Clay Aiken Montage Honors Special Moments

Clay Aiken - This Is the Moment
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
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Montage of Magical Moments

Video Pays Tribute to Eight Years

It's impossible for one montage to capture all the stellar moments of Clay Aiken's eight-year career in the entertainment business, but SueReu's new montage of the singer's "This Is the Moment" performance comes very close.

Superimposed onto Scarlett's video of Clay's 2010 Bringing Broadway Home performance are highlights of a public career that began with the Atlanta audition during Season 2 of American Idol.

Among the amazing moments SueReu included are the double platinum plaque awarded Clay the second week of Measure of Man album sales, the Big Apple's mega autograph party for his New York Times best seller Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, a starring role in Spamalot, and testifying before Congress on behalf of GLBT youth and children with disabilities.

There have been magical moments in concert, on television and in print. Mixed in are also moments of caring -- from the formation of the National Inclusion Project to being named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The climax or closing scene is typical Clay, whose longtime desire to become a father was realized on Aug. 8, 2008, with the birth of his son Parker.

Events Mark June Anniversaries

Among the special moments marking anniversaries this month are the premiere performance of the PBS Special, Tried & True ~ LIVE at WTTW-TV (June 12); Bringing Broadway Home, NC Theater Benefit Concert (June 21); and this, the 400th week of tracking Measure of a Man CD sales.

Read about these and many other events through the Year at Glance section at the Clay Aiken Kids site.

Below are graphics that highlight occasions of the past eight years, including AmazingCA, CD promo photos by Diana Levine, 1; PBS Special screen caps by Scarlett, 2; UNICEF, 8; Fountiandawg, 3 (DVD cover), 4 (BBH), 5 (MOAM 400), 7 (Washington, DC); cindilu2, photos by Levine, 6, and UNICEF animated design, 9. All but the last one are expandable.

Good Vibes Greatly Appreciated

Many thnx for the good vibes in your constant flow of messages, posts, thoughts, candles, prayers, and inquiries RE my melanoma surgery. Much ado about a small place on my right shoulder that, thankfully, was removed at Wake Forest University Medical Center Monday.

I am fortunate family members accompanied me for the main event. My BIL, a minister, was with me during pre-op and used his "direct line" to offer up a prayer. My sister, who spent the afternoon, evening, and next morning with me, said the surgeon is very optimistic.

I will return for a two-week checkup on the 28th. Meanwhile, I am at times loopy from pain killers, wearing a sling on my right arm as a reminder not to use the shoulder, and looking forward to teaching my summer piano/violin students at Wesleyan Christian Academy on Friday.

Who knew? I was planning to keep Tuesday's teaching schedule, but the "no driving" time frame changed that. The sling may be short-lived, however, as it feels like wearing a saxophone neck strap 24-7!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Serenades Inevitable Traffic Adventure

Clay Aiken sings 'Everything I Don't Need.
View montage by gerwhisp full screen at YouTube.

Everything I Don't Need

Winston Driving a Disaster for Me

I have successfully driven in large cities with winding roads and streets with numerous name changes, but point me in the direction of Winston-Salem and it's a total disaster.

Sure enough, Friday's drive to Wake Forest University Medical Center was appropriately accompanied by Clay Aiken's "Everything I Don't Need" track from the 2008 On My Way Here album.

My appointment to complete pre-op procedures at Wake Forest was 1:50 p.m. True to form, my car immediately took a wrong turn a few miles into the trip. Business 40 versus New 40 is simple for some, but an adventure for me.

Business 40 registered as an exit for Kernersville, so I literally crossed two lanes of traffic with tractor trailers barreling down on me. Having survived that, I reached for my cell phone and dialed my sister, who was home preparing for her ensemble's wedding rehearsal.

Traffic simulation by CLIPish.

The farther westward I went, the more we decided I had taken the wrong turn. As I named exits and street names, she navigated a route that put me back on target. Knowing my Winston track record, though, she stayed on the phone until I turned into the hospital's main entrance.

It's not as if Friday's mishap was a surprise. In the years I taught orchestra at Kiser Middle and Grimsley High Schools, I annually drove students to Winston for all-state auditions and clinics. Even with in-depth instructions and maps from my brother-in-law and sister, I could count on one or more mishaps or wrong turns.

With my WS outings, BIL knows he is assured a good laugh as I inevitably call to report details and analyze my latest misadventure. His mantra for me has become, "Just drive for 15 minutes, stop, and ask someone where you are."

The only times I have driven in Winston-Salem with no trouble were when a Clay Aiken tour had come to town.

BIL is my driver for the June 13 surgery, a small melanoma on my right shoulder. We are hoping for no surprises that day.

At least I won't be driving!

Cookie awards Fan Fest door prize as Flat Clay looks on. - Scarlett cap

Faye Parker presents NIP report at dinner. - Cap by Scarlett

Fan Fest Generates $6,500 for Inclusion

Attendees at the 2011 Fan Fest of May 21-22 in York, PA, raised $6,500 for the National Inclusion Project, topping the event's goal by $1,500.

In making the announcement, Cookie, chairperson, encouraged all Clay Aiken fans to mark their calendars for the May 19-20, 2012, event in York. Along with the many fun activities "up her sleeve," Cookie plans to have an interactive website in place soon.

Proceeds were raised through a variety of events, including "market place" sales, raffle tickets, and donations. Next year's goal has been set for $7,500; so put a red circle around Fan Fest Weekend 2012.

Below is Fountaindawg's handsome tour wallpaper of CA photos by farouche and toni7babe.

Expandable wallpaper design by Fountaindawg.

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Caro