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A quick follow up to the story we posted on Saturday about 13 Japanese Claymates coming to see Clay live in California and North Carolina. Here are some photos of the Japanese contingent being welcomed to America by Clay's mom Faye Parker at the San Diego pre-party held last Thursday before Clay's concert.
A contingent of about 20 Clay fans from Japan have made the long (and costly!) journey to California where they attended Clay's concerts in San Diego, Pala and Los Angeles. The fans are now moving on to Cary and Asheville where they will watch Clay perform live in his home state.
The CH's spotlightlover, who spends hours collecting and uploading clack for fans like the Japanese Claymates who don't have easy access to Clay in person, met the group in LA and posted this recap on the Clackhouse:
As we were preparing to leave the venue, I noticed that 20 or so Japanese ladies had gathered at the front of the stage in their kimonos. They had taken the set lists from the stage and were "oohing" and "aahing" over them. I took a little footage of them and then asked if anyone spoke English. A couple of tentative nods; then the woman who was serving as translator introduced herself.More about the Japanese Claymates:
I told her I had a big souvenir of the entire concert, and there were a few gasps. We exchanged cards and I said I would be in touch. Then I talked a little more with a few of the women who spoke English. I asked if they were on the Internet. One of them replied, “Clack Unlimited?” So I told them my board name. And the eyes of these wonderful women from a far country widened with recognition because they knew who I was.
For me, meeting these women was the most magical moment of the night. No, not because they knew who I was, but because across the vast Pacific Ocean, culture differences, and a language barrier, we have all become a part of this awesome phenomenon. I had shared something with them, not even knowing it; and that made us comrades from half a world away.
I think now, for me, that’s what this is really all about. It’s no longer just about a skinny kid from North Carolina with an incredible voice who got the chance of a lifetime. It’s how his effect on us has brought us together into a big family, and every concert is like a family reunion.
A dozen Claymates in Japan are flying over to the U.S. this summer to see Clay in tour. Two members from Generation Clay are also flying over from New Zealand. Thanks to ClayAikenFans.com for the photo.
Happy Birthday To Chamberlin! He's one year old now. Seems like yesterday that he was born. If you want to leave birthday wishes, you can go to the Chamberlin Clayboard thread."But think of all the amazing people who have come from this state," he said.
There are the obvious superstars: Jesse Helms, Billy Graham, Michael Jordan and Clay Aiken. (Just kidding!)
Stewart turned for commentary on the plan to "senior Iraq correspondent" Aasif Mandvi, who exclaimed, "Love it. Very smart," and said he'd witnessed a meeting where Americans gave guns to an Iraqi insurgent. "But Aasif, he gave them his word?" asked Stewart. "Well, a word, "Mandvi replied. "Some words. Well, between you and me, none of us speak Arabic. The army had a translator, but he got canned. Spent a little too much time listening to Clay Aiken, if you know what I mean."
Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie, Taylor and Jordin have an anniversary to celebrate this month. For that matter, so do Justin, Clay, Diana, Bo, Katharine and Blake.
By the time finalists Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken faced off in the finale, 38 million people were watching to see who would be the next Idol. After Studdard, came Fantasia Barrino, then Carrie Underwood, then Taylor Hicks, before Jordin Sparks took the American Idol title over just three weeks ago.
"If [Mayer] did things to appeal to the largely young, white-male rock critics he might lose his audience," Wallach said. "He knows which side his bread his buttered on, and would never do anything to alienate his core."
Of course, this assumes that pop stars like Clay Aiken or Rob Thomas need to appeal to rock critics. In many cases it would have no effect on their careers. And who says critics would even care?
