Clay Surprises on Last Night's Idol Finale

CDD VIDEO: Clay sings with wannabe on Idol finale.
Clay surprised everyone last night on the finale of American Idol. Sporting a tux and a new hair-doo, Clay sang a 'duet' of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me with Clay impersonator Micahel Sandecki from earlier this year's AI auditions.

Sandecki was invited to the show by producers as part of the show's Golden Idol Awards spoof which saw awards given to idol-rejects as well as relatives of the top 12. During the duet, Sandecki was visibly excited by Clay's appearance. This article from Reality TV Calendar says "Michael just about passed out." He yelled "Oh My God" as Ryan Seacreast tried to seat him and let Clay finish the rest of the song.

Even better, the audience reception was fantastic! Clay gleamed as he snuck out from behind the giant screen as fans screamed. An estimated 200 million viewers saw Clay perform. This is despite the fact during the 2 minute segment, Clay's name was NEVER MENTIONED once! WOW! Judge Paula Abdul was also seen dancing and clapping for Clay.

According to preliminary Nielsen data and this AP article, this finale did not eclipse the viewership of the AI2 finale.

Video of Clay singing Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is now up on Measure of a Fan. An MP3 file is available here.

And here's a recap of all the media coverage Clay has received today as a result of this appearance. Also go through our Tidbits post today... lots of great mentions there. And... check out our TV coverage on this post.

• USA Today wants to know which Idol performance last night was the best. Clay is currently leading. (scroll down to the middle of the page)
• People wants to know via its Celebrity Makeovers poll whether you like the new look or not. Voters seem to be split right. 49% like it, 51% 'hate it'.
• Wireimages has some nice, albeit small, shots of Clay from last night.
• Clay is the 4th hottest search term today on Netscape.
• On Ryan Seacrest's LA radio show, he says even he (the idol host) was surprised when Clay came out.
• Star 94 Atlanta's Vicki Locke admits she isn't a Clayfan but still "loves his new look" and thought the Clay moment was the best part of the finale.
• Yahoo News has some nice photos. If you have a Yahoo account, you can log on and vote on the picture. Yahoo also said this in an AI article: "Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken made a victorious return to the "Idol" stage, sporting a new look that helped him pull in more buzz than last year's champ Carrie Underwood."
• CNN.com commented on Clay's "slick new look"
• Clay's MOAM ranking on Amazon.com shot up from 3,000 to 34 this morning! WOW!
• Clay was the most searched for term on E! Online's website.2nd was Carrie Underwood, 3rd - Simon Cowell, 4th- Prince, 5th- Ruben Studdard, 6th- Fantasia.
• MSNBC says last night's Clay appearance was a finale 'highlight' "Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken making an appearance. See that, Kelly Clarkson! Some people aren't afraid to remind people where they came from."
• Clay's Official Fanclub issued an e-mail and statement last night at the last minute confirming Clay's Idol appearance. They said it was "something you don't want to miss"
• AmericanIdol.com...Best moment from AI finale? Clay is winning by a large margin, but still, VOTE!
• Awesome commentary on the new hair from the broads! LBFCA.
• According to FOX's Houston affiliate, who broadcasted live from last night's finale: the reaction from the 33 press members within the Kodak last night was that Clay stole the night with his appearance.
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Behind The Scenes At Idol With Clay Tomorrow on The Insider

CDD has learned that The Insider will broadcast behind the scenes footage from today's AI rehearsals on its show tomorrow (Thursday).

The Insider showed a brief video clip of Clay backstage at the Kodak sporting a yellow-shite striped t-shirt and his killer glasses.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible, The Insider

American Idol Update... CLAY PERFOMING IN LESS THAN 3 HOURS

CLAY WILL BE ON AMERICAN IDOL'S SEASON FINALE TONIGHT... 8 PM EDT FOX/CTV.

We still don't know what Clay will do on tonight's American Idol finale. But from what we know, he will be performing tonight. But here's a wrap up of the days events thus far:

• Check out this list of rumoured performances from an AmericanIdol.com's forums:>

  Tamrya hosting Taylor's or Katharine's viewing party
  > Katharine, Taylor, Elliott, Chris, Paris, Kellie, Ace, Bucky, Mandisa, Lisa, Kevin, and Melissa performing a medley
  > Katharine, Paris, Kellie, Mandisa, Lisa, and Melissa performing girl-power themed songs medley (including "I'm Every Woman", "Natural Woman", and "I Feel Like A Woman"
  > Katharine and Meatloaf performing "It's All Coming Back To Me Now"
  > Taylor and Sheryl Crow performing "Picture"
  > Elliott and Mary J. Blige performing "For All We Know"
  > Chris and Live performing "Mystery"
  > Paris and Al Jurreau performing
  > Ace and Melissa performing
  > Bucky and Burt Bacharach performing "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head"
  > Kevin and Burt Bacharach performing "What's New Pussycat?"
  > Carrie Underwood performing "Don't Forget To Remember Me"
  > Justin Guarini performing
  > Clay Aiken performing
  > Bo Bice performing
  > Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach performing "That's What Friends Are For"
  > Carrie, Katharine, Taylor, and Burt Bacharach performing "We Made It Through The Rain"
  > Katharine and Taylor performing "Time Of Your Life" from "Dirty Dancing"

• On today's The Insider, Taylor Hicks from AI5 said they have something special with Clay tonight. This was said on the show's website: ""Invisible" man CLAY AIKEN will also be in the house and last night's two-time Academy of Country Music Awards winner, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, will pass the crown to the new winner." Here's a transcript courtesy the CH's Claymaniac. This show will air in most markets after the supper hour, so set your VCR!

  correspondent: "But the big buzz is, Clay Aiken may perform right here tonight."
  
  (Emmy red carpet, Invisible video clips)
  
  correspondent asks Zero Trio:
  
  Paula bites nails, Randy says "I don't know, Simon? then (still Randy) "He might be performing."
  
  Simon: "Oh Gosh I hope he is, otherwise I'm not going to sleep."
  
  Then they ask Taylor. He says, "There's going to be some really cool surprises." "Just say there's going to be one big surprise."
  
  correspondent: "duet with Clay Aiken?"
  
  Taylor: "possibly"

• There are RUMOURS... we stress, RUMOURS that Clay will sing a duet with Carrie Underwood. According to the buzz (again... RUMOUR) on the boards, there is a chance that this song may be released as a charity single for UNICEF.
• CNN's main network says Clay will be on the finale.
• Several Toronto radio stations are reporting that Sheryl Crow and Prince are scheduled for the finale. RUMOUR.
• Good Day LA on FOX's Los Angeles affiliate again said Clay would be on the finale PERFORMING.
• FOX Kansas City said Taylor Hicks may be AI's biggest star "except perhaps for CLAY AIKEN."
  
• Access Hollywood confirmed that Clay would be performing
• Miami Herald: "an appearance by season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken"
• Entertainment Tonight has once again confirmed the appearance on its website: "Tune in tonight for the two-hour finale, beginning at 8 p.m. on FOX, to find out. CARRIE UNDERWOOD will be on hand to sing and to crown the new "American Idol," as will season two runner-up CLAY AIKEN. Another special finale will be a duet between MEAT LOAF and Katharine."
• Eurweb confirms the story.
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Tidbits 5/24

Again, lots of Amerian Idol stuff. Mostly positive though! WOOHOO!

• MSNBC: Katherine and Taylor "weren't as odd a finals pairing as Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken" but are close to being that. Here's the same article (wire story) on CNN.
  
• iVillage: you can never predict idol... "Look at the Clay and Ruben scenario. Simon said Clay had it in the bag, but it was Ruben who won."
• Reality TV News Magazine compares similarities between Taylor and Clay:

  However, looks can often be deceiving. When a nerdy looking guy named Clay Aiken auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia, there probably weren't many that imagined he would eventually finish second in the competition (and go on to have the most successful career of any of the competitors that season). Even though vocally the two singers sound nothing alike, there is one large similarity between Taylor Hicks and Clay Aiken. Both Taylor Hicks and Clay Aiken have extremely loyal and supportive fan bases. There is something about seeing a singer that probably wouldn't have a chance otherwise make it on American Idol that can build a strong level of support among fans. How many executives would have given a geeky looking Clay Aiken or a gray haired Taylor Hicks the time of day?

