Aug. 15, Atlanta, GA

[YSRN]

Sloooooooow Songs!

We don't do much production in our shows, because I don't want to spend money on it.

When it comes to special effects we just do slow songs...Barry Manilow songs.

A fast song for the orchestra is impossible to find.

When was the last time you did a rock and roll song?

Is that a viola, that is the biggest viola I have ever seen...it is like a cello for your chin.

Who has the french horn?

Where is the oboe?

When was the last time you played a country song on an oboe. She said Monday, she is trying to mess up my schtick here.

We were going to do a Beethoven medley but it is too hot to wear that wig, I couldn't do that.

When people come out in 125 degree heat and want to hear fast songs and I just want ice cream.

Jesse argues with me a lot when we know I am smarter than a 5th grader....we hope.

Jesse insisted that he could find a song that we could do with an orchestra, but I never learned the words so I need your help.

TWYMMF

[luckiest1]

The Classics sounded great, I hope we get some clack or at least audio of this show.

[jmh123]

We don't do much production in our shows, because I don't want to spend money on it.

Snarking on the boards again - BWAH!!

[ldyjocelyn]

AAAAAAGH! Phone call from a good friend right at the beginning of the second act. Therefore, I've missed practically everything.

But this LAA sounds sublime.

Ah, I'll download the classics tomorrow....I hope. Is there any of the famous clack gatherers there this evening?

[luckiest1]

It isn't sounding promising for clack tonight. I'm just hoping for audio.

Hee, did you hear him change "amazed" to "astounded"?

Edited August 16, 2007 by lickiest1

[muskifest]

What time did this concert start? Does it seem shorter than the others? (Not Clay, of course---the concert.)

[jamar1700]

Just made it home from work to hear LA & BYLM

[Couch Tomato]

What time did this concert start? Does it seem shorter than the others? (Not Clay, of course---the concert.)

it seems like he was on a short schedule to me... the banter seemed shorter ... but I came in late..so maybe that is altering my perception

[Couch Tomato]

good show... everybody had glowsticks..real effective

very funny especially in the second half

[Ansamcw]

What time did this concert start? Does it seem shorter than the others? (Not Clay, of course---the concert.)

the show really started late...they tried to get the place to fill up more because the heat was getting peole to move a lot slower. Then there was a time limit so in the end I guess it is understandable that the banter was shorter.

YAY there is audio...

[muskifest]

Just made it home from work to hear LA & BYLM

That's all I heard, too, jamar....I think I'll not listen to tomorrow night's show...since I'll be at the last three...and I'll be busy packing and whatnot...gotta get up sinfully early Friday morning so I need to get to bed early....

Oh, hell. Who am I kidding? :Tour3:

[Ansamcw]

Bringing recaps, pictures and reviews:

M&G recap from CV -- as remembered by hearing a report on a cell phone:

M & G Report

Wearing 5250 polo

10 people in the meetngreet

arm fur and leg fur growing back

looked thin

sat in semicircle.

Asked names and where everyone was from

Girl told Clay that there were NOT bats at Biltmore, but birds. Got in debate. Clay asked rest of group what they thought and all but the first girl agreed with Clay that they were bats. Said "See I win"

Someone asked if he and Jimmy K friends. Said they are. Became friends during that appearance with the mock fight. Enjoy each others company and humor. Celebrities have contacted JK to do a similar type skit like Clay's, and Jimmy has turned them all down. Likewise, Conan contacted Clay wanting to a reconcilatory skit like the JK one, but Clay turned him down too. They are very loyal to each other.

Doesn't do any kind of warm up routine before concert. Usually consists of having a grilled cheese sandwich.

Does, like to find A&Q before show and evesdrop on them and get some stuff against them to use on stage.

Was handed one of those autograph doll which was covered in autographs. He couldn't find a spot to sign. He said.."well the crack is available....and ended up signing his name on butt.

Someone asked why it takes so long to get CD out. Clay said could get another CD out there real quick but it wouldn't be what he wanted. Has been approached to do another cover CD, but he said no. Just today, they got the first 2 songs approved that he and Jaymes submitted, so it looks REALLY good chance that they are gonna get the album they want! Hoo Hoo!

Link HERE

More details from another:

ok, talking to the cellcerter....via CV-...Clayisacutie, i know that is the wrong spelling...but that is who gave the meet n greet report

she had a meet n greet

10 people

5230 shirt

brownish khaki

arm fur growing back

light make up

very blue eyes tonight, contacts

looked so slight...so seem filled out on the stage but in the room he was normal size

sat behind stage area

asked names and shook hands

asked where from

first question:

Biltmore not bats they were birds and brought documentation

debate over birds vs. bats

Clay took a poll about bats...everyone but the one lady voted bats...he won

He didn't say he wouldn't go on Conan, but that he won't do the skit

next question from a nurse...

socialized medicine....that's kind of personal...no, not the reason...what about the socialized medicine...no one at hospital spoke English...given him erothmycin...he is allergic...

specific warm up routine before concert....he sleeps right until the meet n greet...Idol...Ruben, Kim and Clay did no warm ups...he used to ate a grilled cheese sandwich...thinks the no diary is urban legend

if doing a new song...he does prepare...he does have to stretch to do that...he loves to change it up...

mentioned at the JNT02 it was death to him b/c he couldn't do the change up...

European McD are the quarter pounder or meteric....most countries they are quarter pounders....

her question...who would he like to win a meet n greet...historical or otherwise...gave her a funny look...that's a really hard question....initially he said Mr. Rogers, but that doesn't fell right...he needs to think about it...he is still thinking while they do the photo...talking the entire time...thinking a celebrity ....no not necessarily...wouldn't mind Winston Churchill...no, he smokes...so he thinks about it....offers him a different question...no, he will think about it...

7 more people...

3rd possibilty...Jimmy Carter, but he has already met him

steps back into the room...goodbye...never got answer....

so down to earth and friendly, put everyone at ease...

Recap from CV's wandacleo:

It was unbelievably hot at the venue--I'm not kidding. I swear, there was no air moving. I don't think I've ever seen trees where NO LEAVES were moving at all.

The concert started about 20 minutes late but people continued to come in after the concert started. I swear they were waiting for dark to see if it got cooler. I heard someone say they had sold 4000 seats, which, I believe, is pretty good for the symphony--especially considering it was hotter than hades and no one in his/her right mind should have been outside.

Clay was in fine voice tonight. The whole front and center part of the audience were sitting at tables and eating and drinking (and some even brought vases of flowers for the tables--this must be a Southern thing. We couldn't believe our eyes!) Anyhow, the central audience seemed plastered into their seats in the beginning, and I know that's hard for Clay, but we had as BIG group of Claymates on the right and we were prepared with bubbles for his entry, big lip fans for "When I see you smile" and glow sticks at the end, so we gave him a rousing welcome.

Highpoints: (keep in mind I'm paraphrasing)

He told about how a bug got in Angela's "bra" and she said it might still be there and was happy. Clay said, "It smothered!" and was so pleased with himself.

One young girl had a sign that she chose Clay over a car for her birthday, and he read the sign and asked about that, and the girl had to choose between going to see him and getting a car for her 16th or 17th birthday, so he made the mother stand up and asked her if she thought that was fair because he was so much cheaper. Then, he tried to convince her that she should give the girl the car anyway and described her, "the woman in the gray sweater" so we'd know who she was to pick on her. Then when he sang "Without You", he sang, "Without a car, I can't go anywhere" or something to that affect. He dedicated the song to the girl for her birthday. Some guy called out, "What about the Volvo?" and Clay said, "What about the Volvo? That sounds dirty. You can't say that to a woman. You need to enunciate." Then he looked at A & Q and said, "I'm going to get into trouble for that, aren't I" and they were shaking their heads and agreeing.

<snip>

There were quite a lot of men, and I paid attention. At the beginning of the concert, most were just looking or not paying to much attention, but they started walking up with the TV medley and were having a good time and really getting into the classics for the most part.

The classics were classic. He was in FINE form--just milking it for all he was worth. No whip (sad to say as I was looking foward to that!) but he did made a good whipping motion, and when he did the "Party all night" he REALLY did good.

Oh, yes, he remarked about the heat a number of times and said how HOT it was on stage and that he was dying. He was so happy after the TV medley when he whipped the jacket off. He said he had been waiting to do that all night and then proceded to unbutton his sleeves and roll them up. (Hubba hubba!)

During TWYMMF, Clay came off the stage and down the small aisle right in front of all of us frantically happy Claymates on the right side. He ended right in front of my little group--Maggie and Fran are heading back to NZ tomorrow, so they were beside themselves with joy that they got to see him so close.

Clay did say that they had gone to see M. Buble last night and that Atlanta must like Buble better because he got to sing inside and Clay had to sing out in the heat.

MOAM, "Without You", "Lover All Alone" all were just beautiful. Amazing.

"Because You Loved Me"--there were glow sticks all over the place and he and his "ladies" seemed very pleased.

We didn't have to wait too long for the handshake line. HE HAS NEW SHORTS!!!!! Dark ones (navy? black?) They fit his butt very nicely, I might add.

I must go to bed now as we have to go to the airport to fly to FL very early, so I'm sorry I can't give more report. I hope this tides you over.

OH YES, Bangs, couldn't tell about stubble, jeans, white striped shirt, that grey jacket.

M&G report from CV:

Atlanta August 15, 2007

I just realized it's a terrifying process to write a Meet and Greet recap! I want to be accurate! But my memories are filtered through a happy haze of meeting Clay and may be incomplete.

I had a fanclub meet and greet at Atlanta. There were six OFC winners and four auction winners. We stood outside of the box office in the 100 degree heat until it opened around 6 pm and picked up our "tractor badges". So funny, no one put them on, we just wanted to save them unused. Jerome literally appeared a few moments later and checked the numbers in the group and led us down some steps to a lower parking lot where the tour bus was parked. There we were told the "rules" of no cameras, one signed item, no touching Clay. Jerome was really cute-he told us that he couldn't name all of the body parts we couldn't touch and that "He is going to hug you."

Then thank goodness, we went inside to an air-conditioned room. Jerome even asked if anyone needed to go to the bathroom! The room had a couch, loveseat and several folding chairs in a semi-circle plus a coffee table, end tables and another kind of sofa table. Food was out and there were coolers with beverages and Jerome offered us a bottled water. He told us to put any presents on an end table and then left. We sat grinning a bit nervously and waited just a few minutes.

The door opened and in walked Clay! Looking mighty fine! Parted hair, little bit of makeup, clean-shaven (my personal favorite!), slim and tall, tan 5230 polo (maybe tucked in? pictures will have to confirm), dark not-ratty (!) cargo pants, and the criss-cross sandals. Jerome, Mary and Jamie were also there. A warm "hi" and then he went around the room and shook everyone's hand and asked us our name.

When he sat down, he commented that one of the ladies in a folding chair was slightly behind him and she told him she had been kicked off the couch (not really!) and he asked why. I told him we were hot and sweaty and that there were indoor venues in the South.

Then Clay went into a story of how hot it was in Cary and that Asheville was better but the bugs were bad. Now sadly, I must confess that I am "batwoman". I didn't bring any presents but I had printed off a page about Chimney swift (slang chimney sweep) birds and addressed it to Quiana and Angela telling them they were birds, not bats and GOOD birds that ate bugs! I picked up the page off the gift table and told Clay that the things at Biltmore were birds, not bats. He adamantly disagreed! And asked everyome else "Who thinks they were bats" and EVERYONE raised their hand. Then he asked "Who thinks they were birds" and I was the only one! He smirked that everyone agreed with him and I smirked right back that would he rather be agreed with or be right!! I told him he needed to be right on the fifth grader show!

Now the rest of my account may be out of order. I told my husband that Clay was a great politician but he said no, Clay was a great teacher, engaging the whole "class". Most people asked a question and if someone hadn't talked much, he talked to them. I am not sure if we had a shorter meet and greet than some others or whether it was because Clay talked alot and was comprehensive in his answers but it seemed like the time flew!

In no particular order:

Someone asked how he and Jimmy Kimmel became such good friends and he said that he had heard that Jimmy had made jokes about him and when he was asked to be on the show that he was such a good sport about the fight scene that they became friends right away. He said other shows had asked him to do a fight scene and mentioned Conan O'Brien by name and said other celebrities had asked Jimmy to do a similar skit but they both would not. One of my fellow Georgia Claymates told him that we had just gotten Jimmy's show in Atlanta and that Jimmy had given Clay the credit. Clay said they just got it in Charlotte recently, too, and that he had told people to watch the show before and had been told it wasn't on.

One young, very pretty girl told him how much she admired him to which he replied "that's not a question". But "thank you".

One of the meet and greeters was a nurse and asked him about socialized medicine and further explained that he had had something about his experience in Europe when he was so sick. He didn't give any details but did say the doctor didn't speak English. Most Europeans speak some English but he said this doctor was German and they were too good to speak English! He was trying to tell them he was allergic to erythromycin but they gave it to him anyway. Someone asked what kind of reaction he had but he said there were so many things wrong that he couldn't tell!

Someone asked what he did to get ready before shows and he said nothing! And went into a story about how it was like a runner who ran a mile everyday so that soon it would take two miles to make him winded. Singing the same show every night was like that for him. He was fine but if he had to sing a song he hadn't sung for a while, he might have trouble. I told him that they did change up the tour as it went along and he said he liked to do that and said that as much as he liked the JNTII with the play, he hated having to do exactly the same thing over and over each night. In this same answer he said that he, Ruben and Kimberly never did anything before singing while on Idol and that he ate grilled cheese sandwiches and other supposed bad things. What he DID do before songs was hang out with Angela and Quiana who chattered like birds (with hand motion!) and try to get something on them for the show and that they hadn't learned not to talk in front of him if they didn't want it repeated.

Another lady was a teacher and one of her students asked if MacDonald quarter-pounders were called that in other countries. He liked that and engaged Mary in the answer and mentioned other countries had their own "special" names and products but that quarter-pounders didn't have a metric name he thought.

He asked us where we were from, pointing to my friend in her Ga Claymate shirt and saying "Georgia" and asking who had come the farthest. I said I was from Georgia but also from North Carolina a long time ago. He went into a story about how "everyone is from NC-I drove thru NC once, my cousin's aunt twice removed is from NC." Really funny! Everyone seems to think NC gives them a connection to him! Well, it does!

Now sometime during the session,he said he needed to start signing things but that he would still answer questions. This was when someone asked why it took so long for a new CD. I "remember" him saying he could have a new CD tomorrow but that it would be covers because that what "they" wanted. But that he believed "they" had agreed to let them make the album they wanted and that he and Jaymes had just heard today that two songs they submitted had been accepted. So no time frame was mentioned but it looks to be the album he wants so far.

Also sometime during this time, Jerome's phone rang and he left the room and Clay said if we wanted to jump him, now was the time!

I had him sign my tour poster and asked him to sign it "Make a Joyful Noise" (a family joke since I can't carry a tune in a bucket!) One lady had a beautiful picture mosaic of his moustache. Others had books and the Rolling Stone cover. Funniest thing was an autograph stuffed dog with very little space left on it. He said he could sign the crotch but ended up signing the butt!

Another lady asked what historical figure he would want to meet but he drew a blank on that one. Said he would think about it but all he could come up with was Mr. Rogers who wasn't really a

"historical" figure.

I am at a loss for other tidbits right this minute. Hopefully others will add their recaps "soon". Mary called our names individually and we went out in the hall for our pictures. I may have hugged him! Clay stuck his head back in and said goodbye. Jerome escorted him wherever he went and then came back and escorted us out.

Great memory! Love the new meet and greet format. Chitchatting with a friend who is interested in what you have to say. I'm still grinning!

HippoGA

Couple of pictures from last night:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/tu...ta/Atlanta1.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/tu...ta/Atlanta2.jpg

Edited to remove the img tags, cuz they're big!

Here's a sweet picture from the Atlanta show, via atlantamm at the Clayboard:

This is cute...

And yep Clay was apparantly on FIRE tonight night and last night too...here's a write up from Atlanta....

Playful Aiken Sizzles for Fans

Clay Aiken is well aware of his image: the dorky balladeer, a new-generation Barry Manilow with hordes of obsessive Claymate fans still buzzing around him four years after he came in second on "American Idol."

And he worked hard to both play up and mock that image Wednesday night at a half-full Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Here are a few of the odder moments:

1. This is not Mozart. Feeding Clay's admitted obsession with TV, he and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra ran through a medley of theme songs from sitcoms ranging from "WKRP in Cincinnati" to "What's Happening!!' "

2. Almost as good as the real thing. A woman wearing a shirt emblazoned with "Georgia Claymate" was seen kissing a life-size cardboard cutout of Clay, which got its own seat.

3. Gonna make Clay sweat. He made jokes about the sticky-warm Georgia weather. When a fan handed him a freeze pop, he stuck it to his forehead, then looked at the wrapper. "Sugar free?" he noted in the middle of the song "When I See You Smile." "You think I'm getting fat?"

4. Closet? What closet? Alluding to rumors of his sexual orientation, he made a mock announcement: "I want to talk to you for just a minute about something serious. I know you've read this in the papers, probably seen stories in the tabloids or whatnot. Some radio shock jocks talk about it. Some of you have even thought this about me. ... Atlanta, I am ... not cool."

5. Yeah? Yeah! To supposedly amp up his "cool" quotient, he sang a medley of un-Claylike songs including Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back," Usher's "Yeah" and Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" with gobs of campy goodness.

6. Who needs a car? Clay noticed a teen who held up a sign that read, "I gave up a car to see Clay Aiken for my birthday." She said her mom gave her a choice: a car or Clay. Clay laughed and said, "Your mom gypped you! Gypped you!"