GENERAL: Official Fan Club Tour News on Public Home Page

The OFC home page has a new bit of news concerning the tour and merchandise being sold. 11/30/07:

Update on the "Christmas in the Heartland" Tour
By Team Clay

The "Christmas in the Heartland" tour so far has been tons of fun and a tremendous success! Thank you to all the fans who attended and to those of you that will be coming to future shows. The hats and scarves are selling so well that we will have to order more to keep up with the demand! And since these cozy items are such great sellers, stay tuned to the news for updates on new sets that will be exclusively available in the Clay Aiken Official Store.

Keep your eyes open for upcoming news about these items being offered at the OFC store!

WAUKEGAN: Concert Recaps & Media

Photos

• Clayboard photo/video thread - Waukegan, IL
• Clayfaninmn's photo gallery at SmugMug
  

Videos

• ClackUnlimited

From the CB's LUVClay26:

I just got back from the show tonight.

Perhaps since this is a report, I'll red this up... (If you want to share it please PM me to ask first. Thanks.)

Anyway, I had no idea what to expect with the show. I have seen the other 3 JNT shows and really wasn't sure what to expect based on cellcerts.

Basically he stood in one spot and put the music front and center. After seeing it in person, I understand for this series it is the way it had to go.

I dunno if I am just easy to please or if he was awesome, but I thought he was awesome. There were maybe a place here and there few and far between the note didn't quite get there, but the major notes were ok. Of course tonight he wore all black. The ladies looked very elegant in their black gowns. Pix did not do that justice.

It started with "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and that was so breathtaking. I hope this isn't rude to say so, but he definatly lost weight since Vegas. The song was done very well.

At the beginning, he explained the tour and before I knew it a small bit of the dude's personality did show. He made some crack about how he is not classy and said something about how he messed up on the song before the banter. hehe Then he said something again when the next song started (MDYK?) and just was cute about it. The rest was mostly the music. At the end there was the names of the story winners and whatever about the holiday. (Drat at my memory for details which I'm sure someone will tell more elegantly than me).

I really liked the quick jazzy medley. I thought that was done awesome with the different arrangement of SR. The other songs in it were good too. If anyone is wondering (probably nobody but I am weird for noting such things) he did the giddyup for SR.

Angela's song was pretty good. The song I had the roughtest time again this year is MGUCL. Every year the song puts me at the verge of tears. I don't mean that in that Clay sung it bad. He sung it great. I mean the lyrics just make me tearful. The other song (The Chris Rice/Michael W Smith one) that made me fear losing it was awesome too.

Quiana's song...wow. All I can say is wow. The girl can sing. I hate to say it because I liked Clay too, but that was the highlight of the show for me was her song.

DSIAFCD was great. He sang the fun hug line to Angela. He nailed the glory note and that was great. We had some falsetto too which was great.

For AIW, I know I am weird, but I was praying for those notes that were kinda flubbed last year at this very venue. When he hit the last note, the lighting was sort of cool where the spots strobe in the audience and he dashed from the podium. I know this is weird to wonder, but did he do that the other shows? I took a crappy cell phone pic with no flash and the usher was stern with me. Goodness I hope they didn't think I was some weird terrorist or something snapping that one cell pic. I can post if anyone wants to see. The little dot in it is Clay. Though I know there was a bit of drama about pix and vids tonight. I was in a section that had many that were trying to get Clack. I don't know and I guess I don't want to know.

The stories were ok and far better than my weak prose. Yet, if there were so many stories, why were two repeats? One was the dress on fire story I remember reading about being read in another city. Also there was the first Christmas in the US from England which I almost swear I thought was a story read at a prior venue too. Not that it is an issue since even if I won I probably would have gifted the reading to someone. Granted the stories were great so maybe they were worth the repeating. Oh well. It isn't important. I'm kinda glad my story was not chosen because I don't know if I could handle my Dysfunctional Family Circus Christmas memory being picked apart.

The other story was about a gift with a binder or memories to the kids. Then the last story I remember (I am listing out of order not on purpose) is Santa coming long after the little boy of the teller was grown.

I did like the stories. It does work with the music. So it is all good anyway.

So there you have it. This is LUV's view of "Waukegan II - Joyful Noiseier With A Vegence."

I hope that the tour is going smoothly after the drama in Wichita. Tonight, at least onstage, it was pretty good.

LUV

From the CB's kmammam:

Went to Waukegan with my dh, Rick. We had 5th row behind the PIT near center. Great seats; good view of Clay. No binoculars needed this time

and oh my did he look heavenly. He's just a perfect 10 of a doll!!!! The stage wasn't real big so there was just enough room for everyone and not

much moving around(but can I say what moving he did do though not extreme was incredible; loved Jazzy Clay). Did I say he looked so heavenly. He

glowed. He did from the inside out. He was joyous and full of peace and goodness. Angelic. And then he sang. It was wonderful. Oh he cracked ever

so slightly a couple of times but who cares!!!!?????? His singing was amazing, he was magnificent in his performance in voice, movement and

character. He gave a little banter that was cute and just enough(he is human and our lovely, down-to-earth, approachable Clay). The stories were

great and only added to the nature of the experience Clay was trying to give us. During one story I reached over and held Rick's hand and in that way

we hugged. At the end some of us were trying to describe what we just experienced: I thought magnificent and moving, and one gal said spiritual it was

spiritual. Not the religious midnight mass or other kind. It was deeply moving, personal, spiritual. We were celebrating life and love with Clay and were

deeply moved, deeply filled with a beautiful and satisfying feeling.

