AnAmeraikenInTX

I love the board changes, BTW. :F_05BL17blowkiss: Thanks to everyone who has to do all the jimmying and fixing behind the scenes. Are we missing some emoticons? Can someone explain the 'codebox' to me? I promise...no more tricks.

There may be other functions or purposes for the 'codebox' thingy, but I remember it being used at another board to give the web address of something instead of sharing it via hyperlink, so you had to copy/paste into your browser to go there instead of clicking a link. Good when the visitor's 'from' address should be other than a message board, or so I understand. I bet it is used for other things too, just don't know what.

The board features and setup now seems very similar to the latest CV upgrade of a few weeks ago, but it took a while to figure things out then! I still haven't tried some things from that!

Belatingly stating that I met AAIT in Houston, not that I remember faces well, mostly people have to talk before I recognize them, don't know why.

I remember, playbiller!!! But I'm thinking we met originally at Englewood last December. Were you there? For some reason I'm placing you with the group of various fans who supped together at the Panera Bread place before the show. Am I remembering correctly? Whether I met you once or twice, I enjoyed it immensely!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Also, and I've been meaning to write this for a couple of weeks, shadylil, I have this memory that we also met at that same Panera Bread dinner. IIRC, we were also at the same table. Am I remembering correctly? You, or the person I'm thinking of were on the right side of the table (from my vantage point), and I was at the end, and my dear friend, HippoGA, was to my left, on the left side of the table. There was another person with us at the table, but my memory isn't calling the name. Or, I could be all confoosed!!

It was really cool. There was just this big group of Clay fans representing many boards at this dinner. Nothing formal at all, we just gathered, ate, visited, and then went to the show! Very, very wonderful.

**runs out to buy DH a box of Krispy Kremes***

BWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! LOL, Bookwhore!!

What's with all this 'tailor' and 'body guard' and 'masseuse' desires?

I want to be his lover.

That's muski -- "subtle" is her middle name!

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

And very sure of what she wants out of life!! You go, girl!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Last weekend there was discussion about Blue Bell Ice Cream, specifically the new flavor, Blackberry Cobbler. I am here to report is it delish. I got a half-gallon of it today and it was a hit with my family. Just FYI! [/psaoff]

Gads, there was TOO MUCH work this weekend. It's over now, I'm pooped, and I didn't get to play very much. That makes me grumpy. Good think it's just me and the cats here tonight!

Scarlett, thank you for the follow-up info regarding the eHp luncheon. I hope it will work out sometime(s) to join y'all! Sounds like a blast. :F_05BL17blowkiss: Thank you also for the mp3's. Looking forward to listening. Your yarns are amazing. I have no clue how you find the time to do all your Clack work and have time left over for other projects!! I'm amazed.

Good night everyone. I am pooped. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Well, then - colour me confused = Who the hell did I meet at the Pala pool who introduced us to their DH and I had a long conversation with him???? I thought it was you, Scarlett but now I'm all confuzzled, and I'm going to hide in a cave!

Hey, precious Canuck!!! I think I have the answer to that! It may have been my friend from my Boitano fandom, Shirley. I had her Pala tix and she and DH stopped by for a bit and met me at the Pool restaurant, where we all were hanging out at the time. They stayed and visited probably nearly an hour and I think you did get in conversation with him for quite a while, and then he wanted to take a group pix of all of us. His name is Tom. And, come to think of it, Shirley and Scarlett do actually favor each other a lot. I hadn't made that connection until this moment. (Shirley is masterful with a camera as well.)

Is this what you're remembering?

AnAmeraikenInTX, I am such a dweeb and I apologize. I know now why ClayIzzaQT was puzzled when I said that it was so nice to meet her in Houston. toni7babe (my sweetheart) and I had PM'ed earlier about her travelling with ClayIzzaQT and when she introduced us, it was her name that stuck in my head. Which part of Texas are you from? Are you close enough to do an eHP lunch? I'm also going to a Fiber Arts Fair in the Hill Country right before the JNT06, if that's more convenient. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I got to meet ClayIzzaQT somewhere along the way of the SRHP tour too, and she's also a doll! toni7babe and ClayIzzaQT traveled together in NC, IIRC, and some place else too, I think. It's hard enough to keep up with our own travel plans, let alone others! Not a problem at all from my perspective about getting us confused. I'd call it an honor to be confused as ClayIzzaQT, not so sure she can say the same thing back though!

Ohhhhhhhhh, Scarlett, the eHP lunch sounds so wonderful and I would love to join if it can work out. Most likely I'd have to travel in for it. I'm now in Midland, out in West Texas, back home for the past year. Prior to that I was in Dallas for 20 years, but originally, I'm from out here in West Texas. There are actually two other CV members who live here in Midland. We have yet to get together, but it's so nice to know there are at least two other fans here! Country music sorta kinda rules here, just not for me. Do y'all usually do your lunch gathering in Houston? Even if it doesn't work out sometime, thank you so much for the offer. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I'm AnAmeraikenInTX everywhere in Clayland. That's also long to type and sometimes hard to spell, so it has a few abbreviations: AAIT, AAITX, AAinTX - and I answer to all! The last one is probably most gramatically correct, but the first person ever to abbreviate my name used AAIT and that's what 'feels' like home, but all are fine! Pre-Clay fandom, I am alidal, which has been my email name forever, and is short for Alice from Dallas, which Mother called me my whole life, and then in '86 when I was transferred there with work, it was actually true. Introducing myself that way seemed to help folks remember my name, so at work there all those years, that reference was often made. Alice from Midland just doesn't have the same ring! Guess I could say, 'Alice, used to be from Dallas, but now in Midland', and I think I have a time or two!

Gotta get busy! Family will be over later and there's still things to do! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

No idea who jmh is... hard enough for me to keep track of myself....

But when I post on another board, which isn't that often, I post as mikesmom... and when in Florida, I introduced myself as mikesmom when I met people... when I started posting here, I decided since I joined eons ago as spikesmom, I'd just own that name and my silly paranoia and the coughinfamousauthorcough be damned... what can I say, I'm workin' on my self-esteem...

Ok, I get it now!!!!!!! I read a post by you a little while ago over and thought something along the line of "so many mom's"!!! It's all good!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I'm lost!!!!!!

So Clay gets to play A&R guy (to use record industry lingo) for Quiana and Angela. I would like to see the results when he plays A&R guy for himself. Maybe the AIW EP was the first example of that. I consider AIW Clay's masterpiece to date, a perfect melding of artist and song.

Hadn't thought of it that way. Great observation!

Yes, AIW IS "Clay's masterpiece to date, a perfect melding of artist and song", as jazzgirl said.

It's criminal that neither of these ladies have a major label contract.

But the best part of all was the obvious comfort level of the three of them on stage. It reflected in every thing they did, and brought bit of magic to the stage, IMO.

Totally agree on all this!!! Completely.

I do have a bit of selfishness around A&Q getting their major label contracts -- I do want that for them if they want it, but if it ever happens I will so hate it if it kept they and Clay from making their magic. Selfishly, I like things the way they are!!

I also can't wait until the Christmas tour, just have little clue yet of which shows I'll get to attend! Sadly, this time, it won't be many. :xmas07a:

Who originally sang WTLGD? Is it from a musical...prob should know that *shrug* might as well ask the same about Listen.

I don't know if WTLGD is from a musical but I think I remember reading that WTLGD was sung previously by Faith Hill (hope I have that right). And Listen is from Dreamgirls.

ETA: Claygasm, and several other places too!!! Glad you're here!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

At least usually in Clay Nation when one has a question, they'll likely get several replies with the same answer!!

xxx4clay, I'm the complete opposite. I know when I met you and can remember each time we saw each other again during the summer tour, but I kept thinking to myself after reading all these posts -- why haven't I met AAIT?

I did meet you, Scarlett, but you were in sorta busy at the time! I was toni7babe's guest at the CH preparty in Houston and she introduced us, you were so gracious and it was wonderful to meet you, but you were sorta busy at the time! Great party!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: I saw you a few times after that, but it was always in a group.

And I actually saw AAIT on the elevator at the hotel in Tampa but was too shy to introduce myself... and I did get to meet xxx at a pre-party in WPB... we really didn't talk much and I managed not to embarrass myself even though I wanted to bow down (I was excited to meet her after reading so many of her funny posts!)... I'll have to make more of a point of trying to meet people at the Christmas concerts - I'm lucky enough to be near quite a few so my sister and I are doing Waukegan (which is like 45 minutes to an hour away), Kalamazoo and the Merrillville (which happens to be on my birthday - yay me!)... hopefully people won't run the other way....

I agree thah Clay likes to showcase Angela and Quiana. I think he is still trying to help Quiana to get her own contract. It is funny that some fans accuse Clay of doing a lot of stuff for his friend, but I don't find him doing vey much except for mentioning them from time to time, but he does love to showcase Quiana more than anyone else. I would really like to hear the recorded version of IWTKWLI with Quiana. I bet it was better than the one released, but , then again, who knows. He has made sure that she has a nice resume though.

Beautiful statement, playbiller, (bolding of it, mine). Yes, he has. I also adore Q's voice and I really enjoyed Angela a lot on this past tour. I'm so glad those three have each other, and we have them too! I would also LOVE to hear C&Q's recorded version of IWTKWLI.

I've had WPB SRHP playing while working around the house today. What an excellent, superb show that was. I was sick at it, early-ish stages of bronchitis, and the night is kind of fuzzy, but I know I loved it and then put it as my second favorite of what I'd seen, next to Pala, in first. And I still agree with that assessment! I'm d/l'ing Scarlett's WPB vids right now and can't wait to refresh my memory with visuals as well. Thank you, Scarlett, and all the Clack gatherers. Much and many :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss: 's!!!

Just a close-out-the-day thank you for the birthday greetings. My co-workers made it a lovely day, and seeing all the beautiful messages here just added to the specialness!! I saw my family for a while tonight and also had a good bit of the evening for me - we'll do our celebration this weekend. Thank you so much for the wishes and hugs. Very, very special. Thank you. :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Even though I have AI2 on tape and DVD and could watch anytime I want, it will be interesting, I think, to watch it on Rewind and the growth that Clay's voice has experienced since then will be so very evident as Rewind goes through the weeks!

AAIT, I don't think that Clay was doing that high note in DSIAFCD in falsetto. I think the reason that it was difficult for him to sing is that he was trying to sing it in full voice, and it's at the top of his full-voice range. In other words, he was trying to belt at the top of his range. He could very easily hit that note and higher notes in falsetto, but not with as much power. IMO that's why he was trying to belt it. But he sure can belt it out in full voice now!!

There, CG, I disagreed with someone. Does that make you happy? Heeee.

But which note are you talking about? The "OHHHHH" before the key change in the final chorus -- I totally agree with you. But then, in some performances, he'd do that high, falsetto "find" -- sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. IMO, most times it did work -- I was just impressed as hell that he tried it!

OK, officially -- we're finished. But if y'all want to keep agreeing *g*, more power to ya!

Yes, I was talking about the 'find', and I was in the minority of not caring for it as much then, but he did nail it some of the times (have no idea the ratio and it doesn't matter a bit), but I was also impressed he was trying it! He's sure got it nailed now though, no question about that!

AAIT, I don't think that Clay was doing that high note in DSIAFCD in falsetto. I think the reason that it was difficult for him to sing is that he was trying to sing it in full voice, and it's at the top of his full-voice range. In other words, he was trying to belt at the top of his range. He could very easily hit that note and higher notes in falsetto, but not with as much power. IMO that's why he was trying to belt it. But he sure can belt it out in full voice now!!

There, CG, I disagreed with someone. Does that make you happy? Heeee.

Tee hee! You disagreed nicely!!

Whatever/however it was, some of the time it just didn't sound 'right' to me and just wanted that note 'normal'! But that was just in 04. Now, rawrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Ditto to everything Gibby just said. One more thing, he is showing a lot of range lately. Michael Orland told fans Clay's weakest point was his high notes (forgot the official name) and that he was working on it, and if he ever perfected it, there would be no stopping him beause he is just THAT good. So I've noticed the high sustained notes this last tour that had been a little weak during some Idol songs. There is NO weakness what.so.ever.

