EXIT INTERVIEW - Clay Aiken and Bret Michaels talk about their experience as guest co-host and performer on 'The View' Tuesday.
Singer Gets Bleeped on 'The View'
Aiken Creates Buzz as Co-Host
Even with a touch of laryngitis, Clay Aiken's stint as guest co-host on "The View" Tuesday was a smash with several segments -- before, during, and after the show -- still garnering water cooler honors the day after.
Despite the hoarseness, Clay was friendly, funny, articulate, snarky, and unafraid to say what he thinks. According to Zap2 News & Buzz, The View was "chock full of extra goodness with Clay as guest co-host and Bret Michaels the performing guest."
Disagreeing with the premise that only children are more self-centered and badly-behaved, Clay proposed that it doesn't necessarily matter what kind of environment kids are raised in; some are just naturally **bleeped** rotten.
The highlight of the episode is when Clay Aiken engages in a discussion of children being self-centered and selfish and his observation is, "Some kids are a**holes." The reactions of the other ladies is priceless, particularly Whoopi Goldberg.
HOT TOPIC- Clay's opinion about child rearing results in bleep.
Earning stern looks and nervous laughter from the other hosts, Clay added, "What? It's the truth!" According to subsequent fan board discussions, the singer has only been bleeped on national television three times in the past seven years.
Most comments at multiple media sites replaying the topic tend to agree with Clay, many from teachers. Playing the moment for all it was worth, Whoopi appeared shocked and quipped, "Can I say that?"
On a more serious subject, Clay weighed in on Don't Ask, Don't Tell. You can view the video clip at this link.
Screen cap by Cotton links to " hair roller" interview.
One of the most entertaining videos from Tuesday's show happened when the singer proved how comfortable he is in his own skin in a pre-show interview with executive producer Bill Geddie while a stylist put rollers in his hair. Below are highlights from their conversation:
Bill: Co-hosting on the show today is Clay Aiken, a very nice man. However, what is going on?
Clay explains that the stylist is trying to give his hair body with rollers.
Bill: This is how secure you are with yourself. You're fine with me shooting this.
Clay: As long as they come out before we go on the air, I'm fine.
Bill: You got like cooler. On Idol, you were kind of nerdy, and that was part of the appeal. And then you filled out and got cooler.
Clay: It was completely unintentional.
Bill: What are you doing? What's up in your life?
Clay: Well, I'm here today. This is what my life has built to.
Bill: You know just to get in there, don't wait for them to call your name, say what you need to say, fight your way in.
Clay: "Or I'll put my hand over someone's mouth if necessary."
Below are clickable screen caps from Clay's Tuesday appearance on The View. Nos. 1 and 3 are Getty images:
Inclusion Project To Receive $20,000
Thanks to the votes of an all-out effort in the final hours of the Chase Community Giving Summer 2010 challenge, the National Inclusion Project will receive $20,000, enough to fund two more "Let's All Play" camps.
With 1,632 votes, the Inclusion Project landed in position #129, safely within the top 200 organizations receiving $5 million. The Harry Potter Alliance won $250k while four other charities -- Kristin Brooks Hope Center, North American Bear Center, A Spring of Hope, and Sarvodaya USA -- will be awarded $100k each.
Congratulations to all the participating charities and to Chase and Facebook for sponsoring this worthwhile cause!
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.
Visitors have arrived at this site from 153 countries. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro
Home by Clay Aiken, montage by LovesClaysVoice View montage full screen at YouTube Download with this Sendspace
'Home' Montage Replays Week
Clay Named July Guest Co-Host
Still basking in the abundance of audio and video clack from the previous week's Bringing Broadway Home and AOL/Popeater's multi-media A Day in the Life feature, inquisitive fans have discovered that Clay Aiken will fulfill a longtime goal as guest co-host for The View on Tuesday, July 13.
THE VIEW Tuesday, 7/13: Bret Michaels, Lisa Lillien, guest co-host Clay Aiken
Skilled super sleuths in the CA fandom located the news on a TV guide site. The co-hosting possibility, discussed in Clay's exit interview after his June 2 appearance on The View, is featured in the "Bring It On!" video further down.
Meanwhile, LovesClaysVoice and other montage makers have begun combining visuals with audio from the singer's "Broadway" benefit performance. Well-received at the NC Theatre benefit concert, "Home" provides a spectacular reprise of the week.
Click to enlarge Clay's photo by Diana Levine.
Diana Levine, New York photographer who took the incredible pictures of Clay for Popeater's A Day in the Life feature, has posted more in a blog at her site: DianaLevine.com.
By Sunday, the 91 photos by toni7babe from the June 21 Raleigh event had brought views in her SmugMug account to 17k. BBH videos on her YouTube Channel are logging huge numbers, the most popular of which is Clay's performance of Those Magic Changes with 4,500+ hits.
Graphic artists have their own way of replaying performances. The clickable designs below are by Fountaindawg, 1 and 5; AmazingCA, 2 and 3; and cindilu2, 4. Photographers include toni7babe, BBH (1 and 2), and Diana Levine, A Day in the Life(3, 4, 5).
'Disney Promotes Phineas and Ferb'
The Disney Channel plans to give the offbeat 'Phineas and Ferb' cartoon the full marketing treatment with a full line of merchandise and a movie next summer.
In two seasons, Phineas and Ferb has emerged as the Disney Channel's first breakthrough original animated series, receiving top ratings from children and young teens.
Among the stars who have recently lent their voices to the show are Tina Fey, Ben Stiller, Seth MacFarlane, director Kevin Smith, and musicians Clay Aiken and Chaka Khan.
In a sign of its growing significance, "Phineas and Ferb" is getting the full Disney treatment as the company revs up its well-oiled franchise machine.
Soon it will uncork a full merchandise line, with 200 Phineas and Ferb-related items — including boxer shorts, skateboards and boxes of macaroni and cheese — headed to stores. A Disney Channel movie, "Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension," debuts next summer.
Entertainment President Gary Marsh believes that within 18 months, Phineas and Ferb will be one of the biggest properties the Disney Channel has ever had.
The complete article by Dawn C. Chmielewski of the LA Times can be read here.
BRING IT ON - Clay's reply nets guest co-host spot.
'The View' Heeds 'Bring It On!'
The June 2 exit interviews of best-selling author Brenda Carlise, on the The View to discuss her Lips Unsealed autobiography, and Clay, promoting the new Tried & True CD and July-August Timeless Tour with Ruben Studdard, are featured in the video above.
After giving the ABC show props for guests being able to talk about their topics and the show's incredible performance sets, Clay was asked about his desire to guest co-host. His "Bring It On!" reply was apparently noted!
Kai Enlists 'Family Feud' Helpers
In a PM about BBH clack I mentioned to Scarlett that grandson Kai is playing "Family Feud" on his Mom's Facebook page and receiving assistance from her childhood friends and even their mothers.
Within a few hours, the traveling "clack goddess" wrote back:
OMG, i just made the connection & realized that I used to view Kai's baby pictures - wow! time flies! I'll be a good, safe neighbor for him!
It'll be fun to play... (my kids and I used to play yahoo bridge while sitting across from each other on our own computers)... thanks! Looking forward to helping/playing!
I notice on Facebook that the adults are now friends and the stage is set for Kai, three months shy of 3, to receive a helping hand from a very special friend known throughout the Clay Nation.
Stay tuned; Grandma has definitely requested a photo of Kai playing the "Feud" and "Bejeweled" on the computer with his new friends!
Have an awesome 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.
Visitors have arrived at this site from 153 countries. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro
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.
TRIED & TRUE - Graphic spotlights CD liner photos/Fountaindawg.
Aiken CD Captivates Fans
'T&T' Digital Downloads Take Off
The hills -- make that homes, offices, CD players, desktops, laptops, iPods, etc. -- are alive with the sound of Clay Aiken's out-of-this-world, new CD, Tried & True, only hours into its initial release week.
At the stroke of midnight (9 p.m. for those in the West), the digital gates of iTunes, Amazon, and other Internet musical portals released downloads of the singer's first album with Decca Records.
During the Memorial Day Weekend, several reviewers waxed poetic with very positive takes on the CD, some of which are shared below.
Even as clocks and video recorders were being set for Clay's Tuesday appearance on "Good Morning America," fans put sleep on the back burner to listen to the much-anticipated digital downloads of the incredible voice many fell for on the singer's 2003 American Idol season. Fans eagerly shared their first reactions with message board friends into the wee hours of a new work week.
In addition to Tuesday morning's appearance on Good Morning America, Clay will appear on The Joy Behar Show (CNN Headline News)at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday and The View (ABC) at 11 a.m. ET Wednesday, singing "Unchained Melody."
Clay's GMA interview and CTMEOOY performance Tuesday. View ABC video on YouTube
Fans Label Clay's CD 'Exquisite'
So what are Clay Aiken fans saying about Tried & True? Early reactions from three message boards tell the story:
VoxAngelicus: Just finished listening to my iTunes pre-order. This CD is exquisite! There aren't enough superlatives to describe the beauty of Clay's voice and the instrumental arrangements. Thank you, Decca, and most of all, thank you, Clay, for these timeless gifts of song.
starbrite: OMG!!!! I just listened to the entire CD! It's AWESOME!!!! The songs I thought I wouldn't care for are turning out to be my favorites!!! I knew it was going to be fabulous but this has exceeded my expectations!!!
sutter4clay: Over the top incredible!!! Breathtaking!!! I'm spent; someone notify my next of kin.
Sally: After "What Kind of Fool Am I?", I had to plug my fan into the wall next to my computer desk and set it on high speed.
I listened to the last two tracks with my face down on the desk, the external speakers blasting into my ears and zinging through my entire body.
ianmom: Headphones on! Let's party!!!!
hunter: I am listening now. Every song I have heard so far is just beautiful. Sleep is over-rated!
Remy: It took the better part of an hour but OMG, what I've heard so far is stunning! "Crying" and "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" have both made me cry. Every song I've listened to so far is a masterpiece in is own right.
Graphic of 'Tried & True' CD cover by SueReu
Beanblossom: West coast here - and Clay is now crooning in my ears. The CD is to die for. Clay is making me one happy woman (even though he STILL hasn't accepted my friend request [on the new fan board.]
Lucia(Brazil): Downloading now and very, very emotional because this is the first time I'll have Clay's music at the moment it is released. I cannot tell about the feeling I am feeling!
canuck2010: I LOVE YOU BAAAYBYYYY!!!
CravingClay: I have never heard anything so wonderful!!!
wandacleo: The sound is so intimate, perfect balance of vocals and orchestra. It sounds as though Clay's in the room singing with me.
caperkeeper: "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Clay's fool for sure! Simply Wonderful. "Make Believe" is so different and jazzy - love it!
Cotton: OMG, the last word of the entire album - BAY-beeeee. The beeee just whispered off into nothing like a feather drifting on air!
MaryJoanne123: There are no words. Every song is a masterpiece, and Clay at his very best. The orchestration and arrangements are WOW. DECCA does get Clay and what a great match!
'Tried & True' liner photos -- Graphic by Fountaindawg
roadnottaken: Finally, Decca and Clay have created an album where we hear that voice that we fell in love with seven years ago.
dancermom2: This CD is one long caress of his voice. It's magic.I have to get up at 4 am to get to GMA.I have to try to get some sleep!!!
maetwo: After each song I leaned forward in my chair to type some comment; then the next track began and I was lost for words. Don't remember breathing until that last, quiet bay-beeee faded away. This is one beautiful, beautiful production!!!
cindilu2: The booklet is smokin' hot. Hi-Res Super Cool Aiken. Noise-cancelling headphones in place. I don't think I'll be sleeping any time soon. Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I don't think I'm gonna be able to get past "What Kind of Fool." My fingers keep hitting repeat. I skipped to "Crying." And guess what? I am. Oh. My. And now I'm gonna lay down and listen to "Unchained" cuz it's so much easier than falling down.
Idyjocelyn: Oh man, this is SUBLIME. The entire thing. I remember many of us in the fandom clamoring for a recorded version of "Moon River" in 2003. So, it's seven years later and we have it. And it's perfect. The scary thing? I think this album will get better with age, like a fine wine.
Clayworthy: Online download purchases are not available in Singapore, but I was gifted with the i-Tunes downloads tonight, and I am now listening to that gorgeous voice.I will forever cherish this beautiful gift. An old soul he is but with a new twist - instituting and rendering his signature sound in each of these classic pieces. Thank you, Clay, for the sincere, heartfelt, and thankful message in your liner notes.
Brightstar: So many adjectives apply -- exquisite, sublime, awesome, velvety, artistic, incredible, beautiful, perfect, breathtaking yet also playful, fun, catchy, bouncy, And loving, yearning, joyful, passionate, moving, introspective, whimsical. It's an emotional journey!
jclay: I'm at work, but I'm not sure how I got here.
'Tried & True' liner photos - Graphic by Fountaindawg
MSNBC Awards CD 'Best Bet' Nod
Below are links and partial posts from two media reviews of the past weekend.
Each week MSNBC spotlights a "best bet" for various arts mediums. Tried & True is the network's best bet pick for new albums this week:
"American Idol" alum Clay Aiken has changed a lot since his days as a geeky contender on the show. He's starred on Broadway, worked as a UNICEF ambassador, come out as gay and become a father.
His new album, "Tried and True," takes a break from all the changes and features Aiken singing classic tunes, including "Mack the Knife," "Moon River" and "Unchained Melody." (Out on CD June 1.)
CD releases past and present. - Graphic by Fountaindawg
Go to any estate sale with a stack of vinyl, and, invariably, you'll find a selection of singers whose music seems left behind by time and popular opinion, acts like Perry Como, Jack Jones, Andy Williams. These were the pop singers whose careers were the last bastions of adult resistance against the onslaught of rock 'n' roll. [snip]
During their day, they recorded prolifically and sold well, but -- with the exception of Johnny Mathis, whose ethereal, vibrato-laden voice seemed to drift in from another, dreamier universe -- any lasting impact on contemporary artists has proven to be the exception rather than the rule.
These are the acts to whom Clay Aiken pays tribute on Tried and True, his debut for Decca Records. Unlike Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, they weren't jazz singers at heart, though you could hear the vestiges of big-band music in their lavish arrangements. [snip]
FAVORITES: Unchained Melody, Moon River, It's Impossible
Unchained Melody. Another favorite from Clay's Idol run (sung the same night he did Mack the Knife), and, if you liked it then, you'll love it now, with its multiple modulations and a fully realized vocal performance from Clay that expresses yearning both tenderly and powerfully.
Moon River. Clay's version of Henry Mancini's Breakfast at Tiffany's classic begins with the motif from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, and Clay sings the first verse accompanied solely by piano. When you see Vince Gill's name on the bill for this one, you expect to hear his high harmonies (which would have blended beautifully with Clay's slightly darker tenor); instead, he contributes a lovely acoustic guitar solo.
It's Impossible. By the late '70s, this song, made famous by Perry Como, had become a punchline, thanks to a Steve Martin routine that parodied it -- "It's impossible ... to put a Cadillac up your nose." Most singers have considered the song off-limits since then, but Clay's sincere attempt revitalizes it somewhat, its arrangement highlighted by subdued strings, acoustic guitar and trumpet.
Be sure to read the comments. Representative are these remarks:
"First off, it's bursting with class. He is singing songs that have more gold than a gold mine."
"Clay and Decca are a match made in heaven. He found a label that knows what to do with his voice."
"These songs may no longer be current, but they endure and that's why several of them are considered standards."
CLICKABLE WALLPAPERS: Below are clickable wallpapers of this entry's T&T graphics by Fountaindawg (1, 3, 4, 5) and SueReu (2):
Other reviews and links of interest include Front Stage (review), Express Night Out (review), and Just Jared (story, video, photos from GMA). Along with Amazon, these are excellent places for fans to write reviews.
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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