Clay Aiken – Always Newsworthy

By musicfan123 · Comments (8)
Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Some interesting music tech news surfaced this week.  Although the information is not about Clay Aiken, it is compelling and shows how fluid and puzzling the field of music is today.

Last week, the mobile music firm, Music WithMe, published a report on iTunes libraries.  The report said that 81% of personal iTunes collections never get played -  not even once.  Michelle Jones who is the community manager of Music WithMe said:

The average iTunes library has 5,409 songs of which 4,195 have never been played.  Put another way:  we listen to about 19% of the music we own.

Wow, that is shocking….what a waste of time and money.

Do you use iTunes?  If so, is your library close to the size of the average listed above?

A blog at CANN is not complete without some fun pictures of Clay Aiken.  The following pictures are from Clay’s performance at Broadway Backwards last January.

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Clay Aiken – Added To The List Of Talented Artists

By musicfan123 · Comments (11)
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

I am on the last few hours of my wonderful trip to New York City.  This entire trip and concert experience has been exciting.

Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit the offices of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.  I met Dan Perry at the office and he showed me around the facilities.  Each person that we met went out of their way to be friendly and it was obvious that they are proud of their organization and enjoy their job.

The walls of the office are filled with signed posters from the different events that BC/EFA has produced.  It is amazing to see the many brilliant artists that have supported this fine organization by donating their time and talent.

It was obvious from the comments of many staff  members that they respect Clay Aiken and are appreciative of his support for their cause.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to get to know more about this important organization.  I hope that all of us will be able to support them in any way we can, whether its attending their events, buying some of their beautiful gifts, purchasing show tickets through them or buying the DVD of Broadway Backwards.  It is an organization that does so much good.

Speaking of good…I am still in awe of the wonderful performance from Clay Aiken.  The song “Home” was a perfect song for Clay to sing and his passionate performance touched the audience.

I am sure you have all seen the following pictures of Clay at the After-party at John’s Pizza.  But…pictures of Clay Aiken are always worth seeing again.

Now………how many days is it before the tour starts?  It’s just around the corner!!

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Clay Aiken – At Home on the Broadway Stage

By musicfan123 · Comments (15)
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

It is 1am in New York and I am just home from the Broadway Backwards Concert at the Longacre Theatre.

The concert tonight was simply amazing.  The talented people on the stage made this a night to remember

Everyone involved with the evening from the staff of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to the performers on stage made the patrons feel welcomed and appreciated.

One talented performer after another graced the stage.   There were several performances that stood out for me.

  • Alan Cumming opened the show accompanied by four talented dancers. He sang “Don’t Tell Mama” from Cabaret. This man brought the house down with his comedic routine.
  • “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady was performed by Debra Monk.  This passionate singer put a new twist to the song with a fresh arrangement.
  • Tony Yazbeck was a triple threat as a singer, actor, and dancer.  He performed “The Music and The Mirror” from A Chorus Line and was believable as the struggling actor that he portrayed.

The obvious highlight for this Clay Aiken fan was seeing Clay shine on the Broadway stage as he performed “Home” from The Wiz.  He started quietly and slowly built to a powerful climax.  He sang from his heart and the audience was moved by his outstanding performance.  As the applause continued, Clay returned to the stage for a second bow.  Appropriately, Clay seemed right at “Home” on the Broadway stage.

I am so glad that I was able to attend this wonderful sold-out concert.  It was a special evening that I will never forget.

This picture is from the dress rehearsal.

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Clay Aiken – Supports Broadway Cares/EFA

By musicfan123 · Comments (6)
Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Tonight, Clay Aiken will be one of many outstanding stars that will be performing at Broadway Backwards 6.  Held at the Longacre Theatre on 48th street, the performance is a fund-raiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Clay has been an active supporter of Broadway Care/EFA.  When he was starring in Spamalot, Clay helped raise a great deal of money for the organization.  He was a loud cheerleader in working with the cast of Spamalot to earn the most money for the Easter Bonnet competition.  He spent time most of the nights of the campaign, taking pictures with fans and encouraging the rest of the staff to participate too.  His Sir Robin Bear received the highest bids two years in a row and he helped at the Easter Bonnet presentation by singing with Hannah Waddingham.

Many of Clay’s fans appreciate Clay’s support of the charity, but many don’t really know the scope of Broadway Cares/EFA.  It is an amazing organization that helps so many people every year.

The Council of Actors’ Equity Association founded Equity Fights AIDS in 1987. Their money was raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country.  It was specifically earmarked for The Actors’ Fund’s AIDS Initiative.

Members of The Producers’ Group founded Broadway Cares in 1988. The money raised by this organization was earmarked to be awarded to AIDS service organizations across the country, including Equity Fights AIDS.

In May, of 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares merged to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This newly established not-for-profit fundraising organization assumed the missions of both organizations and continues to fund the social service work of The Actors’ Fund and to award grants twice a year to AIDS service organizations nationwide.

In 2010, Broadway Cares/EFA funded nearly $10 million in grants.  Some of the organizations that they support are:

  • Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative
  • The HIV/AIDS Initiative
  • Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic

More than 400 AIDS and family service organizations are funded by BC/EFA.  They help hundreds of thousands who face the uncertainly of their short and long term challenges.

One of the unique things about BC/EFA is the wonderful fundraisers that they have through out the year.  I am sure you have heard of some of them, but the talented people who participate in these events make it hard to not get involved in the event.  The following events are already on the calendar for 2011:

  • Broadway Backwards (February)
  • ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares (March)
  • Broadway Bears  (March)
  • Easter Bonnet Competition (April)
  • Broadway Bares (June)
  • Flea Market & Grand Auction September
  • Fire Island Dance Festival (September)
  • Gypsy of the Year Competition (December)

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.  With all of our help, what they do can make a difference.

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Clay Aiken – From Idol To Stardom!

By musicfan123 · Comments (9)
Saturday, February 5th, 2011

This post is coming to you from New York City.  I arrived early Saturday morning and I am getting more and more excited about my visit to the Broadway Backwards Concert.

On checking the computer, it is always wonderful to see even more positive articles and interviews about Clay Aiken and his upcoming concert tour.

Steve Rothaus is a writer for the Miami Herald.  He hosts a section of their website titled gsfla (Gay South Florida). On Friday he published a great article and interview with Clay.

Clay Aiken: Out ‘American Idol’ singing star says life is good as he launches ‘Tried & True’ tour

To his throngs of loyal fans, singing star Clay Aiken can do no wrong.

“My mother doesn’t defend me as much on some days,” says Aiken, who debuts his Tried & True concert tour Thursday at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.

For five years after he won international American Idol fame in 2003, fans stood by Aiken as mean-spirited bloggers taunted him as “Gaykin.” Then, weeks after the birth of son Parker in August 2008, Aiken appeared on the cover of People magazine beside a screaming headline, “Yes, I’m Gay.”

Be sure and read the entire article that touches on the Tried and True Tour and the differences in life after coming out.  Don’t forget those important comments.  gsfla

The Miami Beach Arts Trust was founded in 1999 by the City of Miami Beach, with the primary goal of providing awareness and funding for the Arts. In 2002, at the recommendation of the City Manager, the Trust separated from the City and became a stand-alone organization.

One of its greatest accomplishments is the MiamiARTzine.com, a biweekly online publication.  Publisher and Miami Beach Arts Trust chair Harvey J. Burstein conceived the idea of an online publication to better serve South Florida’s arts community and arts lovers.

On February 5th, James Cubby wrote an article for this wonderful site about Clay and his tour stop in Miami.

James also included a wonderful biography of Clay’s career.  The writer certainly did his homework.  The following is just an introduction:

Singer Clay Aiken has morphed into quite a musical star since his first audition for American Idol in 2003. Those who watched Aiken’s first audition saw a skinny bespectacled geek but one full of confidence with a tremendous voice present himself to judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell. Today Clay Aiken is an American Idol. Although he didn’t win the show, coming in a close second, Aiken, like many other Idol “losers,” has a won a place in the hearts of the American public. With six albums under his belt (his debut album Measure of a Man went multi-platinum), nine tours, a New York Times best-selling book, a stint on Broadway and a string of guest starring roles on shows like Scrubs, Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, Aiken is not only an American Idol but a star.

A big Thank you to James Cubby for this wonderful article on Clay.  Please visit his site, read the entire article and thank him by leaving a comment.  Miamiartzine

Be sure and add your song suggestions to Saturdays post.  It’s fun to think about what Clay might sing on Monday night.

I will try and report back about the concert as soon as I can Monday.  I will be attending the reception after the concert so it might be a bit delayed.  But…….it will be there.

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Clay Aiken – We Have A Winner!

By musicfan123 · Comments (5)
Sunday, January 16th, 2011

Congratulations to Jodeen Popp!!


Jodeen came in first with 13 out of 15 correct answers in the Clay Trivia Contest.  Jodeen, I hope you will enjoy the  Clay Aiken, Tried and True  concert in San Francisco.

Jane Wong, from Singapore was a close 2nd.  She had 11 correct answers.  Jane…..We are working on getting you some tickets too!!

The following are the original questions with the answers bolded.

1.  How many concerts were a part of the Timeless Tour?  17

2.  In the JNT ’04 tour book, Clays thanks Nick Leisey for “finishing my thoughts for me, putting up with my short temper, my need to be corrective and generally helping me feel like my old self again.”

3.  In 2004, Clay sang with Heather Headley at her concert in New York.  What charity did the concert benefit?  Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids

4.  On what date was Measure of A Man released?  (Complete date) October 14, 2003

5.  Name the actor who played the nun who skated and danced in Spamalot. Matthew Crowle

6.  Clay had his first book signing at the Barnes and Noble at the Triangle Town Center in Raleigh.  Name three other cities he held book signings. Chicago, Orlando, Cleveland

7.  Clay participated in two special performances in Las Vegas.  What were they?  (AI tour is not a choice) David Foster & Friends and Capital One Holiday Celebration On Ice

8.  Who is the arranger of Unchained Melody on Tried and True? Ben Cohn

9.  When Clay was around 4, he sang on the stage of the “Grand Ole Opry.”  What song did he sing?  Mamma, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

10. Where did Angela have a fight with some large insects?  Biltmore/Asheville  2007

11. On the album “Measure of A Man,” which song mentions the sun, the moon and the stars?  Shine

12. What is the name of the restaurant in Southern California where Clay was surrounded by photographers and had trouble moving his car? The Ivy

13. What is the name of Clay’s former teacher who toured with him on the Joyful Noise Tour in 2005?  Alison Lawrence

14. One of the cast members of Spamalot sang backup vocals on Clay’s album On My Way Here. What is her name?  Jenny Hill

15. In 2004, Clay won an award from New Music Weekly magazine.  What was the award?  Top 40 Males Artist of the Year

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Clay Aiken – One Night On Broadway!

By musicfan123 · Comments (9)
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

Breaking News!!

CLAY AIKEN BACK ON BROADWAY FOR ONE NIGHT!

Monday, February 7, 2011, 8:00 PM
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th St, NYC

BROADWAY BACKWARDS 6

The show is produced by Broadway Cares and will benefit BC/EFA and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City.

For more information visit

BC/EFA

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Clay Aiken – Broadway Friends

By musicfan123 · Comments (11)
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

When Clay Aiken made his Broadway debut, many new people and places became interesting to follow for many of his fans.   It has been fun following the careers of Clay’s Broadway family members.

Today, Sunday, January 3rd, is the final performance of “Shrek the Musical” on Broadway. The Broadway Theater at Broadway and 53rd has been home to the musical for 441 performances.

The musical is based on the popular Dream Works movie about a misunderstood ogre and the princess he rescues. “Shrek” received mixed reviews when it opened in December, but also set the record at the Broadway Theater for weekly gross ticket sales of $1,260,282 during Christmas week last year.

However, within a month, the show was running in the red.  The show was rumored to be one of the most expensive productions ever on Broadway.  As is the tradition on Broadway, the producers of the show offered no explanation for the closing Shrek.

Christopher Sieber has played the role of Lord Farquaad for the entire run on Broadway.  It was a challenging role.  Because the character was very petite, Chris had to play the role on his knees throughout the show.  Ouch!

Many of Clay Aiken’s fans were first introduced to Chris when he was a part of the cast of Spamalot.  Sieber was in the original Broadway cast of Spamalot, playing the roles of Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight, and Prince Herbert’s Father.  He was part of the cast when Clay first started his run as Sir Robin

Chris is from St. Paul, Minnesota but studied acting and musical comedy at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

If you were to list all the acting credits for Chris, it would be pages long.  A few highlights of his career include Broadway roles as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Billy Flynn in Chicago, and the Prince in Into The Woods.

Chris was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in A Musical for his role in Spamalot and again for his role in Shrek.

Sieber has starred in two different television series and recently guest starred in Pushing Daisies. He also just completed filming a romantic comedy set in current day Manhattan.  The movie is titled See You In September.

In 2003, Chris was starring in the sit-com, It’s All Relative.  In the ABC sitcom, Chris played a dad who is also a happily partnered gay man.  At this time, Sieber felt it was right to come out as a gay man.  He is happy with his partner Kevin Burrows who is also an actor.

In an interview with the Advocate, Chris said:

If you’re a gay man playing a gay character on television, I think it’s important to set an example. When I was growing up, I didn’t have any role models. I think I had Snagglepuss….     And Richard Simmons.   I knew I was gay, but if I had to be like Snagglepuss, I was terrified.  When I finally admitted to myself that, yes, I was gay…and realized that I don’t have to be [that way]…I was fine.  I was comfortable.  Everything happens for a reason. I want to show people out there that it’s all right. Nothing bad is going to happen to you as an actor.

I was afraid; I grew up in a very small town in Minnesota. I knew I was different, and I was scared. I tried to change. I dated girls–nothing ever happened, but I dated girls. [Sighs] I had to get away. I was drawn to New York first of all because I wanted to learn theater. I wanted to be an actor on Broadway. But with that came the discovery of who I was, and it was OK. I remember in New York when I first saw some friends of mine, two men kissing….. that was like, Whoa.

Asked how his family feels about his lifestyle, Chris said:

It’s OK It wasn’t easy. It took my mom and dad and my brothers a couple of years to relax and be all right with it. But I’ve never been one to apologize for who I am, and my partner, Kevin, came home with me to my parent’s home just a month or two ago. We did what we do in Minnesota, which is sit around a card table and play cards and drink wine…. It was so much fun, and Kevin had a great time. It was a dream come true, because it was like we were totally part of the family. Which is well-earned, I think.

According to Clay Aiken, Chris was a true friend when he was making decisions about how to come out.  It is wonderful to know that this talented man was a mentor for Clay in many ways.

Sieber is heavily involved in Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and has appeared in several of its Broadway Cares revues.

What is next for Christopher Sieber?  Well, nothing has been announced officially yet.  However, I am sure that this talented man will always shine in whatever he chooses to do.

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It is not always about performance art, but about receiving positive energy from people with positive spirits. Sometimes we can see someone's spirit, and those are the people with great energy. Those are the people that get me through the day, especially on Broadway. -Clay Aiken

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