I didn't completely love Clay's falsetto voice during AI, but Lord have mercy, I love it now!!! And it is so interesting to me how the development of it has progressed over the years. I remember during the JNT04, I didn't completely care for it when he went for that note in falsetto in DSIAFCD, but he hit them better during JNT05 and I started becoming a fan, and by JNT06, that sucker is nailed, gorgeous and HIS! I love his falsetto now!!!

Agree. Fuller, richer, moves through the ranges, nuances, all the above!! He moved me immensely back when, and still does so today. God done good when he made our Clay, and blessed him greatly, and I am eternally grateful.

OK I'm thinking this question should be what do WE want for Clay because really like KAndre said..he can't choose..he can only keep moving forward in his career and what will be will be. I just want him to stay around forever singing. On top of that..I have no problem with TV. I think that will be a way for him to get people to see him anew again. So talk shows, or writing children's books, or a run on Broadway or whatever... he should just follow his heart.

I think your last statement answered your own question, at least in my book. I want for Clay what he wants in his heart. Oh sure, I may have some preferences (TV for me), but for the most part, I just want him to do whatever he thinks would keep him in the business and allow him to pursue his humaitarian work as well.

Well, time has run out on this one and I was so absorbed in reading all of your replies that I didn't get mine done, but that really doesn't matter since I agree with everything I read.

In summary though, I don't think he decides per se on popstar, superstar, guides it with choices - yes, but what he's selling has to be bought so factors other than him enter into play. Of the listed titles, I think entertainer fits best. As long as he's here to sing to me, and entertain me on tour and tv, and let me be amazed and impressed by his supreme gorgeousness of inside and out, and be so touched by all his humanitarian good and even get sometimes responses of action out of me, then I'm more than happy! I just want HIM to be happy and he has to define what that is in his professional and personal life.

Great thoughts everyone!!!!!!!!!!

How does Clay combat the tabloid media?

Whether Clay or anyone else, if they became the poster child for taking on the media, that would become their full-time job. Society, often, is.just.sick, and getting sicker by the day, it seems, relating to the relentless appetite for nosing into celebrities lives, IMO. I agree with what has been said upthread, just IGNORE, IGNORE, IGNORE - and it's lots of fun when he can poke fun at things when the opportunity presents itsle, such as while on tour. He handled some sh..stuff brilliantly on last Christmas tour, I thought.

Thank you so very much for your wonderful birthday wishes and greetings!!! They are more appreciated than you know!!!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss:

And always,

(Goes without saying!)

I worked on a few photos in the past few minutes and this one struck me as just feeling reverent, prayful, peaceful and perhaps reflective, and somehow seemed pertinent to the feelings expressed this night.

WPB, MOAM, near the beginning.

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

Thank y'all! This was interesting and fun! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Yep, fanfic (except for the totally Mary Sue kind) bothers me not at all.

What's the Mary Sue kind?

I love Muski's fanfic especially the Buddies series. I'm not too much into the Clyra, though so I haven't read that.

Scarlett, Muski's Clyra is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Recommend it highly. And so truly hope for Part III of Buddies!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you feel about "shipping Clay?" Why do you feel that way?

While sometimes it is fun to speculate about whether Clay is dating a certain someone, most of the time I am not into "shipping Clay" at all. First, I don't have the time to do so, and second, it just feels somewhat intrusive to me. It doesn't bother me that others "ship" a lot, I enjoy reading a little of it. I just so want Clay to find his special someone and live happily ever after. I just want him to be loved, to give love, to get love, to feel love, as he's one of the most special people on the face of this earth to me and I feel he is so deserving of love. I'm so thankful to God everyday for bringing him to us to love, and so grateful that it seems he can feel the love we send to him. I think most of the time the "shipping" is done in fun, but I so support Clay having his own time to himself however he wants to spend it when not being "public" Clay. But you can bet as soon as we learn of a sighting or visit that was, I'm right there reading the report and appreciating evey moment of it!

I just want our man happy and loved. :F_05BL17blowkiss: