

Toni linked Clay's name to the "Wikipedia" article about him, and she linked the sentence about his "four-measure, fortissimo note" to a YouTube video of him singing Solitaire. The same has been done in the above paragraph, so you can take those links to read about Clay in Wikipedia and listen once again to Solitaire from the tribute.

Be sure to take the link to her blog and read more of what she has to say. About Neil Sedaka she said:

I was so happy to see Neil again. He was bouncing around the studio like a man half his age... or LESS! Neil is all about the music... it is the true love of his life and his reason for being. The minute he starts to play the piano or sing, he lights up like a Christmas tree! And his voice is as sweet and true as it ever was.

It is so nice to see someone who is such a great talent and has been around for so long to say such nice things as "what a phenomenon" and "he sang the heck out of it" about Clay. Toni definitely knows a great singer when she hears him!

Tidbits 10/30

• Florida Sun Sentinel - broadcasters getting ready for November sweeps -

  Fox's major stunt is celebrity editions of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. Regis Philbin and Clay Aiken will play along Nov. 1, Tony Hawk visits the following Thursday and continuing an American Idol theme Kellie Pickler is featured on Nov. 15 (Kellie's really cute but my money that night is on the 5th graders.)

• USA Today - coming up in November sweeps -

  November 1
  
  Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Fox, 8 ET/PT
  
  The sweeps are scheduled to kick off with a special two-hour Grader featuring special celebrity contestants Clay Aiken and Regis Philbin.
  

• Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Neil Sedaka celebrates half a century of "making America sing" -

  The event was part of a larger celebration of the musician’s half century of music making. The following Friday, Sedaka was fêted at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, where his work was performed by, among others, Natalie Cole, Connie Francis, Clay Aiken, Dion, Captain and Tennille, and Lou Christie. The performance was mounted to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

• Taking A Moment - a lot of people are having trouble submitting their Christmas stories to the official fanclub, as Clay has noted in 2 blogs... so Jemock has a few "templates" for you to use -

  My husband had a really great _____________ and I wanted to buy him a ___________ for it, but I didn’t have any _____________. So I sold my __________ which I had gotten lots of compliments on, but I really wanted my husband’s __________ to have a ____________ on it. But then, wouldn’t you know it, my husband goes and eBays his _________ to buy me a _________________ for the ____________ that I sold on the street. Go figure.
  
  I guess that goes to show you that you shouldn’t ___________ your _________ just to get a _________ for your husband’s ___________, because somebody’s bound to screw up. That was my __________ Christmas ever.

Tidbits 10/29

• Clay blogged - people can't seem to be able to follow the guidelines of the OFC Christmas In The Heartland story contest and Clay seems a little frustrated.
• MTV.ca - "In 2003...Clay Aiken topped the album chart for a second week with his debut album, Measure of a Man."
• Forbes - coming in 2nd isn't all that bad -

  Or you could just come in No. 2. Do you really remember who won American Idol 2? Neither do we, but we do remember a guy named Clay. He was the runner up to winner Ruben Studdard. Clay Aiken seamlessly shot to fame without the help of the juggernaut that is the American Idol crown.

• InStyle - Neil Sedaka:

  American Idol alum Katharine McPhee helped living legend Neil Sedaka celebrate fifty years in the music business during a tribute concert at New York City's Avery Fischer Hall. Other well-wishers who showed up to congratulate Sedaka included Clay Aiken, Natalie Cole and David Letterman's music man, Paul Schaffer.
  

• FOX News - Neil Sedaka celebrates 50 years with friends -

  Maybe the oddest part of the night, though, was an appearance by Clay Aiken. An acquired taste to say the least, Aiken enjoys a fan base that travels with him. They are called Claymates. At least 50 suburban housewife types screamed through his one song. They don’t care about the rumors, the stories, the scandals. Their scary devotion to him recalled Liberace’s huge following in the '50s and '60s, and Barry Manilow’s in the '70s and since then. Using this as a barometer, the Broadway producers of “Spamalot” are in for quite a culture shock soon.

• KDKA CBS - Neil Sedaka honored -

  Now his achievements are being honored by his fellow musicians with a tribute concert in New York, "Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits." The show, featuring Clay Aiken, Connie Francis, Natalie Cole and more, benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
  

• 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."

• The ConCLAYve - Clay's Neil Sedaka Concert "Solitaire" performance felt like "the first time" -

  We'd heard Clay sing Solitaire many times since Neil Sedaka night on American Idol in 2003. He returned to Idol on the following season and sang a bit of it there. He's sung it on TV. He encored with it during his 2004 solo tour. He does a great job with it but the song itself, while well written, can get old. It's not exactly your upbeat, pepppy song with a hook and a beat you can dance to.
  
  So I went because I love the chance to see Clay live and I enjoy New York. The line up of guest acts honoring Neil Sedaka looked interesting and it turned out to be just that. Iconic acts like Connie Francis and Dion performed along with promising new acts like Renee Olsteed. But the funny thing is on the ride to NYC, we kept talking about what else we wanted Clay to sing besides Solitaire. It was like we were looking past the old, familiarity of Solitaire and hoping for something new.

• All That Is Clay Aiken - Clay's "breathtaking 'Solitaire'"...
  

Another New Solitaire Video -- With Great Close-Ups!

Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be anymore videos, mp3's, or photos of Clay....SURPRISE!! Secretly Loves Clay has posted information about her video of Clay singing "Solitaire" at the Neil Sedaka Tribute at The Clayboard and has also included some beautiful closeup screen caps of Clay. This video, most of which has closeups of Clay's face, should touch every emotion that you have. Its amazing!

For those of you who would like to download this video, go to Clack Unlimited.

In addition, you can go to YouTube to watch her video and rate it there.

While you are at The Clayboard, check out Secretly Loves Clay's screencaps. Here are a few to whet your appetite. Be forewarned, they are amazingly gorgeous! And closeup!!

Help Induct Mr. Sedaka To Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Sedaka.be is running an online petition to get Neil Sedaka into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clay's name is mentioned in the petition:

Many international artists - including several already inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - have covered his songs: Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Tony Christie, American Idol Winner Clay Aiken, Renee Olstead, Clyde McPhatter, The Carpenters, Andy Williams [...]

SIGN THE PETITION

Tidbits 10/28

Boston Herald's The Edge - what to watch this week -

Thursday Nov. 1

Will they be invincible? Clay Aiken and Regis Philbin compete in “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” at 8 p.m. on WFXT. If the World Series goes to Game 7, Reege and the former “American Idol” contestant will be bumped to a later date.

• WCBS New York - Neil Sedaka celebrates 50 years in music -
  

  Now his achievements are being honored by his fellow musicians with a tribute concert in New York, "Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits." The show, featuring Clay Aiken, Connie Francis, Natalie Cole and more, benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

• Yahoo! Music - low CD sales in October ... except:

  ... Limp Bizkit's "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" surpassed 1 million copies in 2000, Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man" opened with 613,000 in 2003 and Faith Hill's "Cry" landed with 472,000 in 2002. But, in six of the past 10 years, this week's No. 1 album sold less than 200,000, the lightest of those sums being the 131,000 that LeAnn Rimes' "You Light Up My Life -- Inspirational Songs" moved in 1997.
  

• SaukValley.com - small things make a different for troops serving abroad -

  For those soldiers, the group collected magazines, such as National Geographic and Better Homes, floss, soap and CDs of Kathie Lee Gifford, Celine Dion, Kenny G and Clay Aiken.

• PRWeb press release for recording artist Michael Duff -

  His latest debut solo effort "Unbreakable" features such all-star guest songwriters as Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow), Reed Vertelney (Clay Aiken, Destiny's Child, Luther Vandross), Lindy Robbins (Nick Lachey, Faith Hill, Lisa Loeb), Jess Cates (Nick Lachey, Backstreet Boys), Grammy-nominated Shelly Peiken (Christina Aguilera, Meredith Brooks, Pretenders) and Grammy-nominated Jud Friedman (Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Tina Turner).

• Nashua Telegraph ... mentions the July 2007 Clay Aiken airplane "incident" -
  

  The incident came only days after former "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken fell asleep on a Continental flight, his foot landing on the armrest of the passenger in front of him. The singer claims he was awakened by a quick hit to the chest by the annoyed passenger, prompting an argument and a call to the FBI, though no charges were filed.

• Clay brings down the house with Neil Sedaka concert "Solitaire" performance -
  
• Hobbies, The True Measure of A Man -

  Neil Sedaka was honored last night, October 26, 2007, in New York City. There were many wonderful performers singing Neil's songs. One of the singers who brought the house down was Clay Aiken.

• There Was A Man -

  Clay performed at the Tribute for Neil Sedaka last night and blew the roof off of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Here's the first video of the performance.

• ClaySpots -

  Tonight, Clay Aiken made his debut at Lincoln Center as part of 'Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits. According to the reports, Clay looked fabulous, the hair was perfect, the suit was perfect, the cheekbones were perfect. David Foster accompianied Clay singing 'Solitaire' and high-fived him as he left the stage.

• Carolina On My Mind -

  According to fans, the roof of Avery Fisher Hall is now in dire need of repairs as crescendos and the climax of Clay Aiken's "Solitaire" performance virtually disengaged the ceiling at Neil Sedaka's 50th anniversary tribute Friday night.

• Celebrating Halloween with Clay - The Man and some adorably cute "Cla'lloween" graphics.

Clay's Solitaire Performance - A Few More Reviews, Photos, and Videos

You may have already read our article in today's CDD entitled Clay Impresses with "Solitaire" Performance at Neil Sedaka Concert. In it we have some great pictures and a couple of reviews.

Since that article was written, we now have more great reviews to add by fans who were at the tribute. I think you'll enjoy them. These reviews made me feel as though I was sitting right there listening to him myself!

Written By tiggy52winkle at The Clayboard:

New York City Falls In Love With Clay Aiken! That should be the headline in today's paper. I was blessed, absolutely blessed to attend the Tribute last evening. Just got home a bit over 3 hours ago from one of the greatest nights of my life! By now you've seen the video, heard the song and seen the gorgeous pictures of Clay. To say that he was sheer perfection is not exaggerating. I was sitting in the 2nd row, right side of the orchestra and before the performance we could see Clay standing in the wings waiting to go on. Electricity was building, there he was! David Foster had fun with the Claymates, teasing us several times and even mentioning that when you write a brilliant song you can sing it ATDW. Claymates throughout the venue went crazy. Finally Clay was introduced by David and the entire front of the audience sprung to their feet, clapping and cheering for all they were worth. He knew his 'mates were in the house! As he strode onto the stage we took in every last detail: gorgeous grey suit with light blue pinstipes that fit him beautifully. Oh, those shoulders!!! Light blue shirt, no tie and I think brown shoes. His hair was gorgeous!!! A bit longer than the last photos we had of him on the streets of NYC a week or two ago and there were bangs. His face has lost the puffiness since he's been off the Paxil for a month or so and the cheekbones are lookin' mighty fine! Clay just carries himself like such a professional. Strides toward the mic, shoulders back and back straight...preparing to slay every person within hearing distance! He looked over at David in the wings and gave him a smile and then he smiled again and bowed his head when someone yelled, "I love you, Clay!" The band was smiling during the whole song and just taking in the crowd reaction. As we know, Clay doesn't just sing words, he infuses them with meaning and emotion like nobody else can. From the moment he opened his mouth, he OWNED the crowd. Started soft, vulnerable, building slowly to the moment that makes you hold your breath as your heart almost beats out of your chest. The crowd was silent in anticipation and waited almost until the end of the glory note...and then OMG! The cheers that rang throughout Avery Fisher Hall were unbelievable. By the last note everyone in the sold out venue had sprung to their feet. I think that Clay must have won over every person in the house. The band even clapped! NEVER has Clay sung "Solitaire" like he did last night! High notes, lower register that just makes your insides quiver and the power in his body positioning, hand gestures and voice when he wails that final glory note...there just aren't words to describe it sufficiently. Of all the times Clay has performed "Solitaire", no night was more perfect or more special than last night's when Clay sang his heart out for Neil Sedaka and all of us. To have the video of this is such a gift! A true treasure. (my undying thanks to BigappleForClay for this) Neil gave Clay a standing ovation and apparently was again, very moved by Clay's outstanding rendition of one of his greatest songs (from what I've read; unfortunately I didn't turn to see Neil's reaction as he and his family were seated in one of the boxes on the other side of the venue.) How proud he must be of Clay for breathing such life and passion into this classic! We hoped that Clay would come back out for a duet but it was not to be. We walked over to the reception following the show at the Kaplan penthouse. I got to meet Connie Francis and Neil and Leba and had pictures taken with them. I will treasure those forever! Neil and Connie sound as good as ever and just made me feel like a young teen all over again. Ivana Trump looked gorgeous and it was fun to watch her make a beeline for Neil as he entered the room. I have to mention how beautiful and classy Natalie Cole wasthough she didn't make it to the reception, and Toni Tenille was stunning in a magnificent off the shoulder red dress. We weren't surprised that Clay didn't attend the reception. He would have surely stolen the show and that just isn't Clay's style. This was Neil's night and what a magical night it was! He sang so many of his great hits for us, such a treat! As we left the reception, with happy hearts (and very sore feet!) each of us was persented with a black bag and nestled in the tissue paper was a copy of Neil's brand new CD, "The Definitive Collection" (buy this, you won't regret it!!!) as well as 2 additional CDs and a DVD tied together with black ribbon with "Neil Sedaka * 50 Years of Hits" in white writing on it. The CDs were: "Neil Sedaka: the Show Goes On" and a classical CD (Neil was classically trained in piano at Julliard) titled, "Classically Neil Sedaka." The DVD is, "Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On Live at the Royal Albert Hall." I can't wait to watch and listen tomorrow. What lovely gifts! This night was worth every single penny paid for my VIP ticket. I will treasure it forever!

ETA to say that we even got a knee bend and a great move at the end of "Solitaire"!!!

Written By claysbuttercup99 at The Clayboard:

I wanted to come post and Clay was pure perfection last night!! I could see backstage the entire show and for much of the time before Clay came out, he was laughing and smiling. At once, the entire crowd was silent as whoever performed before Clay was about to start, and I could faintly hear Clay's voice laughing with David backstage. It was so great to see Clay interact and mouth the words to a lot of the songs. He was very respectful of all of the performers while he backstage - as always! He listened to everyone, and to fast songs, I saw him dance along just a bit! Clay, although sick, seemed to be in a great mood all night.

Before the show began, I was talking to a couple next to me. As it turns out, they are very close friends of Ruben's. We talked for quite some bit. They both used to be involved in show business - the woman had toured with broadway musicals and I am not sure what the man did (Just to mention, the man's brother is the American Idol attorney for all top 10 idols of every season - except for season 2, where he had to pick. The man told me his brother picked Ruben.. the wrong choice.) They, both, had never met Clay before and didn't know of him except of when he was on Idol. The woman was amazed of how many of the fans knew each other, as I told her about the Clay Nation, and asked to join for a night! We explained to her all about what he was up to with Spamalot and etc. She was very interested in hearing about everything....

As you know, he did not come to the reception. However, he was complete perfection during the performance. I was in first row on the right side when looking at the stage - and as Clay finished, I turned around and looked out. Everyone was standing. So many smiles, laughs of excitement, cheers - it was so great. His smile that he gave us in person was just amazing - he knew he perfected it in every aspect and he knew we were all hoping he would do just that. Although I though sitting infront of the speakers would not be so good, let me tell you, I heard every breath and every syllable and I can guarentee it was absolute perfection - I don't even mind that he did not come to reception.

FYI: At the reception, I talked to the couple yet again and they said they just LOVED Clay's performance. I knew, right then and there, Clay had done it again - stolen some more hearts!

Great reviews, don't you think? Thanks from CDD to all the Clack gatherers. The mp3's, videos, photos, and reviews are amazing. These photos and videos show that Clay's voice is even more amazing than ever before. He is a class act and has been from Day 1.

In case you are interested in downloading videos, here are some places you can find them:

• Clack Unlimited - MP3's and Videos from three different Clack gatherers
• YouTube - Video of David Foster's Introduction and Clay's Performance of Solitaire

NOTE: If you sign on at YouTube, you can rate the video. If you have not joined, you can subscribe that then rate the video.

Seven YouTube Honors Today, 10/28/07 (As of 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time):

#18 - Top Rated (Today)
#5 - Top Rated (Today) - Entertainment
#27 - Top Rated (This Week) - Entertainment
#61 - Most Discussed (Today)
#12 - Most Discussed (Today) - Entertainment
#9 - Top Favorites (Today)
#2 - Top Favorites (Today) - Entertainment



And here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment. Please do not post any of these pictures at the OFC.

Clay Impresses with "Solitaire" Performance at Neil Sedaka Concert

Clay got a standing ovation after his powerful performance of "Solitaire" last night at a special concert in New York City celebrating Neil Sedaka's 50th year in the music industry. The special event was held at the legendard Lincoln Center, with proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Other celebrities on hand included David Foster, Natalie Cole, Dion and Connie Francis.

We have a number of recaps to share with you. A higher quality MP3 cap is available for download at SendSpace.

First up, from the CH's dancermom2:

It's a cold and rainy night...there are streams in the streets and I had to wear high heels and nylons. So not fun. But for Clay?? For him I would do it!!! And it was so worth it!!!!!!!!

David Foster teased us. He started talking about this show on Fox called AI and how coming in 2nd sometimes doesn't mean you didn't win. The Clay fans in the audience went wild. Then he said oh... wait...I want to intro Kat McPhee....who missed her flight and is in the audience...I am producing her next album. Oh okay...back to the show...ond then he said...there are a Thousand Different ways to sing a song. I have to tell you that at those two points the screams commenced from those in the audience there for Clay. Then David says oh I messed up there is another act coming out...it was a Jazz trio called Bad. I like jazz...but at this point I was totally in the mindset that boyfriend was coming out and I was not in the mood to hear a jazz trio...I don't care how good they were....talk about sloooooow torture during their jazz number..I thought I was gonna die. So then out comes David again after they are done...and says this guy is an amazing singer...my sister Jaymes is here and works with him....and then THERE HE WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was wearing a light blue shirt...no tie. A black suit with thin white stripes. He looked sooooo good. Cheekbones...hair short. Only one place in his bangs I wanted to sort of brush it out a tad!

And sing...oh yes baby!!!!!! He sang. I think he was uncertain at first...but then after the first couple of lines he settled into the song and he soooo nailed it. Those low notes...that down just thrummmmmmed through me. He rang the rafters at Avery Fisher Hall when he hit the note. He was in total danger of overpowering the microphone. There was a knee bend....I think. The Clay fog kicked in when he took the stage. But oh to see him is to love him. To hear him is to thrum.

After he was done and he left the stage he high fived David. He didn't say a spoken word and he didn't come back afterwards at the end for a duet or for the finale but Natalie Cole and Dion didn't duet or come out for the finale either.

Clay got the first standing O that wasn't for Neil. Connie got the other. And it was not just us that stood and clapped. There was one I love you Clay yelled at the beginning of the song.

I felt young there...I didn't recognize a lot of the songs...but it was a fun night...even if I had to schlepp in the rain!! What I kept thinking was that I hope that Clay can have a celebration of 50 years of music like Neil did.

mustbeeme at CV who was there said she saw Jesse and Sean in the audience and Mary in the wings.

ETA: I didn't hear any broken or missed note....he did do a change up in there.....

From the CB's PinayRN4Clay:

First things first...

Can you spell gorgeous with a capital G?

Through my binoculars from the 2nd tier, I could see Clay's cheekbones, feathery bangs and gorgeous face. When he was introduced by David Foster, he walked from my left side of the wings to the my right side of the stage amidst a roar of cheers and screams. He tentatively smiled at the first strains of the song but then broke into a full smile and looked down when a fan yelled "I love you". Pinstripe suit, light shirt, no tie. Did I say gorgeous?

He sang the first stanza softly, but then as he glided from glorious high tenor to glorious low baritone, it seemed to pick up steam. Then he just belted it out of Avery Fisher Hall and through the rafters. How could this kid make me hold my breath and say a silent prayer that his voice stays on steady. As he nailed the glory notes of Solitaire, the crowd erupted in cheers and a good-size standing ovation from the audience. Clay got the other standing ovation aside from Connie Francis, and of course, Neil. Clay's was louder, I think, and there were fangirly screams that broke through, particularly from the lady next to me. Believe me, it's Not-Just-Us. Isn't it incredible that others get the privilege of hearing Clay pour his heart out in a song? Who is this Clay Aiken, they might ask? After tonight, they know that Neil's masterpiece certainly found a rightful voice. That's why I say, the screaming is Not-Just-Us. If not for my sore throat, I would have been louder but I do sound like a frog right now.

The night was rainy and gloomy but inside Avery Fisher Hall, the stars went out full force tonight. It was a thoroughly entertaining show. Of course, Neil was the brightest of them all. After years of genius talent, of course he was. But Clay, dear Clay was just like that rebellious young star who threatened to outshine them all.

At the first half of the show, Neil was seated on the balcony with his wife Leba, daughter, son and his family. It was a sell-out, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Sir John (funny how I thought of Sir Robin at that point) appeared on the wide screen as he was "stuck in Vegas". He sang snippets of Neil's songs. Great voice.

David Foster then came out and enthusiastically introduced his protegee, 18 y/o Renee Olstead. Brava for her smoky, marvelous and powerful bluesy jazz voice.

Cousin Brucie was alternately doing the intros with David Foster.

Captain and Tenille sang "Love Will Keep Us Together", and they revved up the audience and got us all clapping and swaying. Loud applause.

Dion was funny as he recounted when he, from the Bronx, met up with the Jewish wordsmith from Brooklyn. He regaled us with "Calendar Girl".

David Foster really played us. He started to talk about American idol, that "losing is sometimes winning", then as the excitement built up, he called on Katherine McPhee in the audience. I groaned inwardly because I wanted my Clay already!!! DF was like a maniac who ran from end to end as he talked more of how a special song can be sung a thousand different ways. As the audience applauded, he then called on this jazz trio called Bad Plus. Sorry, sorry, sorry, they're good but where is Clay?

And finally, the gorgeous man appeared and just stunned us into place with a masterful, amazing performance. High notes, low notes! Wow!!! image image image Solitaire just blew me away. It was raw and poignant, and just plain beautiful. I was holding my tears back. I'm just so proud of him.

After Solitaire, I think it was Cousin Brucie who got out shaking his head in amazement at the sustained ovation that Clay got. He asked, "What was that?"

I had learned earlier that the two ladies next to us were Claymates as I heard them chatting away about Clay. They told me that they met groups of Claymates scattered around the theater. It was nice to swoon together.

Natalie Cole sang really well. She got quite a reception too, but not an ovation.

Paul Schaffer, the musical director from Letterman entertained us with Sedaka bits.

Lou Christie sang a rollicking song.

Barry Manilow turned up on the screen with a message to Neil. A few screams from the audience. He said he recorded Solitaire. David Foster then said that somebody else also recorded the song which got the audience chuckling.

Connie Francis certainly impressed the audience with her "Where The Boys Are?" Her voice is distinctive and strong despite the years. Small, but a true diva who can still belt it out. Standing ovation, and deservedly so.

And now Neil comes out into the stage!!!! image He is a genius. A high-caliber musical talent who staged several comebacks in his lifetime. As per Cousin Brucie, Madonna is the female Neil Sedaka because of their abilities to reinvent themselves. Singer-songwriter extra-ordinaire.

Neil performed solo with some of his songs then had duets with Connie Francis and Captain and Tennille. Of all his songs, my most favorite is "The Hungry Years"- the song just grabs you by the heart. His new song "You" is a beautiful love song.