Montages Replay Clay Aiken Performances

It's Just Dancin' - Montage by SueReu
View full screen at YouTube.
Downloads available at Clack Unlimited.

PBS Special, Tour Rewinds

Clay Aiken Music Fills the Air

Despite being between tours, Clay Aiken is singing -- and dancing -- everywhere. Take a stroll through the fan communities of Clay Cyberspace, and you'll see what I mean.

As Tried and True LIVE, the singer's PBS special, completes a coast to coast fall pledge cycle, ticket sales and travel/accommodation plans are well underway for the Feb-March 2011 Tried & True Tour.

Summer of The Cluben
Graphic by Fountaindawg

All the while, rewinds of the July-August Timeless Tour of Clay and Ruben Studdard are flourishing as fans share photos, videos, and Not.Just.Us stories from the summer series.

In the opening montage, "It's Just Dancin'," SueReu captures one of the Timeless Tour themes -- Ruben's tireless efforts to rectify Clay's so-called inability to dance.

Interspersed with the comical sketches are moments that really move on out, including the "Footloose" encore from the Hammond concert at the end.

Fans Share Not.Just.Us Stories

Below are three Not.Just.Us experiences, two from the Timeless Tour and one RE the Tried & True CD. If you have experienced a NJU encounter recently, please share it in the comments. We would love the read more!

The clickable Biloxi graphic by Fountaindawg features photos by Invisible926.

keepingfaith: A 50-ish couple walking out of the Biloxi concert beside me were effusive in their praise. The woman said,"Both those boys are so talented; they both have great voices."

In a thick Southern accent her husband added, "That's the best show I've ever seen. That's God-given talent. God-given. And that preacher skit was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life."

Another man, walking out behind me remarked in a thick accent, "I've paid to see comedians who didn't make me laugh that hard, and those boys can SING better'n anythang I ever heard."

An older gentleman, sitting alone near the back of the floor, danced, clapped, and sang throughout the show. There were a lot of men in the audience, more than I've ever seen before at a Clay Aiken concert.

Graphic by AmazingCA

merrieeee: A month ago I gave a "Tried & True" CD to someone who kind of knew of Clay but didn't know what kind of music he sang or much about him. Today she came into the office and said how awesome the CD is.

She now has it on a regular shuffle and just loves it when one of the songs plays. She wanted to know what else Clay has done.

When I told her about the PBS special, she became very enthusiastic and said she would have to watch it!

deemer: Last night I was sitting next to a woman who said she didn't buy the T&T CD, but she had heard the snippets of "Suspicious Minds." She commented that Elvis sang the song so much better and she didn't like Clay's rendition.

After seeing the live performance, she nudged me and said, "I changed my mind!!!" Hearing the full version, she decided Clay's SM was just wonderful!

Those Magic Changes - Montage by Scarlett
View montage full screen at YouTube.
Downloads are at Clack Unlimited.

Montage Features Broadway, Jukebox

"Those Magic Changes," new montage produced by Scarlett from her videos of Clay, is backed by the singer's vocals from his performance during the June 21 Bringing Broadway Home benefit concert for North Carolina Theatre.

Interspersed with the BBH performance is video footage from the 2005 Jukebox Tour.

The one-night-only benefit concert in Raleigh, NC, celebrated 27 seasons of Broadway at North Carolina Theatre with performances by Clay, Lauren Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Terrence Mann and Quiana Parler.

The BBH graphic by Fountaindawg features photos by Brightstar and toni7babe.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of the entry, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken Joins UNICEF Appeal for Pakistan Aid

In a public service announcement, singer-songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken calls for more help for children affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Clay Aiken Speaks for Children

UNICEF Issues Pakistan Appeal

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken has joined the plea for aid for children affected by the catastrophic floods that began in Pakistan after heavy monsoon rains in late July, submerging thousands of villages and towns and killing over 1,500 people.

The United Nations immediately launched an appeal for $460 million to provide emergency relief to people affected by the deluge. That amount has not been met, and workers have been struggling to supply aid to the millions in relief camps and to reach the estimated 800,000 people still marooned in various locations.

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken

Learn more about UNICEF's emergency relief efforts for children in Pakistan. View Clay's PSA full screen and click on the DONATE button at UNICEFUSA on YouTube. There are currently four pages of comments by UNICEF supporters.

Below, a CNN video of July 31 leaves no doubt about the overwhelming devastation during the first three days of the Pakistan flood:

View CNN video full screen at YouTube.

Portions of UNICEF scrambles to save malnourished children in Pakistan, 8/28 news story in The Hindu, are quoted below:

The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF immediately needs 80 million dollars to provide emergency food supplements to over 272,000 malnourished Pakistani children displaced by the devastating floods, a UN official said on Saturday.

The worst floods in the country’s living memory displaced over 17 million people, including 2.1 million children under five. At least 13 per cent of them are suffering from severe or moderate malnutrition, the UN said.

"We have at least 72,000 under-five children suffering from severe malnutrition and over 200,000 suffering from moderate malnutrition among the flood-affected people," Dr Shahid Mehboob of UNICEF told the German Press Agency dpa.

"We need an additional $80 million to launch a special nutrition programme. Otherwise, these children may die of malnutrition or other diseases caused by it."

The latest plea for Pakistan assistance has been advertised this weekend on several websites, among them UNICEF Field Notes, Just Jared, and the Clay Aiken News Network.

Young Musicians Share Compositions

Longtime readers of the Carolina blog generally hear about my students around Christmas and spring recital times. Today I would like to share some of the creativity that is blossoming within our ranks. Music is a language, and these students are not only learning to perform it but also to write it.

In May, Joseph Held, now an eighth grade piano student at Wesleyan Christian Academy, performed "Le Pienture de Die" (God's Painting) on our spring recital. During June, Joseph spent the day with his musical brother-in-law, who helped him add a modern slant to his composition, the result being "Le Pienture de Die Remix."

Among this student's earlier compositions are "Coming Storm" and "Song of the Sea." To listen to Joseph's compositions, click on the player's start arrow, third button down.

Video Games Inspire Themes

Caleb Hernandez, seventh grade pianist at Penn-Griffin and a prolific composer, often finds inspiration for a musical theme or rhythm pattern in video games. Among his compositions are "Media Nox Marmor" (Midnight Sea), "The Jazz Dragon," "Arabian Nights," and "Vanderdecken's Curse."

Unfortunately, I don't have recordings of Caleb's music; but we are working on that. I can guarantee that he has kept his teacher challenged most of the summer helping him notate the rhythms he creates.

Jessicca Hayes, sixth grade student at Triad Baptist Christian Academy, also adds composition to her piano studies. She is currently completing a piece entitled "Clocks."

I am often the beneficiary of her creativity, which extends to art and poetry, as well. Below is "Even," a poem she wrote this summer.

Even

Even when you're angry,
Even when you're mad
Even when you might lose everything you have.
Even in the darkness,
Even in the light,
Even in those times you feel you want to cry,
God still has a reason for every little thing.
It may be hard
It may be rough
It may bring joy
It may be tough.
But even still God loves you so.
So even in the times you feel you want to cry,
Jump up, praise God.
He loves to see your eyes!

Where Did 50 Years Go?

About a week ago, organizers for my high school class reunion located me and called. Having lived in Texas and Tennessee, I apparently have been in the "lost" column for quite a while. It was fun to hear the latest on many of my former classmates.

After recovering from the initial shock that next year the New Hanover High School Class of '61 will celebrate a 50th reunion, I was actually able to speak intelligently with a friend whom I remember from journalism class. Phyllis asked if she had caught me at a good time, and I assured her we were fine; my fall teaching schedule would begin the following Monday.

"YOU'RE STILL WORKING?!?!?!" was her immediate, unedited response. I laughed out loud and replied that I enjoy working with young students and the fees help pay the bills. I had a great-aunt who taught piano until she was 96, so maybe it's in the genes.

When I relayed the start of this conversation to my younger sister, who has also hit retirement age, we got tickled all over again. She and I both still play gigs and teach three days a week.

Click to enlarge 'The Painted Garden' design by Erin Houghton.

Reconnecting with Old Friends

An interesting by-product of "being found" is that I am now receiving updates on 1961 graduates, the latest being Erin "Neblett" Houghton, well-known California artist and a nine-year survivor of breast cancer.

At Erin's website, The Painted Garden, there are many interesting aspects of her whimsical impressionist style on display in links to her gallery, studio, the press she has received as an artist, and her blog, subtitled "Finding Inspiration Here, There, and Everywhere." Now, my students can relate to that!

Even though the numbers 1961 and 2011 actually do compute, it is still hard to believe almost 50 years have passed since high school graduation. Already reporting for the Wilmington Morning Star, I actually donned tassels and gown at the newspaper office.

Since then, I have raised a daughter, taught a lot of music students, played a lot of music, and written for newspapers in three states. An extraordinary week that has come full circle!

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken Special Heads Home to Carolina

Clay Aiken featured on 'Centerpiece' cover.
Click twice to enlarge scan of UNC-TV magazine.

San Francisco Date Confirmed

UNC-TV Spotlights Aiken Special

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! special, playing on PBS stations across the nation since July 31, is finally coming "home" with a Sept. 11 premiere telecast on UNC-TV, North Carolina's 12-station statewide public television network.

Tuesday UNC-TV supporters received the September issue of the Centerpiece magazine with the Carolina native featured on the cover. The Tried & True concert kicks off a week of new specials and fan favorites Sept. 11 - 19 dubbed SeptemberFest 2010.

The special week of performance-packed prime time specials begins with a bang Saturday, September 11, at 8 PM as chart-topping American Idol alum Clay Aiken appears -- LIVE -- in the UNC-TV studio for the premiere of Clay Aiken Tried & True.

Throughout the evening, Clay reaches back into the romantic past of the '50s, '60s and '70s to put his stamp on some of music's most iconic and immortal songs.

Filmed in Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium, this hometown hero gets a little help from his friends. American Idol Ruben Studdard and leading lady Linda Eder join Clay for a night full of such sentimental standards as Mack the Knife, Misty, Unchained Melody, and Roy Orbison's classic lament Crying.

Operated by the University of North Carolina, the studios are located at the UNC Center for Public Television at Research Triangle Park. Below are double clickable scans from Centerpiece.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE will air on South Carolina ETV at 7 p.m. EDT tonight (8/25) for this network of stations: WNTV, WNTV, WRLK-TV, WJPM-TV, WEBA-TV, WJWJ-TV, WRJA-TV, WNSC-TV, WHMC-TV, WRET-TV, WNEH. Tickets for the Feb 24, 2011 Tried & True Concert in Greenville, SC, will be offered during pledge drive breaks.

West Virgina Public Broadcasting (WPBY-TV, WSWP-TV, WNPB-TV) has also scheduled the Tried & True Live special for Sept. 11-19.

See the CANN PBS Database for other September airings.

San Francisco T&T Concert Set

A March 12 performance in San Francisco's Regency Ballroom was officially added to the 2011 Tried & True Tour roster Tuesday.

Built in 1909, the Regency Ballroom features blond hardwood floors, a horseshoe-shaped balcony, and a built-in stage. The Grand Ballroom has 35 foot ceilings and 22 turn-of-the-century teardrop chandeliers.

The Regency Ballroom is operated by Goldenvoice, a division of AEG Live, the nation’s second-largest concert promotion and touring company. Below are clickables of the luxurious Regency Ballroom:

Official Fan Club members should watch for ticket pre-sales for San Francisco and other venues in mid September. Tickets for the San Francisco show will go on sale to the public on Oct. 3.

Currently, tickets are on sale for shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Memphis. Below is an updated 2011 tour line-up.

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Westbury, NY - Feb 26, Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN - Mar 02, Embassy Centre
Waukegan, IL - Mar 04, Genesee Theater
Minneapolis, MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prairie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center
San Francisco, CA - Mar 12, Regency Ballroom

That's What Friends Are For - Montage by LovesClaysVoice
Performed by Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, & Friends.
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

Meanwhile, replays of the popular 17-city Timeless Tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard abound on YouTube and other video sites. Much has been written about the special bond between the headliners, whose close friendship and comedic timing were front and center during the summer shows.

In her latest montage, LovesClaysVoice highlights visuals from the summer performances to the accompaniment of Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, and Friends.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Montages Rewind Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Shows

Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard in The Timeless Revival
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
Download montage with this Sendspace file.

Videos Celebrate Timeless Tour

Clay, Ruben Shine in 'Revival'

The 17-city Timeless Tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard officially closed in Biloxi, MS, on Aug. 14, but more than a week later still thrives throughout YouTube in a bevy of concert videos and montages highlighting memorable summer performances.

The Timeless Revival by SueReu features clips of "Pastor Bishop Deacon Jedi Ruben Studdard"'s nightly healing of Clay's "lack-of-rhythmitis."

The already funny skit, enhanced nightly by the timely ad-libs of Clay and "Pastah" Studdard, was captured by videographers Scarlett, canfly, MBlovesClay, and goldarngirl.

SueReu's excellent Timeless Tour overview -- I Had the Time of My Life -- was featured in the previous Carolina entry.

Set to "Celebration" by Kool and The Gang, the latest montage by clayaikenfan4ever18 presents visual highlights of the Timeless Tour.

'Celebration' montage spotlights Timeless Tour.
View montage by clayaikenfan4ever18 at YouTube.
Download with this Sendspace file.

In addition to the YouTube channels of the montage makers, Timeless Tour clips comprise the latest entries on countless pages. Bookmark Wowzers4Clay for Scarlett's concert collection. The toni7babe channel also features many Timeless show videos.

Be forewarned -- once you start cruising concert video and montages at YouTube, hours pass in an instant. But what a way to go!

Brian Wilson Records Gershwin

Decca's Tried & True CD by Clay Aiken honoring classic songs of previous decades has recently been joined by none other than Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

In an exclusive interview with Spinner, Wilson shared his ardor for George and Ira Gershwin, legendary composers who changed the face of music in the 1930s, describing the resulting CD, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, as his "proudest moment."

In a similar interview with NPR's Weekend All Things Considered, Wilson said of George Gershwin:

His music is so uplifting," Wilson says. "I wouldn't do this for anybody but Gershwin. He the greater, me the lesser. I can never be as good as George, but I can emulate him and present him to the new generation."

Three songs -- "Rhapsody in Blue/Intro," "The Like in I Love You," and "They Can't Take That Away from Me" -- can be sampled at the NPR website.

Below are clickables from the Timeless Tour Melbourne Concert. All photos are by Invisible926, and Fountaindawg created the graphic in the middle:

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Anticipate 'OMG 2' Concert

Clay Aiken talks about 'Tried & True' CD and concert.
View full screen at YouTube.

Winter Tour Tickets on Sale

Fans Await Aiken Vocals, Humor

Concert goers who attended the March PBS taping of Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! special promptly dubbed the Raleigh, NC, performance the "OMG Concert."

Anyone who has seen Clay Aiken perform live knows this is a perfect description, and those who frequent Clay Cyber message boards have already dubbed the 2011 Winter Tour as the "OMG 2" concert.

With nine successful tours under his belt, Clay is not only known for his incredible pipes but also his ability to connect with audiences. In interviews promoting the winter tour, he has indicated the concerts will include additional songs and the humorous banter that has become his trademark in live performances.

In the opening video, the singer discusses the selection of standards that make up this summer's CD and DVD releases by Decca Records:

Musically, artistically, these songs are sort of a home to me. These are amazing melodies. These are songs that everyone will recognize as classics.

For the first time, this album is music that appeals to me and is closest to my heart of anything I have ever done.

PBS Special graphic by Fountaindawg.

Fan Club, Venues Move Tickets

Fast-moving ticket sales are underway for 12 of 20 venues for the "OMG 2 Concert" slated for February-March 2011 when Clay & Co. will take to the road promoting the singer's Tried & True album.

A two-day pre-sale which began at the singer's Official Fan Club site Wednesday morning, will end at 5 p.m. PDT Friday. In locations where a 2011 winter concert is scheduled, PBS stations televising the Tried & True LIVE special are offering premium tour tickets and M&G passes through fall/winter pledge drives.

The confirmed list of 2011 Tried & True Winter Tour concert dates are listed below. An asterisk denotes venues currently conducting pre-sales with general admission tickets soon to follow. Winter Tour dates are also listed at Pollstar where Cincinnati and Minneapolis Ticketmaster links are "live."

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

*Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
*Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
*Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
*Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
*Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
*Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
*Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
*Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Westbury, NY - Feb 26, Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
*Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
*Fort Wayne, IN - Mar 02, Embassy Centre
Waukegan, IL - Mar 04, Genesee Theater
*Minneapolis, MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
*Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prairie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center

PBS Stations Promote Special, Tour

PBS stations nationwide are promoting the Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE Special as well as the upcoming tour.

Some PBS stations have scheduled Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE for September - December telecasts. Dates and locations are available on PBS websites, the OFC, and many message boards. The CANN PBS Database can be searched by air date and location.

Screen caps link to videos at KCET-TV Los Angeles in which Clay discusses the special and public television programming:

Cap links to KCET interview about Tried & True.

After nine sold-out national tours, six million copies of his four chart-topping albums worldwide, numerous television appearances, a New York Times best-selling memoir, an auspicious Broadway debut in Monty Python's Spamalot, extensive travels for UNICEF and the launch of his own successful foundation - The National Inclusion Project - Aiken brings his clarion voice, engaging personality and Southern charm to PBS in CLAY AIKEN: TRIED & TRUE - LIVE!.

Special guests Linda Eder and Ruben Studdard join Aiken onstage. Taped in Aiken's hometown, Raleigh, North Carolina, before a wildly enthusiastic audience, Aiken brings his powerful vocals and uniquely personal interpretations to new arrangements of some of the most iconic songs ever written.

Cap links to discussion of PBS programming for KCET-TV.

Sites Slate 8/23 Ticket Sales

In Minneapolis, the Hennepin Theatre is promoting the March 5 concert. Tickets go on sale there Monday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m.

Clay Aiken, the 2003 "American Idol" runner-up and pop music sensation with powerhouse tenor vocals, brings his "Tried and True Tour" to Minneapolis.

Supporting his fifth studio album, "Tried and True," and recently released DVD of his 2010 PBS special "Clay Aiken: Tried and True Live!," this performance will feature Aiken’s distinctive take on classic favorites such as “Unchained Melody” and “Mack the Knife.”

Broadway World is also promoting ticket sales for the Tried & True Winter Tour performance in Cleveland:

Following in the wake of a critically acclaimed tour with fellow American Idol alum, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken is hitting the road once again. The singer who first wowed audiences in the 2003 American Idol competition, will hit 20 cities across the U.S. beginning February 10, 2011, which includes his third PlayhouseSquare visit for one 7:30 pm performance Saturday, February 19th at the Palace Theatre.

Tickets for the February 19th concert go on sale Mon., Aug. 23rd at 11 am at playhousesquare.org, 216-241-6000 and at The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. Tickets will be $75, $55, $45, and both $20 & $10 Smart Seats.

Read more about the Winter Tour and Tried & True CD/DVD at the BW website.

"A Conversation with Clay Aiken," the excellent interview by WKNO producer Pierre Kimsey, will be re-aired in Memphis at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

Montage Spotlights Timeless Tour

SueReu's "I Had the Time of My Life" montage below is a wonderful keepsake of the three-week "critically acclaimed" Timeless Tour with Ruben Studdard.

I Had the Time of My Life - Montage by SueReu
View montage full screen at YouTube.
Download with this Sendspace file.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Vie for Tried & True Tour Tickets

Clay Aiken performs in Tried & True ~ LIVE PBS Special.
Graphic by Fountaindawg with photos by Jim R. Bounds.

For Clay Aiken Winter Tour

Fans Dance T&T Ticket Tango

With a surprisingly low stress level and kudos for the Clay Aiken team, a two-day pre-sale for 12 Tried & True Winter Tour venues kicked off at the singer's official fan club site Wednesday morning.

Preceding general admission sales, fan club tickets went "live" at 10 a.m. PDT Wednesday and will continue until 5 p.m. PDT Friday. Members of the Official Fan Club can access the sale on the Events page.

Pre-sales are underway for these concert sites: Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Knoxville, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Greenville, Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Minneapolis, and Memphis. Presales for other cities will be listed in the coming weeks.

The 2011 February-March concerts will mark Clay's first tour supporting the Tried & True album and Tried & True ~ LIVE DVD released this summer by Decca Records.

Clay during interview by Pierre Kimsey at WKNO Memphis.

A Conversation with Clay Aiken

In conjunction with the Memphis telecasts of the Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS special, WKNO producer Pierre Kimsey spoke with the singer in what many longtime fans have dubbed "the best interview ever." You can download "A Conversation with Clay Aiken" at Clack Unlimited or stream it at Ideal Idol.

The interview aired in Memphis on Aug. 5; and, hopefully, WKNO will make the "conversation" available on the station's website, as well as schedule more telecasts. Personally, I think the "conversation" would sell a lot of tickets for the March Tried & True concert in Memphis.

The Nouth Carolina native was beginning a career as an educator working with special-needs children when he took an opportunity to audition for the TV show American Idol, then in its second season.

His life was transformed as a finalist, and he has emerged as one of the most successful singers to have been launched by the show.

Aiken has used his celebrity on behalf of the international charity UNICEF and has traveled to Somalia, Afghanistan and other countries where children have been impacted by war.

In this half-hour conversation, Aiken talks with Kimsey about performing, sudden fame, family, UNICEF and more.

To comment on this excellent, well-researched interview by Kimsey and the Memphis PBS station, use the "Contact Us" link at the WKNO website.

CLAY AIKEN: TRIED & TRUE ~ LIVE! Promo
View full screen at YouTube.

'T&T LIVE' Headlines Pledge Drives

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS special, which kicked off in 30 markets coast to coast July 31-Aug 1, continues as a headliner for pledge drives throughout the country.

Dates and locations for PBS special telecasts are available on message boards throughout Clay Cyberspace. Check your local PBS station website or see the CANN PBS Database for an air date/location near you. The program will shown in some areas later this year.

In most cases, the telecast coincides with the fall pledge drives of public television. Supporters are able to donate to their local station for a variety of thank-you gift packages: the Tried & True CD, Tried & True LIVE DVD, as well as premium Tried & True Tour tickets and M&G passes in areas where a February-March 2011 concert is scheduled.

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Westbury, NY - Feb 26, Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN - Mar 02, Embassy Centre
Waukegan, IL - Mar 04, Genesee Theater
Minneapolis, MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prairie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center

Other possible concert sites mentioned include Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; Ann Arbour, MI; St. Louis, MO; Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; and San Diego, CA. Check back for updates.

Below are clickables of graphics featuring the Tried & True CD (AmazingCA, 1; SueReu, 2); Tried & True DVD (Fountaindawg, 3); and Tried & True ~ LIVE (Foutaindawg, 4, 5):

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Finale Regales Crowd

Clay, Ruben, & Co. close Timeless Tour with 'Time of My Life.'
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

'Time of My Life'

Finale Sums Up Timeless Tour

Just as they did every night, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, & Company closed Saturday's final Timeless Tour concert in Biloxi, MS, with the "Time of My Life," summing up the two-hour experience for performers and concert goers alike.

Final shows are almost always an emotionally charged convergence of giddiness, sadness that the three-week summer run is over, plus a dash of relief that respite is just around the corner. While musicians no doubt headed to the nearest cave to catch up on much-needed sleep, fans are still reliving favorite moments from the 17 concerts through video/photo clack.

The gags and antics usually reserved for final performances were almost nonexistent in Biloxi, bowing to the bigger surprise in the early arrival of Eric Duboise's baby, putting the sub for the lead guitarist on a fast track to learn the 85-song show.

As a music teacher with several students taking fledgling steps in composition, I was most interested in the duo's search for a theme song. Clay first brought up the subject in Verona, NY, and the improv was added to the stool banter in the last three shows.

