Tidbits 12/14

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Minneapolis St. Paul Star Tribune -

  For each of his four holiday tours, Clay Aiken, "American Idol's" most successful runner-up, has come up with a special wrinkle. This year, he invited fans to write letters about their Christmas celebrations, and four have been chosen to read their words as the Minnesota Orchestra plays behind them. Read an interview with him in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Orchestra Hall, $35-$77.) (J.B.)
  

• Southtown Star -

  Star Plaza Theatre - Interstate 65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville, Ind.; (219) 769-6600 or (773) 734-7266. Lineup is: the Temptations, Saturday; Clay Aiken with an orchestra, Dec. 22; Styx, Dec. 28.
  

• MTV Canada News - this week in Music history - "In 2003...American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken was named the Best-Mannered Person of 2003 by the National League of Junior Cotillions."
• Philly Burbs - article about Christmas CDs and the compilation "Crooner's Christmas" which features a track from Clay -

  “Crooner's Christmas” rounds up male singers Clay Aiken, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams.

• Citizen's Voice - outstanding musician Lee Vincent passes away ...

  Vincent performed with many of the greatest musicians of modern times. Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra Jr., Jerry Vale, Bobby Rydell, Danny Thomas, George Burns, Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, the Dorseys, the Temptations, the Four Aces, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marie Osmond, Rosemary Clooney, Glenn Miller, Aretha Franklin and Clay Aiken.

• Belleville News-Democrat reviews Blake Lewis' album -

  The second string (heck, even the third string) has been good for "Idol"dom. (See Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson for reference.) But this time, the pickin's aren't so lush.

• Foxes on Idol - poor first week sales for Blake Lewis -

  Blake Lewis’ Audio Day Dream hits the Billboard 200 this week, entering at #10 (Hot Shot Debut) with 98,000 copies sold. This is the same spot in which Jordin’s CD debuted with 119,000 copies sold. Blake’s first week sales are a little lower than last year’s runner-up, Katharine McPhee, whose self-titled debut entered the Billboard 200 at #2 with 116,000 copies sold, and also lower than Bo Bice (227,000) or Clay Aiken (613,000). But he did better than Justin Guarini (57,000) and Diana DeGarmo (47,000), which is definitely a good thing. Audio Day Dream also shows up on the Digital chart (#3) and Internet Album Sales (#23).

• Inside Pulse on "American Idol Rewind", which is currently broadcasting Clay's season of American Idol in syndication nationwide:

  Currently airing, American Idol Rewind is highlighting Season Two. This is the season that really got the ball rolling for the show. We all remember the final battle between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Who would become the next American Idol? It was a close vote, but we all know that Ruben eventually won. Now you can relive the exciting journey that Ruben and Clay took to the finals. You will also get to chance to catch up with all the "Top 12" contestants from that year as there are over 30 exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage from the second season of American Idol presented on American Idol Rewind.
  

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Tidbits 12/12

• Lehigh Valley Live on Clay's success -

  CLAY AIKEN: REVENGE OF THE WHOLESOME in the TODAY section: "I enjoy everything I do," says Clay Aiken with a laugh. And he sounds like he means it. He was asked a question about a recent appearance on the TV game show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" But it could have been anything he's done recently -- from his appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to preparing to star in "Spamalot" on Broadway to his current tour "Christmas in the Heartland," which brings him to Easton's State Theatre tonight. The "American Idol" runner-up may be enjoying things so much because he's carved out a niche for himself. Aiken has become Opie in an era of Britney. And over the phone he seems, well, Opie-style nice. He has good Southern manners. There's no pretense at trying to be cool. Maybe at this point being anti-cool is the new cool?
  

• Broadway.com - Spamalot article ... "Pop star Clay Aiken will begin his run as Sir Robin on January 18."
• Blake Lewis album has poor showing in debut week -
  
• E! News -

  Lewis ranks fourth among Idol runner-up debuts, selling fewer first-week copies than Clay Aiken, Katharine McPhee and Bo Bice, but more than Justin Guarini and Diana DeGarmo.
  
  Still, during a period of frigid sales that would make the Snow Miser proud, Jordin Sparks and Audio Day Dream were the only Top 10 bows over the past three weeks.

• Billboard -

  Lewis' opening sales week and chart debut is lower than that of three other "AI" runner-ups' debuts (Clay Aiken, Bo Bice and Katharine McPhee), but larger than two others (Justin Guarini and Diana DeGarmo).

• Cleveland Free Times interviews Barry Manilow ... Clay mention:

  You've embraced the comparisons between you and Clay Aiken, right?
  
  Yeah, I think he's great. They don't do it anymore but they did because he kind of looked like a young me. He's better looking. He hasn't got the nose that I struggled with. He's got a much better voice than I do.

• Minneapolis/St. Paul City Pages - article about TV Christmas specials -

  Television holiday specials are often the weapon of choice: from the Bay City Rollers in 1975; to the somniferous Donny and Marie Osmond in 1978, launching a thousand "gives new meaning to the term 'white Christmas'" quips; to the ever-milquetoast Clay Aiken in 2004

• Chexxxy's Pearls - Clay brings Christmas tour to Easton
  

Tidbits 12/8

• Poughkeepsie Journal - Clay in town tonight for Christmas concert -

  Clay Aiken set to play Civic Center tonight
  
  Bringing his "Christmas in the Heartland" tour to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, musical superstar Clay Aiken will take the stage at the City of Poughkeepsie arena tonight at 8 p.m. Tonight's show is the 10th on his 22-city tour, which kicked off Nov. 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
  
  "It has gone really well," Aiken told the Poughkeepsie Journal last week. "It's been a lot of fun."
  
  Journal reporter Sean T. McMann interviewed Aiken and has written extensively about the singer, his tour and tonight's show on his "Sean's Space" blog, just a click away at www.seantm.blogspot.com.

• Orlando Sentinel - Blake Lewis' debut album is a "nightmare" -

  I'll never make fun of Clay Aiken again.
  
  OK, I can't keep that promise, but Aiken sounds like Pavarotti compared with the derivative tedium that fills Audio Day Dream, the debut album from Blake Lewis.

• AOL Music Popeater - second place sometimes best place to be on AI -

  When it comes to 'American Idol,' sometimes second is the place to be. Clay Aiken, Bo Bice and Katharine McPhee have all gone on to have widely successful releases, and Blake Lewis is no exception. The 26-year-old beatboxing rocker became a fan favorite during the sixth season of the widely popular talent show, and has been on the rise to stardom ever since.
  

• More Christmas tour mentions:
• New York Times -

  MORRISTOWN The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts “A Christmas Carol,” musical based on the Dickens novel. Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $12. Clay Aiken, holiday concert. Thursday at 8 p.m. $55 to $95. The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008; www.mayoarts.org.

• Get into the Clay Christmas spirit with some absolutely STUNNING Clay graphics from Clay - The Man.
• Carolina On My Mind - Clay's Christmas tour heads up the east coast
  

Tidbits 12/6

• Massachusetts Republican - Clay prepares for another Christmas show -

  When Clay Aiken's record company proposed the idea of recording a Christmas album, he was hesitant at first.
  
  "My first response was that I would love to do one, but not just yet," said Aiken, who is bringing his Christmas in the Heartland tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday.
  
  "I had just released my first album and thought we should give it a year, with another album in between," said the popular "American Idol" finalist.
  
  But as powerful record companies often do, they prevailed.
  
  "They were very adamant in feeling that this was the time to do it, and it did work out well," said the singer, whose voice thrilled millions of Americans who watched the performer rise to the top on year two of "American Idol."
  
  And, so, on Nov. 16, 2004, RCA Records released Aiken's "Merry Christmas With Love," which set a record for fastest-selling holiday album in the Soundscan era. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and tied Celine Dion's record for the highest debut by a holiday album in the history of Billboard magazine. The album went on to sell more than 1 million copies in six weeks and was the best-selling holiday album of 2004.

• Broadcasting & Cable - not sure where they got the idea Clay has won a Golden Globe, in this article about Grammy nominations which came out today -

  The list of Idol alumni who have turned their music into gold continues to grow, and it includes multiple Grammy winners Kelly Clarkson and Underwood, Oscar and Golden Globes winner Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.
  

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Hartford Courant -

  Two former "American Idol" contestants perform at Connecticut casinos this Sunday in 7 p.m. shows: Clay Aiken at Mohegan Sun and Chris Daughtry at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
  
  Aiken performs "Christmas in the Heartland," a show featuring classic holiday favorites and selections from his album, "Merry Christmas With Love" as a part of his fourth annual Christmas tour. The show is at the Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or www.mohegansun.com.

• Philadelphia Inquirer -

  State Theatre Center For The Arts
  453 Northampton St., Easton; 610-252-3132. www.statetheatre.org. Jimmy Sturr Holiday Spectacular. $31-$38. 12/8 3 pm. Clay Aiken Christmas Show. $65-$100. 12/12 8 pm.

• Philiadelphia Inquirer - another article ...

  Acts from the Blind Boys of Alabama to Clay Aiken will put their own spin on the music of the season in coming weeks, but it's doubtful any of them will match the rowdiness of Marah's annual TLA Christmas show, which takes place tomorrow. Tidings of joy might not seem to jibe with the bar-band grit of the typical Marah song, but guitarist Serge Bielanko says he and his brother, Dave, "have been Christmas freaks since we were little kids."
  

• Albany Times Union has a rehashed version of the Houston Chronicle interview from this summer.

  "I'm never going to be, and I'm fine with that. We all must embrace our inner dork," he said in July.
  
  Aiken, who brings his Christmas show Friday to Palace Theatre, has still managed a successful post-"American Idol" career as the soundtrack of choice for enthusiastic grandmothers.
  
  "People always come up to me and say, 'My grandmother's your biggest fan,' " said Aiken, who just turned 29. "There's a misconception among these ladies that I'm cool and hip and now. And they think that by liking me, it makes them cool and hip and now.

• Fairfield University Mirror - "American Idol Clay Aiken will be at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35."
  
• Ohio.com - Idol show outshines its stars - Jordin Sparks ...
  

  It's all very professional and solidly constructed, and Sparks' voice sounds fine throughout, but just as Clay Aiken's Measure of A Man seemed devoid of any actual Clay-ness, Jordin Sparks could have been made any of a 1,000 decent singers.

• Boston College - BC Heights - review of Blake Lewis' debut CD... not sure what they mean by "untouched on the shelves" when Clay's album sales are in excess of 4.5 million.
  

  Blake lets the music come naturally, skillfully utilizing contemporary elements to showcase his best assets. Despite these two tracks, Audio Day Dream will probably be left dusty and untouched on the shelves of Best Buy, next to those of predecessors Justin Guarini and Clay Aiken.

• NOW Toronto - random mention in review of Peter Pan show.
• Georgetown Independent - another not very good mention: "After a few generically up-tempo offerings to get your toes tapping, the album vomits up an atrocity of a ballad entitled "Top of the Hill" that makes Clay Aiken's most saccharine shite seem urbane by comparison. "

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Vote For Clay's Version of "Mack The Knife"

Do you all remember what an absolutely awesome job Clay did of singing Mack The Knife on American Idol? I mean, he blasted that song through the roof!! That has always been one of my favorites of Clay's from American Idol.

You can head over to the website, IdolStalker.com, and vote for Clay's version of Mack The Knife over versions sung by Blake Lewis from last season's American Idol and Brian Melo of Canadian Idol. The YouTube video of each version is at the website for you to listen to before you vote.

As of the writing of this article, Clay is in the lead with 230 votes, followed by Blake's 30 and Brian's 20.

Head over there and give Clay a few more votes!

Tidbits 8/9

• Concert mentions:
• Tampa Bay Observer - "Clay Aiken: Aug. 17, Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m.; $55.50-$75.50 (B) or (F)"
• Bradenton Herald
• University of Georgia, Red & Black
  
• National Ledger - mention of the LA Greek Theatre auction Clay donated some items to.The funds being raised are helping rebuild LA's fire destroyed Griffith Park -

  GGD were followed by other acts, including Tony Bennett, Clay Aiken and Los Lonely Boys, in setting up concerts to aid the wounded park.

• York News Times - nice Clay mention in this article about Pat Benatar ... "She was our American Idol long before Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken were even born."
• St. Louis Post Dispatch - American Idol tour article...

  Watching new champ Jordin Sparks and runner-up Blake Lewis duke it out proved to be considerably less interesting than Ruben Studdard vs. Clay Aiken or Carrie Underwood vs. Bo Bice.

• Charleston Post Courier - AI auditions... "The show, which made its debut in June 2002, has fostered the careers of several previously unknown talents, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry."
  
• Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - article about an AI2 top 32 semifinalist... mentions being in the same group as Clay during AI2 - "Fuentes was in the top 32 semifinalists of season 2 of American Idol. Her semifinalist group of eight included season winner Ruben Studdard, as well as Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke, who came in second and third."
  

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Tidbits 5/30

• Pop Matters - The article, "Jordin, Blake - Who Cares" has a Clay mention: "Most importantly, will Jordin be insistent on pursuing her musical desires, the way Kelly and Fantasia and (though he lost his latest battle) Clay Aiken have?"
  
  
• TC Palm Entertainment - Lists Clay's concert at Kravis Center:
  • Clay Aiken With Orchestra; 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18. Tickets $20-$65.
• This Week News - tour mention ... Columbus concert
  
• ABC13 - the usual Rosie mentions.

• Happy belated Brithday to WebWeaver's World... her blog turned 1 year old this month.
  

Tidbits 5/28

• The Clayboard - Oyjnkjh, a Clay fan from Korea (Korean fans are called "Clayreans") posted a delightful picture that another Clayrean drew of Clay. Don't you agree that this drawing is great!
• Great Clay mention on TV game show Family Feud today according to the CB's nanclay:

  On Family Feud today on question was Which Celebrity does good work for others(or something like that). A young lady contestant said Well my American Idol "Clay Aiken".... unfortunately the people polled did not have his name but it was a great Clay mention anyway.

• Washington Post - Twenty-three sixth-graders at Fairhill Elementary School in Fairfax are were asked some of their favorite things. Replies for "Favorite Musical Performer" were: Beyoncé, Clay Aiken, Blue Man Group and Nelly Furtado.
• Halifax Daily News - random Clay mention in sports article ... "Then I'd probably get on Scott Niedermayer for his greying beard. 'Hey, Needs,' I'd say. "You're looking like Taylor Hicks and playing like Clay Aiken.'"
• ABC KGO-TV - Rosie...

• There Was A Man - AI runner-up Blake Lewis joins the Clay Aiken American Idol's runner-ups club -

  Both Clay and Blake performed "Mack The Knife" on the American Idol Top 3. It's not an easy song to perform without coming off like a lounge lizard. Blake put his spin on it with his dance moves. Clay put his spin on it with his fantastic voice. You can decide which one is better. I know which one I like. *g*

• Taking A Moment - cute spoof letter from Britney Spears to Clay Aiken regarding the fact Clay Aiken thongs are sold out at the Clay Aiken fanclub store:

  Hey there Clay, it's me Britney. I need to tell you something. You're outta thongs. I'm not kidding you are seriously out of thongs and somebody just tell me what am I supposed to do now? This is why I stay in trouble all the time. Well, that and some other stuff.

• Carolina On My Mind - the buzz for Mr. Aiken continues.
  

Tidbits 5/27

• A few Clay mentions over at Fred Bronson's Billboard Chart Beat -
  
• First up is this one Billboard Chart Beat about Avril Lavigne's new single -

  "Girlfriend" is the first No. 1 on the RCA label since Clay Aiken's "This Is the Night" occupied the penthouse in June-July 2003. Lavigne is the first solo female to have a No. 1 on RCA since Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" held sway for two weeks in October 2002. "Girlfriend" is the first non-Idol No. 1 for RCA since Christina Aguilera's "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" topped the chart for four weeks in October-November 2000.

• And this one is a Billboard Chart Beat Chat about the successes of American Idol contestants -

  Season Two
  "Measure of a Man," Clay Aiken, No. 1 (2003)
  "Soulful," Ruben Studdard, No. 1 (2003)
  "One Love," Kimberley Locke, No. 16 (2004)
  "Josh Gracin," Josh Gracin, No. 11 (2004)
  

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette - AI article ...

  Jordin is talented and lovely -- I'm happy for her. But Blake never stood a chance with "This is My Now" -- how could he beatbox and jazz up a sappy, dull pop song? Oh well. We all know second place is just as good as first when it comes to "American Idol" -- just look at Clay Aiken and Katharine McPhee, or even fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry. But as a Blaker Girl, I'm bummed the hip beatboxer doesn't pull off the underdog victory.
  

• A few mentions of the summer tour:
  
• Sun Sentinel
  
• Foster's Online

• The ConCLAYve - Buzz disappears from American Idol finale -

  the American Idol finale seemed like an afterthought. There was no buzz. I kind of feel badly for Jordin Sparks, she will need some serious manufactured buzz in order to have a successful album.
  
  This year's AI finale was more like that televised Yule Log film loop that you turn on at Christmas. Contrast this year with last year when a simple hint that Clay Aiken might be performing set off a frenzy on the entertainment shows. When he did appear in the infamous segment with fan and wannabe Michael Sandecki, the buzz Clay created lasted for a week after, nearly eclipsed the actual winner's moment and completely overshadowed the fact that Prince performed later.
  

Tidbits 5/22

Great Clay mention at MSN Music. It reads:

American Idol Alumni Association

Clay Aiken: Second-season runner-up Aiken is the second-highest-selling "American Idol" veteran and tops the album-sales list for nonwinners, even outselling Season-2 winner Ruben Studdard by almost double (approximately 4.5 million to 2.4 million, respectively). Aiken has also garnered three Billboard Music Awards and one American Music Award. He has a special set of extra rabid devotees who call themselves "Claymates."

• VOTE for Clay & Ruben at AmericanIdol.com.
  
• Lycos 50 - Clay remains at #10 for the week ending May 19. The caption under his name is "Humanitarian Work". 203 weeks and counting. Keep those searches up!
• MTV News - In an article called "'American Idol' Video Timeline: Five Seasons In Five Minutes (Or 2,500 Words)", Clay is mentioned under the Season 2 summary as follows:

  By casting Ruben, Clay, Kimberley and Frenchie, "AI2" broadened America's definition of "pop star image." Fans ate it up. However, by voting on voice over looks, the season ended up being fairly predictable, where the singer who deserved to go home each week did. The final Ruben/Clay showdown was a tight race (one that Seacrest called a "photo finish") and although Studdard was the victor, Aiken ultimately wiped the floor with him in record sales.

  There are lots of articles about this year's American Idol finale between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis that mention Clay:
  
  
• AOL Television - Listed as one of the reasons that this year's American Idol failed, along with a picture of Clay and Ruben, is (scroll down on website page):

  No Name Appeal: Clay and Ruben. Kelly and Justin. Just saying the names makes us feel nostalgic. Blake and Jordin? Not so much.

• The Modesto Bee -

  It would take a miracle (20 million phone calls) for Blake Lewis to win this, and it would be interesting if he does. But if he fails, all he has to remember is that Ruben Studdard won the title but Clay Aiken, who came in second, made all the money.

• My San Antonio - "But Clay Aiken, the Season 2 runner-up, and Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth last year, actually put out hotter CDs than the winners of their seasons."
• WNBC: "Clay Aiken, who finished second to Ruben Studdard in 2003, has released three discs and sold a total of 4.5 million units."
• Chicago Tribune - "“I don’t think a final between Blake and Jordin is reminding anyone of those classic ‘Idol’ finals between Kelly [Clarkson] and Justin [Guarini] or Ruben [Studdard] vs. Clay Aiken.”"
• Hartford Courant - "The successes of past non-winners, from Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson to Clay Aiken, shows them there's a future even if they don't get the most votes tonight (likewise, the faltering this year of Taylor Hicks' debut album indicates there's no guaranteed super-stardom for a winner)."
• SouthFlorida.com - "Some of Idol's greatest success stories -- Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry from last season -- have been also-rans."
• Daily Vanguard -

  Clay Aiken, season two runner-up, experienced brief fame among the adult easy listening crowd, making him the third most successful former contestant of the show, but have you even heard his name in the last two years? Probably not, because nobody cares anymore.

• Winston Salem Journal -

  Part of the reason Fox 8 has done so well with the show over the years has been local interest, with previous seasons including such performers as Raleigh native Clay Aiken, High Point native Fantasia Barrino, and last year’s triple-punch of North Carolinians Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry.

• Foxes on Idol recalls last year's Clay Aiken spectacular on the AI5 season finale --

  Other highlights included an appearance by Clay Aiken, who totally floored poor Michael Sandecki (the “winner” of the Golden Idol award for best impersonation), and a neat medley of Burt Bacharach songs featuring the top 12. Prince also made an appearance that night, along with Al Jarreau, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Meatloaf, and Dionne Warwick.

• TV Guide host calls Clay Aiken "insanely popular" ... she got that right! -

  Of the six seasons to date, which do you think was the hardest to call?
  Rosanna: I think the hardest was Ruben and Clay, because Clay was insanely popular — and still is. People weren't sure which way that was going to go.

• Arizona Republic -

  Some years, I have a strong feeling who is going to win. Ruben Studdard against Clay Aiken, and I was going for the big guy all the way. Last year, I knew Katharine McPhee didn't stand a chance. But this year, I'm really confused. Jordin has a great smile, a gorgeous voice and a sweet personality (well, when she's not sniping about Rose Royce), but Blake is just so cool and charismatic and adventurous in what he does.

• TampaBay.com -

  But only two of the series' five previous winners have maintained Idol-level performing careers (Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood), with other high achievers such as Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson outperforming those who beat them in their competitions.

• Detroit Free Press -

  Note to Blake and Jordin fans: They're both young, talented, and poised for lucrative pop careers, but neither of their voices has dominated the competition -- not like the Kellys, Clays and Fantasias of yore.

• New York City Village Voice - article about New York University's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music -

  Some students specialize in engineering, some in business, and the rest—about a third—are performer-producers who gain training in how to record themselves in a multimillion-dollar studio so that they leave with full-length albums upon graduation. And if the final goal isn't already clear, a wall of photos at the fifth-floor offices at 194 Mercer Street makes the point: There's Davis with Whitney Houston and Carlos Santana. Davis with Annie Lennox and Rod Stewart. Davis handing a gold record to American Idol standout Clay Aiken.

• A few mentions of Clay's Dancing With The Stars appearance TONIGHT -
  
• The ConCLAYve
• Something That Really Happened