You would think with the sudden 24-7 free time I have that writing a blog about the latest agenda of Clay Aiken and his newly-released Tried & True CD would be a snap, but my brain can't seem to get past a throbbing, badly-sprained left ankle.
An unexpected fall in the bathtub Tuesday morning not only put an afternoon of music lessons on hold but assured that my ankle and I would spend the better part of the day being x-rayed, diagnosed, wrapped, and iced down.
Mapping maneuverability in my house suddenly became a major concern.My den, where I am headquartered with a laptop and a TV with lots of recorded movies, looks like a retirement home with a walker, my late mother's cane, and a wheel chair from my brother-in-law's church. The latter really comes in handy for carting meals/dishes to and from the kitchen.
Frozen Corn Takes Aim at Swelling
My sister chauffeured me to the doctor's office where I was told be to sure to ice the ankle. The cashier at my neighborhood market is the mother of a dancer, and her daughter and friends prefer packages of frozen peas. The store was out of peas, but frozen corn molds around ankles, too.
Several times a day I apply packages of corn to my ankle and knee. Blue and purple are the predominant color schemes all the way down my left side, and they seem to be much more dominant today than yesterday. Parents of my students have offered their assistance and medical advice, i.e., take lots of Vitamin C to heal.
Sleep, which evaded me through the night, has come easily all day long. All I have to do is press "play" for a movie and I am off to la-la land. So I'll make this quick ...
DREAM DUET: Linda Eder and Clay Aiken
If I were going to write a blog about Clay Aiken, I would spotlight The Voice, Linda Eder's official fan newsletter which focuses on "Crying" -- the Dream Duet -- by the two singers on the Tried & True CD and the PBS Special. Besides printed interviews, there are some wonderful comments in this issue.
There is also a new Artisan News video out in which Clay talks candidly about American Idol.
Clay Aiken talks about American Idol with Artisan News.
Decca Records has posted a video Clay's of "Unchained Melody" performance from The View on the label's website. So far, there have been 150 views and 30 comments.
Clay and Lauren Kennedy join News 14 Carolina's Tracy Early for a discussion of Bringing Broadway Home, star-studded event set for 8 p.m. at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't pass along Fountaindawg's latest compilations from recent activities. The clickables below include the the Artisan News video with screen caps by Hope, 1; the June 12 debut telecast of Tried & True - LIVE! on WTTW-11 in Chicago, 2; another Artisan News graphic with caps by Artquest and deemer, 3; and Clay's CNN interview with screen caps by Cotton, 4.
It's time for more corn. Have a great week, Clay Nation!
Clay premieres first PBS Special at Chicago's WTTW-11.
Clay Aiken: Tried & True: LIVE!
Fans Multitask To View Special
Members of the Clay Nation have become expert multi-taskers, and various approaches were invoked to share Saturday's premiere telecast of Clay Aiken: Tried & True - LIVE! with all who wanted to "see" the show two months ahead of its August release date.
Many shuffled through multiple windows -- WTTW-11's LIVE CHAT augmenting Clay's PBS debut, "red reports" by residents in the Chicago station's viewing area, and "cellcerts" from many watching the telecast.
Several fans drove to the Chicago area to view the special in a motel room while others diverted spousal plans for dinner and a movie in order to sit at a computer, register a PBS pledge, and participate in this much-anticipated event with friends in the Clay Nation.
The photos interspersed in the following recaps were taken by 2Old4Clay as the Special played on the TV set in her motel room.
One of the funniest reports of the evening came from Adrienne1954, who posted at Clayversity:
I made my pledge from the ladies' room at the movie theater. I think everyone in there now knows my name, phone number, email address, and how much I pledged.
Coopersgirl wrote that she had to make her pledge call in the garage because she promised my husband she wouldn't charge anything else until they know how many trips will be needed for a family member.
I just couldn't help myself, and I know he will forgive me. He pays the bills, but I will try to beat him to the mail next month. I paid the bill for months after "Spamalot," and he had no idea how many times I saw the show.
PBS Recaps Spread Enthusiasm
The Clay Nation is blessed with members who either wrote running reports as they watched the show or full recaps from scribbled notes afterwards.
These posts by yaknelle, toni7babe, Poison Ivy, kwhite1022, claytonitis, Beagle3, and outback are interspersed with the photos by 2Old4Clay:
The DVD is supposed to have more banter in the intros to the songs. I was blown away by the production of this show. Everything from the sound to the lighting and camera work was perfection. You see Clay's face up close and personal. You see his emotions.
Yeah, I'm a fan girl, but I have never hidden that fact. I'm so happy this was so well-produced. He deserves a vehicle like this. It's simply beautiful.
OMG, I am DEAD after the ending of "Unchained Melody!" Standing ovation being shown, tears in Clay's eyes.
Phones seem to be ringing like crazy! Clay on now talking to them. He remembers being on his grandparents' floor waiting for "Sesame Street." He grew up watching PBS, and Parker will be able to do the same.
Tears in his eyes after "In My Life." (Clay sang this song to and for his former teachers gathered at the March concert.)
Phones seem to be ringing like crazy! Everyone is busy, and there's lots of excitement and buzz.
Pink said "Eso Besso" is one of the bonus songs on the DVD along with "Who's Sorry Now," which I loved.
I'm so excited. I just pledged for the DVD just as they were going into the third break. I told Jenny at WTTW that two relatives who live in Chicago area and know I'm a Clay fan called to tell me a PBS Special with Clay Aiken was on their PBS station and I should call in a pledge.
Of course I knew about it anyway, but that was so sweet of them to let me know. My cousin, who called from Mundelein, probably thinks I'm going to put him in my will now, LOL!
I have wondered all along if this one was successful if he would get the chance to do a Christmas special for PBS. I hope so, because there is nothing like hearing Clay Aiken sing Christmas music.
There were 40 people answering the phone, and they have been busy all night.
Spending the evening in the same room with Clay a few feet away is always a good time. The phones were going crazy and it was so hard to hear. We had to keep asking people to repeat information. Oh what a night.
Oh what a night! I hope it was a huge success for both Clay and WTTW!
Pink Armchair Hosts Live Chat
Pink Armchair, a CA fan and WTTW manager of media relations, hosted an online live chat that provided information about activities in the studio during the Special. Kudos to Pink and her team for arranging this preview telecast of the show!
Thank you gifts for the Clay Aiken Special include his new Tried & True CD ($50); the Tried & True DVD ($75); and a special one-night only Chicago concert on Oct. 14 ($250). The pledge drive is ongoing -- 1 (773-588-1111) and WTTW-Clay. The special concert is by phone only: 1 (773) 509-1111, ext. 6, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CT.
Pink and Clay Clickable
Pink: I think everyone here in the studio already loves Clay. [To which CA fans who know anything about Spamalot replied, "D101!!!"]
Linda, one of our regular phone volunteers sitting next to me kept turning to me and saying, "Oh my God -- the Bronx, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Atlanta! What IS this?"
She was amazed at the calls she was getting. The buzz in the studio was great, and the phones were ringing off the hook, which was wonderful to see.
They don't share numbers with me, but I could tell it did really, really well. And I think the other PBS stations will sit up and take notice, which is what we -- Clay, the producers, the station, the fans -- were ultimately working for. It was definitely a success, and we should all be very proud.
From Twitter: OMG! OMG! OMG! Linda Eder is singing w/ Clay Aiken on his concert special!!! They are dueting on the Orbison/Lang version of CRYIN' ...!!!
claysweetea: Last night's show was absolutely stunning! Clay's voice was so perfectly beautiful. What a glamorous production. Driving to a hotel in Chicago with a 32 inch flat screen was well worth it!!
wandacleo: After purchasing tour tickets for Reno and New York City, I swore I was absolutely NOT going to buy a ticket to the Chicago concert. I SWORE. I lied.
I emptied all my piggy banks this morning and took them to the Coinstar machine at the grocery store--$185.
Since that's mad money, the concert ticket REALLY only cost me $65 instead of $250. What a relief. Practically free, not counting hotel, airfare, food!
Typical of public television fundraisers, there were four pledge breaks during the telecast of Tried & True: Live! Below is video of the final one:
WTTW-11 PBS Special pledge break
There's Nothing Like 'Live Clay'
In her home, Aikim viewed Clay's PBS Special away from her computer, but she took excellent notes and afterwards shared a full account on two message boards. Non-members can read her complete report at Finding Clay Aiken as a guest. Parts of her recap are printed below:
Fabulous show! Clay looked stunning! They did not show the opening with his back to the audience. I know I said it wasn't one of my favorites, but I enjoyed "Mack the Knife" on the show.
I really love watching Clay sing and -- as good as he his recorded -- he is better live. He did this cute rubbing-his-fingers-together on "hard-earned cash."
Not too much banter. He did the "Clay Aiken tonight, tomorrow 'Menopause The Musical'" shtick.
Lots of shots of the audience and the orchestra. Next two songs were "It's Only Make Believe" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."
Loved his version of the last song, not too different from the original. And again, "It's Only Make Believe" is not one of my favorites on the CD, but I loved it live.
On a studio break, Clay talked about PBS and watching "Sesame Street" and said he and Parker watch "Clifford, the Big Red Dog" in the mornings. Phones look really busy. "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" after the break.
Then - in my opinion - the best song of the whole special, "Crying" with Linda Eder. Amazing, absolutely amazing! This is my favorite on the CD. Heart-wrenching. Just sitting there watching these two amazing artists create this masterpiece -- I have no words for how good this is.
They didn't include the whole salute to his teachers, but Clay talked about being a loser and introduced Mrs. Stevens and then sang, "In My Life." I was so hoping he would sing this song. Been dying to hear it and was not disappointed. He looked verklempt singing it.
"Misty" just beautiful. "There is a Kind of Hush" -- love the jazzy version of this song. "Moon River" -- the fog machine was in full use, very nice. He really makes this his own, no visions of Andy Williams in my head while he is singing it.
Many thnx to all the fans who beamed their impressions of Clay Aiken: Tried & True: LIVE! to fans in other areas. Anyone with a computer could enjoy this special moment, a brand new phase in the singer's career.
Saturday afternoon Clay wrote about the PBS premiere in his blog, "New Beginnings":
Here’s to an incredible new chapter together … and, hopefully, many more "seven more years" of music!
How long is it until August? Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!
Caro
Monday, June 14: Siriusly Sinatra 6 PM ET * Clay Aiken stops by to play some of his new recordings along with performances by our stars that he loves. Sirius XM Radio
Rebroadcasts: Thurs 6/17 9:00 am ET; Sat 6/19 3:00 pm ET
BACK IN TOWN -- Clay Aiken returned to his hometown of Raleigh, NC, to tape a PBS Special in March. Tonight the concert premieres on Chicago's WTTW-11, largest PBS station in America. Graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Jim R. Bounds/AP.
Clay Aiken: Tried & True - LIVE!
WTTW-11 To Debut PBS Special
Whether you live in the Chicago area or not, you can participate in Saturday's debut telecast of the concert special Clay Aiken: Tried & True - Live! through a live chat on PBS station WTTW-11's website.
Fans fortunate enough to reside within PBS station's viewing area can watch the special concert from 7-9 p.m. CDT. WTTW-11 reaches 1.5 million weekly households over a four-state area (all of Chicago and parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan), making it the most-watched public television station in America.
Others can share the experience by participating in a live web chat, hosted in the studio by WTTW Manager of Media Relations Julia Maishin, known to CA fans by her PinkArmchair screen name. In addition to a play-by-play of the two-hour program, the chat will be a place people can ask questions and talk about what they are seeing.
Clay To Take Calls on Breaks
Saturday's special premiere of Clay Aiken: Tried & True - Live! will consist of the Raleigh concert taped in March with scheduled live breaks during which fans and patrons can ask questions and make donations to the public television station. Here are the specifics:
According to Pink, during these times, Clay may circulate and pick up calls from people who pledge. Viewers and those following along can begin calling the station a couple of minutes before 7:16, throughout the broadcast, and afterwards. Calls during these breaks will be especially welcome.
Clay Aiken's Tried & True CD Double clickable cover photo by Vincent Soyez
Pledge Gifts Feature CD, DVD, Concert
Thank you gifts associated with the pledge drive program include:
Tried & True CD - $55
. Clay Aiken's brand new CD features 11 tracks including "Moon River," "Suspicious Minds, and "Can't take My Eyes Off of You." A PBS-exclusive audio track for "Build Me Up Buttercup," physical or digital download, is part of this package.
Tried & True DVD - $75. The special and DVD feature Clay performing 16 songs live including "Build Me Up Buttercup," "Who's Sorry Now," and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," with special guest Ruben Studdard. This DVD also has a behind the scenes documentary on the making of the special.
Tried & True Combo - $125. CD (physical or digital) and DVD.
Special Chicago Premium - $250. On Oct. 14th, Clay will present a special, one-night only, intimate benefit concert in Chicago at a 650-seat (accessible) venue. Seating is general admission. Phone pledges only so the station can track the numbers.
Supporters may group pledges into one call. Pledges for the CD and DVD can also be made online at WTTW-Clay. The station ships to Canada.
Clay Aiken: Tried & True Live! DVD Double clickable
Local PBS Pledges Important
Other PBS stations will program Clay Aiken: Tried & True - Live! during August fund-raising drives. Fans are encouraged to make donations to their local station. However, to insure that the special makes a good showing in its debut airing, token pledges ($20, $30, etc.) are suggested for those outside the Chicago viewing area.
According to Pink, WTTW pledges, membership or token, will show other stations in the PBS system currently scheduling August pledge drives that there is much of interest in the program. "Nothing communicates that better than a lot of buzz and phones ringing when the hosts and guest are live on camera," she added.
Clay Aiken: Tried & True - Live! was produced by International Media with executive producers David Novik, Senior VP of A&R of Decca/UMG, and Gustavo Sagastume of Intl Media. Musical arrangements are by Chris Walden, Jesse Vargas and Ben Cohn.
PHOTO INTERLUDE: Below are clickable graphics featuring photos from the concert taping. Artists include Fountaindawg, 1, 2, 3, 4, and AmazingCA, 5.
Clay Steps Out on 'PARADE'
Clay Aiken will appears in the celebrity question section of Sunday's PARADE. Ironically, the singer is the third personality down just below Monty Python's Eric Idle, who has been anything but idle since Spamalot.
An Idaho resident asks what's new with Clay and will he be touring soon in the western states. The Tried & True CD, as well as the Timeless Tour, are in the reply. Parade used a photo by David Foster & Friends that is featured in AmazingCA's graphic below.
If you missed Clay on Access Hollywood, you can view the video at the AH website.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JUNE 12: WTTW-Chicago PBS, 7 PM CDT * Preview of Clay Aiken Tried & True Live! at Chicago PBS station ONLY.
SUNDAY, June 13: Chelsea Lately on E! 11:30 PM (rerun) * Clay Aiken is here, seriously, with his new CD Tried and True. Comedians Ben Gleib, Loni Love, and Gary Valentine also guest.
Monday, June 14: Siriusly Sinatra 6 PM ET * Clay Aiken stops by to play some of his new recordings along with performances by our stars that he loves. Sirius XM Radio.
OTHER Chelsea Lately Reruns: Monday, June 14, 3 AM; Tuesday, June 22, 12 AM and 3 AM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21: Bringing Broadway Home, 8 PM * One Night Only, Raleigh Memorial AuditoriumTicket Info
July 27: Release of Clay Aiken: Tried & True Live! DVD * Pre-order at Amazon now.
Clay Aiken's "Tried & True" CD debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, scoring the singer's fifth Top 10 on the chart and earning the third highest arrival on this week's list.
According to Nielsen SoundScan, the standards album entered the music industry listing with sales totaling 22,000. T&T also debuted at #2 on Top Internet Albums. Part of the Billboard press release is printed below:
Clay Aiken earns the third-highest arrival on the list this week with his debut album for Decca Records, "Tried & True."
The covers album, which features the singer's take on such standards as "Mack the Knife" and "Moon River," enters at No. 9 with 22,000 copies sold. "Tried" is Aiken's fifth top 10 set and first since departing RCA Records. Aiken's last studio release, "On My Way Here," opened at No. 4 with 94,000 in 2008.
Chart Beat Spotlights Feat of Clay
Billboard's Chart Beatcolumn also recognizes Clay's fifth Top 10 debut as tops among American Idol alum:
With "Tried & True" becoming his fifth top 10 on the Billboard 200 with a debut at No. 9, Clay Aiken passes Kelly Clarkson for most top 10s on the tally by an "American Idol" graduate.[snip]
Aiken first appeared on the Billboard 200 with "Measure of a Man," which spent its first two weeks at No. 1 in November 2003. He revisited the top tier with "Merry Christmas With Love" (No. 4, 2004), "A Thousand Different Ways" (No. 2, 2006) and "On My Way Here" (No. 4, 2008).
CA fans will want to login to Chart Beat, listen to the featured T&T track, click on the heart, leave a comment, and help create some buzz.
BRING IT ON! - Clay talks CD, talk show with CNN.
Clay Promotes T&T, Timeless Tour
Currently, Clay is out promoting the new Tried & True CD and the July-August Timeless Tour with appearances on various television shows. On some, he also sings a selection; on others, clips from the PBS Special are shown. On all, he proves what an articulate interviewee he is.
In the CNN interview above, he hints again -- "Bring It On!" -- how much he would like to have his own talk show. Video links to other appearances are featured later in the blog.
Just as important in spreading the word about the music on this beautiful CD are the promotional experiences of Clay's fans, planned or otherwise. Not.Just.Us and conversion stories don't appear in press releases, but they abound on message boards devoted to the North Carolina singer.
Fans Report NJU Album Response
They also support the fact that the T&T album is ageless, scoring with people in many walks of life, and steadily sprouting legs. Mixed with the NJU reports are screen caps from Clay's CNN chat with Shannon Cook and the E! channel interview with Chelsea Handler.
If you have a NJU story, please add it in the comments. It just might find its way into the the blog, too!
An admitted CNN junkie! - Cap by mustbeeme
adrienne1954: My husband, who is not a fan, went to work out in our home gym. He put on the TV, and it wasn't working. He called me downstairs and, with panic in his voice, asked me to fix the TV. I tried to figure out what the problem was and couldn't.
Instead, he decided to listen to a CD. While fiddling with the cable remote, I jokingly asked, "Do you want to listen to Clay's new album?' "OK." (Words I never thought I would hear in a million years!)
I can't tell you how fast I ran upstairs to grab the CD before he changed his mind. In the old Bose CD player, Clay's TnT went right to "Unchained Melody." I waited for his reaction.
"I love this song. This is one of my favorite songs," he said. (Who knew?) "He really does have a great voice. Oh, and shut it off."
I reached to turn off the CD, not wanting to push my luck or Clay's voice.
"No, not the CD player -- the TV! I want to listen to the whole album."
Clay at home on CNN. - Cap by mustbeeme
rskid: I sent a TNT CD/DVD to my daughter. We have attend a few Clay concerts and "Spamalot" together. She loved the shows, but this is not really her kind of music, etc. My daughter is married to a sweet Dominican who manages a bodega in Bed-Stuy. She called late last night to say they really enjoyed the CD, Ramone especially, who took it to work with him on Sunday.
She met him Sunday night to do laundry as they usually do; and when she walked into the bodega, Clay was blasting on their sound system!
The guys that work there love it, it seems. This is the kind of place where there is usually a card game going on behind the counter, while in the background Clay was singing his heart out. It seems he has conquered a small corner in Bed Stuy.
I don't think I have never heard a word of English spoken in that little store, and now there is Clay.
janfan821: I just got back from going to the stores to try to pick up copies of TnT for friends and family. None at Wal-Mart. None at Best Buy. Target had four, so I took two of them. I went to the checkout counter; and the cashier, who is in her early 20s, picked up the CDs, turned them over to see the front and stared -- I mean STARED at it.
She then looked up with a huge smile on her face. "I love him so much. I didn't know he had a new CD." I told her it was a great CD. Finally, she rang up the two customers behind me. I left with a huge smile on my face, too.
Siol: My daughter, son, and daughter-in-law were visiting yesterday. They usually make fun of Clay and how I'm so crazy about him. I decided to force them to watch Clay's "Unchained Melody" from The View.
They were quiet through the whole performance with none of the usual funny remarks. Later my daughter said she would love to go to a Clay concert with me. I think they were stunned by the performance. This is big for me.
jamar1700: When I purchased my second CD at Target today (the one that will stay unopened), the cashier smiled and said, "Clay Aiken - now that's when American Idol was gooooood. I like him. He's such a nice man."
Clay chats with Chelsea.(Screen cap by LovesClaysVoice)
MaryJoanne123: I had three friends over for dinner last night and TnT was playing when they arrived. I could see that at different points they were listening to the songs. One finally asked who was singing and I told them Clay.
None of these ladies are Clay fans or knew that I was. They were all surprised. When we got to the table, I had a regular CD for each and they were very happy.
After dinner I played the deluxe again, and all of them fell in love with "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." One is going to order a deluxe copy for each of them through Amazon.
Ijust: When I purchased TnT at FYE the other day, the sales clerk, a young girl in her 20's, asked about the CD. When I told her it was standards with a big band sound, she got so excited and told me how much she just loves big band music.
I don't think we can have any idea how this CD will appeal to any demographic unless and until it can be heard on a popular prime-time shows.
claybuttons: I am floored. My garbage disposal broke, and the maintenance man from the apartment complex came to replace it. He is Hispanic, 28 years old, and recently married.
I had TNT on my stereo, and he told me he LOVES this music. "It is very pretty, relaxing, and a great singer. Btw, who is it? I told him the singer is Clay Aiken, and he said he has heard of him.
When he left, he asked if I ever burned copies of CD's and I replied, "Not this one, but I have an extra copy. Would you really listen to it?"
He said he would, so I gave it to him. Just goes to show that age and sex don't mean anything as far as taste in music.
Clay, Chelsea discuss assorted topics.(Cap by LovesClaysVoice)
MFforCA: The secretary at my school asked me today if I'd seen Clay on Joy Behar's Show (as if I'd miss it!). She said she fell in love with him all over again and thought he was just adorable. She had been somewhat of a fan during AI2, bought MOAM and MCWL, but was never on fan boards.
She also said she thought she'd treat herself to his new CD, so I let her listen to my iTunes burned copy while she was at school and she said she liked what she'd had time to hear.
I really think she is just the kind of person being targeted, those who still remember Clay and wish him well.
coopersgirl: I stopped by Best Buy on my way home -- Zilch! -- but the Walmart next door had three copies. Since these stores are a good distance from our house, I popped the CD in and -- what do you know? -- Clay has a new fan!
My husband loved it; he really really loved it. He has always been supportive of me, but I don't think he ever really liked many of his songs. When he heard "Crying." he said, "I like Roy's better; but, man, that is tender!"
If Clay can win my husband over, he will get more fans, this I am sure.
lynnie171: I have a friend who is young; but, like Clay, she is an old soul into nostalgia and old, old movies. So, I don't usually discuss Clay with her, but I emailed the review with the list of songs and asked if she wants that for her birthday.
I got the reply: "Please, please! I love every one of the songs on that list!"
amazed_in_nj: I let my second graders listen to TnT today while they were working. After "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," I had to replay it again for them ... and again and again. By the third time, they were all singing along.
They loved "Unchained Melody," would wait for THE NOTE, and then take their hands from low to high in the air as Clay went up on that note. Again, when it was finished, they said, "Play it again!" So, of course, I did.
They loved the "rock song" ("Suspicious Minds"), too. I think they were getting a kick out of seeing me sing and dance around the room as the songs were playing. What fun!
Clay visits 'Chelsea Lately' on E! (Screen cap by LovesClaysVoice)
Websites Link Videos of Interviews
Below are links to recent videos that can be viewed on the network websites or at YouTube:
THURSDAY, JUNE 10: CanadaAM(video linked above) * Canada AM catches up with American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken in New York. See canadaam.
FRIDAY, JUNE 11: Access Hollywood (check local listings) * Exclusive Clay Aiken
SATURDAY, JUNE 12: WTTW-Chicago PBS, 7 PM CDT * Preview of Clay Aiken Tried & True Live! at Chicago PBS station ONLY.
SUNDAY, June 13: Chelsea Lately on E! 11:30 PM (rerun) * Clay Aiken is here, seriously, with his new CD Tried and True. Comedians Ben Gleib, Loni Love, and Gary Valentine also guest.
Monday, June 14: Siriusly Sinatra 6 PM ET * Clay Aiken stops by to play some of his new recordings along with performances by our stars that he loves. Sirius XM Radio
OTHER Chelsea Lately Reruns: Monday, June 14, 3 AM; Tuesday, June 22, 12 AM and 3 AM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21: Bringing Broadway Home, 8 PM * One Night Only, Raleigh Memorial AuditoriumTicket Info
July 27: Release of Clay Aiken: Tried & True Live! DVD * Pre-order at Amazon now.
Clay Aiken Named Top AI Runner-Up
Jessica Eisenberg, freelance Arts & Entertainment writer from Chicago, has ranked Clay the best of the nine American Idol Runner-Ups:
1. Clay Aiken: (Season 2) Clay didn't need any bells and whistles or lighting effects to get to this spot in this list. With one of the most impeccable voices we've heard on the show, all he really had to do was sing. He still has the vocals that have really only been rivaled by David Cook in range and consistency.
No one on this list can match the finesse and power of Clay Aiken's belting range, not even Adam and his constant falsetto. Of course, we don't know if Clay can scream, but how much screaming do we really want to hear?
She lists the remaining runners-up in this order: Adam Lambert, Crystal Bowersox, Bo Bice, David Archuleta, Diana DeGarmo, Justin Guarini, Katherine McPhee, and Blake Lewis.
I definitely agree with her frontrunner, but I'm not sure about the eight others. What do you think?
Below is a clickable of Fountaindawg's opening graphic:
TRIED & TRUE: In this design, SueReu incorporated images from the album's liner pages . Photos by Vincent Soyez.
Three T&T Songs on Radio!
Aiken, Flick Discuss Album, Life
Since Sunday afternoon, chatter around the Clay Nation has focused on Clay Aiken's in-depth interview with veteran Billboard editor/pop culture commentator Larry Flick, host of Feel the Spin Show on SIRIUS XM Radio.
The popular show, which airs on Sundays from 2-4 pm., features music from the current pop scene to the classics. The 45-minute segment with Clay began with the "Unchained Melody" track from his new Tried & True CD and quickly became the consensus "best interview ever" among his fans.
From album talk -- Clay's new home with Decca Records, producer David Novik, track selections, the recording of 15 songs in Germany in three days -- the discussion turned to Clay's personal life and the path he has traveled.
Fans Upload Interview to iPods
If you haven't already listened to the SIRIUS interview, download it with this Sendspace file. Some fans even have it on the iPods.
On the show, Larry, a former senior talent editor with Billboard, played three complete songs from T&T: "Unchained Melody, "What Kind of Fool Am I," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."
Fan feedback has been phenomenal, surprising the host, who, according to several Tweets, was swamped with appreciative messages from Clay Aiken fans. Here is one of the tweets:
I am blown away by the love I've been shown by Clay Aiken fans. I've gotten hundreds of kind letters after yesterday's interview on Spin.
To email the 'Spin' host at SIRIUS, use Larry Flick.
Clay Aiken
'Spin' Session Still a Hot Topic
Monday morning the interview was still the hottest topic around Clay Cyberspace. BelieveInHim shared her thoughts about the singer, the seven-year journey, and Sunday's interview in a post at the Clay Aiken Fans site. With her permission, here is a reprint:
Is there anywhere you would rather be? Is there anywhere else you could be? I know the answer to that.
Truly, from the moment I heard the first note out of his mouth, it was a compulsion. Not, I think, in a bad, weirdo stalker sort of way. But a need to hear that voice, have it in my day to day. It was like a drug, a soothing one. It elicited feelings and manipulated my senses.
And once I discovered more of this remarkable man, I was in awe. Of not only his talent but his wit and wisdom, his strength of character, his strength of conviction. So much to admire and so much to keep me here loving him unconditionally. I'm still compelled to follow, still happy that I discovered this man that, for me, is magic.
This latest interview gave us even more of a glimpse into Clay Aiken, and it makes me even prouder to be a fan. He was relaxed and confident, open and extremely candid. One of his best ever and I thank Larry Flick for being so genuinely respectful and happy to have the chance to talk to Clay. He is a wonderful interviewer, and I hope Clay will visit his show again sometime in the future.
I'm kind of proud of all of us who stuck by Clay as well. It hasn't been fun and games every day and sometimes there were long stretches where it was downright depressing dealing with all the crap not only thrown at Clay but at us as well.
But really, where else would we rather have been? It's all been so worth it! Boy has it ever!!!
PHOTO INTERLUDE: Premiere week graphics from Clay's Tried & True appearance at GMA, The View, and the Early Show, as well as designs of the CD cover, are featured in this interlude. They include Fountaindawg, 1, 3, 5; SueReu, 2; and AmazingCA, 4.
Clay Aiken: Old Songs, New Life
Making the media rounds is an excellent article about Clay by AP writer Martha Waggoner,Clay Aiken Finds Comfort in Old Songs, New Life. You may have already seen it at Yahoo, a newspaper website, or on Facebook. If not, it's definitely worth the read!
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) ― For Clay Aiken, life now is about being comfortable, from the songs he sings to the life he lives.
Aiken's CD "Tried and True," released last week, is a collection of 13 songs from the 1950s and 1960s, all of which predate the 31-year-old Aiken. But Aiken feels intimately familiar with the music that he heard as a child, while riding in the car with his mother.
The songs, including "Mack the Knife," ''Unchained Melody" and "Moon River," are not merely standards, but songs Aiken wants to sing live. And since many singers make their bread and butter from touring these days, Aiken says he never wants to record another song that he won't perform live in concert.
"There are certain songs I've recorded that I've never sung since the studio," says Aiken, who starts a tour in July with good friend Ruben Studdard, to whom he came in second on "American Idol" in 2003. "So every song on this album is a song that I enjoy singing and love doing live." [snip]
His newly redesigned Website still has promotions for his favorite projects — UNICEF and The Inclusion Project. But now it also includes GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which focuses on safe schools for all students.
TUESDAY, JUNE 8: Chelsey Lately on E!11 p.m. EDT * Clay Aiken is here, seriously, with his new CD Tried and True. Comedians Ben Gleib, Loni Love, and Gary Valentine also guest.
THURSDAY, JUNE 10: CanadaAM(check local listings) * Canada AM cathes up with American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken in New York.See canadaam.
SATURDAY, JUNE 12: WTTW-Chicago PBS, 7 p.m. CDT * Preview of Clay Aiken Tried & True Live!at Chicago PBS station ONLY.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21: Bringing Broadway Home, 8 p.m. * One Night Only, Raleigh Memorial AuditoriumTicket Info
July 27: Release of Clay Aiken: Tried & True Live! DVD * Pre-order at Amazon now.
Summer music lessons begin Tuesday, and the teacher sure hopes there's some practicing going on in the Triad. Meanwhile, A/C relief arrived Monday afternoon!
Sly Kai Emails Grandma
Grandson Kai, who will be 3 in September, sent me an email Monday night; but he didn't type a thing. Everyone else was otherwise occupied, so he REPLIED to his sister's Jacquie Lawson birthday card.
I thought it was strange that there was no message, so I dialed the phone number to see what was up. Sure enough, his mother was feeding Lia and didn't even know he was on the computer!
Kai knows how to log into the sites of his favorite kiddie shows. Now to get him to press some keys when he "writes" to Grandma, LOL!
Clay awakens weekenders on CBS Early Show Saturday. Wallpapaer by Fountaindawg
Digital Age Saves Weekend Recap
Aiken's Album Reprises Classics
Guess who missed Clay Aiken's weekend appearance on both the Backstage Live stream and the televised performance on the CBS Saturday morning Early Show!
Definitely my fault with the online mix-up, but my local CBS station doesn't carry the national feed of theSaturday morning Early Show. Faithfully, I watched and taped what turned out to be two solid hours of local news and weather.
A video of Clay's Backstage Live interview with Shira Lazar, which also began at 7 a.m., is now online at CBS. They discussed Clay's new Decca CD release, his iPad, American Idol, UNICEF, and the July-August Timeless Tour with Ruben Studdard.
A/C Problems Hit Carolina Recap
Unfortunately, I don't need weather analysts to tell me it's HOT! My A/C is barely running, needs coolant, and won't be fixed until early Tuesday morning. With outdoor temps predicted to hit 90 degrees Saturday and Sunday, a large box fan and I will be best buds all weekend long -- a scorching reminder of my non A/C childhood in the humid South.
Saturday morning Amazon posted the deluxe album video of Clay discussing the making of Tried & True. It's very possible the online vendor is experiencing a bit of a heat wave, too.
Meanwhile, between the Digital Age, dancermom2, and Fountaindawg, the Carolina blog's report about Clay Aiken's latest promo performance came together.This blog's three videos have been merged on YouTube.
"There's a Kind of Hush" accompanied the promo leading into Clay's intro:
During the singer's introduction, you can hear "Mack the Knife" in the background. The main video also includes the shortened version of "Unchained Melody" and interview:'Tried & True' a Homecoming for Clay
The CBS website is also featuring an excellent article by Melissa Castellanos about the singer and the Tried & True CD: Clay Aiken Album Like a Homecoming:
When "American Idol" season two favorite Clay Aiken belted out his touching 2003 rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," he won over the hearts of millions.
Now, seven years later, he's built his own bridge of success as a platinum-selling artist, Broadway actor, author and, more recently, a dad.
The down-to-earth, Raleigh, N.C. native just released his fifth studio album, "Tried and True," featuring classics from the '50s and '60s.
"It seems like a little bit of a departure from the last four albums I've made to some extent, but in truth, it's really more of a homecoming in a way, because it's really what I have always wanted to do," Aiken told CBSNews.com.
Aiken points out that the classics had more emphasis on the melody, lyrics and orchestration when compared to contemporary songs heard on the radio today.
"They are standards because they did set the standard for what's really excellent," he added.
Aiken stopped by "The Early Show on Saturday Morning"'s "Second Cup Cafe" to perform his version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Mack the Knife."
Clay & Company accompanied CBS off the air with "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You": So did Singerman sell some CD's this Saturday? At Clayversity, Rainlover posted the following:
A friend -- not a Clay fan -- just called. She hadn't seen GMA or The View, as she works Monday through Friday. She saw Clay on The Early Show this morning and loved it.
She said she is going to Borders today to get two copies of the CD, one for herself and one for her sister. And another one bites the dust!
Classic, Traditional Pop Suits Aiken
If you haven't read Napster's review of Tried & True, Clay's fifth studio album, be sure to check out the link. Here is a portion of the article:
Of course there are some jumping big-band arrangements like "Mack the Knife" that swing convincingly, but Aiken's at his best when wrapping himself in a tender ballad and making it his own, as with "It's Impossible" (again, once a big hit for Perry Como—see where he's going with this?), "Unchained Melody," or "Moon River."
It may seem a little early in Aiken's career for an album of standards, considering how others from Linda Ronstadt to Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow have played it, but this move to classic, traditional pop (complete with '60s-style album art) really suits him.
And more important, it works.
Below are clickables of the opening graphic by Fountaindawg and the Saturday Morning Show screen caps by dancermom2:
Before I uploaded this blog at the new Clay Aiken fan club website, I decided I'd better check my mailbox. BEDANG if the temps in my house haven't fired up the ole thermostat because ...
MY CD ARRIVED TODAY!!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation. And, Lawd Jesus, please send some cool air this way, LOL!
The Clay Nation aside, everybody everywhere seems to be talking, texting, tweeting about Clay Aiken's performance of "Unchained Melody" on 'The View' Wednesday.
Even the Examiner weighed in with props about the singer's "vocal skillz" in this treasure of a track from the new Tried & True Decca release which dropped Tuesday:
Today on The View, the ladies welcomed former American Idol star Clay Aiken on the show. He spoke with the hostesses and seemed to be continuing down the road of his career as a music artist.
After coming back from a commerical break, Clay Aiken performed the classic "Unchained Melody" for the audience, who swooned at his awesome vocal skillz.
Mosaic by LovesClaysVoice
I particularly like a musician's compliment on Ben Cohn's Facebook page about his orchestration and arrangement for the song:
Loving watching you on The View right now! Fantastic arrangement - did you do it? Really nice between the classical piano, the gorgeous strings, and then the almost military cadence from the drums.
Then the Sam Harris'esque (but so much classier) slide on the key change! Loved it.
Clay nails 'The Note' in UM performance. (Dancermom2 cap)
UM Feedback Proves Phenomenal
Clay's performance of "Unchained Melody" has easily been the hottest topic in town and not just on the message boards. Fans received amazing feedback from family, friends, and associates all day long.
The impact of Clay's beautiful rendition was also measured at Amazon and other venues selling T&T as the album climbed charts throughout the day. Clickable screencaps below are by Dancermom2, gerwhisp, and Cotton.
Here is a sampling of the water cooler moments Clay's performance set in motion:
K4Clay2: Just got a phone call from my "non-Clay fan" friend in Ohio. As soon as I answered the phone, she said "That was AWESOME!" She went on to say she had just seen Clay on "The View" and was completely captivated.
She said she had never heard him sing like that before and that he is gorgeous too! She was on her way out to look for his new CD. Another one bites the dust.
Tweet: Still the BEST, most crisp, lush voice out there. Just downloaded the new Clay Aiken album after listening to him on The View. Missed U, Clay!
me_myb: My adult kids don't follow Clay except for me. They enable me but really don't listen to him or care. But the most exciting thing just happened to me. My daughter texted me that she saw Clay on "The View." ("He did an awesome job! I taped it even!") This is huge!
brensmemaw: Last night I stopped at Barnes & Noble and bought one of their deluxe T&T CD's. I have two coming, but I just couldn't wait. After listening and watching, I took it to my hairdresser today. He loves Clay, and he and his partner are going with me to the Timeless Tour Concert in Biloxi.
He looked at the CD and said, "Oh, my favorite song in all the world - Unchained Melody!" I told him that he wouldn't believe Clay's version of it.
He immediately put it on the shop sound system and we listened to it. He couldn't believe it, and it was still playing when I left the shop.
neelie: Just got a text from my neighbor and best gal pal: "Saw your BF on The View this morning. He sang one of my faves, very well, too!
Promo Performance Raises Roof
snarkystripes: Yet ANOTHER co-worker is now listening to TNT on my iPod. She's listening to "Misty," and her head is now officially on her desk. Another one bites the dust.
shyeyewitness: I had a phone call last night from one of my customers that Clay was going to be on Joy Behar's Show, then one this morning from a different customer telling me he was on The View. Yesterday the husband of one of my customers told her, "Your hair stylist's boyfriend is on GMA."
cablegirl: Right after The View performance I had a business call so I couldn't post much more than "WOW!" While I was on the call, my cell phone rang and the caller left a message, which I retrieved when I was done.
The message was from my MIL, who has never said much about Clay. She is a country fan but always thought Clay was a nice guy.
She left me a message in tears telling me how beautiful UM was and how music had not moved her like that in a very long time and could I get her a copy of the CD.
I called her, and she cried again, saying, "Your boy is really good; I just never realized how good he is." I promised her I'd find her the CD as soon as possible.
Tweet: OMG!!! Clay Aiken on THE VIEW singing "Unchained Melody," and all the girls in my family are passing out on the floor. He's incredible!!!!!
joanie: I hope ABC called someone to repair the roof that was blown off this morning!
Buzz Sends 'T&T' Up Charts
Having spent 33 days in Amazon's Top 100, Tried & True (Deluxe) is currently #5 in Bestsellers in Pop, #1 in Vocal Pop, and #1 in Broadway & Vocalists. When this blog uploaded, the standard T&T CD was charting in the three categories at #14, #2, and #4, respectively.
Their stock depleted, brick and mortar stores are reportedly re-ordering CD's. Below are links to other ABC videos surround the Clay's visit at The View:
The promo train continues as Clay touts the Tried & True album and the Timeless Tour on various news broadcasts.The interview at Good Day Atlanta from WAGAFox - Clay Aiken Releases Fifth Studio Album - is followed by links to several others that occurred via satellite Thursday.
This blog is about my passions: family, friends, music, teaching, journalism, Carolina basketball, and Clay Aiken. Since 2007, visitors have dropped by from 170 countries, the most recent being Cuba, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Nicaragua, and Aruba. Hope to see y'all again soon! - Caro
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