• BAF promo and design agency, Anoroc wins award. PR mentions Clay being a client.
• New Orleans Time Picayune: "Tonight, one gets the "Idol" title, while the other has a shot at a Clay Aiken-style runner-up fame."
• Orange County Register: Idol by the numbers: "4 million: combined copies of "Measure of a Man" and "Merry Christmas With Love" sold by season two runner-up Clay Aiken."
• Weird.. South Coast Today- will Kat/Taylor "become a late-night comic's punch-line (Clay Aiken)."
• Toronto Sun: "Both McPhee and Hicks are already signed to record deals, and previous contestant Clay Aiken has proven that it's possible for a runner-up to eclipse the career of a winner (in his case, season two's Ruben Studdard.)"
• The Dallas F-W Star Telegram has a nice article, and a nice photo of Clay (see the top of this post). "You're an Idol fan if ... You hear the word freckles and think of Clay Aiken."
• LA Press Telegram... it's not about winning: "Studdard was actually overshadowed by runner-up Clay Aiken, who has sold 4 million records so far."
• Charleston City Paper: nice little article about Quiana (Clay's back-up singer)
• Blogcritics... worst finale performance show ever. mentions the fact Clay never and should've gotten Simon's stamp of approval, "After all, poor Clay Aiken didn't get that, and that could've kept him from his rightful win over Ruben - who?"
• Media Life Mag: Taylor Hicks has a Clay Aiken vibe.
• News-Press: "A lot of people think Taylor is running away with it. People thought the same thing about Clay (Aiken, season two's runner-up)."
• MediaFiends: best AI vocalists... several good Clay mentions.
• FoxesOnIdol: Taylor should not win... several, small Clay mentions.
• Clay moves up 3 spots to #36 on the Lycos50. They call him the AI "Finale singer"
• Entertainment Weekly poll: Best runner up... Clay or Bo? VOTE! You have to click through CONTINUE several times. (see picture below)
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

CLAY AND CARRIE... YOUR AMERICAN IDOLS

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

In This Mayhem...

...Please consider this comment posted by one of our lovely visitors. I couldn't have said it better.

"CLAY SINGING ON AI THIS
WEDNESDAY IS THE BEST NEWS
SINCE WHITE BREAD WAS INVENTED."

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Tidbits 5/23

The past 48 hours have been crazy around here, as you can imagine. This is the reason I love and hate May at the same time! LOL. So pardon us for the mess in this tidbits post. But don't skip it. There are TONS of fantastic mentions!

• In case any of you are wondering where J4Clay is... she is having surgery and will be back soon. Please leave a message for her by posting a comment. I'll make sure it gets to her.
  
• Minn. Star-Tribune mentions the fact Clay has been working with producer John Fields. We reported this last month.... "Clay Aiken (runner-up): Career-wise the real winner, he's working on an CD with former Twin Cities producer John Fields."
• Entrepreneur.com: The business of Idol. Mentions Clay being made a 'superstar'
• Juicee News Daily: some nice Clay mentions in this general overview of American Idol history.
• Cincinnati Post: Where are the idols now. 'Clay Aiken, who lost out to Studdard, has invited comparisons to Barry Manilow thanks to his theatrical style and loyal fans, known as Claymates. Aiken, 27, sold nearly 4 million copies, combined, of his records "Measure of a Man" and "Merry Christmas with Love."'
• Awesome, yet ironic comment from the Dallas Morning News. " [Katherine McPhee]'s hot, and there has never been a hot American Idol winner. (Clay Aiken maybe?) The producers must be as surprised as anyone."
• Grand Rapids Press: "Clay Aiken did really well for himself, and he didn't win," says Katherine McPhee.
• USA Today: Big difference between winning and coming 2nd "except for Clay Aiken, second to Ruben Studdard in 2003, winners' recordings handily outsell those of runners-up, though the franchise is robust across the board, with sales of solo and compilation albums exceeding 33 million copies globally."
• Sentinel & Enterprise: "Pop singer Clay Aiken, who finished second in the show's second season, has had a lucrative career without winning"
• ABC News questions whether this year's "No. 2 [will] go platinum like Clay Aiken or will he or she fall victim to the Justin Guarini curse?"
• Chicago Tribune... article about an Idolholic who 'voted to bring Clay back'
• Louisville Courier-Journal: Idol fan says McPhee reminds her of a "female Clay Aiken"
• Detriot Free Press: It's idol election night! "Idol has trumpeted close votes in the past. In 2003, it revealed that Ruben Studdard's margin of victory over Clay Aiken was roughly 134,000 votes out of 24 million cast."
• Here's another one similar to the Det. FP's from the Ohio.com.
  
