Showing posts with label Pierre Kimsey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pierre Kimsey. Show all posts

Monday, January 24, 2011

Clay Aiken Talks Tour, Hockey, American Idol, Charities


TRIED & TRUE MAGIC-- AmazingCA lived up to her screen name when she took several of Scarlett's T&T ~ LIVE screen caps from the previous entry and produced this handsome graphic. There's another one at the bottom. Both are double-clickable.

National Inclusion Grant 'Official'

Clay To Sing SSB for NHL All-Stars

Clay Aiken will take a break from Tried & True Tour preparations to sing the American National Anthem at the National Hockey League All-Star Game Sunday at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. The Canadian Tenors will perform their country's anthem.

A longtime hockey fan, Clay has sung the "Star-Spangled Banner" to open numerous hockey games since the Carolina Hurricanes arrived in Raleigh in 1997.

Like most residents of the Triangle area, he is excited that his hometown is hosting the all-star game. "We built a brand-new airport. It specifically opened Sunday to be ready for the all-star game," he said.


AP Photo by Karl DeBlaker

In addition to Sunday's festivities, Brian Mansfield's story for USA Today also includes previews from Clay about the T&T Tour:
"I like being relatively laid-back and casual," he says. "This is Moon River, Unchained Melody and What Kind of Fool Am I. These songs don't need a lot of flashy light stuff. I like to come out and sing the songs, and I like talking to the audience."

Most of Clay's set will focus on tunes from his recent albums of standards, but he says he has a few surprises up his sleeve.

"Most of these songs are big-band types songs," he says. "I think we're going to do a medley of songs that are on the radio today, but we're going to do them in a big-band style."

Such as? Lady Gaga's Poker Face is on the short list. So is Kenny Chesney's She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy.

"They're definitely songs you would not expect to hear in big-band style."


WKNO: A Conversation with Clay Aiken
View Pierre Kimsey's interview full screen at YouTube.

Memphis PBS Chat Covers Bases

WKNO producer Pierre Kimsey's interview with Clay Aiken was a hit when it first aired on the Memphis PBS station last fall. Already on YouTube, the interview has this week begun airing on other stations throughout the PBS network.

Kimsey's chat with Clay covers all the bases -- performing, sudden fame, the National Inclusion Project, UNICEF, family, fans, connection with former teachers, the Tried & True PBS Special, Broadway -- and much more.

Promo for the interview provides an excellent overview of the chat between Clay and the WKNO producer:

WKNO Producer Pierre Kimsey talks with singer Clay Aiken. The North 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.


IT's OFFICIAL! The National Inclusion Project has been informed
that December's $50k Pepsi grant win was certified Friday.
Double click on the NIP Pepsi banner to view full size.

NIP Pepsi Grant Win 'Official'

Throughout Clay Cyberspace, fans are "dancing in the streets" with news that the National Inclusion Project's December $50k grant win has been declared official.

Jerry Aiken, executive director of the foundation, received word of the certification on Friday and shared the news with supporters via Facebook:
Thanks so much to everyone that helped us win. We will hold the drawing for the iPad early this week!

Most Inclusion Project supporters are still voting -- for the alliances and partners who helped bring home the $50,000 grant. As this sampling from the NIP Pepsi page shows, the daily votes have not gone unnoticed:
SHENAN ARTS: Hello, National Inclusion friends! Shenan Arts appreciates your continued support! You're the best. Thanks for any additional votes you can send. Congrats again, and thanks for all the support!

CRAVEN ARTS COUNCIL: Craven Arts Council thanks you, thanks you for your support!!! We so appreciate you continuing to vote for us. We need it!

VOMA: The Venue of Merging Arts can't thank you enough for remembering us and continuing to support our efforts.

LONG ISLAND RIDING for the HANDICAPPED: Hello, National Inclusion Project! Thanks so much for your continued support of LIRHA. We're now at #11!!

ROBERT MORRIS ELEM SCHOOL: On behalf of Robert Morris, I would like to Thank all who have been coming back and voting for us. You guys are the BEST!!!


Double clickable graphic by AmazingCA, caps by Scarlett.

Unlimited Clack Now on Facebook

There's a new "face" at the popular social networking site that should keep fans rolling in videos of the singer's performances. Visit the growing Unlimited Clack wall at Facebook, and join the fun.

Scroll through the Unlimited Clack widget in the Carolina sidebar that continuously reflects the latest additions with a page refresh.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Friday, November 12, 2010

Clay Aiken Talks Career, Family, Charities with WKNO


WKNO: A Conversation with Clay Aiken
View Pierre Kimsey's interview full screen at YouTube.

Fans Campaign for $50k NIP Grant

Memphis PBS Chat Covers Bases

Uploaded to YouTube Thursday, WKNO's interview with Clay Aiken covers all the bases -- performing, sudden fame, the National Inclusion Project, UNICEF, family, fans, connection with former teachers, the Tried & True PBS Special, Broadway -- and much more.

Here is a portion of the promo or overview of Clay's chat with Pierre Kimsey, WKNO producer:
WKNO Producer Pierre Kimsey talks with singer Clay Aiken. The North 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.

Check PBS programming in your area, as some stations prepare to re-air Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! leading into the 2011 Winter Tour supporting the singer's latest release with Decca Records.

Graphics depicting scenes from the singer's PBS Special include Fountaindawg, 1, 2, 3, and AmazingCA, 4, 5, 6, with photos by Jim R. Bounds:












NIP Needs More Pepsi Voters
While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.

When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." - Profound statement from a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

The National Inclusion Project is competing in the $50,000 category of November's Pepsi Refresh Challenge and needs the creativity of its supporters to recruit more daily voters. The foundation is currently #15 and needs to climb into to top 10 to win the grant.

Dedicated backers maintain a daily voting schedule that includes the National Inclusion Project, official alliances, and partnerships formed with other charities.

Help spread the word so the Inclusion Project can bring Let's ALL Play training to more programs across the nation and open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer!


Vote 3 ways daily to expand inclusive programs for all children.

NIP Voting Simple as 1, 2, 3

1. Go to the National Inclusion Project page on the Pepsi site.
2. Click the "Vote for This Idea" tab.
3. You will be prompted to sign-in. Log-in with your email address. (If you haven't already, you can register very easily.)
4. Click "Vote for This Idea" again. (This is very important!)
5. You will know you have voted when you see the "Votes Left Today" change from 10 to 9.
6. If you are a member of Facebook, log out and back in. Select the Facebook option in the pop-up window, and vote for the NIP again.
7. You can also text the numbers 102308 to Pepsi (73774).
8. Share your vote on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards, asking others to do the same.
9. Download the full page PDF version of the new NIP flier shown in a clickable screen cap below. Print and share the flier with prospective voters -- at ball games, fall festivals, malls, the zoo, the gym, church, school/business meets. Ask recipients to text the same vote everyday in November.


Click to enlarge screen cap of new NIP flier.

Partners Vote, Pull for Each Other

Inclusion Project supporters are not only voting for the NIP but also alliances and partners formed with other charities in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. A good example is Crown Pointe Academy's strategy this weekend:
Crown Pointe Academy is still voting for you. Over the weekend we are going to be recruiting for you, Hawthorne, Crone's, Colorado Solar, Monte Vista, and a few other favorites. Hope it helps you! - Sherri R.

Be sure to leave a comment on each organization's page that the NIP has voted for their charity. Here is an example:
The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. Thank you for your reciprocal support. Please leave a comment, as we re-evaluate daily. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject ...Text 102308.

The foundation's current alliances and partners are listed on the NIP Voting Widget that Scarlett created and updates according to nightly reports.

To put these charities in your circle of support, locate their link and/or text number on the widget in the Carolina blog's sidebar or link to the handy tool's home page with the screen cap below.


Click to link to NIP Widget
Vote and add to websites.

Below are the Top 21 charities posting daily reciprocal votes for the National Inclusion Project. The groups refer to their placement on the NIP Voting Widget. This is where I'm using my extra votes -- three for the NIP and 27 for other charities. Hopefully, you -- and every eligible account in your family -- are, too!
Top 21 NIP Supporters

RETT Syndrome Clinic - Group A
She Shall Go Free - Group A
Hawthorne Elementary School - Group A
Weaver Bored of Education - Group C
RATCO - Group A
Spoede - Alliance
Karo Grillo Golf - Group A
INRS - Group A
Libby Tennis - Group A
Pandora's Project - Group A
Blue Shadows - Group A
Cure AHC - Alliance
Cystic Fibrosis - Group B
Granara-Skerry - Group B
Cedar Park HS Band - Group B
HUGS Adirondack - Group B
HVCPA Opportunity League - Group B
Girl Scouts Eastern SC - Group B
Earl Crowe SUV - Group B
Alleghany Wellness - Group B
The Bag Ladies - Group B

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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