lightmyfire

The Very Best Of Clay Aiken....EEEEEEEEEEEEE! I request an acoustic version of MOAM and since On The Wings Of Love was scrapped as the B-side to TITN...I want it......I want it...I want it!

:thbighug-1: lightmyfire. Nice to see you. Hopefully Clay will use his blogger which he already said he would do, soon!! Nice to see you also Couchie, thank you. :thbighug-1: aikim - I understand that the majority of the fandom is celebrating, but I just don't find the news of Clay not being signed by a major label or any label for that matter as one of a positive nature. I am saddened by it. clayzor - ciao....yes..I am disappointed. Hopefully soon we will have news that he has been picked up by another label and his voice will be recorded, published, and distributed in the near future... :thbighug-1: jmh123 - I hope all is well...

My sentiment in respect to the RCA label news....

I can understand that specific sentiment. I find it totally acceptable for some to embrace his sexual orientation, but have issues with Clay's dishonesty with the fandom for five plus years. Clay LIED. I am stating that he lied and doing so without prejudice. Do we really have the desire to go down the homophobic route without justification? I hope not. I hope this fandom finds the road to peace while embracing a calm approach to the struggles of some. There was a moment in time in which this fandom was a great, positive force in respect to Clay's professional life. Perhaps, this is the moment of a fresh start ....

My hope is that Clinton takes her fight to the convention in August after Saturday's disgraceful R&B committee proceeding. For this party to allocate delegates based on exit polling data is undemocratic and defies its constitution. Once again this election cycle, the Democratic party will put forth an elite, out of touch, left wing extreme ideologue who will be defined by the GOP as a radical against a national narrative of national security and trust in which the Reagan Democratics will flock to McCain, the flag bearing POW. Gotta love the Democratic party which I have supported my entire adult life....Good luck in November... Axelrod is slick by implemeting a vile strategy of race-baiting in an effort to purge the Clintons and their constituency from the party. Good luck in November...

Clay's Solitaire is edgy, a beautiful darkness.

Fair enough. But then again,"this fandom" is an over-rated excuse utilized by people, also. I continue to doubt that "we" have that much control over this corrupt industry, just as I continue to doubt that DJs and program directors at corporate-owned stations have all that much power over which songs they play, regardless of fan behavior. Have there been/are there some regrettable, damaging, and abusive things done/said in the "defense" of Clay? Sure. But if the fans, as a group, lose the reputation for enthusiasm, that's taking caution too far the other way, in my opinion, As long as there are appropriate ways for me to support Clay's music, I will continue to do so. First, congratulations, aikim, both for your good news and for your trying to be smart about your daughter's independence. She'll have no idea how hard it was for you to avoid meddling until she has her own kids. heh As for the haters...those fall into a few categories for me... the working haters (media: television, radio, tabloids, some bloggers, etc) the dedicated haters/plotters individuals who stalk Clay/fans around the internet and other media the incidental haters individuals who spew bigotry and ignorance or else express their dislike for Clay/his music/his fans in a unnecessarily personal, spiteful way...or who merely repeat/spread what the others have done/said. When hateful attitudes/words reflect a larger societal problem of sexual prejudice and stereotypes, THAT's what I comment on. If I respond to a private individual or someone in media, it won't be because Clay Aiken is "not their cuppa"...but in HOW they express this dislike, particularly if they are in a professional capacity. Yes, fans should take responsibility, but sometimes bigots should be held accountable, too. I agree with Clay's assessment. As far as the "corrupt industry," I am not going to spend one second defending radio and the music industry. Each individual's life experience differs and I respect those differences. You have your beliefs and I have mine. Clay signed the contract with RCA/19E and I support him with purchasing his published recordings and concert tickets which is the fashion that I desire. I am looking forward to Clay's next studio effort with track producer, Kipper. I have "control" over my own life and I am happy. keepingfaith..... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I agree 100% with Clay's assessment. Payola is an over-rated excuse utilized by this fandom. Clay nails the reasoning behind the lack of spins due to the age demographic with advertisers and the spamming of the stations/program directors (regardless of the formatting) from the onset with TITN. Thanks for your perspective, lmf. Very interesting.... And it confirms what I always thought. To me, blaming the lack of payola is the simplistic reason for lack of radio play. But it does offer some the opportunity to blame Clive for something else! You are welcome. If you take note of the dollar amount in the penalties paid in respect to the Spitzter payola settlement...it tells the story....HAHA! I believe the fans' hearts were in the right place, but sadly, it hurt Clay. Perhaps time will heal the wounds and he can snag some spins in the AC market.. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I agree 100% with Clay's assessment. Payola is an over-rated excuse utilized by this fandom. Clay nails the reasoning behind the lack of spins due to the age demographic with advertisers and the spamming of the stations/program directors (regardless of the formatting) from the onset with TITN.

I love ATDW. My response to YSRN and Claygasm in defining the term 'cover' was never meant to devalue any of Clay's cover work. I defended ATDW prior to listening to one note over at the OFC. I have the battle scars to prove it.... Clay is a vocal stylist in my opinion and I have great respect for his glory chords...regardless if he is recording a cover or not.....Even though I may not particularly care for or gravitate to a certain song/track, I always find some aspect of his phrasing that touches me. :F_05BL17blowkiss: keepingfaith I am thinking of you....

Each individual has a different definition of what they consider a cover... I consider any track that was recorded and published first, the authentic version regardless if it was a hit or not.

Ciao babe! A cover is a new take on a previously recorded song. The original is considered the authentic version. A cover is taking the authentic version and recording it with an alternative measure/fashion. Clay with a ATDW made certain that he respected the authentic version, but gave it his interpretation, his twist to the covers as he did with Solitaire.

A spectrum of emotions... I have been saddened by the mess that has been revealed since the Morristown M&G. Just simple sadness. I am happy Clay is heading to Broadway. Just plain happy. A new year is fast approaching and my hope is that 2008 brings y'all what your hearts and souls desire. Y'all are good people. :F_05BL17blowkiss: Happy Holidays

If this is directed at me, I have never stated nor have I implied that you and Ansa are advocating the distribution of Spamalot clack. I was simply saying, that I believe that clack will be obtained and that she will have access to it. Not here... I will say it again, I regret posting my thoughts on the subject. I apologized. Now, I am done.

Ansamcw I believe that I caused the disconnect due to my inability to equate clack to drug addiction/withdrawal. I regret ever posting my thoughts on this subject. Having said that, I believe that you will get your Spamalot clack and I hope you enjoy it.

But you appear to be assuming that I have had the opportunity to attend a concert of every single tour which is not the case and I most likely won't have the opportunity to hit Spamalot. I would love for every single fan to have the opportunity to see Clay live and on Broadway, but it isn't going to happen. It just isn't. It isn't going to happen for me and it isn't going to happen for others. And perhaps you have been fortunate at the concerts that you have attended that your experience wasn't disrupted by clack gatherers. And I understand now that when I purchase a concert ticket and take a guest to enjoy an evening with Clay Aiken, that I risk having unruly, unlawful individuals sitting three rows in front of me create an uncomfortable situation that is impossible to ignore when venue security has to drag them out of their seats and out of the venue. So, when I read about the great sacrifices that these godesses make for the fandom, I am reminded that they impacted my experience, that of my guest, and those in my section in a negative fashion who paid to witness Clay in concert. And I am a fan also.

Claygasm I honestly didn't take jmh123's commentary as implying that you were stupid. I apologize if you were offended as I did quote her in agreement. I do want to express my feelings before logging off tonight. I will never understand how anyone can compare or relate a drug addiction withdrawal to that of the absence of clack during the Spamalot run. I find that sad and I find the term "junkie" to be an emotionally charged term. But that is just me.....

People who will yell "I love you Clay" and "A belated happy birthday Clay" during the musical introductions to vocal performances in a classy theatre don't know the meaning of discrete. Equally silly to suggest that the level of potential Clay clack can be compared to the level of DHP clack for Spamalot. People who sell tickets to stuff think that giving it away is an impediment to sales. Maybe they're right, maybe they're wrong. I don't know the answer, but I do wonder. Clay's tour ticket sales have decreased in proportion to the increase of the amount of Clack of his tours that is available. Causal?? Maybe; maybe not. I would never want to abandon clack myself, but I do think there should be more discretion and consideration than there is. It's just a play? Alrighty then. I thought it was one of the biggest shows on Broadway, and I thought that people in the business considered Broadway to be the pinnacle of the profession. I thought theatre people considered it important be able to concentrate on their work, hence the announcement before each show to turn off cellphones, put away cameras, and even to unwrap any candy or cough drops you plan to eat before the show--but hey, if it's just a silly play, with stunt casting of some stupid no-talent American Idol contestant who didn't even win--who cares whether his performances in Spamalot are taken seriously? It was entirely wrong of me to get so excited about the opportunity for Clay. It's all a big joke any way. Let me spell it out with no sarcasm. Claygasm, Broadway is not a concert. The rules are different, the expectations are different, the needs & expectations of the actors to be able to concentrate on their performances are different, the enjoyment of the other attendees is affected differently. It's not simply a matter of what's legal. As to whether Clay will be blamed, naive to think that he won't be. I loved every single word you inked... :F_05BL17blowkiss: Personally, I have zero doubt that clack has negatively impacted ticket sales. It is impossible to prove..but that is my belief.

The venue folk are not present to play games with concert attendees, but as employees hired to perform security. I don't believe that they find the game fun. JMO. cindilu2 You are welcome. Ciao Clayzor Hope you enjoy tonight's festivities..heart you.

Does this mean the you did not watch the interview from 11/02 pre-idol? No, who interviewed him? I perhaps have read commentary regarding it, but I have never viewed it. What is the subject of the interview? I wish I had your resolve when it came to snack food. ETA: Your five or so peices of clack are like my "he's only had 3 bad hair days hee" Do you remember which clack you watched? TITN - Raleigh AI2 TFN - NYC GBOF medley and ICMYLM - of the JBT Kimmel episode on the horse the night after it broadcasted

Does this mean the you did not watch the interview from 11/02 pre-idol? No, who interviewed him? I perhaps have read commentary regarding it, but I have never viewed it. What is the subject of the interview?

cindilu2 In response to your question to me, I have followed Clay since Always and Forever. I have viewed a total of 5 pieces of clack. I understand that this board will always support the clack gatherers with great passion and I respect that stance. I just had the desire to express my feelings on the issue at the present time as Clay's Broadway debut is fast approaching and it is an interesting topic of discussion.

I am most likely the lone anti-clack voice of the fandom. Clack Unlimited and the other vaults should fold. If clack gatherers break the law during the Spamalot run and are snagged at the Shubert Theatre during the videography process, I hope they are charged and prosecuted by the DA. And if convicted, they pay the price of civil penalties. Clayzor... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Now come on, lightmyfire, you don't think yo' heathen daddy would approve something like that, do ya? Yeah...you and mah daddy on the Highway to Hell, but then again Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be.. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I am digging it too, now I am praying for that CC album so Clay can snag Grammy and now I am running for the hills before you put a hating on me....