One Year Ago Today - The Mike and Juliet Show: Remembering With Cookie and Her Claymobile

On February 22, 2007, Clay was on the Mike and Juliet Show as a guest host. He made a decorative box, chatted with the other hosts, and danced with Juliet. But I think one of the things we remember most about the show was Cookie and her Claymobile.

I had the privilege of receiving an email from Cookie where she reminisces about her day with Clay on the Mike and Juliet Show. She tells in the email how it came about and what a surprise it was when she found out Clay would come outside and see the car! Well, read for yourself this great review of Cookie's awesome experience on the show.

When I knew Clay was going to be the co-host I e-mailed the show about 3 weeks before (never expecting to hear anything from them) and thanked them for having Clay on and told them about my passionate support of Clay and about my "Claymobile". Low and behold about 1 week before the show was to air they contacted me and said if I brought my car to NY for the show they would be sure I would have a chance to meet Clay. Up to that point they had no idea what it looked like!! I told them he had never seem the car although I was sure he knew about it and that I had never had a chance to meet him and hoped both would happen one day for me.

Well of course with that invitation I looked for my quickest running shoes and off I went. It was certainly an experience I'll never forget..in fact even now when I look at the DVD of the show I can't believe it all happened! They never told me anything about what they had planned for me. Everything was totally an unknown to me.

They told me to have my car at the studio on 47th St by 6:30AM and of course I was there at the crack of dawn!! By the way 6:30 is the crack of dawn for me!! LOL

The director came out and they took some shots and he talked to me and said that when the show started Mike and Juliette would come out and talk to me about the car. I never had a clue that Clay would be coming out. However standing there by the car..when I heard the fans in the outside bleachers start yelling I thought "Oh my gosh...he's coming out". I really did think I would die. He walked up to me looking me right in the eye and it was awesome. I really could not believe he actually bent down so I could peck him on the cheek. Of course the little "oowh" told me it had actually happened! I have become friends with fans from Japan and it is so funny...I'm know over there as the "Kissing Bandet". I think that is a hoot!!


I really had no idea that I was going to be going back into the studio for that Trivia Game either. That was my biggest worry that they would start asking me questions that any diehard fan would know and I'd look like a fool. I really don't pay to much attention to much of the trivia stuff.

I still consider myself a very lucky fan. The trip was just icing on the cake..just for the opportunity to say hello to OMC and have him see the Mobile was truly awesome enough for me. My Claydawg and I enjoyed our Bahama vacation this past June. Just to prove that Clay and I kinda have the same karma...I lost our passports!! Well I didn't... actually USAIR did..long story.

Anyway the story continues.. this past summer I was invited to bring the Mobile to Cary NC to participate in a fund raiser for UNICEF. This is what it is all about for me..supporting when and where I can, keeping his name out there almost everyday, talking to people everyday about what he is up to including all his charity work and of course encourage them to read his book, buy his CD's and inform them about concert dates. I've even help people acquire tickets..I alway feel especially good when it is tickets for "virgins".

This past Christmas in the Heartland Tour I was again very fortunate to have been invited to read a story in DC for a friend of mine in Maine.

What an amazing day for Cookie, one she will no doubt never ever forget! Many thanks to her for sharing her story with us.

And to bring back even more memories of that fun day when Clay co-hosted the show, here are a few pictures.

Clay on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet January 24

Playbill.com and TVGuide.com are reporting that Clay will appear on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet on January 24. Now that Clay's in New York, it looks like he'll be dropping by a few of these morning shows to promote Spamalot. Clay stops by The View tomorrow morning, so be sure to tune in or set up your TiVO/VCR for that!

This will be Clay's second time on Mike & Juliet. He appeared to guest host in 2007.

The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet airs at 9 AM on most FOX affiliates.

The Tastes of 2007 – A Clay Feast Fit For a King!

Once again we are saying goodbye to another year. 2007 was a mighty fine year for Clay and his fans. Start with a pound of Gala bidding, add two Kimmel shows, toss in a Vancouver performance, and blend with two tours. Then simmer with a pinch of a Neil Sedaka tribute and bring to a boil with a large dose of UNICEF travel. Finally marinate with $300,000 won on 5th grader and cool with an excellent ice skating celebration and you have a recipe for success.

And, yes, successful 2007 was. Does that year have you hungry for more? Does your temperature rise when you think of the possibilities in 2008? Well, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look back at “The Tastes of 2007 – An End of Year Celebration Dinner” with monumental Clay proportions!