• Cincinnati Enquirer: "Idol has made instant stars out of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken."
• Fort Wayne Journal Gazette columnist says he isn't a Clay fan.
• Arizona Republic: "Taylor is in such a different league than Katharine, in fact, I would be surprised if she gets offered a record deal from Clive Davis, a la runners-up Diana DeGarmo, Bo Bice and Clay Aiken."
• Seattle Post Intelligencer: "America gave Clay Aiken a career because he embodies the dark-horse surprise. (What tiny white guy doesn't want to lay claim to a mighty box of soul inside?)"
• Kansas City Star... this is EXCELLENT. They also have a GMA photo on their site:

  That's in contrast to seasons one through three, which presaged future greatness from Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and others. No one who heard Clarkson's soulicious version of "Respect," or Aiken belting out the high note of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," or Fantasia Barrino's sultry "Summertime" could argue that they were watching remarkable voices in the making. Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee have shown promise all season long but have not approached the heights of past "Idol" greats.

• Philidelphia Inquirer: "you can never tell with Idol. Ruben Studdard trailed Clay Aiken right up until the final tally. In the end, we get the idol we deserve."
• Daytona Beach News Journal: "Ruben who? Clay Aiken might have come in second to Ruben Studdard, but he bested his "Idol" competitor in album sales. Aside from Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, Aiken has had the most commercial success."
• Desert News: "Of the nonwinnerss, Clay Aiken was hot."
• NJ.com highlights the fact AI has so many southerners.
• St. Petersburg Times: "I often pictured a preshow rah-rah session for [Elliott] Yamin, summoning up the spirit of beloved second-placer Clay Aiken. Let's keep this guy! He's getting the Claymate vote!"
• MTV: Idol now has broad appeal. "Those 18 to 49 males that didn't have time for Clay [Aiken] or Diana [DeGarmo] may have gotten interested in Bo [Bice], and this year, there are several contestants like Taylor [Hicks] and Chris [Daughtry] who push the line even further into that territory."
• Slate: Idol is HUGE! Clay's 3 million CDs.
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Calling Everyone Who Has a Cellphone... The Insider's TEXT Messaging Poll

If you have a text message enable cellphone, listen up!

Infotainment show The Insider (which confirmed Clay's AI appearance yesterday) wants to know who your favourite American Idol is.

To vote for Clay, send a text message to 55888 making sure the first word in the text message is 'IN' (this directs the message to The Insider) followed by your name, address and reason Clay is the BEST American Idol. Regular text messaging fees apply.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Heads Up: Clay on ET, Insider Tonight

After today's formal confirmation of Clay's scheduled appearance for tomorrow's American Idol finale, both Entertainment Tonight and The Insider will have a top story on Clay's return to American Idol.

According to ET teasers airing today across the nation, ET will tell you "What you don't know about Clay's secret Idol comeback" on tonight's show.

Although ET and The Insider normally come on after the supper hour news, please check your local listings. You might also want to keep an eye on CNN Headline News' Showbiz Tonight and the E! News channel (the one that started all the pandemonium yesterday :) ).

Kind of offtopic, but then again not... here's a transcript of yesterday's ET which also had a headline story on Clay. We posted a cool graphic from that show here.

But not every "Idol" runner-up has shared Guarini's fate. At least one of them - Clay Aiken, 27, second-place finisher in the second "American Idol" in May 2003 - has eclipsed that year's winner, Ruben Studdard, 27, in CD sales and concert receipts.

In fact, Aiken is second only to Clarkson in overall success since appearing on "American Idol." While she leads him in CD sales, Aiken tops Clarkson in concert-ticket receipts - $28 million to $25 million.

Music-industry experts note that recording stars earn more money from concerts than from CDs. That has been especially true of Aiken and Clarkson, experts say, since they are the only two "Idol" stars to emerge so far as bona-fide concert headliners

Aiken tops Clarkson in concert-ticket receipts - $28 million to $25 million.

Music-industry experts note that recording stars earn more money from concerts than from CDs. That has been especially true of Aiken and Clarkson, experts say, since they are the only two "Idol" stars to emerge so far as bona-fide concert headliners.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Clay The Headline Story on Yesterday's CNN Showbiz Tonight

Yesterday's American Idol appearance confusion landed Clay on CNN Showbiz Tonight's top story yesterday! The show lavished Clay and his success talking about his tremendous concert and CD sales and even highlighted the fact that Clay is Idol's bestselling concert artist even beating Kelly Clarkson. Adriana Costa, CNN's reporter, said: "and come on, the red hair doesn't hurt--he is just adorable!" Even more, CNN mentioned the fact that Bo Bice hasn't come near to Clay's runner-up success. WOW!

Also, Clay's success was the topic of discussion on Neil Cavuto's FOX News Channel Show. Here's a recap from the CDD's Clayscience21:

It was an interview with a writer from Rolling Stone magazine. It was a very nice presentation of Clay's album sales and concert sales. Some comments about how the non-winners also have careers. Diana and Bo's CD / Concert sales were also shown and presented in a positive way. The writer mentioned that calls to Justin Guarini's management gave them the option to ask about cruise ship bookings (which was taken as not a good thing). The writer predicted that Taylor would win. He did make the comment about Taylor possibly being a hipper Clay Aiken. Other than that, the piece was very positive for Clay.

I did tape it. I hope someone Tivoed it because it takes a while to transfer from analog VCR tape to digital form.

ETA: The writer also suggested that Clay's great album and concert sales indicated that he really should have won the show.

ETAA: Geekette at CH says that she capped this, so eventually it should be available.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

FOX Confirms: Clay to Perform Together With Underwood on Idol Finale

Is that Clay on the right? This picture was captured hours ago by Q100 FM's Kodak Theatre webcamera. The LA radio station has been broadcasting from the Kodak all day.

After yesterday's drama on the infotainment shows on a rumor that Clay will be on the finale of American Idol, marking his first return to the show in over 2 years, FOX has finally ended the mayhem by telling AOL TV this: "Last year's 'Idol' winner Carrie Underwood and 2003's runner-up Clay Aiken are also scheduled to perform on Wednesday."

This was also confirmed by ET's website and Good Day LA today. ET says:

Then on Wednesday night, CARRIE UNDERWOOD will be on hand to sing and to crown the new "American Idol," as will season two runner-up CLAY AIKEN. Another special finale will be a duet between MEATLOAF and Katharine.

Even better, yesterday's drama made some of the best PR I have seen in years... PR that no amount of money can buy. ET, The Insider and WRAL reported that Clay would appear while E! said it was untrue. This gave way to CNN's 11:30 PM infotainment show Showbiz Tonight which featured Clay as its headline story.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible

Confusion Takes Reign

FOUR SHOWS... ONE PRODUCER... TWO STORIES. Confused Yet?

Today's news that Clay might appear on the American Idol finale has sent shockwaves not only through the Clay nation, but also through the mainstream media. As one Clayboarder put it: "Funny, the AI5 buzz is about Clay." Here's a wrap-up of the day's event:

• 7:00 AM EDT: WRAL-FM Raleigh reports that Clay is rumoured to be on AI this Wednesday.
• 2:15 PM EDT: Entertainment Tonight posts a story on its website which says: "CLAY AIKEN and CARRIE UNDERWOOD will be on hand for the crowning moment!"
• 4:34 PM EDT: The Insider is shown in select markets in the East Coast. They announced (these exact words): "We just confirmed the former Idol runner-up will make an appearance on Wednesday's show." Interview with producer Ken Warwick.
  
• 7:07 PM EDT: E! News says the Clay on Idol rumor is untrue. Another interview with producer Ken Warwick.
• 7:42 PM EDT: On the east coast broadcast of Entertainment Tonight, the reporter says that Clay is "rumoured" to appear on American Idol Wednesday.
• 11:30 PM EDT: Clay is the lead story on CNN's Showbiz Tonight. The odd thing is that they don't even mention this appearance and instead lavish him with praises.
  

Also consider:

• Some tabloid sites have been reporting this story.
• MSNBC reportedly said Clay WOULD BE ON Idol in an article this morning.
• The media outlets are being very selective about the use of the words "rumor" or "confirmed" and "appearance" or "performance."
• Ken Warwick seems to be contridicting himself. (see above Insider and E!)
• There has also been reports that Bo Bice accepted, then turned away, then re-accepted an invitation to AI. We're unsure whether this has been a factor in this strange story today.
  

So as you can see, a LOT of confusion. Either way, the buzz for Clay's CD is out there. ET even showed a nice graphic comparing Clay's sales to the rest of the idols (3.9 millions CDs sold, over $27 million in concert ticket sales).

