Tidbits 4/9

Broadway.com - Clay promotes "Spamalot" at the heart of New York City -

Clay Aiken stopped by the Planet Hollywood in Times Square, just around the corner from the Shubert Theatre where he's playing Sir Robin in Spamalot. The American Idol runner-up and pop phenomenon joined the likes of Jack Nicholson and Whitney Houston by preserving his hands for display on the restaurant's wall of fame. The adorable Aiken surprised lunchtime diners who looked on as he plunged hands-first into the cement. And need we mention the throngs of so-called "Claymates" who follow the pop star... oh, everywhere?

• Just Jared - Clay promotes Spamalot at Planet Hollywood in NYC -

  Clay Aiken promotes his starring role in the Tony Award winning Broadway musical Monty Python’s Spamalot with a handprint ceremony at Times Square’s Planet Hollywood on Tuesday in New York City.
  
  Claymates will soon be rejoice — a new CD next month will be released by their almighty Clay.

• The Outlook Online - Choir singer a big fan of Clay Aiken:

  Christine Greenhalgh rolls her eyes in mock disgust when asked how many Clay Aiken tunes are in her iPod.
  
  “All of them,” she answers with a laugh.
  
  The Gresham High School senior’s iPod now also contains the famed American Idol runner-up’s John Hancock, which Christine was able to obtain after meeting him at the stage door to “Spamalot,” the Monty Python musical playing on Broadway.
  
  “He is a really good singer, and I respect that in everybody,” Christine, 18, adds.
  
  However, Aiken only came in second in the 2003 edition of “American Idol,” whereas Christine and her fellow Gresham High Concert Choir members can now claim two firsts from the prestigious Heritage Festival of Music.
  

• TV Fan from Entertainment Weekly - David Archuleta almost a carbon copy of Clay Aiken?

  David Archuleta has no problem with this. Choosing that Robbie Williams song was probably smart, considering it just cemented his status as the ultimate soccer mom fantasy. I think he is so much like Clay Aiken, it's crazy. He'll come out with a Christmas CD this year and 50 year old women will play it R

• Reality Wanted - "Idol 7" - where is the talent?

  The judges keep saying this is the best season of talent but who are they trying to convince, us or themselves? I honestly don’t see it. If that is the case where is this year’s Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, or Jennifer Hudson? Carly definitely has a voice like the three of them, but she just pales in comparison to each of their personas.
  

• Roanoke Times - "Idol Gives Back" airs tonight -

  I keep reading conflicting news items on which of the past participants will grace the stage. Some say Chris Daughtry. Some say Kelly Clarkson. Some say Daughtry and Carrie Underwood. I guess we'll see. Whatever the case, this year's show is said to be "bigger and better" than ever, of course. Is that why we won't see former contestants like Ruben Studdard or Fantasia or Clay Aiken, or what about Justin Guarini? Where's he? I liked him.

• Star Courier - American Idol 7 -

  Part of the magic of “American Idol” was watching someone go from unknown to superstar in front of your eyes. More than half of this year’s top 12 have previously signed deals with major record labels, although all fizzled. This year’s phenom, David Archuleta — picked to be the next Clay Aiken whether he wins or not — even reportedly won “Star Search” when he was 10.
  

• antiMusic needs a new taste in music -

  And with the exception of that William Hung guy, most of these mutants have practically no personality whatsoever. (Clay Aiken…need I say more?) Let's give credit, though: Kelly had a great voice, no argument. Too bad about that movie with the kid sporting the Juan Epstein hair, but I digress…

• Nothing here yet
  

RCA Marketing Email for OMWH

Many of you will have received an email from RCA Marketing today getting the word out about the new album. At the end of an email is a Raleigh phone number - if you call it, you will get a recording of Clay talking about the album. Cool!

LATEST NEWS FROM CLAY AIKEN

Be the first to hear "On My Way Here"

Go to AOL's PopEater.com to catch a glimpse of Clay's new album with the title track "On My Way Here." The album hits stores May 6th and is available for Pre-Order now!



Creating the Album - Webisode:
Now you can catch Clay's new webisode about the creation of "On My Way Here" on MP3.com.



Mobile Sneak Peeks of "On My Way Here"!
Call Clay at 919.883.5111 from your mobile phone to hear exclusives and sneak peeks on his new album!

Tidbits 4/8

Clay is featured in Yahoo! TV's gallery of American Idol's Biggest Transformations.

• Austin 360 - New Clay Aiken CD on the way -

  Claymates everywhere are rejoicing — and rightfully so.
  
  Their hero, the almighty Clay Aiken, will release a new CD next month.
  
  “On My Way Here,” featuring a title track by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, offers “a little bit of something for everyone, from symphonic-type ballads to upbeat, edgy stuff,” according to an interview in USA Today.

• Curlio.com - Claymates rejoice for new album -

  Claymates around the universe are rejoicing as Clay Aiken has set a release date for his first album full of original material since the release of his debut album in 2003. Technically this is Clay's fourth album, but albums two and three featured Christmas music and cover songs.
  
  "On My Way Here" will hit record stores near you on May 6th. Clay says these songs show a more mature side of himself.
  

• American Idol mentions:
• Associated Content -

  But in the end, the show is about making only one of them the season's American Idol (regardless of which one goes on to greater fame and success, like Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, and Clay Aiken).

• Reuters -

  Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, and even those who didn't win such as Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, have gone on to successful music careers.

• New York Daily News - Leona Lewis, winner of UK's "The X-Factor" releases CD in America -

  Judging by Lewis' full CD, which hits U.S. stores today, "X Factor" makes "A.I." seem downright avant-garde. No "American Idol" winner yet has released an album quite this slick, conservative or derivative. Not even Clay Aiken. It's wall-to-wall characterless ballads penned by the predicable likes of Ryan Tedder, Johnta Austin and Walter Afanasieff.

• ClaySpots - Clay ready to drop new album -

  It's Aiken's first CD of all original material since his debut CD, 'Measure of a Man', which sold 613,000 copies its first week, with total sold of 2.7 million. Aiken's second CD, 'Merry Christmas, with Love', was, at the time, the fastest selling Christmas CD in Soundscan history, selling 1.3 million out of the gate in just 6 weeks.
  

Clay at Time Square Today - UPDATED

Clay hit Time Square in New York City today to promote Spamalot. The Insider accompanied Clay and has video forthcoming of all the action, according to the show's website, TheInsiderOnline.com:

CLAY AIKEN is heading to New York's Times Square this afternoon to promote his hit Broadway show Spamalot with a handprint ceremony at the ever popular Planet Hollywood restaurant -- and the "Insider" is there for all the action! Keep checking back here for the exciting video!

---



Updates! Photos are in! Clay was at Planet Hollywood to add his "mark" on the Planet Hollywood Wall of Fame, and to promote Spamalot. Looking handsome, as always. If you are really observant, you'll notice Clay wore the same shirt back in 2004 during the Independent Tour:


ETOnline.com and The Insider are both running stories on their websites.

• ET:

  At New York's Planet Hollywood today, CLAY AIKEN tells ET about coming to the end of his hit role on Broadway's Spamalot, and whether he would consider auditioning for "Dancing with the Stars"!
  
  "I don't think I could pull it off," he reveals. "The choreography for 'Spamalot' is tough enough for me!"

• Insider:

  FROM NY TODAY: A blonder CLAY AIKEN adds his famous handprint to Planet Hollywood's wall of fame!
  

LALate.com: "Clay's Amazing New Song" is "definate number 1 material"

The reviews are starting to come in of Clay's new single, "On My Way Here". LALate.com's review praises the song:

A very clean, simple, fluid, and beautiful flowing song that seems almost timeless in its melody makes “On My Way Here” definite number 1 material. And that’s irrespective of the fact that it’s so good it doesn’t resemble any other current sound getting airplay currently.

Amen!

"On My Way Here" Impacts Radio April 28

"On My Way Here", the lead single from Clay's new album of the same name, will be officially released to radio on April 28, reports All Access, a music website:

April 28, 2008
impacting songs

Artist - Clay Aiken
Title - On My Way Here
Label - RCA/RMG
Format - AC

Listen to Clay's new song exclusively at AOL Music.

Bubel Aiken Foundation Fan Video Wins Goodsearch Contest

On March 25, Clay's Daily Double ran a story entitled Your YouTube BAF Video Could Raise Funds For The Bubel Aiken Foundation. If you entered a video about your favorite non-profit group and it won, you would win $100 for that non-profit group.

Well, Foxylady at The Clayboard got a notice from Kari McMinn at Goodsearch about a winner who sent in a video about the Bubel Aiken Foundation. Here's what that notice said:

I just wanted to let you know that BAF was featured in the winning video of the GoodSeach video contest! As a result, this video and BAF will be featured on the GoodSearch homepage on 4/11/08 and BAF will receive an additional $100 donation from GoodSearch which will be reflected in the amount raised page.

The winning video was sent in by Yollie950. You can view the video at Goodsearch or watch it below:



What a great video!! Congratulations Yollie!! And congratulations to The Bubel Aiken Foundation for winning $100 to help in the wonderful work that they do for inclusion!!

Exclusive Bonus Pre-Order Track To Be Available on iTunes

Ellenpoppy at The Clayboard has some interesting news that she got from Corabeth at the Clackhouse concerning an I-Tune bonus. Check out this news below:

I'm bringing over Corabeth's post from CH. Her contact at RCA has continued to feed her prompt, RELIABLE information and has asked her to relay this to the rest of us to keep us updated on what we can expect.

From RCA Marketing

In addition to the Amazon (physical) preorder, there will be an exclusive digital preorder on Itunes which will begin on April 21.

This digital version of the album (which will include the standard album and a digital version of the booklet) will include an additional bonus preorder only track.

That song will only be available when the album is purchased during the pre-order period.

No word on what the bonus is, but I'm sure it will be something we will all enjoy!

Clay to Sell OMWH on QVC

Clay will sell his new CD, On My Way Here, in person, and live on primetime TV on April 28 via the QVC shopping channel. QVC's website has Clay scheduled for April 28 between 7 and 8 PM:04/28/2008

07:00 - 08:00 PM
CLAY AIKEN -ON MY WAY HERE/GADGETS & GIZMOS

QVC TV can be viewed on the internet at QVC.com - click on "Watch Live TV" on the left hand side of the page.

MP3.com's OMWH "Webisode": Clay on his recording "family"

MP3.com posted a slightly different version of the AOL Webisode that was released several weeks ago showing the behind the scenes workings that went into producing the new CD, "On My Way Here". Clay talked about how it was nice to have a "family" working with him on the entire CD, eliminating the need to switch producers or musicians for every song, as he did for MOAM, MCWL and ATDW.

View the webisode at MP3.com.

Tidbits 4/7

• AOL PopEater - stars going blond -

  Follicular schizophrenia is nothing new in the music world -- everyone from Miley Cyrus to Clay Aiken have changed their hue at some point.
  

• AM 1150 News - Clay Aiken to release new album -

  Clay Aiken will release his new album, On My Way Here, on May 6th, E! News reports. It will be the former American Idol runner up's first album of entirely original material since 2003's Measure of a Man. Since then, Aiken has issued a Christmas album and 2006's A Thousand Different Ways, a mix of original songs and cover tunes.

• Birmingham Weekly - Spamalot article -

  The Playbill program for the show has an awful lot about Clay Aiken, who is performing the role of the Sir Robin in the New York production of Spamalot. Even if you didn’t care about American Idol, it’s hard for a Birminghamian not to wince when she reads “… he has long since outsold that season’s ‘Idol’ winner, the affable, velvet-voiced Ruben Studdard…” Pah! No doubt Aiken’s mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries. Anyway, the role of the Not-So-Brave knight is played in the touring production by the terrific James Beaman whose, “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” is one of the highlights of the show, even though the song’s repeated punch line (“You won’t succeed on Broadway if you don’t have any Jews!”) doesn’t get the laughs from a Deep South audience that it surely does in New York.

• Clay was mentioned in an off-Broadway play in NYC, the CB's heartsaiken4ca:

  My friend just returned from New York and said she saw the off-Broadway play, Alter Boys, which she said was hysterical. From what I could gather, there are some guys who are singers, or aspiring singers, and one of them says he wants "to be as good as Clay Aiken", or "like Clay Aiken", or something like that. She said it was a positive mention.image I'm just speculating here, but perhaps it was added to the show after hearing all the buzz about our guy "on" Broadway.

The Clay nation reacts to Clay's new single, "On My Way Here"

• All That Is Clay Aiken -
  

  My opinion - It is very powerful. The arrangement is perfect.
  I love that you can hear Clay's voice above the music. The balance is just that - balanced.
  
  It has an underlying beat that you cannot get out of you head. Some are calling it an "ear worm". I love how it starts out slowly and then builds. Clay puts just the right amount of emotion into this song.
  
  OK - I admit it - I am addicted to this song.
  
  I do believe Clay has a hit on his hands.

• Something That Really Happened - "It sounds great! I love it."
• There Was A Man
• Carolina On My Mind -

  AOL First Listen no doubt has received lots of weekend hits as CA fans make sure all systems are "go" for the Monday premiere of "On My Way Here," the album's lead single.

• Chexxxy's Pearls
  

Here It Is: AOL Debuts "On My Way Here"

Well folks, we've been waiting for this day since September 19, 2006. Clay's new single "On My Way Here" officially debuted today on AOL Music. Listen to it at the AOL PopEater blog.

