Thursday, April 01, 2010

Aiken, Studdard Together Again!


TOGETHER AGAIN - Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard have announced venues of this summer's 17-city "Timeless Tour." Collage by Fountaindawg.

TNT Cover, Tracks Released (NEW!)

Clay, Ruben Announce 'Timeless Tour'

No fooling, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard confirmed in an April 1 announcement on their respective fan club sites that they will hit the road together for three weeks this summer, taking their "Timeless Tour" to 17 cities throughout North America.

UPDATE: Scroll down for the "Tried & True" cover, track list, and Movers & Shakers ranking at Amazon.

In their first tour together, Clay and Ruben will kick off the "Timeless" agenda in Asheville, NC, July 23, and perform at such famed venues such as New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, LA Nokia Live in Los Angeles, and Pennsylvania’s American Music Theater.

"I couldn’t ask for a better tour mate. To be able to share the stage with him again is so exciting,” said Clay Aiken. “He is such a talented artist. He inspires me daily and I think that respect and admiration will truly be reflected in our show."

"It is truly a blessing and an honor to be on the stage with my friend," said Ruben Studdard. “The relationship that we have built over these past eight years will definitely translate into a great show for our fans. And I'm really looking forward to singing the timeless classics every night."

Concert goers can expect an entertaining evening as two friends and colleagues blend their talents for an unforgettable show. Clay and Ruben will be performing their renditions of classic hits from the past five decades. Fans can look forward to duets and special surprises throughout the tour.

In 2003, on the second season of American Idol, with over 24 million votes cast by the TV viewing audience, Ruben Studdard won the title, while Clay Aiken was the very close runner up.

The two became instant friends and have shared the joys and pressures of their success over the past seven years. Since Idol, both artists have released albums, performed around the country, and made multiple appearances on TV.

Wednesday night Ruben appeared on American Idol 9 to sing his current single, "Don't Make 'Em Like You No More." He also plugged this summer's "Timeless Tour."


Ruben Plugs Tour on Idol

The singers plan to perform separately and in tandem. They also promise surprise guests at different tour stops. Listed below are tour dates as of March 28:

CURRENT TOUR DATES:

Jul-23 - Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estates
Jul-24 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater
Jul-25 - Melbourne, FL - King Center For Arts
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
Jul-29 - Snoqualmie WA - Casino- Mountain View Plaza
Jul-31 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino
Aug-01 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia
Aug-03 - Milwaukee, WI - Potowanami Casino
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesar’s
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theater
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - HB Casino
Aug-11 - New York, NY - Hammerstein
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage


Clay at March 12 PBS Special concert taping. (Jim R. Bounds).

The Timeless Tour, which has also been tagged "Time to Soar" and "The Cluben Tour," is already receiving media buzz. Wednesday night The Marquee Blog (CNN) included this blurb:
I forgot that Ruben Studdard was performing tonight. He sings his new single, "Don't Make Them Like You," and he looks good. He's still the Velvet Teddy Bear, but now there is less stuffing.

He's going on tour with Clay Aiken, and I can't wait to see them on stage together again.

A few of the many websites featuring the Timeless Tour story include:

Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard To Tour Together (Billboard)
Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard's 'Timeless' Tour (Pollstar)
Aiken, Studdard to hit road together (USA Today/includes poll)
Clay Aiken Tour 2010 (lalate)
Ruben Studdard to tour with Clay Aiken (celebs.gather.com)
American Idol's Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard Reunited! (eOnline)


Ruben performs at Wednesday's AI9 show. (Fox Photo)

The Speakeasy blog (Wall Street Journal) about Season 9's Top 10 elimination opened with the Ruben-Clay tour news:

First off, Season Two champion Ruben Studdard paid a visit to the set. How long does Idol hold on to these former contestants! Tough to say whether the slimmer Velvet Teddybear was going for R&B, pop or gospel this time.

Like a lot of returning heavyweights, he was polished. Wow, Ruben is going on tour with Clay Aiken. Those two deserve a buddy comedy.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the singers' websites: Ruben Studdard and Clayonline.

Below are clickable Clay-Ruben wallpapers by Fountaindawg. The first two are the regular and widescreen versions of the opening art.





TNT Cover, Track List Set

Breaking news continued into Thursday night when the Tried & True 50's retro cover and track list were released at Amazon.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True tracks include:

Can't Take My Eyes Off You, What Kind of Fool Am I, It's Only Make Believe, Misty, Mack the Knife, It's Impossible, Unchained Melody, Suspicious Minds, Crying, There's a Kind of Hush, and Moon River.

With all the tour and CD news, April 1 seemed a bit like Christmas Day. At 10:30 a.m. Friday, TNT was #6 in Amazon's Movers & Shakers list. Within a couple of hours, it was #1.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a awesome April's fool's day this is...EEEEEEEEEEE..HE is coming to Wisconsin ppl!!!!!!!!!!!! More than excited.........(best be no joke!)......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the great newsy blog!!!!!! :) Donna in WI.

SueReu said...

YAY for the Washington date!!! Cannot WAIT to see Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard on stage together again!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

OMG I am so excited!! I can't wait for Reno!!! YEEHAWWWWWWW

katy said...

Great day and April Fool's Day makes it even better. More Clay Aiken concerts with Ruben Studdard!!

lulu said...

What exciting times in Clayland. Can't wait to see Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard this summer!

musicfan said...

I am so excited about this tour!! I can't wait to see Clay and Ruben together in concert.

Thanks for all the special info and all the excitement you are sharing with us!!

Anonymous said...

Have tickets for the concert in Reno! I am really looking forward to seeing Clay and Ruben together. Watch Ruben last night on Idol, He looked and sounded great. This tour should be lots of fun, for them and Us!

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

Yippee for the new Tour Dates.....are we all excited or what????

What a great blog and April Fools day.

Hugs,
Marlyne

Anonymous said...

Loved this blog, Caro! I have to hand it to you for having it up so quickly. Kudos!!

I think this is a brilliant idea, and will be a huge success for both of them.

I'm loving all the places that have mentioned it already and I'm sure there will be more to come.

I'm hoping all the fans who want to see him are able to this time. Including me!

Leroy

anaturegirl said...

Love the great photos from the past of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. They are going to being giving a fantastic concert. Can't wait to see them both.

sbleu said...

Love your blog and love that Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard are touring together again. Reunited!!

Beanblossom said...

I feel like Christmas has come early. Not only will there be some great singing - but Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard together - comedy gold.

Unknown said...

Love, love, love the album cover!

I traveled to see the JBT on my 65th birthday. TNT sounds like the perfect way to celebrate my 70th this summer!

Anonymous said...

EEEEEEEEeeeeee!!!!!!!
Absolutely THRILLED they are coming to CT!!!!!
Ok BEYOND THRILLED......
ESTATIC :)
EEEEEeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

Have a Very Blessed & Happy Easter
Hugs
Lisa1068 ♥

Sandy said...

The news and announcements just keep pouring in! I think this may be just one of the most talked about tours this summer! I am so excited to see them both together and perform their magic! Also read that fans could look forward to a surprise guest each night. How awesome is that!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend Caro!

Sandy

katy said...

Love the cover of Clay Aiken and Tried and True. Very edgy and retro.

ImGranny said...

Thanks for another great blog! I love the idea of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard on tour together. It will be wonderful!!!!