To see the full calendar, go to CDD's page at Google Calendar:
A full list of upcoming events is also available at the CDD Claytracker.
Note: CDD does not necessarily endorse or subscribe to the editorial opinions of these websites/blogs.
We told you last week about the Clayboard's birthday present project for Clay: raise $10,000 to help fund one Bubel Aiken Foundation summer camp.
The grand total, announced today, was $11,945, getting the TBAF one step close to their goal of supporting 100 summer camps in 2008.
The CB's Elspeth posted this:
I've been a member of this board for a long time (5 years in May) and I don't think I've ever been prouder to call the Clayboard home. image
What happened here over the last couple of weeks has been nothing short of amazing. Every facet of this board pulled together to raise enough money to fund one camp and part of another. image
Because of YOUR efforts, some very special kids will have the ability to experience the fun of summer camp.
Mix 107.3 in Washington D.C. interviewed Clay this morning, ahead of his concert at the State Theatre. The CB's hosaa recaps the interview, which can be downloaded at ClackUnlimited:
talking about the "Joke" factor of doing Sexy Back, "obviously not up to Justin Timberlake's level"
Christmas stories, everybody has a different memory, funny, nostalgic, talking about the lady who sang in a Christmas trio and her dress catching on fire - but stories everyone can relate to
People may have fond memories of "I'm in Love with a Stripper." giggle
DJs laugh, shocked, "Clayyyy!" Then make point about how well he sold compared with Candle in the Wind.
Clay says hopes album would be out in first half of 2008, doesn't always want to sing with orchestra; songs on a commercial album will still be "about the music" - not that many people anymore just sing.
DJ says he's a singer's singer, Clay isn't just the kind that the label will put out there, OMG let's just strike while the iron is hot.
Clay takes the compliment but with a suppressed yawn!
Clay talks about Kelly and Carrie as being singers, their work is about the songs themselves, not just whether you can dance to them.
DJ promo's the Warner performance.
"Nice kid, a singer's singer. There are people who are posers, ..." compared his talent to Neil Diamond.
You can download this now at the CH. Please remeber to donate if you can. I hope they do not mind me putting the link up.
http://clackunlimited.com/clack/Radio_Interviews/07_Interviews/
The South Bend Tribune published their full review of Clay's South Bend, IN concert today. An abbreviated version of this review was published yesterday. The Tribune was impressed by Clay's vocal skills, calling him a "polished" performer:
A relaxed and polished Aiken, dressed in all black, eased into a soft rendition of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," then, with the Bill Porter Orchestra, a Chicago jazz band, in tow, he launched into the first of the show's three holiday medleys. Joined by talented supporting vocalists Angela Fisher and Quiana Parlor, the trio zipped through an arrangement that somehow morphed "Away in a Manger," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night" into a single, pleasant entity.Read the full review here.
Whether they knew it or not, this was the moment the audience was waiting for. Reminiscent of his "American Idol" performances, Aiken pushed his vocals to hit the big notes, which he did to perfection.
The song's crescendo was so stirring, audience members actually leaped to their feet like they were at a church revival.
The Lake County News Sun has published their review of Clay's Waukegan concert. Here's a preview of their article... give it hits at the Lake County News Sun website:
Aiken pleases smaller Genesee crowd
WAUKEGAN -- Clay Aiken was more honest than he needed to be Thursday night, admitting to his faithful that he messed up the opening of his Christmas ballad "Mary, Did You Know."
"I try so hard to be classy for these here shows -- which is not in my nature," the North Carolina native said in an unaffected, homespun accent that stands completely at odds with his Adult Contemporary singing voice. "But I came in a little early on that last song."
If the audience didn't notice the mistake, his conductor and pianist, Jesse Vargas, apparently did. "But he somehow made it work," Aiken said, mimicking the grimace Vargas apparently made when the gaffe unfolded.
It's Clay's birthday ... mentions in the press:Clay Aiken State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, (732) 246-7469; www.statetheatrenj.org. 8 p.m. Thursday. Clay Aiken Christmas with the Chelsea Symphony Orchestra. $65 and $100.
The Star also will welcome Clay Aiken, who gained fame as a runner-up on "American Idol." Aiken sings festive fare at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. Tickets are $45; 791-1234.
Dec. 21 - American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken performs live in concert for "Christmas in the Heartland" at the Orpheum Theater. The show begins at 8 p.m. For more information, visit omahaperformingarts.org.
After a sold-out performance last year, “American Idol” star Clay Aiken returns to the F.M. Kirby Center for a 7 p.m. show Dec. 4. Backed by a full orchestra, Aiken is expected to punctuate the season with a holiday concert filled with audience favorites. There is no opening act and tickets are $40, $55 and $65.
"Clay Aiken Christmas," Dec. 7, Palace Theatre, Albany. Also: Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, $41-$56.50.
Rocky Mountain News - article mentions the new "American Idol" themed Chicken Soup book:With new editions of the ubiquitous Chicken Soup for the Soul books coming out all the time - including Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul, the Preteen's Soul, even the Dog Lover's Soul - this Soup seems to be getting awfully thin, indeed. The newest gruel is titled Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. (Yep, you read that right.)
It features goopy stories from Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and assorted other crooners - all of which makes us yearn for a salty Simon Cowell. Oh yeah, and a strict diet of bread and water.
"She used to kid me that I was kind of like her Clay Aiken," Addison says with another laugh. "Whenever she did something, I was always on the same bill."
It could also be that, as in past years, perhaps the winner is not the person who wears the crown at the end of the show, but someone standing in the shadows. That was certainly the case with now-faded runner-up Clay Aiken and 2006 fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry, who proved that winning isn't everything with the multiplatinum sales of the debut album from his band, Daughtry.
I got notification that my story would be read on Monday, after I had left home for St. Louis. I didn’t even tell my travel buddies lyricAKP and farouche until we all arrived in St. Louis, because I had to be at the venue by 4:45 on Tuesday, and they’re kinda nosy and would have been all up in my koolaid about where I was going all dressed in black and whatnot. But I threatened them with some really bad fanfic if they told anybody, so they behaved.
Anyhoo. I got to the Fox box office at the allotted time, and met up with two other ladies, HeyButterfly from the OFC and another nice lady from St. Louis (I don’t know her screen name). In a short while, Jamie came around to get us. She is the cutest thing I have ever seen, and has the southernest accent I’ve ever heard, which is saying something, what with me sounding like Gomer Pyle and all. She checked our email printouts and ID’s, and looked at mine and said “Hay! Yew’re tha go-go bewts!” Ha!
Happy Birthday, Special Treasure
By Joanna Fuchs
God gave a gift to the world when you were born—
a person who loves, who cares,
who sees a person’s need and fills it,
who encourages and lifts people up,
who spends energy on others
rather than himself,
someone who touches each life he enters,
and makes a difference in the world,
because ripples of kindness flow outward
as each person you have touched, touches others.
Your birthday deserves to be a national holiday,
because you are a special treasure
for all that you’ve done.
May the love you have shown to others
return to you, multiplied.
We wish you the happiest of birthdays,
and many, many more,
so that others have time to appreciate you
as much as we do.
As concert reviews start coming in, the press is praising Clay's Christmas in the Heartland tour for its uniqueness, and "hometown charm".
A fantastic review, titled "Aiken molds his own way" appeared in today's Baltimore Sun. The review also mentions Clay's upcoming role in Spamalot, and his forthcoming studio album, slated for release in the first half of 2008. A preview of the article appears below. Head over to Baltimore Sun's website to read the entire review/article -
Aiken molds his own wayWSBT-TV and the South Bend Tribune reviewed Clay's South Bend concert from last night, saying: "It’s clear he has grown as a singer and performer since his 'American Idol' stint, and after the break, he proved by just how much":
'Idol' singer, set to perform his holiday show in D.C., embraces his lack of cool in an effort to just be himself
By Brad Schleicher | Sun reporter
November 29, 2007
Clay Aiken knows he isn't cool. He doesn't seem to mind.
He's been fighting to stay that way after being launched into the ranks of superstardom as the runner-up on 2003's American Idol.
Aside from an occasional change in hairstyle and wardrobe, Aiken says he hasn't tried to reinvent himself or his music to compete with pop music's edgier leading men.
And he admits that it would be odd for people to bump and grind to one of his songs.
"I'll put it this way," he says, "if I was in a club and Clay Aiken started playing, I would get off the dance floor."
But Aiken, who will perform a holiday concert Sunday at D.C.'s Warner Theatre with the Concert Artists of Baltimore, has stuck to what he knows he's good at - showcasing his vocal prowess rather than his dance moves or beats.
Aiken says he has gained more control in the studio. For his fourth full-length album, in pre-production, he has more of an influence when choosing songs and producers, which affects the direction of the album as a whole.
But Aiken is broadening more than his musical horizons by appearing on a different type of stage in January.
Aiken was recently cast in the role of the less-than-heroic Sir Robin in the Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot, a critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols.
Clay Aiken will perform with the Concert Artists of Baltimore at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. N.W., Washington. Tickets are $57-$127. Go to ticketmaster.com or call the box office at 410-547-7328.
Aiken's Holiday Fare Doesn’t Disappoint Faithful Fans
By JEREMY D. BONFIGLIO, Tribune Staff Writer
[...]
Although a good chunk of the audience may not share a common zip code, it was clear Wednesday that these were proud citizens of Claynation.
They clapped loudly when Aiken belted out perhaps his most popular Christmas tune, "Mary, Did You Know?"
They seemed undaunted by a few harmless, but noticeable vocal cracks at the end of "Winter Wonderland."
They even panicked for a brief moment when the curtain fell just 45 minutes into the show. Seconds later a voice came on to inform them that it was simply intermission.
Perhaps it was the orchestra setting, or the backup singers in formal gowns, but the first act came off as a bit stiff, despite Aiken’s obvious vocal acuity.
It’s clear he has grown as a singer and performer since his "American Idol" stint, and after the break, he proved by just how much.
Aiken’s tender version of "O, Holy Night" set the tone for the rest of the night.
It all led to the undeniable concert highlight, "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day," a tune once sung by Parlor.
"I like it so much," Aiken admitted, "I stole it from her."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, reporter Sean T. McMann will be interviewing Clay on Thursday morning (November 29) at 11 a.m. (EST), and he is asking for Clay fans to send their questions for Clay to him.
The article says:
Head over to McMann's "Sean's Space" blog at www.seantm.blogspot.com and e-mail him a question to ask Aiken. McMann will pick the best submissions, ask Aiken those readers' questions and post the singer's answers on the blog.However, all questions must be received by 10:45 a.m. Thursday for Clay's 11 a.m. (EST) interview with Sean. Sean says:
So, Clay fans, here ya go: E-mail me at JournalSean@aol.com and submit your question along with your first name, hometown and state. All questions must be in to me by 10:45 a.m. EST on Thursday (that's tomorrow, Nov. 29) so be creative and get writing!
Christmas tour merchandise was available last night at the concert in St. Louis. Items available were:
A knit hat for $30. Embroidered "Clay Aiken". Ivory embroidery on the Cranberry hat and Cranberry embroidery on the Ivory hat.
The meet and greet pass Clay is using on the tour has been scanned and posted to the board. Here it is:
Hey everyone! A co-worker of mine just delivered to my office the November 28th edition of U.S.1 which is a local business and entertainment paper in Princeton, NJ. There is a wonderful color photo of Clay on the front page at the bottom and in big, bold red and green print underneath it says, "Clay Aiken, Dec. 5th, State Theater." Yes, I said "Dec. 5th." I already called the paper and told them it was incorrect but considering that it's next week, it's too late to do anything about it. Please don't anyone else call -- this is a small local paper and harassing them would be unwise. For what it's worth, on page 30 in the Holiday Music listing he is listed under December 6th and there is another color photo with info
Chef Matt never ceases to surprise me. Where he comes up with all of his creative dishes, I will never know. In addition to everything being tasty, it is also good for you. If it weren't for Matt, I would probably be eating McDonald's every day. Now I find myself happily passing by the fast food joints that I love in order to get home to one of Chef Matt's home-cooked meals. On top of being wonderfully accommodating with his delicious menu options, Chef Matt is also courteous and impeccably clean while he is a guest in your kitchen. Even my obsessive compulsions are no setback for him. He works in, provides for and leaves my kitchen exactly the way I like it; and I am very picky!!
Clay Aiken - Raleigh/Durham
About RCA Music Group
The RCA Music Group, which includes J Records, RCA Records and Arista Records, is a BMG-owned label group. The J Records roster is home to platinum superstars Alicia Keys, Mario and Rod Stewart among others. RCA Records is home to superstar artists Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson and more. The Arista Records family includes all-time superstars Sarah McLachlan, Santana, Dido, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and Whitney Houston.
"Wonderland" has been recorded by scores of artists, among them Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, the Carpenters, the Judds, Glenn Miller, Eurythmics, Clay Aiken, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Wynton Marsalis, Perry Como, Cyndi Lauper, Air Supply, Stryper, the Cocteau Twins as well as Alvin & the Chipmunks.
American Idol heartthrob Clay Aiken will perform at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepise Dec. 8, with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Reserved seating tickets cost $56.50 for gold circle admission, $47 and $41.
I love live music, so I usually take in a concert or two --- a popular music artist and perhaps a Messiah sing-a-long. Clay is touring again, for the eighth time in four years. He'll be spending his Christmas in The Heartland. Apparently, the "heartland" is far away from California,so I won't be seeing Clay this year. (I won't complain: I'll be home with friends and family during the holiday season, while, when the tour ends, Clay will be far from home at Christmas, living the tenets of his faith and his commitment to children on his fourth field visit as a UNICEF Ambassador.)