The new album, titled after this song, will be released on RCA Records/19 Recordings on May 6 - now less than 1 month away!

Tidbits 4/6

• Canyon News - In an article about AI7, specifically about David Cook and David Archuleta, it says:

  Bottom line, both guys have proven themselves enough to have wildly successful stand-alone careers after the show ends, regardless of who wins (the loss didn't hurt Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken), and if you ask me to choose between the Davids, I won't. They're both too good to call.

• Birmingham Weekly Mixed Media - The article "On The Boards: Spamalot at the BJCC", says:

  The Playbill program for the show has an awful lot about Clay Aiken, who is performing the role of the Sir Robin in the New York production of Spamalot. Even if you didn’t care about American Idol, it’s hard for a Birminghamian not to wince when she reads “… he has long since outsold that season’s ‘Idol’ winner, the affable, velvet-voiced Ruben Studdard…” Pah! No doubt Aiken’s mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.

• Posted by clayitonme at The Clayboard - This is a great mention of Clay's success. Bolding is mine:

  loveOMC wrote: Part of a recap from oldmoviegal at CH:
  
  One thing that I wanted to mention in my recap-that-never-was, just because it gave me a little tingle, was this: while I was in New York, I had dinner with an old friend who is a producer at one of the networks (and her partner works on one of the late-night shows that tapes in the Ed Sullivan Theater). She thought it was funny, but in a good way, that I was going to see the same show more than once while I was in town. I defended myself by saying that Clay was soooo cuuute, and by the by, he was getting great reviews for his performance. And she replied, in all seriousness, "Yes, yes, absolutely -- everyone has been talking about it." She didn't say much more, and I didn't press (because we had other stuff to talk about, and at just that moment the waiter brought our veal chops in black truffle sauce) -- but she was very clear on the fact that the media community in New York has noticed Clay's success in Spamalot, and that (as another famous Broadway show would say) attention has been paid.
  
  

  I'm posting this because I wanted to add that the friend who lent me the apartment in NY for my Spamalot stay is well connected in the industry and knows many important people in the community. She also said that the buzz about Clay was very positive! So, this Spamalot gig is going to provide a tremendous boost for Clay's career, and, I daresay, for the kind of critical notices he receives.
  
  Yes, I always do look on the bright side of life. Works for me!

Final Results Are In For Parade's "America's Giving Challenge"

Last year, on December 13, Parade magazine began "America's Giving Challenge", giving people the opportunity to raise funds for their favorite charities. Clay's fans rose to the occasion, hoping to be one of the winners of $50,000 for The Bubel Aiken Foundation by having the most people give. Though we fell short by two places, we still raised a lot of money, including an additional $1000 for being in the top 100 charities.

In Sunday's Parade Magazine, an article entitled "The Joy of Giving" was included about the Challenge, and on Parade's online site, the final confirmed results of are in. The article, on Page 10 is called "The Joy of Giving" and states:

We called, and you answered: 48,000 readers responded to the first America's Giving Challenge. The Challenge generated $1.2 million in online gifts to more than 600 charities, with an average donation of $25. PARADE and the Case Foundation gave an additional $50,000 to the eight charities with the most individual donations, and 100 charities got an extra $1000. Among the winners: a foundation that helps Cambodian children and one that rescues abandoned animals. Stephen Hollister championed another winner - the IDEA League, which advocates for children with Dravet syndrome, a neurological disorder. "We fell blessed that our team effort gave us a way to fight back against this horrible disease," says Hollister, whose daughter has Dravet. To learn about all the winners, go to Parade.com.

Click on the red "100 Participation Award Winners" on the right side of the page online to see the listing of winners that includes BAF. BAF is second on the list of $1000 winners. Unfortunately there is no big artcle about the Giving Challenge online or in the magazine. I tried to contact them to see if there would be a bigger story about this later on, but I keep getting an "error message" that won't let me write to them. I'll let you know if I am able to reach them.

Great work everyone!! We done good for BAF and the children!!

What's Hot From Spamalot

Once again its time to give you the lowdown concerning the goings-ons at Spamalot.

All of our reports come from The Clayboard.

• First, here is a note from the OFC concerning a new "stage door" procedure:

  From OFC:
  
  Originally Posted by CanadianGal35 bfs just called and wanted me to post that from this performance onward, there will be a special area for ticket holders to go to so that they can see Clay by the stage door...this is due to the amount of people who are by the stage door after the show so I guess they are doing it so people who have actually gone to the show get a chance to see him.
  
  She said that she got the info from the Security guy at the Shubert... Just wanted to let everyone know.. She also said this post may travel..

  CDD will let you know how this continues to go.
• One reason for this change could possibly be the number of people coming to the stage door. Note this comment from claysirishlass:

  claysirishlass reports that the crowd is 15 deep. Says there must be at least 1,000
  people there. A special barricade has been set up. Jerome is there too.

• Clay did not do the stage door Saturday, and we now know why. heartsaiken4ca tells us:

  I've got the scoop. He had to leave to go sing at a wedding. I'm talking to a friend who got to go up on stage and meet him. More after I get off the phone.
  
  My friend Ginny from California was in the bathroom line downstairs and started carrying on a conversation with the lady behind her. This woman couldn't believe a 70ish year old woman would come to New York. The woman asked where she was sitting and when she told her, she said, oh, she was sitting a couple of rows behind her. Before intermission was over, the woman tapped her on the should and asked if she would like to meet Clay. She couldn't believe her ears! Apparently this woman's husband is a cousin of the man who plays Sir Galahad's mother (they were the people who ended up outside and then were taken inside to meet Clay onstage). He said he only had a couple of minutes because he had to sing at someone's wedding and he was running late. He was very gracious and signed a couple of pictures she brought. I'm so happy for her. She thought last summer's tour might be her last time traveling.

• Joy2talk2U tells us this great news:

  andee1960 from CV wrote... Quote: One thing I wanted to mention: When I entered the theatre, the Spam store had a mock up of the album cover advertising the May 6 drop date.

  What great advertising to be seen by hundreds, even thousands, of people!!
  
  
• Here is a review, including her report about being the peasant, from SimplyLuvHim:

  So, the short story is that I was the "Best Peasant" in New York's Spamalot on the night of March 25, 2008-a day that, luckily, shall not go down in infamy! I had known that my seat, D101, could be the peasant seat for a long time. It was, of course, just a fluke that I pulled it up, and when I did, I had no idea that Spamalot included a small bit of audience participation. When I learned about the possibility, I was excited, but not overly much, given my track record with getting anywhere within arm's reach of Clay. Just.not.good. So I went to the theatre with hope in my heart and realism in my mind. It was Tuesday, and that is the day that, generally speaking, the good folks at the theatre choose the seat for the week. I knew that the peasant seat had been D101 the previous week, and several people told me that the chosen seat was the hot seat for two weeks running, but of course there is no guarantee that the Spamalot team will do things the way we expect.
  
  So when the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch did its explosive job of revealing the final clue to the location of the Holy Grail, I sat at attention and whispered to my theatre companion (a member of the NJU), "That's my seat!" I don't think I heard another word of that play until Patsy came down into the audience and with adept sleight of hand found the Holy Grail right under my tush! Who knew?
  
  My biggest fear was not getting up in front of a packed theatre. I'm used to getting up in front of audiences; in fact, last year, I was the grand marshal at our college graduation, so I had to stand up in front of 10,000 people to open and close the ceremony. So, the Shubert Theatre was really small in comparison. Nevertheless, I was worried that I would trip up those stairs leading to the stage. Falling flat on my face in front of Clay would go down in history as the most embarrassing moment of my life. Luckily, dear Patsy must know that given the depth of the stairs and the lack of anything to hold on to, balance might be a problem. So, he adeptly held me under the elbow and I got up there with ease.
  
  Knowing about the possibility of being the peasant, I had long thought about what I might do if I were fortunate enough to be called up onto that stage. I had considered giving a quip when asked for my name, such as answering "Morgan Le Fay," but then thought twice about that. Did I really want to disrupt the flow of the show? If I were recognized as a Clay fan, did I really want to embarrass him for being OTT? Did I want Clay to remember me for being a loony? Well, the short answer to all that is NO. Then, of course, I thought about the prospect of hearing that gorgeous man sing my own name to me. In the end, it was a no-brainer. I was going to give my real name, and that is just what I did.
  
  Arthur and Patsy play a little game with the peasant. Arthur tells the peasant that he/she has been nominated for an award and Patsy holds it out. When I reached for it, I was gently reprimanded, Arthur reminding me that I had been nominated only and had not yet won. Of course, the next sentence was that I had indeed won! Surprise! They all sang my name to me.
  
  I expect you all want to know how I reacted to Clay, right? The truth is that I knew he was over to my right, just beyond King Arthur, who was talking to me. Patsy was to my left, reading my nomination and my win. But I did not focus on Clay. The only way for me to orient to Clay exclusively would have been to pay no attention to what was happening around me, for me to be out of the moment entirely. Since the actors were conversing with me, I automatically became part of the process without even making a choice. IMO, one has to make a conscious decision to attend to Clay alone. In the flow of things, it is simply not possible. Moreover, as a person up on that stage for the first time, I was literally blinded by the lights, which are very bright indeed. The audience was totally black from where I stood. I could see no one at all. Therefore, being up on stage was somewhat disorienting; one false move and I'd have been on Sean's lap in the orchestra pit!
  
  Right after they sang my name, someone grabbed my shoulders and turned me quite suddenly. A camera click later, I had my Polaroid-handed to me by Sir Robin himself. Now that was divine!Patsy led me back to my seat, and I got there without tripping, thank goodness! I hoped I hadn't appeared too foolish on that stage. Some people congratulated me afterwards. One person complimented me on being poised. Whew! I thought. I pulled it off!
  
  On the way out of the theatre, a very attractive young woman asked me if I had enjoyed the show. "Very much," I answered. "Did you?" She replied that she was married to one of the cast members. When I inquired who it was, she told me "Sir Galahad!" I responded, "He's gorgeous!" (and he really is). She said, "I know." It was really cute to hear the pride in her voice. I told her that I thought he had done well and fit fairly seamlessly into the cast and that I and my companion had enjoyed his performance.
  
  After the show, I tried to get my Polaroid autographed, but had no luck, given that a guy about 6'5" was right in front of me. So, I decided that I would try again the next night, and went off to Sardi's with my friend to have the second dessert of the evening. Those of you who are weight conscious might be interested to know that even with all the desserts I ate that week, I lost weight! I walked nearly everywhere in NYC, and that makes all the difference. One can exercise without really trying! Anyway, as we were finishing our coffee, a nicely dressed man breezed by our table, called me by my first name and said, "You did a great job!" I said thank you, and then remarked to my friend that the man had to be a member of the cast since he remembered my name and would have had the occasion to say and/or sing it out loud. It was not until the next day that I realized it was David Hibbard, the wonderful actor who plays Patsy. What a great guy!
  
  The next evening, I stood at the stage door to get an autograph. I was three back in the line, but I think that once Clay saw what he was being asked to sign, he grabbed it. He had a look of "Aha" on his face, and signed it beautifully in the white part of the picture. BTW, Clay is officially cool now. A young guy who stood in line with me thought it was way cool that I had gotten to be the peasant! What a great experience it was!
  
  As for the play itself, there is nothing I can add that has not already been said. Clay's performance is a triumph, his voice divine, his excitement palpable. I saw the play 5 times while I was there, and on Sunday night, another Clay friend and I scored 5th row center seats, which are typically considered the best seats in the house. I have to agree that they were-I was close enough to see every detail and every expression, and far enough back that I could take in the entire stage. To make matters even better, that night Brother Maynard sang the Amen, in that glorious voice that has no match. Sigh.
  
  After I got back home, I couldn't get the songs out of my head. What fun! Oh, I forgot to mention that after some of my performances, I managed to get Rick Holmes', Tom Deckman's, and Hannah Waddington's autographs. They are all generous with the fans. Tom is just a doll-and an amazing talent.
  
  Oh, I forgot to add one other thing: At the Sunday night show, my friend and I sat next to a friend of Hannah Waddington. She told us that Hannah considers Clay the nicest person she has ever worked with and has said that the entire cast loves him!!

• And another review from another lucky peasant, Alliicat:

  I went to the April 1st show. And was THE VERY BEST PEASANT IN NYC!
  
  But first the Clay stuff which I know everyone wants most.
  
  The first guard in the tower scene - Clay was so cute. He made such cute faces through the whole thing and played with his helmet strap like everyone has said. And I got to hear his English accent for the first time I was really looking forward to that. My friend Cydni who went with me is not a Clay fan - she laughed all the way through the play - not just at Clay but the whole thing. She said she thought he would have been a lot stiffer playing his parts and was surprised at how loose he was. Of course she has not seen him in concert and seen was a silly goofy guy he can be.
  
  I'm working such long hours and my internet connection has been so bad that I've not been able to read a whole lots of reviews but I'll tell you some of the things I had the wrong idea of. The horse scene - I thought that they were facing sideways while galloping away. But they are Right at the edge of the stage - so close! - and facing the audience -I was seat C101 - so Clay was on my side of the stage - Really Really close. He doesn't just stick his tongue out but rolls it up so you can see the underside a lot. They are all lined up in a row, facing us and doing all kinds of different antics. Each doing his own thing but I didn't get to see of lot of it because I was mostly watching Clay.
  
  Then the guard scene - so so funny - but the reports I read said he kept a straight face through the whole thing - maybe he changed it but when he was questioning the Kings directions or repeating back what he thought the King had told him to do (which was never right of course) he would get this really quizical expression on his face. Then after he repeated back to the King was he thought he was supposed to do - Like "Ok so you're saying, we should guard him and not let anyone in unless they knock." or some such silly thing - Then he would draw himself up really tall and proud draw his chin in against his chest and get this really smug smile on his face, like he was so proud of himself that he got it right.
  
  But my favorite part was after many trys at getting his instructions straight, the King turned for the upteenth time to leave the room and turned around to check on guard Clay to make sure he was finally straight on what to do and was guarding the Prince and caught Clay staring vacantly at his pike. This part was so hysterical. Clay was just standing there with the most vacant daydreamy expression on his face - hope I can describe this so you all can imagine it. The pikes were decorated for the wedding with dryed flowers tyed just under the heads with ribbons trailing down. Clay was suddenly gazing up at his with the most vacant expression on his face like he was lost in another world, when he's supposed to be guarding the Prince - then to top things off he reaches up (still with that utterly vacant daydreamy expression on his face) and starts twirling the ribbons around his finger like he was so facinated with them. Everyone in the audience including my friend Cyndi started laughing at that he just looked so silly and stupid - it really made the scene.
  
  But people are right Prince Herbert was so good in his roll - just perfect. Oh and the stand in King did an excellent job I thought.
  
  Oh and that bottle dance - it is a killer - when they stick their legs out and do that slide....Wow for some reason that is so sexy. Well I was mostly watching Clay and he looked sexy doing it anyway - I'm not sure about the others. Loved the part where he was trying to look up the girl's skirt.
  
  And as others have reported - even when he is not the center of the scene, he keeps on acting - never lets up - is always turning to someone pretending he's commenting on what going on or reacting to what is happening or something - always making a little more of the scene than he would really have to.
  
  Another memorable moment - think it was the 2nd poopy scene. Clay really did it up. After he grabbed his butt, he let go then stood there for a bit and wiggled and twisted his legs and butt around like he was kind of "settling things around in there" is the only way to describe it. He did it so well and everyone got the picture so well, that you could hear people in the audience going "ewwwww ...and then laughing. Then he walked (uncomfortably) off stage.
  
  Ok now it's my peasant report. I bought the tickets before I knew about the seats - or I might not have bought them - I'm chicken. And when I saw the time coming up I started to get nervous and was praying - let it be one of the other seats...please. When Patsy came toward me, Oh Lord, but I got up and put my purse in the chair - then had to snatch it back out so Patsy could get the grail he found in the seat Then he told me I could sit back down. They Clay gestures to me and asks the King if they shouldn't do something to reward me so Patsy came back for me. When I was heading up to the stage and Patsy was counting the steps I knew I would be ok - didn't feel like I was going to faint or anything. I remember most of what happened but don't remember the order they happened. OH and contrary to some earlier reports - I Did Not stare at Clay the whole time. I least I don't think I did. The King took my hand and asked my name and I said Renee - then he asked my last name - He turned me to face forward and said to face my audience - then the speech is made about me being remembered for evermore as the best peasant in all of NYC - blah blah etc. There's some singing and I'm facing the audience and trying to kind of move a little back and forth with the music. I turned my head to try to see Clay but at that point he had his hands up and I couldn't see his face - I tryed to see between or around them but the brat kept them between us. Then I remembered that the King had told me to face the audience so I turned back and faced them. At some point the picture was taken and Clay gave me the picture and someone else gave me the award envelope and the golden foot of God. Then a lot of them smiled at me and shook my hand and congratulated me. And Patsy took me back to the stairs. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be best peasant but as soon as I was up there I was really glad I got picked. It was a once in a lifetime experience - being on a Broadway stage - and next to Clay to boot. Oh and you don't see bright spot lights - all you see is one big solid wall of blinding white light. That's all you can see - no people - no nothing - just a solid wall of white light. If you look straight down you can see the first 2 or 3 rows of people. But nothing if you look straight out.
  
  A funny thing - after the show several people congratulated me on the way out of the theatre. But the funny was when we were over at Juniors sitting and waiting for our seats. Several people and groups of people would walk by and see me - they would start clapping and congratulating me on the great job I did. Then when we were seated, a group of 5 was seated at the table next to us and one of the guys turned around and started the same thing - clapping and saying how good I did and everyone at the table was clapping and congratulating me. It was so cute, like they were pretending I was really a Broadway star.
  
  The show and Clay were sooo fantastic that I was so wishing I could see it again - but I know how lucky I was to be able to see in just once and to be the peasant.

  
  
  
  
  Here are a couple of YouTube videos of Clay at the Stage Door:
  
  
• From bbandit31 on 3/25/08:
  
  
  
  
• Here is a great one of Clay laughing at a fan's comment. This one's a definite keeper!
  
  

Tidbits 4/5

• United Press International has picked up on the new album, in a short article released on its wire services:

  NEW YORK, April 4 (UPI) -- U.S. pop singer Clay Aiken is gearing up to release his fourth album, "On My Way Here," next month, RCA Records announced Friday.
  
  The latest CD from the former "American Idol" contender is to be released May 6. It is his first album of original songs since his 2003 double-platinum debut, "Measure of a Man."
  

• Ventura County Star - article about Chris Daughtry -

  The fourth most successful "Idol" after Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood, Daughtry is the most idolized "Idol" who finished lower than second.

• Bleacher Report - making the case for why Wrigley Field doesn't need a corporate title: "Giving Wrigley Field a corporate name is like giving Clay Aiken a MMA Fighting Award."

• Graphics In Mind - Clay Aiken set to release brand spanking new album on May 6
• All Things Clay Aiken - Clay talks to AI Extra
  

ClayAiken.com Gets OMWH Refresh

ClayAiken.com has received a refresh for the new album "On My Way Here". Personally, although it looks great, the site still lacks content. RCA needs to hire a web designer to redo this site entirely!

Amazon Presents Clay's "List of Music You Should Hear"

Amazon.com is sponsoring a page where Clay lists "music you should hear". Some of the tracks Clay mentioned by name include:

• "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman from the album, This Moment - “I've been a fan of his as long as I can remember. It's great that he's getting airplay on mainstream radio with this song.”
• "Fall" by Kimberly Locke from the album, Based On A True Story - “We did American Idol together and I think she is just awesome all around.”
• "Everything" by Michael Buble from the album, Call Me Irresponsible – “A wonderful singer, just a classic.”
• "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles from the album, Little Voice - “That's one of those great catchy songs that you just seem to hear everywhere and can't get out of your head.”
• "Because of You" by Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson from the album, Reba Duets – “What's not to like? Two powerhouses together on a great song."

The page also has a short bio about Clay:

When Clay began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut, Measure Of A Man, he fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.” The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection, On My Way Here

Tyra Banks Show Looking for Claymates for Upcoming Show

The Tyra Banks Show is looking for Claymates to be featured on a currently unspecified upcoming episode. At this point, we're not really sure if this means Clay will be appear on the show, but we'll keep tabs on this and pass on the information as soon as we know.

The CB's Elspeth posted:

I received a PM from an associate producer on the Tyra Banks show. They're looking for Clay Aiken fans to feature on an upcoming segment. When I spoke to her on the phone, she said she had heard from fans concerned that the focus would be on OTT fans. She said that was not their intent. She didn't want to give away too many details but she did say that the segment would be "really fun".

She asks that you email her directly at shira.piell@tyratv.com with your name, how much you love Clay (detailed reasons), recent pictures, and contact information. If you're interested, I'd be sure and send her the information in the next day or so.

Apparently her phone number was posted on another board and while she is happy to hear from people, she asked that people please do not call her (as she did not intend for that information to be posted) but to please use the email address provided.

USA Today's Idol Chatter Interviews Clay

USA Today's Idol Chatter had a few moments on the phone with Clay to discuss details about the new album, On My Way Here, in stores on May 6. Some highlights:

My (brief) encounter with Clay

Well, it was a short chat, and Clay couldn't have been more pleasant. We mostly talked about the album (I'll include the item that resulted at the bottom of this post), but I also complimented him on having the most dedicated fans around [...]

“I would like to have signature songs,” Clay Aiken says, “songs that are identifiable as mine as opposed to ‘Clay Aiken sings such-and-such.’ ” That’s why the American Idol Season 2 runner-up conducted an intensive search for new songs he could connect with.

“I went through a bunch of songs,” he says, “and found On My Way Here by (OneRepublic leader) Ryan Tedder, and it hit me in the gut. It became the catalyst for the whole album to be lyrically connected — most of the songs relate to lessons I’ve learned.” On My Way Here became not only the title track for Aiken’s new album, due May 6 on RCA, but also the lead single.