Clay Aiken Claims New Fan In Germany; Tar Heels Win

Expandable graphic cindilu2 with photos by Diana Levine.

New Clay Fan in Germany

Tried & True NJU Stories Emerge

While Clay Aiken's Tried & Tour is in the books, the show still lives on in the sharing of video/audio/photo clack as well as concert experiences with new and casual fans.

This entry features the first of several Not.Just.Us editions that, hopefully, will inspire more concert experiences in the comments.

To add your remarks, (a) scroll to a linked line below the retweet symbol similar to this one from the previous entry: Posted by Carolina Clay at 11:42 AM 10 comments. Click on "comments," and type in the box that opens.

Or (b) scroll through the comments to the line that reads Post a Comment. Clicking on this link opens the box for your remarks. Looking forward to many more NJU experiences!

'Where Do I Begin' opens Cleveland T&T Concert.
View high definition video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

NJU Fan Shares Tour Impressions

A two-part, two-continent NJU "happening" between cindilu2 and a new Internet friend in Germany is highlighted in this edition. Here is their story:

cindilu2: I have a friend in Germany whom I met through a non music-related fandom. Over the course of our emails, I told her a little about Clay but honestly didn't go OTT or even really explain much about him. She had not heard of Clay or Ruben.

After my excitement over Florida and Cleveland, she asked a little more about him, and I sent her links to "Love Story Theme," "Crying," and "Mack The Knife" from Cleveland. She was very complimentary about the videos, but didn't really say much more.

This morning I received another email from her that really made me smile. Keep in mind she is just learning English (from the message boards no less!).

I listened and watched once again to Clay's "Love Story" song. To listen a VT fan video over/by/at the iPad is surely not any audio quality time, but this doesn't matter at all! The atmosphere can be felt; he is so engaged, so in the song, and I just read now that this has been his opening in Cleveland.

OMG, he couldn't top this. Even as I don't know this guy, I must say I got tears in my eyes just from watching and listening via iPad. Wonderful. Absolutely!

To which Cindy added in her original post: Welcome to the cult, honey!

Expandable graphic by Claystruck from T&T Tour.

Before retelling the NJU story in the Carolina blog, Cindy asked her friend for permission to share the experience and received a definite "go for it."

The new Clay fan then asked about the singer's hair, inspiring a P.S. to Cindy's board post: She is SO in the cult!!!

'In My Life' closes Glenside concert.
View video by farouche full screen at YouTube.

'Aiken Fog' Locates German Fan

The long-distance NJU adventure continued when Cindy asked farouche to upload her Glenside video for "In My Life" banter/song so she could show her new friend or -- in her words -- "ease her assimilation along a little more."

cindilu2: I sent her the link on Sunday, and this afternoon I received this email. Keep in mind English is not her first language. We call her version "Petish," lol. (Her name is Petra).

FINALLY I watched the video of Clay "In My Life." I am a bit biased because of you. I mean, I don't know the guy; but it's amazing. He is such another guy when he sings as when he talks. I could understand what he said mostly and laughed out loud. He is funny and charming and all natural. And so open.

When he sings, he kinda transforms. To say he closes up isn't exactly right. He seems as if being in his own closed up world, as if he is shutting all around out.

You see his artistic mood, which I can't point out so good. Maybe it is the interaction with the fans, the way they move while Clay is just sitting there. Don't know if you can understand at all. Now it's not because of petish; I couldn't explain it any better in German.

It's nice to see that the fog permeates right through the computer screen and a language barrier, isn't it? He's magic!

March Madness Nabs New Victim

Just like clockwork, March Madness has again taken over my life; and so far, my team, the Carolina Tar Heels, are still in the big dance.

During the course of the first two games, I have even recruited a new Tar Heel fan in Scarlett. On Friday, she assimilated online streaming with an evening of rendering high definition Tried & True videos, mp3, and mp4 files.

On Sunday mornings, Scarlett videos the 11 a.m. service at her church; and, due to the tour, this was her first time there in two months. The Heels were scheduled to play Washington at 12:15 EDT. With the time difference, she wouldn't be able to check on the score until halftime.

Sure enough at 12:57 p.m., I received a text asking how the game was going. Carolina was behind 43-40, so I told her we needed her cheers.

Eeek, driving home now!

Your kind of game! (She prefers close contests.)

I'm going to swing by Walmart for a wok and juice, but our final hymn was "My Blue Boat Home"; so I figured I should go help cheer! Go, team! Hang in there!!!

Skillfully, Scarlett googled the words for what could become Carolina's new theme song, Blue Boat Home.

By now, it was almost halftime; so I told her this was a good time to stop at Walmart. She promised to be quick and encouraged me to breathe. I didn't hear from her again until the game was down to five minutes.

Any news?

Three points behind ... now one .. four minutes to go ... +2!

Oh!!!

Sing that last hymn again!

Wow, staying on phone, can't move!

Photo links to Carolina-Washington slide show.
Charlotte photos by J.D. Lyon, Jr.

I assured her I had pulled up the live stream so I could send her the link the minute she arrived home. Since the stream runs a bit behind the telecast, it provided excellent instant replays on my laptop.

Three minutes to go ... we are at the line.

What's the real score?

78-76, Carolina!

OK, good!!!

Texts zoomed back and forth through several time-outs and foul shots. Scarlett debated about going to the store's TV section but decided baseball would be on instead.

I encouraged her to sing the "blue" hymn again and asked where she was. "The Walmart food section!"

Finally, I was able to send the message that we had won!

By 3?

Yes, 86-83!

Wheeee!!! OK, I can drive now!

The Tar Heels are Sweet 16 Bound, and I never imagined I would find a basketball buddy in one of the CA fandom's most well-known clack goddesses. Rest assured, Clay fans, she is an adept multi-tasker and has been rendering high def T&T video and audio files throughout the tournament.

The files, which are making their way into board vaults and to Clack Unlimited, can also be viewed/downloaded at the Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube and at her Tried & True Tour doc.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation! Yay, Tar Heels!!!


Tar Heel graphic by Linda (ABM)

Caro

For other Clay Aiken blogs, see these entries:

All Things Clay Aiken: The Wisdom and Wit of Clay Aiken

Clay News Network: Stepping up to the Plate for UNICEF

Clay Aiken Thrills Crowd at Mesa Tried & True Concert

Clay & Co. open Tried & True show with 'Theme from Love Story.'

Powerful Vocals, Humor, Charm

There Is Nothing Like Clay 'Live'

In Thursday night's Tried & True Concert in Mesa, AZ, Clay Aiken proved once again he is a consummate performer, charming the audience with his powerful vocals and quick wit.

In the next to the last show of a two-month tour that has freely allowed video sharing of concerts on YouTube and other outlets, there were very few surprises for die-hard CA fans.

Recaps, however, read as if they are describing the tour opener. An underlying theme is that clack serves its purpose, but there is nothing like experiencing Clay Aiken in a "live" performance.

Copingincali: Clay Aiken was born to be on the stage! Clack is helpful to get a feel for a show and certainly to capture the tours he does. However, he has to be seen live. He is so much more than an album, a YouTube video or an interview.

Clay was really upset about the review that said he was pitchy. Call this man anything you want, but pitchy he is not. His voice was top notch and filled the venue.

It's hard to describe what it is like to see him sing live. The voice broke in a couple of songs, but the power with a capital "P" of his voice makes you forget that.

I got the whole package tonight, and I am spent. Waow!

Singer calls out Dallas reviewer over pitchy label.

'Pitchy' Review Becomes Shtick

A Dallas review labeling Clay's Tuesday Grand Prairie performance "pitchy" was discussed by the singer during Mesa concert banter and later on fan boards. For a replay, be sure to watch the above video by Scarlett.

skybar22: This was a great show! Clay, the consummate performer, gives his all. He has a gift I have seldom been privileged to see. His humor, charm, and wit were all on display.

His voice was beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the nuances of his facial expressions. The sensuality of this man's performance coupled with the glorious vocals took me somewhere I have never been before.

UM was divine. He carries the audience with him, and we all soared together.

The pitchy shtick was great. Never tell Mr. Aiken he is pitchy when it is so far from reality. Pitchy he is not. He may crack on a note once in a while, but he is so good and covers it up well. His minor imperfections are nothing compared to most performers.

Quiana is a classy gal. I thoroughly enjoyed her too. She is pure joy on that stage, a friend and a gift to Clay. They are so comfortable with one another.

The Klezmer shtick was hilarious with Clay doing the Yiddish accent and Quiana "oying" and "mazel toving." This Jewish gal loved it!

Clay is so gracious to all of the performers on stage with him. He gave each their props. I really loved watching Felix do his thing. They are all a talented bunch and Clay appreciates each one of them. It shows.

Throughout the Tried & True Tour, Clay & Co. have performed "Who's Sorry Now" in a wide array of audience-suggested genres. At the Mesa concert, the musicians performed the song in boogie woogie, Klezmer, Gregorian Chant, mariachi, lullaby, and beat box styles. The first two are shown in Scarlett's videos below.

'Who's Sorry Now' a la Klezmer genre.

Who's Sorry Now' in boogie woogie style.

NJU Fans Reconnect with Clay

According to Internet message board reports, a large contingent of Not.Just.Us fans was reunited with Clay at the Mesa Arts Center.

clayalwaysandforever: I talked to several NJU tonight and, though they have loved Clay since Idol, they have not seen him much since.

Needless to say, they were blown away tonight. Two of the older couples had seen PBS special and then and ad in the paper so they were very excited about seeing him again.

Two of the ushers a man and a woman were anxious to hear him as they had never heard him sing. One lady said she had a whole new respect for him.

I saw people asking the ushers if there was anything for sale after the concert, and they were disappointed there was not a merch table. I have a feeling a few CD's will be selling on Amazon.

"Unchained Melody" was unworldly. WOW! WOW! WOW!

Clay sings signature version of 'Unchained Melody.'

Kool Radio Applauds Clay & Co.

Kool Radio posted an excellent review and photo slide show -- Clay Aiken in Concert -- on the station's website. Below is the opening paragraph of a story fans won't want to miss:

Tonight’s show was just more than a concert; it was a performance like no other!

Combining soulful music and personal story telling, Clay Aiken displayed his matured voice and why he’s been successful so many years since he made his national debut on American Idol.

View concert videos by Scarlett at the Wowzers4Clay YouTube Channel, and download them at her Mesa link. In addition to these expandable photos by SmartyPantsSuz, you can view the complete set in her Mesa gallery.

Thoughts and prayers are with Japan and all who have loved ones affected by today's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Final concert of the Tried & True Tour is slated for 8 pm PT Saturday at The Warfield in San Francisco, CA. Saturday's show will mark the one-year anniversary of the OMG Concert in Raleigh recorded for the singer's PBS Special, Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE!

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation! Catch you after San Francisco!

Caro

Carolina Combacks: I was on target to have this blog up at 11:30 a.m. in time to watch the Carolina Tar Heels in their noon ACC Tournament game. During a final edit, the entry disappeared into thin air, and I spent the afternoon "listening" to the game, recreating the blog, and teaching lessons.

Carolina was behind the whole way until the buzzer-beater winning basket. Thankfully, I taped the game and plan to watch the comeback. Let's go, Heels -- maybe with a little less stress!!! *g*

Clay Aiken & Co. Present 'Best Show Ever'

Clay Aiken's Tried & True concerts are a hit.
Expandable screen cap by Scarlett. (See two more in blog).

Fans Praise Tried & True Show

Waterbury Takes Bar Even Higher

Clay Aiken & Co. pulled out all the stops in Waterbury, CT, and presented another "best show ever" as the singer and five backup musicians wound down a five-day leg of the Tried & True Tour.

In addition to songs from his Tried & True Decca release, concert goers have been charmed with the big band/jazz arrangements of the singer's hits from earlier albums: Measure of a Man, A Thousand Different Ways, and On My Way Here.

Like many Americans, the musicians have Presidents Day off before resuming this week's concerts in Baltimore, MD, 7:30 pm Tuesday, Kraushaar Auditorium; Charlotte, NC, 7:30 pm Wednesday, Blumenthal Center; Greenville, SC, 7:30 pm Thursday, The Peace Center; Westbury, NY, 8 pm Saturday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury; and Glenside, PA, 7:30 pm Sunday, Keswick Theatre.

Charlotte will mark the midway point in the 22-city tour, which will wind its way through the Midwest and western states, closing in San Francisco on March 12. For a complete listing with venue links, see the 1/11 Carolina blog entry.

Clay & Co. swing with jazzy medley of previous hits.
View big band video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Watch Clay's intro to the medley here.

Jazz Medley Sets Tone for Show

According to many, the new jazzy arrangement of old CA hits set the tone. Thank you to the fans who have shared their concert experiences here.

Emerson: I loved, loved, loved the show! When he did that jazzy arrangement, I was in "Clay heaven," and I knew that we were in for a very special night.

He looked so amazingly good. What I really was impressed by was how much fun he seemed to be having. For all the LOL moments he gave me, it was nice to see him in fits of laughter at times throughout the show. When he talked about his fans and how much they meant to him, I was a bit misty-eyed.

If you are a Clay fan, you have to see this concert live if at all humanly possible. The clack is wonderful but, the live performance is just something that words are not enough to describe!

Call me one over-the-moon and blissfully satisfied Claymate!

Clay and Quiana sing 'Crying' duet in Waterbury.
Link to YouTube for full screen view of video by Scarlett.

Clay, Quiana 'Kill' on 'Crying'

A nightly hit on the tour is the T&T "Crying" duet performed by Clay and Quiana Parler. Like all of the featured videos by Scarlett, the above rendition can be downloaded at her Waterbury doc. NOTE: Be sure to include the hilarious intro for the jazzy medley.

"Crying" has proved a nightly fan favorite on the T&T Tour, and Waterbury was no exception.

Rhode Island Fan: What a wonderful night! Clay Aiken in his element, at his best with an audience that loved him. It doesn't get much better than that.

The show really was my favorite out of all of his tours. The intimate setting is perfect for him. He owned us all from the minute the curtain went up until the sign language "thank you" he gave us when he finished "In My Life."

One girl talked on the way out. She had lost track of him, loved it, and said she didn't realize he could be so funny. She won't be missing his concerts any more.

His speaking voice was a bit husky, but his singing was flawless. He didn't hold back. I noticed that especially on "Crying."

My friends who have been to three or four shows felt this one was the best so far. I had worried that five nights in a row would do him in, but he was spot on. The banter was hilarious; it's amazing how he can go from silly to sublime in a split second.

Incredible rendition of 'Love Story' opens show.
View Waterbury video full screen at YouTube.

Recaps Describe Diversified Audience

According to fan reports, the Waterbury crowd was diversified and very energetic, matching the variety of the evening's set list.

Angelclay: The concert tonight was wonderful with a very diversified, energetic crowd -- many men, (Clay counted 10 in front row), many young girls, and even some younger kids.

For the genres of music, they did Irish dance, hip hop, and grunge. Hip hop was hilarious with Clay holding his jeans and hopping around. His grunge singing was pretty spot on.

This was one of the best Clay concerts I have been to. He was spot on, gorgeous voice, witty, and funny,

Clay called out some certers and video takers, but said he didn't mind them at all. Before he sang IML, he thanked all those who have been there from the beginning and those who come to one show or 10 shows. At the end of IML, he did his trademark signing of "thank you."

Waterbury, CT, Set List

Overture
Theme from Love Story
Mack the Knife

Banter
There’s a Kind of Hush
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Banter
Big Band Medley: The Way, This is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, These Open Arms, Invisible
Something About Us
Foggy Day in London Town (Quiana)

Banter - Auto-tune: Suspicious Minds, I Kissed a Girl
Suspicious Minds
Build Me Up Buttercup
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
Moon River

Who's Sorry Now - Irish, hip hop, punk/grunge genres (Clay and Quiana)
It’s Only Make Believe
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Cry Me a River (Quiana)
Crying (Clay and Quiana)

Banter
Unchained Melody

Encore
Both Sides Now
In My Life

Expandable screen caps from videos by Scarlett.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation! See you after Baltimore!

Caro

Clay Aiken Concert Dazzles with Fab Vocals, Loads of Fun

Clay Aiken opens Tried & True Tour with varied styles, song list.
Photo by gerwhisp is double clickable.

Clay Entertaining as Always

Tried & True Opener Sets Pace

Clay Aiken and Quiana Parler opened the 22-city Winter Tour in Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center with a show that is sure to please audiences up and down the Tried & True trail.

The vocals by Clay and his longtime friend/backup singer were fabulous, the band rocking, and the repartee with concert goers entertaining as ever. The phenomenal arranging by keyboardist Ben Cohn shines throughout the concert, running the gamut of musical styles from jazz, pop, and big band to Reggae, country, and a touch of scat.

Video clack is still in upload mode; but Deborah760's audio, available for download at Clack Unlimited, is amazing. Below is a tentative set list compiled from the audio file.

Will it be the same in Orlando tonight? Who knows, but it's bound to be another evening that's off the charts!

Tried & True Tour Set List - Miami

Overture
Theme from Love Story
There's a Kind of Hush

Banter

Can't Take My Eyes Off You
It's Impossible
Something About Us

Banter

Medley
The Way
Don't Stop Believin'
Vogue
I Want It That Way (Clay and Quiana)
The Right Stuff
The Glory of Love
Love the Way You Lie (Quiana)
Baby One More Time (Clay and Quiana)
Footloose (Quiana)
Invisible

Cry Me a River - Quiana

Banter
Suspicious Minds
It's Only Make Believe
Moon River
What Kind of Fool Am I
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

Who's Sorry Now in 3 styles (Clay and Quiana)

Band Intro

Mack the Knife
A Foggy Day in London Town (Quiana)
Crying (Clay and Quiana)

Banter
Build Me Up Buttercup

Banter
Unchained Melody

Banter
In My Life
Solitaire

From the opening overture in near darkness, the concert segues
to Clay singing 'Theme from Love Story' at 1:24 (visible at 2:01).
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Recaps Paint Opening Night Canvas

Message board recaps describe a concert not to be missed. Below are some of the accolades and tidbits that help tell the story of opening night:

Starting the concert with "Love Story," Clay seemed to be singing to each member of the audience.

Quiana singing "Cry Me a River" -- what a talent!

"Invisible" done jazzy! The "clutch" is still part of the song!

Jazzy keyboards from Ben Cohn -- genius!

Jazz "Invisible" = Genius!

Love the rim shot from Felix when Clay was bragging about taking time to work on his hair!

Yes, the hair was atrocious and he was so proud of it! Said it took 6 cans of hairspray and would be flaking off on his sweater all evening

Clay was happy, sexy, silly, romantic, sentimental. He had us alternating from laughing and hooting to swooning and sighing.

That opening number rocked the rafters, and his Solitaire closed it the same way. In between, he gave us all the shades and nuances he's perfected over the last eight years onstage. He was charming, funny, personal, familiar, powerful, gracious.

It is a beautiful evening. Intimate, yes! A beautiful voice, omg yes! It is nothing like any other show, and I loved it. His voice was subtle and nuanced and then it just soared! He needs to be heard in person.

A few hours before the opening concert, Clay blogged to his fans: "So off we go ... into uncharted waters, but with aplomb!" From all I've read and heard, the show was this and more!

The remaining 2/3 of the Florida 3-fer take place at the Hard Rock in Orlando at 8 pm tonight and in Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 8 pm Saturday. For the complete Tried and True Tour schedule see the 2/10 Carolina blog entry and to the sidebar calendar.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!


Signature by Linda/ABM