Clay Nation Celebrates Aiken Fan

CLAY FRIEND REMEMBERED -- Graphic by Ashes, photo by xxx4clay.

A Legacy of Memories

Clay Nation Honors xxx4clay

The Clay Aiken Nation today misses the joyful, dynamic presence of good friend and fan extraordinaire Susan Guinn/xxx4clay, who lost her battle with cancer late Friday night.

Uniquely witty and creative, she was a gifted writer, videographer, and photographer, freely sharing concert clack and befriending countless fans who crossed her path, both in person and in the Cyber universe.

A quiet, reserved lady who possessed an outrageous sense of humor, Susan enjoyed laughing and making others laugh. Evidence of her escapades, epistles, and penchant for organizing projects live on in Clayversity board archives and in the online wake that took place in the main thread Saturday.

Graphic by AmazingCA, photos by xxx4clay

Besides her family, friends, cats Holmes and Halo, Susan especially loved Clay Aiken and the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same. - Anonymous

Saturday's shared grief in Clay Land gradually evolved into a celebration of the legacy of memories this special friend leaves behind.

What Susan has left us is the gift of love, laughter and joy. She was a Clay fan for the joy of it all, and she never got caught up in the angst. She adored those who made her laugh, and Clay did that often. Her avi was "Clay makes me smile..... always." -- Brightstar

We will miss you, girlfriend. Hope those angel wings fit well because I have a feeling your halo is going to be a little crooked. -- clayzedover (paraphrased)

The night before she went into the hospital for her first surgery, the day after she got home from the Gala, she said, "The Gala is the all-time most special favorite thing I have ever done in my whole life. I am so blessed to have been there." -- gareem

Susan is no doubt distilling her own brand of humor in heaven, listening to her favorite Singer Man, and organizing blue and gold pompoms for a fall pep rally.

I never missed a football or basketball game cheering for her beloved Mountaineers. In the final months when she was near a laptop, we "watched" games together. If West Virginia was not telecast in my area, I pulled up an ESPN page to follow the game.

We probably exchanged 10 emails per contest -- after good plays, bad calls, victories, and defeats. When the Mountaineers failed to make the NCAA finals, Susan helped cheer the Carolina Tar Heels through to this spring's national basketball championship.

Always the Encourger and Enabler

My friend Aspiegirl met xxx4clay when she posted in her OFC blog a few years ago. Once Susan knew Aspie was a "backsliding" artist, she never ceased encouraging her to draw Clay. One of the remarkable results has been the "All Is Well" cover of Clay.

Clickable by Aspiegirl

The West Virginian bid on one of two Aspiegirl prints at the 2008 Bubel/Aiken Foundation Gala, the last event she was able to attend. Aspie heard about this, tried unsuccessfully to learn which print, finally redrew and framed both for Susan.

Aspiegirl's name has become synonymous with outstanding CA montages, which Susan also encouraged. She introduced my friend to the music of Eva Cassidy, specifically requesting I Know You By Heart.

I Know You By Heart - Montage by Aspiegirl

Peace to the Clay Nation. We are so blessed for having known Susan. You are invited to share your special remembrances of xxx4clay in the comments. I imagine she would be honored if we are also laughing and sharing photos, videos, the VOX, banter, her love for Clay Aiken, and concern for others.

I Will Remember You
Montage by molino79

I Will Remember You is a memorial montage by molino79 featuring a collection of Susan's photo and video clack, poem, the lovely Sarah McLachlan song, and special graphic by Ashes that closes the blog. You can download the montage with the Sendspace link and view in a larger player.

Below are clickables of the graphics by Ashes, 1, 4, and AmazingCA, 2, 3.

Undoubtedly, our friend greeted an unsuspecting gate keeper in her own inimitable style ...

Awoohoo!!!

Caro

In Memory of Susan

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, xxx4clay, Susan Guinn,The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Clayverstiy, West Virginia Mountaineers, All Is Well, montage, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken Sings for NAT Birthday

CELEBRATIONS -- There is nothing like a Clay Aiken concert and fan get-together, especially on your birthday. Graphic by Amazing_CA, photo by toni7babe.

NAT Gathering Recalled

Memorable Events Mark Birthday

Update of July 16, 2006 birthday blog. Such fond memories!

July 17 is my special day and through the years, there have been many memorable celebrations, none more special than 2004 when Clay Aiken & Company performed the Not a Tour Concert in the coliseum just five minutes from my home.

In addition, many Internet fans who have become special friends gathered in my city to attend the concert. What a way to celebrate a birthday!

My sister's first daughter was due around this date and, in fact, was born very late on July 16. When I spoke with the new mother in the hospital, her first words -- after 23 hours of labor -- were, "I tried to wait until the 17th, but the baby wouldn't!" We now live in the same area and usually celebrate with a joint family meal.

As a school girl, I remember envying those with September - May birthdays because their mothers could provide cupcakes for a full class celebration. I guess the tradeoff was that my midsummer parties were always beach gatherings, complete with ocean waves, inner tubes, lunches of hot dogs, homemade chili, and a birthday cake with candles blowing in the ocean breeze.

In Nashville, two musicians and I formed The Cambiata Trio, a chamber ensemble that performed everywhere from weddings and bridal shows to concerts in the park and several functions at the Governor's Mansion. The flautist, whose birthday is July 13, and I always celebrated this week by splitting the difference with lunch on the 15th. Our special times were a tradition.

A Birthday Weekend To Remember

On the fifth anniversary of one of my happiest birthdays ever, it is fun to rewind the events of 2005 when Clay not only came to town to sing for me on the eve of the 17th, but numerous fans who have become friends also gathered for the Not a Tour Concert and a message board get-together.

Prior to the show, we met for dinner and celebrated several July birthdays within our group. Below is a clickable of that special cake:

The NAT weekend's fun stories and "misadventures" began when I met three early arrivals for dinner on the 15th. Afterwards, Anntherese54, Valeda, and Wildaboutclay asked to tour the coliseum area for "dessert."

First stop was to check the spelling of Clay's name on the coliseum marquee, after which we located the road crew unloading the stage setup. Wisely deciding to drive on by, our quartet didn't want to be banned from the next night's main event!

Super Sleuths Locate Tour Buses

On the prowl for tour buses, we immediately spotted a pair in a hotel parking lot just down the road. There is nothing braver than a quartet of middle-aged Clay Aiken fans, so we parked right behind the second bus. While pondering our next move, we noticed someone walking toward the bus.

My friend WAC hopped out of the car and promptly informed the young man we were CA fans and wondered if these were part of his entourage. From his accent, we amateur sleuths deduced that we had stumbled onto part of Cherie's group.

That weekend I played taxi driver to many and host to friends from both sides of the country, Canada, and Abu Dhabi.

PHOTO INTERMISSION: This clickable interlude features graphics from the original blog by Claystruck, 1; AmazingCA, 2, 3, 5; and Invisible926, 4. Photo credits include Barb123 and twicetreasured, 1; Tasapio, 2; and dc4clay, 3.

A Poignant Reminder

In 2005, my birthday followed by two days the burial of the woman who gave me life, making the occasion all the more poignant.

The leading character of the "Sail on, Silvergirl" blogs, Mama Mac would have allowed me all of five minutes to ponder the sad correlation of the two events before tapping her toe, wagging a finger, and insisting that it is time to move on, concluding with her inevitable "whatever!"

One of the kindest remembrances that year came from my San Jose sleuthing buddy, who had my avatar made into a key chain engraved "To Caro .. From WAC." This special gift was sitting in my mailbox when I returned home from my mother's funeral.

Below is a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

As Clay often says, CA fans are the best in the world. I could not be more grateful for the very special friendships we have formed and all that we share every day of the year because of him.

Thank you for the 2009 birthday greetings and all your previous kindnesses. Sending grandson Kai good wishes for his 22nd month and then off to have lunch with my sister and BIL!

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, Not-A-Tour, Birthdays, Clay Aiken fans, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken Serenades Laptop Launch

ANYTIME, SINGERMAN! -- While fans await Clay Aiken's next performance, they replay tours and appearances past. Graphic by AmazingCA, photos by fivegoldens.

LAP & LACIE Recap Opening

Computer Finally Cyber Sailing

Keeping my "queen of procrastination" title intact, I finally dusted off my crown Sunday and opened up the new Hewlett-Packard laptop that had patiently sat in its box through a busy student recital season and the start of summer lessons.

For two months since the unexpected demise of my beloved Satellite, I have limped around the Internet with an older model low on memory and whose power relies on the cord sitting with just the right crook. Needless to say, the battery enjoyed frequent, unscheduled workouts.

Ironically, LAP and LACIE, my occasional blogging assistants, are reminding me that their turn is long overdue. To keep the peace, this talented laptop and external drive will continue telling our latest chapter. After all, it's their story ...

LACIE: You sassy thing! Look at those spiffy new duds!

LAP: I do like my fancy silver keys, shiny black cover, and a cord that works without the old gal having to constantly change positions.

LACIE: I can't believe she took two months to set you up. Since you are her fourth laptop, I suppose your official name is LAP IV.

LAP: Aw shucks, LACE, you know it's the same ole me in a new pad. I'll be glad when the set-up is finished though. Between updates, uploading software, and getting used to the new system, it's been a crazy two days.

LACIE: I have to say my favorite part was finally getting Paint Shop Pro XI running again so we can edit new pictures of Clay Aiken! [Sigh]

LAP: Don't forget the grandchildren, LACE. New photos of Kai and Lia have been on stand-by for two months!

LACIE: Lawd Jesus, isn't it about time for a photo interlude for all us CA fans? [fans self] Tee hee!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: Featured in this clickable collection are graphics by AmazingCA with photographs by xxx4clay, 1; KarenEh, 3 and 4; and Invisible926, 5.

Set-Up Survives Foils, Follies

LAP: We enjoy noting countries that regularly visit our site, but there's something in the Feedjit Live Feed software that doesn't jive with Internet Explorer 8. Since our weekend update, just about everyone using an IE8 browser has been bumped right off the Carolina blog, including us!

LACIE: Caro is one hard-headed lady though. In the past two days, she contacted Feedjit and McAfee for assistance, investigating possible ways to keep the "feed" on board. There's a really nice guy at Feedjit still working on it. [grin]

LAP: Tuesday afternoon we deleted the Feedjit codes from the sidebar, so all IE browsers should find our door wide open.

LACIE: Meanwhile, the ClustrMap seems to be conflict-free; so we can still determine guest locations with red dots, a magnifying glass, and monthly updates. Many thnx to all our visitors from 121 countries who have come calling since 2007.

LAP: This week there have been some laughable moments, too. We set up a desktop from some of the CA photos on LACIE's drive.

LACIE: Every time Caro turned on LAP but let me sleep in, the desktop photo went away. The solution hit her in the middle of the night, LOL! You can bet there's a folder of desktop photos now stationed on LAP. [grin]

LAP: While fans anticipate Clay's next move, here's SueRue's montage to Everything I Don't Need from the On My Way Here album.

Everything I Don't Need - Montage by SueRue

LACIE: We picked this song because it provides some wonderful blasts from tours past.

LAP: And describes some of the many bumps we didn't need this week.

LACIE: Just remember, Singerman -- even the hardware is right here waiting!

LAP: Below is a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

LAP, LACIE, and Caro

Other blogs highlighting Clay Aiken montages, recollections, and news include:

Clay Aiken News Network

All That Is Clay Aiken

Chexxxy's Pearls

Clay Aiken Journey

Clay-The Man

gerra730

Shyeyewitness and Friends

Something That Really Happened

There Was a Man

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, Everything I Don't Need, montage, On My Way Here, new laptop, procrastination, LAP & LACIE, Feedjit, ClustrMap, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken: Looking and Doing Good

IN ALL THINGS LOVE -- Animated graphic by cindilu2.

On Humanitarian Stage

Clay Aiken Makes a Difference

We came for the voice, but stayed for the man.

Since bursting onto the national stage in 2003, Clay Aiken has generated far-reaching degrees of the global influence that can accompany an entertainer's career. With an expanded platform and larger classroom, the teacher-turned singer is making a difference and so are his fans.

Not all celebrities choose to use their influence in humanitarian ways to benefit others. However, within a couple of months after his American Idol season, Clay co-founded The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, whose mission of inclusion serves to bridge the gap between young people with special needs and the world around them.

In 2008, TBAF celebrated its five-year anniversary, having touched thousands of children through more than 35 programs across the country. Fundraising totals and 2009 accomplishments will be focal points of the Oct. 17 Champions of Change Gala in Raleigh, NC.

Global Commitment with UNICEF

Clay's commitment to the education and health needs of children went worldwide when he was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004.

Everyone deserves the best start in life, which is what UNICEF is working to provide the world's most vulnerable children.

Education is essential to a child's development. I hope that as an Ambassador I can encourage people to join UNICEF's mission to make education a reality for children throughout the world. - Clay Aiken

Since then, he has visited several countries, including Indonesia three months after the devastating 2005 tsunami; UNICEF-supported shelters in northern Uganda; health centers and schools in Afghanistan; flood-ravaged states in Mexico; and conflict-worn northwest Somalia.

Following each mission, the singer relays through field blogs and media interviews his observations of an area's circumstances and the difference UNICEF makes. His fans have become supporters of UNICEF projects, helping to raise, for example, "$100,000 in 10 Days" to provide lifesaving programs for Afghanistan.

"We came for the voice and stayed for the man" long ago became a mantra of CA fans. There is nothing more handsome nor heartwarming than this incredible singer involved in the humanitarian projects that are so much a part of him.

Looking good? Oh, yeah!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: In this clickable collection, graphic artists have captured some of Clay Aiken's humanitarian endeavors with UNICEF. Represented are Clayquebec1, photo by Invisible926, 1; A Beautiful Mind, 2; AmazingCA, 3 and 4; and Claystruck, 5.

At a Clay Aiken message board this week, members were asked what they thought the singer's signature song should be. The pop hit "Invisible" and "This Is the Night," his AI2 single, were among those named.

I was in the group that immediately thought of "Measure of a Man," title track from the first mainstream album. Below is gerwhisp's 2007 montage that shows the Measure of a Man named Clay.

Measure of a Man (UNICEF) - Montage by gerwhisp

Other blogs featuring various aspects of "Clay Aiken Looking Good" include:

Clay Aiken News Network

All That Is Clay Aiken

Chexxxy's Pearls

Clay Aiken Journey

Clay-The Man

gerra730

Shyeyewitness and Friends

Something That Really Happened

Hope you'll visit all. Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, humanitarian, American Idol, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, UNICEF Ambassador, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken Entrance Filled with Surprises

Clay Aiken performs at Canandaigua Concert -- Photo by Dylan.

Here He Comes Again

Entry Becomes Obstacle Course

Taking off to the tune of "Here You Come Again," the Clay Aiken Virtual Tour Bus could only be headed to upstate New York where the singer surprised Soft Rock Hard Place audiences with his concert entrance but ran into a few unexpected turns himself.

This was the Carolina blog's lead on July 20, 2007:

Clay Aiken proved this weekend he really, really knows how to make an entrance.

In the second and third performances of the Summer Tour's "New York Three-fer," he surprised Canandaigua and Chautauqua audiences filled with fans who know his concert set list as well as he does and -- at times -- the lyrics even better.

On both evenings, the entertainer's normal casual stroll onto the stage while singing "Here You Come Again" [from the new 'A Thousand Different Ways' album] took decidedly ingenious twists.

Canandaigua concert goers watched Clay circle a high walkway behind the stage and eventually make his way down an aisle to center stage, all the while singing the opening number with the orchestra.

The unexpected turns in this concert entrance are played out in the video compiled by goldarngirl and luckiest1. The talented duo have created concert montages from several CA tours that can download at their Goldarngirl & Luckiest1 Productions website.

'Here You Come Again' concert montage
from SRHP Canandaigua performance.

Imsnoqueen of the Clayboard described the concert's opener this way:

Clay surprised everyone by entering through the crowd. It was pretty funny because there are box seats in Canandaigua.

He later explained that Jerome told him there were steps going down from the box seat sections, but he was trapped because there were no steps down from that area.

So Clay kept going into a box seat section and turning around almost immediately. He did this three times.

Finally, we could see Clay and Jerome running -- yes, running! -- across a walkway, making his way down the center aisle, still singing all the while.

PHOTO INTERLUDE: SRHP 2007 tour graphics featured in this clickable collection include Amazing_CA, photos by toni7babe, 1; cindilu2, photos by cameocat and Tangerine, 2; opening photo by Dylan, 3; Ambassador of Love, photos by LynninNJ, 4; and cindilu2, photos by Kareneh, 5.

July 6-7 mark the anniversaries of the Houston and Tulsa Concerts of the 2007 SRHP Summer Tour. To rewind all the performances, see the July and August 2007 archive entries in the sidebar. The earliest dates will be at the bottom of the column, so you will need to scroll up.

Logging a request for "Here You Come Again," Singerman! Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGES: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, Here You Come Again, Soft Rock Hard Place Summer 2007 Tour, concert montage, Goldarngirl & Luckiest1 Productions, Canandaigua, Chautauqua, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken Fans Greet July Festivities

FREEDOM FEST - Graphic by Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche.

Canada, USA Celebrate Birthdays

Clay Aiken Fans Welcome July

As Canada and the USA celebrate national birthdays this week, Clay Aiken fans will also include a rewind to Independence Day 2007 when the singer launched the 20-city Summer Symphony Tour at Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the United States of America On was born as the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

President John Adams said the Fourth of July should be celebrated with, among other events, "pomp, parade, games, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

Taking President Adams at his word, link to Fireworks Pop by clicking on the photo below where you can create your own "illuminations" in the sky above Lady Liberty with your mouse. Linking fireworks show below compliments of Claystruck.

Originally "Dominion Day," July 1 officially became Canada Day in 1982; and today Canadians commemorate their country's heritage, history, and achievements from coast to coast.
Graphics for Canada Day and the new month's calendar are by Amazing_CA, 1; cindilu2, 2 and 4; and Fountaindawg, 3. Wide screen versions of the calendar blends are available at cindilu2's Yuku page.

One of the most cherished pieces of clack occurred during the "stump the band" segment at the Toronto Jukebox Tour Concert when Clay sang an a capella version of O Canada. The performance, uploaded by Ashes2isme, can be viewed in the player below or at YouTube.

Clay Sings 'O Canada' at the Toronto Jukebox Tour Concert.

Fans Recall 2007 Frisco Festivities

For CA fans, Independence Day will forevermore be associated with the 2007 Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX, opening performance of the summer tour also known as Soft Rock Hard Place. The festivities included food, fun, fireworks and a "hawt" Clay Aiken Concert.

Anniversaries of events from Clay's singing career are marked in various fashions. Last year, xxx4clay reminisced about July 4, 2007, and then posed the question to her online friends: "Where were you a year ago today?"

A host of memories were shared not only by those who endured every degree of the humid, 90-plus temps in the Frisco soccer stadium, but also those who listened via cellstream in air-conditioned comfort. Beginning with xxx4clay, here are a some of the Independence Day 2007 recollections:

Prior to this concert, we knew very little about what Clay would sing although the speculators amongst us had run amok with their possible scenarios. That afternoon someone had listened to the rehearsal and some of that info had drifted back to us but still, the lack of knowledge just added to the excitement.

Finally, finally, finally, Clay entered the stage singing “Here You Come Again.” There really are no words to describe what I felt at that moment. It was beyond exciting. Beyond mesmerizing. And he was soooo close. That crowd let loose with a collective squeal that I can still hear to this day.

All those heat related miseries just disappeared when Clay showed his face and I never gave it another minute's thought until the concert was over. There’s just something about the first concert of the tour and not knowing everything that’s gonna happen that makes it very, very special.

These response represent a cross-section of those who gathered in Texas and the many who listened from afar on Independence Day 2007:

IRISHBOOKGAL: Right here with my headphones on listening to a beautiful voice that gives me goose bumps.

SMARTYPANTSSUZ: Glued to my computer drinking in every morsel I could through the cellstream and recaps. What a night!

JCLAY: Basking in the afterglow of my very first Meet & Greet. It was the first of the "sit down with all of you and talk for 1/2 hour" variety.

WINDSTAR2: I was also in Frisco right in the middle of the screaming teenagers. What a great night that was to be with fellow Clay friends, to see Clay again live in concert and in TEXAS!

ANAMERIAIKENINTX: I'd bet anything the Frisco temperature was pushing 100 before the humidity was factored in! The weather was terrible. I forgot all about it, too, while Clay was with us.

PLAYBILLER: Deep in the heart of Texas!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: From seasons past, the fandom's visual artists have created clickable patriotic graphics for this week's fireworks. Included are designs by A Beautiful Mind, photo by Invisible926, 1; Ashes, 2; Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche, 3; and CLAYPERFECT, 4.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clickable by Cotton


Clickable by Fountaindawg


Clickable by Amazing_CA

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, 2007 Summer Symphony Tour, Soft Rock Hard Place Tour, Frisco Freedom Fest, Canada Day, O Canada,Independence Day, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation