Friday, October 14, 2011

Clay Aiken Set for Celebrity Apprentice Boardroom


Expandable graphic by Ashes, photos by Ethan Miller.

With Well-Rounded Resume

Clay Aiken Heads to Apprentice
You're Hired! Clay Aiken Joins Celebrity Apprentice

Clay Aiken will be joining Season 5 of Celebrity Apprentice, reports People. The American Idol Season 2 runner-up will join Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, funny man Arsenio Hall, and ‘80s sensation Debbie Gibson.

The leader of Clay Nation will no doubt put up a tough fight in the boardroom. As a top-selling recording artist, proud dad, and one of the only contestants with a college degree, Clay’s resume is the most well-rounded of the bunch.

Don’t let the sun go down on Clay, Donald Trump!

A facsimile of the WetPaint story headlines hundreds of sites, including People, TV Examiner, Access Atlanta, Playbill, and Entertainment Weekly. EW puts Clay's chances of winning at 2-1 while TV Line projects 4-1 odds.

In the process, the Carolina singer will raise awareness as well as funds for the National Inclusion Project, the charity he co-founded with Diane Bubel in 2003 to promote inclusion of children with special needs in activities with their non-disabled peers.

Whole segments of the population are about to learn what the Clay Nation has known for years. The Aiken is intelligent, witty, talented, personable, snarky, and very dedicated to his cause. Coming in second is not on his radar.

The show, which begins taping Monday, will be televised in 2012.


Carolina Site Changes Pace

To complete a fall project, I recently pushed the pause button on the Carolina's every- three-days-no-matter-what blogging routine and, to my surprise, I liked it!

Since July 2005 when my friend Sally talked me into writing a blog at the OFC and then a year later when the articles were also re-coded for the Carolina On My Mind site, I have spent much of my free time gathering info, editing art, and penning these installments.


But I have learned there are other things I want and need to do during my day. In addition to teaching 16 music students weekly, I look forward to reading again. In November, I am finally purchasing a Kindle like everyone else.

I began reporting for the
Wilmington Star-News papers when I was 16 and have worked on several newspaper staffs since. Writing is an important part of me, so I will still blog -- just not on such a rigid schedule.


Expandable graphic by Fountaindawg, photo by Curtis Brown.

Carolina Blog Topics Inclusive

Since its inception, the Carolina blog has embraced a number of my passions -- family, music, Clay Aiken, the National Inclusion Project, Tar Heel basketball, movies, recipes. Now I look forward to adding reading to that list.


For five years, I have appreciated the response from readers all over the world. At last count, you represent 170 countries. I especially thank those who stop by and leave comments not only for the writer but also for the visual artists featured.

Among the graphic artists spotlighted during the five-year Blogspot run are Sally, Fountaindawg, AmazingCA, cindilu2, A Beautiful Mind, claystruck, and Ashes.

The site has spotlighted videos and montages by countless CA fans, some of whom are Scarlett, Aspiegirl, SueReu, LovesClaysVoice, and Hope.

Countless fan photographers are represented in the Carolina editions. You can always search for visual artists and topics in the rectangle next to the orange B at the top of the blog.

The original OFC blog in 2005 was short and sweet:



Hello, Clay Nation!

It's opening night, and the curtain is going up. Just this much feels like a four-movement symphony. Much more to come as I study the score ... I mean the blog tutorials.

Have a great day, all!

Caro

First Post Parallels 'Real Rebels'

A year later, the initial Blogspot entry outlined the personal and professional parallels of Sonny James and Clay Aiken:
The Real Rebels of Country and Pop Music.

The headline was inspired by my husband's declaration following an early road trip as Sonny's drummer in the 1970's. The real rebel of country music, he said, was the "southern gentleman," not the Nashville rabble-rousers in the newspapers.

Thank you for stopping by through six years of 600+ blogs. I hope you will continue to do so as the discussion explores an array of topics on a slightly different schedule.

Have an awesome weekend!

Caro

20 comments:

Ginger Scarlett said...

The one thing that would make me watch TV again!!! Can't wait! Sending lots of good thoughts and wishes while the season is taping... Good luck, Clay! :)

Will miss the frequent blogs right when I was getting used to them but blogging "in the moment" is always best!

Ginger Scarlett said...

Ack, I forgot to say good luck and best wishes with the new blogging "not-a-schedule", Caro! :)

Sandy said...

I was getting worried Caro as I hadn't seen a blog in awhile! For a moment I thought you were not going to blog at all and panic set in! To be quite honest, I really didn't know how you fit 3 weekly blogs into your "very" busy schedule and if anyone deserves a break, you most certainly do. We all have "other" things that take up our time and then some and it's very wise to know when to cut back and enjoy some of the other things you love to do as well! I will be right here as usual waiting!

I am very happy that Clay was chosen to be on Celebrity Apprentice and can hardly wait now for the show to start! I want the rest of the world to see what a remarkable, smart and witty man he is!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sandy

Anonymous said...

Caro, I will always think U have done a fabulous job and thank U! But am happy U r gonna slow down and enjoy today for today!

Take care and take time for U and what is important for U.

We will enjoy Clay and see him on tv soon. And new song too, so while we wait I am happy U r enjoying more things in the mean time. God bless.
D.in Wi.

jbc4clay said...

I don't know how you always come up with something to blog about. You always do and then some. You could always split them up and still have blogs left over. LOL

I cannot wait for all the news about Clay Aiken on Celebrity Apprentice. It is going to be exciting and nail biting.

Dianne Barbee said...

Hello,

Lenette, Sandy, Donna, and jbc -- thank you for your kind remarks. I have enjoyed blogging and will always write about topics close to my heart. I hope you will continue to check by the Carolina corner.

Have an awesome weekend, and be in touch ...

Caro

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

Like Sandy, I was getting worried, I was afraid you were ill. Happy ro hear that is not the case, instead just cutting down for your many other interests. I never knew how you ever kept up the unbelievable blogging schedule....but you did! I thank you so much for all you have done and looking forward to your future "not on such a rigid schedule" blogs. You are THE BEST!!!

I am so excited to hear Clay will be on The Celebrity Apprentice....Wow! I can not wait. I just know he will do well and hopefully be first this time.

I loved seeing him on Chat and look forward to many more chats....Yeah!!!

Have a great weekend Caro....

Hugs,
Marlyne

Stephanie said...

Enjoy your Kindle- I have a nook, and the ability to download new books (from a store or from the library!) at 2 am while on my couch and wearing pajamas is truly the best part of it. Glad that you're taking time for you! Know that you do a great service to the Clay community, and we appreciate you and your blogging whenever it happens! :)

Dianne Barbee said...

Marlyne and Stephanie, great to hear from you, too!

I look forward to exploring the Kindle in November. The app is currently on my iPhone along with one for the Nook.

Thnx for dropping by. Hope to see you again soon!

Caro

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

Glad you are still blogging, just not on as heavy a schedule. I look forward to each blog. I can understand. You have done a great job. I get "blogger's block" once in a while and run out of ideas sometimes :D! It will be great to see Clay on TV again! Take care & God bless.
Love always, Cynthia

Anonymous said...

Caro, thank you sincerely for all you have done and shared and blessed us with through your blog these past years. Enjoy your Kindle and your family and whatever else you would like to do. You are a precious and very talented lady.

AAIT

katy said...

Caro, glad to see you :-)!! Things will get busy soon with CApp. Fun days ahead.

Barbara said...

Hi, Caro! Loved your blog as usual. I think it will be a nice change for you to slow down on the blogging. You certainly deserve taking more time for yourself. I have often wondered how you were able to blog as much as you did with all of the work that goes into it, along with your daily responsibilities. You must be one busy lady. You have given so much to the Claynation, and it is greatly appreciated.

I am really looking forward to Clay's participation on Celebrity apprentice. It will be fun to see him on TV again. Hope it is a wonderful experience for Clay and he enjoys being on the show.

BTW, Ron has a kindle and loves it. He is reading even more, and it even syncs to his iphone. Now, one of my sisters and I want one.

Thanks for all you have done with your awesome blogs and for the Claynation!

Take care, and have enjoy your week!

Love and hugs, ♥♥
Barbara :-)

Anonymous said...

Caro

You deserve a rest from your every 3 day blogs. I will miss them though.

Reading is one my great loves, I just found out Anne Rivers Siddons wrote more books than I thought. I read only Outer Banks and Low Country. I just fall into her stories.

Clay will do awesome on Apprentice. He is intelligent and he knows about business, look how many tours he has organized. He will be the winner hands down.

Hugs Margaret

Dianne Barbee said...

Cynthia, AAIT, Katy, Barbara, and Margaret -- thank you for your kind remarks.

I began writing for my local newspaper as a high school junior, and the Carolina/OFC blog became my outlet in 2005. I hope you and others will continue to check for updates on a less specified schedule.

Have a wonderful new week, and be in touch!

Caro

Sally said...

I'm so looking forward to watching Clay on "Celebrity Apprentice". This is a wonderful opportunity for the general public to see the Clay we have come to know. I hope he keeps "The Donald" on his toes. ;)

I'm happy that you will be changing your blogging schedule, and I know first-hand how hard you've worked to create these "Carolina On My Mind" gems.

Thank you for Clay stories and graphics/videos, the Mailbag, LAP & LACIE, Momma Mac, recitals, history lessons, the Tornado in a Trailer story, Kai & Lia pics, and so very much more.

You, my dear friend are a treasure.

Sally

Anonymous said...

What exciting news about clay. I knew there was something coming, but couldn't imagine what. I wasn't ready to believe what everyone was speculating on, but now I guess it's a sure thing. I guess you'll let us know when the airing is going to be as soon as you can. We can always depend on you, and are grateful for your wonderful blogs. Lois

royalle said...

Thank you for the wonderful announcement. I’m running late but
Still wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the thought
and time you put into Carolina on my Mind. I am so excited
Clay is tackling CApp, which is very difficult, but can bring him
more exposure, more contacts, and more fans, which is what
is needed in this entertainment environment. He has so many
talents and hidden talents, which I’m sure will delight all.

Dianne Barbee said...

Greetings,

Thank you, also, to Sally, Lois, and royalle for stopping by this Carolina blog entry.

Sally recalled highlights from the past six years. No telling when LAP & LACIE might get the blogging bug again. *g*

Have an awesome October, all!

Caro

SueReu said...

=( and =)

Hope you get some well deserved time for you!!!

Looking forward to your next installment, whenever that may be, but hopefully soon ;-)