About me. We just moved from NJ to Illiniois. I was a little melancholic going to this concert, because though I was excited to see Clay, I was a little

bummed I would not be seeing my Northeast USA fanfriends as I usually did when I went to see Clay in NJ/NY/PA etc. However, I did see some of

them lol and more than a few that I knew from other places and also some from the boards I am on. You are never alone in Clay's fanship. We

enjoyed the preparty. I met the gal who won Clay's Wango Tango shirt at the Raliegh gala. Her and her hubby were at our table. LOL Rick had

someone to talk to who didn't incessantly talk about Clay. She took our pic with the striped shirt eeeeeeee I held Clay's shirt lol.

About Rick my dh. He was such a trooper at the preparty, show, and afterwards at the busline freezing his cute self. He is so sweet. He is far from

being a Clay dog to be sure. If it weren't for me he may listen to Clay if he was on radio but that's it. However, he was most impressed with Clay at

this show. My husband has a perfect ear for music. LOL He noticed one instrument out of pitch. LOL Said yeah I don't know how he did it but he got

the viola back in pitch. He is a music purist, that over an emotional aspect of performance. If a performance is not near music perfect, he can't stand it

no matter what. Well he felt this show was very ,very good. Says it was Clay's best show and performances. The best show he has done. A few

comments: With WW he said he didn't think Clay was going to pull off the high note at the end because when he started to sing it he was off, but held

on and did get to it . He said not many people have the set of lungs and teh power to pull out a note like that and hold it like Clay did. He also liked the

one contemporary Christmas song I think the Michael W Smith song. Then with AIW he was really impressed saying " Who can do that, that song

must be 4 octaves" I said Clay can. Rick says he should have video-taped it and make it a TV special that it was that good.

About the bus line. I hope Clay can forgive us for our expectations. He gave us so much more than enough during the show. I hope he doesn't feel

guilty or uncomfortable at all about not shaking hands and all. With what he did during that show I want him to save all he's got for the upcoming shows

of which I will attend a few.

Marge

From the Cb's Starrgirl01:

I was so enthralled with Clay's voice last night, I don't remember speaking more than 5 words to my seatmates. I don't know how to explain it, but it was if I was seeing Clay for the first time. Or a Clay I had never seen before. Sometimes, I forgot to applaud until I heard the audience doing so-I just wanted to hear the next song. Personally, I have never heard Clay sing as beautifully as he did last night. It is, indeed, personal and spiritual. This concert is so different from anything I have ever seen Clay do before and it was all about the "voice". The man only needs to stand and sing to have "stage presence" and he had it in spades in Waukegan. The girls looked and sang beautifully-lots of beauty and class on that stage last night. I didn't go in as a complete virgin, but I only watched 3 videos before going and was not ready for what I was hearing. I wish the Christmas season were longer as I think many people aren't into the Christmas spirit in November and I doubt I would go out on a weeknight in November to see a Christmas show unless it were Clay. Last night was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rolled into one for me. (It helped that I won a beautifully framed and matted painting of Clay at TBAF raffle table that will hang in my new bedroom. I hadn't decided on the color scheme yet, but I have now).

The good: Clay and company, who put on a beautiful show without the aid of a team of producers-just Clay, the girls and an orchestra. Jesse, who is a genious at putting this music onto paper so beautifully (do I use the word beautiful too much?) The lighting. The blast of blinding light which hit Clay on that last glory note in AIW. The crossbeams of light resting on his microphone after he stepped down. From my seat, it appeared as if a diamond was sparkling on top of the microphone. Brilliant. Every song he sang.

The bad: A gaggle of white shirted security people who flitted all over tapping people on the shoulder and then meeting up again against the wall to discuss how best to disrupt the show further. I believe they were paid a $2 bonus for every camera they found. They were always present in my perphiral vision and I can only imagine how disruptive they must have been for those seated in the side sections. I swear they were wearing glow in the dark shirts. The cold weather.

The funny: Clay ducking back through the curtain under the trumpet section for his encore. Flustered, laughing and buttoning his frock coat as if he took that 1 minute standing ovation to make a quick run to the little boy's room and nearly didn't make it back in timeimage . Informing us he missed his cue on the first song and I didn't even know it. Will have to watch clack for that one. The man sitting to my left who informed me he was only there because his wife was a Claymate and then proceeded to jump to his feet faster than I did during the standing ovations.

I have been to every tour except SRHPT and while I loved each one, CITH is my favorite by far as it was all about the music and the voice and Clay doing what he does best-just singing. Beautiful. No other word suffices.

Edited to add: With less than an hour to hit both pre-parties, eat and decide my picks at the raffle table (not to mention the waits at the elevator which we were expected to use from 4th floor to 3rd floor to 4th floor to 3rd floor, lol), I had very little time meet up with and speak to many of you who I only know on the internet. I loved putting faces to the names. Hope we meet again when it isn't so hectic.

From the Cb's yaknelle:

Clay Aiken gave a grown up Christmas concert at Waukegan last night, and I was amazed at the virtuoso performance. Clay is a musical instrument in this performance as surely as the violins are. The physical positioning of Clay on the platform allows the music to rise up, to swirl around him and to join with his voice and float out to the audience and wrap it in the sound.

I witnessed the physical beauty of Clay's hands literally move with the music. The passion flowed out of his fingers. There were times when he used these hands to pull the music up to him, and to pass it out to us. There were times when I noticed his feet move to the rhythm and literally move the music through his body.

Then there was the face. The light that comes out of that face, the joy, the pleasure was overwhelming. He lost himself in the music, but never lost control.

There was such an artistic connection between Clay and Jesse and the music. There was non-stop music. It was holy and secular. It was majestic and fun. It was melancholy and joyous. It moved at such a rapid pace, that surrender to it is the only way to enjoy it.

Quiana and Angela gave beautiful performances. They too, were caught in the moment. The ending of "O Holy Night," stunning, just stunning.

If you were blind, you could hear the beauty. If you were deaf you could feel the vibrations. This concert is a physical, visceral experience. It foretells what we will see from Clay, and it reflects his immense growth as an artist in charge of his own career. God, I'm glad, I'm along for the ride.

WASHINGTON: Mix 107.3 FM Interviews Clay

Mix 107.3 in Washington D.C. interviewed Clay this morning, ahead of his concert at the State Theatre. The CB's hosaa recaps the interview, which can be downloaded at ClackUnlimited:

talking about the "Joke" factor of doing Sexy Back, "obviously not up to Justin Timberlake's level"

Christmas stories, everybody has a different memory, funny, nostalgic, talking about the lady who sang in a Christmas trio and her dress catching on fire - but stories everyone can relate to

People may have fond memories of "I'm in Love with a Stripper." giggle

DJs laugh, shocked, "Clayyyy!" Then make point about how well he sold compared with Candle in the Wind.

Clay says hopes album would be out in first half of 2008, doesn't always want to sing with orchestra; songs on a commercial album will still be "about the music" - not that many people anymore just sing.

DJ says he's a singer's singer, Clay isn't just the kind that the label will put out there, OMG let's just strike while the iron is hot.

Clay takes the compliment but with a suppressed yawn!

Clay talks about Kelly and Carrie as being singers, their work is about the songs themselves, not just whether you can dance to them.

DJ promo's the Warner performance.
"Nice kid, a singer's singer. There are people who are posers, ..." compared his talent to Neil Diamond.


You can download this now at the CH. Please remeber to donate if you can. I hope they do not mind me putting the link up.

http://clackunlimited.com/clack/Radio_Interviews/07_Interviews/

SOUTH BEND: Full Review from South Bend Tribune

The South Bend Tribune published their full review of Clay's South Bend, IN concert today. An abbreviated version of this review was published yesterday. The Tribune was impressed by Clay's vocal skills, calling him a "polished" performer:

A relaxed and polished Aiken, dressed in all black, eased into a soft rendition of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," then, with the Bill Porter Orchestra, a Chicago jazz band, in tow, he launched into the first of the show's three holiday medleys. Joined by talented supporting vocalists Angela Fisher and Quiana Parlor, the trio zipped through an arrangement that somehow morphed "Away in a Manger," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night" into a single, pleasant entity.

Whether they knew it or not, this was the moment the audience was waiting for. Reminiscent of his "American Idol" performances, Aiken pushed his vocals to hit the big notes, which he did to perfection.

The song's crescendo was so stirring, audience members actually leaped to their feet like they were at a church revival.

Read the full review here.

WAUKEGAN: Concert Review: "Aiken pleases smaller Genesee crowd"

The Lake County News Sun has published their review of Clay's Waukegan concert. Here's a preview of their article... give it hits at the Lake County News Sun website:

Aiken pleases smaller Genesee crowd

WAUKEGAN -- Clay Aiken was more honest than he needed to be Thursday night, admitting to his faithful that he messed up the opening of his Christmas ballad "Mary, Did You Know."

"I try so hard to be classy for these here shows -- which is not in my nature," the North Carolina native said in an unaffected, homespun accent that stands completely at odds with his Adult Contemporary singing voice. "But I came in a little early on that last song."

If the audience didn't notice the mistake, his conductor and pianist, Jesse Vargas, apparently did. "But he somehow made it work," Aiken said, mimicking the grimace Vargas apparently made when the gaffe unfolded.

SOUTH BEND: Concert Recaps & Media

Photos

• Clayboard photo/video thread - South Bend, IL
  

Videos

• ClackUnlimited

From the CB's imsnoqueen:

Well...I saw our guy tonight. image

First I have to say that he looked fantastic! He wore a beautifully tailored black suit, with a black shirt, and tie. He had on a vest underneath, which we all got to see, when he came back to sing All is Well. Clay has definitely lost weight, and his appearance was a flashback for me to American Idol 2, when he wore so many beautiful suits. He was adorable. Angela and Quiana looked beautiful. They didn't sing a lot. Clay sang several solos, with no backup singing.

Clay wears so many hats, and I love every one of them. Here's a guy, who just 3 short months ago, was mimicking "Sexy Back," wearing handcuffs and being threatened with a whip. Tonight, Clay was classy and laid back. I describe his performance as almost wistful. He was so into each and every song. I love the way he uses his hands so perfectly....it's almost as if his hands are singing too. I was fixated on him. Clay's voice was raspy in parts, and he had to fight to hit some of the notes, but fight he did. DSIAFCD and All is Well were a fitting end to the evening. Actually, I was surprised he came back for the encore, as his voice seemed a bit strained at the end. Not to worry...I have confidence that Clay will continue to "bring it" for each and every concert. Welcome to Our World was beautiful, and I really enjoyed the upbeat numbers in the first half.

This concert reminded me of Joyful Noise 2, minus the vignettes, in terms of his performance of the religious songs. But the performance of each song was more nuanced. Oh, and did I say that he used his hands very well? He's very special.

After the first half, I felt peaceful. I admire Clay so much for making each Christmas tour different. I enjoyed the stories. They were all well written. I can see why Clay was so impressed with them...he has witty, intelligent, fans. The first one was hilarious. Each story fit well, as a lead-in to the following song. Clay did a nice job of picking a nice mix of stories. All of the readers did a great job. If they were nervous, it didn't show.

The size of the crowd was disappointing...I'd guess only 40% full, if that. There were cameras all around me, and I didn't notice any efforts being made by security, to limit videos or picture-taking. The staff was very pleasant. The posters are really nice. They have 2 colors of hats/scarves, but they were all out of scarves. They should be restocked tomorrow.

I head that Clay said, during the Meet and Greet, that there would be no bus line. Many of us waited by the buses. Clay did come out (looking very cute), but got right on the bus. I left after that, so I have no idea if he came back out. He was not wearing a coat...just jeans and a hoodie. As a mom, I wanted to tell him to put a coat on. It was pretty cold out.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show. Clay has accomplished what he said he wanted to do. What a guy! What an entertainer! I think we should keep him.

SOUTH BEND, WASHINGTON: Press Lauds Christmas In The Heartland Tour

As concert reviews start coming in, the press is praising Clay's Christmas in the Heartland tour for its uniqueness, and "hometown charm".

A fantastic review, titled "Aiken molds his own way" appeared in today's Baltimore Sun. The review also mentions Clay's upcoming role in Spamalot, and his forthcoming studio album, slated for release in the first half of 2008. A preview of the article appears below. Head over to Baltimore Sun's website to read the entire review/article -

Aiken molds his own way
'Idol' singer, set to perform his holiday show in D.C., embraces his lack of cool in an effort to just be himself

By Brad Schleicher | Sun reporter
November 29, 2007

Clay Aiken knows he isn't cool. He doesn't seem to mind.

He's been fighting to stay that way after being launched into the ranks of superstardom as the runner-up on 2003's American Idol.

Aside from an occasional change in hairstyle and wardrobe, Aiken says he hasn't tried to reinvent himself or his music to compete with pop music's edgier leading men.

And he admits that it would be odd for people to bump and grind to one of his songs.

"I'll put it this way," he says, "if I was in a club and Clay Aiken started playing, I would get off the dance floor."

But Aiken, who will perform a holiday concert Sunday at D.C.'s Warner Theatre with the Concert Artists of Baltimore, has stuck to what he knows he's good at - showcasing his vocal prowess rather than his dance moves or beats.

Aiken says he has gained more control in the studio. For his fourth full-length album, in pre-production, he has more of an influence when choosing songs and producers, which affects the direction of the album as a whole.

But Aiken is broadening more than his musical horizons by appearing on a different type of stage in January.

Aiken was recently cast in the role of the less-than-heroic Sir Robin in the Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot, a critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols.

Clay Aiken will perform with the Concert Artists of Baltimore at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. N.W., Washington. Tickets are $57-$127. Go to ticketmaster.com or call the box office at 410-547-7328.

WSBT-TV and the South Bend Tribune reviewed Clay's South Bend concert from last night, saying: "It’s clear he has grown as a singer and performer since his 'American Idol' stint, and after the break, he proved by just how much":

Aiken's Holiday Fare Doesn’t Disappoint Faithful Fans
By JEREMY D. BONFIGLIO, Tribune Staff Writer

[...]

Although a good chunk of the audience may not share a common zip code, it was clear Wednesday that these were proud citizens of Claynation.

They clapped loudly when Aiken belted out perhaps his most popular Christmas tune, "Mary, Did You Know?"

They seemed undaunted by a few harmless, but noticeable vocal cracks at the end of "Winter Wonderland."

They even panicked for a brief moment when the curtain fell just 45 minutes into the show. Seconds later a voice came on to inform them that it was simply intermission.

Perhaps it was the orchestra setting, or the backup singers in formal gowns, but the first act came off as a bit stiff, despite Aiken’s obvious vocal acuity.

It’s clear he has grown as a singer and performer since his "American Idol" stint, and after the break, he proved by just how much.

Aiken’s tender version of "O, Holy Night" set the tone for the rest of the night.

It all led to the undeniable concert highlight, "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day," a tune once sung by Parlor.

"I like it so much," Aiken admitted, "I stole it from her."

POUGHKEEPSIE: Send in Your Questions For Clay To Poughkeepsie Reporter Sean McMann and He May Pick It To Ask Clay!

According to an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, reporter Sean T. McMann will be interviewing Clay on Thursday morning (November 29) at 11 a.m. (EST), and he is asking for Clay fans to send their questions for Clay to him.

The article says:

Head over to McMann's "Sean's Space" blog at www.seantm.blogspot.com and e-mail him a question to ask Aiken. McMann will pick the best submissions, ask Aiken those readers' questions and post the singer's answers on the blog.

However, all questions must be received by 10:45 a.m. Thursday for Clay's 11 a.m. (EST) interview with Sean. Sean says:

So, Clay fans, here ya go: E-mail me at JournalSean@aol.com and submit your question along with your first name, hometown and state. All questions must be in to me by 10:45 a.m. EST on Thursday (that's tomorrow, Nov. 29) so be creative and get writing!

GENERAL: Christmas Tour Merchandise Available at Concerts

Christmas tour merchandise was available last night at the concert in St. Louis. Items available were:

• A knit hat for $30. Embroidered "Clay Aiken". Ivory embroidery on the Cranberry hat and Cranberry embroidery on the Ivory hat.
• A knit scarf - with a snowflake and "With Love, Clay" embroidered on it - available in cranberry and ivory for $30. Embroidery colors same as above.
• A new poster for $20. Picture is one of the ATDW Promo pictures. Printed "Clay Aiken, Joyful Noise: Christmas in the Heartland"
  

GENERAL: Christmas Tour Meet & Greet Pass

The meet and greet pass Clay is using on the tour has been scanned and posted to the board. Here it is:

ST. LOUIS: Concert Recaps & Media

Photos

• Clayboard Photo & Videos thread - St. Louis, MO
  
• SmartyPantsSuz's photos at SmugMug
• MadelynThree's photos at Photobucket

Videos

• ClackUnlimited

From Jemock at CH:

Ok, whew. It’s been a carnival ride the past couple of days, but in a good way. First of all, let me tell you guys something.

1. Clay Aiken is a very nice guy.
2. Clay Aiken is very handsome.
3. Clay Aiken can sing real good.

I wasn’t going to submit a story OR attend a concert, but then Clay blogged and I caved. Sue me.

I got notification that my story would be read on Monday, after I had left home for St. Louis. I didn’t even tell my travel buddies lyricAKP and farouche until we all arrived in St. Louis, because I had to be at the venue by 4:45 on Tuesday, and they’re kinda nosy and would have been all up in my koolaid about where I was going all dressed in black and whatnot. But I threatened them with some really bad fanfic if they told anybody, so they behaved.

Anyhoo. I got to the Fox box office at the allotted time, and met up with two other ladies, HeyButterfly from the OFC and another nice lady from St. Louis (I don’t know her screen name). In a short while, Jamie came around to get us. She is the cutest thing I have ever seen, and has the southernest accent I’ve ever heard, which is saying something, what with me sounding like Gomer Pyle and all. She checked our email printouts and ID’s, and looked at mine and said “Hay! Yew’re tha go-go bewts!” Ha!

That’s when she asked us if we knew anybody would could read a story that Clay wanted to use. Neither of the St. Louis gals could think of anybody, so I offered up one of my roommates, knowing both of them well enough that they would do pretty much anything Clay asked them to do. And they both could read, near as I could tell.

So I called lyric and said “Can one of you come down here and read a story for tonight.” And she said “Shyeah, right.” And Jamie was standing right there, so I said “Seriously, Clay needs a reader for a story tonight. One of you needs to come down here and do it.” And lyric said, "This better not be a prank, I swear to God, and give us a second to figure this out.” So I told Jamie that I thought one of them could do it, but they had to freak out real quick and call me back.

At this point, Jamie took us back stage where she gave us basic information on the stage setup and the set list and when our stories would be read. Mine was first. So I had to rehearse mine first. Jesse was at the piano, the microphone was on the stage, and Jamie handed me the Black Binder of Holiday Spirit and said “hold the book on your left and stand real close to the microphone, and when Jesse starts playing, start reading.” Ho-kay. It was at this point I decided I had made a tactical error in that I had apparently forgotten that I’m a freakin idiot and should never be allowed to speak in public.

However, it was also at this point that my legs loco-moted my body out on the stage under their own volition. And it was also at this point that I looked out into the house and saw an utterly beautiful Clay Aiken sitting there in a seat about five rows from the stage. Looking at me. Ack.

Jesse started playing, and I started reading. No sound was coming out, though, because the microphone was turned off. At this point, Clay jumped up and loped up to the stage waving his arms and saying something like “the sound’s not working, hang on!” so I shut my mouth. He said something to somebody and then turned back to me and said “Hey Joy!” And I said “Hey!” That part worked out pretty well, I think.

At that point, he started talking to me about a few other things and gave me some direction on how to stand and to move the book to the other side and hold it up higher, etc. And he said “I normally tell people not to act when they’re reading, but I want you to act some. I know you can do it.” So blame the ham factor on him, he told me to do it and I always do what he says. He was quite the little cheerleader. So then I started reading like this:

“WhenIwasinelementaryschoolmytwosistersandIhad all *ragged gasp for air* gottenstylishblahblahblah”

And he stopped me again and told me I probably needed to breath, and I definitely needed to slow down. And I said “you want me to slow down?” And he said yeah, slow it down some. And I said “but I already sound like Minnie Pearl.” And he said, “don’t worry, you’re doing fine, you’re going to do a great job” and other nice things like that. He’s a nice guy. I’m not sure if I mentioned that earlier.

So I got finished and the other two ladies went while we waited for farouche to get her ass up to the venue. After the second reader rehearsed, Clay hollered up at me “Joy! Is your friend here yet?!?” And I told him she was on the way. And then HeyButterfly went, and when she finished, Clay hollered up at me again “Joy! Is your friend here yet?!?!” And I told him she was here and was waiting for somebody to get her at the box office. So Jamie called Jerome and he went to go get farouche.

I’ll let her tell her story from this point. She sure has some most excellent Clay Aiken mojo, that’s for sure.

Fast forward to the show. I went out there and read my story.

Fast forward to after the show. Jamie met us at a predetermined location and took us backstage, and we only waited a couple of minutes for Clay to come out. When he did, he was happy and laughing and mind-blowingly gorgeous, and he saw us and said “Hey guys!” and started thanking us profusely for sharing our stories. He was so sweet, I’m not kidding y’all. He told us we all did a good job and shared a few private words with each of us. Then we had our pictures taken with him and I put my arm around his back, which was a little bit damp--his back, not my arm--and I blacked out for a second while I contemplated that issue. Then he gave us signed printouts of our stories, making a presentation of each one with very sweet and appreciative words and told us we would have to buy our own frames. Then he gave us each a hug. It was a good hug, too. He squeezed me. That part was real nice, but I think he squeezed my brains out somehow because I suddenly got stupider if you can even imagine.

I hope he doesn’t have this contest again, because my new favorite Christmas memory definitely involves Clay Aiken, which breaks the rule. But I think I can deal with it. Heh.

For those interested, I’ll post my story as soon as I can. I can’t post it right yet, though.

I’m really glad I did it. I have no idea why he picked my story, but I understand his vision for the concert and recognize that it was important to him to have these stories shared. He looked so happy, you guys. *sniff*.

Oh, one more thing. He knows my real name, he knows my screen name, he knows my writing, and knows what I look like, but he didn’t mention our engagement at all. I’m not sure what’s up with that.

WICHITA: Wichita Eagle Reviews Tour Opening Concert

The Wichita Eagle has filed their review of Clay's tour opening Wichita, KS concert. The review was based mostly on interviews of fans who were at the show.

Fans swarm to Aiken's holiday show

What could make 42-year-old Jacki Koah fly from Portland, Ore., to Wichita with no family or friends around for miles?

Clay Aiken, of course.

"I wanted to do the first two shows but in the summer I did nine shows," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "I've done four meet-and-greets and he knows me by name. I'm Jacki from Oregon."

The proof of her acquaintance with Aiken is on her left shoulder.

"He signed my shoulder and I had it tattooed," she said. "The man can sing the telephone book to me and I would be happy."

Koah and her daughter attended the packed Aiken concert Monday night at Central Christian Church on Rock Road.

Monday night members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra played lightly in the background as people found their seats. Suddenly the lights dimmed and the entire auditorium was black, except for lights from the musicians onstage. The orchestra stopped playing and the crowd fell silent. A door could be heard closing as footsteps came closer to the stage. Aiken, dressed in a black suit with a long jacket and sporting his mop-top hair, stepped onstage.

The crowd cheered as he started to sing. His first song was a melody that included the songs "Rejoice", "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night."

"It's good to be here," Aiken said to the crowd.

"We like to include the community as much as we can because the holidays are about being together," he said of the orchestra,. He only rehearsed with them on Monday afternoon. "We are so appreciative to them for coming this afternoon to look at the sheet music for the first time."

Four holiday stories written by Wichitans were chosen to be read at the concert. The stories were accompanied by the orchestra. They were meant to be inspirational and to get the audience into the Christmas spirit.

"I think you'll be moved by the stories you'll hear tonight," Aiken said. "This entire concert is a Christmas card from you to you."

WICHITA: Concert Recaps & Media

Photos

• Clayboard photo/video thread - Wichita, KS
• DC4Clay's photo album at SmugMug
• SmartyPantsSuz's album at SmugMug
  

Videos

• ClackUnlimited
  

From the CB's janfan821:

I posted this and it went somewhere -- don't know where -- so I'll post it again.

The concert was fantastic. I think this is the most professional production that Clay has done to this date. To me, it seemed like a TV special. The musical arrangements were brilliant. The medleys fit so well together.The stories added to the concert experience. Really, go to this show if you can.

Clay was beautiful as always -- in physique (slimmer) as well as voice. His voice was a little ragged now and then, but it didn't subtract from my enjoyment at all. This was the first time I've seen the initital concert of a tour. And there is nothing like it. The anticipation, the surprise of it all.

I suspect you already know the song list, and to tell you the truth, I can't remember all of the songs. The jazzy segments were fun and Clay's voice just bent around those notes. I loved it!

ETA: Clay wore the long jacket from past Christmas concerts. The girls were in elegant black ball gowns. When Angela came up the stairs to the stage, I gasped because she was so beautiful. Quinana was pretty, too. Clay's hair was perfect -- AIW hair. The orchestra did a really good job. I loved the new song "Welcome Home." Can't wait for clack of that to be posted; this was the first time I've heard that song. If you have questions, maybe I can answer them.

I thought the audience was very enthusiastic. Before Clay started DSIAFCD, he said that we were in a church but that didn't mean we couldn't yell. So we did. Some women yelled "I love yous" to him, etc. The standing ovation at the end of that was a little overwhelming to me because the song was just so emotionally powerful. I think everyone around me enjoyed the show a lot. I overheard the man behind me say at intermission, "It is all I thought it would be and so much more." He and his wife were sitting with another couple. They were fans already, but I don't think they had been to many concerts. I can't answer the question about first-timers, since I don't know a lot of the "regulars" myself.

From the CB's cherylwayne:

I feel honored to have attended what I would call a Beautiful Christmas Event. Clays voice is truly a gift that was given to him and thankfully he has chosen to share it with us. Tonight was pure class. The Wichita Symphony was excellent and looked so classy in tuxedos and gowns. Clay had a presence that was just breathtaking. Quiana and Angela's songs were exceptional and they looked gorgeous. I am so happy I was able to attend....What a wonderful christmas gift tonight was!

GENERAL: Christmas In The Heartland Setlist

The Christmas In The Heartland Tour setlist is now available, after tonight's concert in Wichita. Thanks to the CB's Joy2Talk2U for compiling this list for us!

SET LIST: (Wichita)

1. Emmanuel
2. Medley - Away In The Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night
3. Mary Do You Know
4. Banter
5. Merry Christmas With Love
6. Story from Fan
7. Medley - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland
8. Christmas Waltz
9. Story from Fan
10. Angela.... Who Would Imagine A King
11. Welcome to Our World

Intermission

12. O Holy Night
13. Hark The Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
14. Story by Fan
15. Medley - I'll Be Home For Christmas, The Christmas Song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
16. Story by Fan
17. Quiana - Where Are You Christmas?
18. My Grown Up Christmas List
19. Don't Save It All For Christmas Day
Encore...... ALL IS WELL

KALAMAZOO: Fans Donate Book for Clay's Birthday

Clay fans are donating books to Kalamazoo, MI schools in celebration of Clay's birthday. Clay will be in town at Miller Auditorium on his birthday, November 30. Details are up at the Kalamazoo Communities in Schools Foundation website -

Books to honor Clay Aiken's Birthday
Clay Aiken, the runner-up for the 2003 American Idol, is coming to Miller Auditorium to present a Clay Aiken Christmas with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. The concert is scheduled for Friday, November 30 – Clay Aiken’s 29th birthday.

To honor his birthday, fans are donating children’s books to Kalamazoo Communities In Schools. This gift combines Clay’s commitment to children with the resources of KCIS and its strong involvement in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Clay graduated with a degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation –“which supports the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers.”

For those interested in donating books to celebrate Clay Aiken’s birthday, please link to the Kalamazoo Public Library’s website at www.kpl.gov. Click on Services and then look at the books listed under Children’s or the books listed under Buzzworthy in the Teen section. Any of these books would be appropriate and be welcomed by the school children.

Books collected will help support KCIS’s literacy events in the schools, such as “Bagels and Books” and “Cider and Stories.” If you would like to learn more, please give us a call at (269) 337-1601.

KALAMAZOO: Scan from Kalamazaoo Gazette

This is a scan from Sunday's Kalamazoo Gazette ... wow! The full article can be read at the Kalamazoo Gazette website:

These days, there's one pop performer trimming the proverbial tree with his own holiday song stylings: 2003 ``American Idol'' runner-up Clay Aiken.

Aiken, accompanied by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, will wrap his voice around seasonal tunes new and old when ``Christmas With Clay Aiken'' hits Miller Auditorium on Friday.

According to North Carolina native Aiken, there is a conscious attempt to deliver a fresh experience each tour.

``It differs a little bit every year,'' said Aiken, who called from his cell phone on his way to a doctor's appointment. ``For example, the first tour we used children from local orchestras, elementary schools, high schools,'' he said. ``We have a tradition of involving people from the communities we visit in the show. This year, we're allowing fans who've submitted their own Christmas memories through our Web site to tell those holiday stories along with the music. It's going to be kind of like a big Christmas card.''

WICHITA: Clay Sightings In Wichita

According to a thread at The Clayboard, Clay was seen in Wichita and a fan sat by Angela on the airplane. Here are those reports:

From Marilyn at the CV

Talking to KSChristian4Clay and she iand Puddinsjoy are in Wichita. She was just at the church and someone dropped off Clay, Jerome and Mary. Clay was wearing jeans, a primary color striped shirt and his bucket hat. Meesa said he looked really skinny.

Also from happyclayday at the CV :

clayperfect just called me from work. A friend of hers going to Wichita for the concert was on a flight today and sat with Angela. She said Angela is very excited. Angela told her that Clay is happy and excited and she also said to bring plenty of kleenex - they will be needed for these stories.

More news posted by Hcorbett10 at The Clayboard:

I have a bit of 'soft news' about the songs-in-the-works to share w/ you all that may help put a bit more excitement into your evening....if you are already excited enough.

Jesse has been kept busy since the SRHP tour by Clay. He has 6 songs he has to orchestrate by the end of November for Clay. Angela, Quiana are both getting a song, & Clay is adding 2 songs. Jesse could not tell me off the top of his head what those songs are, but did say (after a bit of thinking) that these are new material that wasn't in the Xmas tours before, mostly standards. Plus, there will be medleys. Clay sure do love them medleys.

There will be 2 buses. The dogs are coming on tour - so the group will be split btwn the 2 buses.

More from CH:

We actually saw he and Jerome walking out of his hotel to the bus (we're staying at the same place), which then drove to the church and we assume dropped them off there. We did see Mary sitting out front of the church, but didn't see Clay. We went to supper and on our way back to the hotel a couple hours later, noticed that the bus was still parked at the church's main entrance, so wonder if they might have attended evening services, as well as rehearsing some. Wearing bucket hat and horizontal, inch-wide-striped, primary-colored shirt I haven't seen before (very tight-fitting), faded blue jeans & sneaks. What little we saw looked very good! It was great to see him, if only a glimpse! He was slim, but in a very good way *g*.

From SmartyPantsSuz at CV via lindylo at CH:

When we got back from church today, both busses were in our parking lot. I've never stayed in his hotel before so I was a wee bit excited, however, shortly after we got there, one of the busses pulled up by the other one. Clay got off one bus and walked to the other one. He had on jeans and a hoodie under a jacket. No bucket hat at this point. The hair didn't look too long--a liitle longer than the collar, but did look lighter than it did in Vegas. That was across the parking lot, though, so I could be wrong. He came back to his bus and it drove across the street to another hotel. So close, and yet so far! ... we walked back toward the hotel. As we approached, we saw Clay's bus drive up. We didn't want to intrude, so we circled the field in front of the hotel and came back around. We saw Jerome and someone get out of the bus and take the dogs over to the field. I couldn't tell who it was, but as we got closer (not really close) Jerome and the person started walking to the side of the building where it was lighter. At that point I could tell it was Clay. He still had the stripped top and bucket hat on. We gave them ample time to get to the side of the building without getting too close, but as we passed the bus, Jamie walked in front of us and into the hotel. So - Clay is safely tucked away for the night, resting up for the start of the tour tomorrow. The bus is back in our parking lot...

GENERAL: Christmas Tour Starts Tomorrow - Concert Preview Articles

With the Christmas tour starting tomorrow, a number of media outlets are running concert preview articles. Don't forget, all the latest tour news, recaps, photos and more will be posted on our Christmas tour blog.

• The South Bend Tribune interviewed Clay by phone from LA...

  "All is well," he says by telephone from somewhere in Los Angeles. "Before I start a tour, I like to make sure everything is working."
  
  It's not a bad idea, considering how busy the 2003 "American Idol" runner-up has been lately.
  
  Aiken recently appeared on the Fox game show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" He taped the "Capitol One Holiday Celebration on Ice" with Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen (which will air Christmas Day on NBC). And he will make his Broadway debut Jan. 18 in Monty Python's "Spamalot."
  
  Aiken says that part of the reason he took on the role was because he was already planning to be in New York working on his new, yet-to-be-titled CD.
  
  "There's really not much to tell," he says of the project. "We just started working on it. We're finding songs for the new album right now and we just hired a producer."
  
  In the meantime, Aiken has plenty of projects to keep his obsessive fans -- known as Claymates -- buzzing.
  
  One of the reasons Aiken says he continues to do an annual holiday tour is to celebrate those who support him -- even if their loyalty is, at times, baffling even to him.
  
  "If I knew (what it was), I'd be making a serum," Aiken says, laughing. "They are a really close-knit group. I think they came together because they were fans of the show or the music or whatever, but they stayed together, not because of me, but because of themselves. ... (The tour) has become our own Christmas tradition."

• ... and the Wilke Barres Times Leader ran this:

  In the past five years, he has released four albums and is embarking on his eighth tour, which makes a stop at the F. M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre at 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Last year, his appearance at the venue was sold out.
  
  His day job is to sell as many albums as possible – and he has sold millions – but he doesn’t stop there. He is a philanthropist who has raised millions of dollars for various causes, begun the Bubel/Aiken Foundation and traveled with UNICEF.
  
  “I could go out and just sing,” he said, adding, volunteering “is what I do with my downtime. … When you go out there (on stage), there’s only so much of that you can take with you.”
  
  But what he gives to his fans, affectionately called “Claymates,” is so much more. Aiken went through life as an underdog, a nerdy guy with a charisma hidden behind his glasses. He swapped those for contacts and let the “American Idol” producers change his hair.

• Kalamazoo Gazette ... "Aiken and Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra present holiday concert"

  These days, there's one pop performer trimming the proverbial tree with his own holiday song stylings: 2003 ``American Idol'' runner-up Clay Aiken.
  
  Aiken, accompanied by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, will wrap his voice around seasonal tunes new and old when ``Christmas With Clay Aiken'' hits Miller Auditorium on Friday.
  
  ``It differs a little bit every year,'' said Aiken, who called from his cell phone on his way to a doctor's appointment. ``For example, the first tour we used children from local orchestras, elementary schools, high schools,'' he said. ``We have a tradition of involving people from the communities we visit in the show. This year, we're allowing fans who've submitted their own Christmas memories through our Web site to tell those holiday stories along with the music. It's going to be kind of like a big Christmas card.''
  
  Aiken's ``Merry Christmas With Love,'' a mix of classics and originals, debuted atop Billboard Magazine's Holiday Album Chart when it was released three years ago. In fact, the album enjoyed the biggest debut week sales for a Christmas album since SoundScan began tabulating sales in 1991. In addition, it debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- one of the highest-ever debuts for a holiday album on the pop music charts.
  
  ``I hadn't planned to do one (a Christmas album) so early to start with. I wanted to get out two pop albums first,'' he said. ``After doing it, the Christmas touring has easily become one of my favorite times of the year.

ST. LOUIS: St. Louis Post Dispatch Interviews Clay

The St. Louis Post Dispatch interviewed Clay on a variety of topics ahead of his 2007 Christmas in the Heartland Tour, kicking off next week. Make sure you give the article plenty of hits on the St. Louis Post Dispatch website... here are some highlights:

Claymates are on alert.

Big-voiced Clay Aiken, the object of their affection and the most famous runner-up in "American Idol" history, is on his way to St. Louis to celebrate "Christmas in the Heartland."

"Doing a Christmas tour is kind of my Christmas tradition at this point,'' Aiken says. "I don't even know if I can do a December without doing a Christmas tour.

Q. How are things going with the new album?

A. That's another reason why the New York opportunity ("Spamalot") worked out. I was in the process of putting something together for next year, that I hope to release sometime in the first half of the year. One of the benefits to doing the play is I would be in New York City anyway recording an album.

Q. What direction do you see yourself going on the next CD?

A. When they talk about direction, I don't ever know what that means. I hope anything I do will just be Clay Aiken. I won't do an album where I'm doing stuff people won't recognize as me. The album I did the last time was an album of love songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s. This will be new music, new songs that will become signature songs. They'll stand up against some of the mess in the market nowadays.

Q. There was talk of you, Ruben Studdard and Kimberly Locke touring together. What's the status of that?

A. I'm not sure where that came from. It wasn't even something that was discussed as, 'Oh, wouldn't that be a fun idea.'"

Q. Have you been keeping up with "American Idol" at all?

A. I haven't watched an episode in two years, by choice. It's not fun for me anymore. Everyone has to graduate at some point.

GENERAL: Clay Blogs About Christmas Stories Contest

Clay posted another blog about the Christmas stories contest running on the OFC. Looks like they're really close to picking the winners for the first 5 shows. He is asking anyone who submitted a story to check their emails regularly over the next few days as his team will be contacting winners soon.

Official fanclub members, read the blog here.

WASHINGTON: WASH-FM Interviews Clay: UNICEF Trip in December

Washington D.C.'s WASH-FM interviewed Clay today. The 5 minute interview is up at WASH-FM's website. Quick summary:

• Clay talks about the fanclub Christmas contest stories, noting he has read between 1200 and 1300 stories and is finally beginning to dwindle them down to the winners.
  
• Clay also said they are rehearsing for the tour at his house
• Clay will be taking a UNICEF trip to an "undisclosed location" during Christmas, and will immediately return to New York City to begin Spamalot in January.
  

Clay will be at Warner Theater in Washington on December 2.

KALAMAZOO: Huge Poster Outside Miller Auditorium

A huge Clay poster is hanging outside Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo, MI for Clay's November 30 concert at the venue. What a great birthday present for Clay, whose birthday just happens to be November 30.

Thanks to the CB's ClayIzzaQT for the photos.'

Complete Christmas tour coverage