We're in for a tight ride Claymates... hold on!

Update 5/23 5:05 PM: CLAY WILL BE ON AMERICAN IDOL TOMORROW, SINGING A DUET WITH CARRIE UNDERWOOD. CONFIRMED BY AOL, ET, FOX, INSIDER. More info.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible, ET, The Insider, E! News, WRAL

Invisible Receives Gold Certification

Invisible has been given the gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America for digital downloads. Their database now contains the following record:

AIKEN, CLAY INVISIBLE 03/31/06 RCA GOLD SINGLE SOLO Dig

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible, RIAA

Tidbits 5/22

• MTV: Idols' producers purposely conceal voting results... Nigel Lythgoe says: "If you knew, for instance, that Clay Aiken was so far ahead every week, it would be a waste of time watching."
• Press release: 11% of AI fans have a Clay CD.
• Appleton Post-Crescent: Idol article... mentions NC already has 2 idols (Clay/Fantasia)
• NJ.com: Great article about last week's news that the BAF will publish a book. (nothing new... just a new article)
• Sun Sentinel article. Katherine McPhee says she won't mind coming in 2nd... "look at Clay Aiken!" she says. (this article has been seen elsewhere under different titles)
• New York Post: Idols... where are they now article. Fantastic Clay mentions:

  But not every "Idol" runner-up has shared Guarini's fate. At least one of them - Clay Aiken, 27, second-place finisher in the second "American Idol" in May 2003 - has eclipsed that year's winner, Ruben Studdard, 27, in CD sales and concert receipts.
  
  In fact, Aiken is second only to Clarkson in overall success since appearing on "American Idol." While she leads him in CD sales, Aiken tops Clarkson in concert-ticket receipts - $28 million to $25 million.
  
  Music-industry experts note that recording stars earn more money from concerts than from CDs. That has been especially true of Aiken and Clarkson, experts say, since they are the only two "Idol" stars to emerge so far as bona-fide concert headliners.

• Note: Because of AI this week, we are expecting a lot of syndicated articles on the wire services (AP, Knight-Riddler). CDD's policy is to only post one link since it'd be quite pointless posting dozens of links to the same article housed at different sites.
• A fantastic essay from berkleylovesclay on Clay's staying power.
• FoxesOnIdol: Top 2 history... "Season 2: It was Clay vs. Ruben, and all of Idoldom was abuzz."
• BeaversOnIdol: reflections on AI5. Taylor Hicks won't have problems selling records if his fans are like "Clay lovers."
• IdolThoughts... more Idol stuff. Nothing too much here.
• MediaFiends: "Not being in the bottom 3 is almost a guarantee to win. Clay being the lone exception. But did he really lose? Look at his career alongside the winner that year."
• LA Times... Yamin, Hicks, "Unthreatening to other men, they attract female voters who exhibit the same hysterical blindness that made Clay Aiken a sex symbol"
• Wisconsin State Journal: "Women have won the last two seasons on "Idol." Not since Ruben Studdard's victory over Clay Aiken have men dominated the vote as they did this year. It's a man's turn."
• CNN Money: AI brings success for FOX, 19. "Runners-up such as Bo Bice and Clay Aiken have also had hit records."

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Bubel Aiken Foundation, North Carolina, CDs, Elliott Yamin, Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee

Clay To Perform on American Idol Finale

Please read the updates below.

Raleigh WRAL-FM's Bill and Sherri announced this morning on their show that Clay is scheduled to appear and perform on the 5th season finale of American Idol this Wednesday on FOX. Also scheduled to appear are Meatloaf and Canadian vocalist Daniel Powter.

This will be the first Clay performance on American Idol since May 2004. We can only hope that this has been engineered by RCA to create buzz for Clay's upcoming sophomore album.

Update 2:15 PM EDT: Entertainment Tonight has reported this on its website. Their report says:

The moment of truth is almost at hand. On Tuesday night, KATHARINE McPHEE and TAYLOR HICKS will compete -- each singing three songs -- in the last round of performances to determine who will be the next "American Idol" -- and CLAY AIKEN and CARRIE UNDERWOOD will be on hand for the crowning moment!

Update 4:34 PM EDT: Infotainment show The Insider confirmed this appearance during its show today.The show interviewed the AI producers and said that they have "confirmed the appearance".

Update 7:16 PM EDT: E! News says the story "is just a rumor". Hmmm......

