Carolina Clay

Creative montages by SueRue and LovesClaysVoice (with six clickable screen shots and download links) are helping CA fans mark time until the June 1 release of "Tried and True." The Inclusion Project and my oboe's scary cantata experience complete this new Carolina On My Mind blog entry.

Clickable montage caps by LCV, SueReu

Sorry, no way to include that wonderful photo of Reed.

Hope you enjoy! Thank you for your comments/hits/support. Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Caro

Thnx for all the Raleigh pix!

I need to stop writing blogs on traveling days. Monday I made it out the door and to my first lesson with about a minute to spare. This is from my Facebook post:

While my weekend was on March Madness and cantata overload, Clay's PBS concert received a "thumbs up" review by the Examiner. A very special NJU story and graphic by AmazingCA are also featured in the new Carolina On My Mind blog.

Many thnx to Claymatron for sharing the NJU story. Hope you enjoy. Thank you for your visits/comments.

Have a great day, all!

Caro

Caro - I'm into the tourney too...it's an assignment for work but also I just love this tournament. Go PAC 10!! Much maligned Pac 10 I might add!

Couchie, I have pulled for just about every conference represented for a variety of reasons -- connections like past home states, a good friend's team, etc. If I don't have a real reason to cheer for a team, I usually go with the underdog; and this has been a great tournament for some -- especially Northern Iowa!

My day began an 8 a.m. orchestra call, and all went well with our two performances. I'll probably include a segment about the cantata in the next Carolina blog. Wish I had some clack!

Love the "Examiner" review! Y'all have a super new week!

Caro

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Drop by anytime: Carolina On My Mind

Click to stream Clay Aiken at MySpace

I'm knee-deep into basketball. Despite the fact that my team, the Carolina Tar Heels, didn't make the 2010 NCAA Tournament, March Madness has again taken over my life and temporarily bumped Mr. Clay Aiken from my computer and the Carolina On My Mind blog.

Well, not completely. Confirmed Cluben Tour dates/links and a banner/graphic by LovesClaysVoice featured. Meanwhile, I have spent parts of three days watching one game on the TV and one on my laptop. In fact, I have two going right now.

The Heels are in the NIT, and I rushed home from a cantata rehearsal to watch them win their second round game at noon.

Thank you for your Carolina hits and comments.

He was on fire - and his voice was out of this world. As in other-worldly. As in - WHO IS THIS GUY??? I'll admit to a few niggling fears after some of his vocals at the galas, etc. Not that I ever thought he was 'losing' it - just that he wasn't 100% Clay. Well he's back, and he's 100000000% Clay. Whatever it was he needed to do to get back - he did it in spades (and diamonds, hearts and clubs and the whole damn deck). He had his control back, his vibrato back, his tones (omfg his tones) and his JOY back. He was singing from a place we haven't seen him sing from for a long time. The stage and staging were beautiful - my overwhelming thought throughout it all was finally. Finally he's getting what he deserves - a showcase worthy of The Voice.

cindilu2, thank you for sharing your thoughts about Clay on March 12. It is my hope that others will learn he is just.that.good, too.

jmh123, thnx for showing and describing your old stomping grounds. Mine have changed, too.

Have a great weekend!

Caro

I got my tickets -- center section, about 13 rows back. Definitely not front row, but I'd rather be "centered" that close to the front and off to the side!

RENO here I come!

I got a couple of tickets in Section C, 9 rows back. Now I've got to worry about how to GET to Reno. I so so so hate to fly, and this will be a 2-plane job, minimum, each way. I'd consider a road-trip vacation doing The Grand Canyon (which I've never seen), and Las Vegas (where I've never been), were it not for the stretch from Houston to El Paso - I've vowed never to suffer through that desolate drive ever AGAIN!

Congratulations on the tickets, all! I can so relate to the desolate Texas drive; and my experience was just the El Paso-Odessa leg, which is about five hours but VERY DESOLATE!

Thnx for the blog visits. Have a great day, all!

Caro

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Drop by anytime: Carolina On My Mind

Click to stream Clay Aiken at MySpace

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Carolina On My Mind blog!

Besides St. Patrick's Day, today's entry incorporates Irish traditions, the GFI story and pix [edited to show some freckles ], a "Spamalot" Sir Robin green interlude, the President's 3% Irish heritage (I just love that video!), and a cute story about Kai, who is 2.5 years old today. The Kai graphic was created by Ashes in 2009.

Hope you enjoy! Thnx for your visits (144 countries represented!) and especially your comments. On the way out, there's an Irish blessing-Clay graphic by Sally.

Lotus, so glad your concert tickets have arrived!

Have a wonderful day, all!

Caro

I should never try to write a blog on Monday, a traveling day for me. I literally got the "Take 2" installment of recaps posted 20 minutes before I was supposed to be teaching a piano lesson 30 minutes away. Fortunately, all the lights were green; and the student was five minutes late!

Many thnx to Pink Armchair, Cablegirl, cindilu2, mumm fums, moonhead, goldarngirl, jmh123, SueReu, Heart, Elizabeth, Craving Clay, and claym8, whose PBS concert reflections were quoted in the new blog: Carolina On My Mind: Clay Aiken PBS Magic Continues. Here's the lead:

Clay Aiken's one-time only concert at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh included a preview of his upcoming Decca album, Tried & True, plus a host of other memorable classics.

At the top is "Clay Aiken's Back in Town," a new montage by LovesClaysVoice, who combined the AP photos from the concert with previous art and the AI2 MTK performance to create a neat promo for the PBS special and TNT album.

Hope you enjoy! As always, thank you for your comments and hits. I so appreciate ALL the recaps that have been shared throughout Clay Cyberspace. You certainly helped put all of us "in da house."

Have an awesome day, FCA!

Caro

All of a sudden a white drape comes down as a backdrop. I was curious as to what song could be coming up next. It was “Unchained Melody”. He was singing it beautifully when all of a sudden there was a change in it. Clay hit the most stirring, heart pumping, breathtaking, note of all notes. I wanted to jump up and down screaming, but instead only stood and clapped.

The final standing ovation went on and on, and should make a terrific ending to the show. It was well deserved, and I'm glad Clay got to stand there and listen to it instead of slipping away at end.

PS I really enjoyed meeting so many fans. I did ask Scarlett to come home (FCA) and visit once in a while when she has time.

Scatters some tractors and cows and whatnot around as a lure for the Farmville peeps.

Thnx for all the great recaps, Fear, et al!

LOL, bottle, I wonder if Scarlett and other farmers will take the bait.

Caro

The new Carolina On My Mind begins with this lead:

Clay Aiken, consummate entertainer with an incredible set of pipes, quick wit, and beautiful heart, impressed beyond belief faithful and new fans who descended on Raleigh from throughout North America for Friday's concert/PBS taping.

I credited seven fans (thnx to bottlecap for the set list! ) and included four AP photos plus Fountaindawg's graphic of the same. Now that more reports have been posted at FCA and other boards, we could easily convert the blog into a book. Thank you so much for all the detailed accounts. You put us in da house. I would have enjoyed watching from your balcony location, jmh123. :thbighug-1:

Your visits/comments help the blogs spread the word about the PBS special and upcoming TNT album. Many thnx for your assistance. I have been asked more than once for the telecast date, LOL!

Thnx for the info, Couchie.

Very interesting PBS info about Celtic Women, keepingfaith!

Idyj, I love the principal story. Thnx for bringing it over.

Have a wonderful weekend, and safe travels home, FCA!

Caro

International Media just tweeted this:

On our to the Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh, NC, to shoot with CLAY AIKEN!

Lynda Loveland will interview Clay on her Morning Show Friday. We know this because she tweeted it at lloveland on Twitter.

I added the links to the Carolina blog; and, according to the hits, the word is getting out.

Looking forward to the RED reports after the show! Happy Travels, all!

Caro

Teaching and blogging don't mix, but earlier this evening I uploaded a new Carolina On My Mind entry about the additional concert tickets, TNT's progress at Amazon (currently #5 on Music Bestsellers list and #1 on Movers & Shakers!), plus a segment on TWWMAD.

When I first started checking links, I, too, was amazed at the $12.02 price. Amazon has since corrected the label (Decca) ant the price ($18.98).

Bringing this from OFC with permission

There is still time to donate tickets... the time is NOW!

Thursday at noon is the deadline to donate tickets. Ticketfast only, please! To donate a ticket(s), please EMAIL: ticketdonation@thewaywemakeadifference.org

Thank you!

www.thewaywemakeadifference.org

clayzedover, I see I need to add the word "Ticketfast" to the blog.

Thnx for your support/comments/hits of the Carolina blog. Y'all have fun in NC. Be sure to bring an umbrella!

Here's to many more reasons for these:

Caro

Happy Oscar Evening!

I have seen people worrying about next weekend's forecast. Right now NC has sunshine, but rain is definitely predicted from Wednesday on. Sixty miles west of Raleigh the percentage for the weekend is at 40%, which is a lot more promising than 100%!

The new Carolina On My Mind blog covers what we know about the Cluben Tour so far. If other dates are announced, I will definitely add them. The featured art is by Fountaindawg. This is the wide screen version of the collage that leads the blog:

Clickable by Fountaindawg

I also slipped in Goldarngirl-Luckiest1 2007 concert montage of "Here You come Again." This time it's more like "Here They Come Again."

Thank you to those who support the Internet Clay blogs. Your comments/hits help them show up in Google searches.

Sending good vibes for you and your mom, Couchie.

Have a super new week, all!

Caro

Here he comes again ...

I am praying for some tour dates to be announced for northern California!

I want to see Clay's stuff (tm liney) up close and personal but don't stand a chance if he doesn't bring it to me

All the best, tree and all CA fans, for lots of "up close and personal" concerts!

Happy Birthday to PerusingOne and soulsista4clay!

Happy Weekend, all!

Caro

I normally stay caught up and only am behind, at the most, a page. Today there were THREE! Our calendars are about to fill up!

The new Carolina On My Mind blog covers these topics, many of which were in those three pages:

Clay Aiken's "Everything I Don't Need" accompanied my chaotic encounter with Monday's traffic bottleneck (montage by Gerwhisp). Clay and Ruben are set for 7/23 Biltmore Concert; TNT is being mastered; Clay will guest on Phineas and Ferb; and everyone should read Berkeley's "Living in Turnaround" blog. Links are at the Carolina site!

Your comments really do help with the Google placement of the Internet Clay blogs, which currently are surrounded by "boobs"!

Have a super week, FCA!

Caro

I have enjoyed watching the Olympics. Congratulations to the Canadians for the hockey win and a very special Winter Olympics! :cheer:

The new Carolina On My Mind blog is all about Clay's HRC speech in Raleigh Saturday night, complete with video player, portions of the text quoted, video/audio download links, and art.

Clay Aiken's speech at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala in Raleigh Saturday was eloquent, passionate, and even sprinkled with his trademark humor as he outlined the long, arduous path preceding major civil rights milestones, most often achieved after "it was about damn time."

Clickable Collage

Fountaindawg/Cotton

As always, thank you for your comments/hits in the Internet Clay blogs.

Looking forward to your video, Scarlett!

Have an awesome week, all!

Caro

Awesome news, Couch Tomato! Thnx for reviving that side of FCA :clap:

I'm listening to Clayversity's HRC stream from Raleigh via Cotton. Right now it's concert music until Clay speaks. Go, Mr. A!

Caro

I have enjoyed the Olympics, some sports I know nothing about; but I am ready to move on to MORE CLAY!

ldyjocelyn posted:

I like this blog...

NC: Raleigh native Clay Aiken to give equality speech at Saturday's HRC Carolinas Gala [snip]

SIDE NOTE: I was supposed to be in NYC at a forum on immigration equality, but as you might have noticed, they had a little snowpocalypse and my blogmistress flight of the damned thing kicked in and my plane never left NYC to return to RDU to get me -- it was canceled; but at least I found out before going to the airport.

The good news is I have press credentials to cover the HRC dinner and I'll be able to share some photos and video.

A funny Clay Aiken story - he emailed me a while back, maybe a year ago, saying he was a fan of PHB. We played email tag for a while and never managed to connect to have lunch. One day I'm at work and my cell rings (I almost never answer it at work), I by chance pick it up and it's Clay Aiken on the phone. I recognized his soft polite Southern twang and he said he was calling to apologize about not connecting. Of course this was amusing since I wasn't offended -- the guy probably travels all over for gigs, so I assume he's on the road a lot So anyway, hopefully I'll catch him tomorrow and grab a short interview or finally nail down that lunch date.

I agree, Idyj -- great blog! "Snowpocalypse" is a wonderful description for this winter. I hope Pam has that belated lunch date and interview with Clay!

Have an awesome weekend, all!

Caro

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Drop by anytime: Carolina On My Mind

Click to stream Clay Aiken at MySpace

Click to stream Clay Aiken at Decca

Before music lessons, I added yet another blog about Clay's HRC speech this weekend: Carolina On My Mind: Clay Aiken Plans Speech of Hope. A "sold out" segment, with graphic by cindilu2, follows.

The Internet Clay bloggers appreciate your visits and comments, which help with Google placement.

It's really nice to read a positive article. Make that many positive articles. I hope the N&O sees how much interest a positive article gets. Clay is overdue for the repect he deserves.

DITTO:

Well, I watched both nights of AI this week, and right now, I'm not feeling the love for any of them. Some of the girls were ok, was not impressed with any of the guys, based on last nights performances. And that includes Casey. He's cute enough but I thought the only reason he sounded half way decent was because the others were so bad last night.

I read this over at CV. Apparently is was a quote from someone who follows AI but not specifically Clay. I love when others see it too.

QUOTE So far no one sings nearly as good as Clay or Carrie U! I'm not impressed as of yet! Hopefully they will get better but as always, if Clay walked on and sang anything "he would WIN"!!!!

Thnx for the report. My students have asked if I have a favorite. Sheesh, I'm still on the Olympics!

Have a great weekend, all!

Caro

For the second blog in a row, I uploaded while running out the door to drive for the 30-minute drive to a music studio. Throughout Monday afternoon lessons I worried whether I had typed "Tried and True" or "This and That." Thankfully, my subconscious had kicked in correctly.

The new Carolina On My Mind: Clay Aiken's TNT Stirs Excitement blog features CD/PBS Special news, The Way We Make a Difference, GFI fundraising update, banner and "I Was Here" montage by LovesClaysVoice.

Hope you enjoy. Drop by, and help keep the Clay blogs in business.

Hi everyone. I am really nervous to post but sneaking in a montage I made. Its a Reed Kelly montage. I had to make it with no glasses but squinted my way through. I get my new glasses this week I hope.

((((((Big Hugs to everyone too))))))

Wonderful montage, Aspiegirl!

Congratulations to Canada's ice dancing gold medalists! I certainly enjoyed watching their program.

Have an awesome week!

Caro

Love all the Clay news reports and that our guy is answering questions. I'm heading over to the OFC next. Meanwhile, I have several notes/links for the next Carolina blog.

The current non-Clay Carolina blog recalls the adventures of The Cambiata Trio, an ensemble formed during my Nashville days. The entry was posted in conjunction with Friday's birthday shared by our two pianists.

I told the trio members that I usually write bits and pieces about my musical experiences/grandchildren/students during Clay's DOWN times, which this is definitely NOT! We all appreciate your blog/Facebook hits and comments about our experiences.

Have a wonderful Saturday, all!

Caro

What happens to the pictures? I opened on one posted by treenuts, and they all were gone when I returned to the page. I can see the links while typing this post.

ETA: I see what happened. I didn't have the window open deep enough to see the "X" in the corner.

I wonder if the old way of posting pix works. Here's a clickable graphic by cindilu2 I recently ran in the blog:

Thnx for the email, cindilu2.

Off to get a much-needed haircut ...

Caro

I passed along the link and am going to check it against the one in the Carolina On My Mind sidebar.

Couch Tomato, could you send me the email? No rush, but I have the box checked now and would be interested in reading what you said once you catch up on your sleep. Also, do we know what is going to happen with the other side of FCA yet?

Clay's going to sing! Life is good. Have a great day, all!

Caro

Happy Birthday, luckiest1!

Congrats on the prompt house sale, merrieeee! That's amazing in this economy.

Feel better, Annabear.

The actual link for this messageboard:

http://findingclayaiken.invisionzone.com/index.php?

couchie and I were talking about this the other day, wondering if we could get a more "visitor friendly" URL that could be just typed in. We'll keep you posted on that.

Maybe a group email to update the membership?

You know, as hateful as the Ticketbastard debacle was yesterday, it was pretty dang wonderful to be buying tickets for a Clay Aiken event again.

I have noticed FCA's site disappearance discussed on other boards.

I agree -- it's great to have fans buying tickets to a CA event again.

Have an awesome day, all!

Caro

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Drop by anytime: Carolina On My Mind

Click to stream Clay Aiken at MySpace

I have the front page bookmarked here at work and, of course, it doesn't work now. I finally found a link on Caro's blog... THANKS, Caro!

I honestly don't think Clay has any idea what Ticketmonster does to us during pre-sales. It sure seems like they saved most of the far away seats for the pre-sale from what I was reading. Sorry about that, all you ticket-tryers. And, what the idjits did to the Canadians was totally not ok! (I can't bring myself to type the words I'm thinking!)

Well, the online fans are going to be spread all over the theatre and that might be a good thing. Sounds like upgrades will be the norm and there will be lots of tickets for sale as always... heh heh

Now that the tickets are on sale, I'm getting more excited and I'm not even going.

Glad to assist, liney23!

I added a couple of clickable photos from inside the auditorium. It really does look as if every seat is good. One person I quoted in today's Carolina blog is from Raleigh, and she said she's been to several functions there and Clay is right. It's a beautiful hall, everyone can see -- just not from Clay's lap.

Caro

Before the TM Tango began, I posted a Carolina On My Mind entry that reflected jitters, helpful hints, and best wishes from three message boards for today's event. NO NAMES, just the posts.

The first two hours of the pre-sale provided an addendum that really describes the "Ticketmonster"

experience, Canadian problem and its resolution included. Plus bottlecap gave me permission to re-enact her pictorial essay that includes art by Kareneh, fivegoldens, and Invisible926. (Does anyone know who took the second picture?) Thnx, Bottle!

Many thnx for helping to "write" the blog and for your visits/comments. Hope you enjoy reliving today's TM Tango.

Caro