Clay Aiken Fans Exhibit Sleuthing Prowess

TRIED & TRUE WALLPAPER -- AmazingCA's Clay Aiken graphic using photo by dc4clay expands with a double-click.

Aided by Facebook, Twitter

Aiken Fans Prove Super Sleuths

Clay Aiken fans are among the world's best detectives. A casual tweet or twit pic and the Clay Nation is off and running with the singer's current filming locales, telecast dates, photos, you name it!

In past appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Clay has acknowledged the sleuthing prowess of his fans by jokingly offering the collective expertise in locating Osama Bin Laden.

Just in the past couple of weeks, amateur sleuths have uncovered interesting news bites with more forthcoming. For now, read about the singer's Season 3 appearance on Drop Dead Diva, and check out the photo with Tori Spelling on the Funny or Die set.

Fountaindawg's graphic below consolidates the current finds with earlier Tried and True Meet & Greet photo from Atlanta and concert pix by PermaSwooned.

Click to expand graphic by Fountaindawg to wallpaper size.

Allergies, Storms, U-verse Converge

Student spring breaks staggered over a three-week span couldn't have come at a better time, as in addition to music lessons, I am still battling seasonal allergies and, hopefully, fine tuning a new U-verse package that includes telephone, Internet, and TV.

The allergies just don't seem to want to leave, and my Internet connection with U-Verse hasn't figured out how to stay. I am very happy with the television part of the bundle, as I have enjoyed a multitude of new and old movies.

Phone Number Temporary No More

For anyone thinking of switching to U-verse, I highly recommend that you first make sure your phone number will not be changed, even temporarily. Mine took two weeks to finally be reinstated.

Thanks to Vonnie in Texas, Jake in Tennessee, Joe in the Triad, and a whole slew of other technicians with whom I have became acquainted, that is now behind me.

Next on the list is identifying the correct setting for my Internet connection. Just in the time it took to write this blog, the connection dropped three times; and mornings are usually the most trustworthy hours!

Late afternoons and evenings are the worst; but even then, everything sometimes works. The spring storms my state is experiencing may have something to do with adverse atmospheric conditions.

All I want is the steady consistency of my former AT&T wireless. Wonder if U-verse would consider a bundle with my old DSL connection?

Movie Meets in Cyberspace

Internet friends within the Clay Aiken fandom not only discuss the successes, news, and special causes of their favorite singer; they also share family events, health issues, recipes, and a variety of "off topic" subjects.

In the past week, Scarlett and I have discovered Cyberspace is a great arena for viewing movies together, even 1,125 miles apart! After syncing the Netflix and U-Verse films, we communicate via Facebook chat during a movie's run.

Such deep thoughts as "awwww" and "oh, no!" are better typed as the dialogue and action continue in parallel locations. So far, we have watched in tandem Heart and Souls, The Dream Team, and The Blind Side.

I was asked how we coordinate these events when one is streaming and the other is playing back a recorded movie via U-verse. The formula is something like this:

Caro: I'm paused on the movie title.
Scarlett: OK, I'm there. Go!

And that's as high tech as it gets ...

The next flick has not been determined, but The Cure, It's Complicated, and My Cousin Vinny are in the mix.

Clack Rendering Starts First

Rest assured, Clay fans, that at least two computers are always running in the home of the clack goddess. Before a movie is queued on one machine, rendering of remaining high definition Tried & True Tour videos is well underway on the other.

The Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Sarasota, and Mesa T&T tour shows have been completed in high def and are available in PLAYLISTS at the Wowzers4Clay YouTube Channel and for download at the Tried & True Tour doc on Google.

Charlotte is next, and other concerts will be finished as soon as possible. Do you have a preference? Scarlett reads the comments, so drop her a hint in this blog or at the above links.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Clay Aiken
View montage by Hope/Wowzers4Clay full screen at YouTube.

Montages Highlight T&T Performances

Featured in this segment are montages by Hope/Wowzers4Clay of two Tried & True selections: "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and "Misty." Both montages incorporate footage from Tried & True ~ LIVE, as well as video/caps by dlh7777 from the WTTS PBS Special Concert in Chicago.

YDHTSYLM also utilizes video from T&T concerts in Minneapolis, MN (dlh7777), Charlotte, NC (Scarlett), and Glenside, PA (farouche) while "Misty" includes videos from the Pittsburgh and Atlanta shows shot by Scarlett.

Clay Aiken performs 'Misty' - Montage by Hope.
Link to YouTube for full screen view.

Have a wonderful Easter Week, Clay Nation!

Caro

0 Comments | Read More→

Clay Aiken Fans Embrace New 'OMG Unchained' Video

OMG Unchained - A magical night with Clay Aiken.
View video full screen at YouTube.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE!

'OMG Unchained' Captures Magic

More than a year after the Raleigh taping of Clay Aiken's Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS Special in Raleigh, a new video of the singer's signature version of "Unchained Melody" is back in message board headlines around the Net.

Arranged for Clay by Ben Cohn, the special "Unchained Melody" was unveiled at the March 12, 2010, show, dubbed immediately by fans in attendance as the "OMG Concert."

Saturday morning a simple post by cindilu2 spurred the song back into the spotlight when the tweaked version was quickly replicated onto boards throughout Clay Cyberspace. An appropriate headline might be the opening text from the tweaked video:

What it was really like ... to be there on that magical night

One evening this week the "anonymous" audio of "Unchained Melody" from the OMG Concert came up on my player. Still one of the most incredible experiences of my fandom, it got me to thinking again how they just did not capture it on that DVD/special.

I don't know what they did in the engineering of the song; but the sound, the feeling, the experience of being in that room just isn't there. I decided that I needed to see Clay singing what I know I heard that night.

Here's what happened then: OMG Unchained

Just in case it isn't obvious, I replaced the audio with the "OMG" audio, complete with the solid minute of applause at the end.

Clickable Tried & True ~ LIVE graphic by Fountaindawg.

A download of the "OMG Unchained" video will be available at Clack Unlimited this week. Meanwhile, here is a Sendspace video file and a link to the OMG Concert Audio page at CU. Be sure to stop by the Clack Unlimited home page and make a much-needed donation.

Uploaded to YouTube just four days ago, the "new" concert version of the song has received an outpouring of comments. Representative are these four:

A few minutes in time I will never forget.

The whole show, punctuated by this performance, was magic.

An experience I will never forget. Bravo, Clay and Ben!

I got chills all over reliving that wonderful performance. I was there for the filming of this concert, and it was spectacular. Especially this song!

Clickable graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Jim R. Bounds.

Trio Describes Special UM Moment

Following the taping, concert goers shared glorious accounts of the premiered songs from the then soon-to-be-released Tried & True CD. A reprint from the 5/16/10 Carolina blog included vivid descriptions of the new UM:

luckiest1: I call it the airplane moment ... when he goes low then goes up and up and up in UM. I don't know how to describe it, but it's like nothing he ever did before. I can't wait for everyone to hear it!

cindilu2: And I call it the Supernova Moment. He goes from zero to "holy-#%&#-what-was-that???" in about five seconds. Awesome!

lilyshine: I just call it orgasmic.

Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats from this Tar Heel fan! Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

0 Comments | Read More→

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

0 Comments | Read More→

Montages Replay Clay Aiken Performances

It's Just Dancin' - Montage by SueReu
View full screen at YouTube.
Downloads available at Clack Unlimited.

PBS Special, Tour Rewinds

Clay Aiken Music Fills the Air

Despite being between tours, Clay Aiken is singing -- and dancing -- everywhere. Take a stroll through the fan communities of Clay Cyberspace, and you'll see what I mean.

As Tried and True LIVE, the singer's PBS special, completes a coast to coast fall pledge cycle, ticket sales and travel/accommodation plans are well underway for the Feb-March 2011 Tried & True Tour.

Summer of The Cluben
Graphic by Fountaindawg

All the while, rewinds of the July-August Timeless Tour of Clay and Ruben Studdard are flourishing as fans share photos, videos, and Not.Just.Us stories from the summer series.

In the opening montage, "It's Just Dancin'," SueReu captures one of the Timeless Tour themes -- Ruben's tireless efforts to rectify Clay's so-called inability to dance.

Interspersed with the comical sketches are moments that really move on out, including the "Footloose" encore from the Hammond concert at the end.

Fans Share Not.Just.Us Stories

Below are three Not.Just.Us experiences, two from the Timeless Tour and one RE the Tried & True CD. If you have experienced a NJU encounter recently, please share it in the comments. We would love the read more!

The clickable Biloxi graphic by Fountaindawg features photos by Invisible926.

keepingfaith: A 50-ish couple walking out of the Biloxi concert beside me were effusive in their praise. The woman said,"Both those boys are so talented; they both have great voices."

In a thick Southern accent her husband added, "That's the best show I've ever seen. That's God-given talent. God-given. And that preacher skit was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life."

Another man, walking out behind me remarked in a thick accent, "I've paid to see comedians who didn't make me laugh that hard, and those boys can SING better'n anythang I ever heard."

An older gentleman, sitting alone near the back of the floor, danced, clapped, and sang throughout the show. There were a lot of men in the audience, more than I've ever seen before at a Clay Aiken concert.

Graphic by AmazingCA

merrieeee: A month ago I gave a "Tried & True" CD to someone who kind of knew of Clay but didn't know what kind of music he sang or much about him. Today she came into the office and said how awesome the CD is.

She now has it on a regular shuffle and just loves it when one of the songs plays. She wanted to know what else Clay has done.

When I told her about the PBS special, she became very enthusiastic and said she would have to watch it!

deemer: Last night I was sitting next to a woman who said she didn't buy the T&T CD, but she had heard the snippets of "Suspicious Minds." She commented that Elvis sang the song so much better and she didn't like Clay's rendition.

After seeing the live performance, she nudged me and said, "I changed my mind!!!" Hearing the full version, she decided Clay's SM was just wonderful!

Those Magic Changes - Montage by Scarlett
View montage full screen at YouTube.
Downloads are at Clack Unlimited.

Montage Features Broadway, Jukebox

"Those Magic Changes," new montage produced by Scarlett from her videos of Clay, is backed by the singer's vocals from his performance during the June 21 Bringing Broadway Home benefit concert for North Carolina Theatre.

Interspersed with the BBH performance is video footage from the 2005 Jukebox Tour.

The one-night-only benefit concert in Raleigh, NC, celebrated 27 seasons of Broadway at North Carolina Theatre with performances by Clay, Lauren Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Terrence Mann and Quiana Parler.

The BBH graphic by Fountaindawg features photos by Brightstar and toni7babe.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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

0 Comments | Read More→

Clay Aiken Special Heads Home to Carolina

Clay Aiken featured on 'Centerpiece' cover.
Click twice to enlarge scan of UNC-TV magazine.

San Francisco Date Confirmed

UNC-TV Spotlights Aiken Special

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! special, playing on PBS stations across the nation since July 31, is finally coming "home" with a Sept. 11 premiere telecast on UNC-TV, North Carolina's 12-station statewide public television network.

Tuesday UNC-TV supporters received the September issue of the Centerpiece magazine with the Carolina native featured on the cover. The Tried & True concert kicks off a week of new specials and fan favorites Sept. 11 - 19 dubbed SeptemberFest 2010.

The special week of performance-packed prime time specials begins with a bang Saturday, September 11, at 8 PM as chart-topping American Idol alum Clay Aiken appears -- LIVE -- in the UNC-TV studio for the premiere of Clay Aiken Tried & True.

Throughout the evening, Clay reaches back into the romantic past of the '50s, '60s and '70s to put his stamp on some of music's most iconic and immortal songs.

Filmed in Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium, this hometown hero gets a little help from his friends. American Idol Ruben Studdard and leading lady Linda Eder join Clay for a night full of such sentimental standards as Mack the Knife, Misty, Unchained Melody, and Roy Orbison's classic lament Crying.

Operated by the University of North Carolina, the studios are located at the UNC Center for Public Television at Research Triangle Park. Below are double clickable scans from Centerpiece.

Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE will air on South Carolina ETV at 7 p.m. EDT tonight (8/25) for this network of stations: WNTV, WNTV, WRLK-TV, WJPM-TV, WEBA-TV, WJWJ-TV, WRJA-TV, WNSC-TV, WHMC-TV, WRET-TV, WNEH. Tickets for the Feb 24, 2011 Tried & True Concert in Greenville, SC, will be offered during pledge drive breaks.

West Virgina Public Broadcasting (WPBY-TV, WSWP-TV, WNPB-TV) has also scheduled the Tried & True Live special for Sept. 11-19.

See the CANN PBS Database for other September airings.

San Francisco T&T Concert Set

A March 12 performance in San Francisco's Regency Ballroom was officially added to the 2011 Tried & True Tour roster Tuesday.

Built in 1909, the Regency Ballroom features blond hardwood floors, a horseshoe-shaped balcony, and a built-in stage. The Grand Ballroom has 35 foot ceilings and 22 turn-of-the-century teardrop chandeliers.

The Regency Ballroom is operated by Goldenvoice, a division of AEG Live, the nation’s second-largest concert promotion and touring company. Below are clickables of the luxurious Regency Ballroom:

Official Fan Club members should watch for ticket pre-sales for San Francisco and other venues in mid September. Tickets for the San Francisco show will go on sale to the public on Oct. 3.

Currently, tickets are on sale for shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Memphis. Below is an updated 2011 tour line-up.

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Westbury, NY - Feb 26, Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN - Mar 02, Embassy Centre
Waukegan, IL - Mar 04, Genesee Theater
Minneapolis, MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prairie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center
San Francisco, CA - Mar 12, Regency Ballroom

That's What Friends Are For - Montage by LovesClaysVoice
Performed by Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, & Friends.
View full screen at YouTube. Download with this Sendspace.

Meanwhile, replays of the popular 17-city Timeless Tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard abound on YouTube and other video sites. Much has been written about the special bond between the headliners, whose close friendship and comedic timing were front and center during the summer shows.

In her latest montage, LovesClaysVoice highlights visuals from the summer performances to the accompaniment of Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, and Friends.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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

0 Comments | Read More→

Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Show Reaps Accolades

Cap links to Phineas & Ferb 'Summer Belongs to You' promo.
Clay sings 'I Believe We Can' from 'Summer Solstice' episode.
View related videos at DisneyXD YouTube Channel.

Phineas & Ferb Duet in Top 10

Concerts Draw Capacity Crowds

While the Timeless Tour concert played to capacity crowds in New England this weekend, the Clay Aiken-Chaka Khan Phineas and Ferb duet, "I Believe We Can," marched into the Top 10 songs at iTunes.

Disney XD’s premiere of Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You, which ranked in the channel’s top three telecasts of the year in total viewers with 1.32 million, posted triple-digit percentage gains over last year's numbers, marking a 196% gain in viewers.

After Thursday's knock-out show at Caesars Windsor's Coliseum, the Timeless entourage (Clay, Ruben, Quiana Parler, Casey Thompson, and band) thrilled crowds in Chautauqua, NY, (Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater) and Mashantucket, CT (MGM Grand Foxwoods).

True to form, the multi-generational audiences are running an even split gender-wise and represent longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Deborah Gibson Tweets Applause

Following the Foxwoods concert, singer-songwriter Deborah Gibson tweeted to her followers:

This show is brilliant! OMG! If you haven't seen Clay and Ruben, RUN; do not walk!

The Broadway star also posed with Clay and Ruben backstage. Below are clickables of her twitpics, as well as two Foxwoods photos by Cotton:

More of the same is expected for Sunday's 7 pm performance at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA. At noon, the box office reported the show was less than 50 tickets from a sell-out.

Show-Stoppers Fill Timeless Concert

It's difficult to pinpoint peaks in the Timeless Tour show because there are so many. Without a doubt, the nightly revival in which Clay is healed of his so-called "lack-of-rhythmitis" is one. "Footloose" from the 80s Medley received an encore tag at Friday's Chautauqua, NY, show.

Shot by Scarlett, the video clack below is from Thursday's Windsor, Ontario concert. Incoporated in the 80s medley are Eye Of the Tiger, Rhythm Of the Night, Glory Of Love, Shout, Africa, Can't Fight This Feeling, Through the Fire, All Night Long, If This Is It, Alone, Caribbean Queen, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us, and Footloose.

Casey, Clay, and Quiana sing 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now.'
Windsor, Ontario, Timeless Tour video by Scarlett.
View full screen at YouTube.

In the second video, "Preacher" Studdard attempts to heal Clay of his lack of rhythm/ability to dance during the Canadian Timeless Tour concert.

Due to a mic with a mind of its own, what is already a very entertaining skit becomes downright hilarious after Clay is 'healed' of his affliction. For many fans, the Windsor rendition has been declared the funniest of the entire Timeless Tour to date.

A mic with a mind of its own added to Windsor revival fun.
Windsor, Ontario, Timeless Tour video by Scarlett.
View full screen at YouTube.

Safe travels to those heading to Lancaster. Monday the Timeless Tour cast will enjoy a much-deserved break before completing the final leg of performance dates:

Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino, 8 pm
Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammestein, 8 pm
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino, 8 pm
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino, 7:30 pm
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage, 8 pm

TRIED & TRUE LIVE - Graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Jim R. Bounds.

'Tried & True' Headlines Pledge Drives

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS Special, which kicked off in 30 markets coast to coast July 31-Aug 1, continues as a headliner for pledge drives throughout the country.

Dates and locations for PBS Special telecasts are available on message boards throughout Clay Cyberspace. Search the CANN PBS Database for an air date/location near you.

In most cases, the telecast coincides with the fall pledge drives of public television. Supporters are able to donate to their local station for a variety of thank-you gift packages: the Tried & True CD, Tried & True LIVE DVD, as well as premium Tried & True Tour tickets and M&G passes in areas where a February-March 2011 concert is scheduled.

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Westbury, NY - Feb 26, Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN - Mar 02, Embassy Centre
Waukegan, IL - Mar 04, Genesee Theater
Minneapolis, MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prairie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center

Other possible concert sites mentioned include Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; Ann Arbour, MI; St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA; and San Diego, CA. Check back for updates.

Fountaindawg created the perfect clickable birthday card for a special little guy born two years ago today. Happy Birthday, Parker Foster Aiken! May you learn these and many more lessons from your father:

Happy Birthday, Parker!
Dream big and dare!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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

0 Comments | Read More→

Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Show Charms Canada

TIMELESS TOUR - AmazingCA's handsome graphic began as a simple photo accompanying an Internet promo story about Sunday's Lancaster, PA, concert.

In Windsor, Ontario

Timeless Pair Plays Packed Hall

WINDSOR, ONTARIO -- Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, and the Timeless Tour musicians not only won the hearts of a near-capacity crowd at Caesars Windsor Coliseum but also high praise from The Windsor Star.

Taking a cue from 1960s TV variety shows, the two teased and joked with each other in a well-rehearsed revue that covered four decades of popular music. [snip]

Studdard and Aiken work seamlessly together -- both have musical stage acting in their backgrounds, and it pays off during the banter between songs.

This is a concept that could easily be translated to the small screen -- maybe it's time to revive weekly variety television.

Ted Shaw's complete review -- Ex-Idols entertain with smart, tasteful show -- can be read at the Ontario paper's online website.

Ruben, Clay perform in Windsor. Photo by Scott Webster.

Duo Promotes Shows from Road

In the midst of the "clack" overload that invariably accompanies a Clay Aiken tour, Internet fans wasted no time in converting the latest Timeless image, a Pennsylvania promo photo of the singer, into avatars, message board banners, and graphic designs like the one atop this blog entry.

As a prelude for Sunday night's Timeless Tour Concert in Lancaster, PA, the Intelligencer Journal is featuring an online interview with Clay -- Once 'Idols,' Now Friends - Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard join forces for tour -- conducted while the entourage traveled eastward from Wisconsin.

Seven years after squaring off against each other on the second season of "American Idol," Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard are again sharing the same stage.

The two singers will bring their "Timeless" tour to the American Music Theatre Sunday night.

It's the first time they've toured together and Aiken says they'll be performing songs from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He says they have an 85-song set list to choose from.

"If people name two or three big songs from any one of those decades, chances are we're doing at least one of them," Aiken says from his tour bus while it travels through Wisconsin.

Jon Ferguson's article, which also includes information about the Tried & True CD and Clay's 2011 Winter Tour, can be read at the Lancaster link. A similar bus interview with Ruben promoting Saturday's Timeless Tour show at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino can be read here.

This weekend's Timeless Tour concerts include Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Chautauqua, NY, Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre; Saturday, 8 p.m., ET, Mashantucket, CT, MGM Grand Foxwoods; and Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, Lancaster, PA, American Music Theatre.

KISS SEQUENCE - Milwaukee will be remembered for the playful kiss
between Clay and Casey at the end of "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart."
Click to enlarge photos by Shamrock and Snix, blended by Floridaiken.

Milwaukee: Songs, Laughs, and More

Thrilling fans of the Midwest, the Timeless Tour show in Milwaukee proved yet another performance packed with 85 songs and a special chemistry between Clay and Ruben during their continuous comedic dialogue, loosely scripted and freely altered with ad-libs from both entertainers.

Besides the concert description, Leroy's recap includes a NJU report:

I truly loved every minute of the Milwaukee concert. Our seats were wonderful, and both Ruben and Clay were in fine voice. I just kept shaking my head over how great they sounded and how much fun they were having up on that stage. I’m sure I had a big smile on my face the whole time when I wasn’t laughing at their antics.

I kept looking over at my sister, and she was having a blast, too. I asked her later what she thought was the best part. She said it was all perfect, but she thought maybe "Footloose." I think we were up on our feet clapping and dancing at that point.

Afterwards she said she didn’t want it to be over and that it was the best concert she had ever seen; and she‘s seen quite a few great acts. No, she’s not a member of the Clay Nation quite yet, but I don’t think she’ll miss another Clay concert if she can possibly help it.

This clickable collection of photos provides an overview of the Milwaukee show. Photographers include toni7babe, 1, 4; leslie42, 2, 3; and Shamrock, 5.

Fans following the Timeless Tour, either live or via clack, have enjoyed the mid-concert healing of Clay's "lackofrythmitis" affliction by "Rev Studdard." The revival segment, which changes nightly, is introduced by "Sister Quiana." The hilarious Windsor Revival was uploaded to YouTube Friday.

Below is Scarlett's video of the revival skit from the Reno, NV, concert, posted at YouTube by Wowzers4Clay.

Pastor Studdard "heals" Clay of his lack of rhythm.
Reno, NV, Timeless Tour video by Scarlett.
View full screen at YouTube.

Tried & True LIVE #5 at Billboard

According to Wednesday's AP Entertainment report, SoundScan charts for the nation's Video Bestsellers as they will appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine place Tried & True LIVE at #5:

Top Music Video Sales

1. "Beyond The Lighted Stage," Rush.

2. "The Best Of The Hoppers: From The Homecoming Series," The Hoppers

3. "360 Degrees At The Rose Bowl," U2.

4. "London Calling: Live In Hyde Park," Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

5. "Tried And True: LIVE!" Clay Aiken

6. "Live At Madison Square Garden," Bon Jovi.

7. "Live In Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour," Michael Jackson.

8. "Stones In Exile," The Rolling Stones.

9. "When You're Strange," The Doors.

10. "Number Ones," Michael Jackson.

Double clickable T&T LIVE DVD cover.

'Tried & True' Headlines Pledge Drives

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS Special, which kicked off in 30 markets coast to coast last past weekend, continues as a headliner for pledge drives throughout the country.

Dates and locations for PBS Special telecasts are available on message boards throughout Clay Cyberspace. Search the CANN PBS Database for an air date/location near you.

In most cases, the telecast coincides with the fall pledge drives of public television. Supporters are able to donate to their local station for a variety of thank-you gift packages: the Tried & True CD, Tried & True LIVE DVD, as well as premium Tried & True Tour tickets and M&G passes in areas where a February-March 2011 concert is scheduled.

2011 Tried & True Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Sarasota, FL - Feb. 12, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Houston, TX - Feb. 14, Jones Hall
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Pittsburgh, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Playhouse Square
Baltimore, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium (Goucher College)
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Minneapolis,MN - Mar 05, State Theatre
Memphis, TN - Mar 07, Minglewood Hall
Grand Prarie, TX - Mar 08, Verizon GP
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center

Other possible concert sites mentioned include Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; Waukegan, IL; Fort Wayne, IN; Ann Arbour, MI; St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA; and San Diego, CA. Check back for updates.

Below is a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

Don't forget Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs To You! premieres on the Disney Channel at 8 pm ET Friday. The Clay Aiken-Chaka Khan "I Believe We Can" duet can be downloaded at iTunes.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

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

0 Comments | Read More→

Audiences Laud Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard Show

Clay deadpans a Ruben quip during Timeless show banter.
Graphic by AmazingCA, photo by ClayIzzaQT.

Tried & True Tour Takes Shape

Music, Laughs Fill Timeless Show

Seven concerts into the 17-city Timeless Tour, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, & Company this week take their music and antic-filled variety show east to venues in Wisconsin, Ontario, New York, and Connecticut.

Everywhere they have performed -- Asheville, NC; a trio of Florida venues; Snowqualmie, WA; Reno, NV; Los Angeles, CA -- audiences depart singing praises for the vocals and comedic stylings of two good friends who met seven years ago on American Idol, wound up the Season 2 winner/close runner up, and effortlessly display in show after show the seasoned entertainers they are today.

Below are clickable graphics of the early Timeless Tour shows by AmazingCA and Fountaindawg. Photographers represented are Tasapio, Invisible926, deemer, toni7babe, and ClayIzzaQT.

As concert clack and fan recaps reveal, Clay and Ruben adeptly perform their renditions of classic hits from the past five decades, blending their vocal and comedic talents for an unforgettable evening of entertainment. A rocking band and soulful singers Quiana Parler and Casey Thompson back the duo.

These graphs from lovethatguy's LA concert report summarize the show:

I have heard this tour described as the Jukebox Tour on speed. I actually would call it "JBT meets the JNTII" (Joyful Noise). Because the whole thing flows with themes and a storyline, it's more than just a concert.

The themes of friendship, playful competition, camaraderie, Clay's inability to dance, the difference in their musical tastes all wind beautifully throughout the concert; and the choices of songs and solos make so much sense when you realize this. It is really well thought out, well written, and so impressive.

It is incredibly appropriate that they finish with 'The Time of Your Life' because that is exactly how I felt at the end. I had the time of my life.

Clay, Ruben, & Company: 90s Medley in Reno
Watch full screen at YouTube.
Reno, NV, video by Scarlett

By this point in the show, Clay has been mostly "cured" of his perceived "lack of rhythm," and it becomes clear to audience members that the singer from North Carolina can move with the best of them. His new Hammer pants temporarily throw Ruben for a loop.

Songs in the 90s Medley include "This Is How We Do It," "Poison," "Achy Breaky Heart," "The Right Stuff," "MMBop," "End Of The Road," "I Swear," "I Want It That Way," "Remember The Time," "You Ought To Know," "Jump Around," "Baby Got Back," "Livin La Vida Loca," and "One Sweet Day."

View other Timeless Tour videos by Scarlett at Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube.

Listed below are the remaining Timeless Tour concert sites, some of which are sold out. Recaps almost inevitably include the phrase "don't miss this show!" -- so give the venue links a whirl and see if there is an opening available near you:

Aug-03 - Milwaukee, WI - Potawatomi Casino
Aug-05 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor
Aug-06 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre
Aug-07 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Foxwoods
Aug-08 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre
Aug-10 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino
Aug-11 - New York, NY - The Hammestein
Aug-12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
Aug-13 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino
Aug-14 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage

Cartoon Clay sings 'I Believe We Can' on Phineas & Ferb.
Double click photo to enlarge.

Phineas & Ferb Debuts on Disney

The Phineas & Ferb "Summer Belongs to You" special featuring Clay Aiken and Chaka Khan airs Monday (8 - 8:30 pm ET/PT) on Disney XD and Friday, Aug 6 (8 - 8:30 pm) on the Disney Channel. Check you local listings for the episode:

It's the summer solstice and because it's the longest day of the year, stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb decide to travel around the world in one day.

But not everyone believes they can actually achieve wha...t they've set out to do, leading them to get some encouraging words in the form of a duet, "I Believe We Can," from Aiken and Khan.

Follow Mouse Clubhouse on Facebook.

TRIED & TRUE LIVE - Graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Jim R. Bounds.

'Tried & True' Pledge Drive Winner

The Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! PBS Special, which kicked off in 30 markets coast to coast this past weekend, continues as a headliner for pledge drives throughout the country.

Dates and locations for PBS Special telecasts are available on message boards throughout Clay Cyberspace. Search the CANN PBS Database for an air date/location near you.

In most cases, the telecast coincides with the fall pledge drives of public television. Supporters are able to donate to their local station for a variety of thank-you gift packages: the Tried & True CD, Tried & True LIVE DVD, as well as premium Tried & True Tour tickets and M&G passes in areas where a February-March 2011 concert is scheduled.

Tentative 2011 T&T Tour Sites

Miami, FL - Feb 10, The Adrienne Arsht Center
Orlando, FL - Feb 11, The Hard Rock Cafe
Atlanta, GA - Feb 16, The Cobb Energy Centre
Knoxville, TN - Feb. 17, Tennessee Theater
Homestead, PA - Feb 18, Carnegie Library Music Hall at Homestead
Cleveland, OH - Feb 19, Palace Theatre
Towson, MD - Feb 22, Kraushaar Auditorium
Charlotte, NC - Feb 23, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Greenville, SC - Feb 24, The Peace Center
Long Island, NY - Feb 26, Capital One Bank Theater at Westbury
Glenside, PA - Feb 27, Keswick Theater
Cincinnati, OH - Mar 01, Taft Theatre
Minneapolis,MN - Mar 05, State Theater
Mesa, AZ - Mar 10, Mesa Arts Center
San Francisco - Mar 12 and/or 13

Other concert sites in play include Memphis, TN; Sarasota FL; Waukegan, IL; Ann Arbour, MI; St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; and Dallas/Grand Prairie, TX. Check back for updates.

The unofficial 2011 Tried & True Tour information has been gathered by various means -- PBS stations, Ticketmaster, announcements by the singer during Timeless Meet & Greets with fans this week.

Check with your local PBS station to see if (a) a Feb-March concert is part of the pledge package and (b) if the tickets are on sale prior to the telecast. An official tour announcement will be made at clayaiken.com when all dates finalized.

Timeless Tour - 60s Medley
View full screen at YouTube.
Clearwater video by Scarlett

Clack Unlimited Needs Donations

The Clay Nation loves its "clack"; and for years, many have depended on Clack Unlimited as the main source for videos, audios, montages, etc., of the singer's performances and appearances.

Some videos, like Scarlett's Timeless Tour 60s Medley above, are uploaded to YouTube. However, much clack is only available through CU and a few message boards. Like everything else these days, it takes money to operate Clack Unlimited.

Below is a special message for CA fans who appreciate, frequent, and utilize the site:

This season there has been very heavy activity on the CU site with a lot of bandwidth being used. Obviously, there are still a great deal of fans out there who are enjoying the use of the site.

However, donations for Clack Unlimited have been very low this year. In order for us to continue providing this site, donations/subscriptions to support its costs have to be made.

Please visit Clack Unlimited for information on how you can help support the site.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.

Visitors have arrived at this site from 153 countries. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

0 Comments | Read More→