Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
Sheryl: Based on record sales, you’re the most successful runner-up in American Idol history – what’s the reason behind your success?Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
Clay: Wow, I have no idea! (Pauses) Really, honestly, I don’t know. I guess it’s just the timing of things. When Kelly Clarkson (Winner of American Idol, Season 1) and I released our albums, it was the ‘pop era’, if you could call it that. We were able to give fans what they wanted. Now, the music in the market is mostly urban, so that’s why Fantasia (Winner of American Idol, Season 3) is releasing urban albums. Besides good timing, I really don’t know why, I just thank God for all of it!
Sheryl: You’ve been under the constant scrutiny of the media and the public lately. How do you cope with paparazzi and gossip tabloids?
Clay: Well, it just gets easier over time. When what’s printed becomes more outlandish and far-fetched, it’s easier to pay no attention to them. After you’re more familiar with tabloids and the industry, you start to realize how ridiculous these rumours and statements are. You have to thicken your skin, and learn to laugh at it. Just let it pass!
Sheryl: Share with us some of your most memorable experiences from high school.
Clay: (Excitedly) Oh, it’s definitely when I’m performing on stage! I’ve always sung in musicals and in choirs during my elementary and middle school years. But when I got to high school, I was cut from my senior musical! It got me really depressed, but I’m more than okay now! (Laughs gleefully) Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team, but look now, he’s the Michael Jordan! (More laughter) I’m not saying I’m Michael, but you know, it works out eventually!
Sheryl: What’s your most embarrassing high school memory?
Clay: (Playful sigh) I’ve had so many embarrassing moments that there isn’t really one that stands out! Oh, when I was twelve, I was not popular at all. In fact, I was kind of a dork. When I was going to school, the cool thing to do was sit at the back of the bus. I was the kid who always sat right in front, and because I lived further away from school, my stop would be one of the lasts. So as more and more kids got off the bus, I’d slowly try to sneak closer to the back of the bus. It didn’t work, I got beat up by the cooler kids for moving too far back! Not cool at all.
Sheryl: Did you have a nickname back in high school?
Clay: Hmm… No, not really. There wasn’t a nickname that stuck. I think that’s a good thing!
Sheryl: Besides appearances, how have you changed since high school?
Clay: Well, I’m definitely ore confident than I was then. (Jokingly) I’ve got a few more friends now! I had friends who were older than I was, and they’d tell me that once you got out of high school, no one really cares how popular you were. I didn’t believe them until I graduated and went out into the ‘real world’. They were right, the superficial things like whether you were popular or cool in school don’t really matter! So now I’m a lot more comfortable with myself, and I know there are more important things that matter.
Sheryl: You have a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Is this what you’ve always wanted to study?
Clay: Not always. I was always planning to study music! But when I came out of high school, I spent two years working with kids before going to college and discovered my passion for it. I worked with kids who had autism, and I just kind of fell into it. I still have a huge dream for it! (Clay Aiken is on the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities)
Sheryl: What are some New Year’s resolutions that you have for 2007?
Clay: Oh, I’m a ‘never-make-resolutions’ kind of person. I mean, if there’s something you want to change about yourself, you should just change it now! Why wait until next year? I’m a ‘right-now-resolution’ kind of man. (An amused laugh fills the line)
Sheryl: What can fans (aka Claymates) expect from your latest album, A Thousand Different Ways?
Clay: We had a mandate to do an album of the greatest love songs: it’s a test and a challenge in a way! I want to change them in my own way, you know? Deliver it with a spin to make something that’s true to the song and true to me – a sound different enough to be current and original, yet still genuine.
Sheryl: You’ve toured the United States and Canada on various occasions to promote your albums. When can we expect you in Asia?
Clay: (Energetically) I’d love to come to Singapore! I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur, but that’s as close you guys as I’ve been. We’ve actually be considering it in the last year, it’s been a topic that’s ‘floated’ within conversations. But no promises just yet though!
