If I was on vacation visiting Columbus, Ohio, the last place I would think to go would be the Chemical Abstract Service Lawn. But, I would be making a big mistake. This place is actually the producer of one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive databases of chemical information and it’s a completely non-toxic atmosphere. Chemical Abstracts Service has been the host of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic With the Pops for more than 15 years. The company is located right near the Ohio State campus and has a spacious lawn that serves as a great venue for summer evening concerts.
On July 21, 2007, Clay Aiken performed at the CAS Lawn as part of the Columbus Symphony Orchestras Picnic With The Pops series.
Nicknamed the “Soft Rock and A Hard Place Tour”, Clay was performing throughout July and August throughout the USA. Clay was joined on this tour by his two back-up singers, Angela Fisher and Quiana Parler. The two ladies have toured with Clay many times and are known by most of Clay’s fans. Jesse Vargas wore many hats on this tour and was not only the conductor and arranger but played the piano at each concert. Sean McDaniel joined the tour as the Drummer for the group.
The concert was a huge success for the orchestra and the audience. The crowd was estimated at 11,000. According to some of the people who worked at the venue they usually set up about 150 tables, but for Clay’s appearance they set up 300. The lawn seating behind the tables and on both sides was very large and very crowded. The crowd was made up of lots of families, guys with their coolers and beer, and couples lounging on blankets. It was just like a big party with people of all ages!
Lynn Green of the Columbus Dispatch reviewed the concert and had a lot of positive things to say about Clay and the concert. Lynn commented that his singing was polished, and his attitude, upbeat.
About the back-up singers, Lynn said:
“Backup singers Angela Fisher and Quiana Parler, both accomplished musicians in their own right, made strong impressions with solo numbers. Fisher got a huge cheer for Listen from the movie Dreamgirls, while Parler ended the first half of the program with a stirring performance of Faith Hill’s When the Lights Go Down.”
The reviewer mentioned the “fast” songs that can be performed with an orchestra and laughed with the audience when Clay sang the TV themes. But, Lynn mentioned the highlight of the concert was Lover All Alone.
Aiken’s strongest moment was his performance of Lover All Alone, for which he wrote the lyrics. In spite of jarring intonation problems from the guitarist, he loosened his grip on the polished, practiced stage manner and truly connected with his own soul.
And for those few minutes, the squealing fans, the strong-willed women, the devoted husbands and the rest of the audience fell absolutely silent in appreciation.
Did any of you attend the Columbus Concert? From all the reviews from fans and professionals, its sounds like it was a great evening of fun and wonderful music.
We have added 2 videos from the Columbus concert. The first is the Best of SRHPT – Banter by Scruffy. The second video is Clay singing Lover All Alone.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2nISuYtPCc
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuruOQiIaCI
Loved watching the videos…..Clay is just so funny and spontaneous….
I missed this concert, unfortunately. I went to Cananidagua and Chatuagua..the next night was Columbus, but had to get back home….
Truthfully..I think “Lover All Alone” really was a highlight of each concert…the 2 I went to…you could hear a pin drop when he was singing it…Everyone just stayed silent and listened to this haunting song…Beautiful. Filled with so much hurt and passion…
Thanks Musicfan….
HUgs,
Judy
I WAS THERE!!! My first ever non Christmas concert 🙂 met up with friends and had a BLAST!!!! Thank you!!! Clay Aiken was just wonderful that night and the bus line went on forever!
I didn't make this show…but, I heard how good it was. Lordy, 11,000 people there. I watched the video's and he sure is funny in his bantering. Love that song Lover All Alone. I did get to go to the Orlando, Fl. at the Hard Rock. That was a great show. He is the best entertainer and I can't wait for him to get back out on the road again.
Another concert I saw via video. Of course I enjoyed every minute of it 🙂 Clay Aiken in concert is on my list of things to must see.
I was there, had 2nd row table seats and I was apart of the “yella shirt” group. I was blessed to have gone to 5 of the shows this tour. And THIS show being in my hometown it was by far one of my favorites.
The weather that night was PERFECT, being with good friends, great weather and always AMAZING entertainment the night couldn’t have been any more perfect!
That show was great! I was I could have been there, but I did get to see him in Asheville. Clay Aiken really knows how to have a fun show.
I wasn’t at that Clay Aiken concert, but love the videos. Clay is so quick with words and makes it so fun.
I wasn’t there but thank God for clack! And for CANN.
Just had to come back and see the videos again – good times with Clay Aiken!!!
I wish I could have seen this live!! Such a great performer 🙂
I love going back and re-living special Clay moments.
Thanks for this great site!!
I didn’t see this concert in Columbus, but I did see it in California. It was a fabulous concert.
CANN……..love your posts!!
lordy! I miss that voice and banter!!! Can’t wait until he hits the road again!!!
I sure miss Clay Aiken in concert. Loved the SRHP tour!!
Hope Clay Aiken has news for us soon. Love that voice.
Fun videos from the Columbus concert. Clay Aiken can always put on a great show.
I missed this Clay Aiken concert, but I saw him at others!
Thanks for the wonderful videos!!
I couldn’t make this concert due to a family emergency.
A friend used my ticket and had a blast. Now we do
Clay Aiken concerts together! From the reviews it sounds
like this was a great show. Hope it won’t be too much longer
before he tours again!
Yes, I was there and it was absolutely amazing. The place was packed with families with their coolers and dinners. I was pleasantly surprised by the capabilities of their sound system in an open field setting because the sound resonated through that open field better than some indoor theaters! The large screen also made it easier to see the performers for those farther away. He had us all laughing, smiling and enjoying every minute of it. Lynn Green was spot on about Lover All Alone. Who knew that 11,000 people could become so captivated that if it weren’t for him singing you could’ve heard a pin drop.
Musicfan,
Thank you for another wonderful trip down memory lane. Your recap of Clay Aiken’s SRHP Columbus Concert is filled with goodies. Great videos and pictures, too!
Many thnx for your kind remarks in the xxx4clay blog at the Carolina site. Have an awesome week!
Caro
I too loved the SRHP Tour. I got to attend the Newark and WPB shows. Great times with great friends !
I didn’t see the Columbus show but did see the Asheville & Raleigh shows. They were awesome. First time seeing him sing Lover All Alone. Blew me away. There’s nothing better than Clay Aiken live!!
I was there!!!!!
I attended this concert…it was fantastic! The write-up by John Petric in “The Other Paper” was glowing. He never likes anything, but he raved about Clay’s performance. Don’t know if you can access it, but it was printed on July 26, 2007. This was the 4th time Clay performed in Columbus. We love him!
This was the largest attended of all the concerts for the SRHP tour. Clay seemed a little surprised to see so many people. I know they wanted Clay Aiken to come back for another summer. The only other concert to get so many people out is the OSU band!
I attended this concert in the Summer of 2007! I can’t believe there were 11,000 fans at that concert!!!!