Clay Aiken Frisco Finale 'Fan-Flippin-Tastic'!

Final Tried & True show begins with a twist!

Magical Vocals, Lots of Laughs

San Francisco Finale a Treasure

Closing concerts are generally sprinkled with playful antics, but Saturday's Tried & True finale in San Francisco's Warfield Theatre will also be treasured for the magical vocals, quick-witted banter, and intimate dialogue.

SueReu's "Fan-Flippin-Tastic" description is not only perfect but headline worthy.

The concert opened with Clay singing "Theme from Love Story" offstage, but the spotlight that normally propels him into view surprisingly revealed burly Jerome Bell lip-syncing the song.

A few minutes into the personable bodyguard's pantomime, Clay strolled onto the stage, dismissed Jerome, and completed another powerful performance of "Theme from Love Story."

Glow Sticks Applaud Clay & Co.

Backed by five talented musicians -- Ben Cohn, Adam Fallen, Del Atkins, Felix Pollard, and Quiana Parler -- the singer presented a memorable final concert that audience members are still praising.

In a special "thank you" gesture, Internet fans organized a glow stick salute for Clay & Co. during "In My Life," final selection of the Tried & True Tour.

SueReu: That was FAN FLIPPIN TASTIC!!! I think Clay was genuinely touched when the glow sticks were lit.

As I was leaving, I looked at the security guard and had to do a double take. Sure enough, the woman had tears streaming down her face - our man had moved her to tears. She said he was fantastic.

Copingincali: It was like the closing night of "Spamalot." Clay was shown the love tonight with lots of Standing O's and hoots and hollers ALL NIGHT LONG!

I sat next to a lovely 20-something gal on one side who was having a great time and the other 20-something gal on the other side was from Japan. She literally left the day the tsunami hit. She knows all his songs, but this was her first concert.

We had a great time being 12 together!

In one of the most entertaining segments of the show, "Who's Sorry Now" was performed in five genres: psychedelic, bollywood, Sesame Street, hip hop, and Disney.

Video of the Disney style is below. View all of Scarlett's videos at the Wowzers4Clay YouTube Channel. You can download them from the San Francisco doc.

Clay & Co. perform'Who's Sorry Now' in Disney style.

susandavis: The show was wonderful, and Clay was in great voice. "Unchained Melody" was flawless, and Clay wore the mic stand out.

He was so cute talking to Blaine, who was four and had a front row seat. He complimented Blaine on his behavior and was so funny about how four must be a good age.

Jerome standing behind the mic lip syncing was unbelievably funny. He is a good sport.

Clay sings signature version of 'Unchained Melody.'

IML banter: 'It's like a Radio Shack [here] tonight.'

Singer dedicates 'In My Life' to his fans everywhere.

artquest: When Clay began to sing "In My Life," the glow sticks appeared. Looking back from the front row, I was really impressed.

Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful lights, moving in the darkness, saying, in their own way, "We love you." He kept looking around at them. You could tell he liked it very much.

I'm still blown away by "Unchained Melody." I can't even figure out how he finds his note to begin with. Hits it every time, though.

What a great night. Thanks to my friends and, most of all, to Clay, I had the time of my life.

Below are four expandable photos by nickiwiki accompanying an image of the Warfield Theatre. View more photos on at Niki's Facebook wall.

Fond memories from the 21-city Tried & True Tour are plentiful and show little sign of fading in the near future.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken 'Fog' Envelopes Grand Prairie Fans

Expandable photo by JMoody from Grand Prairie.

Clay & Co. Play Grand Prairie

'Aiken Fog' Descends on Dallas

From early reports, it is evident that the infamous "Aiken Fog" flourished before, during, and after the Tried & True Concert presented by Clay Aiken & Co. Tuesday night in the Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

During the show, the singer talked to merrieeee by cell phone, though she remembers little of the conversation: "Hee, I just talked to Clay Aiken on the phone! I wish I could remember what the heck I said!"

I have it on good authority (blow-by-blow texts on my iPhone) that, after greeting Clay in the post concert bus line, Royalle, deemer, and Scarlett were stopped by a policeman while driving home.

The infraction? Missing an exit and making a U-turn at the airport entrance. While one was having to prove her sobriety, her partners were crossing their fingers and texting that they hoped the three would survive the "fog."

No ticket -- but this is one recap CA fans won't want to miss!

Dallas Concert Goers Replay Show

As he does in most shows, Clay bantered with the audience following the powerful opener, "Where Do I Begin/Theme from Love Story."

jclay: The show starts, and once again I have to say that although I cherish clack and worship all the clack gatherers, no way does clack do this concert justice. There is something about this concert that goes straight to my gut, my stomach, my heart.

I had told my husband that since we were close to the front, he might be part of the shtick. Sure enough, after Clay talked to the couple where the husband has been to 20 concerts, he came to our side of the stage and looked directly at us!

All is hazy, but I remember that my husband said we'd been married 30 years. Clay asked if there is a secret to 30 years, and my husband replied, "Go to concerts when asked."

Scarlett's video of the opening banter replays jclay's foggy recap, followed by the song "There's a Kind of Hush."

Clay banters with husbands at Grand Prairie Show.

'There's a Kind of Hush' in Texas.

EmeraldEyes: The comedy routines are so much more polished now than they were at the beginning of the tour. My jaw hurts from smiling so much. Clay truly is a funny man. I hope someone caught Quiana doing the heavy metal "Who's Sorry Now" because GF was working it and Clay was splitting his sides at the sight of her.

Vocally so beautiful, "Unchained Melody" was out of this world. He got several standing O's for various songs; UM was perhaps the biggest outside of "In My Life."

All of our clack-gatherers are a treasure. There are more people than just us that appreciate the videos they take.

I purposely didn't tell my non-board concert buddy anything about the show other than it was good because I wanted her to be surprised -- only to learn she's been watching T&T videos on YouTube!

I don't know what's next, but I can't wait to find out what the next Clay Aiken adventure will be.

Below are expandable concert photos by hosaa, 1, 3; and Invisble926, 2, 4, 5.

topcat: Clay was in top and full performance mode last night. He was in total control of the stage, and there was no question he owned it. That's no surprise, but I still marvel at how natural it is for him to work the concert stage like it's his living room. [snip]

Cutest moment: Clay and Quiana singing Disney. You can tell he really likes that one. So much awwwww and love between those two.

Most touching moment: When he put his arm on Quiana's's back. So sweet. He respects and appreciates his band deeply and the feeling is mutual.

Most rockin' moment: Felix. OMG, he plays drums like Clay sings, and he was so much fun to watch. The best part of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was watching Felix rock it.

I'm in a fog, so I'm going to have to watch the clack to remember the rest ...

Grand Prairie Set List

Where Do I Begin, Love Story Theme
Mack the Knife
There's A Kind Of Hush
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
Misty

Jazzy Medley - The Way, This is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, Invisible

Something About Us
Foggy Day In London Town (Quianna)

Auto Tune: Party in the USA

Suspicious Minds
Build Me Up Buttercup
It's Impossible

Who's Sorry Now - Genres: honky tonk, "chipmunks," Disney, heavy metal

It's Only Make Believe
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Cry Me A River (Quiana)
Crying (Clay and Quiana duet)
Unchained Melody
In My Life

Check back for updates as recaps, photos, and clack are posted. Meanwhile, you can download Grand Prairie audio/video files at Clack Unlimited and Scarlett's Tried & True Concert Tour doc on Google. Her videos can be viewed at the Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube.

'Who's Sorry Now' in the Disney genre.

Clay Aiken's Back in Town with 'Mack the Knife.'

After greeting fans at the bus line, the Tried & True musicians hit the road for the 18-hour trip to Mesa, AZ. Next concert is at 8 pm MT at the Mesa Arts Center.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken, Tried & True Troupe Wow Waukegan

Expandable photo by toni7babe from the Waukegan T&T Concert.

Audience Scores Creativity Points

Clay & Co. Wow Waukegan Crowd

Clay Aiken & Co. wowed the Waukegan audience at the Genesse Theatre Friday night, and the audience returned the favor with its creativity during the "Who's Sorry Now" genre suggestions.

From early reports, there were many highlights, one of which was drummer Felix Pollard and his wife dancing on stage while Clay serenaded them with their wedding song, "Something About Us."

By necessity, this has been a progressive blog because I had a date with Best Buy the minute the store opened. In this part of the country, tonight marks the ultimate in Tobacco Road basketball rivalries, and my TV heaved its final breath in the middle of a movie Friday night.

TV Death Ushers in Techno 2000's

Apparently, the picture tube of my dinosaur-aged set gave up the fight and, in a last gasp, the screen shrank to 1/3 its original size. In Carolina country, the Tar Heel-Blue Devil match-up is a must-see game, plus I was way overdue to enter the new century.

My good friend Chris, who accompanied me to Best Buy, remarked that with my new iPhone and now an LED TV, I have finally fallen off the fence onto the techno side and am no longer teetering on the 1900/2000 edge. LOL, bring on the Carolina-Duke game AND the Minneapolis Concert!

But back to the Waukegan story. Below are expandable photos from Friday's concert by toni7babe from the concert. The final two are a preview of the pole dancing in the burlesque version of "Who's Sorry Now."

Jazzy Medley Features Aiken Hits

Videos by Scarlett help rewind the Waukegan Concert. In the first, Clay & Co. perform a jazzy arrangement of some of his earlier hits: "The Way," "This Is the Night," "Measure of a Man," "Invisible" from the Measure Of A Man album; "On My Way Here" from On My Way Here; and "A Thousand Days" from the A Thousand Different Ways CD.

Jazzy medley is a hit with audience.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

One of the special moments of the Waukegan Concert was the singer's intro and performance of "Something About Us."

Drummer Felix Pollard and his wife celebrated their second anniversary on Feb. 28. Serenaded by Clay, they reenacted their wedding's first dance on stage Friday night.

Clay serenades Pollards with 'Something About Us.'

According to Clay, Waukegan concert goers were the most creative yet, suggesting four new styles for "Who's Sorry Now": burlesque, Disney, New Age, and Russian folk. Below is the burlesque version, complete with pole dancing by Clay and Quiana.

All uploaded videos by Scarlett can be viewed at the Wowzers4Clay YouTube Channel and downloaded at the Waukegan doc. Check both sites for new additions throughout the day.

'Who's Sorry Now' burlesque style.

Having sung "Unchained Melody" since his teen years, Clay is most pleased to have his signature version, arranged for the Tried & True album by his keyboardist Ben Cohn. The Waukegan performance was incredible.

Yaknelle's recap at the Clayversity message board covered several aspects of the Waukegan concert. With her permission, here are excerpts that touch on Clay's humor, his friendship and duet with Quiana, and the singer's amazing rendition of "Unchained Melody."

The man is funny and, of course, he knows it and controls it. He throws barbs out to the audience, but it's his facial antics that makes it funny. He rolls his eyes. He drops his head. He pauses and zing, bang boom he connects. The audience roars. Quiana is the perfect foil and she gives him the grief we wish we could. She is his accomplice.

Clay adores Quiana, and no place does it show as much as when they sing "Crying." The wailing of their voices mingle and the sound is other-worldly. This is their masterpiece together.

The sensuality of "Unchained Melody" overwhelms me. He sings it with his entire body. He forces the notes, the lyrics, and the emotions through his body and soul and out of his lips.

I don't think I listen to this song as much as my total being is en wrapped by it. I feel it like a waves hitting the shore. Over and over the sound hits me until I finally soar out of my body with that amazing note. A tour d' force or is it a force of nature?

The songs and antics fly by, and I find my self wanting to slow the man down. Talk a little longer, sing another song. ...and another. Please don't stop.

But he does...

"In my life I love you more."

...and then I breathe.

An amazing 'Unchained Melody' performance.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation! Don't forget the Minneapolis Concert -- 8 pm CT at the State Theatre. See you after that ...

Caro

Clay Aiken, Tried & True Co. Surprise Cincy Crowd

Clay Aiken takes Tried & True show to Cincinnati.
Expandable photo by ClayIzzaQT from Cincinnati Concert.

It's a Clay Aiken Show!

Unexpected Abounds in Cincinnati

No matter how you slice it, Clay Aiken's Tried & True concerts are an entertaining two-hour ride, and Cincinnati spectators were presented another exceptional show in the Taft Theatre Tuesday night.

The set list is anything but "set," and surprises abound, especially when the singer takes genre suggestions from the audience for "Who's Sorry Now." Tuesday Clay & Co. performed the classic in five different styles.

Singer Stuns with 'The Real Me'

Clay's unexpected performance of "The Real Me," a fan favorite from the singer's fourth studio album, On My Way Here, was accompanied by paramedics successfully treating a medical emergency in the pit.

Fan recaps, photos, and videos will rewind the show. In the first report, note that artz11 and her concert buddy encountered a few surprises even before the show.

artz11: My friend Nuts4anerd discovered that no matter how many times you cross the Ohio River you always end up in Kentucky. We came into town from Indianapolis and traveled through Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, then again through each before we finally parked right next to Clay's bus.

Not really -- we were six blocks away from Clay's real bus and the concert we were getting very close to missing.

We quietly took some seats in the back because our third row seats were already taken, and we didn't want to cause a stir. We did take an opportunity to move a bit closer while Quiana was singing her first song.

It only took one song to completely forget all the troubles we had getting there. Clay's charm cannot be denied. He is so utterly connected to his audience, so sweetly funny, and so darn cute that sometimes I forget that I'm also listening to an incredible voice.

Two men in front of me pumped air after Clay gave his grungy twist to 'Who's Sorry Now"and were the first to stand after UM. UM gave me goosebumps tonight and I heard it at the OMG concert. I think Clay is really enjoying his phone conversations, and he knows how much we love it.

Ft. Wayne tomorrow! I truly don't think we can get lost
there ...

No wonder the two men helped give "Unchained Melody" a standing ovation! Below is Scarlett's video of Clay performing his special version of the song in Cincinnati.

Clay sings signature version of 'Unchained Melody.'
View Cincinnati concert video full screen at YouTube.

ClaysTouch: My friend Shari and I hadn’t seen Clay live since 2007. Life and geography made it impossible for us. We decided living so close to Cincinnati, that this show was a MUST for us. I pulled up seats in the pit and when we got to the show, we saw we were actually in first row!

We had a hard time hiding our appreciation. We were in shock at how amazing he looked and sounded and how real and close he was. It didn’t take long for Clay to notice the effect he had on us, especially Shari.

I think after he looked her dead in the eyes and sang "There’s something 'bout the way your lips invite" and she literally fell over on me, he knew it was "on." He was going to drive us all crazy that night ... and he did.

He sat at the end of the stage for something like 12 minutes. He finally took Shari’s phone and filmed himself thanking her for coming and for boosting his ego seven points.

He was so tickled by her. He said, "Do you see the tape on the bottom of my shoes? I'm just normal." The banter was amazing!

Below are three photos/screen caps from the Cincinnati Tried & True Concert by photographers ClayIzzaQT, 1; LauraQ, 2; and ianaren, 3. All are expandable.

Cincy: Right before Clay sang "The Real Me," a woman in our row had some sort of medical emergency; and Clay did a little Q&A in hopes that the paramedics could help her. They were not able to fully assist the woman until midway through "In My Life," the final song. Clay moved to the other end of the stage, so audience attention was facing that way.

The concert was very upbeat, funny and comedic Clay at his very best. The fourth genre on "Who's Sorry Now" was grunge, and he really got into it!

Three people from my office, my son and my daughter-in-law are all Clayverted. They said they now see why I love him so much!

Clay sings 'The Real Me' from 'On My Way Here.'
View full screen version on the Wowzers4Clay Channel at YouTube.

Creativity of Musicians Spotlighted

The 'Tried & True' concerts spotlight the creativity and talent of Clay's backup musicians: Quiana Parler, vocals; Ben Cohn, keyboards/arranger; Adam Fallen, guitar; Del Atkins, bass; and Felix Pollard, drums.

Clay & Co. performed 'Who's Sorry Now' in five audience-suggested genres at the Cincinnati Concert -- do wop, Yiddish, Gregorian Chant, beach music, and the grunge. The last two are presented in these videos by Scarlett.

Clay & Co give 'Who's Sorry Now' beach music styling.
View video in a full screen version at YouTube.

Clay goes grunge with 'Who's Sorry Now' in Cincy.
View video full screen at YouTube.

For video/audio downloads, check message board vaults, Clack Unlimited, and Scarlett's Cincinnati doc.

The tour continues tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, IN. Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation. Catch you after the show!

Caro

Clay Aiken & Co. Present Versatile Show in PA

Expandable photo by farouche from Sunday's Tried & True Concert.

Glenside Tried & True Concert

Show Spotlights Vocals, Humor

The versatility of Clay Aiken and his back-up musicians was on sparkling display at the Glenside, PA, Tried & True Concert in the Keswick Theatre Sunday night.

Magnificent vocals from the powerful to the delicately etched, the singer's humor and quick wit shared more each performance with the similar good temperament of his musicians, and a "stump the band" segment that retains a near-perfect score for the tour were all part of another entertaining show along the T&T trail.

The talented musicians accompanying Clay on the 22-city tour include Quiana Parler, vocalist; Ben Cohn, keyboards/arranger; Adam Fallen, guitar; Del Atkins, bass; and Felix Pollard, drums.

Since I have young musicians anticipating afternoon lessons, this blog will no doubt be of the progressive variety; so check back. Below are glimpses of Sunday night's performance from fan recaps, photos, and videos.

C finger: This evening was just splendid. Clay is a superstar. My husband commented on how easy and relaxed he is on stage; how quick witted he is, how beautifully he sings,; how wonderful the arrangements are; how talented Quiana is.

A woman, probably in her 80s, sat behind us; and we had a conversation with her. I don't know if she is a NJU or relative of a fan, but she was a lovely, delightful woman.

As Clay was singing I heard her say to the person she was with, "Oh, this takes me back to my youth." Then when he would start a song she was familiar with she would sigh or say "ohhhh" or gasp. She had a great time.

Clay said at one point that he was losing his voice and had a couple of problems. But he sang through it, around it and was as always, my absolutely favorite Singer Man. No one like him!

The photo interlude below contains four expandable pictures by farouche surrounding a graphic by cameocat.

casso: What an overly super-talented, a growl in the voice, caring and loving man we are following! His change up with emotions from one song or banter to another are truly outstanding.

Met two NJU men at the ticket window who won tickets for another show and asked if they had ever been to a Clay concert and they said this was their first. They said they LOVE his music and will be attending more.

I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE once again thanks to Clay and Company!

WSN Segment Yields Variety in PA

Among the genres covered in the Glenside 'Who's Sorry Now' segment were yodeling, Argentine tango, and scat singing.

The videos by farouche, canfly172, and jars9203 below also include band intros, torn pants/clack banter, and the songs 'In My Life' and 'Both Sides Now.'

'Whose Sorry Now' Tango, Scat Segments
View video by farouche full screen at YouTube.

'Who's Sorry Now' request medley, pants banter.
View video by canfly172 full screen at YouTube.

Clack banter with Scarlett and 'In My Life.'
Video by canfly172 can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

Clay performs 'Both Sides Now' in Glenside.
Video by jars9203 can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation! The remaining tour schedule was printed in the previous Carolina entry. See you in Cincinnati Tuesday!

Caro

Clay Aiken T&T Concerts Continue 'One Up' Trend

Clay Aiken banters with Pittsburgh Tried & True audience.
Photo by cameocat is expandable.

Tried & True Shows

Pitt Audience Proclaims 'Best Yet'

According to concert goers, Clay Aiken's Tried & True Tour shows keep topping or one-upping themselves, as Pittsburgh fans were quick to report that Friday night's show was the "best yet."

The 22-city T&T Tour heads to Cleveland for tonight's 7:30 pm concert at PlayhouseSquare and Sunday to Waterbury, CT, for a 7:30 pm show at the Palace Theater.

In Pittsburgh, "Who's Sorry Now" was treated to not-to-be-missed do wop, mambo, and polka arrangements by Clay, Quiana Parler, and the rockin' backup musicians.

Link to the WPIX website to view a 27-photo slide show from the Pittsburgh show.

Clay Surprises with 'Both Sides Now'

"Both Sides Now," a fan favorite since Clay performed the song at the National Inclusion Project's October Gala, was the surprise closer and can be viewed in this entry.

Featured below are four videos by Scarlett and Canfly. This Google Doc link will allow you to view and/or download all of Scarlett's videos from the Pittsburgh show.

In a microcosm of Friday's show, here are videos of "Mack the Knife," the "Crying" duet by Clay and Quiana, the singer's signature version of "Unchained Melody" arranged by Ben Cohn, band intros plus the beautiful "Both Sides Now" closing number.

Note the iPad charts being used by Ben Cohn, keyboards/arranger/conductor; guitarist Adam Fallen; Del Atkins, bass; and Felix Pollard on drums! As Clay remarked, very "21st century"!

Clay swings 'Mack the Knife' at the Pittsburgh Show.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Clay and Quiana in amazing 'Crying' duet.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Clay's signature 'Unchained Melody' (arr. Cohn).
Link to YouTube to view video by Scarlett full screen.

Clay introduces backup vocalist, instrumentalists.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Singer closes Pittsburgh show with 'Both Sides Now.'
Link to YouTube to view video by Canfly.
Download with this Megaupload file.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation! Check back after Cleveland ...

Caro