Duo Searches for Theme Song

At each show, Ruben accepted Clay's challenge and improvised three different theme songs in a variety of styles: "Yin & Yang" a la bluegrass in Verona, "It's About Damn Time" Reggae style in Hammond, and an operatic "Spaghetti and Meatball" rendition in Biloxi.

Below are videos by Scarlett and toni7babe that replay the improvisation segments. The first and third also include the stool banter.

Song search begins with 'Yin & Yang' at Verona, NY, show.
View Scarlett's video full screen at YouTube.

Reggae-style theme song improvised at Hammond, IN, show.
View video by toni7babe full screen at YouTube.

Search yields operatic 'Spaghetti & Meatball' in Biloxi, MS.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Clack Sites Rewind Tour Treasures

If you are a Clay Aiken or Ruben Studdard fan, you know the websites to visit for downloading and viewing Timeless Tour clack. If not, bookmark Clack Unlimited (where donations are encouraged) and YouTube.

Below are two YouTube Channels loaded with videos from the 17 Timeless Tour shows. Hopefully, there will be more before this blog cycle ends.

Toni7babe YouTube Channel
Wowzers4Clay (Videos by Scarlett)

The Timeless Tour set list provides a map for clack "treasure hunts." Have fun!

Timeless Tour Set List

Ruben and Clay: Flying Without Wings/This Is The Night mash-up

Clay: Suspicious Minds
Ruben: Bring It On Home To Me

60s Medley: In The Midnight Hour ... Up On The Roof ... Someday We'll Be Together ... Goin' Out Of My Head ... Can’t Hurry Love ... Happy Together ...Can’t Help Myself ... Cryin’ ... Soul Man ... Wouldn’t It Be Nice ... Shotgun ... Sugar, Sugar ... Just One Look ... Harper Valley PTA ... Ain’t To Proud To Beg ... Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Casey/Quiana: Natural Woman
Clay: Still the One
Ruben: Mercy Me

70s Medley: Night Fever ... Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now ... Oh, What a Night (1963) ... Oh Girl ... On The Radio ... Turn The Beat Around ... Sex Machine (Get on Up) ... Don’t Go Breaking My Heart ... More Than A Feeling ... September

Clay: Mandy
Ruben: Superstar
Quiana: I’m Every Woman
Ruben: Baby, Stay With Me Tonight?

Revival Skit

Clay: When I See You Smile

80s Medley: Eye Of The Tiger ... Rhythm Of The Night ... Glory Of Love ... Shout ... Africa ... Can’t Fight This Feeling ... Through The Fire ... All Night Long ... If This Is It ... Alone ... Caribbean Queen ... Nothing's Gonna Stop Us ... Footloose

Ruben: Everything I Do, I Do For You

90s Medley: This Is How We Do It ... Poison ... Achy Breaky Heart ... The Right Stuff ... Mmm...Bop ... End Of The Road ... I Swear ... I Want It That Way ... Remember The Time ... You Oughta Know ... Jump Around ... Baby Got Back ... Livin La Vida Loca ... One Sweet Day

Clay and Ruben: I’ve Had The Time Of My Life

These clickable photos from the Biloxi concert were shot by Invisble926:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard Chart Fun-Fllled Finale

Timeless Tour montage by mrbaconclayaiken17
Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard & Co. dazzle coast to coast.
View montage full screen at YouTube or
download with this Sendspace file.

Gags, Surprises Add to Fun

Timeless Finale To Rock Biloxi

In a show already hailed as an entertaining trip through four decades of pop music embellished by powerful vocals, swinging arrangements, witty commentary, and close friendships, the Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Timeless Tour finale at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS, tonight promises to be off the charts.

To the delight of most audiences, final tour concerts are traditionally filled with loads of fun and unexpected gags by the performers on stage. Curtain time for Saturday's surprise package is 8 pm CDT.

Backup Musicians Captivate Fans

Partners in crime of the Timeless Tour headliners have been Quiana Parler and Casey Thompson, backup singers, and a sizzling band that has rocked both coasts -- Ben Cohn, keyboards/musical director; Eric Dubose, lead guitar; Alvin Garrett, bass; John Jackson, keyboards; and Felix Pollard, drums.

The opening montage by mrbaconclayaikenclayaiken17 provides fans a reminiscent review of the entertaining show performed in 17 cities coast to coast this summer.

Video clips and still photos are set to the song "Partners in Crime," written and performed by Jim Brickman, piano, and Dave Koz, sax.

Photo links to Timeless Tour Slide Show at Clay Aiken Kids.
Graphics by Fountaindawg

Currently, at the Clay Aiken Kids site, a 2010 Timess Tour Slide Show allows fans to relive concerts from Asheville, NC, through Lancaster, PA, with more to come as recaps/clack are posted. Research, copy, and set-ups are by momo.

In addition to concert collages by Fountaindawg, each page contains information exclusive to that show which can be magnified and downloaded. See 2010 Timeless Tour with Ruben Studdard at CAK for another view and a set list with links to all song lyrics.

Wire Image members can view/download full size pictures shot by a professional photographer at Friday's concert at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN. Non-members can view thumbnail versions at the above link.

Front Stage Requests Tour Reviews

In the music and entertainment business, reviews are done by someone who is either not a fan of the artist, or had not even attended the concert, and based a review upon hear say.

Amen to that! Want to add your 2 cents to the Timeless Tour reviews? Front Stage is asking fans who attended a Timeless Tour show to write a brief recap on their website.

The first was a paragraph by an Asheville concert goer. I wasn't able to attend a show, but I hope to read many fan reviews at this site.

One of my favorite graphs from an earlier review is printed below:

As the pair’s powerful vocals filled the theatre for one last time that night, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard proved good music is not the only thing that is timeless. Talent is too. - Ann Marie Coar

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation. See you after the show!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Tour Plays Final Dates

Timeless Tour 80s Medley from Chautauqua Concert
View full screen video by Scarlett at YouTube.

Timeless Tour Winds Down

Vocals, Banter Shine in Shows

Despite the chaos of a last-minute venue change that created nightmarish seating snafus at the Hammerstein, the New York City Timeless Tour concert of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard was still packed with spectacular vocals, rocking backup renditions, and quick-witted banter that mirrors the close friendship and chemistry between the show's headliners.

Audiences at this final week of concerts have been enthusiastic, loudly appreciative, and up on their feet dancing to the music.

With slight adjustments for a smaller stage and temperature readings as hot as the band, the performers presented a memorable show at Hampton Beach, NH, Tuesday. Next came the Hammerstein on Wednesday and Thursday's 8 p.m. concert is set for the Turning Point Resort in Verona, NY. (Check back for updates.)

Fans Note Script Changes

More than one fan attending these concerts for the first time since the tour's July 23 opener in Asheville, NC, noted the structure of the show's script remains intact, though parts have changed over time.

"Even the lines I recognized seemed fresh and genuine. They are really good actors!" Brightstar commented in her Hampton Beach recap at Clayversity.

Below are two clickables from the Hampton Beach concert by cameocat:

80s Medley Moves, Shakes

"Footloose," which closes the 80s medley, especially shook the Hammerstein show. Below, concert goers provide highlights of Wednesday's concert:

Dancermom2: "Footloose" was amazing. That’s when we blew the roof off the place. And this place, by the way, is old. It smells old, feels old, and is musty. And there were times I felt the floor move and shake and not from an earthquake.

"Pastor Ruben, don’t pray to cure Clay of "lack-of-rythmnitis" but to save us from a collapsing floor!"

The opening video clip by Scarlett features Clay, Ruben, and backup singers Quiana Parler and Casey Thompson performing the 80s medley from the Chautauqua Concert.

Included are "Eye Of The Tiger," "Rhythm Of The Night," "Glory Of Love," "Shout," "Africa," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Through The Fire," "All Night Long," "If This Is It," "Alone," "Caribbean Queen," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us," and "Footloose."

Brightstar: Terrific show! Full of energy and the place rocked, literally at times. The guys seemed to be in great moods and clearly loved it when the audience cheered and clapped and danced. They were funnier than ever, too.

momo: The energy at both shows [Lancaster and Hammerstein] was truly incredible. Had my uncle with me who has never seen a Clay concert and he loved it. Danced and screamed so much his voice was gone after the show. First thing he asked me was, "Do they have a CD of this?"

Marilyn: They still delivered the script like it was fresh, but added bits and pieces here and there. Like Tom Deckman, my absolute favorite medley was the 80s. Clay absolutely KILLS on these songs. The very top favorite is always "More Than A Feeling," and I want to hear this whole song coming out of those golden lungs.

The Footloose segment is just the very best. The audience went wild, and they did it again. This is the most joyful, lively segment of the show, and I just love it.

A DVD highlighting the best of the shows would be great, and it would be a sin not to be able to keep it for posterity. I could watch it umpteen times and never be tired of it. The energy in that show was just fantastic.

libra1014: My 20-year-old daughter and I both thought the concert was terrific. She came to the concert for me; she left wanting to go to another one and wanting a CD of the show.

I cannot say enough about the excellent vocals and incredible band on stage last night. Clay has never looked or sounded better. I think that goes for everyone on stage.

Featured in this collection of clickables are photos from the Hammerstein concert by Toni, 1 and 5; mustbeeme, 2 and 4; Asolo, 3.

Concert Wows 'Spamalot' Friend

After the Hammerstein show, Tom Deckman, Clay's friend and former "Spamalot" cast mate, talked to fans on the Clackhouse stream. The NYC venue was his first Clay Aiken concert, and he termed the show "fantastic." His favorite part was the 80s medley.

Excited about the Hampton Beach performance, keepingfaith emailed Clack Unlimited links to her sister and a couple of friends, one inadvertently. Previously a "non-believer," the accidental recipient responded, "I watched every one of the clips on that page you linked and am beginning to be a big fan. You've recruited me!"

As it turns out, the new fan downloaded every link on the Hampton Beach page!

Below are clickables by Cotton from Thursday's Verona concert:

MTV Review Lauds Music, Humor

In his review of the New York performance, Jim Cantiello of MTV, praised the exceptional vocals and hilarious stand-up humor. Ruben's "Superstar" and Clay's "Mandy" left him with goosebumps. In answer to a comment, he added:

They have fantastic chemistry and seem to be having the time of their lives on this tour. It was a fun night.

I think this sentence from Rhodeislandfan's recap sums up the 2010 Timeless Tour best:

Honestly, the show is so good a person could go to every single one and never once be tired of it.

The final two Timeless Tour performances are slated for 7:30 Friday, Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, IN, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Beau Rivage, Biloxi, MS.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

Word Is Out: Aiken-Studdard Show Loads of Fun!

Ruben and Clay open Timeless Tour show in Lancaster, PA.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard & Co.

Shows Generate Ticket Sales

The word is out -- the Timeless Tour show of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard is a two-hour song and comedy fest not to be missed.

In addition to promotional stories by local media, positive reviews spread by excited concert goers has last-minute ticket buyers hitting box offices right up until show times.

The Portsmouth Sinfonia, musicians playing instruments completely unfamiliar to them, produce the hilarious rendition of "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss in the Timeless Tour opener. Check them out at YouTube.

All instrumental music majors are required to take classes in the various orchestral families. A woodwind specialist, I sounded just like the Portsmouth trumpeters in brass class. However, I could wail on French Horn and trombone in my college days. *g*

Review: 'Good Music, Talent Timeless'

Anne Marie Coar's review of the Timeless Tour performance at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA, is spot on. Here are excerpts of her article at Suite 101:

The approximately two-hour long Timeless Tour was as much about entertainment and the rapport between two former American Idol "rivals," Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, as it was about the music, which spanned the past 60 years.

Before the show began, a sinister-voiced announcer dramatically and humorously retold the moments leading up to the final 2003 showdown between Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.

American Idol winner Studdard then took the stage and began singing his coronation song and first single, "Flying Without Wings." Midway through, Aiken appeared from the wings and launched into "This is the Night."

The pair, amid microphone grabs and playful shoves, switched back and forth between the two songs, amid cheers from the packed audience at Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s American Music Theatre. [snip]

Aiken and Studdard returned to the stage for an encore performance of "Time of My Life." As the pair’s powerful vocals filled the theatre for one last time that night, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard proved good music is not the only thing that is timeless. Talent is too.

The tour's final five shows begin with tonight's 8 p.m. performance at the Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton Beach, NH. Other concerts include:

Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammestein, 8 pm
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino, 8 pm
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino, 7:30 pm
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage, 8 pm

Clay's 'Still the One' solo spotlights swinging band in Lancaster.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Verona Promotes Timeless Show

Promo for Thursday's 8 p.m. Verona concert -- Variety Show at Turning Point -- features a phone interview with Clay before the show in Snoqualmie, WA. Below are excerpts from the story at Syracuse.com:

The last time Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard most famously shared a stage together, the big guy with the soulful voice won the season two “American Idol” title and the thin man with the pop chops was named runner-up.

Aiken and Studdard have remained good friends since that night in 2003 when Studdard narrowly earned more votes than Aiken out of the 24 million cast by viewers of the Fox TV show.

Many times when they talked, Aiken says during a phone interview before a show in Snoqualmie, Wash., they spoke of a common desire to go out on tour together.

Finally, they made it happen.

You can read the entire article here. Another interview with Clay, complete with audio, is available at Fox All Access: Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard Tak a Summer Vacation Together.

The clickable collection below capture moments from the Lancaster, PA, and Windsor, Ontario, shows. Visual artists represented include Irishbookgal, 1, 2, 4; Fountaindawg graphic with photos by nickiwicki, 3; and amazedinnj, 5.

Hammond Venue Anticipates Tour

In Idols bring Timeless tunes to fans, the advance story for Northwest Indiana, Ruben's interview gets the word out about Friday's 7:30 p.m. concert at The Venue at Hammond's Horseshoe Casino:

It's fitting that Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard share a concert stage.

After all, they were the last two battling it out during 2003's "American Idol" finale. Studdard took top honors, and Aiken ranked second. [snip]

These days, Aiken and Studdard aren't competing for praise and votes. They've united on stage for their Timeless summer tour. Their show touches down Friday at The Venue at Hammond's Horseshoe Casino.

"We're having a great time doing the show," said Ruben Studdard, during a recent telephone interview. "It's not often you get the chance to go on the road with someone who is your friend."

The singers will be performing standards as well as renditions of classic pop hits made famous through the decades. [snip]

Feedback on the show has been positive.

"The audiences are having a great time. The fans are loving it," he added.

The entire article can be read here.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro