Clay Aiken – It’s Been Three Years

By musicfan123 · Comments (22)
Monday, September 21st, 2009

It seems impossible that it has been 3 years since Clay Aiken delivered A Thousand Different Ways to the world.  The CD was released on September 19th and the 1st week sales number was 211,234 sold.

As part of the promotion for the album, Clay had three days of coverage on Good Morning America. On September 19th, Diane introduced Clay and, along with his band, Clay 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 20th and 21st were serious and heart-breaking to hear and watch.  Thinking back to what was happening to Clay 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 were concerned that Clay didn’t clear up the question of his sexual orientation and 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.

September 19th

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAlIQ3gJBTw

September 20th

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4T7AOfVDXQ

September 21st

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKv4iA5U8dM

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Clay Aiken Congratulates His Friends

By musicfan123 · Comments (16)
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Two colleagues and good friends of Clay Aiken announced some exciting news this last week.

On September 2nd, ABC announced that Diane Sawyer will replace Charles Gibson in January as anchor of the flagship ABC evening program World News.

For the first time in television history, two of the three major U.S. networks will have a woman anchoring their nightly news broadcasts. Replacing Charles Gibson as anchor of ABC’s World News, Diane will be taking over in January.  Diane’s appointment makes her only the second woman to hold a lead solo anchor position on a top three network–behind Katie Couric, who took over the CBS Evening News from Dan Rather in 2006. Other women, notably Barbara Walters, Jessica Savitch, Connie Chung and Elizabeth Vargas, have co-anchored or weekend anchored evening news broadcasts in the past, but none apart from Couric have taken center stage.

David Westin is the ABC News president.  He said of this move:

“Diane Sawyer is the right person to succeed Charlie and build on what he has accomplished.   She has an outstanding and varied career in television journalism, beginning with her role as a State Department correspondent and continuing at 60 Minutes, Primetime Live, and most recently Good Morning America.“

Diane worked at CBS for 10 years before starting at ABC in 1989.  She graduated from Wellesley College and worked in the Nixon administration and helped the president write his memoirs after his resignation.

Clay was asked at the OFC if he had spoken to Diane about her new assignment.  He stated that he sent her a text of congratulations to her.  According to Clay, she asked for his input and Clay joked around with her.

Diane will be missed on Good Morning America.  The morning show usually finishes second to NBC’s Today and has won the daytime Emmy for best morning show three years running.  Diane will continue for the next four months while the network searches for a replacement on GMA.

I am sure that all of you here hope that whoever joins the team is a big Clay Aiken fan.  We need to see Clay on morning TV.

Clay’s AI buddy, Ruben Studdard announced two career moves this past week.  First, Ruben will appear in a movie being shot in Alabama. The movie is about a young singer whose family life is disrupted when his father is deployed to Afghanistan by the Marines.  A 12-year-old named Uriah Shelton will star as Henry Matthews. Country star Trace Adkins will be in the movie, too. The movie is due out in year.

Ruben plays a kindly minister named Pastor Johnson.  He befriends the young lead named Henry and helps inspire his love of music.

Ruben’s second announcement was found on his Official Website.

Ruben to perform with David Foster and Friends Tour!

Ruben will be joining Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, Charice, Peter Cetera and Michael Johns for the 10 city tour kicking off October 21st in Chicago!  Go to the tour section for a list of dates!

I was lucky enough to see the David Foster and Friends Concert in Las Vegas in the spring when Clay Aiken was performing.  The entire show was wonderful and I am sure that Ruben will be a wonderful addition to the show.

Since Clay’s friends are announcing good news, maybe they can encourage Clay to spill some news to us.  That would be the best news!!


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Good Morning, Clay Aiken

By musicfan123 · Comments (16)
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Clay Aiken’s loyal fans got a real treat on July 29th, 2005 when he debuted a new song called ” Back for More” and performed Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” at New York City’s Bryant Park as part of “Good Morning America’s” Summer Concert Series.

Clay had just begun his Jukebox Summer Tour the evening before in Toms River, N.J.  The tour visited 25 cities.  It was Clay’s fifth tour in the past two years.