MENU


APPETIZERS:

Kimmel Hearts – Heart-Shaped Candy good enough to have its own song. Eat these sweet tidbits and you will definitely have a song in your heart!

Mike & Juliet Layered Dip – Layer a little talking with the hosts, a hot red Claymobile, a Clay trivia game, and some karaoke and dancing with Juliet. Serve with an audience of excitable fans.


Toasted Tribute Tray – This appetizer has 50 years of great items. Cheesy Fondue Dip MC’ing by David Foster, Classy Oysters Rockefeller, complete with songs by Neil Sedaka, and last but not least, a solitaire party cheese ball made more tasty by that Solitaire singing man, Clay.


ENTREES:

Christmas In The Heartland Holiday Dinner – This appeals to those who like a variety in their meal. Enjoy and zing and a little pizzazz with such meaty tunes as Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day with its long lasting flavorful glory note, sit back and take in the haunting lyrics and smooth aroma of Mary Did You Know, and experience a mixture of the gently stirred and yet powerfully succulent All Is Well. Something to satisfy everyone’s liking.

Soft Rock and A Hard Place Smorgasbord – A buffet style table holds a variety of hot and cold dishes to tickle your taste buds. A thousand different dishes that will fill your stomach and your heart with love and have you coming back for seconds. Maybe "Rock" Cornish hen or "Soft" Shelled Crabs. A sprinkling of snarky humor makes some of these entrees not only delicious but also delightfully fun to eat! Consider trying Sloppie Joes or Really Cheesy Macaroni.

UNICEF Entrees With a Foreign Flair – Clay traveled high and low to help the children. While in Afghanistan, he taught Afghan children and gave a vaccine to a baby. Possibly he tasted this savory tidbits from our menu:

• Samboosak (Afghan meat pies) or Mourgh (Afghan Chicken).

While in Mexico, Clay visited the sites of the earlier flooding, including the area of Tabasco and visited schools that had been damaged by the flooding. He shared a smile and a warm embrace with many children there. Some of the foods from our menu that Clay might have eaten are:

• Chiles en Nogada (Stuffed Poblano Chilies), Huachinango Entomatado (Snapper in Tomato Sauce), or Flautas Jaliscienses (Jalisco-Style Flautas).

Possibly Clay ate one or more of these meals while spreading the message of love while in Afghanistan and Mexico.


Desserts:

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? – We've got desserts that not only satisfy your taste buds but also give your brains something to feast on.

• What country is German Chocolate Cake from? How about Brazil Nut Cookies?
• Maybe you would like to try a piece of apple pi…and while you are enjoying those juicy apples in the pie, can you tell us what the mathematical constant, “pi” represents?
• Can you tell me what the adjective is in these delectable desserts: Spicy Carrot Cake, Tart Lemon Cake Roll, Jumbo Molasses Cookies?

If you can answer these questions, maybe you can earn $300,000 like Clay earned for The Bubel Aiken Foundation. If not, you can still enjoy your dessert while knowing you are NOT smarter than a 5th grader.

Holiday Celebrations On Ice – Our desserts in this category are cold and frozen. They send chills down your spine, just like Clay singing All Is Well. Try our icy cold desserts like Cranberry Ice, Frozen Custard, or Hot Fudge Ice Cream Sundaes, which mixes the hotness of our gorgeous singer with the cold chills that run down your back as you listen to that luscious voice.

BAF Gala Goodies Galore –

• How about some tea cookies in the shape of Clay’s auctioned ring…put them in your mouth as he put the ring in his!!
• Maybe some Gingerbread Cookies dressed in an icing shirt like the one Clay cuddled up with to bring in more donations!
• Or maybe have a piece of Southern Peanut Butter Pie, full of southern charm that Clay overflowed with as he flirted with the bidders.
• And finally some Mixed Nut Cookies, for that nutty snarky guy whose humor never seems to end!

Now these are some desserts that you can really sink your teeth into!

And if you can’t find anything you like on the 2007 menu, eat a little bit of spam to tide you over until 2008. Believe me, you will be able to eat spam a lot next year as well.

Are you full yet? You’re not? Well, just sit back and wait until the next menu is available in 2008. It will be a brand new menu of savory, flavorful morsels even better than in 2007! And you’ll never find yourself full enough with the treats that Clay has to offer us!!

Anyone want seconds?

Clay Blogs - thoughts on NYC, Brazil, UNICEF... tour to hit CA, MO?

