Clay Aiken News Network

Clay Aiken – David Foster – A Friend, Colleague and Family

By musicfan123 · Comments (6)

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

If you are a fan of music, you have probably heard the name David Foster. If you are a fan of Clay Aiken, you probably know that Clay and David and friends, colleagues and family. David Foster has built an incredible musical career over the last 40 years. However, even with all his success, David is still busy, helping young musicians, writing music and touring all over the world.

This month, David will be touring throughout Asia. Titled David Foster and Friends Asian Tour 2011, the concerts will feature Michael Bolton, Phillip Bailey, Charice, and Russell Watson. The 9 – concert tour will visit five countries in Asia.

When David returns to North America, he is scheduled to perform at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on November 25, 2011 and December 29, 2011.

Foster prides himself in his ability to put together musicians who he feels can help and support each other. A few years ago, Foster hosted a PBS party at his home. He introduced world-renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel to Neil Sedaka. Sedaka was working on a piano concerto and after meeting at Foster’s home, the two worked together to enhance the composition.

After many long hours of work, Biegel performed the original composition last September 12th. The piece, titled Manhattan Intermezzo, was a hit and Biegel said that each time he plays the composition it “touches my heart.” Another great musical collaboration made possible by David Foster.

On June 17, 2011, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame committee announced the new Walk of Fame Honorees for 2012. David Foster was selected to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Selected for his contributions to the recording industry, David will join others, including Vince Gill, Hal David and Barry White as they see their star unveiled next year! Congratulations, David. You certainly deserve this honor.

What else is in the future for David Foster? Well, last July, The Hollywood Reporter announced that David was named the new chief at Verve Music Group. According to THR:

Foster’s arrival at Verve Music Group, which includes imprints GRP and Impulse (home to John Coltrane’s catalog), is part of Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge’s plan to reinvest in UMG’s creative resources. Under Foster, Verve is expected to shift its focus to adult contemporary pop, or “what David does best, from Groban on down,” says a source. The label’s roster includes Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Ledisi. It also has released albums by Queen Latifah, American Idol alum Katharine McPhee and Treme regular Trombone Shorty……..Foster’s sister Jaymes is also expected to join the creative team.

I really hope that this information is correct. It sounds wonderful…however; I am having trouble finding sources to collaborate the article from The Hollywood Reporter. I spent almost an hour on Google last night and I found nothing…nil…nada… There is no mention on Fosters official website, on the Verve Music Group website or Universal Music Group. It has been over 2 months. I hope we get official confirmation soon. If any of you have more information, I would love to see it.

David Foster is one of the most commercially successful producers and composers in all of popular music. He has a lot to be proud of in his life. One can only hope that he will continue to find new talent, produce and write many more hits.

Someone just sent me another source for the Verve mention:

Robin Leach : The Las Vegas Sun

“In between his three new Las Vegas shows, David will play various Asian cities for three weeks with his traveling company. But for the first time in his career, he’s got two months where he has no plans whatsoever to produce or record. After a near-lifelong producer commitment at Capitol, he’s now free until his first day at Universal on Dec. 1.”

Clay Aiken – Can You Imagine Millions Watching?

By musicfan123 · Comments (21)

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Can you imagine what it must be like to sing for a live audience of over a half a million people as well as millions watching on TV? Well, this was a reality that Clay Aiken experienced on July 4, 2004.

From the west lawn of the Capitol, Clay joined a cast of some of the country’s best-known and award-winning musical artists in the PBS concert called A Capitol Fourth. Featuring patriotic classics as well as pop and country favorites, it was a night that got the audience on their feet and dancing to the beat of the fabulous music.

The concert was hosted by veteran actor and singer Barry Bostwick and, besides Clay, featured Nashville superstars Vince Gill and Amy Grant, legendary Bee Gees member Robin Gibb, and gospel legend Yolanda Adams. There was also a special 150th birthday salute to famed American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, whose “Stars and Stripes Forever” has become a tradition on Independence Day. The soloists all joined the internationally renowned National Symphony Orchestra, directed by Erich Kunzel.

Clay started off the concert by singing The Star Spangled Banner with the symphony. According to the reviews, it was an outstanding rendition of our national anthem.

Later in the program, Barry Bostwick, who was very glowing in his praise of Clay and his relatively short musical career, introduced Clay. Measure of A Man was appropriately chosen as Clay’s first feature song. He sang it with a lot of emotion and the cameras showed close-ups of our brave service men and women who were a part of the audience. It was a very moving performance. Clay closed his part of the program by singing God Bless The USA, a patriotic song that was strong and dynamic.

Heard live in stereo over National Public Radio, A Capitol Fourth was broadcast to U.S. military personnel in more than 135 countries by the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

A Capitol Fourth in 2004 was a birthday party to our nation and a July 4^th tradition much like hot dogs, watermelon and fireworks. It was a wonderful evening of musical entertainment that was topped off by an exciting display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

The following videos show the Clay Aiken parts of the concert.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qYWxXjIBQI

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW5VHtZkTEc

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KWz4pcjk9g

As we all take time to celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of our nation, CANN hopes that you enjoy some time with family and friends while remembering what a privilege it is to be an American. Happy 4th of July and thanks for all your support.

I will be celebrating the Holiday with my family so this blog is our July 4th week-end entry.

We will be back on Tuesday, July 5th!

Clay Aiken Listed in iTunes Essentials

By musicfan123 · Comments (7)

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

iTunes has a group of Playlists call iTune Essentials. There have been around for a long time. The iTunes site says the following about this program:

The greatest songs, the greatest artists, fanatically handpicked to let you discover a legacy, explore a genre, or set a mood. iTunes Essentials – the best place to find your next favorite song.

Very recently, thirty of Clay Aiken’s beautiful songs were chosen to show the off his musicianship and voice to make up an iTunes Essential album.

Each iTunes Essential is always divided into at least three parts. The following write – ups can be found in each section of the song collection.

The Basics:

“Singer” seems too slim a description to truly cover Clay Aiken’s larger-than-life role in American pop culture; Broadway performer, TV personality, tireless activist, all these titles and more are part of his resume, though there’s still no getting around that golden voice. American Idol fans may have been the first to find out what his titanic tones could do with Simon & Garfunkel classic “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” but the rest of the world caught on quickly, making his version the best-selling single of 2003. The romantic sway of Aiken’s smash “The Way” from his debut album proved he could put original material across with just as much emotional punch. And when he lights up the old Johnny Mercer standard “Moon River” – with guitar courtesy of Vince Gill – his place in the lineage of great American pop vocalists becomes blindingly clear. Discover Clay Aiken’s multiple musical personalities, from power balladeer to jazzy crooner.”

Next Steps:

“One of the many traits Clay Aiken shares with the great interpreters who’ve gone before him — aside from the obvious, superhuman vocal chops — is the ability to tackle a song from almost any source and make it his own. Not only does he wear some Elvis-sized shoes on “Suspicious Minds,” but he also fits them to his own sure-footed steps. With the help of Cabaret queen Linda Eder, Aiken gets every ounce of drama from Roy Orbison’s soaring pop-opera “Crying.” And when he summons up a late-night saloon-song vibe on the holiday heart-tugger “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” you can smell the snow and the lovesick speculation in the air.”

Complete Set:

“When a skinny 24-year-old from North Carolina belted out a shatteringly soulful version of “Always and Forever” on the 2003 American Idol audition episode, the nation didn’t yet realize it had just met the singing sensation of the decade. From there on, Clay Aiken blazed a big, bold trail that led directly to the hearts of AI viewers, Broadway theatergoers, and enough music lovers to make his debut album a double-platinum phenomenon. With a voice capable of climbing to the heavens on a passion-packed power ballad or crooning with uncommon subtlety, Aiken has delivered everything from jazz standards to ’80s pop hits, not to mention his chart-scaling original tunes. And now we’ve stacked up his most irresistible offerings in a wide-ranging menu of musical delights you’ll undoubtedly be achin’ (sorry) to sample.”

After reading these great comments, I can’t imagine how anyone would not like to click on a song by Clay Aiken. Be sure a visit iTunes and see the thirty songs they chose to represent Clay Aiken.

“The romantic sway of Aiken’s smash The Way…….” This quote made me want to listen and watch this song!!

Comments (7)

Categories : Clay News

Tags : Clay Aiken, Decca Records, iTunes Essentials, Linda Eder, Roy Orbison, Tried & True, Vince Gill

Clay Aiken – 5 Days and Counting

By musicfan123 · Comments (5)

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

You could hear the buzz all over the internet on Tuesday. And for Clay Aiken fans, Speculation 101 was the lesson of the day!

On Tuesday morning, pictures turned up of Clay as he arrived at LAX. Both TMZ and JustJared posted a relaxed Clay as he made his way through the airport. For fans, seeing Quiana as his travel buddy made for more speculation and conversations. Did Clay travel to LA to perform somewhere? Will he be on American Idol, or is he there to record for AOL? Or is it something we don’t know anything about? Well, hopefully, new information will show up today.

As the fans wait for more facts, it was wonderful to read the newest review on Tried and True by Pink Armchair. As a employee of the PBS station in Chicago, Pink Armchair was able to hear the Cd and wrote the following about the CD.

Well, I don’t know if it will make anyone feel better, but right now, listening to probably the most gorgeous album my ears have ever been treated to in my entire life (and that’s saying something for someone who is a musician and works for a classical radio station), I seem to be incapable of worrying about Clay or this album. By next week, I hope you’ll all feel the same way.

At this moment, I think I’ve fallen in love with Dave Novik. The VOX is front and center, each of the arrangements helps to tell the story of the song without getting in Clay’s way, and such obvious care and love and passion has gone into this thing — I just can’t feel anything but gratitude that Clay and Decca found each other. That’s the truth, and you know I’m not the mushy type.

I’ve said this before, but I think Decca is looking more toward longevity for this album than a quick splashy blitz. A lot of little viral things as opposed to a week or so of Clay being plastered everywhere in the usual places and then, poof! he’s gone. And I just think an album of this type is marketed very differently than a pop album or a rock album.

No, I’m not worried. I can’t get the grin off my face, as a matter of fact. After seven years, this guy is still killing me dead. More than ever, actually.

ETA: Okay, you want details? All righty.

Unchained Melody, Moon River, and Crying are three of the most exquisite things I’ve ever heard. (The blend with Linda Eder is unreal, and so much emotion! And Vince Gill’s guitar work on Moon River is such an incredible asset to the song.) There’s an undercurrent in Unchained Melody (arranged by Ben Cohn, BTW) that is very poignant because of what the percussionist is doing — I’ll be interested to see if anyone else picks up on it. I don’t want to spoil it by saying what I think it is, but it’s very different.

Every one of these songs has its own distinctive personality and tells its own story, and I think the Billboard reviewer’s description of Clay’s “swagger” is dead on. He just sounds so happy — so comfortable and easy and at home singing these songs. Mack the Knife has such an assurance about it…and such a vicious glee. He sounds like he’s having the time of his life.

Misty and It’s Impossible (two songs I’ve never cared for, till now) are almost hypnotic. The only word to describe It’s Only Make Believe is…cheeky. There’s a Kind of Hush has a real joy behind it. And Clay somehow makes all of these songs sound as if they’re the first time anyone has sung them. And I guess that’s what a great artist does.

There were moments during Clay’s tours when I would suddenly choke up at something he did vocally. My throat would close and I would find myself crying (maybe some of you can relate). That has happened quite a few times while listening to this album. I think a lot of what I feel is happiness for him.

Thank you, Pink Armchair for sharing the excitement with all of us.

Did you have a chance to hear the snippets of the songs on Tried and True that are on the Decca site? Be sure and click on them. The quality is the best ever.

DECCA

Comments (5)

Categories : Clay News

Tags : American Idol, AOL, Ben Cohn, Billboard, Clay Aiken, Dave Novik, Decca Records, Linda Eder, Tried and True, Vince Gill

Clay Aiken – Stamp of Approval

By musicfan123 · Comments (12)

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Almost everyone who is involved in music has heard of the weekly magazine, Billboard. As one of the oldest trade magazines in the world, the American magazine is dedicated to the music industry. Billboard is regarded as one of the most pertinent and unbiased sources of information in the field of music.

Most people are familiar with the music charts that Billboard posts each week. There are two charts that are the most popular. The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the top 100 songs based on physical sales, digital sales, and radio play. The other important chart is the Billboard200, which rates albums.

Billboard was first published on January 4, 1936 and by 1940, they started to publish the Music Popularity Charts. Today, Billboard magazine covers all angles of the music business. Besides the charts, it features news stories, features and opinion articles. The magazine covers the entertainment business in a very extensive way.

When Billboard publishes a review of a new CD, it is copied and published all over the web. Since the publication is a leader in the music field, their review is usually a much –anticipated event.

On Friday, May 21^st, Billboard published the following review about Tried & True, the new CD from Clay Aiken. The review can already be found at Reuters and has been picked up by many sites.

It is nice to see that Billboard approves of the change of direction Clay and Decca are presenting in Tried & True. After you read the review, be sure and click on the link and “buzz” the review. A positive comment would be wonderful too. If Yahoo gets enough traffic and buzz, they will put the review on their first page. This would be wonderful “buzz” for Clay.

YAHOO NEWS

NEW YORK (Billboard) – After a series of so-so soft-rock efforts, Season 2 “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken looks back to the music of the ’50s and ’60s on “Tried & True,” a big-band-style collaboration with German producer Alex Christensen, whose resume includes work with Paul Anka, Sarah Brightman and Right Said Fred. Given the cabaret-ready character of Aiken’s voice, the change in direction suits the singer. Where he used to sound like an oldster attempting to crash the top 40, here Aiken’s vocals exude a relaxed vibe that seemingly reflects his recent stint on Broadway in “Spamalot!” That even goes for a surprisingly authoritative version of “Mack the Knife,” where Aiken summons a swagger he never previously displayed. Other songs include “Moon River” (with a tasty acoustic-guitar solo by Vince Gill), a jazzy take on Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe” and “Unchained Melody,” which gets the full Hollywood-orchestra treatment.

What do you think of the Billboard Review?

Comments (12)

Categories : Clay News

Tags : Alex Christensen, American Idol, Billboard Magazine, Clay Aiken, Decca Records, Spamalot, Tried & True, Vince Gill, Yahoo

Clay Aiken Celebrates The Birthday of a Nation

By musicfan123 · Comments (12)

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

Clay started off the concert by singing The Star Spangled Banner with the symphony. According to the reviews, it was an outstanding rendition of our national anthem.

Heard live in stereo over National Public Radio, A Capitol Fourth was broadcast to U.S. military personnel in more than 135 countries by the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

The following videos show the Clay Aiken parts of the concert.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qYWxXjIBQI

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW5VHtZkTEc

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KWz4pcjk9g

Comments (12)

Categories : Clay News

Tags : A Capitol Fourth, American Forces Radio and Television Network, Amy Grant, Barry Bostwick, Clay Aiken, Erich Kunzel, John Phillip Sousa, National Public Radio, PBS, Robin Gibb, Vince Gill, Yolanda Adams

Clay Aiken – David Foster – A Friend, Colleague and Family