"Clay is in a league of his own with Christmas carols, and this tour proves as much. His range has grown each year of his career, and the finale, “All Is Well” is a how-to primer on soft, low notes sung with passion up to the soaring, glory notes well above a tenor’s range."Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
"In each city, while Clay might have crossed his fingers and planted his feet for luck in hitting that final note, the audience shot to its feet and screamed in appreciation as he hit it. Even more impressive is that for the last week, Clay has been suffering from a debilitating inner ear infection that has given him vertigo and dizziness.He was forced to sing an entire concert from a seated position on a stool, gripping it with both hands to keep his balance. Most entertainers would have canceled, but Clay wanted the show to continue even though he had to be helped on and off the stage by an assistant."
It is also important to note that during each concert, Clay stresses the need to reach out to others. He spends a few minutes talking about his work with UNICEF and the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, and encourages people to reach out and contribute any way they can to whatever organization they choose to support. He then launches into “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day,” the last song of his set before the “All Is Well” encore.
We're pround to unveil our brand new 2007 CDD Clay Aiken Calendar!
Most of the stations that go holiday this time of year tend to have adult contemporary formats, playing established artists to a sonically conservative, older audience, says Geoff Mayfield, director of charts at Billboard magazine. This is why songs from quirky albums such as Twisted Sister's Twisted Christmas will rarely hit the airwaves, but new songs and especially updated covers by familiar artists such as Wynona, James Taylor and Clay Aiken will get added.
124-119 Clay (19,000; 460,000 total): There probably were inflated expectations with Clay, thanks to his formidable track record. He's seeing only a modest holiday-season boost (he's up about 4,000 this week), but it would be hard to detect much evidence of a label marketing push on the record. This subject has been exhaustively discussed in comments; fans just to have hope for a different sort of record next time, and definitely a different level of support.
You can go to NBC.com right now to see a clip of Clay hosting a short segment promoting NBC's Daytime lineup for next week.
The Phoenixville News praised Clay for his humanitarian efforts in an article posted online today:Clay Aiken,the popular young singer who was runner-up on American Idol several years ago, has become a true advocate for the disabiled, especially handicapped kids. He has a foundation which helps the disabled, has been named to the President's Board on Disabled Issues, and was once on the road to becoming a special education teacher before fame and a singing career came his way.Well said.
But despite his wealth and popularity, his devotion to the disabled has only increased. For instance, Clay recently did a holiday concert in Easton, Pa. While there, he visited a third-grade class that included disabled students, and even provided limo rides to and from school for the kids.
Good to see someone so young and popular hasn't forgotten his roots, morals and what is truly important in life.
Make sure you make a stop at LauraQ's Smugmug photo gallery for some fantastic shots from last week's Grand Rapids, MI concert. Whew! HAWT!
Entertainment Tonight is listing Clay as 2006's #2 newsmaker on their annual Year In Review:From TOMKAT and CLAYNATION to the birth of BRANGELINA's baby SHILOH -- 2006 has been an unprecedented year for star news, nuptials and scandals!VH1 also mentioned Clay's much talked "American Idol 5" makeover and the Clay/Kelly Ripa ordeal on their show - "Best Year Ever"
So who was off the celebrity charts for our online voters? You wrote in by the thousands -- now, here are the results for the top stars and stories of the year!
TOP STARS
2. CLAY AIKEN: Claymates by the droves wrote in to pledge their support for the singer, who they say is a simply amazing performer, humanitarian and all-around good guy.
TOP STORIES OF 2006
8. The Clay Aiken and KELLY RIPA "hand flap" incident on "Live with Regis and Kelly."
Clay will sing a duet of "Silver Bells" with Meghan Mullally on her show tomorrow. Make sure you check your local listings.
Clay was mentioned in the latest issue of the official UNICEF e-Newsletter sent out today to UNICEF supporters. It reads:THE GIFT OF LIGHTTechnorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
Gracing the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City, the UNICEF Snowflake is an illuminated crystal ornament that serves as a beacon of hope and a dazzling reminder of UNICEF's commitment to the world's children. This year, Ambassador Clay Aiken lit the Snowflake on November 18.
Walters publicly acted as a peacemaker in November after O'Donnell accused Ripa of homophobia for a remark she made about Clay Aiken. Walters noted the next day that O'Donnell and Ripa had talked "and all is well with the world."
While results may vary from one "Idol" to another, the most astonishing fall may belong to Clay Aiken. In 2003, his debut "Measure of a Man" sold 613,000 copies in its first week; his second non-holiday disc, "A Thousand Different Ways," has yet to top 500,000 in the 2½ months it has been up for sale.
If you're unfamiliar with the milquetoast vocal stylings of Clay Aiken, then I envy the sound-proofed cave you've been living in for the past three years. Even those über-hip underground music aficionados who successfully manage to immerse themselves in artists who are destined for a career in lawn care cannot have entirely avoided the crooning of the UNCC and American Idol alum. If you have dodged Aiken's rise to fame then count your blessings or the cash in your wallet -- Aiken performs with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for a Christmas Concert on Dec. 22nd at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
Criticism of Aiken is nothing new. In fact, it seems part and parcel of success that comes as part of being associated with American Idol. Had Aiken merely relied on his boyish charm and Eisenhower-era musical aesthetics to propel him to the top of the charts, he might still be the curiously androgynous Special Education teacher in Charlotte or Raleigh that he set out to be.
Worst song: "SexyBack," Justin Timberlake, Jive: Not because it's a bad song. No, sir. In fact, I dance to this delicious track at church every Sunday. What bothers me about this song is that JTim is taking credit for something he didn't do. Anybody with an IQ over 40 knows Clay Aiken brought "Sexy Back" like three years ago.
Woohoo! The Grand Rapids Press published this truely delightful review of Clay's Grand Rapids concert, which was held before a sold out crowd last night:Claymates everywhere slept easy Tuesday night.
Diehard fans of Clay Aiken go online each night their "American Idol" favorite has a concert to listen to that evening's pirated, cell-phone recording. They need to know if their guy hit the high note of his encore, "All Is Well."
He did.
Aiken was a hoot and a holler, full of Southern charm, telling stories, cracking jokes, bantering with the audience.
He also sings rather well.
But beyond the songs, it's the whole package -- the easy grin, the down-home demeanor, the good ol' boy charm -- that made the former special-education teacher from North Carolina the kind of celebrity who makes headlines just by clapping his hand over Kelly Ripa's mouth.
Amen!
Days of our Lives star Stephen Nichols wrote about Clay on his TV Guide blog. Clay appears on the popular NBC daytime soap on Tuesday December 26.TV Guide also has an exclusive sneak peak at the episode on their website. Don't forget to check that out!
Coming up: in their newfound bliss, Steve surprises Kayla with tickets to a Clay Aiken concert, but Steve’s reading of the Christmas story at the hospital runs late, so he and Kayla miss the concert. Steve runs into Clay on his way out and talks him into doing a private Christmas concert. There were so many people at the studio who are fans of Clay — the excitement was palpable. Josh Taylor said he was a big fan, and Clay’s best friend and roommate, Christy, is a huge fan of Days, so I asked Josh if he could introduce Christy to the rest of the cast. He was happy to do it. Clay was very gracious, taking photos and signing autographs.
This DOOL appearance has even made news down-under in Australia. The Clayboard's hnspice posted the scan (seen above) from the latest issue of Australia's TV Soap magazine.
We've also found a recap of Clay's appearance courtesy a blog called Prevuze. Apparently, this episode will air 1 day early in some places in Canada, due to Canada's post Christmas "boxing day"
Kayla tells him Hope can take care of herself. Patch says he has a surprise. A special present. He holds up two tickets to the upcoming Clay Akin concert.Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
"OK," says Kayla, "And what's the special present? "
Kayla is amazed he got the tickets since the concert has been sold out for so long, and thanks him. They unmercifully huckster Clay's Christmas CD. Oops, suddenly Kayla remembers something, "We can't go..."
Today, Clay's brother Brett celebrates his 21st birthday. From everyone here at CDD, Happy Birthday Brett!Sorry that I missed your call. I've been feeling somewhat bad. Been sleeping a lot. Try me again when you can. I'll keep the phone by me on your birthday. Call so I can tell you Happy Birthday.Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible
Joe and his family came to the show tonight. It was good to see them.
Be safe. Hurry home! I miss you!
MSNBC readers caption this photo. Here's what they came up with:1. Clay Aiken attempts to get on with the American Music Awards, but Tori Spelling insists on telling another story about life on "90210."
2. Aiken was set to tell America what he really thinks about Kelly Ripa's "germaphobia," but luckily Spelling was there to stop him.
3. Ever famous for her discretion, Spelling shows Aiken that this isn't the time or the place for deeply personal revelations, no matter how obvious they may seem.
I was watching TV today and saw this new WalMart commercial where a guy forgot to get gifts for people so he distracts the other guests and rushes to WalMart. He grabs like, 3 CDs, (one of them being Clay's new AIW!!) then rushes back just in time to hand the gifts out.
I am concerned that some of our local radio stations are having a negative effect on our children.
Even worse than the lyrics to some of the songs, disc jockeys take every opportunity to make fun of everyone -- not once but over and over.
Just recently, Clay Aiken, a multi-platinum singer, was made fun of because he was unable to reach and hold out the note of his final song of the night.
There was no mention that the previous songs in his show had shown off his tremendous vocal ability.
My student told me that Aiken's effort to reach this note was played over and over while the disc jockeys laughed.
They are teaching our kids that trying means nothing and that you should make fun of people whenever they don't succeed. Is this the kind of society we want?
I'll just turn off the radio and listen to my Aiken CDs.
E! News wants to know which American Idol YOU would hire for your party.
Clay had a little fun on MySpace today, posting comments to both Quiana and Brett's MySpace pages. On Quiana's, Clay writes:We (Jamie, Jerome, and I) had the CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE at a McDonalds drive-thru in Pennsylvania! I SOOOOOO wish you were with us! Probably THE most unbelievable 20 minutes of my life! Miss you! Can't wait to see you!
Sorry that I missed your call. I've been feeling somewhat bad. Been sleeping a lot. Try me again when you can. I'll keep the phone by me on your birthday. Call so I can tell you Happy Birthday.Isn't Clay so sweet? I'm sitting here wondering what his McDonald's "experience" was. Hmmm....
Joe and his family came to the show tonight. It was good to see them.
Be safe. Hurry home! I miss you!
In a blog posted to the official fanclub earlier tonight, Clay gave some wonderful news to us. After his bout with an ear infection and flu-like symptoms last week, Clay says he's feeling healthier now and ready to go back into full gear.
I got this old man on the phone to ask him if the concert was still on since Clay has been sick. This is what he said to me:Just knowing Clay arrived, feels good enough to rehearse, and this employee thinks he is "really good" put a big huge smile on my face. I know everyone going will enjoy the show, and hopefully we will get lots of clack!!
"Oh yes my dear! As a matter of fact he is here right now rehearsing. I have never heard this young man before -he is really good" - and it made me laugh a little. Another convert I'd say.
So no worries - Clay has arrived in the Motor City!
If you recalled on Friday, The Insider asked their viewers what Clay Aiken should do in 2007. Today, the show aired a response from a viewer. I love this one:"Movie soundtrack song that will send him to the Oscars and to the top of the charts"
Don’t you see what I see? In spite of the transformation from pre-Idol “geek” to today’s Armani-clad stylish trendsetter, my image of Clay has very little to do with his physical being. I am not among my fellow fans who download and save countless pictures or who can’t wait to hear whether Clay appears sans glasses. The length of his hair and the size of his feet hold no interest to me beyond the fact that I acknowledge he is an attractive young man. What I see relates to the confident stride of someone who is comfortable in his own skin. Someone who radiates joy in sharing not only his vocal gift but whose countenance lights up when around a child or acting the clown in front of his fans.
Clay, Clay, Clay! You're from the South. You're supposed to have manners.
Anyway, we know the singer didn't mean any harm.
So the next time you have the chance to cover chatty Kelly Ripa's mouth, use your hand sanitizer first.
In today's episode, the gang's school is hosting a career fair. During the first scene, we get a pan-over of all of the career fair booths (ie; pottery, nursing, etc.) One shot shows a shapeless grey blob. An artistic looking blonde fellow runs over and cartoonishly molds this blob into a booth which reads at the top "Clay Maiken."
An inner ear infection escorted by bouts of dizzying vertigo has been present at the past three concerts, but the illness has yet to stop the show. Clay is a trooper; and he has managed admirably, one night literally hanging onto his mic with one hand and the stool from which he performed with the other.