Throughout the Good Morning America broadcast on the 29th, the anchors mentioned their excitement that Clay was back to give another wonderful concert.  The weatherman was stationed at the park and each time he gave a weather report, he included the huge crowd in the shots.

Diane Sawyer interviewed Clay at the beginning of the concert and asked him about his UNICEF trips.  “It’s the closest thing I can do now to being in a classroom and teaching,” said Aiken. He recently had returned from northern Uganda, where he visited “night commuters” — children who must leave their homes in the countryside every night to sleep in UNICEF shelters to avoid being abducted by a rebel group. In March, Clay had visited children living in camps for tsunami survivors in Aceh, Indonesia.

Clay was also asked “What do you know about do-wop anyway.”  Clay answered, “Not much, but it’s good stuff!”

The concert itself, was brilliant.  Clay chose the Elvis song “Suspicious Minds” to open the concert.  It is a great Elvis song that isn’t so popular that it would make people think Clay was trying to impersonate Elvis.  Clay sang it beautifully and it had a great contemporary sound to it.

Next, Clay sang “Back For More”.  This new song was supposed to be on Clay’s sophomore album before the label changed their minds.  The catchy song was an immediate hit.  Most of Clay’s fans loved the irony of the lyrics:  “its all over the radio.”

From the fans at Bryant Park, we learned that Clay also performed “Twisting The Night Away.”  The reports said that Clay sounded relaxed and assured and did his twist “thing”.  Too bad it wasn’t televised.

There was a twist at Bryant Park that morning.  Clay was also interviewed by “Erica Kane”, from All My Children.  Susan Lucci who plays Erica on the show explained that her character was starting a TV show and that Clay was her first interview.  Just another thing to fit into Clay’s very busy day!!

Bryant Park was filled with the audience for Clay and overall, Clay seemed happy, confident and in control.  It was a great success.

Thank goodness for CLACK!!  Because of the following videos, we can all re-live the Good Morning America again!!

Interview and Introduction

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKZwsGmat1Q

Suspicious Minds

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTquBXLO2TQ

Back For More and Interview

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrWmWhIV7w0

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Clay Aiken – A Hug Is A Handshake From The Heart

By musicfan123 · Comments (23)
Saturday, July 11th, 2009


I found this quote the other day and it made me think of Clay Aiken.

“Hugs are not only nice they are needed… Hugs can relieve pain and depression.. make the healthier happier, and the most secure even more so.. Hugging feels good and overcomes fear… It provides stretching exercise to short people and stooping exercise to tall people… Hugging does not upset the environment.. It saves heat and energy… requires no special equipment.. Hugging makes happy days happier and impossible days possible.”
Author Unknown

It seems hugs are important to most everyone.  There are so many quotes about hugs that I thought I would post a few.

A hug is like a boomerang -
you get it back right away.
~Bil Keane (Family Circus)

You can’t wrap love in a box,
but you can wrap a person in a hug.
~Unknown

Hugs grease the wheels of the world.
~Unknown

A Hug Is Two Hearts Wrapped In Arms
~Unknown

From all the pictures that are around, it seems that Clay Aiken loves to hug………and, from all reports, his hugs are pretty wonderful.

There are six hugs below.  Can you help decide which Clay hug is the best??  Vote for your favorite and then let us know why that particular hug is your favorite.


#1 Kelly Clarkson

#1 Kelly Clarkson

 

#2 Diane Sawyer

#2 Diane Sawyer

 

#3 Tyra Banks

#3 Tyra Banks

 

#4 Ruben

#4 Ruben

 

#5 Katie Couric

#5 Katie Couric

 

#6 Jerome

#6 Jerome

 


[poll id="18"]


Want some more hugs??   Visit  Clay’s Journey

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Clay Aiken – “Biggest Fan Gathering Ever”

By musicfan123 · Comments (28)
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

It was late on July 1, 2004 and a thunderstorm was threatening Manhattan.  This was causing lots of frowns and lots of worry.  Bad weather just couldn’t happen…..Not at that time…..Clay Aiken was scheduled to perform early the next morning and some of the potential audience was already waiting OUTSIDE to see their favorite singer.

