annabear

OMG! The 16 minute video of Lynda Loveland talking to him - or more aptly Clay talking - about music is INCREDIBLE!!!

Click on WRAL Exclusive: Clay Aiken Spills the Beans on Upcoming Album underneath his picture.

Clay Aiken Spills the Beans on Upcoming Album

Posted: Today at 7:07 a.m.

Updated: 33 minutes ago

New York, N.Y. — Raleigh native Clay Aiken is a busy man these days, performing at night on Broadway as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot," and working on his upcoming studio album during the day.

It's been five years since Aiken put together an original album, or at least he says, 95 percent original.

"Some of it is, you know, a kind of half-way version of original," he said. "But it's all stuff that I'd imagine 90 percent of people have not heard."

The songs had to meet two qualifications.

"They have to be something I'll enjoy and that I can do well," Aiken said. "And at the same time, they have to kind of fit into this common theme of 'On my way here."

"On My Way Here" is one of the tracks and might end up being the album title.

Aiken was working on two songs the day he invited WRAL's Lynda Loveland to the recording studio. The second is called "Ashes".

"Someone told me what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger," he said. "(The song) talks about bad things that might happen to you. You know, there's been some stuff that's happened in the last five years that I would rather have not happened, but you learn from things like that."

For the first time, Aiken's album is being produced by one person. He kept that person secret, until now.

Known only as Kipper, he is from the United Kingdom and might be best known for producing a Grammy award-winning album for Sting.

"We wanted to find someone who had a great reputation and had done stuff in the past that was kind of edgy and current," Aiken said.

Kipper is coming up with a new sound for Aiken and even wrote a song for him that's got a bit of an R&B vibe to it.

"We've captured some really great moments," Kipper said. "I'm very optimistic we're going to have a record where people will go, 'Is that Clay? Is that Clay Aiken?"

Aiken also hopes to include a song he's penned with producer David Foster, "Lover All Alone."

"It was my first attempt at writing anything, and David Foster wrote the melody," Aiken said. "He said, 'Take it home and write some lyrics."

It was seven months later, however, when Aiken was inspired.

"And then one day, I was sitting in Los Angeles, and all of a sudden, I had this idea, and I wrote it in, maybe, 15 minutes," he said.

Thursday at 5 p.m., Clay takes WRAL's Lynda Loveland behind the scenes of "Spamalot."

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! A possible R&B song!!! And he wants to include "Lover All Alone"!!!

Sending get well wishes & hugs to {{{{Clay & cast}}}}.

And annabear doesn't read posts - at least not bottle's!

I read everything - I just almost immediately forget it!

Hee - oooops! That's what I get for trying to be on the board *at work* and keeping the screen minimized to about 2 inches - tend to miss the posts at the top & bottom of each page!

ETA: Muski, I wanted to comment on how selfless it was of you to text Clay last night.....

I live close enough to go as often as I like. But there are those nasty, nasty, nasty things that always get in the way of my fun.

Work and money.

Maybe I should start playing the lottery!

They are nasty, nasty, nasty!!!

I am still laughing over Kimberme on Ai2 rewind - guess America did not like her hair, delusional much?

I know - that part made me laugh out loud at my TV!

Play, we come to the clay aiken boards to exchange information and share fan moments. Who's going to give those reports if those who do go will stop writing about their adventures, Clique?

HA HA! Scarlett made a BIG funny!

Aww, Cotton..... And a very gentle {{{hug}}} for your adorable little Aunt.

My mom & I have had the 'you only live once' discussion many times over the past few years. At one time, she might have been one who thought that traveling to concerts or shows was ridiculous. In 2001, she was diagnosed with stage IV breat cancer. As we sat in her oncologist's waiting room on 9/11, watching the news, I think we both changed our outlook on life and started living more for the moment because you never know when or what you could be hit with. She'll be going with me to NYC in April.

I'm loving these great reviews!!! Go Clay!!! Seriously, I wish they'd consider doing a DVD of the show while he's there so that everyone could see him.

That's what I meant when I said mine CUTE little bears are my poor woman's Sir BearRobin! I love them. And they are CUTE. But they are down and dirty representations.

I love your little Sir Robin teddies! Your put a lot of detail into them even thought they're small. I'm sure everyone who got one loved them, too!

Your bear is a marvelous recreation of the almost real thing!

Can't wait to see him when you're finished! How tall is he?

My little guys are only 8 inches tall (sitting). They are not articulated and don't stand.

But you made the bear, too, right?

I can imagine how many hours have gone into this.

Did you block print the squares? Is the chicken stitched?

Could I ask any more questions?

Thank you! Yes, I made the bear. He is articulated & is 18" tall, standing. I quit counting hours on such projects a long time ago! Yes, I block printed the squares. The chicken on his tunic is a rubber stamp I found. I was going to print out & iron on, but decided to make it a little different. The rubber chicken is actually a stress relief toy - it's filled with sand-like stuff and you can squish & squeeze him! The chicken, that is.........

Chain mail & armor took a back seat to cleaning today. I haven't been able to train the cats to vacuum and do laundry yet - damn. :glare:

Your recaps and the new details you bring back each time are cracking me up, Play! If I lived close by, I'd probably end up at the Shubert more often than not.

"Not let's go to a hoedown and bring a banjo country music" BWAH!! Thanks for the explanation CUTE AI2 Clay!

Your bear is coming along, Annabear did you change wigs? Are you going to "paint" the mail?

I did change wigs, Play. I ordered the same one, but in a larger size, along with another longer style. The longer one was just waaaay too much hair, even if I cut it. This larger version of the original worked out well, I think. When he's done, I'll post a profile & back shot. No painting for the mail part - I found a great metallic knit on the upholstery bargain table at the fabric store. I will be doing some painting on his armor, though. Still need to "soil" - hee! - his tunic a bit, too!

Cindilu, you certainly know how to accentuate the positive!

I'll say!!! I absolutely adore that main pic you used. Well, I adore almost any profile shot - he's sooo beautiful. Thanks for sharing! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Couchie, I was actually the same way in home ec when it came to making clothes. My mom & grandma were so disappointed, as they had always been big sewers. They could go window shopping, pick out some fabric, go home & whip up the latest styles. The few attempts I made on clothes always looked like a science experiment gone wrong... Teddy bears are much more forgiving!

gbmifan, I admire your attitude, strength & faith. I hope that your son & dil will draw from you if they need to do so. More {{{{{Big Hugs}}}}} to all of you.

From toni via CH:

Spamalot EVENING Update

I just got a call from Scarlett. Spoke to her and Solo. They said he was great tonight. You could not tell he was sick at all. Voice was great and dancing was very energetic.

The Knights that say Ni did a Star Wars/Darth Vadar thing...three times saying I am your Father and it was very funny. I dont follow Star Wars but I think that is what Scarlett said. She said Clay was starting to laugh and had to turn away and brought his hand up to his face. She said it was hystrerical.

We had a bad cell phone connection and I lost her so that's all I got. They were all excited and loved the show tonight! She said great crowd looked sold out and they saw a few fans but definitely a NJU crowd!!

And progress report on my Sir Robin Teddy - We had a rough fitting for his tunic this evening. Chainmail & armor tomorrow!

{{{{gbmifan & family}}}} How tragic. I'm so sorry.

Hope Clay is feeling better *soon*.

Those are too CUTE, Cotton!!

Happy Birthday, skybar! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Awwwwww, that review makes me all schmoopy. I'm so proud of him, y'all.

I'm also thrilled that they gave the rest of the cast their props as well.

*happy sigh*

from CB mammat53

I am back! It was Awesome!

I have some very sad news for the North Carolina Hoodie lovers.

Tuesday night whilst Clay was signing my Playbill be dropped the sharpie down the front of him. He loudly proclaimed "Oh Crap!", and fumble to retreve the sharpie and my playbill from his chest.. Then said "I won't be able to wear this again" My autograph is unique it shows the slippage

He autographed himself..

Hope there is video.

Aww, {{{{Muski}}}}. Job woes SUCK. Sending positive vibes :F_05BL17blowkiss: your way.

And a whole lotta handsome, too....

Whenever he's ready, I'm ready for whatever he's ready for.

Thread title poll at the top of the page. Only 3 choices this time! I think we're slipping!

Whenever he's ready, I'm ready for whatever he's ready for.

*wanders off to thread title nomination thread humming something about sunshine in the month of May*

Thanks, merrieeee!

She is so pretty and WOW, what a voice!!!

Yeah...and she was like, rolling around in bed with those big fluffy...pillows. And stuff.

Okay, you guys...You flattered me into making a wallpaper.

http://www.findingclayaiken.invisionzone.c...43_37_48025.jpg

heh

I can see your graphic above on the side of a bus!!

Can't you?

It would cause too many accidents as women as the bus drives by......

The banner is verrrrry, verrrry niiiice, 00lsee.

annabear, do you have a costume shop nearby? I would think getting a wig and taking it apart might be better than what Michael's has to offer. Plus one wig should provide enough hair for several bears.

Good idea. May have to take a trip downtown, but it might be worth it.

ok, I'll shush about Clay bears now...unless, of course, anyone wants to talk about bare Clay....then I'm in.

I had to do a double-take & make sure that wasn't muski posting there!

And now I'm off to so I can get up early for day 1 of a 2 day "Project Management" workshop tomorrow.......

OOPS- didn't want all of the pictures in my photobucket account to show up- there is a particularly horrendous one from my summer M&G with Clay that I vowed would never be seen by anyone but me- and I don't even particularly want to look at it! I'll have to see if I can figure out how to add just that picture.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/lal...an/BearClay.jpg

YAY- it worked!

Awww! So cute with the plaid shirt & jeans. I'll be sure to let you know when I finally finish if you'd like to order one, laljeterfan.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Yes, extensions would be perfect, laughn. I wish there were a craft store locally with more of a selection than Michael's. Online ordering is always so iffy.

I'd love to go into 'mass production', but I'd have to charge too much in order to actually make a living! I did it for a little while right after I left college. We had a wonderful co-op craft store that had been in business for about 20 years - true handmade, high-quality items like clocks, pottery, fiber arts, oil painting, quilting, stained glass. At times I brought home more per month than working a regular full time job. At times being the key phrase, unfortunately. I do things now more as a hobby and for charity events. I used to travel for shows/sales, but now my time off work is for traveling to concerts! I design all of my own patterns and try to buy as little 'ready made' as possible, things like the rubber chicken for example.

ETA: Ooooooooh, Florida!!! Have fun & safe travels, rohdy! And, yes, get to work on those extensions, will ya?!

I loved reading about the bear bidding. If I had the money to be able to do such things, I'd do 'em!

This latest great recap of the show with so many details is great! Thanks for bringing it over, ldyj. And Quiana looks so cute with her new hair cut!

Progress report on my homemade "Clay as Sir Robin" teddy:

I'm not sure about the wig.... it doesn't come out as long once it's on the bear's head. I'm looking for another style. It & the ears are just pinned in place for now.

LOL, muski! Um, no......

Once I get the outfit done, I'll add up exactly how much he cost to make. I might take some orders if anyone is interested when I post a pic of the finished product. He'll be 18" tall. BTW, making bears is how I got my nickname/screenname!

Play, I actually found a good deal on the doll wig here - Kemper Dolls. After messing with it a bit, I think it'll look pretty close.

I'm actually making my own "Clay as Sir Robin" bear, and fortunately he'll end up costing much less than $17,000! Of course, he won't be autographed either. He's a work in progress right now. I even picked out a tousled looking blond fur....

Tomorrow he'll get a nice filling meal of poly-fill, a nose & mouth and I'll decide what to do with his ears vs. his wig. Then I can start on his chain mail, armor & tunic....

That look is priceless! What is he signing there? A bobblehead of himself?

$17,000? Seventeen-THOUSAND?? Dollars???

Speaking of premium tickets, it cracks me up that Spamalot premium tickets are currently $251.50, and for some reason, starting May 6th, the prices drop down to $176.50. Wonder why that is?

Seriously, is it worth an extra $75.00 to see this up close and personal?

Well, I got lucky the morning tickets went on sale. I'll let you know for sure, if I survive in April, but I'm gonna take a wild guess and say YES!

I saw some really CUTE guy on my TV tonight singing "Somewhere Out There". It was from a few years ago. Wonder whatever happened to him???

I heard a rumor that he's currently shaking his stuff eight times a week on Broadway, but I'm not sure if it's the same guy or not...

Wow! I saw the same CUTE guy and heard the same rumor!