Clay To Be At 2007 David Foster Gala in Calgary?

The Calgary Herald is reporting that Clay's name is being tossed around the rumor mill as potential performers at the 2007 David Foster Foundation gala, to be held at Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on September 8.

This is definitely exciting news, especially for a Claynadian fan like me! It would appear to me that Clay is a big fan of western Canada. In 2005, Clay kicked off the Joyful Noise Tour II in Vancouver and this past May, Clay and David Foster traveled to Vancouver (with a short pitstop in Calgary) to perform for California Governor Arold Schwarzenegger who was visiting the city. Last year, Clay performed a selection of songs off of "A Thousand Different Ways" at David Foster's 2006 gala also held in Vancouver. The article from the Herald says Foster will be holding another edition of his "Star Search" competition... which Clay helped judge last year in Vancouver-- at this point, it is unknown whether Clay will be involved with this again.

Foster seeks Alberta talent

Dreaming about being the next Michael Buble, Celine Dion or Josh Groban? This could be your big chance.

Music producer David Foster -- who propelled all of the above mentioned artists to the top of the pops -- will be conducting an Alberta-wide talent search in September in conjunction with his David Foster and Friends Celebrity Gala to be held Sept. 8 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.

Performers confirmed for the Sept. 8 Gala include former Chicago lead singer Peter Cetera, Babyface Edmonds, Mahood and comedian Sinbad.

Other names that may appear, though are not confirmed, include Lionel Richie, Reba McEntire and Clay Aiken.

"David always surprises us and gets somebody big to come," says Cook. "A lot of us don't know who until the last minute . . . but it's always somebody huge and it's always the best evening."

Foster has been organizing his charity galas since 1986, raising millions of dollars for the families of children in need of organ transplants.

New Photo From Calgary Herald - Clay in Calgary

Click to enlarge.

The Calgary Herald published new photos today of Clay's 1 day visit to Calgary, AB, Canada this past Friday. Clay performed at a backyard party held at the home of Brett Wilson. Wilson is co-chair for the 2007 David Foster Foundation gala which will be in Calgary this year.

Many thanks to the CB's zippy888 for the scan.

Clay Visits Calgary, Toronto According to Canadian Media Reports

Clay on the front page of the Calgary Herald today. Thanks to the CB's aikenfan6 for the scan!

A Vancouver Sun article seem to suggest that Clay was in Calgary, Canada yesterday and will be in Toronto, Canada today to perform at several engagements with David Foster. No more details at the moment, but we will get them to you if/when the become available. Clay performed for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell in Vancouver on Thursday.

CLAY AIKEN, the American Idol super-graduate, stole the show by singing at Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance at the Stanley Park Pavilion Thursday. With Premier Gordon Campbell humming along, the California governor preached the green-way mantra other politicos have suddenly taken to heart. But a far older theme -- a star is born --played later when Aiken dined with homegrown music-biz biggie David Foster at Umberto Menghi's Il Giardino restaurant.

It involved a Greenway, too.

That was server Andrea Greenway, who, at Menghi's request, ripped off an operatic aria while setting Foster and Aiken's chow on the table.

Foster's response: "A car will pick you up at eight in the morning. Bring two changes of clothes and your passport. You'll sing with Clay in Calgary Friday. We'll be in Toronto Saturday."

That would be for tonight's benefit concert for the Royal Ontario Museum. By Friday, though, Foster had booked her to sing with pianist Lang Lang in Las Vegas Sunday, and to go into a Los Angeles studio with him (Foster) Monday. Ecstatic at Greenway's break, Il Giardino general manager Bobby Copiak still said: "Now I'm hooped for a server this weekend."

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Update 8:31 AM: The Calgary Herald has confirmed that Clay was indeed in Calgary yesterday for a special concert with David Foster:

As for that famed runner-up from American Idol, Clay Aiken? Well, a playful Foster dances around the rumour that Aiken will be performing at the Calgary concert, but he did manage to bring the pop star into town Friday to perform at a private backyard party for the foundation.

Why wasn't Aiken at the Friday afternoon press conference, held downtown at the new Wild Ginger restaurant? "Clay likes to sleep late," explains a dapper Foster, posing for pictures at his keyboard as the conference wraps up.

"But he's a wonderful friend of the Foundation and he loves Canada. . . . He's just here to help."