Update 8:31 PM: To add on to the confusion, CDD has confirmed that MSNBC reported the fact Clay would be on AI earlier today too! Woah! Read this post to clarify your head (a little).

Update 5/23 5:05 PM: CLAY WILL BE ON AMERICAN IDOL TOMORROW, SINGING A DUET WITH CARRIE UNDERWOOD. CONFIRMED BY AOL, ET, FOX, INSIDER. More info.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Singing, WRAL, ET, The Insider

Tagging and Blogrolling

In the wake of the recent explosion of Clay blogs on the internet, we have begun blogrolling. Blogrolling refers to posting a list of related blogs. If you have a blog and wish to join our blogroll, please blogroll us then contact us via our contact form.

We are also introducing Technorati tagging so blog searching programs such as Google Blog Search and Technorati can find us easier.

Here's our blogroll. Needless to say, it's still a work in progress.


Technorati tags: Clay Aiken

3 Years Ago Tonight

Many of you may remember 3 years ago tonight, Clay lost to Ruben Studdard on American Idol by less than 1%. For good or for bad, this moment has been pivitol in the development of Clay's fandom.

Here's a "Today in History" article from WWBA-AM radio's website:

In 2003, 25-year-old Alabama powerhouse Ruben Studdard was named winner of the Fox talent search competition "American Idol." Studdard edged out fellow finalist Clay Aiken to snap up the title and a Million dollar recording contract.

Search and Raise Funds for the BAF At The Same Time!

Clay's Daily Double would like to introduce GoodSearch, a Yahoo! based search engine that shares a portion of the advertising profits with non-profit organizations.

Clay's Bubel Aiken Foundation was recently added to the list of organizations registered to profit off GoodSearch searches. In other words, each Yahoo! search you conduct via GoodSearch can benefit the foundation.

To search, go to www.goodsearch.com.

1. In the "I'm supporting" box, type in Bubel.
2. Click on Verify.
3. A pull down menu appears where the "I'm supporting" box was. Verify that it reads Bubel Aiken Foundation (Raleigh, NC).
4. Begin your websearch, as you would do normally!

Clay Mentions in Latest Issue of Entertainment Weekly

Clay was mentioned several times in the May 29, X-Men cover, issue of Entertainment Weekly.

On page 14 (summary courtesy the CB's OneSingerGal):

a jazz critic says that AI has a human drama factor. ex. how it can produce metamorphosis - ex. clay aiken who went from shy nerd to androgynous egotist.

On page 99 (paraphrased quotation courtesy the CB's OneSingerGal):

it's ironic that America has chosen probably the most talented finalists of the show so far, yet had to endure some of the worst theme nights. as a result, there haven't been any showstoppers, like Clay Aiken's Bridge Over Troubled Water, or Carrie Underwood's version of Heart's Alone.

Tidbits 5/21

• Before it closes, capture an important facet of the Clay Nation's history. Visit AllThingClayAiken.com before May 31.
  
• Lexington Herald-Leader: top 10 reasons Taylor Hicks should win... "Elliott Yamin: a great future hanging with Clay Aiken. Selling records? Not so much."
• Miami Herald: Wednesday's AI finale will be unpredicatable, unlike past seasons. "Everyone knew it would be a Ruben-Clay Aiken showdown in 2003."
• The CB's singerdancer talked to a driver who drove Clay when he lived in Charlotte:

  I just spoke to a shuttle driver in Florida and I asked her if she was born there. She said, no, she grew up in the Carolinas. Just so happens that she lived in Charlotte for a number of years. Of course I mentioned Clay and she said, "I drove him a number of times and he's the nicest guy! No surprise to me, of course. She said they just chatted like she and I were chatting. Really down to earth. Again, no surprise. It really put a smile on my face. I told her the next time she sees him to tell him that Marilyn says hello.

• We need you to search for Clay on Lycos. He came in a disappointing #39 on the Lycos50 last week.
• Clay was mentioned on Style Network's show How Do I Look yesterday. Eddie Reuben, the fashion stylist on the show, said he had worked with Clay in the past.
• AOL still wants to know who your top idols is. Clay is currently winning the poll by a large margin.
  
• ...and we bring you another beautiful Clay blog. This one is called "There was a Man"
• If you're in a down mood, check out this hilarious Clay/Invisible spoof courtesy a YouTube user. (see a screenshot below)