Saturday, September 05, 2009

Clay Aiken Fans Mark Labor Day

LINK: World Idol Poll


Bridge Over Troubled Water - Montage by Aspiegirl

Khrystyna, a Very Special Fan

BOTW Links 2003 MDA Telethon

Labor Day Weekend doesn't roll around without Clay Aiken fans remembering the first time their singer, fresh off American Idol 2, performed for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, now in its 44th year.

For the Clay Nation, Labor Day 2003 and the singer's incredible performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" will forever be linked. The host introduced Clay like this:

We are thrilled to have him joining us today because when it was made known that he would appear on this telethon, the emails and the fan clubs that this young man has have sent us $30,000 just for the fact that he was here.

And I can honestly say I have never in all of my life seen a theatrical groundswell that this kid has motivated that it makes us all come right back to the bobby sox and Frank. And isn't it nice to live through that magnificence again? Here is Clay Aiken! -- Jerry Lewis

For a timely walk down memory lane and a reminder of the MDA's efforts to eradicate, treat, and ease the progression of the disease, replay Aspiegirl's montage of the 2003 "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performance above and at YouTube.


The future belongs to those who believe
in the beauty of their dreams.
Graphic by cindilu2

The montage, which opens with this beautiful graphic by cindilu2, features many others throughout.

On April 19, the Carolina blog highlighted the remarkable story of a Twitter acquaintance battling ALS, a form of muscular dystrophy: AceNoFace Sets Musical Mark.

Read about the musical benefit -- Sing Out for a Cure -- that he has planned for Sept. 13 in East Lansing, MI. All proceeds will benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Information about ALS, the day's activities, and the donation process is available at the "Sing Out" link.

During the Labor Day Telethon, secure donations can be made through MDAUSA here.


'Remembering Khrystyna' Honors Legacy.
Video from KMTV-Omaha

Video Honors Life of Khrystyna

When Khrystyna (K-na) Serednytsky, 22, passed away 10 days ago, many in the Clay Nation a close friend while heaven welcomed a very special new angel.

Action 3 News, KMTV Omaha, NE, shared her story via a beautiful video tribute -- Remembering Khrystyna -- that incorporates her love for Clay Aiken. The Omama MDA will telecast a memorial segment on K-na at 1 p.m. Monday.

Khrysyna's mother broke the news of her daughter's death on her Facebook page:

I just know how she loved all of you, and I think she would want me to let you know that she is with God now.

Born in the Ukraine, Khrystyna was challenged by Muscular Dystrophy from birth, but died of complications from the Swine Flu. She felt a special connection with Clay, and excerpts of his "Because You Loved Me" accompany the video throughout.

Khrystyna first saw Clay perform in Omaha but also traveled to New York City in March 2008 to experience Sir Robin in the Broadway production of "Spamalot."

The young woman also had a special place in her heart for MDA Camp, which she renamed "Heaven" in a book she wrote for her high school graduation project. The video was produced by Kayla Thomas of Action 3 News.

Another -- Friends Remember Local H1N1 Victim -- can be viewed at the KETV-7 website. A camp that Khrystyna helped organize for older MD sufferers may be renamed in her honor.


K-na meets her favorite singer, Clay.

Clay Rallies in World Idol Poll

Dust off your voting techniques, set your timer, and join the growing numbers of Clay Aiken fans participating in Tweeterwall's Ultimate World Idol poll. The rules are simple, as you are only allowed to vote once every 20 minutes.

The race between Clay and Season 8 runnerup Adam Lambert has grown tighter, as CA fans have begun closing the gap. Starting a day late, the Clay Nation moved Singer Man from #47 with 80 votes to #2 with 6,063 by Tuesday afternoon.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the score was AL 21,773 and CA 19,031. As the poll heads into its second week, Clay fans are urged to click on the World Idol link and cast your three votes every hour. There are supportive threads at Clayonline and a host of CA message boards.

Even if second place has been a good fit for Clay, first would be especially nice!

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

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21 comments:

T said...

Another holiday weekend and it's a memorable celebration especially looking back at Clay's MDA telethon. I never get tired watching Aspiegirl's montage & listening to Clay's BOTW.

What a beautiful tribute to Khrystyna and that video brought tears. So touching story & I remember her.

Voted for Clay and happy to see the big rally from the Clay nation.

Great blog Caro! Cheers & have a nice weekend.

chel4clay said...

I just had to come over and read your blog and relive the day the Clay was on the MDA telephone. What a performance. Would love to see him come back, would love to see him take Ed McMahons place. The montage was incredible, well done.

What a touching story and wonderful tribute to Khrystyna, brought tears to my eyes.

Voting on this new poll, streaming too. Thanks Claynation and keep up the good work for this incredible man we all love.

Ashes said...

Caro, Aspiegirl's BOTW montage for Clay Aiken's BOTW is one I watch regularly. How perfect it is for the lovely tribute to Khrystna.

Clay's MDA appearance was so wonderful, another favourite in my book.

Beautiful blog, you always write the perfect one..definitely a page to always enjoy visiting. :)

Unknown said...
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Meg705 said...

oh wow. i miss Khrystyna!! that video was beautiful!! <3

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

Great blog. Perfect timing for the telethon and as a tribute to Khrystyna. Take care & God bless. Love always, Cynthia

hosaa said...

thx for the videos of K-Na! I'm not sure, but I think she sat near us during a JBT concert. Clay Aiken fans are all like family - I miss our reunions!

hugs and thx for "spotlighting" my blog!

hosaa

Anonymous said...

So very sad for K-Na...

Anonymous said...

They did such a good job in the local Krystyna's local news! Commendable that they gave time to such a positive story. Yes, it's sad that she's gone, but what an example of how to live your life positively. Not only was she a big Clay Aiken fan, but she didn't let "limitation" into her life!

tree ~ said...

Wonderful blog, caro and very touching video!! Clay Aiken is quite a man!

LovesClaysVoice said...

What a lovely tribute to Khrystyna! Thank you Caro! I love Clay Aiken!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your blogs about Clay Aiken. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

Anonymous said...

Very nice blog remembering Krystina. I didn't know her personally, but like many fans, we know of her. Wonderful tribute by the TV station.

Vote! It's quick and it's easy to vote every 20 minutes--except when the site is acting up and won't accept the votes which has happened more than once.

Cindy said...

Wonderful blog about a wonderful man, a wonderful cause, and the loss of a wonderful person.

Thanks for using my graphic, Caro. It's one of my personal favorites of all the Clay Aiken graphics I've done.

Anonymous said...

Being a fan of Clay Aiken has been a blessing. So many wonderful people are a part of our family. k-na will be missed. What a beautifu spirit. I pray for her family.

Anonymous said...

Khrystyna really loved Clay Aiken and I am happy that she was able to meet him so many times. That video was so touching, really well done.
I have often wondered why Clay never appeared again on the MDA telethon. Jerry really liked him.

Sandy said...

What a touching tribute to Khrystyna. Her love for Clay was beyond special as was evident in the video. Heaven must have needed this special angel!

Hope you had a great long weekend!

Hugs,

Sandy

constant gina said...

damn..I remember seeing the TV DVD collection advertise plenty of times.

katy said...

Labor Day Weekend and Labor Day go together. Loved the tribute to Khrystyna, a big Clay Aiken fan.We'll miss her.

lulu said...

How fun Clay Aiken's Labor Day appearance was in 2003. Here we are still fans and voting in another poll!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day Caro. Just read your blog and watched the video about Khrystyna. So sad we lost her. I rembeber her from a video I made but did not know all her story until now. She succeeded in a camp for adults and stood up for what I believe in. I cried.

I read on AceNoFace too. I hope he is well and succeeds in raising awareness and funds for ALS.

Thanks also for sharing my montage and the graphic by cindilu2 is one of my all time favs.

((HUGS))

Kathy/Aspiegirl