Clay Aiken was performing in Bryant Park for Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series.  And fortunately, the weather was fine!!

The anchors and reporters for GMA were amazed.  Each one, including Diane Sawyer, announced that it was the biggest fan gathering they had ever had for one of their concerts.  The crowd was enthusiastic and there were many fans that brought signs declaring their love of Clay!!

Clay’s mother, Faye Parker was at the park for the concert.  She was excited about the concert and the fans and graciously signed many autographs for the fans.

Before the concert started, there were many mentions of Clay and the up-coming concert.  The weatherman for the show was stationed at the park.  He interviewed audience members and was enthusiastic about the concert and amazed at the fans that had traveled from throughout the United States and Canada to see and hear Clay.  Back in the station, the TV audience was told that Clay’s first album, Measure of A Man, had gone triple platinum.  The audience also saw a clip of the cute skit that was a part of Clay’s visit to the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Clay, along with his band and back-up singers performed three songs.  They “rocked out” on Invisible, I Will Carry You, and I Survived You.  This performance was a warm-up for Clay’s solo tour that was scheduled to start later in the month.

It was an exciting morning and everything seemed to go well.  Clay looked great, the music was wonderful and the staff of GMA was supportive and shocked by both Clay’s wonderful concert, and the huge, supportive audience.  AND, the thunderstorm didn’t hit Manhattan after all!!

Relive this amazing concert by watching the great videos below.  The playlist has four videos.  If you put your cursor on the video screen, you can move from one video to the next by using the right and left arrows.


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Clay Aiken Saves The Moment

By musicfan123 · Comments (24)
Thursday, May 28th, 2009

It was a Wednesday and Clay was exhausted.  Where was he?  What was he doing?  When did he get to sleep?

Oh, yes!  It was May 28, 2003 and Clay Aiken was in New York.  He was a special guest on Good Morning America. He was going to be interviewed and sing.  Sleep is over-rated!

This fun show introduced Clay to Diane Sawyer who admitted that she was an “obsessed” fan.

Charlie Gibson was Diane’s co-anchor on the show and they had a good time talking about Clay throughout the show.  The Diane interviewed Clay.  She stated that she was surprised at how tall Clay was.  They also talked about how Clay’s life had changed in such a short time.  Diane also asked Clay about the foundation that he wanted to set up.  It was a thorough interview and Clay seemed more relaxed than at previous shows.

Clips of Clay singing “I Can’t Help Myself”, “On The Wings of Love”, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on American Idol were shown.   The highlight of the show was a live performance of Clay singing “This Is The Night”.

Clay was a bit of a hero that morning or perhaps he just swept Diane off her feet.   Clay caught Diane as she lost her footing and almost fell.

Good Morning America was over, but there was still no sleep for Clay.  After a quick change of clothes, Clay  headed to another studio for his first interview and performance on Live With Regis and Kelly.  Jeff Gordon was the guest host.  Clay chatted about singing and American Idol.  He also admitted his desire to do a movie with Ruben.  Clay then performed his first single, “This Is The Night” and thrilled the audience.

Do you think that now the elusive sleep was finally allowed to catch up with Clay.

The following is a video of Clay singing on Good Morning America.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zusoCWqj4Ok


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Clay Aiken – Out With His Friends

By musicfan123 · Comments (0)
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Twitter has brought us some news from New York.  It seems that Clay has been busy yesterday and today, meeting with some of his good friends.

Monday night, it was reported that Clay and his good friend Tyra Banks had dinner at Houston’s on Park Avenue.  Houston’s is known for its delicious Spinach Dip.  Do you think they started their meal with this?

Tuesday, Diane Sawyer joined Clay in the afternoon at the exclusive Gotham Lounge in the Peninsula Hotel.  I wonder if they were partaking of the famous High Tea that the Gotham Lounge hosts in the afternoon.  Whatever they were doing, it is nice to know that Clay has so many wonderful friends who are also important in the entertainment industry.

The following picture is a cell phone picture so the picture is not as clear as one would like, but its still a picture!!

At the Peninsula for drinks. Diane Sawyer and Clay Aiken are ... on Twitpic

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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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