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ON MY WAY HERE -- Amazing_CA's graphic spotlights an image from the photo shoot for Clay Aiken's upcoming CD.
'Sleuths' Share CD Finds
Aiken Fans Track Down Playlist
Clay Aiken often brags about the detective abilities of his fans, never more on display than this week's discoveries of the track list for his new CD, On My Way Here, as well as video and audio demos by songwriters.
Some fans choose to remain "CD virgins." Not me -- I listen to every little snippet and link that comes along because I know these songs will be brand new when Clay sings them.
Saturday morning a news story on the Ace Show Biz site confirmed the playlist CA fans had discovered through a music store a day earlier. From the track listing page, a click on more info takes the reader to OMWH's corner on Amazon.
Photo by Eric Ogden
Clay Aiken Reveals 'On My Way Here' Track Listing
Clay Aiken has unleashed a new promotional picture, which is said to be the advanced version of the cover art, for his upcoming and fourth full-length album On My Way Here. The American Idol runner-up also reveals the track listing that includes a title track and previously revealed track "Ashes."
As reported earlier, Aiken's album will be released on May 6 via 19Recordings/RCA, featuring a production from Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti). His camp now reveals that Jaymes Foster will once again be back executive producing the album and that one of the tracks in the album will be a Ryan Tedder-written.The OneRepublic frontman wrote the song "On My Way Here" that Aiken "fell in love" with instantly. The lyrics tell how lessons are learned as we grow up and those are what eventually shape us as adults.
"I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album," Aiken said."Since I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself and about life and the world. I'm nowhere near an expert, but this album has taken on the form of addressing how far I've come in those five years and how I feel like I've found myself."
Aiken who made his Broadway debut in January playing Sir Robin in Monty Phyton's Spamalot, has sold more than six million copies from his three albums, "Measure of a Man", 2004's holiday CD "Merry Christmas With Love" and the 2006 "A Thousand Different Ways".
ON MY WAY HERE Track List
1. On My Way Here
2. Ashes
3. Everything I Don't Need
4. Something About Us
5. Falling
6. Where I Draw The Line
7. The Real Me
8. Weight Of The World
9. As Long As We're Here
10. Sacrificial Love
11. Grace Of God
12. Lover All Alone
WRAL Photo by Geof Levine
On My Way Here, sung by songwriter Ryan Tedder.
Everything I Don't Have blurb at the 2:09 mark of the web edit for This Is Different on Kipper's My Space.
The Real Me, music and lyrics by Natalie Grant.
Where I Draw the Line from songwriter Clint Lagerberg's My Space.
As Long As We're Here, performed by Brooke Morton.
PHOTO INTERLUDE: The clickable interlude features graphics of pictures from CD photo shoots. Artists include Amazing_CA, 1; Ashes, 2; Cindilu2, 3; DangHesHot, 4; and Ambassador of Love, 5.
Posts Reflect Fan Excitement
According to intermission reports from Broadway Saturday afternoon, the "Spamalot" Playbill contains a full page ad for OMWH. From the many fan recaps shared on message boards and in this blog, many Not.Just.Us folks will be receiving info about Clay's new CD.
After reading the latest news and listening to the newly-located clips, message board posts reflect fan insight, aspirations, and excitement for Clay's new CD:
SMARTYPANTSSUZ: I'm undeniably excited to hear what Clay has decided to record, to hear musical insights into the past five years of his life and the end result of a project that he has been so involved in and is so proud of!
I've been listening to every demo we come across. I like getting a feel for the songs; but I know that when I hear Clay sing them, they will be his forever and I will forget the others.
KWHITE1022: I think this is going to be a very powerful, moving album. I cant wait to hear all the songs, and hear what they have to tell me. To know that for whatever reason Clay picked them because they resonated with him is almost more then I could have ever hoped for after ATDW.
I'm curious to see what Kipper and he have created and hope we get to hear Clay talk even more about the journey of pulling the album together.
LEROY1704: One thing I'm so excited about is that "Lover All Alone" is on the list. Finally, Clay will have full writing credit on his album; and the world will be able to hear this amazingly beautiful song.
I also think that it would be strange for Clay not to have a song which reflects his faith on his CD. I think without his faith sustaining him through some of the things he's faced in his life, we might not have any new music from Clay at all. After all, he did say that this CD will reflect his journey for the past five years; and I imagine he feels he hasn't traveled this path alone.
I can hardly wait to hear what he has to say. I've waited five years for this, and I think he has, too.
FIFTY: "Where I Draw the Line" is an earworm kind of song. Clay is going to nail this!
DEEPSOUTHGAL: I look forward to his thoughts and what he wants to share about his journey on his way here.
This man is still standing, unbowed and more beautiful than ever in every way. I would like to see into his heart a bit, and I feel that this CD will give that opportunity. And I am delighted that "Lover All Alone" is included. More people than just.us need to be bowled over by that brilliant song.
To say that I am excited is an understatement!
Graphic links to SueReu's stage door montage.
Notes from 'Spamalot'
SueReu's montage of Toni7babe's "Spamalot" stage door photos is accompanied by Eva Cassidy singing "You Take My Breath Away." The linking graphic by Amazing_CA also features photos by Toni.
New York City's WABC-TV included Clay singing "When I'm up here on the stage, I'll be the idol of my age" at the end of Saturday night's "Broadway Backstage: Spring Preview" special. Here is a Sendspace of the Broadway segment.Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's lead graphic:
We are still in the midst of March Madness in NC. Yay, Carolina Tar Heels and Davidson Wildcats!
Have a great week, Clay Nation!
Caro
RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, Spamalot, Broadway, RCA/19 Entertainment, Kipper, Jaymes Foster, Ryan Tedder, Clint Lagerberg, Natalie Grant, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation
ON MY WAY HERE -- The cover art for Clay Aiken's upcoming CD is the basis for Amazing_CA's handsome graphic.
OMWH on its Way!
Fans Embrace New CD Promos
The escalation of new video, photo, and media promotions for Clay Aiken's upcoming CD, On My Way Here, turned a normal spring day into Christmas morning on many fan message boards Tuesday, March 25.
"On My Way Here" is definitely on its way!
New photo by Eric Ogden links to webisode.
Edited by Sally, the above photo by Eric Ogden links to a webisode of Clay discussing the search for and ultimate selection of Kipper as producer for OMWH. The brief video can also be viewed at AOL and PopEater.
New RCA Bio Includes CD Notes
RCA/19 Entertainment posted an outstanding biography of Clay with lots of information about his upcoming CD, On My Way Here. In addition to background on the new album, the singer's achievements in the music industry and through his charitable endeavors are outlined. A high resolution photo accompanies the article.
The bio is in a Word (.doc) format, and the full article can be read at the RCA site or by linking to this special entry at the OFC.CLAY AIKEN: On My Way Here
When Clay Aiken and his executive producer Jaymes Foster began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man, they both fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic front man Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.”
The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection.
“I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I’ve learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album,” Aiken says. “Since I got into this business, I’ve learned so much about myself and about life and the world. I’m nowhere near an expert, but this album has taken on the form of addressing how far I’ve come in those five years and how I feel like I’ve found myself.”Top Five Debut Distinction
As Aiken’s millions of devoted fans around the world already know, it’s been a whirlwind journey. Since shooting to stardom on the second season of American Idol, the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC native with the powerhouse voice has become an international pop phenomenon who has sold six million copies of his three best-selling albums ... that earned Aiken the distinction of being the fourth artist ever to have his first three albums debut in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. [snip]
"What’s powerful about a lot of the new songs is that they can mean different things to different people,” he says. “It was really important to me that they be interpretable in all kinds of ways, so as not to cloud someone’s ability to find their own meaning in them.”One example of this is the evocative ballad "The Real Me," written by singer/songwriter Natalie Grant, which is a poignant story about the experience of being in the public eye. “The song really spoke to me about the necessity of having someone in your life who knows you and doesn’t really care about the fact that you’re a celebrity,” Aiken says. [snip]
Album To Open Up-Tempo
Though he’s known for his signature ballads, Aiken chose to open On My Way Here with an up-tempo, pop-rock tune, “Ashes,” which begins with the following lyric: “Someone told me what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger / Sets you free from all that held you down.""That’s a great opening line for an album,” Aiken says. “My mom used to say that if things come easy they’re not worth having; that there can’t be a sunrise with a night. So, to me, that song is about how the most important lessons I’ve learned in my life have come out of less-than-rosy experiences, and that I’m stronger because of them.”
To musically represent the album’s lyrical theme, Aiken and Foster enlisted Grammy-Award winning British songwriter and producer Kipper, who has worked with Sting, Chris Botti, and Julia Fordham, marking the first time Aiken has recorded an entire album with one producer.
"It’s made for a very collaborative environment in the studio," Aiken says. “Every song has been scrutinized by Jaymes, Kipper, and me to make sure it’s exactly what we wanted it to be." [snip]
Billboard Article Makes the Rounds
One of the best articles about the new CD appears in Reality TV World. Here is an excerpt from Clay Aiken's New Album To Be Released May 6:
Clay Aiken's new album is on its way.
The American Idol second-season runner-up's fourth album -- "On My Way Here" -- is scheduled to drop May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, Billboard confirmed Friday.
With his role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre scheduled to conclude May 4, Aiken had previously stated he was "hoping" the album would be out May 6.
"On My Way Here" is being produced by Kipper, a U.K.-based producer best known for working on Sting's Grammy-award winning "Brand New Day" album.
The Billboard article (see March 22 entry) was picked up by Reuters and has been popping up on sites all day. Some of them include The Insider Online, OK! Magazine, and ET Online -- all with a different picture!
Clickable
OMWH is one of two albums featured at the top of the music site Pause & Play.
The countdown to May 6 is on. With all the new media promo, song clips cannot be far behind!
PHOTO INTERLUDE: Featured in this clickable collection are OMWH and Spamalot graphics by these visual artists: j4clay, 1; Claystruck, photo by Ogden, 2; Amazing_CA, 3; Amazing_CA, photos by NCClayFan, 4; and Ambassador of Love, 5.
Dianne Warren Week
I Could Not Ask for More
Sedaka/60s Week
Solitaire
Sedaka/60s Week
Build Me Up, Buttercup
In case you missed them, here are downloads for the Top 8 performance, At This Moment, and the Top 7 show, Tell Her About It.
March Madness Steers Schedule
In the past few days, I have watched Sports Center more than anytime in my life, and that's saying a lot because I really enjoy college basketball. When games don't fit my teaching schedule, I usually call my basketball buddy Terri to check afternoon scores between lessons.
March Madness resumes full speed Thursday and Fridaywith the NCAA Sweet Sixteen games. The high-powered offense of the Carolina Tar Heels, who scored an average of 110 points in their opening two victories, will meet defense-oriented Washington State on Friday.
Around here, the big story last weekend was the "David and Goliath" wins by tiny 10th-seeded Davidson College over established powers Gonzaga and Georgetown University. The small NC liberal arts college of 1,700 students is located near Charlotte.
Led by sophomore Stephen Curry, who averaged 35 points in his team's two victories, Davidson and its sharpshooting guard have been a major topic in the sports media most of the week. My nephews lucked into a couple of tickets and spent part of Sunday cheering for the Carolina teams in person.
As the Davidson squad entered the arena to watch the Carolina game, they were given a standing ovation by thousands of blue-clad Tar Heel fans - in Raleigh, as well as living rooms across the state.
It was a great weekend for Wildcat and Tar Heel fans. Here's hoping this one is, too!
Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's opening graphic:
Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation ... and Go, Carolina and Davidson!!!
Caro
RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, Spamalot, Broadway, Eric Ogden, webisode, RCA/19 Entertainment, Kipper, Ryan Tedder, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, UNICEF, Billboard, Dianne Warren, Neil Sedaka, American Idol2 Rewind, Clay Aiken Kids, March Madness, Carolina Tar Heels, Stephen Curry, Davidson College, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation
On My Way Here - Cover art enhanced by Sally
Album in the News
Clay Nation Celebrates CD Cover
It's official -- Clay Aiken's new CD is "On My Way Here," and the date of arrival is currently set for May 6.
The initial step towards "officaldom" came at 12:20 p.m.Friday when Jonathan Cohen posted his Billboard story: Clay Aiken Heads 'Here' On Next Album.
Just as his stint starring in the Broadway hit "Spamalot" concludes, Clay Aiken will return with his first album of entirely new material since 2003's "Measure of a Man."
Due May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, Aiken's "On My Way Here" was produced by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The album will likely include the title track and a song called "Ashes," but no other details about the project have yet been made available.
Aiken is expected to tour the U.S. this summer, beginning in July. He will also be visible on TV shows such as "Good Morning America" and "The View."
"Measure of Man" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Aiken has since released 2004's "Merry Christmas With Love" and 2006's all-covers "A Thousand Different Ways."
Excitement was already escalating when members noticed the new album cover had supplanted "image unavailable" at Amazon. Within nanoseconds, word bounded from board to board, site to site, throughout Clay Cyberspace. In no time, banners for most CA websites reflected the new CD cover. EEEEEEE's Express Elation Dancing emoticons and EEEEEEE-filled posts dominated message boards across the Net, no doubt stretching band width to capacity. Some fans waxed poetic about Clay's journey, while others maintained a close vigil on Amazon's best-selling listings.
PHOTO INTERLUDE: The handsome album cover has already become a favorite motif for many graphic artists. Below are clickable designs by Amazing_CA, Artquest, BettyJean, Claystruck, MNmeesh, Ambassador of Love, and Clayquebec1.
Since Friday's announcement, OMWH has led several tabulations and remains near the top of Hot New Releases and Movers and Shakers.
A late night screen cap by SmartyPantsSuz shows the CD at the top of the bestselling new and future releases in Vocal Pop:
Clickable
Clay's page at Amazon displays his complete discography of CD's, DVD's, and books. This compilation by Goood Baby Brush displays the singer's four main albums in chronological order: Measure of a Man, Merry Christmas with Love, A Thousand Different Ways, and On My Way Here.
Berkeley Captures Moment
Amidst all the festivities, berkeley, one of the CA fandom's master wordsmiths, encapsulated the pulse of the moment. With permission, here are her thoughts:
"On My Way Here" --- having sold 6 million CDs, won an AMA and a BMA, set sales records that still stand, toured eight times to around $30 million in box office, made friends with some powerful people who really count and remained friends with people who knew him before this whirlwind of fame, graduated from college, established his own foundation, selected to be a UNICEF Ambassador, maintained his integrity, his sense of humor and his faith, survived being forged in the fire, become a star on Broadway, and is now about to release his fourth album with a Grammy-winning producer and featuring the best song Clay has ever done --- the one he wrote? Five long years that have passed in an instant.And in the process of becoming this incredible man, he hasn't lost ...
Clay Aiken.
A very Happy Easter to you and yours! Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!
Caro
RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, Billboard, Spamalot, Broadway, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, UNICEF, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation
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