JennaZ

Thanks for sharing your perspective, ausdon. I do think Clack has helped enlarge and sustain Clay's fandom. There is much in the concert videos that we don't get from CD's or sporadic television appearances. I am grateful to the many talented Clack Godesses, like Scarlett, who do what they do with courage, artistry, and discretion.

I think most fans would much rather see Clay live than on the internet, no matter how beautifully filmed. There really is nothing like hearing his voice live, and there's an electricity in being part of an enthusiastic and responsive audience. Add in the fun that comes from hanging out with great Clay pals before and after, and IMHO, there's no comparison. I would attend Spamalot in a heartbeat if I could justify it financially. However, for many fans, especially those on the West Coast, New York City just isn't an affordable option. It's not just the air fare. The hotel costs are killer.

I also used to stay up late to download every scrap of Clack. Now, I download very little. In fact, this latest tour, I've only downloaded two or three videos and an mp3 of the DC concert. I haven't lost interest in him. I just don't crave the Clack as much as I once did. I know he performed well. That's good enough for me.

The presence of Broadway performances on YouTube tells me that Clay fans are not the only ones who secretly film shows. Yes, it violates the rights of the writers, actors, and musicians involved in the production, but quite frankly, clack taken of Clay's orchestra performances could be said to violate the rights of the musicians and songwriters involved, and clack taken of Clay's television appearances violates the rights of the producers, directors, and other performers who technically should be paid for internet distribution. (In fact, a big part of the Writers' strike in Hollywood is about the right to be paid for internet downloads and streaming.)

Quite frankly, I'm a little puzzled about this deference the rights of the Broadway producers. Is it a fear that clack will depress ticket sales? Are people concerned that fans will be less interested in seeing him on Broadway if they saw him on the internet? If so, why do we think that would happen with Spamalot when no one seems to think it has happened with his concerts? Most seem to think that Clack makes fans more eager to see him live. Is it a fear that Clay will suffer if his producers find out fans have filmed his shows? I tend to think that they'll only find him blameworthy if he does anything to actively encourage filming. Or is there something about Broadway that is somehow more sacrosanct? I'm not advocating illegal filming, I'm just trying to get a grasp of the objections. And I'm not saying that he should "allow" it out of any obligation to fans. The right to film Spamalot is not his to give.

If there is clack, I do think it shouldn't go on YouTube. Unlike YouSendIts and clack vaults, it is subject to a much wider audience. Anyone looking for bootleg footage looks at YouTube first. Clack posted at that site carries a greater risk of being discovered by rights holders than clack distributed through fan channels.

I'll admit, the fact that I won't be able to make it to Broadway does make me hope there will be clack. Not of every performance. Not even of the whole show. Just one song. If it doesn't happen, I won't be heartbroken. But it would be nice.

I do think there is a tendency in the fandom for some to project their feelings on to Clay...Because fan A is feeling sad, depressed, etc. about something whether it be ATDW promotion, RCA, gnatty stuff...than Clay must be feeling that too. I think Clay is a lot stronger than some give him credit for...I am sure he has gotten pretty angry about stuff in the past couple of years, but I don't think he obsesses over it or let's it take over his life...I think he is very good at picking his battles and has probably learned the fine art of compromise; especially with RCA.

I agree. I don't think he is half as obsessed by the minutiae of his career than his fans are.

RE: Clack. My personal take is that while he doesn't mind fans taking videos, he does object to the distribution of unflattering images. And I can't blame him. Who wants to see video of themselves making a mistake? Most of us wouldn't put up embarrassing footage of ourselves online. Why should we put it up of him?

When that AIW first got attention, many defended its distribution on the grounds that, "I won't let haters ruin my fandom." To me, what it really came down to was a fear that Clack would be "censored," that fewer videos would be available as a result of excess caution. Clack is called "clack" for a reason. It's seriously addictive, and people will do anything to get it. Quite frankly, there seems to be a feeling by some that there is this almost fundamental right to Clack, and that nothing--not copyright laws, not union rules, not negative media, not even Clay himself--should interfere with a fan's ability to see video of everything he does in a public setting.

However, in today's internet world, I do think there is a need to at least ask the question, "Is it in Clay's best interest for this clack to be available?" 99.9% of the time, the answer's probably "yes." But there may be times when it's not, and I believe that we, as fans, have to recognize that our appetite for "clack" should not reign supreme.

I do believe that most clack-gatherers and vault keepers have exercised appropriate discretion. I also think that the AIW situation created a stronger awareness of the potential consequences of unchecked clack distribution. Hopefully, lessons have been learned.

And personally, I don't think he will shut down clack -- unless he gets burned by fan footage too many times. If fans can't be responsible about how they distribute his image, he may find it necessary to take it out of their hands.

I know that there are many names I've read repeatedly, but I believe they come from stub-hubs and such, and sheer willingness to pay for the privilege of a few minutes with the man. Or maybe it just seems like I read them often since they also have tales of endless, fabulous first row seats. *g*

Yeah, I agree. I know it can be a little disheartening to read about some who seem to have been to multiple meet and greets, but I think it's often because 1) they go to a lot of concerts, and thus increase their chances to win, and 2) they've paid for Stub Hub M&G's. However, as cindilu2 pointed out, there are also many first-timers including quite a few who never really post. We just tend to hear from the ones who post quite often.

Thanks for the recaps, luckiest!

I'm surprised by all the reports of people having difficulty getting into iTunes. I've been able to get in easily anytime last night and this morning.

Could it be the version of iTunes currently installed? I have iTunes 7.5.

((Claygasm)) I'm glad you had a great time with the gals, even if you had mixed feelings about the concert itself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Good luck to all of you with the M&G's.

Porn names, huh? Mine would be Misty Baltic.

I suspect the reason some stories are read more than once is because many of the other stories submitted for certain venues did not quite fit his creative vision for the show. Doesn't mean they were bad or unworthy, just that they weren't what he was looking for.

As much as fans view the stories as an opportunity to meet Clay (a kind of "prize"), for him, I think it's more about finding material that accomplishes his goals. He may believe it better to have certain good stories read multiple times than to have some awkward-fitting ones at some venues. Appropriately, his overriding concern should be to put on a good show, not to make sure that as many fan club members as possible get a chance to meet him.

However, I do think it says something about him that he was willing to bring fan stories into his concerts. To me, it indicates a great deal of confidence in the fandom, and a sincere interest in those who follow him. The fact that he personally read so many means that he wants to know who his fans are, that he finds their personal experiences worthwhile.

Those of you who submitted stories but didn't get picked -- take heart in the notion that he actually read your words. Maybe this wasn't your chance to meet him personally, but that story you sent in gave him a glimpse of your life. Even if he doesn't share it with others in concert, he may still remember it and carry it with him always.

Yeah, I tend to believe that Clay wouldn't tell fans anything he really wanted to be kept secret. His most recent disclosure is really just a fun, but minor tidbit. That said, I do find it off-putting for people to announce that "he told us a secret we can't tell you." Better to say nothing at all than to create an appetite for the so-called privileged information.

I think Clay can pull off the accent. He's had some exposure to the British (Simon, Nigel, Vanessa, etc.) and my suspicion is that he's worked very hard to get it right for this production. If it is convincing, I do think he can impress more than a few people out there.

Congratulations on the book drive's success, Rhody!

Lovely recap, bottlecap! Thanks.

I'm glad to hear that the book drive went so well!

play, it's a nice article, but someone posted at CV that it's a fan blog.

Believe me. It's not a fan blog. "Marnie" works for AmericanIdol.com. Note the other articles she's written.

She is also listed as MarnieSI, the "Idol Insider."

I am the Americanidol.com Copy Writer and "Insider Blogger."

Marnie

Looks like the Broadway strike is settled.

Stagehands, theater producers reach deal

Terrific job, Rhody! Glad to see your idea has soared!

I can't wait to see what the final total will be.

oh yeah those magic sing or mic are so much fun and so convenient too. My girls bring it to their school and everyone wants one but I don;t have any idea where they can get it. My daughter found a trick for the score...just sing lou and close to the mic...she gets 90 scores even when she does not know the song.

Leeana...we are totally in the .25 cents league with Mahjong. My friends have this pile of coins that circulates among them...its so much more fun when we don't worry about losing money.

Ansa, I've gotta try that. My scores are never that great, even when I think I'm doing well! I was kind of shy about singing at first, but my husband's family LOVES karaoke so every family event includes it. My brother's wife's family enjoy it too, and they're all shockingly good, even the younger ones.

I learned mah jong from my cousins, and we used to play for candy or beads. In grad school, I had a group of friends who played with the Chinese rules using sets with no English numbers. Luckily, we played for a penny a point, so I could have a bad night and still walk away only a dollar or two lighter! I don't really know anyone around here who plays, though, so I haven't done it in a while.

I know there are good deals out there today, but I just don't like dealing with the impossible parking, long lines, and massive crowds. As it is, I prefer to buy online. There are some good deals, they deliver straight to my office (or to the gift recipient), and I find it much less stressful.

MMMM Turporken...I wonder if that is like my dads stuffed chicken, where he debones his chicken and stuffs it full with this ground pork (pretty much like embutido), marinates in soysauce and lemon mixture and baked....

and Tres leches...is this similar at all to leche flan???

and Karaoke? was this with the magic mic???

Turporken is an alternate version of Turducken - turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken. I think it's kind of a cajun recipe. My sister-in-law ordered it online. But I think I've had something similar to what you discussed. My mom calls it, "galantina." (sp?)

Tres leches is a cuban dessert of cake soaked in three milks (regular, condensed, and evaporated) and topped with a meringue icing. Delish!

And yes, the karaoke is with what they call the "magic sing."

Just got back from my brother's place. We had:

Turporken (turkey stuffed with pork)

Honey baked ham

Meatballs

Cranberry sauce

Stuffing

Mashed potatoes

Green bean casserole

Sweet potato casserole

Macaroni salad

Fruit salad

Apple pie

Pecan pie

Tres leches

Plus - "Sex on the Beach" cocktails and lots of red wine.

Which may explain all the karaoke singing we did afterwards. I sang, "Top of the World" and "I Want You to Want Me."

Yes, it was a happy Thanksgiving!

Muski, your Thanksgiving dinner sounds divine!

Green bean casserole is one of those dishes I just love on Thanksgiving, and as my sister-in-law asks for it, too, I make it every year. In it's most simple form, it's a can of cream of mushroom soup, a large can of French fried onions, and green beans. Here's a selection of recipes. I usually use the basic recipe, but start with cooked fresh beans, and add sauteed shallots and mushrooms.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There's less gift-buying pressure than Christmas, I adore all the traditional foods, and it's a great time to appreciate all that we have.

Couchie, I hope you feel better soon! Congestion is no fun during the holidays!

Gibby, I'd love to try that cranberry-apple hot drink, one day. Sounds wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

We're going to my brother's place for dinner, and I'm bringing a green bean casserole and this sweet potato casserole. I've never made it before, so keep your fingers crossed!

I, too, am thankful for FCA. I was just about ready to log off the whole online fandom until I found this haven.

So, nothing like going to the trashed grocery store at 10pm on the night before thanksgiving trying to get the 5 things for the pumpkin pie cake that you don't have. I almost cried because there was no yellow cake..I wondered if butter cake would work equally as well...but I found one lone box. Then this canned pumpkin of which you speak... I searched high and low and all I found was pumpkin pie mix in a can so that's what I bought. I hope this turns out ok ... I'm sensing a disaster in the making.

I've done a lot of baking with cake mixes, and it's my experience that when you're adding strong flavors (like pumpkin), you can substitute butter cake, French vanilla, or even white cake for yellow without too much of a change in taste. In fact, in your case, I think you could have even used a spice cake mix and it might have worked well with the pumpkin. But I'm glad you found your lone box.

I don't think he has to give up ballads to have a more contemporary sound. There are actually quite a few highly successful ballads on the charts.

Take a recent favorite of mine, "Hey There, Delilah" by Plain White T's. Very simple song, but very earnest. Lover All Alone isn't that different. I could see those words having broad appeal, especially with younger listeners who feel they haven't found "The One," and who hope they will. However, LAL is arranged with piano and violins, which is beautiful, but a little less hip. If he were to use more of a guitar arrangement, his voice could still stay front and center, but the song might have a somewhat more contemporary feel.

I don't see Clay as a rock star. However, I do think that there is a way to make his music appeal to a broader audience without obscuring his voice or abandoning his creative center. IMHO, it's not necessarily about fast songs vs. slow songs. It's more about the arrangement and production, about finding the right sound.

Happy Birthday Cotton!

Nice news item on the book drive!

A. When they talk about direction, I don't ever know what that means. I hope anything I do will just be Clay Aiken. I won't do an album where I'm doing stuff people won't recognize as me. The album I did the last time was an album of love songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s. This will be new music, new songs that will become signature songs. They'll stand up against some of the mess in the market nowadays.

Honestly, I think this can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. I do think he's saying that he's not going in a radically different direction (i.e., not punk rock). However, whether this means an MOAM/ATDW sound or something a little different is still anyone's guess. His previous statement about wanting a producer who would "make me a little more hip without trying too hard" suggests to me that he may be trying to broaden his appeal somewhat.

I do find it entirely plausible that the covers album was a way to get an album out quickly when a first set of songs were rejected. I don't know if he was necessarily promised more control. My suspicion is that what may have changed was the method of approval. Instead of waiting until he'd completed an entire album before submitting it, he may be seeking approval on a song by song basis, so that he wouldn't waste time on material the label wouldn't accept. We've heard that two songs have already passed muster. He's also talked about "being on the same page." Perhaps he and the label have come together creatively, finding a sound that suits them both.

Will Clay ever be "popular" in the sense that Justin Timberlake or Kanye West are? Maybe, maybe not. However, I do think it's possible that with the right songs, he could gain new fans without alienating his old ones.

As found on CV and CH:

Famous 'Idol' runner-up gets in the Christmas spirit

By Kevin Johnson

POST-DISPATCH POP MUSIC CRITIC

11/22/2007

Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken says he wants to make this tour "as personal as possible."

(Getty Images)

Claymates are on alert.

Big-voiced Clay Aiken, the object of their affection and the most famous runner-up in "American Idol" history, is on his way to St. Louis to celebrate "Christmas in the Heartland."

"Doing a Christmas tour is kind of my Christmas tradition at this point,'' Aiken says. "I don't even know if I can do a December without doing a Christmas tour.

"I like doing Christmas tours because people have memories that go along with Christmas songs, more than regular secular songs. I'm not sure you remember where you were the first time you heard 'Bootylicious,' but you remember when you first heard 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,'""'' aka "The Christmas Song."

During his new tour, Aiken will incorporate original Christmas stories that fans submitted for the show.

"We wanted to make this as personal as possible," he says.

Aiken will perform with the Fox Theatre Orchestra. On previous tours, he has used high school choirs, community theater musicians and local symphonies. Initially, the orchestra idea scared him, but now he relishes the opportunity.

"I get a whole new orchestra every night, re-rehearsing each time with different people," he says. "Doing a regular show five nights can be stale. This freshens it up a bit. It's always interesting with these different personalities and people on stage."

In an interview last week, Aiken talked about the status of his new CD (which follows last year's "A Thousand Different Ways"); his debut next year in "Monty Python's Spamalot"; why he hasn't watched "American Idol" in a while; and that rumored tour with Ruben Studdard and Kimberly Locke.

Q. How are things going with the new album?

A. That's another reason why the New York opportunity ("Spamalot") worked out. I was in the process of putting something together for next year, that I hope to release sometime in the first half of the year. One of the benefits to doing the play is I would be in New York City anyway recording an album.

Q. What direction do you see yourself going on the next CD?

A. When they talk about direction, I don't ever know what that means. I hope anything I do will just be Clay Aiken. I won't do an album where I'm doing stuff people won't recognize as me. The album I did the last time was an album of love songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s. This will be new music, new songs that will become signature songs. They'll stand up against some of the mess in the market nowadays.

Q. What's the story behind your Broadway debut?

A. I thought doing five shows a week was something. Now I'm going to be doing eight shows a week. I never thought I would end up doing a Broadway play. I lived in North Carolina all my life and didn't see much of that circuit. But then I'd been going to New York more often and catching shows, and I was amazed at how hard-working and talented these people are. I hope I can hold my own.

Q. What's the appeal of doing Broadway for you?

A. I don't know if it's Broadway that's the appeal. It's not that I wanted to do Broadway. The appeal is the show. The show is atypical of Broadway. It's not an Andrew Lloyd Webber show with big ballads. It's silly and irreverent, an absolutely outside-of-the-norm type show. I was hoping to do something people wouldn't expect from me, and the character I play doesn't sing that big ballad I've sung all these years.

Q. There was talk of you, Ruben Studdard and Kimberly Locke touring together. What's the status of that?

A. I'm not sure where that came from. It wasn't even something that was discussed as, 'Oh, wouldn't that be a fun idea.'"

Q. Have you been keeping up with "American Idol" at all?

A. I haven't watched an episode in two years, by choice. It's not fun for me anymore. Everyone has to graduate at some point.

LINK

I think it's just possible that Clay's tastes in music are not in line with some of his fans. Which will make it very interesting when he does a CD that he claims to be truly "his." Hee.

Of course there will always be someone to blame...

I agree. No matter what he puts out, some fans will complain. However, I can't help but think that some have been waiting for a rock album that may never happen.

Eh, I think there was a lot of Clay in both MOAM and ATDW - not his concepts but he made them his own - especially live.

I agree. He's talked about the songs on these albums. Even if he didn't make the final selection on the album, I do believe he had a lot of input on the sound and production of them. I think there's more of him on those albums than many want to admit.

I don't think he's ever mentioned a particular fondness for modern rock or dance music. If he was drawn to it, I suspect he would have found a way to bring more of into his concerts (and not in mocking tones). I do think that it's entirely possible that he is seeking a more commercial pop sound, something that might appeal to a broader audience. I can't imagine that he'd abandon his principles to sing music that felt inauthentic or unnatural to him. However, I do believe he's an ambitious man. I'm not convinced that he's entirely satisfied singing to the same 3000 people over and over again.

BUT...whether on the internet or the radio...they must first HEAR the song before they know they like it enough to go buy it. THAT'S why I want radio play.

WORD, 001see. Radio may be a dying format, but I'd be willing to bet that it is still the driving force behind the majority of music sales in the world. Yes, some people hear new music on the internet. However, if you look at the top 50 best-selling artists, what the majority of them have in common are radio play, either now or at some point earlier in their careers. The only exception seems to be artists with strong television or film exposure (i.e, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, etc.) Many here may not listen to radio, but the fact is, millions of people still do. I think it's far from an irrelevent media, even now.

I'd love for Clay to continue to tour successfully. However, whether he can continue to do so without any significant rise in public exposure is far from certain. A radio hit could give him that. Of course, television or film could do that, too.

I want radio success for Clay, but to be completely honest, I suspect that may be the tougher route for him. I'm not saying it's impossible. With the right song, anything can happen, and I hope it does. However, he does have obstacles to overcome. He is not currently perceived as "hip" or "cool." He is believed to have a much older audience. Unlike Kelly, Carrie, or Daughtrey, he hasn't really been a radio favorite in the past, which may make programmers less likely to put him on automatically. I tend to believe that for him to make it on the radio, he's going to need a really great song, something with enough widespread appeal to overcome a lot of the biases against him.

However, the other route, television and/or film may, strangely enough, work for him better. These media take better advantage of his broader skill set, and seem less focused on what is "hip" or "cool" at the moment. If he can get something more sustained, like a television series, he could sell CD's and concert tickets without radio. After all, just one season of Idol exposure got him platinum music sales and years worth of concerts. And I do think television is more willing to embrace him, as evidenced by his appearances on such shows as the Nikelodeon Christmas Special, A Clay Aiken Christmas, the skating special, AIR, Scrubs, Ed, 5th Grader, The Insider, Tyra, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, Larry King, and Primetime Live, not to mention his multiple appearances on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel. I kind of have this feeling that he's been pursuing this avenue, though I doubt he'd announce anything until everything was completely confirmed and finalized.

He's a smart guy. I would not be surprised if he's working all fronts, radio and otherwise. However, whatever path he takes, I don't think it will be a conventional one.

My feelings on idol radio play are strange.

I actually like Kelly, Ruben, Elliott and Carrie as people. I think they're all decent human beings with real talent, and I wish them all well in their careers.

Daughtrey and Kim Locke, I'm a little less than neutral on, but I don't hate them and I recognize their appeal.

But the truth is, I can't stand hearing their songs, because the petty part of me resents the fact that they get radio play and Clay does not.

I believe Kelly is a good friend to Clay, but at my wedding, I told the DJ not to play any of her songs. I've walked out of stores playing Carrie, and asked my husband to change the radio when Daughtrey came on. I'm not proud of it, but I figure I'm free to listen to what I want, for whatever reason I want.

I know it's not popular to say this, but I can kind of see why Clay's had trouble with airplay -- and it's not solely attributable to lack of payola or a Clear Channel snub. I think his sound has not always been an easy fit on many formats. He's a fantastic singer with some good songs, but sometimes, that's just not enough.

Personally, I want to hear him on the radio. I believe that with the right songs, it is possible. However, if he is serious about radio play (and he's mentioned it too often for me to believe that he's not), he's got to listen to radio, and he has to find a producer who can find a sound that will appeal to programmers. Fans may not agree on whether that sound would be a good thing or not, but I think radio could make a big difference in his music career.

Then, again, perhaps that's not what he's ultimately after. A television/film career could make radio play less relevant, and I would not be surprised if that's what ultimately fuels his future success.