Sunday, February 07, 2010

Clay Aiken Fans On News Alert


DREAM MAKER - Clay Aiken sings "Moon River" in the Feb. 1 Golfing for Inclusion concert in West Palm Beach, FL. Graphic by AmazingCA, photo by SmartyPantsSuz.

One More Sleep (Or Maybe More)!!!

Clocks Counting Down to News

Amidst the excitement and hoopla of Sunday's celebrated Super Bowl, the most repeated chant on Clay Aiken message boards -- "ONE MORE SLEEP!!!" -- has been indicative not of professional football's finale but of countdown clocks ticking off the minutes until Singer Man's big news announcement Monday.

Almost as an afterthought, the inevitable "Go, Saints!" or "Yay, Colts!" cheers are attached to board posts while the singer's anticipated news leads most excitement gages. Speculation centers around the upcoming Decca album release and information on the a PBS Special.

UPDATE: News Delayed, But Inevitable

Late Monday night fans learned the music business moves at a snail's pace, crossing all "T's" and bridges before official announcements can be made. However, Clay twice blogged his apologies and frustration about the delay. Clayonline members can read both blogs there.

Having already hinted that his fans they might want to be in Raleigh on March 12, Clay posted a list of excellent hotels. He also said the date is confirmed and he is more excited about "the event" than anything he has done in years.

Information will be forthcoming in a few days, the singer promised. Actually, according to the fandom's definition of SOON!

During Clay's concert at the Feb. 1 GFI fundraiser for the National Inclusion Project, participants were treated to bits and pieces of the new CD. Featured below is video is one of the tracks, "Moon River," recorded by Goldarngirl at the West Palm Beach, FL, performance.


Clay singing Moon River at GFI.

Song Revives Mercer's Career

Composed in 1961 by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music), Moon River was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists.

Performed by Andy Williams at the 1961 Academy Awards, "Moon River" won the Oscar for Best Original Song that year and received Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1962.

Mercer (1909-1976)was a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others from the mid-1930's through the mid 1950's. He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received 19 Academy Award nominations and won four.

Mancini (1924-1994) was an American composer, conductor, and arranger best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record 20 Grammy awards.

The success of the song was responsible for re-launching Mercer's career as a songwriter, which had stalled in the mid-1950s because rock and roll replaced jazz standards as the popular music of the time.

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me.

An inlet near Savannah, GA, Mercer's hometown, was named Moon River in honor of him and this song. The popularity of the song is such that it has been used as a test sample in a study on people's memories of popular songs.

"Moon River" became the theme song for Andy Williams, who sang the first eight bars at the beginning of his television show and also named his production company and venue in Branson, Missouri after it.

Below are Sendspace links for video and audio downloads by Goldarngirl and a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

Kai Makes Grandmother's Day

A simple "Hello, Grandmother" over the phone provided my Super Bowl Sunday high. Poppy was in the midst of a family progress report when I asked about the "background music." Kai was playing with his trucks and providing all the proper sound effects.

Invited to come over and say hi to his grandmother, Kai did just that. Talk about making my day!


PARK FUN -- Kai knows one can't steer without proper sound effects.

Long overdue for grandson's many "aunties" in the Clay Aiken fandom, this clickable interlude depicts back the sunny November afternoon he and his mother spent in the park.

With little sister Lia and Poppy enjoying an afternoon snooze, Kai and Mom slipped away for some sliding and swinging in the sun. Fortunately, she took along her camera, too.


SOUND CHECK - Kai investigates slide's nooks and crannies.



LONG WAY DOWN - Even a dare devil scopes out his slide
before diving into a maiden voyage.




SWINGIN' FUN -- Kai tried out several swing positions before
returning for another round on the slide.


I understand Kai and Lia are also marking off their calendars, too, counting down the days until the arrival of spring and many more visits to the park.

One More Sleep! Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

P.S. Happy 18 Months, Parker!

20 comments:

claysweetea said...

Thanks for this beautiful blog, Caro. The photos are so cute of both! I am SHARING it on my FB page. Good Luck to all of us tomorrow! Sleep tight my friends.

Anonymous said...

Kai is so CUTE!

Cotton

Anonymous said...

First, Kai is sure growing up fast. He's very handsome grandma. Thank you for keeping us up to date. We get to know him through your post. You're so wonderful. As for Clay, it's going to be a wonderful year and I look foward to what is coming up with great excitement. Thank you again for such a wonderful blog.

Hugs,
Rosa

Anonymous said...

OMG - Kai is super cute in those pictures. I saved them for a future auntie "Kai" video. :)

Love the graphic by ACA and really read the lyrics for Moon River and they are beautiful. I never really paid attention before. Lovely words sang by a man with a lovely voice.

((HUGS))

Kathy/Aspiegirl

Sandy said...

Today is the big day! It's early in the morning here, very quiet and I just finished listening to Moon River! Very beautiful sounding and so serene in this quietness!
Kai is sure growing up and looking so cute as usual. It's hard to believe that he will be three this year. Thanks for sharing the photos!
Have a great week Caro!

Sandy

LovesClaysVoice said...

Thanks for the great blog Caro! Kai is a doll! I tear up every time I hear Clay start to sing Moon River! I don't know why since I have never really liked that song! It must just be Clay's interpretation of it! He sings it beautifully!

Today is the big day! I'm very excited! Bring on the news Clay!!!

ImGranny said...

Today is the big day for the big Clay Aiken news. I can't wait. I just got online and haven't made it to the boards yet, so maybe the news is already there. I hope so!

Kai is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!

gerra said...

As always, beautiful blog.

Kai is the absolute cutest!

Ok, where is that news?

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed that video of Moon River by Goldarngirl. It is so clear and the sound is crystal clear. I've been watching some on YouTube..but hers sounds so much better. It's going to be a great year for Clay..waiting for the big news today. Kai is so cute!

Anonymous said...

Nice blog, love seeing the pics of g.son. Waiting for the NEWS!!! Take care.

Unknown said...

Kudos to Kai's mom, the photographer! Her great camera work made me feel like I was there with them, and experiencing the same joy captured in the images.

As adults, we forget how to delight in the simple things life offers.

Thanks for the reminder.

anaturegirl said...

Love the Kai photos and happenings. I, too, have a grandson named Kai.

Anonymous said...

Your little guy is just adorable, and you must be so proud of him. Glad you got permission to include the pictures. We could use many more. Lois

Anonymous said...

Hi Grandma Caro,

I have to say "Kai" stole the show in this blog! Oh My Goodness he is such a cutie and growing so fast. Sure looks like he was having a great time in the Park.

It sure has been exciting in the ClayNation the past two days.....Thank You for another wonderful informative blog.

Hope your keeping warm in NC....

Hugs,
Marlyne

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blog Caro.

It was so sweet of Clay to let us know there was going to be a delay.

The video's from the GFI are great. So excited about Clay's new album. The only disappointment I have is not be able to go to Raleigh on March 12th.

You grandkids are adorable. They have really grown. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Hugs,
Vickie (Walla)

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

Those are cute pics of Kai on the slide. I read that you had some log in trouble with the OFC today, I hope that's cleared up right away. My nephew, his wife and Elise and Maria came ovwer for a late birthday, early Valentine's dinner. Maria is crawling and Elise is still into everything! I got Wii Music from them-it's cute-got cartoon like characters so the girls loved watching. I wish I could make it to Raleigh on Mar. 12, but it doesn't look like I'm gonna make it. Take care & God bless. Love always, Cynthia

SueReu said...

You know I'm a Kai fan - he's just TOO CUTE!!! I bet he is an absolute joy!!

One more sleep? two more sleeps? three? how many more?? No worries, we'll hear something from Clay Aiken *soon* and then the celebration REALLY begins *yipee!!!*

barb 55 said...

Caro, I just love the pics of Kai at the park. Looks like he's having so much fun, and what a cutie! Thanks for sharing more pics with all of us "aunties" here. We enjoy them so much; can't believe how much Kai has grown and now has a precious, little sister.

I bet it did make your day to talk to him on the phone. What a treat for you!

Beautiful lead graphic of Clay, too. He does a lovely job singing "Moon River."

Love and hugs,
Barbara

Jannet said...

How do you do it Caro? Your blogs are always so amazingly researched and well put together! So glad I stopped by! What a gorgeous little man that Kai is becoming!

Anyway, hopefully I'll get back into the loop "soon." I've spent the last month converting all my children's lives from VHS to digital! And in the scheme of things it seems much more important than writing silly things on my blog.

Love you!
Chardonnay

Anonymous said...

Caro,
With tax season going full spend ahead, I somehow missed this blog. There have been so many since Clay's appearance at the GFI. I am so excited about all the news and clack on Clay and even more excited see see all the great videos. So amazing!

I can't believe how much Kai has grown over the last few months. He looks so adorable. Thanks so much for sharing those special moments.

Clay sure is bringing it on!!!!

PS Did you happen to notice my new siggy on the OFC? I'll give you one hint.. TUG.... lol