ldyjocelyn

Can you imagine? Having that gift. Knowing you have it. Feeling a shitload of people looking at you waiting for you to unleash it... finding the sweet spot, and letting it rip.

When he feels he has it right, can you imagine the incredible feeling of delivering the ultimate successful moment.

That's HOT!

I'm sorry...was there a fan fiction free for all question that I missed?

Question 4:

4) The next album -- what? When? Where? How? Why?

What? I bet there will be singing on it!

When? When its ready! (tm Clay Aiken)

Where? In a store near you - and online of course!

How? Well, he'll go into a studio, sing and voila!

Why? Because he needs to pay for that 9000 square foot house and feed the pups!

OMG, I love all you guys!

My opinions: I don't think this album is coming all that soon -- maybe by this time next year. Will it catch a buzz, after almost 2 years? Yeah, I think that's about a normal time for album releases any more, and I think it could happen [/cock-eyed optomist].

As far as what's on it though -- you know, I have no clue, and don't even feel like speculating. This is one of those things known as "I love the surprise." That's why I can go unspoilered before the album releases.

I'm just along for the ride.

That's HOT!

Who let Paris Hilton in here?

This is so much fun!

Question 4:

4) The next album -- what? When? Where? How? Why?

3 more minutes on this topic....

Just gotta send a :F_05BL17blowkiss: to Nelle, and ITA with your answer. I get the feeling (and I've been saying this a lot this evening) that many of the fans expect his musical direction to be set in stone by now. It's not, IMO -- and I don't think it ever will fully. He may be "just a singer," but ATDW showed to me that he's an artist too -- one that is in a growth period. He'll keep changing.

Yep, muski is missing some prime smut. Heh.

Musical direction -- one of the most overused concepts in the Clay Aiken fandom, IMO. Yes, I know that Clay is almost 30 years old...but does that mean he knows what he wants to do musically? I'm not totally sure about that. I mean -- some people don't settle on a career until their mid-40's or later.

I guess I just feel that musically, Clay will do what he wants, even within given parameters. As someone said earlier, I think too that he chose all the songs for ATDW -- songs with pretty melodies. They are SINGER'S songs.

Now, will he challenge himself in the future with something else? I have no idea!

Or potty breaks.

You know, for us old people.

Oh yeah, that's the demographics question later.

I'd love for Clay to have everything in the world handed to him....but

I definitely wouldn't. I wouldn't want that for my kid, or anyone else in my life either. Clay needs to stay on solid ground and that means working through life's issues right alongside the rest of us.... (like you said later, but I wanted to say it too!)

YSRN, will you marry me? *g*

Loved Ansa's reply to this one too!

So, in summary, I think most people think that everyone wanted Clay to be a success. Capish?

Question 3:

3) What do you think is Clay's "musical direction?"

Until then he’ll compromise, and bargain, and do the things we all have to do in life to be successful.

couchie, I'm glad you said that. I'd love for Clay to have everything in the world handed to him....but that's not the world as we know it. So, Clay puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. (That's for muski) He's trying his best to be a success, and I think Roger/RCA/Clive want him to be a success too.

I'm giving the topic 5 more minutes!

What I trust is that everyone is looking out for their best interests and that the parties in question are all fully capable of holding their own and nobody is "out to get" anyone else.

YSRN, you speak the truth in my eyes. (BTW, I missed your earlier post -- fantastic viewpoint, I may have to go back to that later).

As for Roger -- I think many of the fans think a couple of things: 1) Roger can just call people and they fall at his feet and say "we'll take Clay, sure!"; 2) Roger (or someone else) should have only Clay as a client. Neither of these things happen in the business from what I know. Publicists work for many artists, unless the artists is a huge superstar. I don't think Clay's there yet. And my first point kind of ties into Clay's star power as well, as Karen Eh? and couchie said -- he's still a celebrity, but the buzz from 3 years ago had dimmed a bit (reignited a bit during AI5 though).

In the end, Roger is doing his job the best he can -- and if Clay didn't like what Roger was doing, I do believe Clay could have had that changed.

RCA -- they are businessmen, pure and simple. Trying to get the best return for their dollar. So, where does the artist fit in there? Sometimes, it doesn't. I actually think Clay and RCA did a good job of some sort of compromise.

Clive -- again, a businessman. And IMO, a successful one -- in a previous era in time. He may be a bit out of touch now, but that doesn't make him DUMB either (and that's the feeling I get from so many fans). Also, I really resent that because he LOOKS old, and is considered OLD in physical years by some, that they think he's stupid. That attitude burns my butt.

Need to think about the Roger thing....back later.

Next CD there will nothing to talk about but that CD.

BINGO!

Question 2:

2) RCA/Clive/Roger -- what do you think is the relationship between them and Clay?

I'll give everyone 3 more minutes -- while I clean up the slight flood from my dishwasher. (Good news: tomorrow I get a new dishwasher, which I've wanted for a while!)

Just quickly adding that I totally agree with couchie on the People article! It actually served two purposes -- it DID mention the album, but it talked about the gnats in an indirect way too.

Only 2 minutes left -- want to go on with the next topic?

Very cool Nicki! I've added you to the representing list!

Why is the question...

That's a VERY good question. Honestly, it probably was because of the gnats -- since so much of the publicity was about that instead of the album. Sad, but true.

I agree Ansa that the timing of the album wasn't great, but I don't think it was bad either. It just didn't capitalize on the buzz of AI5. I remember people thinking it was sad that he didn't have any "product" after that appearance -- but ITA that Clay was doing things his way (thanks to Frank Sinatra. *g*) I also suspect that Clay knew that he wasn't going to be capitalizing on that appearance by doing the album on his terms, but it was a choice that he made.

But that's a speculation on my part.

But IMO playbiller, you have "opinions" -- which we all do. Facts? None of us fans should have them. But the sharing of opinions is very cool, as long as respect is there.

As for the topic: I really think that the TV appearances served Clay well, although the sound mixing on a few of those WY's left a lot to be desired. I'm one that thinks he sells records just by being his charming self.

More later....

OK, I'm back. *g* I think the main thing that really hurt is the lack of a innovative single -- IMO, if they had released HYCA first, I think some people who don't normally like Clay Aiken would have had their interest piqued. (But then, I love HYCA...)

I also do wish he would have done a stint on SNL. Might have given Clay some "street cred." *g*

Question 1:

1) ATDW and the PR campaign -- what worked? What didn't? What else could have been done?

CG, the hair discussion is tomorrow! And again, your sacrifice in posting that picture just for me is duly noted. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Hope the thunderboomers don't get too bad. Hate it when that happens -- thought it might be happening to me too, but the storms passed early.

Chat in less than 3 minutes!

ETA: Chat is open here!!!!

Thread is now open....chat begins in 15 minutes!

well at least I know someone who will enjoy the goofy picture...

You rang? :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Of course, I saved all 4 pictures! When you simply love Clay in all incarnations....

BTW, I'd like to thank bottlecap, because I'm thinking she probably sacrificed her lunch when she posted the high-res goofy picture. Heh. Love you!

Good for the BAF!!!!!!! YAY Clay and all involved! Kids, though -- sorry, not for me. Even though he's made my ovaries explode on more than a few occasions...heh.

Chat starting in just a few minutes!

Hey Caro! (Love the nickname, BTW...)

Chat????

Also will be the same time on Saturday evening!

Location is HERE!!!

Topics for tonight:

1) ATDW and the PR campaign -- what worked? What didn't? What else could have been done?

2) RCA/Clive/Roger -- what do you think is the relationship between them and Clay?

3) What do you think is Clay's "musical direction?"

4) The next album -- what? When? Where? How? Why?

5) The Upcoming Tour -- what songs will he sing? Who will be with him besides the orchestra? What will the musical arrangements be like?

6) What is Clay's market demographic at the moment? What do you think should be Clay's market demographic? How can any of this demographics be expanded?

This will be "short burst" chat -- no more than 20-30 minutes on each topic. Looking forward to it!

when I said it looked mussed up...I didn't mean by the wind.....

to me the hair looked like someone was running their fingers through his hair and had to grab on to a couple of handfuls... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Yeah, I like that idea....THUD!

this guy isn't getting used too much..

That's not what Clay's hair in these pics tell me.

ETA: CG -- the thing is, not everyone thinks he looked awful. A few have said they like the look. And I'm not totally convinced those are spikes.

But it will look different soon...that I'm sure.

You know what I think I love about Clay, more than anything else in the world? The curve balls he throws. He shocks die-hard fans, casual fans, and so many others in a thousand different ways *g*. Just when some complacency can set in with the die-hards, he changes his look once again. This orchestra tour, which I just know in my bones will be a fairly laid back event promoting ATDW, could be the rockin-est tour ever. I think he truly loves to mess with our heads, just for sport of it. Sure, could be considered cruel by some, but in other ways, it just makes me laugh. He's never boring, that's for sure.

{{{{{{{{{CG}}}}}}}}}}} just because I'm guessing she needs it.

He looks like a goofy hick here!

And this is a problem? *g*

Ya gotta remember, I do love me some goofy Clay....