Clay Aiken Fans Catalog Song, Video Favorites

Clay Aiken performs 'It's Impossible.'
View montage by hosaa full screen at YouTube.
Download video with this Sendspace file.

On Clay Aiken Fan Boards

Drought Brings on 'Listomania'

For some Clay Aiken fans, the weeks the singer is not performing are just like the song -- impossible. For others, there is no such word in their vocabulary, and a kaleidoscope of activities has begun filling this go round of down time.

The opening montage by hosaa features clips from the singer's 2011 Tried & True Tour by farouche, Scarlett, goldarngirl, and MBlovesClay. Venues represented include Towson, Minneapolis, Glenside, Cleveland, Sarasota, Knoxville, and Houston.

This weekend, along with the usual recipe exchanges, family graduation/wedding posts, and latest photos of grandchildren, Clay Cyberspace celebrated New York's passage of the Marriage Equality Act Friday night.

And then, thankfully, there's the "listomania" phenomenon.

Fans Create 'Favorites' Lists

Polls have become an ideal pastime on fan boards. Perhaps you'd like to share your choices for two message board lists started this month by katymom.

Below are the guidelines, as well as her selections for the first list.

Songs for Singerman To Record

GUIDELINES: Clay must have performed the song at some time; he has not recorded it since 2003; and it is not a holiday song. Here are katymom's choices. What would yours be?

Where Do I Begin, Love Story Theme
Home
Tears Run Dry
Alone
Iris
My Eyes Adored You
The Prayer
Fields of Gold
Kyrie
Hello
Those Magic Changes
I Will Be Here

Expandable graphic by AmazingCA with screencaps by Scarlett.

'Best of Clay Aiken' Tracks

Earlier this month katymom originated a "Best of Clay Aiken" album poll. Her listing, representing 12 non-holiday songs that Clay has recorded, includes tracks from the Measure of a Man, A Thousand Different Ways, On My Way Here, and Tried & True albums.

Sacrificial Love - OMWH
Ashes - OMWH
Where I Draw the Line - OMWH
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - TNT
Unchained Melody - TNT
Perfect Day - MOAM
Shine - MOAM
Everything I Do - ATDW
As Long As We're Here - OMWH
Suspicious Minds - TNT
Because You Loved Me - ATDW
The Way - MOAM

Scrpkym's photo links to Clay Gathers Clack.

Register Video/Montage Favorites

Taking this polling pastime a step farther, I'll pose the question. Choosing from Clay Aiken tours, concerts, TV performances, and montages, what are your 5-10 favorite videos?

In no particular order, my list begins with three from the Soft Place Hard Rock Tour. Remember when Clay turned the tables on Scarlett and used her camera to take his own clack?

That was the 8/16/07 Fort Myers, FL, concert of the SPHR Tour. Always ready with a backup, the clack goddess pulled a second camera out of her bag and continued videoing.

Clay, Quiana sing 'Listen' in Sterling Heights, MI.
View video by goldarngirl/luckiest1 full screen at YouTube.

Impromptu Duet Performance Magical

One of the best examples of Clay's innate ability as an entertainer was the unplanned "Listen" duet he and Quiana Parler performed in Sterling Heights, MI.

Whether seated in the Freedom Hill Amphitheater at Sterling Hills, MI, or connected via a cellcert stream thousands of miles away, fans immediately recognized that the unscheduled duet by Clay and Quiana would long be remembered as one of the most incredible, magical moments in a long line of stellar performances.

Subbing for the ailing Angela Fisher, who nightly sang the "Dream Girls" song in concerts, the unrehearsed duo brought down the house and elicited exclamations that continue to this day wherever fans gather.

Totally unrehearsed, the glorious vocals soared with beautifully balanced harmonies. At the conclusion, music director Jesse Vargas joined the amazed audience in a spontaneous standing ovation.

Photo by Irishbookgal links to IWTKWLI 'Trio.'

Orlando Duet Becomes Classic Trio

Scat singing, amazing vocal ranges, and uninhibited ad libs never had it so good as in the gorgeous "I Want To Know What Love Is" duet that evolved into a magnificent, classic trio in the Orlando, FL, finale of the SRHP Tour.

Throughout the tour, Quiana and Angela had cleverly teased Clay as to which of the two would be his duet partner on the song.

In Orlando, they both were.

If You Don't Know Me By Now - Clay Aiken
Montage by Aspiegril can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

Set to a bonus track from Clay's A Thousand Different Ways album, Aspiegirl's 2006 montage features video clips by gerwhisp, Scarlett, SecretlyLovesClay, and canfly172.

Also accompanying "If You Don't Know Me By Now" are photos and graphic designs by Sally, AmazingCA, fivegoldens, ABeautifulMind, and Ambassador of Love.

Clay Aiken Sings Signature 'Unchained Melody.'
View montage by Wowzers4Clay full screen at YouTube.

There are many wonderful videos of Clay performing his signature version of "Unchained Melody," arranged for the Tried & True album/tour by Ben Cohn.

I chose the 2/16/11 Atlanta Concert montage by Wowzers4Clay from the T&T Tour. Videographers represented include ImAllEars, MBLovesClay, goldarngirl, and Scarlett.

Now it's your turn.

1. List 10 songs you would like to hear Clay record.
2. List 12 tracks for a Best of Clay Aiken Album.
3. Name/provide link for 5-10 favorite performance/montage videos.

New Fan Finds Clay Through NIP

A recent incident relayed by aikim demonstrates how information, videos, and montages attract and educate new Clay fans.

Last night in the OFC Chat Room I met a woman who is a new fan. She has a son with autism and was looking around the internet for information and found the National Inclusion Project.

She knew nothing about Clay, never watches American Idol, but mentioned him to someone she knows and they turned her on to his music. Now she is hooked!

It was so much fun talking to someone who doesn't know anything of the last 8 years and is just a fan of his voice. Her husband has been deployed, and she is home with her kids. Clay has become a diversion, but a good one.

We explained some terminology, and she got a laugh out of that. She doesn't know anything about the message boards, Right now she is lost at YouTube watching clack.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation, and Happy Listomania!

Caro

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Clay Aiken Montage Honors Special Moments

Clay Aiken - This Is the Moment
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
Download with this Sendspace file.

Montage of Magical Moments

Video Pays Tribute to Eight Years

It's impossible for one montage to capture all the stellar moments of Clay Aiken's eight-year career in the entertainment business, but SueReu's new montage of the singer's "This Is the Moment" performance comes very close.

Superimposed onto Scarlett's video of Clay's 2010 Bringing Broadway Home performance are highlights of a public career that began with the Atlanta audition during Season 2 of American Idol.

Among the amazing moments SueReu included are the double platinum plaque awarded Clay the second week of Measure of Man album sales, the Big Apple's mega autograph party for his New York Times best seller Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, a starring role in Spamalot, and testifying before Congress on behalf of GLBT youth and children with disabilities.

There have been magical moments in concert, on television and in print. Mixed in are also moments of caring -- from the formation of the National Inclusion Project to being named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The climax or closing scene is typical Clay, whose longtime desire to become a father was realized on Aug. 8, 2008, with the birth of his son Parker.

Events Mark June Anniversaries

Among the special moments marking anniversaries this month are the premiere performance of the PBS Special, Tried & True ~ LIVE at WTTW-TV (June 12); Bringing Broadway Home, NC Theater Benefit Concert (June 21); and this, the 400th week of tracking Measure of a Man CD sales.

Read about these and many other events through the Year at Glance section at the Clay Aiken Kids site.

Below are graphics that highlight occasions of the past eight years, including AmazingCA, CD promo photos by Diana Levine, 1; PBS Special screen caps by Scarlett, 2; UNICEF, 8; Fountiandawg, 3 (DVD cover), 4 (BBH), 5 (MOAM 400), 7 (Washington, DC); cindilu2, photos by Levine, 6, and UNICEF animated design, 9. All but the last one are expandable.

Good Vibes Greatly Appreciated

Many thnx for the good vibes in your constant flow of messages, posts, thoughts, candles, prayers, and inquiries RE my melanoma surgery. Much ado about a small place on my right shoulder that, thankfully, was removed at Wake Forest University Medical Center Monday.

I am fortunate family members accompanied me for the main event. My BIL, a minister, was with me during pre-op and used his "direct line" to offer up a prayer. My sister, who spent the afternoon, evening, and next morning with me, said the surgeon is very optimistic.

I will return for a two-week checkup on the 28th. Meanwhile, I am at times loopy from pain killers, wearing a sling on my right arm as a reminder not to use the shoulder, and looking forward to teaching my summer piano/violin students at Wesleyan Christian Academy on Friday.

Who knew? I was planning to keep Tuesday's teaching schedule, but the "no driving" time frame changed that. The sling may be short-lived, however, as it feels like wearing a saxophone neck strap 24-7!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Clay Aiken Discusses Career, Fatherhood, Idol, Charities

Clay Aiken talks about his career, future plans, fatherhood, American Idol. You can also watch the interview with Debra Morgan at the WRAL website. Download and view the interview with this 4 shared file.

Singer Talks Topics A-Z

WRAL Shares In-Depth Interview

In the midst of a very busy week for me personally, WRAL-TV posted an in-depth interview with Clay Aiken in which he talked about his career, future plans, fatherhood, American Idol, North Carolina's seeming edge in AI finalists, his charity work with the National Inclusion Project.

In case there are readers having a week like mine, the full 25-minute discussion is embedded above. Here are five clickable screen caps by Cotton. You can download all 150 caps with this Sendspace file.

Astaire Dances to Clay's IOMB

Performing "It's Only Make Believe" from his Tried & True album, Clay & Co. accompany Fred Astaire in SueRue's latest montage. Featured is Scarlett's video from the Atlanta T&T Concert. Enjoy!


It's Only Make Believe - Clay Aiken and Fred Astaire
View montage by SueRue full screen at YouTube.

Show Goes On Despite Power Failure

Despite the fact that Wesleyan Christian Academy called off school Monday due to a power outage, paired piano students shared examples of the semester's music with relatives and each other during afternoon classes.

Even though electricity was restored by 8 a.m., younger students enjoyed an unexpected vacation while their high school counterparts took exams on a revised schedule. For the most part, music lessons went on as planned.

My piano/violin students are in the midst of a week of performance classes with the latest installments set for Wednesday and Thursday.

So far, the groups have been an enjoyable, relaxed version of the more formal spring recitals we usually present. The best part is that everyone can play several selections versus one or two. Check back for a more detailed report following the last chord.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Clay Aiken: Celebrating a Decade of Performance

TRIED & TRUE - Fans celebrate the many hats Clay Aiken wears -- singer, actor, humanitarian. Graphic by cindilu2 with photos by Diana Levine.

Round-the-Clock YouTube Rewind

Fans Document Clay Train Ride

The next best thing to Clay Aiken "live" is clack from past concerts; so while the Carolina singer is not on tour, performances from the past decade are in round-the-clock replay in a smorgasbord of clack at YouTube.

For the novice, the term "clack," a play on the words Clay and another highly addictive substance, has been a part of the CA fandom since its inception in 2003. Clack quickly became the byword for video, audio, photos, etc., from the singer's concerts and other appearances.

Featured in this blog are montages by Hope (Wowzers4Clay) and SueRue that celebrate Clay past, present, and future. Some even incorporate pre-American Idol performances with the more familiar events of the past eight years.

At the Wowzers4Clay YouTube Channel, fans can view 15 montages separately or in a non-stop loop by clicking on the current playlist.

Clay Aiken Still the One 1999 - 2010
View montage by Hope at YouTube.

'Clay Aiken Still the One 1999 - 2010' spotlights the singer's performances at the JCC Country Music Show (1999), the Solo/NAT Tour Raleigh Concert (2004), and the Timeless Tour show in Lancaster, PA (2010).

The montage incorporates video/audio clips by Shellyfish, Scarlett, Solo, SecretlyLovesClay, Deemer and Canfly172 and photos by MBLovesClay, Tasapio, Suzieq977, VO5Clay, and PatriciaLuvsClay.

Decade of Unchained Melody - Clay Aiken
View montage by Hope full screen at YouTube.

Personally, I think 10 years of Clay Aiken singing "Unchained Melody" is pretty hard to beat.

In the UM montage, Hope highlights the decade with clips from the singer's Redefined demo, American Idol (2003), the Jukebox Tour (ImAllEars, 2005), Starch Search with David Foster (Scarlett, 2006), and the 2010 performance on the The View promoting the Tried & True CD.

The Real Me - Clay Aiken
New montage by Hope can be viewed at YouTube.

"The Real Me," a fan favorite from the singer's On My Way Here album, received a one-time only performance on March 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the 2011 Tried & True Tour.

Hope's montage features clips and screen caps by videographers LauraQ, ClayIzzaQT, Goldarngirl, Lissical, and Scarlett. The audio is from ClayIzzaQT's video.

Clay Aiken - A Simple Thank You (Finale)
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.

The final video in SueReu's "Thank You" series, this montage, like its predecessors, rewinds many memorable vocals and humorous moments from Clay Aiken tours.

Be sure to also see Clay Aiken: A Simple Thank You and Clay Aiken - A Simple Thank You (Part Deux) on her YT channel.

To download videos and montages, visit Clack Unlimited where you can also donate to support the site. In addition to searching for Clay Aiken clips on YouTube, you can link to many at Unlimited Clack on Facebook.

Visual Artists Chronicle Clay

Also documenting the eight-year Clay Train ride are the talented visual artists who photograph and create graphic designs from an array of images.

The handsome graphics below are a sampling of the countless designs that have graced Clay Aiken message boards since 2003 and the Carolina blog since 2006.

To locate visuals by a particular photographer or graphic artist at this site, type the person's screen name in the top left search box beside the orange B just above the Carolina masthead.

Featured below are graphics by AmazingCA, 1, 2, 3; cindilu2, 4; ABeautifulMind, 5, 6; Sally, 7, 8; and Fountaindawg, 9, 10. Photographers represented include PermaSwooned, 2; Scrykym, 5; Tasapio, 8; and Jim R. Bounds, 9, 10.

Designs capsule CA concerts, interviews, the singer's activities as a UNICEF Ambassador, and his charity work with the National Inclusion Project. Some are double clickable, and some are not.

Join this celebration of clack by linking your favorite montage, video, photograph, or graphic design in the comments below. A special thank you to all artists who share their talent with the Clay Nation!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Clay Aiken Serenades Royal Couple in New Montages

PRINCE WILLIAM and KATE'S ROYAL WEDDING - In this montage by LovesClaysVoice, Clay Aiken serenades England's new royal couple with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You, a classic from his Tried & True album.

Tried & True Classics

Aiken Songs Accompany Royalty

People the world over celebrated Friday's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Besides invited guests at Westminster Abbey and the throngs rejoicing outside the London cathedral, countless unofficial parties in time zones around the globe joined the festivities.

Two special montages by LovesClaysVoice and SueReu replay Friday's events accompanied by popular tracks from Tried & True, Clay Aiken's latest album of classic love songs.

The montage "Prince William and Kate's Royal Wedding" by LCV is appropriately set to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." The video can be viewed full screen at YouTube or downloaded with this Sendspace file.

WILLIAM & KATE - A TRUE LIFE FAIRY TALE - The montage by SueReu features nuptial video clips and stills of the royal couple to the accompaniment of Clay Aiken's "It's Impossible."

SueReu's montage incorporates scenes from the wedding weekend with "It's Impossible" from Clay's Tried & True CD of classic love longs. View the William & Kate - A True Life Fairy Tale montage full screen at YouTube, or download it with this Sendspace file.

Official photos of the royal wedding were released by Clarence House here. Articles, commentary, photos, and videos rewind the Royal Wedding at this site.

Life magazine has posted a Commemorative Collection at the publication's online website. The Daily Mail provided an extensive look behind the scenes of the weekend festivities.

One of the most memorable clicks of the day occurred on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with not one traditional kiss but two.

Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! Have a wonderful week, all!

Caro

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Clay Aiken Videos Create Traffic Jam at YouTube

Clay Aiken on the Tried & True Tour trail.
Double click to expand graphic by queen.

YouTube Round the Clock

Past Performances in Full Swing

Clay Aiken may not be on tour, but videos and montages of his past performances definitely are as round the clock traffic to the singer's incredible vocals and humorous concert banter is in full swing at YouTube.

The varied selection of videos and montages are entertaining, funny, moving, and highly addictive; so be sure to block some time for a YouTube adventure. Because of the "research" required for this entry, I am speaking from personal experience.

Selections in this blog link to performances from 1999 to American Idol 2 and subsequent tours. Some of Clay's vocals are combined with current events or TV shows while others feature concert clips and the singer's charitable endeavors with the National Inclusion Project and UNICEF.

Dancing With the Stars Season 12
'Suspicious Minds' by Clay Aiken
View montage by LCV full screen at YouTube.

Dancing With the Stars seems a natural fit for Clay's songs. In the montage above, LovesClaysVoice partnered DWTS Season 12 dancers Lil' Romeo and Chelsie Hightower, Hines Ward and Kym Johnson, Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy and "Suspicious Minds" from the Tried & True album.

DWTS Season 11 - Viennese Waltz
'Unchained Melody' by Clay Aiken.
Montage by LCV can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

In the second DWTS montage, LovesClaysVoice combined the Viennese waltz routines of Season 11 contestants with Clay's signature version of "Unchained Melody" as performed on The View.

Dancers include Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke, Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Montage Spotlights Royal Wedding

Montages frequently blend newsworthy events with Clay's tracks. An excellent example from the On My Way Here CD is "Something About Us," which accompanies visual art from the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Prince William and Kate - Something About Us
'On My Way Here' Vocals by Clay Aiken
View LCV's montage full screen at YouTube.

Another popular "Something About Us" montage is Hotshortie's compilation featuring images of the First Family set the Clay's OMWH track. To date, An Obama Love Story has registered 766,166 views.

Clay Aiken, a Retrospective, Part 1 - The Music
See four-part montage series by SueReu at YouTube.

Encompassing 2003-2009, SueReu's retrospective videos of Clay's career are subtitled "The Music," "Small Screen Fun," "A Special Guest," and "Photographs & Memories."

View all four videos in the Retrospesctive Playlist at SueReu's YouTube Channel.

Clay Aiken's AI5 BUZZ
View montage by zimarazi full screen at YouTube.

AI5 Appearance Epitome of BUZZ

A fan favorite since it was uploaded in 2007, zimarazi's montage presents an overview of the hoopla surrounding Clay's surprise performance at the AI5 Finale.

As the video shows, there was much more buzz about Clay Aikn around water coolers the next morning than the announcement of the Season 5 winner.

If You Don't Know Me By Now - Clay Aiken
Montage by Aspiegirl can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

Set to a bonus track from Clay's A Thousand Different Ways album, Aspiegirl's 2006 montage features video clips by gerwhisp, Scarlett, canfly172, and SecretlyLovesClay with photos/graphic art by Sally, AmazingCA, ABeautifulMind, and fivegoldens.

Here are more montages you may enjoy. Suggested in the comments will be added to the list.

Clay Aiken's Atlanta Audition Reconstruction by hosaa does exactly what the title implies and shows the singer as he began the Idol journey.

As Long As We're Here by Aspiegirl. From the OMWH CD, this song incorporates Clay's charitable endeavors with the National Inclusion Project and UNICEF.

Solitaire Then and Now by SueReu features Clay performing the Neil Sedaka hit on American Idol 3 (2004) and during the 2011 Tried and True Tour.

Dancing With the Stars Season 10 by LCV highlights "Everything I Have," another OMWH track.

Clay Aiken Is 'Still the One' by Hope/Wowzers4Clay includes performances of the song from 1999-2010.

Reserve a block of time, and enjoy! Have a great week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Fans Recall Clay Aiken-Jimmy Kimmel Valentine Tradition

VALENTINES OF NOTE - Previous Clay Aiken-Jimmy Kimmel Valentine's Night shows have become rewind favorites among the singer's fans. His second mainstream album, A Thousand Different Ways, seems the perfect accompaniment. Clickable graphic by A Beautiful Mind, photos by Scrpkym.

'Valentine's Day Is Clay Aiken Day'

Aiken-Kimmel in Classic Rewind

February 14 traditions centuries old continue throughout the world, but none closer to the hearts of Clay Aiken fans than the Valentine Nights the singer appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show.

Valentine's Night 2011 is destined to provide new traditions as Clay & Co. present a special Tried & True Concert in Houston's Jones Hall at 7:30 p.m. this evening.

But back to the 2010 Kimmel-Aiken rewind of Valentines past. For the most part, this blog is a reprint of the Feb. 14, 2010 entry. In the host's words, "Valentine's Day is Clay Aiken Day."

Clay and Jimmy celebrated Valentine's 2005 together, and the CA fandom literally took charge of the stage decor, sending flowers, stuffed animals, balloons in the shape of hearts, and enough pizza for the crew and half the audience.

Valentines encompass 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' set.

At the heart of the "Climmel" happenings is a special friendship, complimented by a unique chemistry that has developed through the years. In 2008, Clay was performing in Spamalot on Broadway; and in 2009, he was on vacation. With Singer Man putting final touches on an upcoming PBS Special, this Valentine's Day isn't looking very promising.

The Aiken-Kimmel reunion on Feb. 14, 2007, was a classic and worthy of a rewind. Grab your popcorn; it's almost time for Clay's introduction ...

In addition to being a multi-platinum recording artist, the author of a New York Times bestseller, and tireless UNICEF ambassador, our first guest has been my Valentine for two out of the last three years running. Please welcome Clay Aiken!

Clay Arrives Bearing Gifts

As with past appearances, pandemonium greeted Clay as he entered bearing gifts -- a giant heart of red balloons, the Clay face shirt for his host, and special "Aiken 4 Kimmel" M&Ms. Jimmy immediately whipped off his jacket and put on his new shirt.

The two friends chatted about Clay's break, his upcoming UNICEF trip, his "enthusiastic" fans" ("Do you realize you command a larger army than Fidel Castro?"), some recent dental work ("I heard that you got a visit from the tooth fairy yesterday and had some work done on your teeth"), and what not.

Jimmy's hint that Clay had promised to compose a special Valentine's Day song was met with comical and totally convincing bafflement. As a pianist quietly started playing an intro offstage, Clay relented, "Well, I can make one up."

Valentine Song Lyrics

Mischievously eying the bowl of candy beside him, Clay began picking up pastel-colored hearts, improvising a song with the Valentines and tossing them over his shoulder after their usefulness. Miraculously, a microphone appeared; and the improvisational flavor of the song and skit progressed:Here's to a very special 2011 Valentine's Day start to finish, Clay Nation!

Love me ... true love,
Fax me ... got love,
You're so sweet ... yours forever,
You're so sweet ...
(speaking) I've got Stage 2 diabetes; that's not going to work!
(singing again) Angel ... dear one. (chuckles)
You're a tiger ... you're mine, Jimmy!!!

Back on the message boards came reports that, during commercial breaks, Clay picked up the bowl of candy and passed out sweets to audience members. Definitely a Valentine's Night to remember ... again and again!

Yollie950 incorporated these events into her montage Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon.

Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon
Montage by Yollie950

Throughout the many Valentines fans have shared with Clay, graphic artists have provided special visual treats. In this artistic 2/14 rewind are clickable designs by Sally, 1; A Beautiful Mind, photos by KarenEh, 2; cindilu2, 3; AmazingCA, photos by Katy4Clay, 4; and A Beautiful Mind, 5.

The most recent Aiken-Kimmel Valentine get-together was featured in the annual My Favorite Things montage by SmartyPantsSuz.

Other events highlighted in the 2007 MFT montage were the Mike and Juliet Show, Clay's UNICEF trip to Afghanistan, another JKL appearance, summer and holiday tours, and his $300,000 win for the National Inclusion Project on Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.

My Favorite Things 2007 by SmartyPantsSuz
JKL grid links to MFT montage on YouTube.

It's fun to look back. Here's to a very special Valentine's Day 2011 and a wonderful concert in Houston!



Signature by Linda/ABM

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Clay Aiken Tried & True Concert Hits MOAM Anniversary

CHICAGO CONCERT - 2011 Tried & True Tour Preview
View full screen at the Clay Aiken Channel on YouTube.

MOAM Released on 10/14/03

Sold-Out Concert Celebrates CD

Ironically, Clay Aiken's sold-out Chicago Concert tonight, premiere performance of the 2011 Tried & True Winter Tour, falls on the seventh anniversary of Measure of a Man, the singer's first mainstream album.

Tonight's 7:30 p.m. concert at Park West will provide a sneak preview of the February-March 2011 Winter Tour for Tried & True, Clay's June release with Decca Records.

Tried & True CD

Released at midnight on Oct. 13, 2003, Measure of a Man (MOAM) recorded 612,869 sales in its first week (10/19/03 Soundscan report), marking the fastest-selling debut of a solo artist in 10 years. The CD was #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart for two weeks and remained on the album listing for a total of 35 weeks.

From release parties throughout North America the evening of the 13th to a myriad of TV appearances and performances accompanying the CD's drop, the curtain was rising on Clay Aiken's premier steps onto the worldwide stage.

On Oct. 13, Clay taped an appearance on the Jay Leno Show in a studio packed with Aiken fans. After performing "Invisible," the CD's lead single, Clay sat down to chat with the host, who was amazed that CA fans had spent the night in the parking lot waiting for tickets.

Just the first of many all-nighters, as well as Leno appearances, for the Clay Nation!

Present in the audience was a very special fan, Sherry, who had celebrated her birthday by appearing as an "extra" in the filming of Invisible. In the video, she received a hug. On this night, she received a shout-out and a kiss toss from Clay.

In the 'Invisible' video, Sherry appears at 2:09 and 2:37.
View INVISIBLE video full screen at VEVO on YouTube.

Fans Recount MOAM Festivities

Recollections of the Oct. 13 CD Release Parties, midnight MOAM purchases, and initial spins of the long-awaited songs headline Clay Cyberspace every year at this time. Representative are these reflections by Clayversity members:

Raquelsg: It's a night I'll always treasure and remember fondly, as I was one of the fortunate 20 to have won tickets to be in studio with Clay that night at KIIS-FM in LA. Excitedly, we met first met the DJ, Jo Jo, and were given instructions.

Once inside the very small studio itself, we could hardly contain ourselves. There was lots of cheering and screaming, some prompted by Jo Jo himself. Clay was so cute sitting there; but at the time, he seemed too shy to actually look at us or interact with us even during the commercials.

We took turns rotating rows so each would have a chance to stand in the front closest to Clay. Vanessa, his PA at the time, was sitting beside him; and Roger was standing in the back of the crowd behind all of us "enthusiastic" fans. We got to watch him chat with others at CD release parties across the country and tape a couple segments for ET the next day.

After the interview, I drove as fast as I could to the Orange County CD Release Party already in progress and posed for lots of pictures holding my autographed picture of Clay. We got to hear the CD over the speakers at Virgin prior to midnight, watched Leno on their TV, and bought our CD's at the stroke of midnight.

It was an amazing night!

MOAM Heard Round the Office

Coopersgirl: I got my MOAM at 6 a.m., went to work two hours before anyone else, took the CD out of the bag, and kissed it. I plugged in the brand new CD player that I had bought the day before and turned it on as loud as I dared, sat at my desk and cried.

Later when everyone came to work, they noticed the new CD player on my desk and asked when it became OK to listen to music in the front office. I just smiled and said, "Today."

I never got tired of it, but everyone else in my office did. Later in the day a maintenance man came upstairs, stopped at my desk, and said he liked my music. He and others had been working in the basement at 6:30 and said they could hear Clay through the furnace.

Claytonlady: The MOAM CD Party in Hartford was a great night. We all had a dinner and party at a nice restaurant with games and fun, even a Flat Clay. Then we went over to Borders and waited until midnight for the CD release.

They had Clay on "Leno" on a television in the store; but as soon as we got home, I had to re-watch it. It was such an exciting night filled with great memories!

50 Women and One Tiny TV

Smittenwithclay: I thought I was the only fan in Oregon, so I stepped up to coordinate a party with a couple friends. I remember walking into KrispyKreme for the Clay Aiken party pick-up and hearing the manager say, "Give her five dozen." No questions asked.

We were supposed to have a TV to watch "Leno," but the restaurant messed up. However, AprilJoy had recorded the East Coast feed and brought her own set.

I'll never get the image out of my heard -- 50 women hovering around a 14" TV "oohing" and "ahhing" and "oh my goshing" when Clay was on.

It's something I will always remember, and I got to buy the first CD in Portland!

To read other recollections, see the Carolina blog 10/14/07 entry: Aiken Fans Honor MOAM Birthday. Please share your special MOAM memories in the comments.

Have You Voted for Inclusion Today?

With a full weekend calendar (tonight's Chicago Concert and the Champions Gala Benefit in Raleigh on Saturday), CA fans have unique challenges for casting daily votes in the National Inclusion Project's campaign for a Pepsi Refresh $50,000 grant.

With Internet connection available in most hotels, fans should be able to access the voting links via Facebook, the Pepsi site, as well as mobile phone texts (#102308 to #73774). That's three votes for the National Inclusion Project with the remaining 27 spread among the charity's voting alliances and partners.

Replica of NIP Widget

Thanks to the widget created by Scarlett, the Carolina sidebar contains voting links for all the latest NIP partner updates. Following the alliance list, select from Groups A, B, and/or C to complete your daily votes.

Be sure to copy/paste a message similar to the one below so the organizations will know the Inclusion Project is supporting their cause:

National Inclusion Project just voted for you. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject. Text 102308.

Chicago Concert and Clay Aiken CD's 2003-10.
Clickable graphics by Fountaindawg

Happy Tried & True tour debut and 7th MOAM anniversary to Clay and his fans around the globe! Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Clay Aiken, Fans Plan Chicago-Raleigh Weekend

IN CONCERT - Clay Aiken performs in a special Chicago concert Thursday and entertains at the Gala Benefit in Raleigh on Saturday. Graphic by AmazingCA, photos by Karen Eh.

NIP Aims for $50k Pepsi Grant

Chicago Sell-Out, Gala Fill Agenda

Clay Aiken and a huge contingent of fans are days away from a jam-packed weekend that opens with a sold-out Tried & True Concert at Park West in Chicago, IL, Thursday followed by the 2010 National Inclusion Project Champions Gala Benefit 862 miles away in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday.

Sponsored by WTTW, Chicago's PBS station, the exclusive one-night-only performance at the intimate Park West Theatre will feature the singer's chart-topping hits as well as tracks from his brand Decca release, Tried & True. The special 7:30 p.m. concert was declared a sell-out this week.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE in Chicago!
Double click to expand graphic by Fountaindawg.

While most fans will opt for a few hours in the air, some plan to drive the 800+ miles from Chicago to North Carolina for the Inclusion Project's annual Gala Benefit-Awards Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The Champions Gala annually celebrates individuals, corporations, and the National Inclusion Project’s impact on improving the lives of children and families across the country.

Saturday's event will include dinner, recognition of the honorees, silent and live auctions in support of the foundation's programs, and a special performance by Clay, who co-founded the organization with Diane Bubel of Charlotte, in 2003.

A VIP reception with the singer is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. For additional information, see schedule and tickets and live/online auctions at the NIP website.

Foundation To Honor Champions

Selected for their substantive efforts to ensure no child sits on the sidelines, the 2010 honorees include PepsiCo EnAble, I Am Norm, and 11 college friends, who took a school pal on the adventure of a lifetime in 2005.

They include Andrew Carson, Ben Smalley, Collin Shepley, Daniel Epting, Dylan Wilson, John Hadden, John Harmon, Jason Hees, Kevin Weir, Logan Smalley, and Sam Johnson.

Below are videos and capsules of the 2010 honorees. Extended bios of the 2010 champions are posted on the Inclusion Project website.

SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL - Pepsi's 2008 Super Bowl ad, Bob's House, was a unique and hilarious commercial illustrating a popular joke in the deaf community. It was created and enacted by deaf members of the Pepsico workforce, EnAble.

PepsiCo EnAble Champions Inclusion

PepsiCo EnAble creates an inclusive environment for people with different abilities. In line with PepsiCo’s values and talent-sustainability goals, EnAble seeks to promote physical, technological, and cultural opportunities to “EnAble” their people to realize their fullest potential.

With a global reach and partnerships such as those with Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Walgreens, as well as their own Accessible Technology initiative and Inclusive Advertising focus, PepsiCo EnAble is leading the way in real, measurable, and practical ways to make a difference for all people they touch.

I AM NORM - This brief documentary of the National Youth Inclusion Program's summit in January 2010 describes the group's goals. View full screen at YouTube.

20 Young People Form 'I Am Norm'

In January, 20 young people with and without disabilities flew from various locations across the United States to meet each other for the very first time in Washington, DC.

In just one weekend, the I Am Norm group designed a campaign in hopes of bringing about that change. Through this campaign, they hope to raise awareness about inclusion, provide opportunities for youth to share their ideas about inclusion, and promote inclusive practices in schools and communities.

ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME - The above trailer provides glimpses into this excursion with its goals. The entire video can be viewed at the Darius Goes West website.

'Roll of His Life' Builds Awareness

In 2005, eleven college friends -- Andrew Carson, Ben Smalley, Collin Shepley, Daniel Epting, Dylan Wilson, John Hadden, John Harmon, Jason Hees, Kevin Weir, Logan Smalley, and Sam Johnson -- decided to take their 15-year-old pal, Darius Weems, who had never left his hometown, on the adventure of a lifetime.

Cameras were rolling as they left Athens, GA, and headed west for Los Angeles, CA, with three goals in mind: to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the disease Darius has; to test wheelchair accessibility across the country; and to convince MTV's popular show "Pimp My Ride" to customize Darius' wheelchair.

Despite their lack of movie-making experience, the resulting documentary, Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life, has won 28 film festival awards, turned into a grassroots movement with a huge global fan base, and raised nearly $2 million for DMD research.

CAMP HOWE - Children with and without disabilities participate in a Let's ALL Play Camp. New camps will be funded with the $50,000 grant from Pepsi.

NIP Drops to #8 in Pepsi Refresh

"There are no words to explain what camp has meant for my son, who has never truly felt a sense of belonging to be recognized for who he is. What is the saddest thing is that he never expects to be recognized, because being overlooked is a way of life for him. I have never seen him look so sure of himself and so happy." - Mother of a son who benefited from an inclusion camp experience this summer.

Entering the second week of October, supporters of the National Inclusion Project are, hopefully, on the way to proving This.Is.The.Month for the foundation to land in the top 10 and secure a $50,000 grant in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge.

US citizens at least 13 years of age have a total of 30 daily votes to cast via text, Facebook, and through the Pepsi site. That's three votes a day for the National Inclusion Project from each eligible voter/account in a family. The remaining 27 should be spread among the charity's voting partners.

For supporters with limited time, the simplest way to vote is via text: #102308 to #73774 (Pepsi). Enlist texters singly and in groups (luncheons, dinner parties, school club meetings, etc.).

Imagine the immediate impact a fan-filled baseball park, football stadium, Chicago concert, or Champions Gala would have executing a group text for inclusion!

Register for Reminder, iPad Drawing

By registering at the National Inclusion Project home page, you will receive a daily voting reminder and be eligible for an iPad if the foundation wins the $50k grant this month.

In less than 10 minutes a day, early risers can easily vote through the National Inclusion Project's alliance list, as well as a second or third set of partnerships fans formed last month.

Just this week, new partners have been added to the NIP voting lists. In fact, charities have noted the faithful voting by NIP supporters and are requesting to be included in a group.

Thnx to Scarlett, fans can vote with the Carolina's new sidebar Pepsi Refresh widget or via the links below. Look for the widget at Facebook and in other Clay Aiken blogs.

NIP + Alliances

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
1p36 Deletion Syndrome - Text 101439 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Ella's Hope (autism) - Text 100288 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Oakland Children's Hospital (Rett) - Text 103134 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Int'l Foundation for CDKL5 Research - Text 102973 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Center for Courageous Kids - Text 102408 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Lake Reba Playground (handicapped) - Text 102102 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Congenital CMV Foundation (childhood disability) - Text 101692 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Empower Women (cancer research) - Text 103297 to 73774 (Pepsi)

Be sure to copy/paste a message similar to the one below so the organizations will know the Inclusion Project is supporting their cause:

National Inclusion Project just voted for you. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject. Text 102308.

Throughout September, NIP supporters exchanged votes with other charities. Choose Group A, B, or C (extra accounts) for your second/third rounds of voting. Leave a message similar to the one above so a vote for the NIP will be returned.

Group A

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
She Shall Go Free - Text 102913 to 73774 (Pepsi)
UNC Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Text 103835 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Courageous Disabled Friends - Text 100058 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Girl Scouts of Eastern SC - Text 103373 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Fox Road Elementary School - Text 102179 to 73774 (Pepsi)
McKemy Middle School - Text 100283 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Saving Shelter Pets - Text 102190 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Fit Trix Fit Kidz - Text 102062 to 73774 (Pepsi)
SWOOP - Text 102191 to 73774 (Pepsi)

Group B

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Libby Tennis Courts - Text 101307 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Rosie's Ranch - Text 101742 to 73774 (Pepsi)
The Bag Ladies - Text 101126 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Marine Science Center - Text 103443 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Cystic Fibrosis - Text 102534 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Hatch's House of Hope - Text 101703 to 73774 (Pepsi)
RATCO Freedom Foundation - Text 100570 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Earl J. Crowe Purchase SUV - Text 102913 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Eicosanoid Research - Text 103313 to 73774 (Pepsi)

Group C (Extra Accounts)

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Tiger Crane Kung Fu - Text 101996 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Children's Rainbow Mountain Retreat - Text 100520 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation - Text 102661 to 73774 (Pepsi)
The Blue Shadows - Text 101370 to 73774 (Pepsi)
ADERS (autism) - Text 101217 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Stop Suffering Dogs EPI - Text 102730 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Karo Grillo Golf Cart/WC - Text 101966 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Second Chance Wildlife - Text 100265 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Granara Skerry (pancreatic cancer) - Text 101844 to 73774 (Pepsi)
A Place Called Home - Text 103445 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Leaning Post Ranch (for disabled) - Text 102968 to 73774 (Pepsi)

Inclusion is giving everyone the opportunity to participate.
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
'Open Arms' performed by Clay Aiken.

Kai Keeps Grandma in the Loop

I talked at length with grandson Kai Friday evening. Actually, I mostly listened and asked questions while he chatted away about cars, trucks, football, basketball, Hawaii, among other subjects. His mother is usually nearby to translate any words I don't catch, but she was busy in the kitchen.

Lia has progressed to "hey" when we talk. Turns out she was my mystery caller a couple of weeks ago while I was teaching an afternoon of lessons at the academy. When I returned home and checked phone messages, there was one of silence that gradually evolved into a distinctive nibbling of crackers.

I dialed my daughter to see if Kai had randomly called me again. Upon hearing the description of near silence, she said, "Oh no, Mom, that was Lia! Kai would have started talking to you the minute he heard your voice on the machine."

Below is a clickable of the opening graphic by AmazingCA:

Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadians! Have an awesome new week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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