Tidbits 3/25

• Reality TV World - Clay releasing new album in May -

  The American Idol second-season runner-up's fourth album -- "On My Way Here" -- is scheduled to drop May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, Billboard confirmed Friday.
  
  With his role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre scheduled to conclude May 4, Aiken had previously stated he was "hoping" the album would be out May 6.
  
  "On My Way Here" is being produced by Kipper, a U.K.-based producer best known for working on Sting's Grammy-award winning "Brand New Day" album.
  

• OK! Magazine - new album from Clay -

  Now that Clay Aiken will be wrapping up his run on Broadway in Spamalot, the American Idol runner up will release his first album of original material since 2003.
  
  The album titled On My Way Here will see the light of day on May 6 (19 Recordings/RCA) with a tentative lead single called "Ashes." A tour should follow this summer in July.
  
  His debut album Measure of a Man deubted at number 1 in 2003. He has also released a holiday album Merry Christmas with Love and a covers album A Thousand Different Ways.
  

• Reuters via Billboard - Clay heads "here" on new album -

  NEW YORK (Billboard) - Just as his stint starring in the Broadway hit "Spamalot" concludes, "American Idol" veteran Clay Aiken will return with his first album of entirely new material since 2003's "Measure of a Man."
  
  "On My Way Here," due May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, will likely include the title track and a song called "Ashes," but no other details about the project have yet been made available.

• Chexxxy's Pearls has two posts on Clay's "transformation":
• "Clay Aiken: Was Always Hot!"
• "Clay's journey from Geek to Chic"
• Anew & Afresh - new Clay Aiken CD cover art -

  I love his look here -- the hair, the clothes. I'm glad to see what's likely the New York skyline in the background. Clay fits in NYC very well. Somehow NYC seems more accepting of truly talented people who might not fit the cookie cutter mold.
  
  Here's hoping the great cover is indicative of the music inside. As it seems Clay has had a great deal more creative control over this album, I think it will be.