Clay Aiken 'Spin' Interview Tops

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.

The entire article can be read at this link.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True Live! cover design
Double clickable enhanced by cindilu2

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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: Canada AM (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 Auditorium Ticket 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!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Photos Rock 'Clay Aiken T&T Live!'

THE BOOTH or THE JACKET - Clay Aiken photo by Vincent Soyez

Nashville Responds to Tragic Flood

Int'l Media Photos Delight Fans

International Media added three new photos to the Clay Aiken Tried & True Live! page Tuesday, boosting fan excitement to higher orbits. Celebrations continue, and message board posts filled with EEEEE's are naturally the norm.

Due to width limitations of this template, the panel reproduction below is different from the original at the Int'l Media's Clay Aiken Tried & True Live! site.

CLAY AIKEN TRIED & TRUE LIVE! - Panel of photos by Vincent Soyez
advertise the singer's June 1 Decca CD release and August PBS Special.

THE BOOTH PICTURE - Double click new photo of Clay to expand.

Internet fans wasted no time in nicknaming the above Vincent Soyez photo, now known in CA circles as "the booth picture" and/or "the jacket picture."

Tuesday morning I had the pleasure of sending the new photos to a few friends, one of whom responded, "Did y'all know it's hard to type from the floor?"

I wouldn't doubt this type of viral sharing turned into an all-day process as other Clay fans emailed friends and casual supporters the photos and link to the singer's International Media page.

Below is Cotton's clickable graphic of the three new photos:

Cotton/Soyez

Late Tuesday the Clay Nation received another treat, a radio spot advertising the July 26 Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Timeless Tour Concert at Ruth Echerd Hall in Clearwater, FL.

For a preview of "Mack the Knife," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," and "Suspicious Minds," download the audio file with the "radio spot" Sendspace link above.

Fountaindawg combined the PBS pictures of Jim R. Bounds, the Soyez photos, and the radio spot to create the above video, which can be downloaded with this Sendspace link.

Clearwater's advertisement also links to SueReu's Best AI Season Ever - Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard, Timeless montage.

Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard, Timeless
Montage by SueReu
Link to YouTube for full page view.
Download video with this Sendspace

Venues Set Timeless Ticket Sales

The popular "Timeless" duo of Clay and Rubin will again share the concert stage when they launch the summer's much-anticipated 17-city tour in Asheville, NC, July 23.

Ticket sales for the tour are underway at nine venues with the remaining eight scheduled to begin on the May dates below:

May 7 - Ruth Echerd Hall, Clearwater, FL (July 26 concert)
May 7 - King Center for the Arts, Melbourne, FL (July 25 concert)
May 7 - Club Nokie, Los Angeles, CA, May (Aug. 1 concert)
May 8 - Mountain View Plaza, Snoqualmie, WA (July 29 concert)
May 15 - American Music Theater, Lancaster, PA (Aug 8 concert)
May 21 - Caesar's Colosseum, Windsor, ON (Aug 5 concert)
May 21 - Horseshoe Casino, Hammond IN (Aug 13 concert)
May 28 - Potawatomi Casino, Milwaukee, WI (Aug 3 concert)

All 17 Timeless Tour concert sites are linked below. For up-to-date information on ticket sales, refer to Clayonline News, Ticketmaster, and the venue links.

Clay and Ruben at Lancaster, PA, site.

2010 Timeless Tour: Concert List

Jul-23 - Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estate (Tickets on sale NOW)
Jul-24 - Jacksonville, FL - The Florida Theater (Tickets on sale NOW)
Jul-25 - Melbourne, FL - King Center For Arts (Ticket sale: May 7)
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (Ticket sale: May 7)
Jul-29 - Snoqualmie WA - Casino- Mountain View Plaza (Tickets: May 8)
Jul-31 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-01 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia (Tickets: May 7)
Aug-03 - Milwaukee, WI - Potawatomi Casino (Tickets: May 28)
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor (Tickets: May 21)
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre (Tickets: May 15)
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammestein (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino (Tickets: May 21)
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage (Tickets: NOW)

Cumberland River flows through the streets of Nashville.

Epic Flood Strikes Nashville Area

Throughout the weekend's catastrophic flood in Nashville, TN, our family's home for many years and still very much a part of us, thoughts have been with friends and the tragedies suffered there. Our former home in Bellevue, a western suburb, was overrun by the flood waters Saturday and many in the neighborhood forced to evacuate.

In some areas, the torrential rain totals of May 1 and 2 were greater than 17 inches. The Cumberland River crested at 51.86 feet in Nashville, a level not seen since 1937. See May 2010 Tennessee floods.

President Barack Obama Tuesday declared four Middle Tennessee counties a disaster area so that federal assistance can begin immediately for flood victims. Metro Nashville schools have no projected re-open date. In addition to the above Tennessean link, see WSM-TV for videos of amazing rescues.

FB Friend Shares Flood Reports

Stephanie Morris DeKeyser, a resident of Hermitage, suburb on the other side of Nashville, has kept Facebook readers informed with links to local media reports, videos, and photos. Her Monday blog, The Flooding of Nashville, features excellent links, including photos of famous Music City landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Hotel, all under water.

Betty, a musician friend, sent word that the new Schermerhorn Symphony Center lost two Steinway grands and the $21.5 million organ console stored in the basement. The rising water stopped just before reaching the concert hall.

It is heartwarming to read how Nashville residents and relief organizations are offering assistance (the use of a pickup truck, pasture for horses, food, clothing) for those in need. To volunteer or donate, see Great Nashville Flood of 2010, as well as the American Red Cross.

The best news of the day arrived a little after 9 p.m. when my friend Judy sent an email that she is all right. Entitled "Water, Water Everywhere," the email arrived from Belmont University where she was able to sign onto the Internet. Normally a foot across, the creek behind my friend's house is presently 50-60 feet wide with a strong current.

Filled with the losses and challenges of friends and structures in the Bellevue area, Judy's report was was not without a grin:

Huge Sunday paper delivered itself! Floated from street past car, turned down sidewalk following current and right past the front door!

Sending prayers and good vibes to all Music City residents. Have a great week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Photos Spotlight Triangle

CELEBRATION TIME - From new CD photo shoot pictures to more release party plans, May calendars of Clay Aiken fans are filling up. - Graphic by AmazingCA.

Clay Aiken Tried & True Live!

Soyez Shoot Touts Three Locales

New Clay Aiken photos from the singer's Vincent Soyez Tried & True shoot; initial promotion of the August PBS Special by International Media; and CD release party plans for Raleigh, NC, and Red Bank, NJ, are causing May to seem a lot like Christmas.

In Saturday's Examiner, Randy Hamilton unveiled the first photographs from the Tried & True shoot, representing three locations in the Raleigh-Durham triangle -- the Treyburne Country Club, the deck of the train car on the American Tobacco Campus, and the upstairs dining area of the famous Mecca Restaurant.

Readers of a previous article in this column, about the photography shoot for Clay Aiken’s next album, may be delighted to learn that the first of those photos have been released. These initial images are representative of the three locations for the day-long session.

The album cover has been available for a while, and you can view it on any number of the usual merchant sites. The album cover photograph was taken in the Mecca Restaurant in Raleigh in the upstairs dining area.

In addition, other images are approved and are now or will soon be posted on photographer's Vincent Soyez's web site. Whether or not any of these photographs (other than the cover shot) will appear in the CD package remains to be seen.

The complete article and comments can be read at the Examiner link. Below are clickables of three new photos by Vincent Soyez revealed in the column. To view them at the photographer's link, slide the rule 2/3 of the to the right -- or just wait for them to scroll by.

New T&T photos by Vincent Soyez

International Media Promos Special

Clay, you sing lie Andre Agassi plays tennis, perfection, perfection. And I would kill to write and produce your first CD. - Neil Sedaka, American Idol 2 guest judge

This memorable 2003 comment by Sedaka leads the new Clay Aiken Tried & True Live! page on the International Media site. The clickable banner below headlines the programs International Media is currently promoting.

The company that produced Clay's PBS Special has begun promotion for the August telecast of the special concert taped in Raleigh on March 12.

Tried and True, American Idol Super Star Alumni Clay Aiken’s first Public Television special, reaches back into the romantic past of the 50’s and 60’s, featuring many of the most iconic love songs ever written.

Shot at the Memorial Auditorium in Clay’s home town of Raleigh, North Carolina, Tried and True features a full orchestra and big band.

Clay is joined on stage by special guest and American Idol colleague Ruben Studdard, along with special guest Linda Eder, who is widely recognized as one of the best female vocalists of our time.

This special concert is the world premiere live performance of Clay’s forthcoming album, Tried and True, being released on Decca this Spring.

The page is filled with a wealth of information including CD and DVD premiums, meet and greet opportunities, etc.

Another famous quote about Clay appears at the bottom of the site:

I always like the idea that you can turn on the radio and say, 'Oh, that’s Clay Aiken. Oh, that’s Barbra Streisand. Oh, that’s Frank Sinatra, Oh, that’s Tony Bennett.'They’re a star if you can identify them immediately by their sound. That kid has his own sound. He’s got energy. He’s got soul. He’s got it all. That voice pours out of him. - Merv Griffin

Like most fans, I have bookmarked Clay's International Media page. Despite 80-degree weather in the Carolinas, the lyric that keeps coming to mind is ... "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Raleigh Party Begins with BBQ

Fans in the Raleigh area plan to celebrate the release of Clay Aiken's Tried & True album with a "Picnic in the Woods" barbeque party and National Inclusion Project fundraiser at the Community Hall, New Community Church, 9621 Six Forks Road at 7 p.m. Monday, May 31.

Backyard Barbeque Pit of Durham will furnish the fixings, including BBQ chicken, BBQ brisket, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, collard greens, hush puppies, desserts, sweet and unsweetened tea.

The evening's activities center around music, interactive games, line dancing, raffles, silent aucitons, culminating with new TYT CD purchases at 12:30 a.m. June. 1. See the double clickable flyer for additional info:

Cost of the event is $35 per person, a portion of which will go towards a donation to the Inclusion Project. Deadline for reservations is May 23. Paypal and correspondence should be sent to specialprojects2@nc.rr.com. For more information, see the Raleigh CD Release Party website.

Pink Jackets Plan T&T Dinner

The Pink Jacket Ladies invite New Jersey Clay fans as well as those from neighboring states (New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania) to join them in a "spectacular Clay Aiken-Tried and True CD Release Party" on Monday, May 31.

Information about the Red Bank, NJ, event with a four-course sit-down dinner at the historic Molly Pitcher Inn, clack celebrations, fundraising activities for the National Inclusion Project, and middle-of- the-night CD purchases, is available on the double clickable flyer below.

Cost per attendee is $55. For further details, reservations, and payment arrangements, contact Betty Roy, the organization's treasurer, at betty.roy@verizon.net or 908.705.7618.

Below is a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro