jmh123

:Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3:

I wish I was there....*sigh*

Me 3, triple sigh.

At least I have two more concerts.

:TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite:

You're kidding? Of course we should have an exclusive FCA table! Hopefully there won't be a lot of people there, and it'll be pretty easy to find each other. If you have a cell, we can exchange numbers, and you can call once you get there if you can't find us. That would be kind of cute, wouldn't it?

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Tour3: :Tour3: :TourExcite: :TourExcite:

Love ya CA peeps!!

Karen Eh? Your pictures are scrumptious. I knew I loved that shirt. He looks so fine.

I love the way his eyes twinkle in this one:

I like how red his hair looks.

GAH!

Get that note just right:

We'll be at Lucky32 at 3 pm the day of the concert. See PamelaJ's post at the CH towards the end of the Raleigh thread for a link and directions. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll find it and PM you.

Woot! Glad you'll be there!!

Your post was so cute, Muski, I'm just going to steal part of it to congratulate the Blaze and wish them well!!!

WOOT!

:laola0: :ura: :nana:

GO BLAZE!

The suits are trying so hard, operating on the model that they must tell people who and what to like, and they can't understand why it isn't working. But it's really so simple. Good music. Variety.

OK we are looking into finding a hotel room in the area so that we can have a place to hang after dinner, before the concert, and then a place to chill afterwards. Then onwards to Asheville in the morning!

So who do I pm about the head count? PamelaJ at CH?

YAY! Yes, PamelaJ at CH. Lots of people seem to be staying at the Residence Inn cause it's very close to Koka Booth. The Days Inn, Best Western, and La Quinta are also close. Also the Homewood Suites looks nice, and is pretty close, but on the wrong side of the highway. Don't know if that'll matter. I'd stay away from the Red Roof Inn, if it's anything like the one I stayed at down here once when my Expedia reservation wasn't honored at another hotel. It was gawdawful.

Cheekbones! Sigh.

Yeah. Cheekbones! And stubble! Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

And, jmh, you know what those pictures are doing to me, don't you?

Ummmm, same thing they're doing to me??? Heh.

Couch Tomato--interesting report from your cousin. Can't wait to hear the rest.

EEEEEE!!!!! I have a new avi. Ldyjocelyn, your new one is so cute!!

ETA again: keep forgetting to mention that this is so cool:

ETA: I played with one of the slightly fuzzy pictures I posted and I think it looks kind of cool this way. (clickable)

Forgot to link tsunamimommy's album: tsunamimommy - Newark

More from tsunamimommy:

More pretty pictures, by tsunamimommy:

You're wrong.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.....

I dunno--I haven't seen a vid of this yet, and only this one pic.

Reminds me of the time during the NAT when Jerome came out with the blonde wig to sing the WY duet with Clay and Clay made him stay on stage. That time Clay was large and in charge. They're a funny pair--I lurve them. Looks like they're sharing a lot of KK's and Mac n' Cheese dinners too.

Taking a break from working hard on a project today. I've been reading some recaps at the CB. One was from the daughter of the man who hollered out to Clay that it was cooler in Row N. Here's a bit of another one that's really cute:

My sister in law came with me to the show. She is a fan, but she does not follow everthing Clay does, nor did she know anything about this tour. I was good and I didn't give away too much. She was totally blown away by Clay. She is more smitten with him than I am. She is ready for the Christmas tour and is willing to drive to Connecticut (please note she did not want to drive 15 minutes to go to Newark) to see him. My sister in law is willing to work overtime to get good seats from a broker.

She could not get over how funny he is and said he had this stage magnetism that she never saw before.

You can read the whole recap here, CB Newark recaps thread, page 4, and more good ones in the rest of the thread.

This picture from CV's mustbeeme is a hoot:

So Play, I'll see you and Fear there at 3, and hopefully see lickiest and the rest of the gang. there as well. YAY!!!

>>>>bigappleforclay's LAA from last night. Run, don't walk.

Where may I find this??? I don't have keys to any board's vault.

Thanks!!!

Clack Unlimited: http://www.clackunlimited.com/

Here's the LAA: bigappleforclay's videos

My group might be....but I will be at the mercy of NCDonna and mandmlady, so I can't say for sure what time we'll be coming into town. I think the best thing is to exchange cell #'s again and then hopefully find each other the day of.

Wah!! I was afraid of that. Hopefully they'll want to come into town early. I've still got your # programmed into my phone. Do you still have mine? I'll PM you me land line # too.

Great recap of butterflyshine's M&G. I thought this part spoke volumes:

Well, let me put it this way. The world abounds with a lot of conspiracy theories. In actuality, there are very few conspiracies in this world, so no.

Well, you know, RCA made him say that... :eusa_whistle:

BWAH!!!!!

Boo hoo!!!! I wanna be in CA playing with all the cool kids.

Y'all have a blast!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

CH just got connected right before the concert started. His voice is coming in pretty well, the orchestra not so much, and there's a bit of distortion, but it's listenable.

Any chance of an FCA get-together in Cary? It was like herding cats to get the NY group anywhere but the concerts, and I was so disappointed not to have playtime with lickest, cindilu, crimsonice, and the rest of the gang. PamelaJ just posted on the CH that some of the Claymaniacs are meeting at a restaurant at 3 pm, invited others, and wants to know in advance if others are coming so she can notify them so there'll be enough staff on hand. It's about a mile from the venue. Anyone else up for it? If so, le me know, so I can PM her and give her a # of people to expect.

I'm really, really hesitant about posting, but here goes--Been lurking for a long time and being delightfully entertained by talented, articulate, funny and smutty gals! Love you all!

If I could turn back the clock, I would be trecking from venue to venue with you to enjoy "OUR MAN CLAY"

Been to two Christmas concerts and now looking forward to celebrating my birthday at the Kravis center in WPB.

Hoping to all the devoted fans there--will know by the broad smiles on your faces.

Dreamin' of a Clay handshake---guess when you are 83 you can dream?

Voted for him every week but the last time I could never get through---He's still #1...

So glad you posted. I've been seeing your name on the "online" list for ages now. Now you should get really brave and post on Main!! Heh.

Welcome to AAIT too. So glad to have you here.

From Lylekira at CV:

Speaking of BB4CA, someone over there put together a list of all the little tidbits we've "learned" from the Meet and Greets with Clay. Remember these are from from M&G's and are subject to the Aiken Fog so sprinkle with a dash of salt. However, its a cool list, and I had missed some of these things.

1. The reason that he doesn't sing "Touch" is that he simply doesn't like the song.

2. Clay really doesn't care for the song "Shine" either.

3. Raleigh loves to travel and even whined when Clay left her to go on the Evening with Clay Aiken 2007 Tour".

4. Clay doesn't like for fans to contact his Mother about things that upset them and asked that if there is something you don't like to contact him.

5. Clay will stay with RCA as long as they will have him.

6. Clay isn't a Harry Potter fan.

7. Clay let us know that the new CD might take longer than we have ever had to wait.

8. He was not that fond of "A Thousand Days".

9. Clay had a more positive inclination toward "Tears Run Dry".

10. We also learned that he likes creamy and crunchy peanut butter- as long as the peanuts are crunchy, not rubbery.

11. He likes ketchup, mustard, and mayo on his hot dogs.

12. He sleeps on the left side of the bed, right side if you are looking at it.

13. He gave his white Volvo to mom.

14. He kept his silver Volvo convertible in LA.

15. He also likes Audi cars.

16. Has loud frogs in his pond; and can imitate their sounds.

17. Jamie doesn't like frogs.

18. Durham is "dumb".

19. Durham and Raleigh from different breeders.

20. Raleigh is from the same bloodline as the dog on "Something about Mary".

21. "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" tapes sometime in August.

22. He and Jamie went to his college friend's wedding.

23. He previewed possible new upbeat song for new CD in Canandaigua. Wouldn't tell us the the name of it or give us the initials.

24. Jaymes is allowed to call him "Clayton".

25. He wants an educational-type talk show; would like maybe Diane Sawyer & Larry King as guests.

26. RCA is happy w/new producer choice for new CD.

27. Clay willing to fight for what he wants on the new CD.

28. Regarding changing labels ..."better the devil you know than the devil you don't"...all labels have their problems.

29. He likes most people he works w/@ RCA.

30. He did not read our "Songs We Dare You To Sing" thread so he did not get the ideas from us.

31. He said he wasn't really into or wasn't feeling "Back For More" so he won't be recording it.

32. "These Open Arms" is his current favorite to sing and he never gets tired of singing Invisible.

33. He likes when people stand up! When asked what to do if the person behind you tells you to sit down? He said to tell them to be quiet.

34. In an effort to make these meet and greets special he tells some things that he asked the winners not to share on the boards.

35. "This Is The Night" is a hard song to sing.

36. He has no contol over what singles are put out from the album....he can only give his opinion.

37. If he could have picked a single from ATDW he would have chose Lonely No More or These Open Arms.

38. Clay gives great hugs.

39. Clay looks you in the eyes when he talks to you.

40. Clay was told by the label to do a covers CD or wait three years. So he chose the covers CD rather than the long wait.

41. Clay was asked about a PBS special and said they contemplated one but want to wait until he has more original material.

42. TBAF will expand into adult programs as Mike Bubel ages & matures.

43. Doesn't plan to do country songs; pop can crossover into country, but not vice versa.

44. Imitated Arnold Schartzenegger;

45. Has done more than just meet Arnold Schartzenegger in Canada (apparently sang at a private governatorial event 1-2 years ago).

46. Re: secrets told for M&G's only: Clay said, "This is my serious face...if it gets out, I will know who tells and there will be no more meet and greets for anyone!" (snarky)

47. Appreciates his fans; doesn't take for granted.

48. Was asked if he'd like to work more with Steven Curtis Chapman and joked that SCC won't call him back or return his calls.

He said "we do talk to each other...in fact...he hasn't called me back! I left him a message before I went to Afghanistan and he still hasn't called me back!" he turned to Jamie and Mary and acted mad and said "He hasn't called me back!!" I said "Maybe he needs your new iphone number!" Clay said "it's the same!" I said, "well there goes that excuse!"

49. RE: SCC, We did work on a song awhile back. Brett said something to my mom and I was talking to Steven about it and he wrote a song. It was called "What I'm fighting for" It was a great song and I wanted to put it on the album, but then it didn’t really fit on the album since we changed direction with it. I think Steven is going to use it, now. (October)

50. Asked if he would do a Christian CD and he said he would like to do it someday but label would not support it.

51. He was asked if he and Jimmy Kimmel are good friends and he said yes that they each have a poster of the other over their beds... (snark ????)

52. Clay said he does not like "Back for More"! He thinks it is "cheesy" and oly sang it because the audience wanted it.

53. When asked if BAF galas would be in Raleigh, he said No, they will look at other cities. Talked to him about the 100 camps goal. Yes, but look how much money we raised at Raleigh Gala when all I had to do is @#%$ myself out.

54. When asked if fans could help with label, he said good question....No, just buy it even if it is crap.

55. He said that things are going very well right now, they are on the same page with the CD.

56. He told us in the M&G (Sterling Heights) that he does NOTHING to warm up before a show. Doesn't gargle with olive oil, doesn't do "mi mi mi mi" - just prays.

57. Clay was asked if he and Kimmel were as close as Kimmel says. Clay said, “we do talk to each other on the phone. He is really funny. Have you ever seen his show? He's just really funny!"

58. There was a question about if Clay had something to do with Kimmel getting something in north Carolina...Clay said "I actually had NOTHING to do with that, but it's nice for him to give me credit anyway!"

59. Clay was told that Kimmel says Clay is his "go to" guy! And Clay made a funny face (like he was thinking about that statement) and said "do I really want to be Kimmel's go to guy?" and laughed.

60. He said that the label was being very supportive and working well with him on what all to put on the next album. Said they seemed to be on the same page.

61. Columbus to be last night we will hear "A Thousand Days". He's falling asleep during it, it is so boring

62. "A Thousand Days" is hard on his voice and drags on and on. (don't know if Clay said that or not.)

63. He read the Columbus review with regards to "Lover All Alone". He's mostly thinking about dinner and food. Someone asked him he was a "Lover All Alone", he gave a very political answer. He just tried to write things that worked.

64. Clay said that he had no idea when the new albun would be out but he could assure us it will be all new material, no covers.

65. He does eat all the recipes that are in his book. Someone said they did not like the spaggetti recipe and he said " I am telling my mama cause it is her recipe"

66. Clay was telling us about putting in something different in place of "A Thousand Days" and he said "knock on wood" and he knocked on my head.

67. Questions were asked about the new CD and he said it would be a very long time. Given Clay's definition of "soon", I hate to even think about "a very long time",

68. Someone asked what were his favorite venues to play, he took alot of time to think, I noticed that that his cheek was twitching when he was thinking. He finally stated that he likes auditoriums best because then people were close to the stage and he likes to have his audience close.

69. He talked about the upcoming Christmas tour and how he thought it was scheduled mostly in the midwest. No Canada stops - he didn't even think there was a raleigh stop this Christmas.

70. He mentioned they had sent a male producer some music and if he comes back with the right kinda sound that Clay's looking for, then it will be a done deal and will be announced sometime when the tour was over.

71. He talked alot about missing his dogs and how the two of them were plenty. He stated he missed Raleigh - he wouldn't name who was allergic on the bus but stated it wasn't Jesse and not to believe the boards.

72. Someone asked him if he was happy and he said of course he was happy, why wouldn't he be?

I think we could add a few too:

73. Clay has grown less fond of MOAM or doesn't like it as much as he used to.

74. Jerome used to work for rappers and had to wear a bullet proof vest. Very happy working for Clay. Its like a vacation, and he's gonna stay with Clay for a long long time.

I've xxxx'ed out #40, as someone who was there specifically stated that he did not say this.

That's a great list lylekira brought from BB4CA to CV. Thanks for bringing it over here. I have only one quibble, and it has to do with one of those fan things where rumors and misunderstandings become truth. Anntherese from CH tried to clarify that, but it's been pretty much ignored (probably because it's more "fun" the other way). #40 says,

40. Clay was told by the label to do a covers CD or wait three years. So he chose the covers CD rather than the long wait.

With the last album, they had a choice...to do the cover CD or else have to wait even longer to get out a CD. He said they chose to put out the CD of covers rather than wait.

Last night you told us that his choice during the last album cycle as presented to him by the label was make a covers CD or wait three years, is this accurate?

Last night in chat I did mention that Clay said something about "waiting 3 years" in reference to the making of the last CD. Today when I was writing my recap, I deliberately left that piece of information out because to be quite honest, I couldn't remember the exact context in which it was said and I did not want anything I might write to be misconstrued, misunderstood or misinterpreted. So, I left it out rather than include something that was unclear. However, since I mentioned it in chat last night, and it is being mentioned now on main, I will try to address it as best I can.

Please understand that I did not keep an audio recorder in my purse recording every word Clay said. So, I can't go back and listen to it again to know exactly what he said. I am relying on my memory in which there are bits and pieces of words and sentences that remain, but some that have already begun to fade.

My recollection is quite simply that Clay talked about having a choice on the last CD: to do the covers or wait...and here's where I think he said... something to the effect of ..."wait another 3 years". I don't think that number had any significance beyond that it meant they had to choose between doing the CD of covers or else wait and not put out a CD at that time. I think it was as Corabeth mentioned in her post...that they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. I think at that time, they didn't want to have to wait another "3 years" (or however long it would be) to put out the sophomore CD. (MY words...not his!). MOAM came out in 2003 and it was early 2006 when we got the blog to "open your minds for something different" and the "love songs Valentine blog". So there's 3 years right there. He may have just been implying that it already was almost 3 years since MOAM and they didn't want to have to wait another "3 years" to put out the next CD. A figure of speech sort of thing rather than a literal representation of time. He did not say or imply that the label told him "do this CD or else wait for 3 more years". It was Clay describing the decision they had to make back then of doing the CD of covers.

Is that clearer? Does that clarify some of the confusion? I don't think he was referring to the CD they are working on now. He stated that right now the process is going well. I think the 3 years was in reference to doing the covers CD in 2006 vs. having to wait an indefinite and uncertain amount of time with no CD to put out.

I hope this clarifies some of the confusion.

ETA:

Sounds like a rock and a hard place.... a hard rock at that. Perhaps they thought it would sell like gangbusters the way Rod's first Songbook did.

Yes, this is what I understood Clay to be implying.

That "do an album of covers or wait three years," if true, is strange and interesting; I guess it must reflect some part of the contract terms.

There was nothing in what Clay said or implied that had any reflection whatsoever on the terms of his contract. The contract was never mentioned.

The version that's making the rounds now it that Clive gave Clay an ultimatum: either record the covers CD or he wouldn't be allowed to record anything for three years. Alrighty then.

Anntherese says: "He did not say or imply that the label told him 'do this CD or else wait for 3 more years'." That sounds pretty clear to me.