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From CDD's ClassAkt MK:
OK... here are a few quick memories for Kim. Not a recap because I'm still tired... it was a long drive... and others did it so well.From the CB's VoxAngelicus:
In South Bend... thanks to a lucky draw by Mamarose.. I was in the second row of the pit. That was the first time I had ever watched a concert that close. My girlfriend said we were so close that we could count his freckles. I could actually see flesh!! Unfortunately though I was so close I couldn't see much of the rest of the stage so it was a good thing that Clay and Angela/Quiana were on boxes.
So to Merrillville... First of all I was in the Mezzanine 4 second row center. It was like having a private box seat with Clayfans all around me.I could see the entire expance of the stage and still see Clay pretty well also. He was right in the center of it all. I could see all of Angela/Quina, the Orchestra AND the readers. I haven't been to as many concerts as a lot of you because I'm stuck in the middle of no where and I have a demanding job... so going to two of the same concerts was new to me. In a month Clay's hair had changed dramatically but he was still the polished, classy professional this time.. a bit different from last year when he was more casual.. but sometimes showing many sides to the public is a good thing!
More random impressions:
Clay again reached into Christian Contemporary Music for "new" spiritual "reason for the season" songs. I believe the best of the new holday songs (with a few exceptions) imho are coming from CCM and Clay knows this... thus WTOW.
Quiana and Angela were elegant and lovely in their gowns. From above they looked like those Barbie doll decorated cakes where cake and frosting make up the bottom of the dress and beautiful dolls are placed in the top.
Clay's voice and sound were better in Merrillville and he was having Q and A help him cover the notes he might struggle with. Good idea. The songs thus felt seamless.
Despite being tired... Clay put all his energy into the concert as he did with the very first ones! And he was gorgeous. How exactly blonde that he really is now was quite a surprise!
That's it for now. I may edit something in later if I remember. I type very sloooowly!
There you go Kim!
Oh and I went with Andy (alfrank04)... poor woman. Every time I go with her I have some sort of accident. First time I fell and hurt my knee and she chose to miss the concert and go to the ER with me. Last year there was the "too tight girdle" dash during the concert. I'll leave that one to your imagination. And this year going into the restaurant... Andy asked me if my car lights were on. I told her they would turn off in a couple minutes but when we came out they were still on. I had to get a jump. Poor Andy. I can't talk and walk at the same time. Forget the gum!
And lastly... I got to meet and enjoy the company of Cindilu over dinner after five years. We were on the original (first) Clayboard together and that was a very special treat!
I got home from tonight's concert a few moments ago and thought I'd post my recap of the concert while it was still fresh in my mind. The weather tonight was unusually warm for this time of year (upper 40s) and drizzling rain, so it was a lot better than the snowy weather for last year's Merrillville show. Just before the doors opened at 7 pm, I saw Jerome walking in the corridor outside the center entrance, and someone near me said that she had seen Mary walk by. Once the doors opened, I noticed that Clay's mother was near the main entrance, chatting with some fans and having her picture taken with them. She's petite and very pretty! I didn't want to intrude on her so I went with my hubby and mom to be seated. But it was exciting just to think that I had been that close to Clay's mom!From the CB's ClayFanNC:
The venue looked about 75% full. Most of the main floor was full, except for the back rows and some of the seats on the far left and far right banks. From my seat I couldn't get a good view of the balcony, but my guess is that not many folks were up there. There were plenty of men in attendance at this show, and my husband commented that the audience appeared on average to be a little younger than at some other Clay concerts we've attended.
The show began slightly late, around 8:10 pm. I had only one complaint about this show, so I'll get it out of the way first and then focus on all the good stuff. Similar to what was reported at some of the other concerts during this tour, the lighting was a bit strange. Rather than red and green backgrounds, the colors tended to be blue, pink, and purple. Also, instead of snowflakes being projected on the backdrop, at one point it looked as though there were a bunch of Good and Plenty candies in the background. But that's my only gripe. In every other way this was a fantastic show!
Clay looked very handsome (as usual!). His wore his glasses and the shorter black jacket. His hair was quite light, and from where I sat, it looked as though he wore bangs for the first set. After the intermission, it looked as though his hair was brushed more to the side so that more of his forehead was visible. At least, that's how it appeared to me. If any of our excellent clack goddesses were able to take pictures, we'll know for sure. It didn't look to me as though security staff were harassing anybody, so I'm hoping that there will be clack of tonight's show.
Angela and Quiana wore the ball gowns with the full, ruffled skirts. They looked beautiful and both sang their solos very well tonight.
When Clay spoke to introduce the stories, he described them as the cream of the crop, and they were. I'd heard the first story at the Waukegan concert, about the woman whose dress caught on fire. The other three stories were new to me and were quite touching. The second story was about the little boy with cancer who wanted a puppy. The third story was the one about the couple who met and fell in love before the young man was sent to Korea on military duty, and the final story was about the homeless family who received a large sack of presents from an anonymous benefactor. I wiped some tears from my eyes, especially after the second story, and I heard people sniffling around me so I know that other people also were moved by these Christmas stories.
Clay was in very fine voice tonight. Toward the end of the Jazzy Medley he gave a wonderful little growl when he sang "I said a-walkin'...." He sounded particularly beautiful on WTOW and the "Sentimental Medley." He was accompanied tonight by the Bill Porter Orchestra, who had accompanied him for last year's Merrillville show and this year's concert in Waukegan.
One thing that was different about tonight's concert (I don't know whether Clay did this at any of the other recent shows) was that when he sang MGUCL, Quiana and Angela each did a duet with him for part of the song, and then the three of them sang together. It was lovely!
At the end of the show, Clay thanked all of his tour "family." He had Jamie, Jerome, and Mary come out on stage to be acknowledged, and he also thanked the lighting and sound crew members (I think their names are Fern and Jason).
Clay also mentioned that his mom and his brother Brett were in the audience. When Clay said that Brett had been serving in Iraq, the audience gave Brett a standing ovation. Clay then joked, "It's still my show! All eyes up front!" He then launched into a spectacular rendition of DSIAFCD. He walked over to Angela and put his arm around her while singing, "A hug is warmer when you're in it." Then he did his best Elvis impersonation when he sang, "Oh baby, that's a fact!" Next he walked over to Quiana and sang with her. At the end of the song, he deliberately took his time adjusting the mic stand to see if Angela and Quiana could hold the note before his final line. Quiana managed to hold the note the longest and did a little dance of joy for having done so well. Clay hit his beautiful falsetto notes at the end of DSIAFCD and wished everyone a Merry Christmas before leaving the stage.
Of course the audience whooped and hollered, so thankfully tonight Clay did sing AIW and sounded gorgeous! On the way out of the venue, I heard a woman commenting about what a powerful voice he has. That's for sure!!
It was a great finale concert, and I wish I could tell Clay "THANK YOU" for another excellent Christmas tour. He, his mom, and Brett are flying to Mexico tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have a safe journey and we can look forward to Clay's UNICEF blogs from the field.
Thank you for the great recap! To help answer the questions about the stories: My story was read tonight and I had no idea that it was going to be read. I found out when I got home from a Christmas party. (I had listened to almost every show on the stream, but had to attend this party.) Even my husband said that if he had known that it had been selected for tonight, he would have wanted to be there with our family to experience this honor. My story was also selected in Cleveland and I did not know that it would be read. My story was very personal, about our little boy who had cancer (story #2.) I had received notice late on a Tuesday night that my story was selected for Easton, the next day. Kinda a long story ... my travel buddy for the Easton concert was hospitalized the week before our trip ... the morning after the DC concert (and she is still in the hospital up there) ... so I had cancelled my plans for the Easton concert, including my plane ticket, hotel reservation, and concert ticket. So, when I received that email ... I knew I had to be there ... even if I had to walk to get there! I booked a plane ticket after midnight and was on my way to Easton the next morning! Thanks to the kindness of my Clayfriends, everything worked out! I read my story in Easton and that night Jamie told me that Clay wanted me to read it again the next night in Morristown ... and who can say 'no' to Clay? I read it again in Morristown and flew back to NC the next day. I also had no idea that stories would be read multiple times, without notice. I do know that Clay said that a story would not be read by someone else until it had been read by the writer. I have no idea how they they selected the readers (non-writers) of the stories for multiple concerts. All I know is that my son, Dusty is still giving me the most amazing gifts. I had never met Clay before and this whole experience was an honor and I am grateful. (Please don't let my low post number fool you ... I am a dedicated fan and spend countless hours on the CB and all things Clay!)From the CB's Sue4AllYouDo:
Vox !!!! That was an excellent recap!! I could imagine everything as I was reading. I could not get on the Clayboard last night (problem with Yuku???) and missed the entire finale show, so your re-cap is very special to me. I can't wait to see the video of this, it sounds like the best show of the entire tour. I love when he interacts with Quiana, Angela, all those on stage and most of all, "US". That is what I missed the most this year, although I LOVED this tour. The stories were a wonderful touch and Clay puts his heart into everything he does, so I can't complain one bit (except the next time I see him, I must question him as to why my VERY FUNNY story was not picked!!!! image image LOL!!! JUST KIDDING!!!!!....(but I really wanted to read it !!!! image ) I'd love to meet Clay one day so I will just keep waiting for that day to come. Thank You again, ClayFanNC, for doing all you could to get to Easton....I've told folks your story many times since seeing you in both Easton and Morristown. You are a woman I greatly admire and maybe someday we will meet. That brings me to this.....Everyone....please do as Clay asks....Support your local Arts....We here in Easton are a somewhat struggling little town, and for Clay to play here twice in a row means so much to me. Please, those of you who came to my hometown, Easton, let the State Theatre know that you enjoyed the show and/or the pre-party....this staff takes their cue from the members and the audience. I begged from 2003 to 2006 for them to bring Clay and when I told our Executive Director that Red Bank had booked him for 2006, she jumped on it. So, they do take their cue from other "sister" venues, too....venues that are similar in size and that are within a decent distance of each other. Let the venues know that you love Clay and that you want him back!!!! If you are intersted in contacting The State Theatre in Easton, PA, their web site is: www.statetheatre.org and their phone # is 610-252-3132 or outside the 610 area, it's 1-800-999-STATE. The gentleman that helped us so much with the party is David and his e-mail is: dyanoshik@statetheatre.org. If Clay should return to Easton, we will do our best to have another pre-show party. If he does not, I already know that Wilkes-Barre, New Brunswick and DEFINITELY Morristown will be on my wish list....maybe even a real dandy of a trip to Williamsport, too!!! Thank you all for making this so much fun!!! Thank You, As Always, Clay. You are loved and greatly admired, more than you will ever know.From the CB's yaknelle:
My husband loved the concert in Merrillville. He was sitting in a sea of women, who all were amazed that I didn't have to drag him there, and I swear if one more had told me he was a keeper, I was going to be sick.From the CB's artz11:
Earlier in the evening, when we were having dinner he asked me, if after listening to the concert for 20 nights, if I thought that it would be as good tonight? I gave him the " you poor, foolish man look." He laughed.
Well surprise, after one concert, he was a believer. He was blown away by the professional presentation, the arrangements, but most of all by Clay. He leaned over after "Mary Did You Know," and said, "I love that song."
The Jazzy Melody left him shaking his head,especially the Elvis ending, but his reaction to "Welcome to Our World," was one of reverence and awe. When it was done, he looked at me and said, "I've never heard that song." "Where's it from?" "My God that was beautiful."
He chattered the whole intermission about Clay. I loved it. So did all the females in the row. Back away women, he's mine!
During the second half, he was mostly quiet, but he applauded hard, stood when called for, and held my hand during the sad, poignant songs. He hadn't a clue that "My Grown Up Christmas List," was radically different. He just enjoyed it as a great, rousing rendition. Love these concert virgins.
A strong arm around me and a kiss during "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day, " coupled with squeezing my hand for the entire song, let me know this was no ordinary concert for him. He was into it, and he was moved.
Later he would say, "Anyone can sing Christmas songs, but this was so different. I really felt the words."
What can be said for "All Is Well," that hasn't been said. It was stunning and both my husband and I could see that Clay was exhausted, I mean really, really tired, but just as last year at Merrillville, he hit that note. We applauded and applauded and...
ALL IS WELL!
Oh my, I waited so long for this final Concert and it was were minute. I sat between Claykevfan and my husband. MH replaced a friend that couldn't come at the last minute. He didn't drag his feet at all. We thought it would be a nice weekend for us just before the Christmas blur. I really enjoyed meeting Claykevfan, but forgot to say goodbye to her.....so Thanks for the chat and shared excitment of the night, CKfan.From the CB's starfishy2000:
The recaps are already detailed and fun to read, but here goes another one.
The concert was beautifully produced, Clay's voice and the Symphony sounds were all about the wonder of the season as I think they should be. The focus was pure....The Voice that I love, Friendships evident on stage and throughout the audience, and Clays recognition to his fans as writers and readers. And yes, we did see that big grin when he broke the serious Clay mode a time or two. I really enjoyed seeing Faye and Brett. Clay's recognition of his family was filled with joy and pride. I believe Brett was humbled by our standing ovation for him and his service to our country. Clay's friendship with Quiana and Angela was on full display as others have described. When he introduced them near the end, he said,"I couldn't do this without either one of these ladies. Not only are they extremely talented, but they always have my back." I think that's been very evident during this tour and the recent summer tour.
I can't leave without commenting on Clay's appearance. He was handsomely beautiful, strikingly blond, tall and thin. This was certainly the Hair Tour...and every "do" was perfect, but at Merrillville we got a twofer. Bangs for the first half.....Forehead for the last half....what a guy. Sometimes, he does try to please all of us. I'll be looking forward to NY and the new CD. I've made my UNICEF donation and will be waiting for some field notes.
Bless Clay, Faye, and Brett on their Christmas journey. May they have us much pleasure together as they have given me.
What a great night. Rebecca and I arrived fairly early in the day. We figured we would relax and chat with others. We drove around the venue and checked on the busses. You know, to know that clay was safe and sound!! We met up with plenty of ladies socializing in the lobby. Ethel helped us out and introduced to our roommates for the night (Thanks again!). Dinner at the hotel was nice, but was even better was the walk to the venue. I love the fact we didnt have to drive or bring our coats!
After we found our seats, we heard Faye was out in the lobby. One of my concert buddies had something for her, and we all had our pictures taken. This is the closest I will ever get folks......lol! We went back to our seats and I saw Brett. He was in the row behind me, a little off center. I called into the cellcert and figured out I was doing something wrong, and got all the bugs worked out. The venue made the typical camera announcements, then 2 ushers came and stood by my seat (I was on a corner). I heard one say no flashes. I asked if pictures were ok, and he repeated the no flash policy. I was like....woo-hoo!!!
Jesse came out and the lights lowered......except a handful of bright lights over our section. They were real bright. It seemed to take forever to get them out, but once they did we started. Clay came out, and seemed to have the hall in his hands. His voice was so soft, but in complete control. It just seemed effortless. The first half of the show flew by.
During intermission, people surrounded Brett and Faye, who seemed to enjoy it. Lots of pictures being taken.
The second half, too, flew by. I loved the new arrangement of MGUCL. Clay looked just plain happy singing with his girls. During the introductions he again had this grin I don't remember seeing this tour. He had Jamie, Jerome and Mary come out on stage. Then as he sang DSIAFCD he GOT OFF THE PODIUM!! We weren't sure what was happening! He sang a verse with Angela, all snuggly, and then with Quiana. After we erupted in applause, he came out and sang AIW. Nailed it and left the stage.
The lobby of the hotel was clack heaven afterward. Thanks to those who shared It was great meeting you all!
I know this isn't the most detailed recap.....but during the show I was certing and taking pictures. I will have to look at the clack to catch some of the nuances.
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