Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Aiken Fans Greet July Festivities


FREEDOM FEST - Graphic by Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche.

Canada, USA Celebrate Birthdays

Clay Aiken Fans Welcome July

As Canada and the USA celebrate national birthdays this week, Clay Aiken fans will also include a rewind to Independence Day 2007 when the singer launched the 20-city Summer Symphony Tour at Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the United States of America On was born as the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

President John Adams said the Fourth of July should be celebrated with, among other events, "pomp, parade, games, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

Taking President Adams at his word, link to Fireworks Pop by clicking on the photo below where you can create your own "illuminations" in the sky above Lady Liberty with your mouse. Linking fireworks show below compliments of Claystruck.

Originally "Dominion Day," July 1 officially became Canada Day in 1982; and today Canadians commemorate their country's heritage, history, and achievements from coast to coast.
Graphics for Canada Day and the new month's calendar are by Amazing_CA, 1; cindilu2, 2 and 4; and Fountaindawg, 3. Wide screen versions of the calendar blends are available at cindilu2's Yuku page.







One of the most cherished pieces of clack occurred during the "stump the band" segment at the Toronto Jukebox Tour Concert when Clay sang an a capella version of O Canada. The performance, uploaded by Ashes2isme, can be viewed in the player below or at YouTube.


Clay Sings 'O Canada' at the Toronto Jukebox Tour Concert.

Fans Recall 2007 Frisco Festivities

For CA fans, Independence Day will forevermore be associated with the 2007 Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX, opening performance of the summer tour also known as Soft Rock Hard Place. The festivities included food, fun, fireworks and a "hawt" Clay Aiken Concert.

Anniversaries of events from Clay's singing career are marked in various fashions. Last year, xxx4clay reminisced about July 4, 2007, and then posed the question to her online friends: "Where were you a year ago today?"

A host of memories were shared not only by those who endured every degree of the humid, 90-plus temps in the Frisco soccer stadium, but also those who listened via cellstream in air-conditioned comfort. Beginning with xxx4clay, here are a some of the Independence Day 2007 recollections:

Prior to this concert, we knew very little about what Clay would sing although the speculators amongst us had run amok with their possible scenarios. That afternoon someone had listened to the rehearsal and some of that info had drifted back to us but still, the lack of knowledge just added to the excitement.

Finally, finally, finally, Clay entered the stage singing “Here You Come Again.” There really are no words to describe what I felt at that moment. It was beyond exciting. Beyond mesmerizing. And he was soooo close. That crowd let loose with a collective squeal that I can still hear to this day.

All those heat related miseries just disappeared when Clay showed his face and I never gave it another minute's thought until the concert was over. There’s just something about the first concert of the tour and not knowing everything that’s gonna happen that makes it very, very special.

These response represent a cross-section of those who gathered in Texas and the many who listened from afar on Independence Day 2007:

IRISHBOOKGAL: Right here with my headphones on listening to a beautiful voice that gives me goose bumps.

SMARTYPANTSSUZ: Glued to my computer drinking in every morsel I could through the cellstream and recaps. What a night!

JCLAY: Basking in the afterglow of my very first Meet & Greet. It was the first of the "sit down with all of you and talk for 1/2 hour" variety.

WINDSTAR2: I was also in Frisco right in the middle of the screaming teenagers. What a great night that was to be with fellow Clay friends, to see Clay again live in concert and in TEXAS!

ANAMERIAIKENINTX: I'd bet anything the Frisco temperature was pushing 100 before the humidity was factored in! The weather was terrible. I forgot all about it, too, while Clay was with us.

PLAYBILLER: Deep in the heart of Texas!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: From seasons past, the fandom's visual artists have created clickable patriotic graphics for this week's fireworks. Included are designs by A Beautiful Mind, photo by Invisible926, 1; Ashes, 2; Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche, 3; and CLAYPERFECT, 4.








Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro


Clickable by Cotton


Clickable by Fountaindawg


Clickable by Amazing_CA

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27 comments:

Ashes said...

BEAUTIFUL! Thanks Caro :)
Wow, do I remember the July 4th concert, I was as excited as one could get without being there, LOL.
I was glued to the cellcert, the roof could have fallen in on me & not noticed, I'm sure!

Thanks for your visit & lovely comment to O Canada. When (not if) Clay tours in Canada again, you'll have to come join us!

Thanks too for using my graphic & linking to my Clay O'Canada.

Hugs, have a great day!!

SueReu said...

That star at night
shines big in bright
deep in the heart of Texas!!!

I actually got two Clay Aiken cellcerts from the Frisco concert - one for the sound check (which had me laughing one minute and in tears the next) and then I got set on the stage right next to the speak. SPECTACULAR!!!

Thanks Caro - such fun, good memories.

As always, gorgeous graphics!!!

Cindy said...

Ahh, I loved the DCAT (sorry, it'll always be DCAT to me :-P) so much. It's hard to believe it was two years ago now. I miss concert Clay very much!

I didn't get to Frisco, but I did get to see the show seven times (a tour record for me. We won't discuss how many times I saw Spamalot *blush*) What an awesome summer.

I did, however, get to watch him sing O Canada from the fourth row center. Not to mention see Parker's mama strut her stuff to Carwash a little earlier in the evening. Good, good times!

Great blog, as always!

musicfan said...

Caro...what fun memories. The Frisco concert was the beginning of the last tour. I think we were all excited!!

Thanks for featuring all the wonderful graphics.

Your blogs are always fun and they always have some great information.

Thanks for the time you spend to give this to us!!

clayam said...

What fun memories! I love Clay Aiken

ImGranny said...

Great blog! I can't wait till Clay Aiken tours again. I spent many nights listening to the cell certs and reading all the recaps from those who were able to be there. Look forward to doing it again!

T said...

Beautiful blog Caro! 2 very special events to commemorate & so delighted to see that Canadians & Americans celebrate.

I don't know how you do it but you have a way of giving us a very informative blog. I'm always fascinated with your talent.

Thanks so much again for featuring the blends but would like to give my compliments to the beautiful works of ABM, Ashes, Cindilu2, ClayPerfect and Fountaindawg.

Not to forget the Toronto montage when Clay sang "Oh Canada" which was a very memorable moment (I was there). One of my favorite concert.

Cheers Caro and great blog!

Anonymous said...

Liked the blog. You do a nice job. My favorite is the pics on this one! Liked the song too.Your writing is so good. Thanks! A Clay music fan, Donna in Wi.

Anonymous said...

Great blog. I love to relive these fabulous memories. Can't wait till Clay Aiken tours again.

Hunter

Anonymous said...

I love coming here and seeing all you post. It is always fun. Thanks!!

Dolly said...

Nice blog. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for new Clay Aiken tours to begin.

jbc4clay said...

What a wonderful blog. I love Clay Aiken singing O Canada. Love the pics.

lexus said...

Ahhhh.... such wonderful memories.
Hopefully lots of memory making fun times are just around the corner with another Clay Aiken tour.

Unknown said...

WOW! Thanks for the great blog. Love the video of Clay singing Oh Canada. I hadn't seen it for a while.

CLM said...

Love it as usual, Caro. Thanks for the blog.

Anonymous said...

Caro, thanks for another great blog! I loved Clay's summer tours and hope that he'll tour again for us soon!

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

You did it again!!! What a GREAT blog to Celebrate both Canada Day and Independance Day.

I loved the video, graphics....EVERYTHING!!!

Have a WONDERFUL and SAFE Holiday weekend.

Hugs,
Marlyne

copingincalifornia said...

Thank you as always for your blog and I loved all the pictures of Clay Aiken!
Happy 4th Caro.

Ashes said...

Caro, great additions to the festivities blog. Making the fireworks is really neat!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

LovesClaysVoice said...

Thanks Caro for the blog and the wonderful memories! Just like everyone else I was so excited for the Frisco concert! I then went to Tulsa and had a blast! I am hoping and praying that we all get to see him in concert sometime very soon! Happy 4th of July!!!

Sandy said...

Happy Fourth of July Caro!

I was actually a traiter and in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Canada Day! But I was enjoying our vacation so much!

Wonderful graphics and I saved the "Fireworks" on my desktop so that I can show Connor when he comes over!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Sandy

Anonymous said...

Happy Independence Day!!

Frisco concert was so exciting, even via the computer. A wonderful & exciting tour for Clay Aiken (again!)

musicfan said...

Happy 4th of July to you and to all.

I love all the graphics on here. Your blog always puts a smile on my face!!

Thank you!!

T said...

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY to you Caro & to all our American friends! Hope you have a good one.

Thanks so much for this very special blog to commemorate 2 significant events.

Cheers & hugs!

PaulaBear said...

Clay Aiken and the Fourth of July!!!
Two things well worth celebrating!!!

Anonymous said...

I love your blogs, and I admire Clay Aiken.