There's Only One Clay Aiken

SUMMER TOUR -- Clay Aiken fans are counting the days until his Summer Symphony Tour, which opens in Frisco, TX, on July 4. Graphic design by Amazing_CA, photo by Snix.

Recital Rehearsal Yields Surprises

There's Only One Clay Aiken

The final week of this year's American Idol indubitably summons memories of the inordinately close Season 2 competition between Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.

With the shocking departure of talented Nashville songster Melinda Doolittle on Wednesday's Top 3 Results Show, news and entertainment pundits have not stopped talking and writing about the topic yet.

'Anderson Cooper 360' Video -- Gerwhisp

There's Only One Clay

On CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, the newsman and Erica Hill discussed Melinda's unexpected departure from American Idol and the fact that she, like past finalists who didn't win, will still do well.

The subject turned to the Season 5 winner, and Erica remarked that Taylor Hicks hasn't shone as well as others. The exchange ended like this:

He's no Clay Aiken ... Well, who is? ... There's only one Clay ... That's true!

Here is a Sendspace download of the 360 spot.

Then there's this interesting paragraph from the American Idol blog:

For those of you shocked about Melinda’s departure, I’ll say this theory may have something to do with it. Or maybe not. Who really can explain how Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken. Seriously, there’s not an “Idol” winner or contestant out there with more fans than Clay Aiken. Have you heard of the “CarrieMates”? Didn’t think so. But Claymates are all over the world.

'Showbiz Tonight' Video -- Gerwhisp

America Thinks Clay Won

Showbiz Tonight also featured a brief piece dealing with the fact that it is not necessary to win Idol to be successful.

The discussion went like this: Does winning American Idol really matter? ... Winning Idol does not guarantee huge success ... A lot of people thought Clay Aiken won the second season. He's had massive pop success.

Suggestions towards similar success for other finalists: Stay visible, be loyal to your fans, don't switch genres, provide the music they want, appeal to the public, radio play.

This is a Sendspace download of the Showbiz spot.

An Evening with Clay Aiken

Continuing our blog's jaunts to the 20 websites for Clay Aiken's summer tour yields breathtaking concert venues and some impressive advertising this time out. All aboard for Asheville, NC, and Atlanta, GA!

Biltmore Estate's Summer Venue

AUGUST 11 -- Enjoy An Evening Under the Stars with Clay Aiken. Scroll to the bottom of the page for Clay's segment.

Backed by the Asheville Symphony, Clay will perform from his debut album Measure of a Man and selections from his 2006 CD A Thousand Different Ways.

Chastain Park Ampitheater

Atlanta Symphony Features Clay Aiken

AUGUST 15 -- Although the future of Clay Aiken, the American Idol runner-up on Season 2, was extremely unpredictable, he surprised skeptics and burst onto the music scene with a transcendently powerful voice.

An unlikely pop star, Aiken has remained steadfast in his desire to remain true to the simple values he learned as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina. His authenticity matched by an unconventional sincerity has earned Aiken millions of fans.

With a rigorous 20-city tour on the books for this summer, get ready, Claymates. Aiken's show at Classic Chastain with the award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is going to be a big one!

Most Searched Man on Lycos

For the past two weeks, Clay has landed in the #9 and #10 slots of the Lycos 50. Clay, who has appeared on the Lycos 50 listing for 202 weeks, holds the "most-searched man" honors for 2006.

Image links to Lycos

Clay's current ranking looks like this:

10 Clay Aiken
Raised over $180,000 for children 9 202

In the same week, American Idol's location is #24 with a subheading of "Almost the end."

PHOTO INTERLUDE: Spring and the "Summer of Love" Tour are themes of this clickable interlude. Featured are graphics by A Beautiful Mind, 1; Amazing_CA, photo by ncgurrl, 2; A Beautiful Mind, photos by Invisible926 and Karen Eh, 3; Clayquebec1, 4; and MNmeesh, 5.

Teacher, I May Have To Miss the Recital!

Dress rehearsal has come and gone, and my young musicians and I are on a countdown to that springtime enigma -- the recital -- Sunday afternoon. Probably the best way to impart the flavor of Thursday's final ensemble practice is to put the tape on replay ...

The session begins with the teacher checking violin and viola tuning, while students put their music in rehearsal order.

VIOLIST: "Ms. Caro, I may not be there Sunday; I have a boy scout camping trip in the mountains three hours away."

TEACHER: [Picking self off the floor and thinking, "YIKES! Every note this sixth grader is supposed to play Sunday is important to the harmony, not to mention he has the solo on "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning!"] "Perhaps your parents can work something out. We will talk with your mother when she returns."

That little problem immediately moves to the back burner, as we start the concert opener, Handel's "Chorus from Judas Maccabaeaus." A second violin consistently misses a C#, so we stop to check the measure two bars past the mezzo forte.

Only one violinist seems to know the place the teacher is pinpointing, so everyone who doesn't have a mezzo piano and a mezzo forte in the middle section is instructed to bring his/her music to the piano.

Sure enough, three out of five had failed to write in these two dynamic changes. ["Don't ASSUME, especially with kids!" I remind myself.] Once we have that straightened out, the piece sounds like an oratorio chorus instead of "Chopsticks" -- and Handel resumes the resting in peace position.

Toe Tapping Fiddle Tunes

The first run-through of our Irish medley is not too bad. The arrangements are varied, but well-marked; and we glide from "Staten Island" to "The Devil's Dream" to "Fisher's Hornpipe" to "St. Patrick's" to "Irish Washerwoman" with various combinations of instruments. Hopefully, we will set some toes to tapping in the Methodist Church on Sunday.

YOUNGEST VIOLINIST: "Will we have more time between songs?"

Nope, this is a medley; and there are two-measure intros between each. Mom, who is sitting on the sofa, solves this problem. She will redo her son's sheets so he can move them over one at a time. A copy machine occupies a hallowed place in their home.

I remind the group that Gracie, a freshman flautist playing on the fiddle tune medley, will be with us Sunday, but her Monday-Thursday driver's ed classes are keeping her from the afternoon's rehearsal. Her lessons are on Fridays this month.

Just before we start the medley again, this time standing in true recital mode, the same violinist wonders aloud, "Is Gracie going to be there Sunday?"

Next come the solos. Each student has a rough draft of the program, so the order is clear. I remind them of the periods of music represented with Bach and Handel (Baroque) and Schumann, Bizet, and Brahms (Romantic). The recital will also feature a variety of instruments -- piano, flute, oboe, violin, and viola.

Later, when two students tell me they would prefer the formal spelling of their name on the program, I am once again grateful to be living in a technological age. Tori and Zach will seamlessly become Victoria and Zachary in the recital file on my computer.

We have just enough time to run the medley once more, and the gig is up. We have practiced bows after each solo, but getting five young instrumentalists to hold their fiddles the same, bend over and come back up in a somewhat synchronized fashion can be a challenge.

Boy Scout Saves the Day

Boy scout camper to the rescue! My violist explains that in his former group, members said the word "hippopotamus" as they bowed. He tenders the cue, and we give the plan a whirl. Sure enough, all five bow, down and up, as a "professional" unit.

Only trouble is you can tell they are mouthing, "hippopotamus." We try again, saying the word to ourselves. Hopefully, that plan will remain in the memory banks through Sunday.

Viola Mom drives up with her two younger children, so I send the camper out to make a deal while everyone packs up and asks an assortment of last-minute questions.

All is ready, I think. In Sunday's recital, these young musicians will learn more about controlling nerves, playing what we have rehearsed, taking a bow together, etc., than in a month of lessons. Maybe even more.

As for our violist, the plan is for Mom to bring his instrument to be tuned at 2:30, while Dad will arrive with the musician by 3. Here's hoping anyway!

Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA 's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure of a Man, Summer Symphony Tour, An Evening with Clay Aiken, American Idol, Anderson Cooper 360, Showbiz Tonight, Biltmore Estates, Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Lycos 50, Spring Recital, Clay Nation

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Tennessee Leaks Summer Tour Playlist

SUMMER TOUR -- Kicking off July 4, "An Evening with Clay Aiken" will feature favorite selections from the 2006 album, A Thousand Different Ways. Graphic design by A Beautiful Mind, photo by Scrpkym.

Knitting for Afghanistan

Tennessee Leaks Tour Playlist

In approximately seven weeks, An Evening with Clay Aiken opens with a July 4 celebration in Frisco, TX, and begins criss-crossing the country on tour with various symphony orchestras.

The hills are alive with fans purchasing concert tickets and wondering what songs will be featured on Clay's 22-city summer tour. On May 12, a blog from the Tennessee Theatre, where Clay will perform Aug. 12, spilled some of those beans.

Tennessee Theatre - Clickable

In support of his 2006 release, A Thousand Different Ways, pop idol Clay Aiken makes his Knoxville debut at the historic Tennessee Theatre this summer, performing with a full symphony orchestra at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.

Aiken’s live show will include performances of the following cover songs: “Without You,” "When I See You Smile,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Everything I Do (I Do It For You),” “Every Time You Go Away, and “Here You Come Again.”

The Columbus, OH, symphony website adds to the mix "Because You Love Me” and “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)."

Even more interesting than the revelation of a partial playlist are the responses to "Knoxville Theatre Hosts Clay Aiken." They run the gamut from longtime fans to new followers. Below is a sampling, and you can read all by linking with the blog header below.

ED: I am a Rod Stewart and Eagles type of music guy. However, I think Clay Aiken has one of the best voices I have ever heard, thanks to my wife. I’ve heard great comments about how entertaining he is in concerts. He deserves to be heard. He is still young. If he is good as a lot of people say he is, then talking about longevity, he’s got it. Bring it on, Clay!

SIEN: Have not seen Clay in concert nor seen him in person, but have seen all his concerts through Clack Unlimited, repeatedly. That guy can belt out. Not just a singer, he’s a dynamic one. Performs, entertains and connects with his audience. Not a dull moment. Clay, please come to Chicago.

RONI: I am dying to see Clay but haven’t had the chance to. So Clay if you do read this, come to Singapore. Many of your fans right here waiting for you!

JANET: I just bought his new CD and I LOVE it!!! Can’t wait for the concert.

SUE: I am looking forward to this concert very much. I loved him when he was on American Idol he has such a great voice. My family and I are coming. I hope he sings "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

ETHEL: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Another Clay Aike Tour!! YESSSS!!! can’t hardly wait to see you again Clay. Bring it!!!!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: These clickable graphic designs encompass this entry's summer tour and Afghanistan topics. Featured artists include Claystruck, photo by Snix, 1; Ambassador of Love, 2; Cindilu2, 3; and Amazing_CA, 4 and 5.

Clay Fan Knits Blanket for Afghanistan

On May 11, San Francisco's KGO-TV featured Afghans for Afghans in the station's regular feature, "ABC7 Salute." Click on the screen cap below to view the segment.

After three decades of conflict, Afghanistan is still one of the poorest countries on the planet. Half a world away, knitters are trying to bridge that distance one stitch at a time.

When the American Friends Service Committee decided to send a container of relief supplies to Afghanistan in 2001, Ann Rubin of San Francisco put out the word at a knitting convention. Word spread, and more than five years after she started Afghans for Afghans, packages full of hand-knit goods still pour in from all over the world.

Many come with notes such as this one: "I can't tell you how much pleasure it gives me to knit these garments all the while thinking about a child I'll never meet wearing them."

Knitters are from all over, including a US Army Reserve soldier stationed in Iraq, male prisoners at a federal medical center in Minnesota, a middle school in Illinois, and a Clay Aiken fan from Colorado.

Afghans 4 Tomorrow, another organization working to help Afghanistan, recently built a new women's health clinic there; and knitters have been asked to make blankets and hats for the new babies that will be born there. Perhaps Smz's blanket is headed there, too.

Make a cash donation to Afghans for Afghans or get guidelines about sending hand-knit items here. Learn more about Afghans 4 Tomorrow here.

Clay Aiken Knows It's Not About Charity!

Clay is receiving deserved props in a Bono-related blog and the accompanying comments. This is just the beginning, but the journal entry can be read in full at Occasio.

Since we have been on the subject of "American Idol," check out this interview with Clay Aiken, an Idol success from the 2003 season. Clay has done a fair amount of humanitarian work for UNICEF and has been traveling to impoverished countries on their behalf.

Check out a portion of the interview with the Yahoo Music service and notice the stark difference between his approach and the celebs who visited Africa on the "Idol Gives Back" episode.

While Carrie Underwood chose to shoot a music video surrounded by African children (is this on the edge of exploitation?), Clay says he won't sing his songs in Africa again. Clay Aiken gets it!

Below is a clickable of A Beautiful Mind 's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, Summer Symphony Tour, Tennessee Theatre, An Evening with Clay Aiken, Afghans for Afghans, Afghans 4 Tomorrow, Occasio, UNICEF, Afghanistan, American Idol, Idol Gives Back, Yahoo Music, Clay Nation

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Sail On, Silver Girl: A Mother's Day Remembrance

My daughter Jen with Mama Mac during a Fall 2002 visit.

Sail on, Silver Girl, Sail on By

A Mother's Day Rembrance

On July 12, 2005, my mother -- the woman who gave me life, introduced me to the wonderful world of music, encouraged me in all life's endeavors -- left behind a tired, weary 93-year-old body and sailed peacefully on to her next portal.

On this second Mother's Day since that night, my family an I celebrate a joyful life that almost spanned a century with many fond memories, a full heart, and the knowledge that this very special woman is still singing glorious harmony through her offspring and the many students she touched.

Sail on, Silver Girl, Sail on By

As a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, musician, gardener extraordinaire, Alleen McDonald, affectionately known as Mama Mac, worked hard and lived a full life. An alto in the First Baptist Church-Wilmington Chancel Choir for 42 years, she appreciated good music and was a very enthusiastic fan of Clay Aiken. Among the most enjoyable moments of the final two years of her life were spent watching and listening to him sing. She especially loved Clay's rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Our family misses its spirited matriarch. Besides her three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, Mama Mac was special to a large extended family of friends, former students and coworkers, and the caregivers at Wesley Long Nursing Home where she lived following a broken hip.

Even with 35 years in the public schools, all the successful operettas and other musical productions, Mother is best remembered in our Wilmington neighborhood as "the beach lady." On any given summer day, we would load up her old 1939 Chevy, which she kept way past its prime just for beach outings.

Picture an old jalopy, of the running board variety, bursting with neighborhood kids in bathing suits, inner tubes, fishing/crabbing gear, picnic lunches, etc., bopping down the 10 miles between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Fond, fond memories!

Sail on, Silver Girl, Sail on By

One of my favorite Mama Mac stories happened during National Caregivers Week in May 2005. A month shy of her 93rd birthday, Mother was relatively cognizant 99% of the time, though she occasionally had "moments" -- such as contending she needed to get ready for choir practice or pack for "our" trip to Wilmington.

Awakened from a midmorning nap with a visit from her granddaughter and toddler twin great-grandchildren, Mama Mac immediately began insisting she needed to get dressed for a rehearsal. No one in the family knew that Shekina, a very special physical therapist, had been secretly rehearsing a duet with her for the nursing home's afternoon talent show; so we just assumed our matriarch was groggy and still getting her bearings.

When my sister dropped by after choir practice later that evening, proudly displayed on Mother's door was a huge lst Place Blue Ribbon. She most certainly did know she needed to get dressed to rehearse. Our mother could sing harmony at the drop of a hat, a talent she shared with Clay and one of the many reasons she admired him so much. That day she and Shekina were, hands down, the best!

Sail on, Silver Girl, Sail on By

Mother would have enjoyed the Celebration of Life in her honor at her home church, especially the beautiful baritone rendition of her all-time favorite hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the loving, light-hearted reflections by her minister.

"Mama Mac was a character in the best way," he told those gathered at First Baptist. At restaurans, she always pocketed several little pink packets of Sweet-N-Low "for the church." Annoyed or bored with a discussion, her final word on any subject was "whatevah," delivered with deadpan inflection but any number of hand gestures.

At the graveside, a "Kodak moment" that went unsnapped came when William, one of the twins, respectfully placed his father's pallbearer boutonniere on Mama Mac's coffin. His great-grandmother would have been very touched by that simple gesture.

She also would have been delighted that, despite stifling temps and typical summer humidity, there was a cool breeze blowing off her beloved Carolina coastline for her mid-July farewell.

PHOTO INTERLUDE -- Featured in this special Mother's Day respite are blends and graphics by Amazing_CA (1), Cindilu2 (2) and (3), Sally888 (4), and Katt45 (5). Mama Mac's green thumb was legendary, and azaleas were among her specialties. The close relationship Clay shares with his mother, and the song lyrics my mother dearly loved are themes woven throughout.

Surprise Outpouring from Students

In addition to a stream of memorial gifts to First Baptist's music program, our family received an outpouring of letters from former students from throughout Mother's 35-year teaching career. Parts of three are shared here.

Dianne (Sunset Park, 1955-56): It was with much sorrow I read of your mother's death. I was able to read this because she cared enough to take the time and patience with a LDADHD girl. I only learned I had these problems 10 years ago. I remember having such a hard time not talking in class and keeping my attention on her teaching. She also encouraged my mother to be more patient with my behavior and my learning problems.

Several years ago my daughter, who was a teenager at the time and had heard me speak of Mrs. McDonald, and I saw your mother in a doctor's office. I recognized her and spoke. To my pleasant surprise, she knew me right away. It was a wonderful moment, for "my" Mrs. McDonald remembered me with all the students she had taught. She showed such interest in what I had done with my life and my daughter's plans for college.

I have been a teacher's assistant for the past 25 years. I hope that I have been able to give my students a portion of the loving care that your mother gave to her students.

Susan (Sunset Park, 1961-62): Your mother was my beloved 5th grade teacher at Sunset Park Elementary. My year with her was very special. Mrs. McDonald taught us everything from how to do research projects to how to harmonize when we sang.

The Christmas play she directed that year probably raised the bar for not just harmony but also the amount of instruments she had us playing in the background. She encouraged us to be inquisitive beyond the textbook and rewarded us for creative thinking with extra credit points. She was a fair teacher with high standards. If we pleased her, we felt very good about our efforts.

Raymond (Hillcrest Elementary, 1936-38): One of Mother's earliest students touted her influence during his Burlington, NC, school days via a newspaper letter to the editor. A music major, he later became a minister and also served as a collegiate public information director.

His 1980 letter to the High Point Enterprise was inspired by a reporter who attended an opera in Atlanta and wrote a column filled with intense derision and mockery of this art form. The letter to the editor, which ends with a paragraph addressed to the reporter (Clark), was later forwarded to our mother:

Ah, Clark, you have gone too far. And to think one of my fondest recollections of the third grade over 40 years ago in Burlington was when Ms. McDonald, the twice-weekly music teacher, arrived with records and storybooks with color scenes of ancient Egypt, and opened with her enthusiasm to us the glories of "Aida." I'm sorry that you missed such an opportunity, for it has given me a lifetime of pleasure.

Happy Mother's Day, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, Mother's Day, Bridge Over Troubled Water

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Clay + Jimmy = Climmel Time!

CLAY-JIMMY REUNION -- This Jimmy Kimmel Live slide show from Thursday night's 'Climmel' appearance features screen caps and animations by Gerwhisp with blends by Ashes2, MNmeesh, and Amazing_CA.

'Climmel Time' a Hit with Fans

When Clay Aiken visits his good friend Jimmy Kimmel on late night TV, anything can happen. Thursday he arrived on horseback, discussed his recent trip to Afghanistan, the "Claymate Cartel," the upcoming Summer Symphny Tour, and the preliminary stages of his new CD.

From Jimmy's monologue and the chat with Clay, the first half with the singer astride a horse, viewers learned some "amazing" facts. In case you missed Thursday's late-night show, here are some teasers until you can download the videos.

When CA is on the show, it's "Clay Aiken Night" -- Christmas, the 4th of July, and the end of school all rolled into one!

Clay is Jimmy's best friend in the whole wide world.

Claymates all came down from the Clayberry Mansion to be in the audience.

Claymates have been camped out at Jimmy Kimmel's studio since Clay's previous appearance on Valenine's Night, having built a little Aikenville in the back parking lot. Just in case he may appear, they never ever leave.

Clay is one of the most intimidating figures in pop music, head of the Claymates, "one of the most dangerous and powerful music cartels in all the world."

Once again, Clay proves he knows how to make an entrance.

Animation by Gerwhisp

Clay Highlights Afghanistan Trip

Afghanistan was absolutely amazing, and Clay was there as a UNICEF Ambassador for 10 days.

If the Claymates had been given the assignment, they could have found Osama Bin Laden in 20 minutes.

While in Afghanistan, Clay lost 10 pounds, only eating rice and raisins.

When singing in the Third World, you need to know your audience. "If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands" works better than "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Clay doesn't speak "donkey language" as well as a six-year-old Afghanistani boy.

Clay-Kimmel Worlds Collide

Clay's fans are Jimmy's fans, too. Anytime they are together is "Climmel Time," and there is a Climmel pin commemorating this fact.

Jimmy is wildly allergic to horses, and Clay's many food allergies are well-documented.

Clay is in LA meeting with possible producers for his new CD.

He is going to be very busy in the next few months with the Summer Symphony Tour from July 4 through the end of August, hunting down Bin Laden, working on the album, etc.

Clay also knows how to make an exit.

Animation by Gerwhisp
This is a "Climmel Time" that will merit many replays. Here is a link for one such video at ABC Go. Video is also featured in AOL: TV's Top 5 and can be downloaded at Clack Unlimited.

Happy Weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, Jimmy Kimmel Live, UNICEF, Afghanistan, Summer Symphony Tour, Clay Nation

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