Fans Recall Clay Aiken-Jimmy Kimmel Valentine Tradition

VALENTINES OF NOTE - Previous Clay Aiken-Jimmy Kimmel Valentine's Night shows have become rewind favorites among the singer's fans. His second mainstream album, A Thousand Different Ways, seems the perfect accompaniment. Clickable graphic by A Beautiful Mind, photos by Scrpkym.

'Valentine's Day Is Clay Aiken Day'

Aiken-Kimmel in Classic Rewind

February 14 traditions centuries old continue throughout the world, but none closer to the hearts of Clay Aiken fans than the Valentine Nights the singer appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show.

Valentine's Night 2011 is destined to provide new traditions as Clay & Co. present a special Tried & True Concert in Houston's Jones Hall at 7:30 p.m. this evening.

But back to the 2010 Kimmel-Aiken rewind of Valentines past. For the most part, this blog is a reprint of the Feb. 14, 2010 entry. In the host's words, "Valentine's Day is Clay Aiken Day."

Clay and Jimmy celebrated Valentine's 2005 together, and the CA fandom literally took charge of the stage decor, sending flowers, stuffed animals, balloons in the shape of hearts, and enough pizza for the crew and half the audience.

Valentines encompass 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' set.

At the heart of the "Climmel" happenings is a special friendship, complimented by a unique chemistry that has developed through the years. In 2008, Clay was performing in Spamalot on Broadway; and in 2009, he was on vacation. With Singer Man putting final touches on an upcoming PBS Special, this Valentine's Day isn't looking very promising.

The Aiken-Kimmel reunion on Feb. 14, 2007, was a classic and worthy of a rewind. Grab your popcorn; it's almost time for Clay's introduction ...

In addition to being a multi-platinum recording artist, the author of a New York Times bestseller, and tireless UNICEF ambassador, our first guest has been my Valentine for two out of the last three years running. Please welcome Clay Aiken!

Clay Arrives Bearing Gifts

As with past appearances, pandemonium greeted Clay as he entered bearing gifts -- a giant heart of red balloons, the Clay face shirt for his host, and special "Aiken 4 Kimmel" M&Ms. Jimmy immediately whipped off his jacket and put on his new shirt.

The two friends chatted about Clay's break, his upcoming UNICEF trip, his "enthusiastic" fans" ("Do you realize you command a larger army than Fidel Castro?"), some recent dental work ("I heard that you got a visit from the tooth fairy yesterday and had some work done on your teeth"), and what not.

Jimmy's hint that Clay had promised to compose a special Valentine's Day song was met with comical and totally convincing bafflement. As a pianist quietly started playing an intro offstage, Clay relented, "Well, I can make one up."

Valentine Song Lyrics

Mischievously eying the bowl of candy beside him, Clay began picking up pastel-colored hearts, improvising a song with the Valentines and tossing them over his shoulder after their usefulness. Miraculously, a microphone appeared; and the improvisational flavor of the song and skit progressed:Here's to a very special 2011 Valentine's Day start to finish, Clay Nation!

Love me ... true love,
Fax me ... got love,
You're so sweet ... yours forever,
You're so sweet ...
(speaking) I've got Stage 2 diabetes; that's not going to work!
(singing again) Angel ... dear one. (chuckles)
You're a tiger ... you're mine, Jimmy!!!

Back on the message boards came reports that, during commercial breaks, Clay picked up the bowl of candy and passed out sweets to audience members. Definitely a Valentine's Night to remember ... again and again!

Yollie950 incorporated these events into her montage Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon.

Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon
Montage by Yollie950

Throughout the many Valentines fans have shared with Clay, graphic artists have provided special visual treats. In this artistic 2/14 rewind are clickable designs by Sally, 1; A Beautiful Mind, photos by KarenEh, 2; cindilu2, 3; AmazingCA, photos by Katy4Clay, 4; and A Beautiful Mind, 5.

The most recent Aiken-Kimmel Valentine get-together was featured in the annual My Favorite Things montage by SmartyPantsSuz.

Other events highlighted in the 2007 MFT montage were the Mike and Juliet Show, Clay's UNICEF trip to Afghanistan, another JKL appearance, summer and holiday tours, and his $300,000 win for the National Inclusion Project on Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.

My Favorite Things 2007 by SmartyPantsSuz
JKL grid links to MFT montage on YouTube.

It's fun to look back. Here's to a very special Valentine's Day 2011 and a wonderful concert in Houston!



Signature by Linda/ABM

Aiken Fans Tackle Ticketmaster

Clay Aiken PBS Special

Fans Tango with 'Ticketmonster'

Armed with a host of helpful hints, lucky charms, and good wishes from Internet friends, Clay Aiken fans prepared to tackle the unflappable idiosyncrasies of "Ticketmonster," one of the more printable nicknames for Ticketmaster.

The goal: two prime time seats in Memorial Hall of Raleigh's Progress Energy Center for the March 12 PBS taping of "Classic Memories," during which the singer will unveil material from the upcoming "Clay Aiken: Tried & True," his first album with Decca Records.

The one-night-only special event will be a full production filmed for national television. Seating is exclusive and limited.

Clickables of Raleigh's Memorial Hall.

Ticketmaster Downbeat at Noon

Beginning at noon Tuesday, Official Fan Club members were to login into the Clayonline Appearances section to secure the pre-sale ticket code. From there, they began the "Ticketmaster Tango" with multiple degrees of angst, torture, and success.

Early morning message board posts provided a snapshot of pre-sale stress, suggestions, and some very enthusiastic cheerleading encompassing Clay Cyberspace:

I am so nervous that I was almost thinking of buying a ticket to something cheap to see if my account works.

Have Ticketmaster open in another tab. Then when you click on Appearances, you should be already signed in.

I plan to have my desktop computer turned on and ready to go just in case this one crashes. It doesn't happen often, but I was a Girl Scout and do believe in being prepared.

TICKET DAY: Had a dream before I woke up, nightmare of course. Time came to buy, the instructions were confusing, and it was hard to find the code. When I went to Ticketmaster, there were SIX places to enter a code; and it wasn't clear where it should go. Of course, before I woke up, I never did get it figured out or get tickets. I will be glad when this is done!

HEADS UP FROM ME: I plan to log out of everything except the OFC and TM when the time gets close. I don't want anyone here to think either my computer or I died. I'll be back as soon as I have tickets, either to moan about the so-so seats or crow about the great seats!

As soon as y'all get your tickets, get back here and tell us what happened and what you got. I will expect that at 12.01 EST. Okay, maybe 12.02 EST. But no later!

May the ticket gods smile on us today!

Clayonline fan club members have been given the first opportunity to purchase tickets in the pre-sale from 12 noon EST Tuesday (Feb. 16) through 10 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 18). Tickets will be open to the general pubic at 12 noon Friday (Feb. 19).

Pictorial Essay Cheers on Fans

To cheer on fans trying for tickets, Bottlecap prepared a pictorial essay with clickable Clay Aiken concert photos by Kareneh, fivegoldens, and Invisible926.

Fingers crossed



that your ticket search will go well,



that you can successfully bend TM to your will,



and that you emerge triumphant!



Play-By-Play Reveals Trials, Triumphs

Representing three message boards, these posts between noon and 2 p.m. describe a range of "tango" experiences from trauma to jubilation. They also exemplify perseverance, heady excitement, and special friendships as American fans assisted Canadians unexpectedly blocked by a system glitch.

In a nutshell, the Ticketmaster experience is never boring -- but then neither is being a Clay fan ...

12:06 p.m. -- I got my tickets!!!

OMG, this is soooooooooooooo STRESSFUL! I got the WHITE PAGE of NEAR-DEATH at TM for a couple of seconds!!!

My heart feels like it's beating out of my chest.

Me, too, and now my cat wants attention!

Twice I got offered tickets in the balcony, but it won't even let me buy them!

First I put in the max ticket price -- none found.
Second (any price) - got back balcony
Third (any price) - got mezzanine.
I'm in da house!!!

12:46 p.m. There are 802 signed into the OFC right now.

Do you think Ticketmaster wasn't ready for us?

I'm excited, and I'm not even going. Next concert in Raleigh -- I will be there!

EEEEEEEEE -- I'm in da house!!! I got NOTHING AVAILABLE forever, but reentered my code, and it went through!

12:16 p.m. The best laid plans and all that -- eBAY already has a set of tickets in the front for $599.

12:19 p.m. YEAH! I got Orchestra section. I told the guys here at work that I'm taking lunch at noon and not to bother me 'cause I was on a mission.

12:21 Clay says in his latest answer that there's not a bad seat in the house. It's funny he's answering questions while we're all stressing out buying tickets!

If you get "none available," reenter your code.

I was just able to pick up a single ticket in Section B! I phished for half an hour and was offered progressively worse seats. I then went back after a break, phished some more, and a ticket in the Dress Circle came up! I didn't even really plan on going, and now I may have to reconsider!

I agree with Clay. I live in Raleigh and I've been at Progress Energy Center many times. He is right that there isn't a bad seat in the house. I've sat in dress circle, orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony. I've been happy in all those seats. We'll all have a great time, and we are getting to see Clay again!

Ticketmonster more than earned its unprintable nicknames when Canadians could not process a purchase. Passwords were PM'd, and US friends stepped forward and secured seating for many international fans. [TM and the OFC are working on a solution to the glitch for the remaining sale dates.]

BWAHHH! One of my security words to type in was "assesses." I immediately laughed and said to myself that yes, TM is/are asses. At least, that's what it looked like at first glance. How apropos!

We got seats 30 minutes after the frenzy. I am exhausted.

Clay just posted on the OFC and Facebook that the Canadian problem is solved.

In the door and pleased ...

Have a great week, Clay Nation. May the ticket gods smile on Clay Aiken fans throughout the TM adventure!

Caro

Aiken-Kimmel a Valentine Tradition

VALENTINES OF NOTE - Previous Clay Aiken-Jimmy Kimmel Valentine Night shows have become rewind favorites among the singer's fans. His second mainstram album, A Thousand Different Ways, is the perfect accompaniment for this weekend. - Graphic by A Beautiful Mind, photos by Scrpkym.

Team Clay Delivers 2010 Valentine

Aiken-Kimmel in Classic Rewind

February 14 traditions centuries old continue throughout the world this weekend, but none closer to the hearts of Clay Aiken fans than the Valentine Nights the singer appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show.

In the host's words, "Valentine's Day is Clay Aiken Day." Clay and Jimmy celebrated Valentine's 2005 together, and the CA fandom literally took charge of the stage decor, sending flowers, stuffed animals, balloons in the shape of hearts, and enough pizza for the crew and half the audience.

At the heart of the "Climmel" happenings is a special friendship, complimented by a unique chemistry that has developed through the years. In 2008, Clay was performing in Spamalot on Broadway; and in 2009, he was on vacation. With Singer Man putting final touches on an upcoming PBS Special, this Valentine's Day isnt looking very promising.

NEWS BULLETIN: Fan club members, check your inbox! You probably have an email from Team Clay RE the March 12 "Classic Memories" PBS Special that starts like this:



GET READY RALEIGH...

We're happy to be able to put an end to the suspense and the waiting by finally letting you know about the exciting "mystery" event happening on March 12!

After a long wait for all of you, Clay will be "unveiling" the material from his forthcoming album, "Tried & True" in a live concert in his hometown at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium!

This one night only special event will be a full production filmed for national television so seating is exclusive and limited.

LINKS TO INVESTIGATE:

International Media
Progress Energy Center in Raleigh
Ticketmaster
Clayonline/Appearances
Clay Aiken To Perform One-Night Only Concert
Entertainment My NC
Clay Aiken's Raleigh Concert in March

Fan club members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets in a pre-sale from 12 noon EST Tuesday, Feb. 16, through 10 p.m. Feb. 18. Instructions for the pre-sale code are in the email. Tickets will be open to the general pubic at 12 noon Friday, Feb. 19.

Meanwhile, see Clay's "Non-Scientific Survey" thread in The Man Forum at the OFC to assist with pre-sale ticket count.

If you have HBO, a Bill Maher Special taped this weekend in Memorial Hall of Raleigh's Progress Energy Center, will be televised several times Feb. 13-16.

The Aiken-Kimmel reunion on Feb. 14, 2007, was a classic and worthy of a rewind, which will easily fill this season's Valentine vacuum. Grab your popcorn; it's almost time for Clay's introduction ...

In addition to being a multi-platinum recording artist, the author of a New York Times bestseller, and tireless UNICEF ambassador, our first guest has been my Valentine for two out of the last three years running. Please welcome Clay Aiken!

Clay Arrives Bearing Gifts

As with past appearances, pandemonium greeted Clay as he entered bearing gifts -- a giant heart of red balloons, the Clay face shirt for his host, and special "Aiken 4 Kimmel" M&Ms. Jimmy immediately whipped off his jacket and put on his new shirt.

The two friends chatted about Clay's break, his upcoming UNICEF trip, his "enthusiastic" fans" ("Do you realize you command a larger army than Fidel Castro?"), some recent dental work ("I heard that you got a visit from the tooth fairy yesterday and had some work done on your teeth"), and what not.

Jimmy's hint that Clay had promised to compose a special Valentine's Day song was met with comical and toally convincing bafflement. As a pianist quietly started playing an intro offstage, Clay relented, "Well, I can make one up."

Valentine Song Lyrics

Mischievously eying the bowl of candy beside him, Clay began picking up pastel-colored hearts, improvising a song with the Valentines and tossing them over his shoulder after their usefulness. Miraculously, a microphone appeared; and the improvisational flavor of the song and skit progressed:

Love me ... true love,
Fax me ... got love,
You're so sweet ... yours forever,
You're so sweet ...
(speaking) I've got Stage 2 diabetes; that's not going to work!
(singing again) Angel ... dear one. (chuckles)
You're a tiger ... you're mine, Jimmy!!!

Back on the message boards came reports that, during commercial breaks, Clay picked up the bowl of candy and passed out sweets to audience members. Definitly a Valentine's Night to remember ... again and again!

Yollie950 incorporated these events into her montage Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon.

Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon
Montage by Yollie950

Throughout the seven Valentines fans have shared with Clay, graphic artists have provided special visual treats. In this artistic 2/14 rewind are clickable designs by Sally, 1; A Beautiful Mind, photos by KarenEh, 2; cindilu2, 3; AmazingCA, photos by Katy4Clay, 4; and A Beautiful Mind, 5.

The most recent Aiken-Kimmel Valentine get-together was featured in the annual My Favorite Things montage by SmartyPantsSuz.

Other events highlighted in the 2007 MFT montage were the Mike and Juliet Show, Clay's UNICEF trip to Afghanistan, another JKL appearance, summer and holiday tours, and his $300,000 win for the National Inclusion Project on Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.

My Favorite Things 2007 by SmartyPantsSuz
JKL grid links to MFT montage on YouTube.

Below is a clickable of A Beautiful Mind's opening graphic:

Have a very special Valentine's Weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Pledges CD Details

Clay Aiken graphic by AmazingCA

Singer To Share News in Blog

Album Buzz Soars in Clay Cyber

The excited buzz and anticipation levels circulating through Clay Aiken Cyberspace match the singer's enthusiasm for the upcoming CD and PBS Special shared on Twitter, Facebook, and his fan club blog.

Speculation about which songs will be on the new Decca album continues at full throttle as fans await the news Singer Man seems dying to tell. So far he is "biting his tongue" to keep details under wraps. According to his latest blog, news is coming soon.

We are almost finished with the album, and I love it. I think you will too. These songs, the arrangements, the orchestrations are the most amazing I have ever gotten to record.

As a musician, that seals the deal for me!

The casual or Not.Just.Us fan sector is also on alert, as CA message board members are spreading word of the new CD via various modes. In case news breaks when fans are away from their computers, various contingency plans -- texting, cell phones, the good old-fashioned land line -- are in place.

National Inclusion Project rolls out YouTube channel.

Fans Spread TNIP News, Too

The National Inclusion Project, the charity co-founded in 2003 by Clay and Diane Bubel for all children, benefits from the unofficial P.R. activities of CA fans. Two of the three NJU stories below are about Clay's charitable endeavors for children.

The above video can also be viewed on the new Inclusion Project channel page at YouTube. Supporters are encouraged to subscribe to the site and follow the organization on Facebook. See National Inclusion Project.

Hopefully, others will share their NJU experiences in the comment section so I can add them to the blog. As always, thank you for helping to tell the story of Clay Aiken.

ISEEME: I was getting my nails done, and the woman next to me was talking about "teaching her kids to make grilled cheese sandwiches." I asked her how many kids she had. She explained she is a junior high special ed teacher for children with severe emotional problems and was shocked at how many of them had never been in a kitchen. She believes in teaching them life skills as well as reading and writing.

Naturally, I had to tell her I was a big Clay Aiken fan and asked if she knows about his foundation. Before I could get "National Inclusion Project" out, she interrupted and said, "I know! It's about inclusion, and it's a wonderful organization!"

She asked me about Clay's background and how he chose that particular cause to support. (HA -- a captive audience!) So I told her about his special ed degree, work at the YMCA, the little girl who wasn't accepted because she had special needs, Michael Bubel, and so on.

She said she had heard about the foundation in an in-service session last summer. As an afterthought I said, "Oh, and the guy can sing, too!" She knew that, too. It was a good moment.

Clickable graphics are by cindilu2, 1 and 3, and Ashes, 2.

NCWANNABE: My NJU story began a few months ago when a co-worker was in my office talking about a work issue. Suddenly she stopped mid-sentence and said, "OMG, is that Clay Aiken?!?!?"

She had spotted the picture(s) of Clay and me in my office and asked if I had met him. I told her about my "meet and greet," concert reading, and the special dinner in 2009. She was quite impressed.

Last week the same co-worker dropped by to ask a question. As she started walking away, she said "Oh, I saw an article on Huffington Post that your friend Clay Aiken wrote. I was impressed. He is a UNICEF Ambassador! Wow!"

I explained that Clay has been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and has traveled to Somalia. She just kept nodding her head and saying, "I am so impressed."

Definitely made my day!

RAINLOVER: When I picked up a prescription at our pharmacy drive-through, "Something About Us" was playing on my CD player.

Female Pharmacist: "Who is that?"
Me: Clay Aiken
FP: I've never heard that song before. What's the name of it?
Me: "Something About Us". It's on his last CD.
FP: What's the name of the CD?
Me: On My Way Here
FP: I need to get a copy of that. That's a beautiful song!

From the headlines:

Clay will release his 1st album on @deccalabelgroup in summer 2010! It will be a collection of classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

COMING IN JUNE: American Idol superstar alumni and TV personality CLAY AIKEN sings great romantic favorites in "Classic Memories". Tapings for this International Media special will take place in February. Look for the show to be aired on public TV this June!

Clay Aiken is in the Decca house! Such a nice guy.

The above tweets/posts are from decca label group and International Media at Twitter and/or Facebook. Admittedly biting his tongue, Clay passed along this information in his blog, now on the public side of the OFC:

If I were making travel plans, I'd be sure to be in Raleigh by 7PM on Friday, March 12th. I'm just sayin' ....

Below is a clickable of the opening graphic by AmazingCA:

Here's to an exciting ride on the Clay Train in 2010! All aboard -- the best is yet to come!

Caro

Clay Aiken Sets Album, PBS Special

Clay Aiken Jukebox Tour, Part 1 - The 50s
Video blends by Scruffy 13

Summer CD, PBS Special

Facebook, Twitter Deliver News

Between Facebook and Twitter, the past couple of days have been one continuous news flash about Clay Aiken's upcoming album of 50s-60s classic songs and PBS "Classic Memories" special.

Beginning Tuesday, the timeline of posts by Decca Label Group, International Media, and Clay himself revealed this information:

Listening to the upcoming @ClayAiken album in the Decca office and it sounds amazing! Fans will definitely not be disappointed!

LATEST NEWS - JANUARY 2010

American Idol superstar alumni, NY Times best-selling author and TV personality Clay Aiken sings great romantic favorites in "Classic Memories". Stay tuned for more information on a forthcoming special!

COMING IN JUNE: American Idol superstar alumni and TV personality CLAY AIKEN sings great romantic favorites in "Classic Memories". Tapings for this International Media special will take place in February. Look for the show to be aired on public TV this June!

Clay will release his 1st album on @deccalabelgroup in summer 2010! It will be a collection of classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

Graphic by Sally, photo by Tasapio

Jukebox Playlist Provides Clues

Fans need look no farther than the very popular 2005 Jukebox Tour for clues about possible tracks for the new album. Message board supposition is indeed in full swing!

A fan favorite throughout North America, the Jukebox Tour featured Clay, a seven-piece band, and three back-up singers performing music of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, with tracks from the Measure of a Man album, and some new songs being considered for the second CD.

Slow tempo, up tempo, you name it -- Jukebox Tour videos are an excellent source for deliberation while fans await album news and snippets.

The JBT 50s medley included such favorites as "The Great Pretender," "Only You," "That'll Be the Day, "Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay," and "Unchained Melody" plus an entire segment devoted to Elvis.

Clay Aiken Jukebox Tour, Part 2 - The 60s
Video blends by Scruffy 13

Among the songs in the 60s collection were "Downtown," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Sugar Sugar," "Happy Together," "Solitaire," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

Scruffy13 blended videos from various concerts to create the montages includes in this blog: the 50s Medley opener and the thee-part 60s medley. For those who have never seen Clay converse with an audience, the fourth video provides a glimpse.

To view the entire Jukebox Tour, go to Scruffy 13's YouTube page and click through the numbers!

Clay Aiken Jukebox Tour - 60s, Part 3
Video blends by Scruffy 13

Clay Aiken Jukebox Tour - 60s, Part 4
Video blends by Scruffy 13

The Decca Decade is off to a rip-roaring start. No doubt the JBT rewinds provide a starting point for speculation -- that is, until the next nugget arrives on Twitter or Facebook.

In the midst of CD/PBS celebrations, fans are remembering their Haitian neighbors. Visit UNICEF and help spread the word to citizens of the world who would like to help. Link others to this Haiti Earthquake PSA video.

SueReu's excellent montage Haiti - Give the Gift of Life Through UNICEF is accompanied by Clay's "Grace of God" vocal.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Other blogs with a similar topic include:

Clay Aiken Fact Find

Clay Aiken News Network

Clay Aiken News

Clay Aiken's UM In Top AI Vocals

Clay Aiken - Unchained Melody (Season 2)

CA Fans Celebrate PBS, CD News!!!

Curtain Rises on Idol's Season 9

It's showtime for American Idol 9, and the opening curtain countdown is being celebrated in countless ways across the Web.

Clay Aiken's Top 3 performance of "Unchained Melody" from Season 2 is featured in a lineup of 12 former AI contestants at Countdown to American Idol: 12 of the Best Idol Voices on Neon Limelght:

Through all of the delicious side dishes, we really tune in to hear the great voices of talented undiscovered singers. From sultry soul singers, big theatrical wailers, and angelic soothers, Idol has seen every kind of voice imaginable.

The 12 best vocals from Idol's eight seasons -- Clay Aiken, David Archuleta, Elliott Yamin, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, LaToya London, Kelly Clarkson, Kris Allen, Melinda Doolittle, David Cook, Chris Daughtry, and Adam Lambert -- are featured in the festivities.

Clay sings 'Unchained Melody' on AI2.

Read a blurb about each, view all 12 performances, and leave a comment on Neon Limelight. Of course, Clay's Season 2 version of Unchained Melody is my favorite. The falsetto leap puts a lump in my throat every time:

If Clay didn’t give you chills at least once during his run on American Idol, you’re dead inside. Haul yourself off to the nearest morgue. He’s the first Idol to get hit with the “too theatrical” critique; and, thankfully, for those who’d follow, he made it OK.

Pop Sugar Rush kicked off the new season with a splash about the five Most Successful American Idol Contestants. They include Clay, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson.

The video at Idolator -- Simon's Idol Legacy - His Best and Worst Calls -- includes an exchange CA fans can quote from memory:

Simon Call: "Okay. Very good. You don’t look like a pop star, but you’ve got a great voice. So now what? Clay Aiken, we’ll see you in Hollywood."

Actual Outcome: Oh, ye of little faith. Thankfully for Clay, the mass market can sometimes see greatness beneath the surface. While he may have come in second (by a mere 130,000 votes), Clay went on to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart with the highest-selling first album by an Idol alum to date.

He has scored a number of subsequent hits (though he left the RCA label in 2008), generated some $28 million at the concert box office in his first five tours, and starred on Broadway in Spamalot.

Clay's PBS Special, CD Headline News

Tuesday night the curtain rose on American Idol 9 on FOX. Even more exciting to Clay Aiken fans was the latest tweet from @deccalabelgroup:

Listening to the upcoming @ClayAiken album in the Decca office and it sounds amazing! Fans will definitely not be disappointed!

And from iNternational Media on Wednesday:

LATEST NEWS - JANUARY 2010

American Idol superstar alumni, NY Times best-selling author and TV personality Clay Aiken sings great romantic favorites in "Classic Memories". Stay tuned for more information on a forthcoming special!

And from International Media's Facebook page Thursday morning:

International Media COMING IN JUNE: American Idol superstar alumni and TV personality CLAY AIKEN sings great romantic favorites in "Classic Memories". Tapings for this International Media special will take place in February. Look for the show to be aired on public TV this June!

And then Singer Man tweeted and posted at Facebook about his new album:

Clay Aiken: Clay will release his 1st album on @deccalabelgroup in summer 2010! It will be a collection of classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

WOOHOO, the Decca Decade has arrived!!! Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro