curiousgladys

Talking about recorded songs versus live performances...I Survived You. Love the song on the CD, but really did not like Clay's live performance of it...I thought at times his interpretation was a little over the top and too dramatic...I know a lot of fans love "pissy" Clay, but that one was not one of my favorites.

Kim

I just had to comment on this. I also preferred Clay's recorded version of this song. Sometimes I really enjoyed his live version, but at other times I thought it was a bit OTT. The song I didn't like on MoaM was "Shine", but it was one of my favorite live performances.

I also never felt BFM really was a good fit for Clay's voice, but it was a fun song to sing along to at the concerts. I'm not mourning it, but I can tell you I will mourn "Tears Run Dry", if I hear that recorded by another artist. I guess that's to be expected.

Whatever. One of my favorite sayings is "Wherever you go, there you are." You keep finding crap and yucky stuff everywhere you go, you might want to look for the common denominator in all the situations---it's usually "YOU"...heh.

I just really liked this so I thought I'd quote it. So true.

My favorite tour changes on a daily basis so I won't pick cause my choice would probably be different tomorrow. I loved them all.

My favorite concert moment, however, remains constant.

When A Man Loves A Woman. From the front row in Meadville. No words. I am so lucky.

Now, believe me when I say that I do believe this is true. I was there to witness her reaction after that moment! Just priceless!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Just to change the subject once again...I'm kind of ADD today, sorry...but this time a bit more on topic. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I had an interesting visit earlier this morning. I just flew back from two weeks in the Maritimes (working) today; on the way back from Moncton NB to Halifax NS to catch my flight home, I took an hour and stopped in at the Anne Murray Centre in Springhill, NS.

I know the Canadians will know Anne Murray (those of a certain age at least *g*), but I think many of our American friends will as well. Since the start of her career in 1966 approximately, she's won Grammies galore (10 I think) and awards from every aspect of the music business.

Springhill at the time she first became famous was a town of about 5000 just recovering from the Springhill Mine disaster. She became well known as a performer on an popular variety show on TV in the '60's (Don Messer Jubilee). It featured east-coast music, and Anne was one of the singers on the show at age approx 20. She is well known for the beauty of her alto voice, and for her groundedness through the years of her fame.

Every step I took through the centre reminded me of Clay. The way she started, singing in talent shows etc and then going on to be featured in a TV show; her quick rise to fame, and the grounded and sensible way in which she handled it. Her love of her family, her hometown and her friends. The Centre is a non-profit organization whose proceeds go to provide jobs for the people of the village of Springhill today. Can't you see Clay doing something like this, if Raleigh were in that kind of situation?

I've been a fan of Anne's for many years (well, fan is relative...I've seen her in concert 5 or 6 times in 30 years) but I found it very interesting.

I'm so glad I took the time!

Here's her website if anyone wants to refresh their memories:

Anne's official website with links to listen to her music

I don't need any refresher on Anne Murray. I just absolutely adore her voice! I was listening to her this past week, as I hadn't listened to her "Best of Anne Murray" CD in quite some time.

Congratulations on the new great-grandson! Also, your quilts are beautiful!

Also, congratulations to Caro on the birth of her grandson!!!

Happy Belated Birthday and Anniversay, Aikim! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I'm toast from watching the Ft. Myers banter montages. All of it is extra special, and I am blown away watching Clay's face as Quiana sat on his lap and sang WTLGD. That has to be one for the Schmoopie Hall of Fame.

I've heard a lot about the banter in Pala, so I guess I should download some of that Clack. But, for me, hands down the best banter of the tour was in Ft. Myers. He was just so incredibly funny that night! I was so surprised at how funny he was because I thought he'd be so tired after traveling from Atlanta the night before! I don't know if he can top that night, but I'm willing to find out!!!!!

Interesting thoughts here today. You know, I used to want Clay to be the biggest thing since sliced bread and I thought maybe he would be. I didn’t base this thought on any insight or knowledge, it was just what I wanted so I thought it would be.

I’m in a different place now and here’s why. Disclaimer: this it total and absolute speculation and I don’t know nothin’ or nobody and this is solely my opinion and I could be wrong - often am. When I see Clay now, I see a happy man. I base this on public appearances - his concert demeanor, the meet and greet stories, recent TV appearances, the busline handshakes. When I think back to 2003-4 Clay, I’m not so sure I saw a happy man. Using the same criteria - concerts, meet and greets, TV, buslines - in my eyes, I saw a very uncomfortable person. And often, not a happy person. As I said, my perception only.

So I have to wonder whether Clay liked the constant high wire act he was back in those days. The continual pulling at him, the moving from appearance to appearance without time to think, the concerts, the interviews, the photo shoots, the appearances, the TV shows, the book, the CDs, the continual adulation, and all that accompanied that.

To me, today Clay appears much more comfortable, happy, and satisfied than he did 3 or 4 years ago. So I have to think that for him, a slower paced career is more in keeping with the life he wants to live. It seems so to me. Or maybe he’s just taken a long time to get used to his new life. Or maybe I’m full of shit.

I want to WORD this part of your post. I have been feeling the same way for quite some time and it's good to know others feel the same way! BTW, it sure was great seeing you in Florida and Texas!!! WooHoo!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

aikim - I've always loved your countdowns and missed them when you stopped for a while.

Okie4Clay and soonerfaithful - My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. I just can't imagine how they are feeling right now!!!

A big thanks for the Tampa crotch shots. I saw that from the front row and it was quite nice!!!

Littlec is a friend of mine. She used to live near me in Florida, but has since moved to Raleigh. She does indeed attend Faye's church. She also line dances with Faye, and others from the church, every week. The e-mails littlec receives are group e-mails (as desertflower pointed out) that Faye sends to many people. I get many of them forwarded to me. Any information she receives is really just general information.

West Palm Beach _ makinaiken1_TWYMMF

ETA: I doubt the lady I talked to provided this clack, because she told me the pants came DOWN. Down, I tell you. She said Clay didn't exactly "fall" but that his pants came down and he went to the floor with it. And she was an eyewitness. She said she had it. The moment is blurred on this video. Maybe discretion is the best part of valor. Maybe not. Can you imagine taking that clack!

He sings, "I've never been so embarrassed before" as he's getting back up on the stage. Such a doll.

I have to respectfully disagree with this "eyewitess" account. His shoes slipped on the carpet, and he slipped down and landed on his ass. He was right in front of me and I got a perfect view. Jerome and I both jumped at the same time and busted out laughing at the same time, when we knew he was OK.

To give you a feel for where I was see 070818_WPB_TWYMMF_JeromeCrackup_Claybill video @ 18 -20 and 33 seconds. I'm the blond sitting/perched against the railing.

I think 070818_WPB_Banter&TWYMMF_spotlightlover video @ 5:45 gives a pretty good perspective of what happened.

Poor Jerome. He was having a really hard time holding a belly-laugh in. Too cute.

You got the best view of just about anyone, except for the gals in the row before ours!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!! It was soooo funny watching Jerome just cracking up at Clay!!!!!!!! We never thought he'd jump off the stage right in front of us! What a special night!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: That moment will go down as one of my special concert memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank all of you who have been posting the crotch shots! One can never get enough of those!!!

I'm another one who didn't know this message board existed until rcknrllmom told me about it when we were in Houston together. I joined as soon as I got back home. I've become more of a lurker in the past year and can't seem to break out of that mode. Most of my posts are in the concert forums at both CV and CH.

I also had the pleasure of breaking bread with the eHP before the Fort Myers concert. I was so excited when Clay took Scarlett's camera. That was just one fabulous night!!!!! I was laughing so hard that my stomach started to hurt.

Clay had me at "Take". I was so upset when he didn't make the top two in his group that I refused to watch it until he came back as a wild card contestant. I love that this board celebrates Clay! I get so depressed when I read criticisms about him that I think go a bit overboard.

jmh - I'm glad you gave clues to your identity. It's also so nice to see so many familiar names on this board. I was wondering why there were so many who had joined recently. I haven't been on either CH or CV lately, so I didn't know about the link posted on those boards.

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Welcome, ialreadyam!!!! I know you're still waiting for that hug from Clay, but at least you got pretty close to him in both WPB and Orlando!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

KAndre - Thanks for the Newark recap. I so enjoyed it. I can't believe that the two concerts I've been to so far had Clay on his knees during "1999"! I don't think he's ever looked hotter, and I so appreciate your knack for details! :F_05BL17blowkiss: Also wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Houston pre-party! Of course I'll always remember how I almost caused Playbiller to miss out on her front ticket because I misread her ticket number!!!

Muski - Sorry about Carrie's team loss!

:00003653: Happy Birthday, Carolina Clay!!!!!!!!!

rcknrllmom - I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that you can find a way to make it to CA!!!!!!

I'm excited that our concerts are starting back tonight!! Woo Hoo!!!! :Tour3:

Hi, Savonnette!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: I so enjoyed meeting you in Houston, and I've been reading your posts on the CH! You are one very funny lady!!!!! You DH also has a great sense of humor! It must run in the family! LOL

Thanks to all who have welcomed me! I'll try to post on main. I'm looking forward to the concerts starting up again!!!!! :TourExcite:

Hi! I don't have any real talents to speak of, except that I do love teaching my special needs students.

I've been a Clay fan since the beginning of AI2. I began posting on the CB and TTC. I then ventured over to RHT, then OMC and CV. I lurk more than post on both the CH and CV. I recognize names from both boards. I met some of you at the CH preparty in Houston.

I can't wait to see Clay again in Newark and then at the Florida 4-fer!!! :Tour3: