On Thursday, February 9, 2012, Decca Records updated the artist page for Clay Aiken on their website.  Besides a bio,  photos, a list of Decca releases, and a small audio player, the site announced the release of Steadfast, Clay’s new CD.  Scheduled to be released in late March, Clay’s new single, Bring Back My Love is featured on the album.

Decca also released a press release that was picked up by many of the major entertainment news sites.  The press release was exciting to see and my favorite paragraph said:

In revisiting these meaningful interpretations Clay was also inspired to record a completely original, new song that could stand up to the classics. “Bring Back My Love,” captures the spirit of the older classics while reinforcing his commitment to a more traditional sound best suited to his own personal style. Overall, Steadfast again demonstrates Aiken’s considerable talents, notably flawless vocals delivered with passion and sincerity.

Now, that sounds good to me!  You can visit Clay’s page at Decca by clicking on DECCA.  Be sure a leave a comment at the site to let Decca know we are excited about Clay’s new music.

Playbill was one of the first sites to publish a short article about the release of Steadfast.  It is rather short, but nice:

Steadfast,” a newly packaged collection of heartfelt songs from Clay Aiken, the “American Idol” finalist who made his Broadway debut in Monty Python’s Spamalot, will be released March 29 on Decca.

“Steadfast” revisits the best of Aiken’s 2010 release “Tried and True,” featuring selected cuts from that record alongside a newly recorded, original song/radio single “Bring Back My Love.” Rounding out the disc are covers of Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and Connie Francis’ “Who’s Sorry Now.” “Steadfast” arrives on the heels of Aiken’s upcoming appearance as a contestant on the new season of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which premieres Feb. 19.

Songs on the recording also include “Unchained Melody,” ”Moon River” and “It’s Impossible,” among others. “These musical gems have stood the test of time, and I am incredibly proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to make them my own,” Aiken said in a statement. “I stand by this recording ‘steadfastly,’ which is why I chose the title and how I feel about moving forward in my career in general – being focused and steadfast.”

Aiken — who was bested by Ruben Studdard during the second season of “American Idol” — has gone on to sell more than six million albums, co-author a best selling book (“Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life”) and play numerous sold-out concert tours. He was a focus of the short-lived Off-Broadway musical Idol: The Musical and has appeared on “Ed,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Scrubs.”

For more information visit www.deccarecords.com.

You can see the article at PLAYBILL

The website LALATE has always been a source for positive Clay news…the ended their article by saying:

“I stand by this recording ‘steadfastly,’ which is why I chose the title and how I feel about moving forward in my career in general – being focused and steadfast” Aiken said in a news statement today.

You can read the entire article at LALATE

Other sites that featured the release of Steadfast included:

Yahoo – Clay Aiken To Release New Album  YAHOO

HitFix – Release to Coincide With Celebrity Apprentice  HITFIX

BroadwayWorld – Clay Aiken’s Steadfast  BROADWAYWORLD

And Many more…

Clay also received some great publicity regarding his up-coming appearance as a  Judge for  a prestigious singing competition at Carnegie Hall.   The website, Operagasm wrote the following about Clay:

MASTER SINGER COMPETITION WITH NICO CASTEL AND CLAY AIKEN

New York, NY … Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) and the New York Opera Studio (NYOS) are pleased to announce that Clay Aiken of American Idol fame and beloved popular entertainer will join the prestigious jury for theNico Castel International 2012 Master Singer Finalist Concert on Saturday, February 18 at 8:00pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Since coming to national attention on the second season of American Idol in 2003, Clay Aiken has sold more than six million albums, written a New York Times bestselling memoir, produced and hosted television programs, and starred on Broadway. Set to appear on this year’sCelebrity Apprentice (Series Premiere February 19 on NBC), Aiken will offer his unique experience and perspective to the jury and competitors. Aiken will also join DCINY as a Special Guest for an evening of choral music, Reflections of Life, on Monday, February 20 at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium.

To read the entire article visit OPERAGASM

There was one more quick mention of Clay on TV on Thursday.  On HGTV, they showed a quick picture of a beautiful home in Durham, North Carolina.  They asked the audience if the house belonged to Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, or Fantasia.  After a commercial break, they revealed that the home belonged to Clay and they showed a nice picture of him.  Important?  No.  Fun?  Yes!!

It is always great to see so much PR for Clay.  I do hope that you will visit as many sites as you can and leave a comment when possible.  Comments are a way of letting the site and the author know that you appreciate reading positive articles about Clay Aiken.

What a great time we are going to have this spring!!  Are you ready?