Clay Aiken To Bring Broadway Home

Clay Aiken performs on Raleigh stage. AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds

Dancers To Benefit Inclusion

NC Theatre Slates Fundraiser

Clay Aiken will be among five featured performers for "Bringing Broadway Home," June 21 fundraiser for the North Carolina Theatre Group. Subscriber tickets for the musical evening at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium got underway yesterday with general seating set for Monday, April 19.

In addition to Singer Man, the benefit concert celebrating 27 seasons of Broadway at the NC Theatre will star Lauren Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Terrance Mann, and Quiana Parler. Brief bios of all five are printed below.

Tuesday afternoon WRAL's Out and About column and Playbill posted stories promoting the NC Theatre benefit. Broadway World is also featuring the release, Aiken Joins Broadway Stars for NC Theathre Concert:

North Carolina Theatre, the region's only producer of professional Broadway musical revivals, announces "Bringing Broadway Home," a spectacular benefit concert on Monday, June 21st at 8 PM in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

This one-night-only event will celebrate 27 seasons of Broadway at North Carolina Theatre and will feature Clay Aiken, Lauren Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Terrence Mann and Quiana Parler.

Clay Aiken is a multi-platinum recording artist and is set to release his sixth album, Tried and True, this summer.

Since his meteoric rise to fame on the hit TV show American Idol in 2003, Aiken has launched eight tours, authored a New York Times best-selling book called Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, starred on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot, and has guest starring roles in TV's Scrubs, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live.

Before all of these accomplishments and more, Aiken performed on the North Carolina Theatre stage in Shenandoah and 1776 in 1996.

Theatre Benefit Flier

Cotton, a Clay Aiken fan from North Carolina, outlined the following plan for those who would like to secure tickets during this week's NCT membership pre-sale. Pricing is shown on the double-clickable flier above.

For the subscriber membership, you can buy two of the three shows offered in the Mini Pack (Cinderella, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors). You have to order tickets for specific shows and locations (i.e., Sun Aug 1 2PM, Mezz).

If you choose weeknights and balcony, you can become a subscriber for $100 or so plus fees. A weekend ticket subscription comes to around $120. I was able to buy eight benefit tickets Tuesday morning with no problem.

NC Theatre on Facebook suggests: Call 919-831-6941 x6943 or x6944. Hurry - tickets are going FAST!

Benefit To Celebrate 27 Seasons

Abbreviated bios and clickable photos of the five featured NC Theatre fundraiser performers are printed below. Their benefit concert will celebrate the theatre's 27 seasons. The above flier is double clickable.

Clay Aiken

CLAY AIKEN, a Raleigh native, rose to fame in 2003 as the runner-up on the second season of American Idol. The multi-platinum singer has recorded five albums with RCA Records; and his first CD with Universal Decca, "Tried and True," is scheduled for release June 1.

Aiken has launched eight North American tours and performed on a variety of holiday, comedy, and talk shows on television. His 2008 Broadway debut as Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

The singer won honors in North Carolina when he performed "This Is The Moment" from Jekyll and Hyde. In 1996, he performed on the NC Theatre stage in Shenandoah and 1776.

Lauren Kennedy

LAUREN KENNEDY, a native of Raleigh, is an actress and singer who has performed many roles on Broadway. She most recently originated the role Off-Broadway at Second Stage last summer.

Among her Broadway roles include Lady of the Lake in "Spamalot," Fantine in "Les Miserables," and Betty Schaefer in "Sunset Blvd." Kennedy is a member of the Board of Directors at The North Carolina Theatre, an Artistic Advisor at Farmer’s Alley Theatre, and Producing Artistic Director at Hot Summer Night’s at The Kennedy.

Sharon Lawrence

SHARON LAWRENCE, a seasoned stage actress, Sharon Lawrence was recently nominated for an Ovation Award and won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award for her acclaimed performance as Vivian Leigh in Pasadena Playhouse’s Off-Broadway hit "Orson’s Shadow." Her last Broadway appearance was as Velma Kelly in "Chicago."

Among her many TV credits are NYPD Blue, Desperate Housewives, Monk, Law and Order:SUV, Grey’s Anatomy, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She will star in a new comedy pilot for CBS entitled Hitched.

Terrence Mann

TERRENCE MANN made his big break-through in the original Broadway cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, playing the lead role of Rum Tum Tugger. Other Broadway performances include Javert in the original Broadway cast of Les Miserables, Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Mann is currently playing the role of Mal Beineke in The Addams Family, which opened on Broadway on April 8.

Quiana Parler

QUIANA PARLER, a native of Charleston, SC, began her professional career singing for Calvin Gilmore of the "The Carolina Opry." In 2003 she parlayed a Top 48 placement on American Idol Season 2 into touring vocalist with Clay Aiken.

Parler's vocals can be heard on albums by Clay, Bianca Ryan, and Renee Olstead. She has recorded with some of the industry’s most respected producers and performed on numerous national television programs. She debuted in 2008 as Effie in the NC Theatre production of Dreamgirls.

After years on the road, the singer has returned home and assembled an incredible group of players and singers. Quiana Parler and Friends is an exciting, interactive band, a group with deep-rooted musical sophistication and an extremely diverse song list that travels throughout the USA and abroad.

Celebs Dance for Inclusion Project

In an annual benefit for the Foundation, the National Inclusion Project and A Step to Gold International Ballroom will co-host Dancing Like the Stars at Raleigh's Southern Women's Show on April 25.

Local celebrity participants have been practicing with their professional dance partners to provide great entertainment for the show attendees. Bios of the celebrity participants and their dance partners, as well as each couple's practice video, are provided here.

DLTS participants include Renee Chou (weekend morning anchor/reporter for WRAL-TV) and Dan Barber; Billy Dukes (music director/night DJ at 94.7 WQDR) and Kay Truitt; Scott Fitzgerald (WPTF 680AM radio personality, author, playright) and Melanie Dale; Bill Reh (meteorologist for NBC-17) and Amanda Shannon; Tina Seldin-Cash (WRAL TV) and Mike Gepner.

After watching the practice videos, use this link to vote for your favorite couple and make a donation to the National Inclusion Project. Every dollar donated will count as a vote towards the contestant of your choice (minimum online bid of $10).

Donations are 100 percent tax deductible. Voting will end at 11:59 EDT Saturday, April 24.

A MUSICAL STROLL - Founaindawg's latest graphic highlights Clay Aiken's six RCA albums and the much anticipated June 1 release with Decca, "Tried & True."

Fans on TNT Snippet Alert

Clocks have slowed to Larghissimo and Lenton assai tempi as time draws near for Amazon to post snippets of the upcoming "Tried & True" CD tracks. You can bet CA fans are staying in close contact with sites that will soon reveal smidgens of the new album's songs.

Another safe bet would be the Clay Aiken page at Decca Records.

Animation by gerwhisp

Larghissimo and Lento assai are slower than Largo, Lento, and Grave. I know I'm ready for the Vivace, Vivacissimo, and Vivacissimamente variety. How about you?

Below is a clickable of Fountaindawg's wallpaper:

Have a great week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Venues Set Ticket Sales

Season 10 Dancing With the Stars - Viennese Waltz
With Clay Aiken singing 'Everything I Have'
Montage by LovesClaysVoice

More Venues To Sell Tickets

Video Pairs DWTS, Aiken Vocals

Hampton Beach, NH, and Beau Rivage, MS, venues will this week be among the seven Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard "Timeless Tour" sites selling tickets. Contact info for the new locations has been added to the listing below.

The opening Everything I Have montage by LovesClaysVoice pairs the beatiful vocals of Clay Aiken with three popular Dancing with the Stars couples from Season 10's recent renditions of the Viennese Waltz.

The dancers include Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough, Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower, and Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya.

EIH is a track from Clay's A Thousand Different Ways album. The montage can be viewed in the player above or full screen at YouTube. You can download the montage with this Sendspace file.

NH, MS Venues To Sell Tickets

When Hampton Beach and Beau Rivage open for business on April 14 and 16, respectively, seven of the 17 venues of the three-week summer tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard will be dispersing tickets.

Hampton Beach will begin selling tickets to Insider Club Members at 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 14, in person at the box office or by phone (603.929.4100). General public tickets will go on sale Friday, April 16.

Beginning at 9 a.m. CDT on April 16, Beau Rivage will sell tickets through Ticketmaster and via phone at the casino (888.566.7469, 888.567.6667).

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

TIMELESS - Clay and Ruben (Graphic by Fountaindawg)

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: TBA)
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (Tickets: TBA)
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: TBA)
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino (Tickets: April 14)
Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammestein (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage (Tickets: April 16)

Clay performs for PBS Special. (Fountaindawg graphic/photos Jim R. Bounds)

TNT CD/DVD Set List a Hot Topic

Both Amazon and New Music Tipsheet have three listings for "Tried and True," Clay's CD set to drop on June 1. They include a CD, a CD/DVD combo [Deluxe Edition] and the single DVD, for which Clay is listed as director.

The CD's playlist parallels songs performed during the PBS Special concert in Raleigh March 12; so fans have fingers crossed that the video represents a similar set.

According to the new album cover, CD tracks include Can't Take My Eyes Off You / What Kind of Fool Am I? / It's Only Make Beleive / Misty / Mack the Knife / It's Impossible / Unchained Melody / Suspicious Minds / Crying / A Kind of Hush / Moon River.

Not counting the Big Band Medley performed during PBS taping, that leaves You're Just Too Good To Be True / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Eso Beso / Who's Sorry Now / I'll Take Romance / Breaking Up Is Hard To Do / Build Be Up Buttercup / In My Life in the "available column" also.

See the complete concert set list in the 3/13 Carolina blog: Clay Aiken PBS Concert Magical.

Fandom Sleuths Cover Bases

Facebook members are keeping a watchful eye on several sites: PBS, International Media, Decca Label Group, Decca Records, Clay Aiken. The same is true at Twitter.

Another much-visited portal in the information search is the recently-opened Clay Aiken page at Decca.

While "suspicious minds" speculate about the DVD's fare, only time will tell, which --according to the countdown clocks throughout Clay Cyberspace -- is a mere 50 days away today!

Below are regular/wide screen clickables of Fountaindawg's "Timeless" and "It's Impossible" graphics plus the high resolution TNT cover edit by cindilu2:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken's TNT Promo Takes Off

Decca reveals new TNT cover. (High resolution edit by cindilu2)

Label Requests Fan Opinions

'Tried & True' Train Leaves Station

The "Clay Aiken: Tried & True" promo train is leaving the station!

In the past two days, Decca Records has replaced the CD's cover photo and begun constructing the singer's page at the label website.

Decca has even asked @ClayAiken fans their opinion about the new TNT cover art via Twitter. As expected, the CA fandom's responses are running the gamut. One person asked what happened to Clay's green eyes; others offered additional editing suggestions; and another hinted for a single soon!

At the New Music Tipsheet, there are three specific "Tried & True" listings for June 1: a CD, a CD-DVD combo (deluxe edition), and a DVD.

The Clay Aiken page at Decca's website currently includes the cover shot and several fan "reviews." Biographical info and news will be added, along with media, photos, and a player that stands ready to help promote selected tracks of the new TNT album.

Cindilu2, Kareneh, ClaySTO, Cotton, and SueReu are among the visual artists who expanded and/or edited the new cover. Their clickables/double clickables are posted below:

Inclusion Project Goes International

It won't be long before the National Inclusion Project might have to change the first word of its name to "International." According to an includingkids tweet on Thursday morning, the Project met with with visitors from Oman's Ministry of Education to talk about Let's All Play.

A couple of hours later, the word was:

How about this? Let's ALL Play and Together We Make a Difference in Arabic? Yep! Possible training in Oman? Yep!

Timeless Tour Tickets on Sale

Word of the three-week, 17-city summer tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard has spread like wildfire and not a minute too soon. Five sites are already selling tickets with more set to start next week.

All 17 concert sites are linked below. For up-to-date information on ticket sales, see Clayonline News, Ticketmaster, and the concert sites. The Hampton Beach site is featuring a video of the AI2 finale duet by Clay and Ruben, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now."

One of the most attractive advertisements for the "Timeless Tour" appears on the Lancaster, PA, website:

Clay and Ruben are coming to the American Music Theatre in central PA (Aug. 8, 7 p.m.)!

Timeless Tour at Lancaster, PA, site.

Summer 2010 Tour: Concert List

Jul-23 - Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estate (Tickets on sale NOW)
Jul-24 - Jacksonville, FL - The Florida Theater (Tickets on sale April 9)
Jul-25 - Melbourne, FL - King Center For Arts (Ticket sale: TBA)
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (Tickets: TBA)
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: TBA)
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino (Tickets: April 14)
Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammerstein (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino (Tickets: April 9)
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage (Tickets: TBA)

Clickable by Fountaindawg

Tornado Talk Starts Music Lessons

When music students returned for piano/violin lessons after Spring Break, several who had been in the path of the Triad's Palm Sunday tornadoes first had to to share their storm stories. Having lived in West Texas for several years, their teacher has a few of her own.

In 2008, I included recollections of the Lubbock Tornado of 1970 in a Carolina blog. Warnings that I should get to the storm cellar went unheeded, and I unwisely rode out the center of the F-5 storm in a mobile home.

One of the most interesting twists of the this tornado occurred at the Lubbock Club where my husband, a Texas Tech student at Texas Tech, worked as maitre d' part-time.

Betty, keyboardist in a duo performing at the Lubbock Club, was using a wonderful old fake book that my husband had discovered in a long-forgotten pile in a symphony rehearsal hall.

Patrons and employees alike had evacuated the Lubbock Club in haste the night of the tornado.

A month later when the musicians returned for the club's reopening, Betty apologized for just leaving that wonderful old book of tunes on the organ.

She was flabbergasted when Mr. Caro explained that the tornado had apparently closed the book and placed it safely beside the organ pedals.

I still own the infamous fake book, which this week served as a great segway from tornadoes to the music at hand.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Aiken-Studdard Tickets on Sale

Clay and Ruben Together Again
Montage by LovesClaysVoice
Link to YouTube for full page view.
Download video with this Sendspace file.

Summer 2010 Timeless Tour

Ticketmaster Tango on the Move

The Ticketmaster Tango for the summer's Timeless Tour by Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard officially got underway in the wee hours Tuesday as fans unexpectedly discovered a "live" purchase button for the Chautauqua Institution venue.

Word quickly spread throughout the fan club network, and the stressful ticket-buying dance began ...

I can't get the purchase page to give me a link for Asheville tickets! Is anyone else having this problem? ... Now the page has crashed! HELP!!! ... Tickets for Chautauqua went on sale at midnight with no warning or announcement!!!

If anyone in the US can help, the Chautauqua site seems to be throwing errors for Canadians. I can paypal the money immediately! . . . This is insane. I can't even get through without the site crashing.

This is a freaking nightmare. Biltmore crashes, and the phone line is constantly busy ... I got tickets!!!

Got reserved and did it online. I was on hold when the web page started working again ... I can't believe we got second row center seats! That never happens for me!!!

What a ticket mess -- couldn't get through on the phone and by the time I finally got online, the premium tickets were gone. Oh, well, we're in the door!

It's a good frakkin' thing I love this guy!

Tickets on Sale at Five Venues

Kicking off July 23 in Asheville, NC, Clay and Ruben will take their Timeless Tour to 17 cities across North America. This is the first time the two artists will tour together.

Tickets for the 17-city summer tour are on sale this week at the following sites:

Biltmore Estate: Ashesville, NC, July 23, 8 p.m. Tickets on sale NOW!

Concert is Friday, July 23, 8 p.m. EDT. Tickets became available through the estate at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 6. Use the above link or call the box office: 800.411.3812 or 828.225.1333.

Silver Legacy Casino: Reno, NV, July 31, 8 p.m. PDT. Tickets on sale NOW!

Concert is Saturday, July 31, 8 p.m. PDT. Tickets availabe through Ticketmaster, or call the site: 800.687.8733.

Chautauqua Institution: Chautauqua, NY, Aug. 6, 8:15 p.m. Tickets on sale NOW!

Concert is Friday, Aug. 6, 8:15 p.m. (Eastern). Unannounced, Chautauqua tickets went on sale around 11 p.m. Monday night. Use the aboe link, or call the box office: 716.357.6250.

The Florida Theatre: Jacksonville, FL, July 24. Tickets on sale Friday, April 9.

Concert is Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m. in Jacksonville's Florida Theatre. Tickets will be available Friday, April 9, at 10 a.m. EDT online through Ticketmaster or by calling the box office (904.355.2787).

Turning Stone Resort and Casino Showroom: Verona, NY, Aug. 12. Tickets on sale Friday, Aug. 9.

Concert is Thursday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m., at Turning Stone. Tickets will be available at Friday, April 9, at 10 a.m. EDT through Ticketmaster. Site phone numbers (800.771.7711, 315.361.7711)

Clay performs in Raleigh Concert. AP photo/Jim R. Bounds

Decca To Unleash Incredible Voice

So what's all the excitement about? PermaSwooned described it best in a message board post about Clay's March 12 PBS Special taping, a prelude to to the June 1 release of "Tried & True, his first album with Decca Records. The special airs this summer.

The thing I tried to tell everyone who would hold still for it was that Clay was able to do things that no one else on today's music scene could do. He got both praise and pans for his unique phrasing, but I loved it.

Clay could bring out the meaning of the lyrics because he could tie two phrases together without a break. He could do that because he had amazing breath control.

Most other singers couldn't do that if they wanted to because they couldn't sustain a phrase that long. It made him unique. He could dramatize a song because he could change keys and head for the stratosphere because he had no serious breaks between his lower, middle and higher registers.

Me, I always had to at least take a breath between B natural and C because I had a break between registers the size of the Grand Canyon.

Gif by ezz

He could change key for drama also because he had a HUGE range. Two octaves in a song?? Child's play. Just wait until you hear the four key changes in "Build Me Up, Buttercup" from the taping. Left me breathless, as well as Clay!

So when the PBS taping started and he grabbed ahold of that microphone and bit into "Mack The Knife" with everything he had and more, I was just ecstatic.

And when he finished it with that endless last note, I leaped to my feet with tears pouring down my face because finally, FINALLY a label was going to unleash him and let him just let it rip!

And he did! And it was incredible!!! And NO ONE was going to mistake him for anyone else. That was CLAY AIKEN, truly one of a kind!

Below are clickables of graphics by Fountaindawg relating to the Summer 2010 Timeless Tour of Clay and Ruben:

Summer 2010 Tour: Concert List

Jul-23 - Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estates (Tickes on sale NOW)
Jul-24 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater (Tickets on sale April 9)
Jul-25 - Melbourne, FL - King Center For Arts (Ticket sale: TBA)
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (Tickets: TBA)
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: TBA)
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesar’s (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre (Tickets: NOW)
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theater (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - HB Casino (Tickets: April 14)
Aug-11 - New York, NY - Hammerstein (Tickets: April 23)
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino (Tickets: April 9)
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe (Tickets: TBA)
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage (Tickets: TBA)

For up-to-date information/links, see Clayonline News, Ticketmaster, and (via Google) the concert sites.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Celebrate Easter

NEW BIRTH -- This beautiful tiger lily graphic by Sally commemorates Easter and the rebirth of Spring.

Rebirth and Renewal

Easter Celebrates Resurrection

Sunday Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, an occasion commemorating the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The day also honors the rebirth of Spring and, for many, the renewal of faith, hope, and new life.

Coincidentally, the 2010 season of renewal falls when Clay Aiken fans are anticipating "Tried and True, the singer's first album with a new label, Decca Records. Released Thursday, the high resolution retro album cover is making a splash throughout the Internet. The track list is viewable on the double clickable below.

Double clickable TNT cover

Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century AD, Easter has had its non-religious side and, like most Christian holidays, was originally a pagan festival.

The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating Eastre, their goddess of offspring and of springtime. When second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity, but in a clandestine manner.

To save lives, the missionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.

Pagan Eastre Becomes Easter

The pagan festival of Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense to alter the festival itself and make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.

Both the rabbit, Eastre's earthly symbol, and the exchange of eggs, a celebration of springtime's rebirth, were centuries old customs of the pagan festival that eventually merged with the religious Easter season.

More about the history of Easter and the parallel pagan festivities can be read at Wilstar.

Photos Extol Spring Blessings

This blog's pictorial celebration takes place in four stages -- the glorious landscape photographs by my friend Sally; clickable blends of Clay Aiken photos by the fandom's graphic artists; and Sally's beautiful floral graphics signifying the rebirth of the spring season; and the latest on Kai and Lia.

Many may remember the featured artist as Sally888, who in the past shared many of her stunning photos and graphics in a Clayonline blog.

Even though I have played for countless Easter sunrise services, I have never been to Canada. Sally's beautiful photo of a sunrise along the Ice fields Parkway transports one to the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Lake Louise near Banff, Alberta, reportedly the most photographed lake in the world, was once recorded by Sally.

In this photo, Sally captured springtime morning in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, a state I called home for 17 years.

Fans Applaud Clay's Voice, Heart

Clay Aiken fans first followed the exceptional voice from Carolina. During the past seven years, they have also become enthusiastic supporters and participants in his charitable causes, inspiring the motto: "We came for the voice but stayed for the man."

In 2003, the singer and Diane Bubel co-founded the National Inclusion Project to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them.

Appointed a UNICEF ambassador in 2004, Clay has made several international trips and participated in numerous projects for the world relief organization.

'Dancing Like the Stars' Benefit Set

In an annual benefit for the Foundation, the National Inclusion Project and A Step to Gold International Ballroom will co-host Dancing Like the Stars at Raleigh's Southern Women's Show on April 25.

Local celebrity participants are busy practicing with their professional dance partner to provide great entertainment for the show attendees. You can read about the dancing celebrities here where a practice video of each couple will be activated soon.

With a click, supporters can vote for their favorite couple and make a donation to the Inclusion Project.

PHOTO INTERLUDE: Looking back, these handsome clickables feature Invisible926's 2006 Easter design (1); Clayquebec1, photo by Invisible926, (2); cindilu2, photo and screen cap by Galrow and Spotlightlover, (3); AmazingCA's JNT05 blend, photos by Renee4Clay, (4); and A Beautiful Mind's Easter graphic, photo by Scrpkym, (5).

Flowers a Canvas for Nature

Nature's splendor resonates throughout Sally's floral photos and graphics. My special affinity for the first is the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival celebrated in my hometown of Wilmington. The 63rd "best party in the South" will occur next week, April 7-11.

The Festival is a celebration of Wilmington's exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture during its five days of entertainment that includes a parade, street fair, circus, concerts, pageantry, and all that is Southern.

For more information, see Upcoming Cape Fear Coast and Wilmington, NC Events, or call 910.794.4650.

Joining the pink azalea in this springtime gala are sweet-fragranced freesia and a lovely apple blossom.

Grandchildren Welcome Spring

In March, grandchildren Kai and Lia enjoyed a visit with a new friend, Twyla, whose mother captured many moments of the weekend with her camera. The weekend was filled with lots of "girl talk," eats, kiddie play, and, of course, shopping sprees.

Below are four clickables from the weekend. Lia is in light purple, Twyla in stripes, and Kai in white.

Wednesday Kai and Lia visited the dentist and received excellent reports. In addition, we learned that Lia has the makings of a "social animal" while her brother may be joining the teaching ranks within our family.

Apparently, the minute they entered the dental office, Lia "abandoned" her family and made a beeline to the other children in the waiting room for some interaction. A little later, Kai also joined the group. Soon his mother heard him teaching the other kids how to count in English and in Spanish.

LOL, must be in the genes!

Below are clickable graphics celebrating Kai's previous Easters, one by Sally (2008) and the other by Ashes (2009):

Happy Easter ~ Blessed Passover ~ Joyous Spring, Clay Nation!

Caro

Aiken, Studdard Together Again!

TOGETHER AGAIN - Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard have announced venues of this summer's 17-city "Timeless Tour." Collage by Fountaindawg.

TNT Cover, Tracks Released (NEW!)

Clay, Ruben Announce 'Timeless Tour'

No fooling, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard confirmed in an April 1 announcement on their respective fan club sites that they will hit the road together for three weeks this summer, taking their "Timeless Tour" to 17 cities throughout North America.

UPDATE: Scroll down for the "Tried & True" cover, track list, and Movers & Shakers ranking at Amazon.

In their first tour together, Clay and Ruben will kick off the "Timeless" agenda in Asheville, NC, July 23, and perform at such famed venues such as New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, LA Nokia Live in Los Angeles, and Pennsylvania’s American Music Theater.

"I couldn’t ask for a better tour mate. To be able to share the stage with him again is so exciting,” said Clay Aiken. “He is such a talented artist. He inspires me daily and I think that respect and admiration will truly be reflected in our show."

"It is truly a blessing and an honor to be on the stage with my friend," said Ruben Studdard. “The relationship that we have built over these past eight years will definitely translate into a great show for our fans. And I'm really looking forward to singing the timeless classics every night."

Concert goers can expect an entertaining evening as two friends and colleagues blend their talents for an unforgettable show. Clay and Ruben will be performing their renditions of classic hits from the past five decades. Fans can look forward to duets and special surprises throughout the tour.

In 2003, on the second season of American Idol, with over 24 million votes cast by the TV viewing audience, Ruben Studdard won the title, while Clay Aiken was the very close runner up.

The two became instant friends and have shared the joys and pressures of their success over the past seven years. Since Idol, both artists have released albums, performed around the country, and made multiple appearances on TV.

Wednesday night Ruben appeared on American Idol 9 to sing his current single, "Don't Make 'Em Like You No More." He also plugged this summer's "Timeless Tour."

Ruben Plugs Tour on Idol

The singers plan to perform separately and in tandem. They also promise surprise guests at different tour stops. Listed below are tour dates as of March 28:

CURRENT TOUR DATES:

Jul-23 - Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estates
Jul-24 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater
Jul-25 - Melbourne, FL - King Center For Arts
Jul-26 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
Jul-29 - Snoqualmie WA - Casino- Mountain View Plaza
Jul-31 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino
Aug-01 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia
Aug-03 - Milwaukee, WI - Potowanami Casino
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesar’s
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theater
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - HB Casino
Aug-11 - New York, NY - Hammerstein
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage

Clay at March 12 PBS Special concert taping. (Jim R. Bounds).

The Timeless Tour, which has also been tagged "Time to Soar" and "The Cluben Tour," is already receiving media buzz. Wednesday night The Marquee Blog (CNN) included this blurb:

I forgot that Ruben Studdard was performing tonight. He sings his new single, "Don't Make Them Like You," and he looks good. He's still the Velvet Teddy Bear, but now there is less stuffing.

He's going on tour with Clay Aiken, and I can't wait to see them on stage together again.

A few of the many websites featuring the Timeless Tour story include:

Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard To Tour Together (Billboard)
Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard's 'Timeless' Tour (Pollstar)
Aiken, Studdard to hit road together (USA Today/includes poll)
Clay Aiken Tour 2010 (lalate)
Ruben Studdard to tour with Clay Aiken (celebs.gather.com)
American Idol's Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard Reunited! (eOnline)

Ruben performs at Wednesday's AI9 show. (Fox Photo)

The Speakeasy blog (Wall Street Journal) about Season 9's Top 10 elimination opened with the Ruben-Clay tour news:

First off, Season Two champion Ruben Studdard paid a visit to the set. How long does Idol hold on to these former contestants! Tough to say whether the slimmer Velvet Teddybear was going for R&B, pop or gospel this time.

Like a lot of returning heavyweights, he was polished. Wow, Ruben is going on tour with Clay Aiken. Those two deserve a buddy comedy.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the singers' websites: Ruben Studdard and Clayonline.

Below are clickable Clay-Ruben wallpapers by Fountaindawg. The first two are the regular and widescreen versions of the opening art.

TNT Cover, Track List Set

Breaking news continued into Thursday night when the Tried & True 50's retro cover and track list were released at Amazon.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True tracks include:

Can't Take My Eyes Off You, What Kind of Fool Am I, It's Only Make Believe, Misty, Mack the Knife, It's Impossible, Unchained Melody, Suspicious Minds, Crying, There's a Kind of Hush, and Moon River.

With all the tour and CD news, April 1 seemed a bit like Christmas Day. At 10:30 a.m. Friday, TNT was #6 in Amazon's Movers & Shakers list. Within a couple of hours, it was #1.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro