ldyjocelyn

The Orlando Sentinel Aiken Packs Surprises in a Goofy Night of Fun

I had to post this one again, just 'cause. Ansa, if you want to use what I wrote for FCA, go ahead. I'd also put PuddinsJoy's piece there too, if I were you. It was fantastic as well. You know....upon sleepling overnight, I've decided that I need to offer an apology to Bob and Linda. I used to get incredibly frustrated at them, especially since they were able to attend so many shows and managed to gather the attention of Clay. I said so as much publicly on a message board too. But lately -- I don't know. It seems as if there's more and more of this same kind of thing happening on message boards, it's just directed at different people. And now it seems that it's not just happening on the message boards, it's happening at concerts (thank you Clay for calling this behavior out). While I'm still not crazy about people who tend to draw attention to themselves at a concert (it's really not my nature to do that kind of thing), I just have come to realize that Ethel, Regina, Bob & Linda, all the glowstick people, Cookie (remember her from Mike & Juliette?) and so many others, are FANS first and foremost. It's not MY style of fandom, but I can deal with it. So anyway, Bob & Linda, if you're reading this -- I'm sorry I wrote some of the things I did. *Besides, I think I know people who have seen Clay almost as many times as they have at this point* Surprised there's no clack up from last night.... couchie, when you get back we'll talk about Merrillville. I know luckiest1 and crew will be there, with at least part of the eHP as well. I'd love for all of us to get into the same hotel if possible. I know money is tight for some, but if we work it right, maybe we can stay at the good hotel there and keep it as cheap as possible. I'd room with some of you, but since I'm gonna have hubby with me, I think that's out. (I also think that the next morning, I'll be leaving for Christmas in Minnesota....straight from Indiana. Totally different for us....)

YAY for couchie winning money! And I just saw the first Bourne movie Friday night, and will be getting the next one in a week or so. Yeah, I'm behind in the times, what of it? Anyway, that was too funny woman! PuddinsJoy....I tend to do the same thing you do.... ___ Thank you Mary for being tour manager. I’m going to guess that the first few days of the tour probably weren’t the best for you (seems like I read something about an airplane?!?!), but in the end, you made it work. From what I can tell, you managed to keep an eye on Clay in regards to where he needed to be and when – which I would again guess is not an easy thing to do. Oh, and thank you for not providing all the words to TWYMMF the first night in Houston. *g* Thank you Jamie for helping Clay look his best (or, according to some of the fans, most of the time). I’d especially like to thank you for the blue shirt/navy blue jacket/low, low jeans/black belt combination in Sterling Heights. Even though I did not see that one live, that outfit lives in my dreams. Gah. Also, IMO, I think his hair has been great….but you had a good subject to work with. Finally, thank you for traveling with Clay as a member of his family – his “real” family in this instance. Thank you Tracy – yes you, the bus driver. You had a major job to do, getting Clay and company to each and every venue safe and sound. Thank you for doing it so well. Thank you Fern. OK, so I’m not real happy with you because the sound in my section of the venue in Houston really was not good. But I’ll forgive you for making Clay sound so good many, many other times. Again, you’ve got a good subject to work with, but I know that your job was to do your best, and you succeeded. Oh, and if you could continue to provide Deep!Voiced!Clay! during the next tour, I’ll send you some home-baked cookies. Thank you Jerome – I don’t think I can thank you enough, actually. First of all, I’m amazed and thrilled that you worked with the staff at so many of the venues, in order for the buslines to happen. For me, I was overjoyed that I got to see Clay up-close that one night – and my busline was early in the tour, when there were only maybe 200 of us to herd. The job toward the end of the tour must have been torture for you to organize, plan and oversee the security. I’m just grateful that the “skinny white redheaded kid” trusts you with his life. I’m sorry we didn’t get to hear you sing though – but I hear your skills as a tackle are pretty good. *g* Thank you to the fans for 1) staying quiet during LAA; and 2) adding to the energy of the program. Sure, there are a few of you that I wish would have kept quiet (Tulsa springs to mind immediately), and those pesky tables in San Diego were definitely a problem. And yet…as Clay said every night, you’re the reason he does what he does. So, as frustrating as a fandom we can be sometimes, I’ve just got to offer a big HUG! Thank you Sean. You were the “newbie” for the tour, and immediately gained a fan following. You also quickly gained a place in “the family” for being such a good sport regarding thrill park rides. I really think your drumming is fantastic too – and IMO you’re one cutie-patootie. BTW – did you like Harry Potter? Thank you Jesse. You were, IMO, the musical “brains” behind this whole shebang. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at that first meeting between you and Clay, planning for this show. TV themes? SexyBack? Achy Breaky Heart? “Sure, bring it on,” (said through fits of laughter, I would guess…) Your arrangements on the two medleys were pure genius to me. The arrangements you did for the ATDW songs were also outstanding – improving on what was already pretty darn good to begin with. Finally, you worked tirelessly with many different orchestras. I’m an amateur musician, and I know how much fun rehearsal time can be (which is to say, not very). Thank you for working with them to make the music sound fantastic. Thank you Angela and Quiana for being great comedic foils for Clay. I would bet that when you signed up for these back-up singer roles 3 years ago, you did not realize you would be integral parts of the Clay Aiken show. Your “teaching” Clay to be cool is some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever seen…and it was all done with a (mostly) straight face. Your actual back-up singing has been first-rate to me – adding a depth to his voice and striking a great balance with his vocals. And, my God….your solos. “When the Lights Go Down” was amazing every single night, and “Listen” is now no longer a Beyonce song to me. I can’t give you enough gratitude. (BTW – thank you Angela for agreeing with me that Clay has no butt, and thank you Quiana for attempting with Clay to cover for Angela on “Listen” that one night.) And finally…. Thank you Clay Aiken. This whole summer for me has been one big thrill ride – a few ups and downs to be sure, but for the most part…I’ve never smiled, laughed, and thudded so much in my entire life. This was a show that proved, really proved, to me that you are an entertainer as much as a singer. I think I’ve known it for a while, but the proof came with this tour. Your talent and quick wit were evident every single night…not to mention your acting chops, which, during the “I’m not cool” schtick, became a highlight for me. I also truly appreciated your snark. Whether it be directed toward the fans, record labels, the radio industry, or yourself, it gave me so much enjoyment. And your voice! The passion in your singing was so palpable, even through the clack. There were just too many highlights for me: you knocked MOAM out of the park every night; LAA was simply sublime; and my favorite, BYLM, was so heartfelt. (I’m tearing up now thinking about how this song was a thank you to us…especially when so many of us are so grateful to you for what you’ve brought into our lives…) Thank you too for the new M&G format. The fans connected via the internet have learned so much about you through these M&G’s – even through “filters.” Finally, though…just thank you for being you. It may be “uncool” to love you – but I’m proud to be your fan. Love, ldyjocelyn I know full well that the people thanked here will never read this…but a girl can dream, right?

I wish! But I can't! And that makes me sad too....

Per CH cellcert, Clay was drinking BYLM all in...very emotional. God, I really don't want this to be the last one.

OMG, I can't believe it is over. Can I use time-travel to take me back to July 4? I'm just gonna ditto this post....

Talking about Fern Alvarez, the sound guy. Now for you, the fans. We pick on you a lot...but that's because you're family. And I'm not gonna stop. Asking for the house lights to come up. It is not lost on me on how much you make this possible for me. One day of rehearsal for this thing! We didn't prepare to have this much....it was because of you. You give up your money for this, you give up your husband's money for this.... I'm so appreciate this, I'm so grateful... ...this song is my heartfelt thank you for you. I love you all. ___ *sob*

Bringing Mary out on the stage right now. Good for him! She's playing the piano -- "Theme to Ice Castles!!!" Hee!!!! Mary has always had the worst stage fright ever, had to drug her to get her on stage -- and now she's playing piano on the stage!!!! Here's Jamie now... If you don't like my hair today, blame me, if you do -- she worked on it a bit today. Introducing Jerome again.

I certainly hope so! Fantastic job Clay!

I've been eyeing this necklace online for awhile. It might make an appropriate reminder of this tour. Dare someone to give this to Clay at the Christmas tour.... The energy in this show is just incredible. Angela is on fire! Everyone....on the count of three.... Beyonce who?

cindi....don't remind me.

I'm really gonna miss the classics medley.... ...it always makes me smile. I know so many of you drool over MOAM. That's cool. For me, THIS is the showpiece....but that's because I just laugh and laugh. I love entertainer Clay.

It's fun how we can each hear different pieces...together we make one good cellcert reporter! Baby got back!

The person who was shouting BOTW last night is there again tonight. He's lecturing her -- "when we go on tour, we do this thing called PREPARING." Talking to Regina, this lady. What do you listen to on the radio? Obviously not me, because I'm not on the radio. what station do you listen to? Where are you from? Tampa -- isn't that 104.7? He's really focusing on her. Real cool music. Not Unchained Melody. That was cool in 1967.

Talking about landing on his butt last night...and these ladies are screaming over that. But they don't really care what I say, they'll scream anyway. I can't hear the words he's saying to make the audience scream.

Sean's Mom is wearing a Clay Aiken t-shirt! ...or was it Dad? I thought it was Mom. I think he's talking to Bob now, how many shows have you seen me? 121!!! I don't think I've been to 121 show!

Shoot, I want ALL these song live again in a concert tour!!!!!

He just said something about doing nothing in 2005 -- except that someone corrected him about his tour. "Yeah, that was our favorite tour." Jerome is on the stage with Clay...or was for a bit. He's now talking about UNICEF and BAF. It's looking like they are going to be auctioning off the stools. Clay and the rest of the performers are going to sign the stools, signing them on the stage to prove that they weren't machine signed. "Now you can have my signature on your fanny." 2 for BAF, one for UNICEF. Telling someone on the stage that they should have been a doctor (because of the handwriting).

And MOAM should always be sung in front of a full orchestra. Sobs. AMEN! The crowd is going berserk over this. As well they should.

This sounds like an exceptional SSTBTHW tonight.

Switched to the CV cellcert -- it sounds like Sean and Jesse switched places for ATD. How multitalented of them! Hee. I think I heard that Quiana is singing Clay's part! Those crazy kids.

*stands up from computer chair and applauds*

Crap -- missed the full intro to WYLGD....but at least we're back now. You sing it girl! Why has this woman not been signed to a recording label yet?

Did she say somebody threw up on stage? ?!?!?!?!?!