On December 8, 2004, NBC aired a Christmas special featuring Clay Aiken. The holiday show was an hour long and was filled with intimate performances set in a beautiful Christmas set that was put together as a beautiful family home, decorated with traditional holiday ornaments.
Clay was joined on the stage by musical superstar, Barry Manilow, Gospel singer, Yolanda Adams and actress and singer, Megan Mullally. Clay’s good friend and back-up singer, Quiana Parler was also a featured performer.
There was an interesting twist in the flow of the show. Instead of just showing the final taping, the producers showed some of the backstage workings of putting a show together. The clips showed the cast and crew as they buzzed about between the different parts of the program.
Among the beautiful Christmas decoration, friends and family were seated on the stage to add to the family feel.
Highlights of the program included “Christmas Waltz, “Merry Christmas With Love,” and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Another favorite part of the show was when the performers talked about some of their unusual gifts.
In the finale, Clay was joined by Barry Manilow and Yolanda Adam as they sang a stirring rendition of “Because It’s Christmas.”
This Christmas special was unique in that it focused on the music and had no skits or jokes. And the idea of having some of the audience members on the stage gave the impression of a big Christmas Party.
Clay was credited as an Executive Producer of the show. A DVD of the program was available and was certified Gold by the RIAA in December, 2005.
Gosh, no one sings Christmas like Clay, and Christmas isn't Christmas without hearing him sing.
He represents the true meaning of Christmas. Sacrifice and Love.
Thank You Clay,
This wonderfully warm and sincere tribute to Christmas has always been one of my favorite endeavors by Clay. Clay lives by the lyrics he sings on this program and in the many concerts to come and has never strayed from their truth. No one can deliver Christmas carols and hymns with more dynamics than Clay! I wish him all the love and joy of the season and miss him lots!!
Got the dvd and will be watching it all day long on Christmas!!! Have been watching it since February though…
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
I remember this special. I also remember being so impressed that Clay was the executive producer of this.I have a copy of this DVD & I love it. it was a wonderful Christmas special and I wish there would be more Christmas variety specials every year. Excellent blog musician.(as always)
Beautiful video which I have, love it.
Good morning clayskater! Just want to tell you that I did not received my email this morning.
My goodness…I wonder why. Did you check your spam folder? I will see if I can figure it out. Let me know if it happens again tomorrow.
I'm glad it finally showed up….I have no idea why it didn't show up this AM. Please let me know if you have any other problems with the account.
I have this DVD, along with his Christmas CDs. It is a tradition every holiday season to listen to his Christmas music and watch his TV special, I also have his Jukebox Tour on YouTube. All of them. It is not Christmas, without Clay! Thank you for showing this special memory. Have a glorious season, to all