The following is the press release that was posted this morning about Clay Aiken and his PBS Special.  WTTW11 in Chicago will premiere the special on June 12^th.

WTTW11 to debut new music special –Clay Aiken: Tried & True – Live! to premiere Saturday, June 12 at 7:00 pm CDT
Chicago – May 17, 2010 – All it took was a few bars of an old Heatwave song, and Clay Aiken was on his way. American Idol viewers in January 2003 were taken by surprise when an unknown singer strode confidently into the audition room, announced to the judges that he was their choice, and backed up that claim with an electrifying rendition of “Always and Forever” that instantly caught the attention of millions watching at home. Many of them — like judge Randy Jackson — must have wondered, “Where is that voice coming from?” Well, Clay knew…and he’s never looked back.

After nine sold-out national tours, six million chart-topping albums sold worldwide, numerous television appearances, a New York Times bestselling memoir, an auspicious Broadway debut starring in Monty Python’s Spamalot, extensive travels for UNICEF and the launch of his own successful foundation, The National Inclusion Project, Clay brings his clarion voice, engaging personality and Southern charm to PBS. WTTW11, Chicago’s premier public television station, is proud to be the first in the country to present Clay’s all-new television special

CLAY AIKEN: TRIED & TRUE – LIVE! The program debuts on Saturday, June 12 at 7:00 pm CDT.
Taped in Clay’s hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina before a wildly enthusiastic audience and backed by an orchestra, Clay brings his powerful vocals and uniquely personal interpretations to new arrangements of some of the most iconic songs ever written, including “Mack the Knife,” “It’s Impossible,” “Moon River,” “Misty,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Unchained Melody,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and a stellar duet with his special guest, Broadway star Linda Eder, on Roy Orbison’s classic lament “Crying.”

Having grown up listening to this genre of music, Clay says, “I wanted to do something that paid tribute to the Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, and Andy Williams type of sound, because those artists sang really emotional material and did it wonderfully.” And there were the “tried and true” songs themselves, which Clay finds “melodically appealing and beautiful.” He adds, “I’ve often joked with friends that I was born at the wrong time because the songs I like to sing are all from earlier eras. So performing this kind of music was an opportunity to just be myself.” Clay’s new album titled, appropriately, Tried & True, will be released on June 1.

Also appearing in the special is Clay’s good friend and American Idol colleague Ruben Studdard. “To be able to share the stage with Ruben again is so exciting,” Clay says. “He is such a talented artist.” In July, he and Studdard will hit the road together for their highly anticipated “Timeless Tour.”

CLAY AIKEN: TRIED & TRUE – LIVE! is produced by International Media. Executive Producers are David Novik, Senior VP of A&R of Decca/UMG, and Gustavo Sagastume of International Media. Musical arrangements are by Chris Walden, Jesse Vargas and Ben Cohn.

About WTTW
For more than 50 years, audiences have turned to WTTW for distinctive programming that informs, inspires, educates, and entertains. WTTW reaches 1.5 million weekly households over a four-state area, making it the most-watched public television station in America. Recognized for its awardwinning local and national productions, WTTW is committed to presenting the very best in cultural, nature, science, public affairs, and children’s programming across its four distinct television channels: WTTW11, WTTW Prime, its Spanish-language channel WTTW V-me, and WTTW Create, its “how-to” channel. For more information, please visit www.wttw.com.

About International Media
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA is a production, marketing and distribution media company specializing in music and self-improvement programs for public television and the international market. The company was founded by Gustavo Sagastume, former Vice President of Programming for PBS, and long time Executive Producer of countless specials with international artists, including David Garrett, Yanni, Andre Rieu, The Gipsy Kings, Celtic Thunder, and Shangri-La.

You can see the press release at:

WTTW

From Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore Summer Concert Series released a wonderful poster of Clay and Ruben.  They also have a wonderful interview with Kathleen from the Biltmore.

To listen to the interview, click HERE