It is funny that little things can make a difference in your attitude. For fans of Clay Aiken, it was the little things that made Friday, June 29th an exciting day!
The website, Night & Day posted a review of the Great American Songbook Gala that was held on June 15th. Written by Christian Sorrell, it was a comprehensive report of the evening. Sorrell said the following about Clay:
Barry Manilow was next to be appreciated with a song by Michael Feinstein, elegantly sung and another by one of the night’s most famous guests Clay Aiken. Both songs were breathtakingly emotional and hit on all cylinders. I found myself especially impressed with Aiken and how well he handled the song. It was a far cry from the pop style that made him famous on American Idol.
The site also posted a great slide show of the performers. You can see it at NIGHTDAY
The next bit of news came from…you guessed it, TWITTER.
Kaitlyn Nasatka @woah_its_kaitt
The president just announced that they signed Clay Aiken to do his Christmas show at Shippensburg University
Is it for real? What does it mean? Well, according to the Sales Manager of the Luhrs Center Theater on the campus of Shippensburg University, the information is confirmed. It was suggested that patrons check back in a week or so for details.
Luhrs Performing Arts Center
That is exciting news…but where is Shippensburg University and is the theater nice?
According to the Chamber of Commerce:
Shippensburg is located in the scenic Cumberland Valley of South Central Pennsylvania, directly on the line between Franklinand Cumberlandcounties. With the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81, it is just a short driving distance from many metropolitan centers, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, WashingtonD.C., and New York City.
Settled in the 1730s, Shippensburg offers a desirable balance of industry, agriculture, and education. Shippensburg is proud to say that it was rated 27th in Norman Crampton’s 1995 book, 100 Best Small Towns inAmerica.
Luhrs Performing Arts Center
The theater sounds wonderful. It holds 1,500 patrons. The webpage for the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center is full of information about the theater and the area. It even list hotels in the area. The following is from the webpage:
The Luhrs Center is a premier facility and is unmatched between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Harrisonburg, Virginia. When the Center opened to the public in January 2006, Shippensburg became perfectly positioned to build upon its tradition of attracting national touring companies and nationally known performers and speakers. The Center currently attracts symphony orchestras, dance companies, and four-star performers, and is ideal for artist-in-residence programs.
Additionally, the Center attracts regional and national business conferences, professional meetings, and planning sessions. Shippensburg’s central location and easy access via both the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 81 makes the University and the new Center very popular.
So…are you ready for a Christmas Concert by Clay? I would imagine that this will not be the only concert during the holiday season. It will be fun to see what other sites and concerts will be announced.
Even though today is June 30th, I can’t help but think of holiday songs. What holiday songs would you like to hear Clay sing on this tour? If you will leave your choice in the comments area, I will make a list and post the songs that receive the most votes.
You have all week-end to post your favorites. I will post the results on Monday. Let’s try and keep it to you top 3 choices.
Have you ever attended a Clay Aiken Christmas Tour?
I have attended one show of each Tour except the very first one – we had our tickets but my Mom who
was living with me was very sick and we decided it was best to stay home with her. I am very excited
about this years tour. I would love to hear him sing – All Is Well, Emanuel, and Oh! Holy Night.
My first live concert to actually BREATHE the same air as Clay Aiken was his Christmas play. Joyfull Noise Tour in 2005. I love all the holiday songs he sings. Would love to hear Good News, as he didn't sing it that night. Jazzy Jingle Bells. All Is Well is a show stopper too! OMG, I guess I need to stop at 3. I could go on and on and on!
What a great review! Clay always puts all his heart into his singing.
Be still my heart if the Christmas tour is happening!!! Three Christmas songs I love to hear Clay sing:
1. Mary did you know?
2. Merry Christmas with love
3. O Holy Night
I could go on and on 🙂
I saw Clay in Norfolk, Va. at a Christmas show..it was the one where he danced with his mother….
My favorite carol??? Mary, did you know. Welcome to our world…etc etc.
Cannot wait for another tour….and please may he come close to Virginia Beach.
I swear that when Clay walks on the stage he 'sucks' all of the oxygen out of the air….leaving us all breathless.
I have been to a Clay Aiken Christmas concert and loved it! Clay and Christmas go together like apple pie and ice cream. The song I love to hear him sing is "Mary, Did You Know?" He does every Christmas song awesomely, but that one is my personal favorite. 🙂
My first Clay Christmas concert was 2005 as well, in Ohio, and we had the bus line handshake afterwards. It was great. I love everything that Clay sings, especially Christmas songs. No one sings them better. Can't wait to see more dates pop up.
I absolutely love Clay Aiken at Christmas! I've been to multiple stops of every one! Hoping for the same this year….I'll take a plane, train, bus or car or any combination thereof!
I really would like "O Holy Night" on the new tour but can my other songs be new ones? I'd absolutely love to hear him sing "What Child is This?" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?". I also think the song "Some Children See Him" would be perfect for Clay. And lastly (see screen name!) "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" would be perfect! LOL!
(I actually came over to say "thank you" for the CNN newsletter! It is the first thing I read every morning when I log onto the computer!)
Oh my!!!! Never been to an actual concert! Would so love to get to one this year!!!!! Whooo hooo! As for songs….I'm not picky really…but my favorite Christmas song he does is "All Is Well"
I would to hear Clay sing "Dont Save It All For Christmas", it want be a Christmas tour with out that song included…
Thanks for all the info…
OK…these are holiday songs I would love to hear Clay sing:
1. Who Would Imagine A King
2. I Wonder As I Wander
3. It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
Of course I want him to sing many that he has sung before…but new is good too!!
Best Christmas concert . . . St. Paul, MN . . . Joyful Noise . . . Balcony, first row with binoculars, my mother and best friend . . . Loved the theatrical play with the music!! My three choices: Mary did you know, Merry Christmas With Love, and O Holly Night. Hopefully we will see Clay head our way again (Milwaukee, Chicago, or Minneapolis area)! Thank you for the news and for all you hard work keeping us up to date. Much Appreciated.
Was certainly delighted to read that the Night & Day reviewer was so genuinely impressed with the Great American Songbook Gala's biggest guest star's performance. It has taken a long time for some to come around and appreciate Clay's amazing singing talent.
I love every one of Clay's holiday songs, but my top three favorites are:
Mary Did You Know? CD version. Very calming.
What are you Doing New Year's Eve? CD version. Hopeful.
O Holy Night. Concert version with Pachelbel's Canon interlude. Solemn and Joyful.
Shippensburg is doable for me so I'm excited. I've missed not having a Christmas tour for that past few years.
i have never been to a clay aiken christmas tour id love to hear clay sing welcome to our wold again and silent night and of corse all is well and yes dont save it all for christmas day
My very first concert was Clay's Christmas Tour in 2006. I've loved every concert I've ever been to, but that tour is my favorite – just Clay, singing and chatting and joking. I would love for him to do another tour like that one! Only more of him =)
Just wanted to say I am really looking forward to a Christmas tour. I was at both of the Minneapolis concerts (2005 at Northrup and 2007 at Orchestra Hall, with both Miss Faye and Jaymes), and absolutely loved them both. MOButtercup & pumpkin, I really hope you get to go to one of his Christmas concerts, they are totally awesome.
I love all of his Christmas music, and it is impossible to choose any favorites. Besides, I would be picking different ones next time depending on my mood.
Love you all, Patty
I would love to hear him sing "Beautiful Star of Bethehem"- I was at the concert where he sang it for his Grandpa & it was amazing. Of course any Christmas song that Clay sings is always beautiful!!!
I sure wish his Christmas tour would be posted on his fan club site soon. Other performers have their entire tours on their websites way in advance. We always seem to get it in bits and pieces. I hope he comes South and during my Christmas vacation. I LOVE hearing Christmas songs sung by Clay! I've only been to the 2005 Christmas play tour and wasn't able to go to the others, since they were too far away.
theres quite a few, but the top 3 would have 2 be-mary did you know (all time fave christmas song), merry christmas with love & all is well
musicfan – some of the fans did post their favorite three Clay holiday songs. Thought you might like to let us know what your favorite three are. Please? Thanks!
Check back…I was planning on posting the results this afternoon!