Might Clay Be Performing On Jimmy Kimmel Live After All?

Two more days until we get to see our beloved Clay and Jimmy united again on The Jimmy Kimmel Live Show. No telling what shennanigans they'll come up with to entertain us. But Clay has not been scheduled to sing on the show. Hmmm, or has that changed?

The following, which was posted at The Aiken Breakin' Broads site brought over from Clayversity, just may say otherwise:

Kitty4Clay is reporting at the CV:

It looks like Clay may be performing on Kimmel after all! My friend had Kate Nash tickets for the inside mini concert, and this morning she got an email saying that her tickets have been cancelled as Kate Nash has been cancelled. Her name is no longer on the Kimmel website! SOOOOOOOOOO.... who else do you think will be performing, hmmm... I wonder... Even though we didn't get inside tickets originally, we have found people who had extra due to cancellations, so we get to be in the audience.

From Quiana's myspace:

May 15 2008 12:00P
Check me out with Clay Aiken on Jimmy Kimmel

I especially love Quina's post that she will be at Kimmel along with Clay. And Jimmy Kimmel Live's Online site shows Friday as the ONLY day that does not mention a musical guest. It just says, "TV/radio host Ryan Seacrest, musician Clay Aiken".

Only 2 days till we find out! Let the speculating begin!!

Jan

Tidbits 3/26

• The Celebrity Cafe - Clay to release new album in the fall -

  “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken, to release his second original studio album, “On My Way Here.”
  
  Reuters reports that after starring in Broadway hit Spamalot, American Idol runner-up, Clay Aiken, will return with his first original studio album since his 2003 debut, Measure of a Man.
  
  Aiken’s album -- featuring all new material -- is scheduled for release on May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA. According to reports, On My Way Here will be produced by Kipper, a U.K. producer best known for his work on Sting's Brand New Day album.
  
  Aiken stated: On My Way Here will include "stuff that I'd imagine 90 percent of people have not heard."
  

• DigTriad.com - big names visit Greensboro Coliseum over the years - "The coliseum's hosted big names from Elvis Presley to Clay Aiken over the years."
• Daniel Island News - Quiana Parler article -

  On Friday, April 4th Quiana Parler and Friends featuring Dudley Birch will kick off the series at Children’s Park along the Wando River. This fantastic nine-piece band features male and female vocals with a three-piece horn section. A previous contestant on American Idol, Quiana has toured with Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, and has opened for a variety of well-known jazz and R&B artists.

• Blogcritics - American Idol commentary - "Fantasia and Clay Aiken had to go to Broadway to keep their careers afloat. Even Kelly Clarkson is giving every indication that her career may have already peaked (take note, Carrie Underwood)."
• Suburbarazzi - Kimberley Locke talks about Clay in interview ahead of AI appearance tonight -

  Why would a celebrity choose North Salem as a place to live and open a restaurant? What’s a downside to living with Clay Aiken? And what does it feel like to know you’ll be singing your new song on the “American Idol” stage during this week’s results show?

• Clay blogosphere is abuzz with excitement over the new CD:
• Anew and Afresh -

  It's hard to believe I'll have Clay Aiken's new CD, On My Way Here, in my hot little hands in only forty-one days. THIS is the album I've been waiting for, I think... original material, produced by a Grammy award winner (Kipper), and something that Clay himself seemingly had more control over, rather than music mandated by the record label, a leftover consequence of being on American Idol.

• Carolina On My Mind -

  The escalation of new video, photo, and media promotions for Clay Aiken's upcoming CD, On My Way Here, turned a normal spring day into Christmas morning on many fan message boards Tuesday, March 25.
  
  "On My Way Here" is definitely on its way!
  

Quiana Attends Spamalot In New York

Quiana Parler attended the Sunday screening of Spamalot in New York, and accompanied Clay out to the stage door to greet fans.

Clay returned the favor on Monday night when he attended "Just Move On", a tribute concert for the late Tammy Faye, put together by Sean McDaniel (member of Clay's band), Ben Cohen and Jeffrey Self. Quiana's performance at the show drew a standing ovation. A YouTube cap of Quiana's performance is posted below:

Clay at "Just Move On" - courtesy BroadwayWorld.com.

Tidbits 1/16

Clay gives some "Idol" advice to American Idol 7 contestants in a new AP interview available at Yahoo News.

2 DAYS TO SPAMALOT!

• Full Spamalot rundown for Jan. 16 -
  
• New York Daily News -

  Pop singer, how-to author and controversial Kelly Ripa mouth muffler, Clay Aiken now goes by another title - Broadway hatchling. He debuts Friday night as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot."
  
  Then again, this picture of Aiken in costume as the Round Table Knight in the merry musical spoof of the Aurthurian legend is bound to bring a more dubious nickname ... Chicken choker. David Hyde Pierce, who originated the role, was snapped simply holding a feathered bird.

• Page Six -

  Clay Aiken will be hitting the Broadway stage for the first time on January 18 when he begins his stint playing Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot. While Clay admitted to Newsweek that he wasn’t all that familiar with the show prior to signing on: "I thought Monty Python was a person until three months ago," he’s had a big change of heart since beginning rehearsals.

• Just Jared -

  Here is your first look at Clay Aiken as Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot, thanks to PageSix.com.
  
  “Clay is amazing, beyond that glorious voice,” said director Mike Nichols. “Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People are going to be surprised by his wide-ranging talent, since the first impression is of great country charm and a singer to remember. This guy is not only a star; he is a lot more. We’re lucky to get him for Spamalot!”
  
  Clay hits the Broadway stage for the first time this Friday, Jan. 18. Do you have your tickets yet??
  

• Lycos press release - search activity for "Clay Aiken" is up this week as Spamalot rolls around -

  The Lycos 50(TM: 99.26, -1.19, -1.18%) Top 10 Search Terms for the Week Ending Jan. 12, 2008:
  6) Clay Aiken

• Raleigh Independent Weekly reviews Quiana Parler in Dreamgirls -

  A great part of this performance's appeal lies in its casting. In her first stage role, Quiana Parler, a former American Idol contestant and backup singer to Raleigh's Clay Aiken, plays Effie White, the somewhat temperamental, powerhouse lead vocalist of the Dreams, a Supremes-like trio. Parler packs a whopping punch: Her rich, thunderous vocals are both smooth and strong, and ultimately soul-stirring. (There must be something about the song "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," for Effie was played on the big screen by another American Idol contestant, Jennifer Hudson.)

• A USA Today reader (and Claymate, by the looks of it) responded to a USA Today article that quotes Variety magazine editor Phil Gallo who criticized Clay as being too "quirky" -

  I was disappointed with USA TODAY's recent review of the newest season of American Idol (" 'American Idol' tries to get its groove back in upcoming seventh season," Cover story, News, Friday).
  
  USA TODAY quoted a ridiculous comment by Phil Gallo, music editor of Variety, who thinks singers like Clay Aiken are quirky. "Quirky" would hardly describe the magnificent talent of Aiken, who has impressive vocal range, style, personality and stage presence.
  
  It was runner-up Aiken who carried that second season of Idol and gave it huge ratings. People were amazed by Aiken's growth as a singer as the season went on. In my mind, Aiken is the standard by which all the rest are judged.
  

• IGN Music has an "American Idol Celebration" ... more or less links to the Idols' pages at IGN Music
  

• American Idol 7 kicks off -
  
• Hartford Courant -

  Clay Aiken
  
  Season 2’s second-place finisher, Aiken became a media sensation with his debut album, “Measure of a Man.” It opened at No. 1 after selling 613,000 copies, a number that hasn’t been topped by Underwood, Clarkson or Taylor Hicks. It went on to sell 2.8 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
  
  But Aiken has yet to release a proper second album. His 2004 “Merry Christmas With Love” put up solid numbers, having sold 1.4 million copies to date, but a 2006 album of covers, “A Thousand Different Ways,” received a much more indifferent reception. It opened high, selling more than 200,000 copies in the first week, but it stalled immediately. To date it has sold just 522,000 copies.
  
  Aiken will appear on Broadway in “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Over the last few months, he has hinted at a new album.
  

• E! Online is in need of a fact checker ... Clay and Ruben were season TWO -

  Hence, the much-anticipated Ruben Studdard-Clay Aiken showdown begat then-record numbers for season three

• New York Post -

  In its six seasons, Idol has made stars/award winners out of Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and others. Who'll it be this year? Or is who doesn't win the bigger appeal?

• Lo Hudson Journal News -

  Turns out, the meanest “Idol”-related content I faced yesterday was posted by fundamentalist Claymates who didn’t like where Clay Aiken was ranked on my list of the Top 20 “American Idol” Contestants of All Time. The irony is I like Clay Aiken, but while some of his fans agreed with my analysis, posted kind words or respectfully disagreed, others were a little… um… never mind. Let’s just say I fear for my safety.

• Trans World News -

  Of course there were some nice voices and over the coming weeks a few of those singers may develop into something more but weeding through the awful singers has become too much to watch. Would anybody actually expose themselves to what took place during the Philly auditions to find the next Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, Justin Guarini. Probably not.

• AOL TV Squad -

  DAY ONE
  I guess the Idol juggernaut still has some life in it, as Ryan told us this is the biggest crowd ever, but didn't give us a number. Maybe he was afraid of getting it wrong after what happened when he tried to tell us exactly how close the vote was between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken way back in Season Two.
  

• Something That Really Happened calls the AmericanIdol.com "great" with "interesting stuff"
• The ConCLAYve - 2008 shaping up to be a busy year in the Clay nation ... "Clay Aiken: Spamalot, Charity & CD - Oh My!"
• Taking A Moment - how to deal with rude interviewers...

  “Do you watch "Idol"?”
  
  Clay’s answer:
  
  “I haven't watched since season four. I compare it to high-school football--if it weren't for high school we wouldn't be successful, but I don't need to keep going to the football games.”
  
  OMG. OMG!!! Say it AINT SO!!! Clay, Clay, Clay. *tsk tsk tsk* What in the world am I going to do with you? You OBVIOUSLY haven't spent much time in Texas, have ya? And you obviously haven't spent any time at a Texas high school football game. Have you even WATCHED a SINGLE episode of "Friday Night Lights"????
  

Clay Talks About Quiana's "Dreamgirls" Role on WRAL

Clay appeared on WRAL's news today to talk about Quiana's new role on the Raleigh version of "Dreamgirls", which runs through January 20 at the N.C. Theater. A cap is up at ClackUnlimited.

(not sure if it was Clay or someone else had the idea of those [awlful] glasses)

Clay Praises Quiana in New Fanclub Blog

In a new blog today, Clay has some words of high praise for Quiana Parler in the role of Effie in the Raleigh production of Dreamgirls, currently being staged at the N.C. Theatre. Clay urges us to "get thee" to N.C. to see Quiana in this magnificent role ... and do it fast because "Dreamgirls" closes in Raleigh on January 20!

Clay says he can relate to Quiana as he is himself preparing to star on the Broadway version of "Spamalot". 5 more days to go, Claymates!

Tidbits 1/7

• News 14 Carolina interviews Quiana Parler ahead of her big debut this Friday on Raleigh's version of "Dreamgirls". An interview is available in which she talks about touring with Clay -

  The lead in the show, Quiana Parler, talked to anchor Tracey Early about her character and working with Clay Aiken. View the video for this interview.
  

• 2Snaps.tv - Jonas Brothers to launch sophomore disc with help from Clay Aiken producer -

  Produced by John Fields (Rooney, Clay Aiken), who also manned the boards for the Bros.' platinum-plus self-titled debut, much of the new record was recorded on a tour bus while the band was on the road opening for Miley Cyrus for the sold out Hanna Montana "Best of Both Worlds" tour.

• BBC America - "Idol 2" drama being replayed in Britain ... on the charts -

  X Factor's Leon Jackson and Rhydian Roberts are shaping up to be the UK's answer to American Idol's Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Likable winner with above-average talent beats campy vocal virtuoso but loses when it really matters - at the cash register.

• Carefair.com - Clay Aiken ... worst hair style? "The top three men on the male celebs worst hairstyle list were Kid Rock, Clay Aiken and Zac Efron."

• Taking A Moment gives us the Clay Aiken fan's "Golf Dictionary A-H"

  Albatross: “Spud got an albatross on that back nine dogleg.“ These are big white birds that like to fly around salmon boats and golf courses. It’s bad luck to hit one with a golf ball. This is why you hear golfers yelling “FOUR!!” That means somebody hit a whole slew of them, which means that golfer is pretty much screwed out of the big money that day, because it‘s a three stoke penalty for each one. An albatross is also a figure of speech that means a burden that people carry, such as hitting innocent albatrosses with golf balls. If Clay accidentally hit an albatross with a golf ball, or even a shotgun blast, it wouldn’t be his fault, though. The albatross probably had it coming.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay ready to make Broadway debut -

  Clay Aiken is heading to the Great White Way ... From "American Idol" to Eric Idle's "Spamalot" ... Clay Aiken has found his Holy Grail: musical theater ... Clay Aiken Gets Medieval ... From tour-a-lot to "Spamalot" ... American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken is tackling the boards on Broadway ... "Spamalot" Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Claymates ...
  
  Remember these clever leads from the October press releases announcing that Clay Aiken will join the hit Broadway show "Spamalot"? In rehearsals now, Clay will play Sir Robin Jan. 18 - May 4.

Tidbits 12/31

• LoveTripper - Clay brings joy to Mexican children's Christmas -

  Smiles were once again seen on the faces of little ones living in Chiapas and Tabasco, Mexico this holiday season, thanks to the combined efforts of UNICEF and platinum-selling perfomer Clay Aiken. Taking the trek with his mother and younger brother, the singer cherished his role as a south of the border Santa, delivering gifts to over 300 children in the flood-ravaged area. A UNICEF ambassador since 2004, his journey marked the fourth time that the American Idol runner up has traveled on behalf of the charitable organization, having ventured to Banda Ache, Uganda and Afghanistan in previous years.

• Los Angeles Times - Clay Aiken ready for "Spamalot" -

  Broadway is being "American Idol"-ized as Fantasia performs in "The Color Purple" and Clay Aiken prepares for his appearance in "Spamalot." And then there was the three-month, NBC-televised audition process known as "Grease: You're the One That I Want," which delivered the lead casting for the current Broadway revival of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's faux-'50s musical.
  

• Inside Bay Area Buzz - prediction for 2008 ... not really sure if this is good or bad; depends on your interpretation:

  Scandalous bad girls (i.e. Paris, Lindsay, Nicole) will be replaced by Hollywood bad boys. Zac Efron, the Jonas Brothers, Pete Wentz will all follow the king of all bad boys: Clay Aiken.

• Kinston Free Press - Kim Patrick to star with Quiana on Raleigh version of "Dreamgirls" -

  She will perform with Quiana Parler, a Charleston, S.C., native who has toured with Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson as a background vocalist and was featured in the Clay Aiken Christmas Show.
  

• Taking A Moment gives us the "GOOD CLAY FAN WORD OF THE DAY: votary" and some ideas for organizing our Clay collection -

  One day not long ago, I was doing some tidying up in one of my main backup auxiliary Clay shrines and decided to re-organize things. I have some pretty good stuff, if I do say so myself. But I had reservations on whether any of it was archived properly or protected to the fullest extent possible, or displayed to the best advantage. As a result of several days’ work and loss of many brain cells, I’d like to offer some practical tips on maintaining your clack collection.

• Clayigraphy - Chardonnay gives us a list of her favorite montages of 2007
  
• All That Is Clay Aiken - Clay Aiken & his different kind of Christmas
  
• UNICEF fundraising updates:
• Something That Really Happened
• Carolina On My Mind - fundraising close to 100%
• The ConCLAYve

Jesse Vargas' Christmas In The Heartland Tour Photos

Clay's musical conductor and pianist Jesse Vargas has posted some cute photos from the recent Christmas tour which wrapped up last week.

Clay Quotation in Raleigh N&O "Dreamgirls" Ad for Quiana

A quotation from Clay is featured prominently in an advertisement seen today in the Raleigh News & Observer for Quiana Parler's upcoming role in the Raleigh version of "Dreamgirls", set to take place at the Progress Energy Center between January 12 and 20.

Thanks to the CB's JoyfulClaymate for the scan!

Quiana To Star in Raleigh Version of "Dreamgirls"

As many of you have found out through the boards, Quiana Parler will star in a version of Dreamgirls when the hit Broadway arrives in Raleigh next year.

WRAL-FM mentioned Clay this morning in their discussion of Quiana's role in the play, reports the CB's ncsupack88:

My best bud from college called me yesterday during her drive home from work in the RDU (Raleigh-Durham for thos not in the know) area. She asked me if I knew about Dream Girls coming to Raleigh and I knew she was getting at Quiana starring in the Raleigh production. She's been to all of Clay's Raleigh concerts but I don't think she would've known who Quiana was unless Clay was mentioned. I didn't think to ask her how she knew about it but last night I figured there was some sort of radio ad for the musical. Well I just heard it on WRAL-FM and when I heard them mention Dream Girls my ears perked up b/c I was waiting to hear if Q was mentioned. Sure nuff she was and I think they played audio of the person in that role singing "And I'm Telling You" (not sure if it was Jennifer Hudson or somebody else who has performed in that role in local theaters). As the song is playing they say something like "starring Quiana Parler as Effie (White??? Can't remember last name) STRAIGHT OFF THE JOYFUL NOISE TOUR WITH CLAY AIKEN!

Tidbits 11/29

• Friday birthdays - Clay turns 29 tomorrow!
• Dallas News
• Winston Salem Journal - Relish Now
  
• USA Today Idol Chatter - weak start for Jordin Spark's debut CD, Clay continues to be first week sales champ -

  Jordin's 119,000 first-week sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan, which landed her at No. 10 on the Billboard album chart, are not only the lowest for an Idol winner, but total less than half of the previous low.
  
  Clay is the all-time first-week sales champ for an Idol debut album with 613,000 for Measure of a Man.

• Monster & Critics - American Idol loosing its "spark" -

  Runner ups Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry proved winning isn't everything - they all have reached levels of great success.
  
  Sparks has a stronger digital presence that is cannibalizing her album sales, this demonstrates how much technology has changed the music world since Kelly Clarkson began.

• Charlteston Post & Courier - Quiana Parler set to start in theatrical production -

  Quiana's dream
  
  Everyone who has ever seen her knows that Quiana Parler is great on stage. Remember "Serenade" at the Charleston Music Hall? She was, well, dreamy.
  
  Sure, she's a fabulous stand-up singer, but she's a natural in a theater role, too.
  
  North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh's premier professional regional theater, has scheduled Parler to play Effie White in its upcoming production of "Dreamgirls," set to run Jan. 12-20 in the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
  
  A Lowcountry native, Parler has toured with Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson as a background vocalist and was featured in the "Clay Aiken Christmas Show" last year.

• Pretoria News (South Africa) - South African Idol article ... weird how OTWOL is listed as Clay's:
  

  Jody gets Luther Vandross's soppy ballad, Dance With My Father, the powerful Ain't No Other Man by Christina Aguilera and, her choice, On The Wings of Love by Clay Aiken.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Grand Rapids Press
• Wilkes University - discount tickets available to Wilkes-Barre concert
• Grand Rapids Press - another article -

  Last December, Aiken joined the Grand Rapids Symphony for a sold-out show in DeVos Performance Hall. But the 2003 "American Idol" runner-up is touring with a new show.
  
  "It differs a little bit every year," Aiken said about his fourth holiday tour. "We have a tradition of involving people from the communities we visit in the show. The first tour, we used children from local orchestras, elementary schools, high schools.

• Kalamazoo Gazette
• Erie Times News - orchestra excited to work with Clay -

  Eric Borenstein, executive director of the Erie Phil, said the orchestra is excited about backing Smith on Sunday, as well as Clay Aiken for his holiday show on Dec. 16, also at Tullio Arena.

• Wilkes Barre Citizen's Voice
• Florida Sun Sentinel - Kimberley Locke article -

  This year's band includes contemporary jazz singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler, basketball pro-turned-bassist Wayman Tisdale and American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke. Koz tapped Locke, the Season 2 runner-up to Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, to sing Please Come Home for Christmas on the Memories album.

• Chexxy's Place - Clay kicks off Christmas tour. Setlist includes the "Welcome to our World", above.
• The ConCLAYve -

  Last night was Clay's first tour stop in Wichita, Kansas. For a man who has done everything in the last four years to make each of his Christmas tours different from the last, I had no idea what to expect. One year, it was Clay and his three backup singers, with little children reading passages from the Nativity story. The next, Clay decided to write a play, using actors, dancers and local choirs and, instead of using any of the witty banter for which he has become known, Clay "spoke" his part entirely in song. Last year, he was a solo act with orchestra, and drew reviews that praised his comic skills just as much as his singing.
  

• Carolina On My Mind - press applauds Clay's holiday tour

Tidbits 11/9

People Magazine has posted a picture of Sasha Cohen giving Clay some skating tips. This was probably taken in Las Vegas before Tuesday's "Holiday Celebrations on Ice" taping.

• Quiana Parler will be staring on a Broadway adaptation of "Dreamgirls" in 2008, as she revealed on her MySpace page.
  
• Search Engine Land - Facebook, "more popular than sex", debuts on Lycos 50, joining the likes of Clay Aiken -

  So where's the rivalry with sex? OK, actually sexual terms are omitted from the Lycos 50. I was just getting your attention! Then again, Clay Aiken (position 11) and Paris Hilton (position 12) are considered sexy (by some), right? So Facebook could gain on them.

• Long Island Business News - reference to a 2003 Wachovia Bank event Clay attended -

  By contrast, Wachovia entered the New York market in 2003 by holding a press conference to celebrate the opening of two Manhattan branches. On hand for the big moment were Mayor Mike Bloomberg and American Idol star Clay Aiken.
  
  “Clay Aiken?” Loomis asked.

• Arizona Republic - Jordin Sparks to release debut album on November 20 -

  The company, part of British entertainment wizard Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, has the marketing power to get Idol alumni like Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken on the radio. But if an artist doesn't have a clear artistic vision, his or her identity can get lost in the Idol machinery.
  

• ABC News - small Clay mention at bottom of a Ryan Seacrest article.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay dazzles with "Holiday Celebrations" performances
• ClayKat - "Christmas story" submission in the bag... bring on the Clay Aiken Christmas season!
  

Clay Attends Fundraiser at N.C. Theatre

Clay attended a fundraiser for the N.C. Theatre Monday night in Raleigh, according to cesperry at the Clackhouse. Quiana Parler was a featured performer at the event.

I got an email from a friend of mine in Raleigh who met Clay last night. She went to an event at NC Theater. It was a fund raiser called Dinner on Stage.

Quiana was there performing. She sang three songs and brought the house down. Clay introduced her. He talked about how he met her during the AI auditions. My friend sent me a VERY blurry picture. She told Clay she has a friend near Fayetteville who will just die when she sees a picture of her with him. He said "Well we don't want her to DIE!!" He's such a sweety. He doesn't want me to die. She isn't really a fan of his. I'm glad she got to meet him. I don't know what she expected, but she said he was just a sweet southern kid.

He didn't seem at all like some big celebrity who you couldn't get close to. She said he was very nice. She said he stayed and mingled after the event and seemed to have a nice time.

Clay's Touring Gang - New Photo

Over the past few "post-tour" weeks, a steady stream of photos of Clay with his tour gang have been popping up.

Here's another one from Jesse Vargas' MySpace:

From left to right: Jesse, Jamie, Quiana, Jerome, Sean, Angela, Clay

Quiana Dishes Out Idol Advice

The Charleston Post Courier interviewed Quiana Parler recently for some tips for American Idol wannabes:

So you want to be the next Jordin Sparks.

No problem.

But first, a few words from former "American Idol" contestant Quiana Parler: "Be yourself. Relax."

Parler, a Charleston resident, competed during the show's second season, advancing to Hollywood before she was cut. So, please, lend her your ear.

Still, no matter the outcome, Parler suggests that contestants make the most of their experience. She did, forming a friendship with Clay Aiken, another "Idol" contestant, whom she since has toured with as a background singer.

Tidbits 5/17

"The way you have our tour on your calendar, it looks like you are doing me on those dates! This is a family show! Watch yourself!!"

-Clay's comment on Quiana's MySpace page... gotta love the man's humor!

• A few Clay mentions in reactions to last night's AI6 shocker which saw Melinda Doolittle eliminated:
• The View - Clay was mentioned on ABC's The View this morning where the discussion was about how Idol runner-ups can find success, like Clay Aiken. Download the cap @ SendSpace.
  
• Tulsa World - " This isn't a eulogy for her career, of course. It's just the beginning -- just ask Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken."
  
• Blogcritics -

  I suppose I can look at this in a positive manner. Melinda won't be forced to sing the inevitably crappy finale song and produce the inevitably bland debut album. She'll still be tied to the soul-sucking Idol machine, but not as much if she had won. And many non-winners have done rather well. I'd say that Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, and Clay Aiken aren't complaining about their lives, and not even Elliott Yamin, who came in third place last year.

• LiveDaily -

  Judge Paula Abdul added, "You already have made it," which could certainly be the case, judging by the success of former "American Idol" viewer-rejects like Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.

• Blogger News Network -

  There were several contestants that were nearly equal but I saw one that clearly stood out from the rest, namely Melinda Doolittle. I enjoy her music and will place her first album in my library on the shelf next to Clay Aiken’s.

• Sun Herald -

  I won't say America was robbed (like I would've said about Ruben Studdard beating out Kimberly Locke to be in the top two with Clay Aiken or like America was robbed when Elliott Yamin went home instead of Taylor Hicks last season) by sending home Tennessee native Melinda Doolittle, but it was a stunner.

• Eye on Gambling
• AOL News Bloggers with some American Idol related commentary -

  But the more startling changes happen season-to-season. We all remember Clay Aiken emerging from behind at last year's finale, looking like k.d. lang, to greet his desperate doppelganger, Michael Sandecki (aka Clay Faiken), while both sang "Don't Let The Sun Shine Down On Me." Sandecki became crazed. I wasn't sure if he was going to kiss Clay - or try to stab him. It was a terrifying "Single White Idol" moment. Luckily the robotic Ryan efficiently straitjacketed Sandecki and Clay was safe. (While being carted off afterward, Sandecki was heard pining, "I've always depended on the kindness of Seacrest.")
  
  But Clay's transformation has been eclipsed by two others this year: Kellie Pickler's astonishing new jugs. And Elliott Yamin's new teeth, aka The White Cliffs of Dover.

• MLive - uh... American Idol cologne? "Clay Aiken is now asking himself, why did I go through all that nonsense when I could have just worn this fragrance?"
  
• Akron Beacon Journal - Clive Davis preventing Idol alums from achieving success? "Clive Davis, is exactly the kind of bland try-to-please-everybody pablum that has stalled the momentum of a few AI contestants (Clay Aiken's cover album, anyone?). "
  
• Mentions of the summer tour -
• Jewish Exponent - "Other stars of note include jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame; Motown star Smokey Robinson; Lyle Lovett; and a 1960s band revue."
• Atlanta Daily World -

  Although the future of Clay Aiken, the American Idol runner-up on was extremely unpredictable, he surprised skeptics and burst onto the music scene with transcendently powerful voice. An unlikely pop star, Aiken has remained steadfast in his desire to remain true to the simple values he learned as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina. His authenticity matched by an unconventional sincerity has earned Aiken millions of fans. With a rigorous 20-city tour on the books for this summer, get ready Clay-Mates, Aiken's show at Classic Chastain with the award-winning ASO is going to be a big one!

• LA City Beat
• The HUB - AI5 contestant Elliott Yamin following in the footsteps of previous runner-ups: "Yamin, who just released a self-titled debut CD and is launching a 25-city headlining tour this week, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Bo Bice, who all have parlayed finishes in at least the top six into successful record deals."
• Hits Daily Double reports there are some changes going on at RCA:

  Richard Sanders has been named head of Global Marketing for Sony BMG Music Entertainment by CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, to whom he'll report while based in New York.
  ...
  As head of global marketing for the company, Sanders will work closely with all of the company's labels and divisions to create and implement fully integrated global marketing and release strategies for the company's artists and projects. He will also oversee the company's global marketing staff and collect frequent flier miles he'll trade in for magazine subscriptions.
  ...
  Sanders was most recently EVP/GM for RCA Records since 2001, helping to build and enhance the careers of such artists as The Dave Matthews Band, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, The Strokes and Kelly Clarkson, as well as the American Idol franchise.
  
  Sanders' roots in the music business include selling T-shirts on the road for Aerosmith and Ted Nugent, and subsequently worked in tour accounting and road management. After leaving the road he founded Loud and Proud Management and his own publishing company, Shohola Music. He will now go back to selling T-shirts on the road, this time for Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.
  

• Nothing here today