Clay Aiken, Movies Make Wednesday 'Mini' Special

As Long As We're Here - Clay Aiken
View montage by gerwhisp full screen at YouTube.

Time for Reflection, Relaxation

Mid-Week 'Mini' Provides Choices

For me, Tuesdays are wall-to-wall music lessons at Wesleyan Christian Academy, fortunately followed by lazy Wednesdays during which I catch up with friends and family online and off, listen to Clay Aiken music, and watch movies.

Somewhere along the way, my friend Scarlett tagged this mid-week day off a "mini," often wishing she had one, too. Of course, a "mini" only lasts one day; and then it's back to teaching lessons on Thursday.

In checking through email saved for just such a Wednesday, I discovered a thoughtful piece shared a couple of weeks ago by Marlyne. See what you think.

Something To Think About

1] Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a STEERING WHEEL that directs the right path throughout.

2] So why is a car's WINDSHIELD so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it; they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry; they can't last long either.

5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart; it's just a bend, not the end!"

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities. When GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied, "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. Sometimes when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE.

ALAWH Describes Aiken's Advocacy

"As Long As We're Here," the On My Way Here song from gerwhisp's opening Clay Aiken montage, beautifully reflects the singer's humanitarian philosophy.

A UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and co-founder of the National Inclusion Project the year before, the singer is well known as an advocate for children the world over. His goal of helping others has inspired many of his fans to take up his causes.

Inspired by Clay's UNICEF projects, these graphics were designed by AmazingCA, 1, 2; cindlu2, 3; Clayquebec1, 4, with photo by Invisible926; and claystruck, 5. All but the animation are clickable.

Going to the Movies Miles Apart

Somehow I made it through the past three decades watching only a few movies here and there. I didn't subscribe to premium channels until a couple of years ago when I signed up for DIRECTV. Later came U-Verse, augmented by Netflix.

My friend Sally gave my film repertoire a real boost the Christmas she sent me a box of 50+ carefully recorded movies she knew I would like. In no time at all, I was hooked! She frequently recommends movies that immediately go on the list.

I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to watch a movie simultaneously with a friend 1,125 miles away. Scarlett and I coordinate our film adventures through chat on Facebook. Typical opening of a show is little more than, "I'm paused at MGM. Say GO!"

And then we are off to the races watching just about every genre in the book! Ironically, each has introduced the other to several movies.

Some our recent movies are A Single Man, Bonneville, Cookie's Fortune, Date Night, It's Complicated, Death at a Funenal (British), Life Is Beautiful, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, My Cousin Vinny, Music Within, October Sky, Secretariat, Searching for Bobby Fischer, The Blind Side, The Great Debaters, The King's Speech, The Paper, The Dream Team, The Reader, Unstoppable, With Honors, and Wooly Boys.

Could SFF Be in My Future?

The lady is is doing her best to turn me into a Sci-Fi Fantasy fan, but she's got a ways to go. I did view Inception twice, but she had to explain a zillion times about participating in and extracting information from another person's dreams. *g*

Ever the techno goddess, Scarlett maintains an up-to-date, color-coded spreadsheet document entitled "Ultimate Movie List" with dates movies are viewed, where the film is available (DVR, purchased DVD, Netflix, Amazon, etc.), the date last watched, even the IMdb viewer rating.

Our running dialogue during the movies is frequently hilarious. The multi-tasker is almost always rendering clack on a neighboring machine. With so many choices, the biggest question on movie nights is ... where do we begin.

Where Do I Begin - Clay Aiken on Tried & True Tour
View montage by molino79 full screen at YouTube.
Video footage by Scarlett and farouche; photos by Invisible926.

Tonight's movie fare is The Shawshank Redemption from Netflix and Amazon. I have seen the film several times, but this highly-rated movie will be brand new to my cohort. Upcoming features include The Cure, The Next Three Days, August Rush, The Town, and Calendar Girls.

Hope you're having a wonderful week and maybe even a mini! Seen any good movies lately?

Caro

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Clay Aiken Fans Share NJU Tour Experiences

CLAY AIKEN IN ORLANDO: Click to expand Tried & True Tour blend of the singer by AmazingCA, photos by irishbookgal.

New iPhone Boon to Music Lessons

NJU Reports Rewind T&T Tour

Clay Aiken fans have always enjoyed sharing their favorite singer with others, and the Tried & True Tour presented many Not.Just.Us encounters.

This marks the third in a series of NJU stories by fans who first shared their "newbie" tour encounters with friends on CA message boards.

psparky: I had two extra tickets to last night's show, and I gave them to a woman I work with. She had no idea who Clay was, except for the fact that my office is plastered with his pictures. She was excited to go though and took her husband.

I walked up to her today, and she was "still under the Clay glow"! She loved him, thought he was adorable, sexy, and talented; and said she now understands why I love him so much.

Another bonus was her husband loved the show too! I loved the fact that she went with no preconceived opinion, just went with an open mind and LOVED HIM!

I mentioned his voice was a little hoarse and he had a few cracks. She didn't even notice them. She loved every song and every moment of the concert.

For the first time in eight years I got someone from work to go see Clay, and she was thrilled! The good thing is that she told everyone she saw that he was "wonderful." People who see him recognize the "magic" in his talent! Clay is still winning them over!

chasandpeg: We were sitting next to two sisters that had never been to a show and didn't own any CD's. They loved him and thought he was fantastic. They said their mom had passed away last month and they really needed that. He made them feel so much better and they were going to buy his CD.

Clay & Quiana sing Crying' duet in Cleveland Concert.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Download the high definition file at the Tried & True doc.

cindilu2: "Crying" contains some of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard Clay sing; I love it beyond measure. At both my Florida concerts, Clay "went low," and I missed out on them.

So in Cleveland, all indications were that he was in the zone musically. He was going for (and reaching) everything. Seriously fantastic vocals.

Dare I hope? It was pretty clear leading up to "my part" that he was going to sing the high parts and I'm just sitting there chanting, "ohh, ohhh, ohhhhhh, he's gonna do it!"

I might have also squeed. Needless to say I got a funny look from the NJU sitting next to me -- a 60+ year-old man who was somewhat ... confounded.

But ya know, he applauded as hard as I did when it was over!

emerson: "If they hear him, they will like him"... I always play Clay in my car when I am running errands. I shop frequently at a place where you have to get a ticket as you go in. A guy who is almost always in the booth gives back the ticket when you go out.

Yesterday, the guy mentioned that I always seem to have the same singer playing in my car and that I always seem so happy. He asked who it was. I said, "Clay Aiken."

He said, "THAT is Clay Aiken? Wow, he has a great voice!" He almost seemed surprised as he said it. I don't know if we have a new fan or not. Maybe I will give him a Clay Aiken "On My Way Here" CD.

iPhone Keeps the Beat

A month and a half ago I took the plunge and purchased an iPhone. Not the latest version, but the 3gs on sale for $49 was still a giant leap into 21st Century when compared to my four-year old, stripped down cell with meager capabilities.

In addition to Tiffany at the AT&T Store, my friend Chris helped with the initial set-up. My first texts on Feb. 17 were to friend Scarlett, who had campaigned for months for the iPhone purchase, and to my daughter, whose generation much prefers this mode of communication.

Perplexed that Scarlett didn't immediately respond, I finally checked her phone numbers on my computer. Sure enough, I had sent the text to a "semi-retired" cell; so by the afternoon, I punched in the correct number and typed, "Joke's on me! Hello from my new iPhone!"

Texts Document Tour, Tar Heels

Today I scrolled back through our running commentary during Clay's Tried & True Tour -- various tidbits from concerts she was taping; the night she avoided the "camera nazis" and slipped into the balcony; clack rendering updates from hotel rooms, the back seats of cars, airports, etc.

Most recently, Scarlett joined me in cheering for the Carolina Tar Heels through their Elite Eight win, keeping tabs on the score via her iPhone. That story is under the subhead: March Madness Nabs New Victim in the March 21 blog.

When I bought the phone, I thought there was no way I would ever hit 1,000 texts in a month. Within a few days, I had to upgrade to the unlimited plan.

Students Teach the Teacher

From Day 1, my music students have been very involved with the new phone and "teaching" the teacher. While I tuned her violin, Erica, the first student on Feb. 17 snapped a photo of my piano keyboard and created the phone's wallpaper.

As photos of grandchildren Kai and Lia arrived, students rotated them into the phone's alternate displays. They have also emailed me photos for my growing camera roll.

Below are clickables of Kai, 3, playing with the Leapster his grandmother sent and Lia, almost 2, in her favorite Tinkerbell pajamas and the Tonga truck hat she has claimed!

Clickables of grandchildren Kai and Lia

Apparently there is an inbred chip in the younger generation because whether they own an iPhone or not, all my students seem to know how to get around mine. One wrote me an "assignment" in the Notes app so I would link to a website and analyze a certain chord progression he wants to use.

I have recorded music by my composers, Caleb and Joseph, as well as songs by students who have learned that the "red light" simulates a room full of listeners. Playbacks are especially good for noting if expression marks really were observed in the music.

Just this week I located a metronome app that has aided several pianists and violinists. Thursday afternoon I learned that Anna's father uses the app to tweak the timing of his golf swing.

A music flash card app is helping Mitch, my youngest student, review new notes; and a violin tuning app sounds the pitches of the four strings.

So far the iPhone has proved to be a very interesting ride, teaching aid, and a whole lot of fun!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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Clay Aiken & Co. Present 'Best Show Ever'

Clay Aiken's Tried & True concerts are a hit.
Expandable screen cap by Scarlett. (See two more in blog).

Fans Praise Tried & True Show

Waterbury Takes Bar Even Higher

Clay Aiken & Co. pulled out all the stops in Waterbury, CT, and presented another "best show ever" as the singer and five backup musicians wound down a five-day leg of the Tried & True Tour.

In addition to songs from his Tried & True Decca release, concert goers have been charmed with the big band/jazz arrangements of the singer's hits from earlier albums: Measure of a Man, A Thousand Different Ways, and On My Way Here.

Like many Americans, the musicians have Presidents Day off before resuming this week's concerts in Baltimore, MD, 7:30 pm Tuesday, Kraushaar Auditorium; Charlotte, NC, 7:30 pm Wednesday, Blumenthal Center; Greenville, SC, 7:30 pm Thursday, The Peace Center; Westbury, NY, 8 pm Saturday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury; and Glenside, PA, 7:30 pm Sunday, Keswick Theatre.

Charlotte will mark the midway point in the 22-city tour, which will wind its way through the Midwest and western states, closing in San Francisco on March 12. For a complete listing with venue links, see the 1/11 Carolina blog entry.

Clay & Co. swing with jazzy medley of previous hits.
View big band video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Watch Clay's intro to the medley here.

Jazz Medley Sets Tone for Show

According to many, the new jazzy arrangement of old CA hits set the tone. Thank you to the fans who have shared their concert experiences here.

Emerson: I loved, loved, loved the show! When he did that jazzy arrangement, I was in "Clay heaven," and I knew that we were in for a very special night.

He looked so amazingly good. What I really was impressed by was how much fun he seemed to be having. For all the LOL moments he gave me, it was nice to see him in fits of laughter at times throughout the show. When he talked about his fans and how much they meant to him, I was a bit misty-eyed.

If you are a Clay fan, you have to see this concert live if at all humanly possible. The clack is wonderful but, the live performance is just something that words are not enough to describe!

Call me one over-the-moon and blissfully satisfied Claymate!

Clay and Quiana sing 'Crying' duet in Waterbury.
Link to YouTube for full screen view of video by Scarlett.

Clay, Quiana 'Kill' on 'Crying'

A nightly hit on the tour is the T&T "Crying" duet performed by Clay and Quiana Parler. Like all of the featured videos by Scarlett, the above rendition can be downloaded at her Waterbury doc. NOTE: Be sure to include the hilarious intro for the jazzy medley.

"Crying" has proved a nightly fan favorite on the T&T Tour, and Waterbury was no exception.

Rhode Island Fan: What a wonderful night! Clay Aiken in his element, at his best with an audience that loved him. It doesn't get much better than that.

The show really was my favorite out of all of his tours. The intimate setting is perfect for him. He owned us all from the minute the curtain went up until the sign language "thank you" he gave us when he finished "In My Life."

One girl talked on the way out. She had lost track of him, loved it, and said she didn't realize he could be so funny. She won't be missing his concerts any more.

His speaking voice was a bit husky, but his singing was flawless. He didn't hold back. I noticed that especially on "Crying."

My friends who have been to three or four shows felt this one was the best so far. I had worried that five nights in a row would do him in, but he was spot on. The banter was hilarious; it's amazing how he can go from silly to sublime in a split second.

Incredible rendition of 'Love Story' opens show.
View Waterbury video full screen at YouTube.

Recaps Describe Diversified Audience

According to fan reports, the Waterbury crowd was diversified and very energetic, matching the variety of the evening's set list.

Angelclay: The concert tonight was wonderful with a very diversified, energetic crowd -- many men, (Clay counted 10 in front row), many young girls, and even some younger kids.

For the genres of music, they did Irish dance, hip hop, and grunge. Hip hop was hilarious with Clay holding his jeans and hopping around. His grunge singing was pretty spot on.

This was one of the best Clay concerts I have been to. He was spot on, gorgeous voice, witty, and funny,

Clay called out some certers and video takers, but said he didn't mind them at all. Before he sang IML, he thanked all those who have been there from the beginning and those who come to one show or 10 shows. At the end of IML, he did his trademark signing of "thank you."

Waterbury, CT, Set List

Overture
Theme from Love Story
Mack the Knife

Banter
There’s a Kind of Hush
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Banter
Big Band Medley: The Way, This is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, These Open Arms, Invisible
Something About Us
Foggy Day in London Town (Quiana)

Banter - Auto-tune: Suspicious Minds, I Kissed a Girl
Suspicious Minds
Build Me Up Buttercup
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
Moon River

Who's Sorry Now - Irish, hip hop, punk/grunge genres (Clay and Quiana)
It’s Only Make Believe
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Cry Me a River (Quiana)
Crying (Clay and Quiana)

Banter
Unchained Melody

Encore
Both Sides Now
In My Life

Expandable screen caps from videos by Scarlett.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation! See you after Baltimore!

Caro

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Curtain Rises on Clay Aiken's Winter Tour Tonight

ANOTHER OPENING - The curtain rises on the opening show of Clay Aiken's Tried & True Tour in Miami tonight. Graphic AmazingCA, screen caps by Scarlett.

'Another Op'nin', Another Show'

Tried & True Sets Miami Opening

The overture is about to start,
You cross your fingers and hold your heart,
It's curtain time and away we go,
Another op'nin', another show!

Cole Porter's lyrics from Kiss Me Kate depict the heightened excitement among Clay Aiken fans everywhere as the curtain call approaches for the opening of the singer's Tried & True Tour at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Miami's Arsht Center.

The much-anticipated 22-city tour begins with a three-fer in Florida, proceeding to Houston for a special Valentine's performance before winding its way to East Coast, Midwest, and western dates.

In support of the Clay's latest release with Decca Records, the Tried & True Tour will feature songs from the album, as well as favorites from previous CD's and the singer's entertaining penchant for bantering with audiences.

Since 2003, Clay has released six albums with RCA and Decca. His national tours have hit double digits, many of which are captured in this graphic by Fountaindawg.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Click to expand graphic by Fountaindawg.

Florida 3-fer To Launch T&T Tour

Just hours before the concert, fans can only surmise the set list, but Tried & True favorites like "What Kind of Fool Am I?," "Mack the Knife," "Suspicious Minds," "Unchained Melody," are sure to to be among the songs featured on the winter tour.

Spotlighted in a PBS Special by the same name, Tried & True classics from the 1950s and 1960s showcase Clay's powerful tenor voice and interpretive skills. Songs from the CD and DVD of the live PBS concert can be sampled at Amazon and in the preview video by LovesClaysVoice below.

Clay Aiken - Tried & True Tour
View montage by LovesClaysVoice full screen at YouTube.

2011 Tried and True Tour

2.10.11 Miami, FL Arsht Center, 7:30 pm
2.11.11 Orlando, FL Hard Rock, 8 pm
2.12.11 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 8 pm
2.14.11 Houston, TX Jones Hall, 7:30 pm
2.16.11 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Center, 8 pm
2.17.11 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre, 8 pm
2.18.11 Pittsburgh, PA Carnegie Music Hall, 8 pm
2.19.11 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square, 7:30 pm
2.20.11 Waterbury, CT Palace Theater, 7:30 pm
2.22.11 Baltimore, MD Kraushaar Auditorium, 7:30 pm
2.23.11 Charlotte, NC Blumenthal Center, 7:30 pm
2.24.11 Greenville, SC The Peace Center, 7:30 pm
2.26.11 Westbury, NY NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 8 pm
2.27.11 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre, 7:30 pm
3.01.11 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre, 7:30 pm
3.02.11 Fort Wayne, IN Embassy Theatre, 7:30 pm
3.04.11 Waukegan, IN Genesse Theatre, 8 pm
3.05.11 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre, 8 pm
3.07.11 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall, 8 pm
3.08.11 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie, 7:30 pm
3.10.11 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center, 8 pm
3.11.11 San Francisco, CA The Warfield, 8 pm

For concert times, locations, driving instructions, contact numbers, seating charts, even the weather, refer to additional info in the sidebar calendar created by Scarlett. Expand to full size by clicking on the top link.

Below are clickables of graphics from the Clay Aiken Tried & True ~ LIVE! performance. Special thanks to AmazingCA for the designs of screen caps by Scarlett.

Here's to an awesome tour, Clay! Have a great day, Clay Nation. Meet you in the recap threads later!



Signature by Linda

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Montages Rewind Clay Aiken Events of 2010

BECAUSE WE KNEW YOU - Clay Aiken's 2010 Decca release, Tried & True, was promoted in Popeater with these Diana Levine photos. Click to enlarge graphic by AmazingCA to wallpaper size.

Performer, Advocate, Humanitarian

Montages Celebrate Year of Aiken

A year-in-review blog usually charts in late December, but the brand new four-part Clay Aiken Memories of 2010 montage series by LovesClaysVoice tossed the normalcy aside.

With the altered timetable, the singer's fans are celebrating an overview that incorporates the new Tried & True album with Decca Records, promo appearances, the PBS Special, a signature "Unchained Melody," the summer's Timeless Tour, and, always, the endeavors to make a difference.

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow;
If we let them - and we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you ...

The first montage incorporates the new Decca release, the accompanying promo appearances, the taping of the PBS special and the Bringing Broadway Home benefit performance in Clay's hometown of Raleigh.

Lea Salonga and Jennifer Paz provide the background music for this video with the song "For Good" from Wicked.

Clay Aiken - Memories of 2010, Part 1
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

The second montage highlights the harmonies, chemistry, and laughs from the July-August Timeless Tour with good friend American Idol 2 Ruben Studdard. "The Time of My Life," was a fitting ending and description of this tour's performances.

The Timeless Duo - Memories of 2010, Part 2
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

The third video spotlights vocal numbers "Mack the Knife," "Who's Sorry Now," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," the "Crying" duet with Casey Thompson, and "Unchained Melody" along with classic Clay Aiken banter from October's Park West Benefit Concert in Chicago.

Park West Concert - Memories of 2010, Part 3
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

Featuring the dedication to humanitarian work that has always defined the entertainer, the final video rewinds the National Inclusion Project's 2010 Champions of Change Gala with portions Clay's speech, live and Dutch auctions, and the treasured finale, "Both Sides Now," performed as a duet with Debra Leisey signing the lyrics.

Making a Difference - Memories of 2010, Part 4
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

The collection of montages include videos by the following CA fans: Babbyd, Scarlett, gerwhisp, gdg, HippoGA, toni7babe, Claylove, LauraQ, MBlovesClay, dlh7777, and robyn42.

Here's to many more memorable performances, the delightful impromptu comedic timing, and the huge heart of Clay Aiken!

If you need information about the Pepsi Refresh Campaign (updated widgets, printable fliers, etc.) and other December fundraisers for the Inclusion Project, scroll to the previous entry: Clay Aiken Fans Vote, Wrap for Inclusion.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Holiday signature by Linda

In past years, I have written about the birthday our family celebrates on Dec. 11. Happy Birthday to a very special daughter!

12/11/06: Musical Weekend Alters Birthday

12/11/07: The Year Christmas Came Early

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Let's Deal: Clay Aiken Montage for Avalanche of Votes

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Clay Aiken
Tried & True montage by LovesClaysVoice
View full screen at YouTube.

Final Push for $50k Pepsi Grant

Montages Spotlight T&T, Dance

NOTE: The National Inclusion Project wound up #17 in September's Pepsi Refresh Challenge, and voting began anew at midnight in the October drive for the $50,000 grant.

A new blog entry is forthcoming. Meanwhile, thank you for participation and do keep those computer, Facebook, and text votes coming in! - Caro

Here's the deal -- two very creative montages for all the votes you can round up for the National Inclusion Project in the final hours of September's Pepsi Refresh Campaign.

First, LovesClaysVoice spotlights Clay Aiken's lush "Cant Take My Eyes Off You" from the June 2010 Decca Tried & True CD with clips from recent interviews and appearances by the singer.

READY, AIM, VOTE for National Inclusion Project in Pepsi Refresh!

At camp, my son does not have Down Syndrome, wear hearing aids, or have difficulty with his speech. He is simply a camper. - A mother

NIP Supporters Pull Out Stops

An avalanche of additional votes is imperative to move the National Inclusion Project from #16 into the top 10 during the final hours of September's Pepsi Refresh Challenge, which ends at 12 midnight ET tonight.

The pay-off, a $50,000 grant, would help fund Let's ALL Play Camps in which children with disabilities can experience life with their peers.

Here are a couple of fresh ideas shared in CA message board posts earlier today:

queenmama247: I asked everyone who stopped by if I could use their phone. Got six extra text votes in. My sister promised she would keep texting. Even got my home health nurse to text!

ncgran4clay: Just called my daughter, who works in an inpatient hospice facility and told her to tell everyone I would bake them a cake if they would all text a vote for the "National Inclusion Project." So far she has gotten 12 votes and hasn't caught everyone yet!

I also went around to all my employees and made them text. One didn't know how, so I did it for him.

Inclusion Project Targets Top 10

In a special edition of The Voice newsletter this weekend, Inclusion Project supporters were encouraged to enlist additional daily voters and provided tools with which to help the charity place in the all-important top 10:

We need your help to spread the word so we can bring Let's ALL Play training to more programs across the nation and open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer!

Here are ways to recruit potential voters:

1. Home Page Splash: Check out all the ways you can vote by visiting the National Inclusion Project home page!

2. Daily Reminders: Sign up to receive a daily email reminder and become eligible to win a free iPad if we finish in the top 10 and win $50,000! Sign up here: Inclusion Project/Pepsi Challenge.

3. Facebook/Twitter Updates: Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

4. Forward the NIP email and share the info on message boards, Facebook, Twitter, in blogs.

5. Schedule a group text! Have the attendees turn their cell phone sounds on and walk them through sending a text together. When Pepsi texts back, the feedback will be amazing!

The National Inclusion Project was founded in 2003 by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, mother of a son with autism.

Originally the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, the charity, which is based in Raleigh, NC, changed its name in 2009 to better describe the organization's mission and programs.

Foundation Forms Voting Alliances

The National Inclusion Project has established voting alliances with other participants in the Pepsi Challenge. Besides offering opportunities to garner more votes, this also helps build awareness of the foundation's mission.

In reality, each person has 30 votes to use daily via text, Facebook, and through the Pepsi site. If you haven't already done so, register at Pepsi site and vote for the National Inclusion Project and these voting alliances:

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
RETT Syndrome - Text 100842 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Safe Places To Play (Cal Ripken) - Text 102661 to 73774 (Pepsi)
BRIDGES - Text 101364 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Blind Cat Rescue - Text 102422 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Children's Rare Disease Network - Text 102614 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Congenital CMV Foundation (childhood disability) - Text 101692 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Courageous Disabled Kids - Text 100058 to 73774 (Pepsi)
1p36 Deletion Syndrome - Text 101439 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Lake Reba Playground (handicapped) - Text 102102 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:

A vote from the National Inclusion Project! Help us help kids with disabilities experience life with their peers. We're going for $50K. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject. Text 102308. Thank you for your support!

A $50,000 Pepsi Refresh win by the National Inclusion Project would fund the following programs: train staff across the country on best practice inclusion techniques; provide training supplies; give scholarships to children unable to afford programs.

Only a few hours remain to make this happen. Something as simple as recruiting a teen-aged granddaughter with unlimited texting (who has friends with unlimited texting) could make a difference.

Dancing at the Movies - Music Video by Mart138
View Montage full screen at YouTube.

'Footloose' Inspires Pepsi Voting

As promised, here is the bonus montage reward for all the Pepsi Refresh votes garnered today -- a very popular music video featuring a collection of dance clips from almost 40 movies.

Singer Kenny Loggins supplies the vocals, and dancers from Fred Astaire to Michael kick up their heels to "Footloose" in this montage of movie clips:

Movies included are Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, White Nights, Perfect, Saturday Night Fever, Blue Skies, Pulp Fiction, High Fidelity, Clerks 2, American Pie, Billy Elliot, Footloose, True Lies,Grease, Honey, Phantom of the Opera, Step Up,Step Up 2, Moonwalker, West Side Story, Moulin Rouge, Mary Poppins, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Strictly Ballroom, Happy Feet, Singing in the Rain, Fame, Fame2009, Save the Last Dance, Mamma Mia, Mask of Zorro, Coyote Ugly, Wild Hogs, Get Smart, Airplane, A Knights Tale, High School Musical, and Austin Powers.

Bet you can't watch just once!

Just a few hours remain to amass the avalanche, so spread the word and drum up the votes! Have a very productive Sept. 30, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for for visits and comments in the Carolina blogs. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

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Clay Aiken's 'Unchained Melody' Showcases DWTS 11

Clay Aiken/DWTS Season 11 - 'Unchained Melody'
View montage by LovesClaysVoice full screen at YouTube.

Final Surge for Pepsi Grant

Montage Pairs Aiken, DWTS 11

The 11th season of Dancing with the Stars is barely a week old; but, thanks to a new montage by LovesClaysVoice, three couples are already dancing the Viennese Waltz to Clay Aiken's signature rendition of "Unchained Melody" on YouTube.

Featured in the magical video are dancers Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke, and Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

"Unchained Melody," a track on the singer's new Tried & True CD, can be downloaded via iTunes and Amazon at YouTube.

Clay Aiken - Suspicious Minds 2005 - 2010
Montage by Wowzers4Clay. View full screen at YouTube.

Montage Traces 5 Years of SM

In her latest montage, Wowzers4Clay intertwines Clay Aiken performances of "Suspicious Minds" from the past five years. Represented are the 2005 GMA Summer Concert Series; the 2005 Jukebox Tour concert in Clio, MI; and this summer's Timeless Tour show at Chautauqua.

Contributing videographers include Scarlett, MnM, Mrs Loki, and Roy Ferrer.

PEPSI REFRESH -- Inclusion Project needs huge final four days!

At camp, my son does not have Down Syndrome, wear hearing aids, or have difficulty with his speech. He is simply a camper. - A mother

NIP Supporters Plot 4-Day Push

A groundswell of additional daily votes is imperative to move the National Inclusion Project from #18 into the top 10 during the final four days of September's Pepsi Refresh Challenge.

The pay-off, a $50,000 grant, would help fund Let's ALL Play Camps in which children with disabilities can experience life with their peers.

In a special edition of The Voice newsletter this weekend, Inclusion Project supporters were encouraged to enlist additional daily voters and provided tools with which to help the charity place in the all-important top 10:

We need your help to spread the word so we can bring Let's ALL Play training to more programs across the nation and open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer!

Here are ways to recruit potential voters:

1. Home Page Splash: Check out all the ways you can vote by visiting the National Inclusion Project home page!

2. Daily Reminders: Sign up to receive a daily email reminder and become eligible to win a free iPad if we finish in the top 10 and win $50,000! Sign up here: Inclusion Project/Pepsi Challenge.

3. Facebook/Twitter Updates: Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

4. Forward the NIP email, and share the information on message boards, Facebook, Twitter, in blogs.

5. Schedule a group text! Have the attendees turn their cell phone sounds on and walk them through sending a text together. When Pepsi texts back, the feedback will be amazing!

The National Inclusion Project was founded in 2003 by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, mother of a son with autism.

Originally the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, the charity, which is based in Raleigh, NC, changed its name in 2009 to better describe the organization's mission and programs.

Foundation Forms Voting Alliances

The National Inclusion Project has established voting alliances with other participants in the Pepsi Challenge. Besides offering opportunities to garner more votes, this also helps build awareness of the foundation's mission.

In reality, each person has 30 votes to use daily via text, Facebook, and through the Pepsi site. Below is the current NIP voting alliance list:

National Inclusion Project - Text 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi)
RETT Syndrome - Text 100842 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Safe Places To Play (Cal Ripken) - Text 102661 to 73774 (Pepsi)
BRIDGES - Text 101364 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Blind Cat Rescue - Text 102422 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Children's Rare Disease Network - Text 102614 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Congenital CMV Foundation (childhood disability) - Text 101692 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Courageous Disabled Kids - Text 100058 to 73774 (Pepsi)
1p36 Deletion Syndrome - Text 101439 to 73774 (Pepsi)
Lake Reba Playground (handicapped) - Text 102102 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:

A vote from the National Inclusion Project! Help us help kids with disabilities experience life with their peers. We're going for $50K. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject. Text 102308. Thank you for your support!

A $50,000 Pepsi Refresh win by the National Inclusion Project would fund the following programs: train staff across the country on best practice inclusion techniques; provide training supplies; give scholarships to children unable to afford programs.

Four days remain to make this happen. Something as simple as recruiting a teen-aged granddaughter with unlimited texting (who has friends with unlimited texting) could make a difference.

I plan to send an email again to my circle of friends, relatives, students/parents, etc., who might want to win an iPad. Just think what would happen if the NIP got a huge influx of four-day voting from new blocks of people.

Just four days to pull out all the stops! Have a productive week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for for visits and comments in the Carolina blogs. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

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Clay Aiken KUHT 'InnerVIEW' Non-Stop Winner

Clay Aiken on KUHT-TV InnerVIEW: Photo by keepingfaith.

Clay Aiken Comes 'Home'

KUHT 'InnerVIEW' Runs Gamut

Clay Aiken, featured on Thursday's "InnerVIEW" with Ernie Manouse of KUHT-TV, Houston's PBS station, literally spoke non-stop on subjects running the gamut form A to Z.

According to reports by Houston fans, Manouse just let Clay talk. Most CA fans know the basics of the topics covered, but the Houston PBS special resulted in a much more in-depth interview.

The overview below was shared in message board recaps by keepingfaith, merrieeee, JoJobugs, and texwriter. The screen caps were taken with keepingfaith's cellphone camera.

CLAY: There's a song on my first album I've never been comfortable with and never performed. I didn't like it and didn't like the way it was produced.

ERNIE: Your fans are going to want to know which.

CLAY: Oh, they are well aware of which one.

* He has become comfortable with his life now and doesn't mind when he is recognized in public.

* Clay talked about the Idol process and said that he had been cut three times, once in Charlotte, once in Hollywood, and on the final show. At the end, he said, "That's it; I'm not losing anymore."

* Clay thinks that since he had a quick rise, it took him a while to know what he wanted. At the beginning he was content to let people dictate what to record.

He likes to think that after doing what he's been doing for seven years, he has gained the respect of the people who work around him enough that in the areas where he has a grasp on things, he's good at saying, "I want to do it this way."

* He's not a diva, but he's picky and believes he is more involved in the nuts and bolts of his career than any of his peers.

Song Choices Must Meet 'Live' Criteria

* His goal for every song from now on is that it's something he loves to sing "live."

* There was a line somewhere in the past seven years that when he crossed it, things stopped being so "GASP" and became just his life.

* Clay talked about being at the Apple store with a friend waiting in line. He told his friend to watch while he signed into Twitter on his iPhone. Almost immediately, there was a tweet: "I'm standing in line next to Clay Aiken at the Apple store!"

The photos below were taken by keepingfaith with her cellphone. Click to expand:

Clay Always Loved Singing

* Faye Parker, Clay's mother, always said he was singing at 18 months. It didn't seem like a big deal until he had Parker, who is "almost 2" and barely talking. Clay believes he got his musical talent "biologically."

There aren't a lot of four-year-olds who are great talents; there also aren't a lot of four-year-olds who are willing to stand up and sing for people anytime. He always loved it.

* Having a child changes everything. He can't just think about himself. He has to think about how his actions affect his son. It changes most of his decisions in everything he does.

* Most people who are picky in their regular jobs are called "Type A." In Clay's business, they are called "divas." He considers himself Type A because he is a micro-manager and likes to have control. He's picky. He never pretends to know things he doesn't. He's quick to defer to others when it's not his experience.

* He wasn't passionate about Idol until the Wild Card spot, and that's when he decided he really wanted it.

ERNIE: Is there a time when you worry that Clay Aiken is no longer yours?

CLAY: I worry about that; it's something that I'm aware of; and I'm aware that when I go out, I still am me. So I don't know if Clay Aiken has been lost, but I don't get to be "off."

Singer Records T&T Sans Lyrics

* Choosing songs is easy for him. He chuckles when people ask him, "How do you get yourself in that place to ... ?" And he says, "I don't know; I listened to my iPod and picked some songs I liked. Either that cheapens me or makes me brilliant."

* When he recorded Tried & True, Clay went into the studio without the lyrics because he knew the songs so well.

* He thinks he's now the "original me." Everything is shed, he's more comfortable being himself and saying what he wants. He has no pretense, walking to that interview in his pajamas and "cinnamon toast crunch" t-shirt.

* He had little pretense before, and he has none now. Last words: "I am me."

KUHT Membership Nets Interview

The exclusive interview, which will air again in Houston and in select markets after January. Check with your local PBS station for more information.

Fans may purchase a copy of the KUHT-TV interview for a basic membership fee of $40. If you are interested, place your order with the Houston station: (713) 748-8483.

"The interview was 90 percent Clay talking! I didn't want it to end. He came across as very articulate and smart," merrieeee reported.

Ernie asked him questions, and he let Clay answer. Thirty minutes of hearing Clay talk was great. The info was a lot of what "we" already know, but he was allowed to expand on his responses.

If you did not know him before, it was a good introduction to Clay Aiken, not just the star but also a human being.

I think he succeeded in distancing himself from the tabloid stuff and the stars that crave that kind of attention. He seemed to be so real and finally where he wants to be with regards to his life and career.

The last few months it seems to me that Clay Aiken has finally come "home"!

Keepingfaith added, "Where he stays in LA is close to a paparazzi mecca; and every time he goes out, 30 minutes later a picture of him walking down the street appears on a website.

He is constantly amazed that people care. And someone will say, "Well, you know you can't walk out of the house without doing your hair. And I say, "Why not? Everybody else does."

According to texwriter, "Keepingfaith will have quite a challenge in translating everything because Clay talked a mile a minute. Poor Ernie could hardly get a word in edgewise."

At #17, NIP Still Needs Votes!

The National Inclusion Project, stuck on #21 for days, has moved to #17, still seven slots shy of the target top 10 needed to secure a $50,000 grant in September's Pepsi Refresh Challenge.

Send prospective new supporters to Clay Aiken Fans Campaign for $50k Inclusion Grant for information and handy voting links.

To order a 2011 calendar by the Nov. 22 deadline, see 2011 Clay Aiken Calendars Slated for Gala. This is also an Inclusion Project fundraiser.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your comments in the Carolina blog. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

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