ldyjocelyn

I believe that he will ALWAYS be connected with AI, whether he likes it or not. Does he like it? I actually think he does. I think he knows full well that if he hadn't gone on the show, he'd be a teacher at this point. Therefore, I think he'll be forever grateful to the show. It felt weird, to me, that Clay wasn't on the show this year. That's another thing -- he seems to genuinely like the people there. Now, he's said some things this past season that could be considered him eschewing the show. I don't think so. I think he just didn't have a lot of time to focus on the show, and just decided not to get sucked in this year.

Love these discussions again! Question 3: 3) Clay and the American Idol franchise -- how much of an influence does it still have on his career?

Same reason they think they have to handle his PR, the distribution of his album in stores, his track list, his producers, his song choices, his wardrobe, his love life? I think we'll be getting into that a little more later...*g* How much more on this topic?

I somehow get the feeling, though, that several of Clay's fans were ingrained with the fighting aspect -- because of voting like fiends for him on AI. Therefore, some never got out of that fight mode, and this is one of those instances where they feel like they are doing him some good....when, IMO, they are doing much more harm.

OK, then -- ignore it is. But then, let's get to this question (unofficial, not on the list) -- why do fans feel they need to fight the good fight?

Gay = "not cool" = unhappy ldyjocelyn. But that's the previous topic. As far as the gnats go...how many times can I say "ignore" here? Because as much as curiosity can get the best of me, I refuse to click on the links for the gnat blogs. To me, it's a simple as that. They want hits. They don't get them, they should go away. Oh sure, they may try more and more outrageous things to get me to click -- but then they sound so damn silly that people just laugh instead.

I see some people still posting on the previous topic, but I'm going to move on... Question 2: 2) What's the best way to deal with "gnats?"

OK, another 3 minutes, and then on to the next topic..... *waves at atinal*

This attitude floors me. It's as if I can't be attracted to a guy who might possibly be gay -- as if his attractiveness is gone. Nope -- cute guys can be straight, gay, bi, whatever. And couchie is right -- like I'll EVER have a chance with Clay....so what does it matter that I just think he's damn adorable? Again, another annoying thing to me -- I know there are many churches who totally condemn homosexuality. And yet, there are gay Christians everywhere. I realize I'm talking as if Clay is gay. He's said he's not....and I believe him. Sheesh. Stereotypes are so damn hard to break.

Exactly! IMO, human sexuality in general results in so many tittering laughs in American society. Why is that? Europeans, from what I've read, don't have that attitude. I have to say that I totally admire Clay's stance on all this -- none of your business, next question please. Oh, and don't forget that "people will believe what they want to believe." Why are the fans so interested? Partially, as play says, it fuels fantasies. It also fuels political agendas too.

To me -- this is as much a "society problem" as it is a "Clay problem." IMO, people are fascinated by the sex lives of all sorts of people...straight, gay, whatever. And I'll be honest here in that I cannot claim innocence in this regard. For some reason it is an interesting topic to me, even though I know full well it's none of my damn business. I honestly think, to pull history into this, that it is part of America's Puritanical roots. Hee, in preview I see couchie and I think alike. As far as Clay goes -- for some reason people cannot understand a man who seems to be as in touch with his feminine side as much as his masculine side. A lot of men think that weird -- and so the assumptions come in to play. But I think a lot of women LOVE that trait.

The chat party is here!

Greetings everyone! Question 1: 1) Why do you think people (both fans and non-fans) find Clay's sexuality such a fascinating topic?

Part two of chat will start in 10 minutes....

Heh...I noticed the spikes too, and wonder if this show was the reason Clay cut his hair. Maybe he'll make a surprise appearance? Nah.... I also noticed that the head looks awfully small. Take that as you want.

For couchie: The Bobbsey Twins I remember them as a book series that my Mom loved as a kid -- similar to the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew series. I agree with this. I am sure there is more to DF than the Josh or Celine sound, but since I don't know of any (and am too lazy to look up what else he has done lately) and I don't like either Josh or Celine, then I have never been too excited about too much of a professional relationship between the two. That said, I think Clay can learn a lot about the business and music from DF and I think if DF can somehow nurture his songwriting ability, then that would be a good thing. I'm honestly very torn about DF and his involvement with Clay. I don't like Groban (find him and his voice boring); Celine is someone I can like or not, depending on the song (and one I DID like was BYLM), but I do like Buble and his style of singing and music. I honestly think that DF is a producer that can bring out Clay's best qualities, but could also over-bury him in sound. It's hard to tell at this point which way it could go -- it will probably depend on the songs. Also, we don't know how much of an influence Jaymes might have on the whole proceedings. I think for some fans Joe Blow from the corner diner would be better than Clive Davis. *shrug* "Idol: the Musical" sounds like a blast. Would love to attend that show. Maybe in 20 years it will be one of those touring company shows. Heh. Chat tonight is still on! But I'm hearing rumblings that we might be getting reports from Canada this evening too, if Clay appears. That may interrupt things a bit...heh. Cute new pictures. Talk about a throwback look though -- just when we were so used to the long hair, he goes back to short. It will be interesting to see the length in another month. Time for a nap. Shopping for a new dishwasher today wore me out!

Big fat WORD. I love these times, when we find out that he's been busy -- but we find out after the fact. While I do miss the clack that comes, there are some times when I just believe he needs to work in private. The blog made me smile last night -- HOORAY for the BAF. Also noticed a possible pattern -- April 2; May 1; June 1. Maybe his computer calendar is set monthly to remind him to blog? *g* The David Foster connection is fantastic too, and I think that they could be a great collaboration. What I do wish, though, is that the fans will temper their expectations with some realism. David Foster may NOT be the second coming for Clay in regards to his music. I'm excited about the possibilities, but also know that things in this business change so quickly. Hey -- we had a great time with the chat party last night. The ideas were flowing fast and furious (maybe too much so....), but I think the 20-30 minute format on each topic served well. Join us tonight for part two -- 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. EDT. The questions for tonight are as follows: I'm off today to buy a new dishwasher, and other assorted household items. Have a great day everyone!

OK, at this point...the chat is officially over. HOWEVER.... ....the thread will stay open for the next 24 hours, and ya'll can keep chatting if you want. Me? For now, I'm going to bed, but I'm going to go through this thread tomorrow and probably follow up on some stuff that I didn't get a chance to earlier this evening. This was great...looking forward to tomorrow!

Wasn't me couchie, I'd never kick you off your own board.... jmh -- I think the beauty of this upcoming tour is that he'll get a LOT more men in attendance. Why? Two things: 1) the romance factor. Wooing a pretty lady by taking her to a show with some good romantic music (and Invisible thrown in for good measure *g*) will help later that night, if you know what I mean, and I think you do. 2) Many families will attend the outdoor shows -- Mom, Dad and the kids. It's a win-win situation, IMO -- he'll gain a houseful of fans, not just an individual.

That's true play -- but I guess I see the "die-hards" as the ones being up in front. The ones that stay connected via the internet. The ones that chat with their friends (such as we are now, heh). And that die-hard group is definitely over 40 and female. The question really becomes -- who is a casual fan? Does Clay have casual fans of the male persuasion? The younger persuasion? I believe he does...but they are not traveling all over the country for him. And I think most of the casual fans give two twits about marketing. They just see the CD on the shelf, or (ideally) hear a song on the radio (hot AC, IMO), and buy a copy. Simple. Painless.

This is the most insightful sentence I've seen in a LONG time. Thank you.

I know I already proposed to YSRN this evening -- KAndre, are you into polygamy? *g* I'm proud to be "Clay's market demographic." Just because I'm a female and approaching middle age (some would say I'm there already)...does this mean that my money's not good? Does it have female cooties? As for expanding to other demographics -- listen, Clay doesn't care about cool all that much, IMO. So getting those teen age boys to buy his album (even if it is a heavy metal disc) is probably pretty low on his list of priorities.

play, I think it could be WY (if he's looking for big and bombastic, like Solitaire)....or it could be LAA (for the soft and quiet, such as ICMYLM (sorry YSRN)). Final question for the night: 6) What is Clay's market demographic at the moment? What do you think should be Clay's market demographic? How can any of these demographics be expanded?

I think the opening song will be RHW -- with Clay striding onto the stage as if he owns the place! I also don't think there's going to be much of a "set," not enough room on the stage!

Agree! Hee. I think he was really getting scared there for a minute that he only had 5000 fans that follow him around. That's gotta be kinda freaky! Especially when those same 5000 like to sit in the front row! Hmmmm...that reminds me of the last question.... But that's in about 5 minutes.