AD: Toronto (June 2, 2005)

Clay named National Spokesman for 2005 UNICEF Trick or Treat Campaign

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2005 (Yahoo! News)
Multi-platinum recording artist and UNICEF National Ambassador Clay Aiken will act as the National Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Spokesperson for the 2005 campaign. As this year's national spokesperson, Aiken will encourage kids and adults to get involved by raising funds for vulnerable children in other parts of the world. Aiken was appointed a National Ambassador in 2004.

Clay to compose song?

Quote from Clay:
“I’m thinking of composing a song about the plight of IDPs in northern Uganda. When I return to the US I will talk to some people. Possibly in the coming months, I’ll have composed it. We should think of creative ways of sensitising the international community about the crisis,” Clay Aiken said on Friday.

Clay at the ASCAP Awards

Pictures have been posted: CLICK HERE.

AD: Interlochen Center (May 28, 2005)

Atlantic City (Both Nights) Sold Out!

It was just announced officially that both nights of the Atlantic City concerts have been sold out.

UNICEF Trip to Uganda Cancelled

Clay management has told ClaytonAiken.com that the trip to Uganda has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Clay mention on THE VIEW

From the CB:
At the VERY beginning of the show, the girls talked about Bo losing and Joy said "But look at Clay Aiken. He's a HUGE star and he didn't have to sleep with Paula!" (Or something like that.)

Clay Aiken Logo Creators Honoured

The firm which designed Clay's Logo has won a 2005 Addy Award for the design.

Congratulations Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is the 4th American Idol. She was signed to Arista Records, a unit of Sony BMG.Records.

Toronto/Greenville Presales Tomorrow!

2 new presales have been announced.
Toronto via EzRock FM and Ticketmaster, tomorrow at 10 AM EDT.
Greenville via Fanclub.
They both go on May 26 (THURSDAY!)

Rescheduled Pasedena Concert Date Announced

Clay's JNT2004 Pasadena, CA concert will finally take place on January 1st, 2006 at the Pasedena Civic Center. MORE INFO.

EzRock Toronto Plays Concert Promos

From the CB:
EZRock just played an amazing commercial for the concert! At first it talks about the particulars - where, when, how, how much....has Invisible playing in the background. Then Clay does a voice over, saying that on his Jukebox tour, he'll be doing hits from the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's right up to todays hits - including some of his own.

AD: Summer Tour General (May 24, 2005)

Greenville and Toronto Sales on Friday

Tickets for Greenville and Toronto go onsale Friday via Ticketmaster.

Possible Opening Act?

Clayboard Members have found out that Teddy Geiger will be touring with Clay this summer. It is unknown whether he'll be a backing muscian, or a opening act.

New Atlanta Date Added!

Clay will play the Chastain Park Amphitheater on August 2nd. Additional information is not currently available, including prices and onsale date.

2 Years Later...

Today marks the 2nd anniversairy of the American Idol Season 2 Top 2 performance show where Clay shined with Bridge Over Trouble Waters.

Here's a trip down memory lane courtesy ClassAktMK:
The Next "American Idol" Movie - Zap2it
Rooting for Ruben or Clay? - USATODAY.com
Raleigh's Clay Aiken Falls Short Of 'American Idol' Title - WRAL.com
Clay's Fame Brings Awareness to Autism - WRAL.com

Birmingham News says Clay is ahead by a "North Carolina mile"

Can Singers Stay In The Spotlight After 'Idol'?

Birmingham News


Right this minute, if you've been following "American Idol," the fortunes of its contestants may seem very, very important.

That's fine. In fact, it's exactly how the show's producers want you to feel.

If you're interested, for example, in what's going to happen to Constantine Maroulis - the sexy Greek godster beloved by millions but booted before his time - the Fox reality series has done its job.

You're invested. Committed. Absorbed.

But when Season Four cools down, will Maroulis' hottie status still matter to you?

Will you care about the program's top 12 finalists when their faces aren't beaming onto your TV screen every week?

That's the million-dollar question for all "Idol" graduates, win or lose, record deal or no record deal.

And it remains to be answered.

As the credits roll at the end of each season - as they will on Wednesday's finale - "Idol" turns into a precarious springboard for singers instead of a solid platform. Through the immense power of television, a crop of unknown vocalists has been made famous. Temporarily.

Their next steps depend on a wide, wild variety of factors, most of which are a mystery to anyone outside of the entertainment industry. We can only guess at the opportunities, disappointments, temptations and pressures tossed into the paths of people like Tamyra Gray, that elegant showstopper, or Bo Bice, currently the long-haired hope of Helena.

Everyone knows, however, that music careers are extremely dicey, no matter how they're forged.

The hopefuls who emerge from the "Idol" machine - which is tightly controlled by producer Simon Fuller and his company, 19 Entertainment - can't be stamped with any guarantees.

Consider these names: Nikki McKibbin. Jim Verraros. Charles Grigsby. Vanessa Olivarez. Matthew Rodgers. Leah LaBelle. Jared Yates. Sarah Mather.

Heard anything about them lately? Um, even remember what they look like?

That's the danger - and perhaps the real, eventual lesson - of the "Idol" experience. It's pushing out quickie household names aplenty, but where's the staying power?

Of course, a small handful of "Idol" wannabes - especially its winners over the past three seasons - can be tracked fairly easily.

Season One diva Kelly Clarkson (a definite success story, for now) has achieved the desired pop-star status with her second album, "Breakaway." She's got a bunch of singles on the radio and is a regular on the Billboard charts. She's thinner, blonder, more fashionable. Her vocals have been given a coat of polish, as well.

Season Two champ Ruben Studdard (whose momentum appears to be slowing) reportedly has been recording his third album for J Records, "The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear." His fortunes have gone up (Grammy nomination, double-platinum debut, gold gospel disc) and down (plane-seat snafu, management lawsuit, botched weight-loss campaign on "Extra").

The Birmingham resident will be in town this weekend for a big-bucks concert to benefit his music-scholarship charity for children. But what message is his label sending with that skimpy official Web site, so devoid of information and in dire need of updating?

Season Three queen Fantasia Barrino (yes, we insist on using her last name) has one platinum album to her credit, called "Free Yourself," and a U.S. tour with Kem on her summer agenda. She'll open for him here on June 10 at the BJCC Concert Hall. She's done quite well on the R&B charts with the song "Truth Is" and apparently remains a devoted "Baby Mama."

Standing out from the rest of the pack - by a North Carolina mile - is Clay Aiken, the second-season runner-up. Oh, that skinny guy is smart. Shrewd, savvy, solid and smart.

Others might sit idle after "Idol," but Aiken appears to be one of the hardest-working men in show biz. He's wholesome and in demand: Andy Williams for the 21st century, Pat Boone for the millennium, Barry Manilow for the future.

Two top-selling albums, including a boffo Christmas disc. Tons of TV appearances. His own holiday special. Concert tours, ringtones, Web sites, fan clubs, magazine covers. That active Bubel-Aiken Foundation for people with developmental disabilities.

His A-plus resume includes a self-help guide, "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life," published in November with coauthor Allison Glock. But Aiken really could write the book on how to make the most of what "Idol" has to offer. He's actually learned how to use the show, instead of allowing it to use him.

When Aiken's contract with 19 Entertainment displeased him - apparently because the company's cut was too large and their policies too restrictive - he hired a tough lawyer and cut loose from it. Then he signed with The Firm, a management powerhouse that offered a sweeter deal.

That's darn good business sense, and it bodes well for Aiken to become the "Idol" who remains while others fade away.

Clay in advice column

From Newsday.com:

DEAR AMY: I am a 15-year-old boy. I am a sophomore in high school, and no one likes me. I am so worried that there is something wrong with me. I get good grades and am in the choir. All the guys in my class make fun of me, because I am the only male in the choir. The girls in my class think I am a geek because I get good grades. Amy, I love to sing and get good grades, and I would be so sad without it. Should I quit singing and fail on purpose, just so people will stop making fun of me? Tenor in Chicago



DEAR TENOR: I have two words for you: Clay Aiken.


Clay Aiken, the pop singer and "American Idol" star, could have written your letter when he was in high school. Like you, he was the only male in the school choir, and, like you, he was bullied.

In his book, "Learning to Sing" (2004 Random House), Aiken outlines his struggle with high school bullies. "I was teased by other kids like it was their job," he says.

If your choir has a travel choir or madrigal group, try out for it. These activities are where you will find other smart and accomplished kids like you who no doubt get picked on by other kids who are jealous of their success in the classroom.