Clay Aiken at Outfest 2011 Saturday. Photo by Kevan Brooks.
Outfest, Birthday All in One!
Aiken To Participate in DDD Event
LOS ANGELES - Clay Aiken activities at Outfest 2011 are in full swing, and, as usual, his own special a cheering section is on the scene.
At the center of the Clay Nation contingent is clack goddess Scarlett, who decided a trip to LA on "Carmageddon Weekend" was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. With that, Clay Cyberspace is rejoicing because fans know, if possible, there will be clack!
Despite the predicted horrific traffic problems, the clack goddess will be in the midst of Sunday-Monday festivities. And just in the nick of time, it's now "Carmaheaven" and the 405 Freeway is set to reopen between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Sunday several hours ahead of schedule.
'Funny or Die' with Clay Aiken cameo.- ENews video
Saturday night Clay was on hand for the screening of Tori Spelling's Funny or Die video, the previews for which are shown in the E! promo above.
The clickable graphic by Fountaindawg incorporates Newscom and Wenn photos from the session.
Expandable FOD photo by Kevan Brooks.
Drop Dead Diva's screening of the July 24 episode, panel discussion, and reception are set to begin at 1 p.m. PT today. Note the various links within this informative site.
Clay will promote next weekend's DDD episode on Monday's edition of The Talk on CBS (2 pm ET). Click on this link for a preview.
It is awesome sharing a birthday with such a special friend as Scarlett. Many thnx from both of us for your kind greetings here, at Facebook, and throughout Clay Cyberspace.
Because her experiences gathering and rendering clack are legend in this fandom, I wrote a blog about my co-birthday friend last year: Clay Aiken Fans Honor Scarlett.
One of the sweetest greetings I received this morning was a text from grandson Kai:
Ghnbvvvvvbdccxx cfgggvcfcccdfcc vcvhgvhhtr
As always, thank you for your comments in the Carolina/OFC blogs. Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!
Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard, Timeless Duo Link to montage by SueReu on You Tube for full page view.
Best AI Season Ever
Aiken-Studdard Pairing Timeless
Through nine editions of American Idol, the 38.1 million viewers garnered by the Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Finale of May 21, 2003, not only confirms the popularity of the two singers but also the high bar set by the Season 2 contestants.
Next week's competition between two Southern teens -- Lauren Alaina, 16, of Fort Oglethorpe, GA, and Scotty McCreery, 17, Garner, NC, -- will determine the winner of American Idol 10 and whether Season 2 retains the viewership crown.
Finale week always inspires a variety of previous season highlights. Articles of interest to this blog's readership would include Studdard, Aiken: A Match of Opposites(Variety), a replay of Season 2.
In Secrets Behind American Idol's Incredible Comeback, a May 19 Hollywood Reporter story, Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer, reported that his favorite AI moment was when the Season 2 runner-up turned up for a surprise duet with Michael Sandecki, an Aiken impersonator, during the 5th season finale.
Seasons of 'Idol'-atry, 2010 Washington Post story, provided an overview of the show's nine seasons to date. With 38.1 and 36.4 million viewers, respectively, the finale shows of Seasons 2 and 5 were maintaining their gold-silver ranking.
Ironically, Clay participated in both, as a finalist in his season and as a surprise guest performer with a suave makeover that momentarily fooled loyal fans and Idol personnel alike three years later.
Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me - Clay Aiken The AI5 Finale water cooler moment. Link to YouTube to view full screen.
Lythgoe Reveals AI5 Secrecy Plan
In an interview on KTLA-TV's Morning News Show the week following the AI5 Finale, Lythgoe revealed that details of Clay's appearance and performance on the show were kept secret from almost everyone.
The singer arrived at an obscure entrance in an SUV with tinted windows. Sporting a suave new look and attracting no attention whatsoever, he walked in unnoticed with wardrobe personnel and the garments they were transporting, secretly watching the show in a nearby building before being escorted to the stage for his entrance.
American Idol 5 Finale showstopper - Graphic by Sally.
Clay was there to surprise Michael Sandecki, an early contestant who supposedly had won the Golden Idol Award for "Best Impersonation" of a previous finalist.
As the stage doors parted, Clay entered singing DLTSGDOM. The theater audience and television viewers went wild.
It was the same incredible voice, but the maturity and difference in Clay's appearance were so striking that the panel of judges and emcee Ryan Seacrest didn't recognize him at first.
The event easily became the most discussed water cooler topic of the AI5 Finale, surmounting the buzz about the evening's newly-crowned Idol, Taylor Hicks.
Click on screen cap to link to Fan Fest website.
Aiken Fans Assemble for Annual Fest
For Clay Aiken fans, the place to be this weekend is the Yorktowne Hotel in York, PA, where supporters have gathered for Fan Fest, annual two-day fundraiser for the National Inclusion Project.
Besides greeting longtime online friends, attendees are enjoying a schedule packed with crafts, a Clay hat contest, caricatures, singalong of Clay's hits, live auctions, raffles, the Claymobile, dinner with guest speaker Faye Parker, and a round table Sunday morning breakfast discussion.
Be sure to click on the headings at the top of the Fan Fest website for more details. Heading up this year's event is Cookie, original owner of the Claymobile. Below are clickable photos shared by Scarlett from some of the Saturday afternoon activities.
Included are Faye Parker and friends; Yoshi of Baltimore, formerly of Japan; two of the many displays; a spring wreath made especially by Faye for the Fan Fest auction, a Linda Huber drawing, deemer with Flat Clay, and Scarlett holding her caricature drawing.
Clay Aiken's vocals impressive in Greenville Tried & True Concert. Click to expand photo by Brightstar.
One for the Books!
Greenville Concert Thrills Crowd
Clay Aiken's Tried & True tour concert at Greenville's Peace Center Thursday was another evening of unbelievable vocals and unhinged humor as the singer and his backup musicians put on a show that may just be one for the books.
The evening was adeptly summarized by always and forever in two brief sentences: Clay's voice has never been better, and his banter was priceless. He is simply and wonderfully THE BEST!
Like fans, Amy Clarke, reviewer from The Greenville News online, gave Clay & Co. props in her critique: Aiken Gives Classics Their Due.
There are few souls in this wide world who can pull off Joni Mitchell and the Righteous Brothers back-to-back. Clay Aiken proved he was one of them Thursday night at the Peace Center.
Thanks to Aiken’s respectful and yet personal treatment of long-cherished songs, including the finale featuring The Beatles’ "In My Life," no one left the show without humming a new favorite old song. [snip]
As a nod to the fans who have followed his pop career for years, he also offered a slightly odd medley of some of his better-known songs, including "Measure of a Man" and "Invisible," arranged to sound more like the jazzy classics of the rest of the show.
But it was those classics, like Andy Williams’ "Love Story," Johnny Mathis’ "Misty" and the aforementioned "Both Sides Now" and "Unchained Melody" that allowed Aiken to really shine, showing off his range and impressive vocal power, much to the audience’s delight and amazement.
Clay sings signature version of 'Unchained Melody.' View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Fans Rewind Fun-Filled Concert
Fan reports make one want to rewind the clock and join them for a replay of the Peace Center concert. Interspersed between the recaps are videos and photos from the Greenville show.
Brightstar: This was the funniest concert I've attended this tour. Clay was so animated and funny and beautiful. Quiana absolutely outdid herself -- sang fabulously and was sooooo funny.
Someone mentioned tonight how quiet and almost shy she used to be, and now she is a wonderful comedic partner for Clay. At times, she even plays the main comedic role and Clay plays the "straight man."
No matter how many times I hear Clay, I still marvel at the beauty, richness, and power of his voice, and the ease with which he goes from power ballad to tender, gentle melodies, from belting to caressing a song with tender nuance. Such talent and skill is rare indeed.
The interaction with Scarlett was hilarious, and the fact that most of us knew her seemed to blow his mind. We are quite the fandom, aren't we?
Clay 'hires' Scarlett, chats with cellcert recipient. View video full screen at YouTube.
Longtime members of "the cult" will remember the singer's August 2007 encounter with Scarlett's camera during the Soft Rock Hard Place Fort Myers Concert when the singer took his own clack.
Newcomers can review the special SRHP tour moment that has become part of CA fandom lore in a YouTube video and in this blog. 2old4Clay: If you haven't seen the clack of the audience "outing" Scarlett, it is one of those priceless moments in the fandom. Clay called her out, then said, "Maybe we should just hire her to take all the videos." We responded with a resounding "yes!"
Then he asked, "Do you know her?" Again a "yes!" And again after banter with her, he asked us, "What's her name?" We all answered, "Scarlett!" His response was again priceless, as you will see.
His voice was stellar; he looked as if he was enjoying everything he sang and the banter. He and Quiana nailed each one to the max. I am loving Quiana more and more; it's like watching Laurel and Hardy up there!
The expandable photos below are by Brightstar, 1, 3; KarenEh, 2, 4; and Claythleena, 5.
luckiest1: Seeing "Crying" and "Unchained Melody" from the 5th row was amazing. And then no curtain; he just grabbed the stool and started into "Both Sides Now" (which was gorgeous, beautiful change ups).
Then the phone and camera banter which was freaking hysterical! I hope Scarlett isn't too mad at everyone for outing her to him. LOL, it was quite the thing.
And poor Lisa on the phone didn't know she was being broadcast to the whole theatre.
Clay & Co. perform 'Whose Sorry Now' Celtic style. View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
"Who's Sorry Now" was performed in four audience-suggested genres -- blues, Sousa march, "funkadelic," and the Celtic shown above. The auto-tune segment featured Clay "singing" Justin Bieber's "Baby."
terter4aiken: What a great show in Greenville! Clay was a riot with his lucky charms and singing Justin Bieber's "Baby"!
There were quite a few people waiting at the bus and we were rewarded very handsomely for our good behavior and patience.
He came out in jeans and the white Rutgers hoodie with his hair all tousled. He gave us all a quick "thanks for coming out guys" and a nice warm handshake.
Sceen cap of Quiana Parler links to the 'Crying' duet with Clay.
There are many excellent videos from the Greenville T&T Concert at YouTube. You can view Scarlett's clips at the Wowzers4Clay Channel.
This weekend's Tried & True tour concerts are slated for Westbury, NY, 8 pm Saturday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury, and Glenside, PA, 7:30 pm Sunday, Keswick Theatre.
SINGER JOINS CLACK GATHERERS - Borrowing Scarlett's camera during the 2007 Ft. Myers SRHP Concert, Clay Aiken took some of his own clack. Graphic by cindilu2 links to the video. Photos by toni7babe, scrpkym.
Greetings for a Clack Goddess
Scarlett Celebrates Special Day
With the start of the Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Timeless Tour less than a week away, there is no better way to honor Scarlett, one the CA fandom's beloved "clack goddesses," on her birthday than to spotlight some of the classic video highlights she has provided during the past seven years.
Every self-respecting Aiken fan knows that Aug. 16, 2007, was the night Clay imitated the tiny videographer's gyrations in an effort to obtain the best possible angle, reached down from the stage, borrowed her front row camera, and gathered footage of his backup musicians.
Scarlett didn't miss a beat, however, and pulled a backup camera out of her bag to continue filming the show. "She's got a whole Radio Shack in her purse!" Clay exclaimed to the audience.
To this day, fans agree the circumstances of 8/16/07 evolved into one of the funniest concerts ever in the annals of Clay.
CLAY AIKEN TAKES HIS OWN CLACK Scrpkym's photo links toYouTube video by Scarlett and Clay.
Cameras Chronicle Clay Events
Name a Clay Aiken tour (Independent, Joyful Noise, Jukebox, Soft Rock Hard Place) or special appearance by the singer (Golfing for Inclusion, David Foster & Friends, Bringing Broadway Home), and you generally will find Scarlett front and center with her camera(s).
In no particular order, a search for "Clay Aiken AND Scarlett" videos on YouTube runs the gamut showcasing Clay's incredible vocals, skilled comedic timing, and articulate speeches for various causes. Those not on YouTube can be downloaded from Clack Unlimited.
Before writing this blog, I asked for any special Scarlett experiences fans recall. One of my favorites came in a PM from Rainlover:
Sitting next to Scarlett at a concert and having her hand me a memory card to keep till after the concert in case she got busted. I felt so important!
Cotton elaborated on Clay's "Radio Shack" reference:
She really does carry a Radio Shack with her right down to the surge suppressor packed in her suitcase because hotels never have enough outlets, LOL!
Clay banters with camera personnel at Clio, MI, Jukebox Concert. Who will ever forget, "God forbid the clack skip around!" View full screen at YouTube.
Scarlett Shares Travels on Facebook
For the past several weeks, Scarlett has been posting on Facebook from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a city on Sakhalin Island, Russia, where she has shared the language, customs, exotic food, scenery, various experiences, and -- much to her chagrin -- her plight with uber slow downloads.
Due to the latter, she has vowed "to bring broadband access to every person on earth no matter where they live." Now that would be quite an accomplishment!
Scarlett and my grandson Kai still hope to hook up on Facebook where he enjoys playing "Family Feud." Chances of that happening will be much greater when she returns to US time zones.
In the past week, we discovered that we are not only fellow "moon kids" but July 17 carries the same significance for both of us. Currently 17 hours ahead of EDT, Scarlett is well into celebrating our special day.
Happy Birthday to a very special lady who, hopefully, will enjoy many greetings at the Carolina site, on Facebook, and throughout Clay Cyberspace!
Scarlett celebrates birthday in Russia.
Rest assured, the birthday gal will be home on the 20th in time to do laundry and make it to the July 23 Timeless Tour bow in Asheville.
Have a wonderful weekend, 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.
Visitors have arrived at this site from 153 countries. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro
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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