Did you read all of Clay’s tweets on Monday?  He tweeted at least 10 times!

 I hope he continues as it is always good to read what he has to say.

 Sometimes I agree and sometimes I don’t…but I love to read them!!

 Do you read his tweets?

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Are you listening to Clay on the radio this morning? Clay is scheduled to be on Wake Up With Taylor this morning.   Wake Up With Taylor is a daily talk show on Sirius XM Stars 109, from 7:00AM ET to 10:00 AM ET.  I am sure that Clay and Taylor will have some great conversations and will make the three hour show filled with fun!

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It seems impossible that it has been 11 years since Clay Aiken delivered  A Thousand Different Ways to the world. The CD was released on September 19, 2006.  The 1^st week sales number was 211,234 sold and the album was certified Gold in October, 2006. The album was on the Billboard 200 chart for 14 weeks.

As part of the promotion for the album, Clay had three days of coverage on Good Morning America. On September 19, Diane Sawyer introduced Clay and his band. They performed Without You and A Thousand Days for the public.

The fans lined up hours before the taping, hoping to snag a spot in the small studio in New York. The studio was packed and the fans got to see Clay and his band warm up and do the sound check. According to fans in the audience, Clay was set up and out “on stage” for a long while as Diane continued with the show. He was watching what she had to say on the monitors and encouraging his fans to keep it quiet.

As in other performances, Clay interacted with the audience and, although unable to talk to them, used his hands and face to let the crowd know he was aware they were watching him and ready to support him in this important performance.

But, the two-part interviews on September 20^th and 21^st were serious and heart-breaking to hear and watch. Thinking back to what Clay was going through at that time; I am amazed that he was able to participate in these interviews. But, Clay sat down and drew a line in the sand with Diane Sawyer and all the tabloid press.

Clay said he was bewildered by the negative attention.

“Even though stuff about me that I read in the magazines isn’t true, it still makes me…lose sleep. I hurt, not just for my mother who has to watch it happen and who hurts for me. At least when I was in middle school…I understand why they picked on me.”

The intense interviews also covered Clay’s panic attacks, his use of Paxil and his dream to have a talk show.

The interviews produced many conversations throughout the Clay Aiken message boards. Some people were angry at Diane, feeling she was asking questions that were too invasive. Others  felt he should have said more. But, the overall feelings about the interviews were supportive of Clay and concerned for his health and happiness.

What about Clay? How was he feeling?

“I hope…people like me for my singing. I hope I sing well enough for people to stick around. Sometimes I wonder myself, but, you know, that’s what I want to do.”

I have included three videos with this article. They are important to watch, especially in hindsight. Knowing all we know now, it makes the interviews even more amazing.

Do you remember these days on Good Morning America?