Clay blogged today to give us an update on what's been going on in his life the past month or so. Although we can't copy the blog onto CDD, here's a quick synopsis:

• Clay talked about how much fun Kimmel & Mike & Juliet was. He says he had a slight cold when he appeared on Mike & Juliet, but it's all cleared up now.
• BRAZIL! Clay took a trip down there recently and found an excellent new drink called the "Guarana"
• Clay says he's looking forward to the BAF gala to be held on March 31 in Raleigh. He also mentioned that he will be taking his UNICEF trip with his former social studies teacher to an undisclosed location sometime in the summer. Details are not being disclosed for security reasons.
• Clay says he met President Bush's daughter (didn't specify which one!) and former First Lady Barbara Bush at his committee meeting at the White House last month.
• Team Clay is putting details of the summer tour together as we speak. Clay says they will try to hit as many areas not covered during the last several tours as much as possible. Clay gave us the hint: surfboard and stetson... sounds like California and Missouri is in for a treat this summer!
  
• And of course, Clay wouldn't miss the opportunity to tease us when he said he has some really "exciting" projects in the works.

New Mike & Juliet Fan Videos

dj4Clay, SecretlyLovesClay and claytonaiken4365 have provided us with some wonderful new clack from OUTSIDE the Mike & Juliet studios. These new clips can be downloaded at ClackUnlimited.com:

• dj4Clay & SLC's videos
• claytonaiken4365 & SLC's videos
  

"Dancing Spirit" - CorieLuvzClay's Essay Inspired By The Mike & Juliet Show

Oh, the wonderful memories we now have of Clay's co-hosting on The Mike and Juliet Show. Is there anything he can't do? The answer is, of course, "He can do anything and everything he puts his mind to, and do it amazingly." We saw that on this show. And the pictures and videos are there to remind us of it at any moment we so choose.

And, here is another fabulous essay by CorieLuvzClay, inspired by this very show. This is her way of sharing, after seeing the show, those things that came to her mind. I cried when I read it. I feel these very sentiments in my heart. Maybe you will as well.

Enjoy this beautiful essay.

Dancing Spirit

Have you ever seen a spirit?? Have you ever witnessed a dancing spirit?? Have you ever seen a soul?? Have you ever witnessed a rapturous, luminous, impassioned soul?? If you’re a Clay Aiken fan you have seen and witnessed all of this and in so many varied ways…the brilliance and the after-glow of a true and prominent star. This is the essence of the man we have loved and supported for more then four years now. This is the man whose at once angelic and most powerful voice brought us all together…and we stayed with him not only for his voice but we stayed for his heart, his intelligence, the dignity and morality with which he lives his life.

Today Clay was the Guest Host on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet and once again he brought the “house” down. Although Clay had a cold…he came out to play and to win and he was victorious!

I’m not going to go into the show because every single solitary nuance of it hit the internet as it was airing…we are getting better and better at keeping pace with our gorgeous man…ain’t technology grand?!?!?

What I will do is reflect upon something that so often comes to mind, perhaps because it is branded to my heart. This love affair we have…Clay Aiken and his diehard fans…how we love him and have loved him from day one. I borrow from myself as I quote a few paragraphs from an essay I wrote during the clackless time after The Juke Box Tour.

With the pages of “Learning To Sing” ever reverberating within I wrote in part…

“We are so lucky, he is so very lucky, his family is luckier still; that with all the inflicted pain and agony to his soul, that with the verbal and emotional abuse Clay suffered, he also encountered a miracle. This beautiful soul, so young and impressionable had no relief from its torment. Many children who are abused at home find solace at school and in childhood friendships. Many children who are bullied, ridiculed and cast aside at school find love, understanding and warm hugs waiting for them at home…with kisses to adorn tear stained cheeks and soothe the wounded soul. Not Clay though, wherever this child turned, he was forsaken and abandoned in one way or another.
This wonderful child whose little body housed a loving heart and an amazing spirit, walked an emotional fine line to be sure and how miraculous is it for him first and foremost and for the rest of us that Clay Aiken did not fall to the dark side of life, one perhaps of drugs and alcohol to dull the pain and make it go away, but instead he listed toward the lighter side in his growing up years until he fell full force into the guiding light meant only for him.”

“That guiding light has since turned into a blazing star, and what a phenomenal, enterprising expedition he has been on. And us, what about us? We came along, we came in droves, he couldn’t keep us away, we knew immediately, we saw instantly, we fell in love unabashedly! And Clay? He knows, he sees and he feels us…he misses us…he said so…unabashedly…in a public blog…”Missing You!”

“Clay needs us, every bit as much as we need him…we are nourishment for his soul, for the scars on his heart...for all the times he was thrown away by family members who should have loved him, protected him and accepted him just for him. For the pain in his heart for every lonely hour he spent at school or after school being the "odd" man out, in his too big sweaters and his double strapping. We saw what no one else seemed to see, we loved what no one else seemed to love...we found adorable and endearing what no one else seemed to find adorable and endearing or even acceptable.”

“We loved his adorable ears, when everyone else made fun of them, we loved his freckles when he himself hated them, we loved his feet when others snickered, we loved his demeanor when others would put him a corner, we drank up his beautiful voice and called him sexy, perhaps for the very first time in his life.
We found his hand movements to be a thudding experience when the butterfly-like movements hovered and gently caressed the mic stand, we found his deep knee bends alluring when others told him to "dance a little"..we loved him and uplifted him every step of the way. We filled his soul with what he so desperately needed just as he filled ours. We filled a void in his life just as he filled the void in ours.”

“We fell in Love with each other and I believe that he will take us with him, for the rest of his life, wherever he may go because our mark on Clay is just as indelible as his mark is on us...we are branded to each others hearts for all time, because Clay and his Claymates are a once in a lifetime anomaly.”

“Only "we" could have a Wilkes-Barre moment…when the realization hit him that we knew the words to his song...only we could bring him so visibly to tears in Raleigh when we packed the theatre and he stood and cried. Only we...he and us could have a relationship today that allows us to let him know what we want, that let's him know how important our cameras are because he can actually see the beautiful creations from those cameras that pour out the love we have for him. Only "us" no one before and I venture to say no one that follows...this was a Phenomenon that can never be duplicated because there will never be another stardom/fandom combination like us again!”

“Our love for Clay was unconditional from the start...we fell in love with him from head to toe and from inside out! The one's who "got it" early on needed nothing more then to see his beautiful smile, hear his angelic voice and have their hearts tugged and caressed with every gift of laughter he gave to us, with every humble nod and lip bite holding back obvious joy and pleasure at hearing some very lovely things that were being said to him...Gladys Knight comes to mind as does Paula on the Wild Card show. That adorable lip bite, lowered head & crooked smile as he listened to Paula tell him he raised the bar and he's a star. Clay loved this and ate this up as he never in his life experienced such glowing remarks from the people who had mattered the most.”

“Clay does love us and I'm sure he misses us...we freed his soul and showed it how to soar, we lightened his heart with love and attention...with the desire to have him near us and to sing for us...we nourished that part of his being that was so depleted so hungering for love and acceptance...we let him know that he would no longer sit all alone and off to the side lines. We would raise his spirits and carry him as he in turn did for and to us. I have often said that this love affair of "ours", Clay and his fans, is a love affair of grand proportions. This is a first in the history of stardom and fandom for we are most right when we say that there are no celebrities today nor have there ever been to have the relationship that we have with each other. I would venture to say that the Internet does help an awful lot in these modern times to keep a star alive when out of public sight...as discussions, videos, pictures, etc. are such an amazing means to that end. BUT make no mistake that it is precisely because of Clay's sweet, funny, giving, loving and humble nature, that we are so willing to keep him alive during the down periods.”

“He loves us because he has been loved by us. He misses us because he has been missed by us. He wants us in his life, because we want him in our lives. Ours is a mutual love, a mutual respect, he is our Idol, but I think perhaps, that we are his as well! This truly is a love affair to remember and keep safely tucked away in our hearts for all time. I don't think there will ever be another "Camelot" like ours!!”

Clay looked absolutely gorgeous on The Morning Show and I know he made two more friends in Mike & Juliet. You could tell that they had a blast with our man and he impressed in every way possible within a mere sixty minutes. He was charming, witty and intelligent. Clay was serious and informed when the segment turned to the story of the hour regarding the Anna Nicole Smith storyline and he was funny and playful during the “arts & crafts” segment.

Clay is definitely on a high right now…he’s so happy he makes my soul sing. When I look at Clay I see the light of his spirit dance in his beautiful eyes. To see that beautiful bow shaped mouth crinkle up in a smile steeped in sweetness is all I need to know that he’s ok.

Our mantra is “We came for The Voice and stayed for The Man” and what a man Clay Aiken has grown into. The skinny “white boy”, with the big ears and the coke bottle glasses from North Carolina has blossomed into an absolutely handsome prince of a man. We stayed for his humility, loving heart, spirited soul and a demeanor steeped in playfulness, charm, wit and pure good natured fun and silliness all while encapsulated within a body beautiful…a temple, that we have watched grow and change in maturity and knowledge. Today, Clay is tall and slender but filled out in a solid, manly way…gone is the skinny “boy” body. His hairstyles of late frame his face in such a manner as to heighten the model-like cheekbones, enhancing long lashes and his eyes of jade…eyes that sparkle and are alive with happiness and awareness…aware of where he has come from, where he is and where he is going.

A line comes to mind from “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Jimmy Stewart….

“What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”

We lassoed the moon for you Clay, continue building your wonderful life, we will continue to love you unconditionally and unwaveringly support you…just stay true to yourself, make sure your spirit dances…keep us in your heart and you will never walk alone.

By: CorieLuvzClay

February 22, 2007

Tidbits 2/25

CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 3 SEMIFINALIST JENNIFER HUDSON ON HER OSCAR WIN FOR HER SUPPORTING ROLE IN DREAMGIRLS TONIGHT.

• Denver Post -article about Jimmy Kimmel ...

  Late night is where he's comfortable, whether plugging mainstream fan favorites (the Clay Aiken crowd of seniors was quite voluble), or hosting more idiosyncratic guests (last year's snakebite video remains a hit on YouTube, showing Kimmel being tended by paramedics and rushed to the "Grey's Anatomy" doctors).

• UGO Actress Archives - AI article... "Over the five completed season of American Idol, household names have been made of Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks."
• Los Angeles Times - The CB's CLAYGAL says there was a very nice Clay mention yesterday today's Los Angeles Times print edition (Idol article) -

  Every season's first "Idol" episode brings a lurch to the stomach. We see 24 unformed rough talents and the question looms heavy in the ether: Is there a Kelly Clarkson among this crowd? Can the next Clay Aiken be hanging over that railing before us? And at first glance, the answer is generally: absolutely not. There is no way that these wild, untamed beasts of the musical jungles can rise in one song, in one episode, to the stature of the giants of entertainment. That kind of grvitas comes only after an entire season of trials and setbacks and brilliant breakthroughs.

• Clay mention in the Mar. 5 issue of InTouch. Thanks to CV's Butterflyshine for this:

  Who wore it better?
  
  Imitation really is the hightest form of flattery! Jimmy Kimmel showed upon Ellen on February 21 in exactly the same ensemble as Ellen DeGeneres hereself (black pants, white sneakers, pink sweater, white dress shirt and skinny black tie). "This is so embarrassing!" he joked. Jimmy's got real talent for dressing to impress-check out the outfit he wore when Clay Aiken visited Jimmy's show on Valentine's Day!

• Entertainment World - Diane Austin's article on AI6 ... some Clay mentions:
  - Chris Sleigh - "I’d like to see them do a Clay Aiken makeover on Sligh, but I’m afraid it just ain’t gonna happen."
  - Phil Stacey - "Phil is my favorite at this point, and ironically, he sang a great song I would have said could only be sung by one person, and that no one else since could do it justice. The selection is “I Could Not Ask for More”; the artist is Clay Aiken. But Phil did his own version and nailed it."

• There Was A Man - "Talk the Talk" - Clay co-hosts The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet ... recap, photos, video.
  

Cookie Tells All!

"The world's biggest Claymate", Cookie, who appeared on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet last Thursday with Clay shared her experience today:

Hi Everyone,
I have been inundated with e-mails and phone calls. Now I have
just a very minute idea of what Clay goes through.
I want to let you know
that last night is the first nights' sleep I've gotten for a week. It
would have taken a bomb right outside our window to have awaken me! I
am still trying to recover today! :sleep

Many of you have been so very supportive and I want to thank
you for that.
All I can tell you is that it was just beyond imagination! Clay
was just so kind and we sure had a lot of fun. One of the biggest
things I worried about was them asking me trivia questions. I'm
better at promotion than trivia. So what did they do but present me
with my biggest fear against the man himself. :yow The only little contact
I had with him after coming inside off camera was while he was
waiting to go back on stage. I leaned over and said " Clay you've
gotta help me with this..I'm not so good at trivia". He looked at me
and said "I'm not helping you..you probably know more than I do about
me". Now doesn't that sound like Clay!! I thought I'm in deep do-do
here. But as it turned out we have lots of fun and ladies he is just
so wonderful. He even let me pull him down to my level to kiss him on
the cheek :bigkiss when he first walked out. I think he was a little nervous
as he do not know just what to expect. But after he realized I was
not gonna jump his bones he relaxed and had fun.

He did have lots of
make-up on so I was not able to see those cute freckles but the eyes
say it all! The new teeth are not quite set yet..they seemed to stand
out a little from the gums..I think that is why he runs his tongue
over them so much..takes a lot to get used to. I have a cap on one
front tooth that I've had for a long time and it still feels funny.

I was happy share my pride and joy--the Claymobile--with the man himself. I was a bit disappointed that he can't "drive a stick"...but perhaps this will inspire him to learn? The line to teach him starts behind me!!!

As far as the trip goes I never even expected anything beyond
him just coming out to see the car. Being involved in 2 segments
gave me plenty of one on one with OMC. He is tall and as you can see
from us standing together playing the game I looked like a peanut.
I am not sure if he truly wants to see the vacation pics. If that happens, great. Whatever happens, I have had my day..more than I could have ever hoped
for.

As far as the car goes and my mention of a donation...I have
made arrangements to see that the foundation gets it when I'm
finished with it if it's in good condition!! We do take pretty good
care of "her" so who knows the foundation could possible make a
little money!

Well I guess that pretty well tell you everything. All I can say
is thanks for being so supportive. You are a great group of Clay Fan
friends and I only hope that one day you all will have an opportunity
to gaze into the baby greens. It is an experience beyond heaven!!
Hugs to all of you..Cookie

Tidbits 2/23

People Magazine's StarTracks featuring a photo of Clay making his guest co-hosting appearance on Mike & Juliet yesterday. What a wonderful shot of Clay!

• A bunch of American Idol related articles today:
• Newsday Interactive - best American Idol performance? VOTE FOR CLAY'S SOLITAIRE... click here!
  
• Associated Content - "Season 2 and 5 favorites Josh Gracin, Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken, have all seen a great deal of success, after being voted off the show. So, all was not lost... but any means."
• Denver Post - "The show that launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken has changed how the music industry ticks."
• Casino Gambling Web -

  American Idol will see Jennifer Lopez singing on its April 11th show and it might bring her back into the pop culture limelight. The show launched the careers of several stars that are now household names, even if we wish we could forget a couple of them, like Clay Aiken or Justin Pernini, is it?

• Wichita Eagle -

  Also, Ryan went out of his way to say that Sanjaya Malakar (who I nominate for an emergency Clay Aiken makeover) was among the top four male vote-getters. What was his purpose in dropping that tidbit when he didn't reveal the statistical standings of any of the other contestants?

• WMC TV Memphis - Kimberley Locke ...

  As for American Idol, Locke was second runner-up in a season of fierce competition between her, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.

• WTOC TV - "American idol has paved the way for many singers Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Carrie Underwood just to name a few."
• There was a Clay mention on an airing of The Travel Channel's No Reservations, says the CB's fancynails4:

  My husband love's Anthony's show. It is called No Reservations and shown on The Travel Channel. Anthony travels the world exploring local and traditional foods of different nations. Some of the eating experiences can be downright disgusting! (Almost 'Fear Factor'-type spreads) LOL But Anthony is always very entertaining. (He also owns a restaurant in midtown Manhattan) Periodically, On Demand has some of his past shows to watch, as you please! One of the new additions is his travels to Japan. My husband told me Anthony mentioned Clay and played back the segment for me. The segment had two local male comedians taking Anthony around a Times Square-like section to sample local foods. On a wall outside one of the popular restaurants are very large posters of men and women with similar hair-cuts. Very cute ones, I thought. Sort of shaggy with a little spiking. Anthony asks the comedians who are all those people. The guys tell him they are 'very famous celebrities'. Anthony replies: "That's some scary hair. Looks like Clay Aiken was made Emperor of fashion and passed styling regs (regulations) mandating fluffy 'dos." We both got a laugh out of it!!

• Rolling Stone - mentions of "Learning To Sing" in this article about a radio commentator. "A hardcover edition of Clay Aiken's memoir, Learning to Sing, is propped on a ledge across the room."
• MySpace.com/Kreativvairbrushin - Not only does Kreativv Airbrushin, the artist who created Clay and Jimmy's shirts for the show, have pictures of them wearing the shirts at his myspace, but he also has "Without You" playing in the background! Give him some hits!
• Amazon.com - Has a book called "Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide". There are four mentions of Clay in a chapter on American Idol. Go to The Clayboard to read each of these mentions.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay shines as co-host of The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet.