jmh123

Honestly I don't know what the hater sites say first hand, but I do think they are a source for some of the Insider Info. I saw a long post on another board about how a froggie dude claims to talk to Clay all the time (just last week he was in LA signing a record contract with Warner's--oopsie, turned out he was in NY), and even though this poster doesn't believe he really does talk to Clay, so much of his info does turn out to be correct (??? *@#$*@)#$ BSBSBSBSBS) that he must have some kind of inside source. So I have no idea what the hater sites say about the tour. Sorry for the confusion.

Y'all are mistaken. Don't you know that despite the newspaper articles, the website articles, and the TV and radio spots that have come up prior to this, all mentioning ATDW, we have NO idea what Clay's going to sing on this tour. NONE. Do not delude yourselves. These people are just extrapolating, they have no real information. The tour will be made up of nothing but songs from the new album, the one that Clay's going to announce on Kimmel next week. The orchestras are just going to be there on tour as set decoration. They aren't actually going to play. Clay will be performing rock songs with his rocking band. There will be No Covers. I know The Truth. I have Insider Connections. (I read all the hater blogs.) It's Spring. Clay said so. Trust me.

I'd really like this as well. Man's got a fascinating mind, and I'm afraid not all that many people know about it. I would really love to hear his viewpoints on what is going on in his life. I'd be enthralled, I'm sure, and I think not.just.us people would really think long and hard (heh) about their view of him after such an interview. Unfortunately, though, two things: 1) for some reason, the media DOES think that we'd rather hear about Britney's latest escapades, or Lindsay Lohan's latest rehab stint. The media is so cynical in this regard. H.A.T.E. 2) I'm not totally convinced that Clay wants to let that part of his life out yet. He may still be in "process" stage, at least with the latest Afghanistan stuff. OTOH, he did a good job with the media last week. I don't know...now I'm confused. Happens all the time. Funny, I had a couple more lines in my post that I deleted, to the effect that the absence of this kind of thing may be his choice--so I don't think you are confused. It may be that it's about the invasion of his privacy that can result from the in-depth interviews, that he just hasn't wanted that since he moved back to Raleigh. I think if he finds the right person or persons who are interested in serious stuff, he'd go for it, but he's not interested in courting paparazzi, showing up at the "right" places, and so forth like some do. Kimmel!!! squeee!!! He must be on Kimmel to introduce his new album cause it's spring and last time Kimmel said you don't even have an album out so now he must have one now or he wouldn't be back on Kimmel. squeeee!!!! Cause you know he isn't going to sing that boring old ATDW with the symphonies on his tour, on account of it didn't sell but half a million copies. So there must be a new album. squeeee!!!!!!!!! And it must be with a new record company, and it's, like a surprise album, which isn't the same as having NO promotion, not-at-all. [/snark]

Not often do we get to see the work of a photographer who sees like our fan photographers see. These pictures are exquisite. Where have these been hiding, and how did they pry them from the hands of The Evil Ones? :brows I am so ready for another interview and photo spread like Elle, Rolling Stone, EW--in depth, inside the man--or a Primetime-type TV interview. There's so much he must have to talk about now, so much has happened since the night of those amazing photos. I'd like to hear about his UNICEF trips in depth, about how he feels about the BAF and all it's accomplished, what it is like being on the Presidential Committee. I'd like for him to be interviewed by Anderson Cooper so the hawtness factor will be huge, plus there'll be all the intelligence and sensitive stuff going on too. His Angelina Jolie interview was amazing--gimme some of that with Clay please. I know Clay isn't as big a deal as she is, but please, oh, unenlightened entertainment media, please, gimme a big chunk of Clay Aiken. Cause you know people are still curious about him, big time; you know it would still sell. I'm sure y'all have stuff you'd like to hear him talk about in depth too. Does the American public really need to know that much about the daily lives of Anna Nichol, Howard, baby daddy and the little one? Of Paris and her compadres? I guess there's a claim based on ratings being made by some suits somewhere that keeps that drivel on.

I think he looks great, I'm immensely proud of him, and I thank you so much for bringing the photos over, merrieeee!!

Yahoo - Solooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Tour3:

I'm getting a huge kick out of the eHP today--y'all really are evil, and I love you!! You kept that supersekrit insider info to yourselves really well, and bragged about it after the fact only obtusely. Admirable. Thanks for bring that quote over about UNICEF and their PR arrangements--that's fascinating stuff. Guess Clay doesn't need his very own publicist to handle his UNICEF PR, does he? In fact, it seems to be quite clear that he wants to keep his entertainment career very separate from his humanitarian efforts. Good for him. It's pretty hard not to love the guy, isn't it? :Tour3:

Thanks for your perspective, artquest. As soon as I read that quote, I wondered what your experience was.

I was going to post about this awhile ago about the time the Afghanistan news came pouring in, but now seems a good time to do it. iTunes lists the songs available from an artist in the order of their popularity. I have no idea whether this represents total sales or some other time period, but given the results, I'm not sure it matters. Some of the "oldest" releases are right up at the top. One advantage of waiting is that I can present two lists, one from April 9, and one from today. April 9: Mary, Did You Know.........................................................Merry Christmas With Love Bridge over Troubled Water......This is the Night - Single Solitaire.....................................The Way / Solitaire - EP This Is the Night........................This is the Night - Single The Way....................................The Way / Solitaire - EP The First Noel............................American Idol - The Great Holiday Classics A Thousand Days..................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) On the Wings of Love................American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs O Holy Night....................................................................Merry Christmas With Love Invisible.........................................................Video Without You..........................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Right Here Waiting................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Every Time You Go Away.......................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Measure of a Man..........................................Measure of a Man Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful.......Merry Christmas With Love Silver Bells............................American Idol - The Great Holiday Classics Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas............................Merry Christmas With Love I Want to Know What Love Is...............A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Everything I Have..................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Because You Loved Me..........................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Winter Wonderland........................................................ Merry Christmas With Love Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word....A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) I Will Carry You..............................................Measure of a Man The Way........................................................Measure of a Man Don't Save It All for Christmas Day..................................Merry Christmas With Love Broken Wings.........................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Merry Christmas With Love..............................................Merry Christmas With Love Silent Night......................................................................Merry Christmas With Love Joy to the World..............................................................Merry Christmas With Love When I See You Smile.............................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Everything I Do (I Do It for You)..............A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Lonely No More.......................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Sleigh Ride.......................................................................Merry Christmas With Love Here You Come Again.............................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) These Open Arms...................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)...Merry Christmas With Love I Survived You...............................................Measure of a Man When You Say You Love Me..........................Measure of a Man Perfect Day................................,...................Measure of a Man Run to Me......................................................Measure of a Man Touch............................................................Measure of a Man What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?.................................Merry Christmas With Love Shine............................................................Measure of a Man No More Sad Song........................................Measure of a Man doesn't include album exclusives: Without You (Featuring Clay Aiken) Kimberley Locke, One Love; Lover All Alone, A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version); Proud of Your Boy (Pop Version) Disneymania, Vol. 3 today: Mary, Did You Know.........................................................Merry Christmas With Love Bridge over Troubled Water......This is the Night - Single Solitaire.....................................The Way / Solitaire - EP This Is the Night........................This is the Night - Single The Way....................................The Way / Solitaire - EP The First Noel............................American Idol - The Great Holiday Classics A Thousand Days..................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) On the Wings of Love................American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs O Holy Night....................................................................Merry Christmas With Love Invisible.........................................................Video Without You..........................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Measure of a Man..........................................Measure of a Man Right Here Waiting................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful.......Merry Christmas With Love Because You Loved Me..........................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas............................Merry Christmas With Love Silver Bells............................American Idol - The Great Holiday Classics Everything I Have..................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) I Will Carry You..............................................Measure of a Man I Want to Know What Love Is...............A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Winter Wonderland........................................................ Merry Christmas With Love Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word....A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Everything I Do (I Do It for You)..............A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) The Way........................................................Measure of a Man Don't Save It All for Christmas Day..................................Merry Christmas With Love Broken Wings.........................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version Merry Christmas With Love..............................................Merry Christmas With Love Every Time You Go Away.......................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Silent Night......................................................................Merry Christmas With Love Joy to the World..............................................................Merry Christmas With Love When I See You Smile.............................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Lonely No More.......................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Sleigh Ride.......................................................................Merry Christmas With Love When You Say You Love Me..........................Measure of a Man I Survived You...............................................Measure of a Man Here You Come Again.............................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)...Merry Christmas With Love These Open Arms...................................A Thousand Different Ways (Exclusive Version) Perfect Day................................,...................Measure of a Man No More Sad Song........................................Measure of a Man Touch............................................................Measure of a Man Shine............................................................Measure of a Man What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?.................................Merry Christmas With Love Run to Me......................................................Measure of a Man Now you can't say that ATDW songs are overall better-selling than MOAM songs because they're more recent, because the top sellers are still the songs he's known for from AI. I suppose you could attribute the difference to the fact that fans haven't downloaded MOAM from iTunes because the full album isn't available, and didn't download it before because they weren't into downloading. I can only speak for my own experience, which is that I dl'ed MOAM as soon as I got an iTunes account, along with everything else available from Clay. What it looks like to me is that even though iTunes is supposedly a youth-oriented way of obtaining music, ATDW songs are downloaded more than MOAM songs, which are supposedly more appealing to young people. (Just as ATDW is selling fabulously at my and playbiller's urban oriented Wal-Marts.) Oh, I think it's way cool that MDYK is #1 of all--it is a fabulous recording, and OHN is also above almost all but the AI songs. It may be that we are seeing the influence of radio play in some of these--the two singles from ADTW are on top, for instance, and radio play may account for the dominance of MCWL, since a number of tracks got play. SB and TFN got lots of radio play even before MCWL, and, in some cases, after, to the exclusion of MCWL tracks. But WW was a radio single, and that's not reflected here. And of all the MOAM songs, MOAM itself is on top, even though it never got radio play and isn't on store/restaurant tapes either. It was performed on television once. I wonder what the stats looked like pre-ATDW, and I wonder if they had any influence on the decision to do a covers album. Looking at this, and considering that there is a CC connection to the tour (some venues promoted by Live Nation), I'm wondering if releasing ATD to Hot AC as a single a few weeks before the tour starts would make more sense than releasing a new single. I think ATD could've done a lot better on AC if only CC had climbed on board, but maybe a decision was made to wait?? Considering that the radio play was lackluster, ATD is way high on the list. So these are my various thoughts and speculations. Yours?? ETA: I still think MOAM is underrated, and some of them young 'uns ought to give it a listen.

Love this! Whether or not Idol plans to make something of Clay's connection to UNICEF, UNICEF certainly is doing so. He's at least as much the focus of this IGB promo e-mail as the show is.

I'm going to Raleigh, Asheville, and the NY threefer. :TourExcite:

Agreed--however folks might feel about it, for most folks, Clay Aiken is THE American Idol. Can't be helped. Mixed blessing though it may be, I don't think it's a terrible thing to have that status in relationship to the No. 1 TV show for the past umpteen years. Couchie answered this one nicely: I don't think Idol has ignored Clay at all, anymore than they ignore most of the past contestants. A few get pimped for awhile, but most don't. If Clay were the only one it might be different, but he gets treated the same as all the rest. Hey Invisible. :F_05BL17blowkiss: to you!! I too hope to see him included. Well said!!

Just for the record, in case there is any doubt, I agree with this completely.

*deleted because this is being misunderstood and I'm too brain dead to clarify* Keepingfaith and the eHP. Good match. :F_05BL17blowkiss: I'm going to be really, really surprised if Clay isn't involved somehow in this Idol show. Heck, it was mentioned in the ET promo, and we all know that ET says what they're told to say, right, isn't that the fan wank? That being the case, someone must have told them to make this about Idol. Whatever. I'm ready to partay!!! :TourExcite: Welcome, Totally. Great moniker. Computer annoyances are keeping me quieter than usual, but I'm still here. Afghanistan Clay is hawt, y'all.

I'm probably going too. Have second row for Canandaigua, and will probably buy a friend's 7th row to Syracuse. I used to live up there, and it's a fantastic time to visit the area. I'm so excited that so many of you will be there!

anyone going to meadowbrook in July - would love to meet up with you. Also looking for good tickets - anyone has them i will buy them Let me know who is going to NH I have one good ticket--2nd row, side. PM me if you want only one.

{{{playbiller}}} Could this be related to the northeaster? Is it raining hard outside? There are flood warnings all over the place up there--sounds like maybe the ground is saturated from the rain and the flooding. I sure hope it starts going down soon. You can't be having fun with this. I'm doing my taxes right now. Always the procrastinator. Just figured out that I'm eligible to deduct my moving expenses--yahoo. I'm going to get a bunch more money back than I thought. More for Clayeeee!!!! :Tour3:

I saw this in the CB thread that seemed OK to me: So it wasn't like a fan whining but a polite conversation with a casual mention that led to a change. Personally, I prefer not to be called a Claymate, but wouldn't put down anyone who called themselves that. I wish the term Clay Nation were more universal. Guys just aren't going to become Claymates--although I've got to admit the JBT jokes during his looking for a guy segment-- "You're a Claymate, admit it," were funny.

Oh boy do I love this post! I had a dream about Clay a few days ago (details are not important and it's probably about me in some way I don't get yet, cause I don't actually know Clay and all) but it had a pretty straightforward "message" as dreams go, that Clay is so set for life financially and careerwise that it would positively floor those with doubts and fears just how set for life he is, boggle the minds of even silly wingers like me if we only knew. (Bodes well for me too, eh?) Which is the vibe I'm getting from your posts, keepingfaith, and JennaZ's and others. Just the same confidence in the way things are going at the moment, and the knowledge that it's sooooo all good. I thought I hit the quote button a bunch of times, but apparently I lost them all, but Karen Eh? wheeee it's so good to see you here and yes, I think this is a pretty cool place. I love your photos so much. You capture the moments, like YSRN and all the best photographers do--it isn't just the quality of the picture, it's the expression you are able to capture, the moment. And {{{FCA}}}? Ya'll so rock. I don't think it's socially advantageous to be nasty and spiteful even when you have the moral high ground, much less when you've gone so far out on a vine you can barely hang on. Most of the time folks are much closer to the middle and just feel more polarized than they are. Venting on the net is hard to "read" sometimes. :TourExcite: Oh, and my new super relaxed approach to ticket buying is working out fine so far. I have a ticket I can't use and a ticket I might use so far; the best one is for a concert I almost certainly can't go to, and the other is a pretty good one by my standards to a concert I might go to. Two concerts I'm sure I'm going to are in the neighborhood, so to speak, and they haven't gone on sale yet, but I'm feeling so relaxed about it all. I'll decide where to go and what to do and all that later. It's no biggie. I won't overbuy either, but I don't mind ending up with one or two extras. There's almost always a way to get rid of decent tickets. I saw all the stress on the boards today and felt so bad for people. It's become this huge expectation to have really, really close seats, but you know you can use binoculars from farther back--they do work for the traditional purpose. The sound systems are always good in this places, which is lovely. Madison Square Garden--yum. I have a seat right about in the same place for Canandaigua if I go. Many of the venues typically assign "best" seating on the basis of sound, sight lines, and convenience. A lot of fans just want to be close. I noticed today that a lot of aisle and near aisle seats were being offered in the second and third sections, going way back, rather than filling out those first rows. They also skipped back to the second section first and second rows and aisles before finishing out the first section. Only a few folks are going to get those prime close seats in the pre-sale. The pre-sale still gives you a better shot than you'd get without the membership. I remember those days! Why TB started out offering lawn seats I don't know, but in a case like that you just wait and something better will come along. There are a lot of options for tickets after the pre-sale still. Hey, I'm preaching to the saved now, sorry. Besides, I didn't have my concert plans swept out from under me unexpectedly so what do I know. But some of those I know who did aren't out there being....oh, never mind. Enough! :Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3: :Tour3:

I'm going to go with the "UNICEF isn't stupid and neither is Clay" assumption, and expect a lot of PR about this campaign in the next week. I think they know they're going to have to go beyond the fan base on this, especially since a lot of fans have just recently given to the BAF via the gala and/or Six Degrees. The story's been on PR newswire already, which is the Big Time in the world of press releases, and the fan bloggers are getting started already: PR Newswire: UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken Draws Attention to the Critical Needs of Children in Afghanistan Technorati: Blogs Discussing This News Release Maybe we can get Clay back on the Technorati Top 10, which will call attention to the campaign via the internet world, but I agree that they'll need media attention, and I hope they'll get lots!!

Simon essentially made fun of his own moobies--I was impressed. He didn't have to call attention to her drawing. The producers didn't have to include it in the clips. I'm not convinced that Clay won't have a part in the show. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. He's on the Scholastic Idol Gives Back website and it comes right up on google even though it isn't even open yet. Clay Aiken's Mission You know if the bloggers do a good job and the stars are aligned just right, Clay'll get PR for his UNICEF connection regardless. But the last time Clay was involved with Idol it wasn't announced--his name wasn't even announced during the show, and yet it was the watercooler moment of the show. I don't believe for one moment that the show's producers were angry about that, or that they don't appreciate a guy who can do that for them. It made the show a better show, a way better show (cause it really did mostly suck), and that can only be a good thing. Whatever happens happens. I'm sure not going to get nasty about him not being on the show before the bloomin' (there's a spring word for ya) show has even aired. As the wise Couch Tomato once said to me, "Clay's got too many mamas." Play - haven't you heard? The whole charity event was created and designed just to diss Clay. Just like the Dallas/Tulsa snafu. The Frisco appearance will be a disaster. Where is that Edvard Munch emoticon? This'll have to do.

Hee!!

I love it when you rant, KAndre!! I wanna try. Let's see, the toofies: I loved his old chicklet teeth and gummy smile. They made him unique. (and all the good stuff YSRN said) vs I just know that Clive himself put Clay in that dentist's chair and personally attached those veneers, and now Clay looks exactly like everyone else in Hollywood and there is nothing special about him anymore, and now that he looks Hollywood I just know he's going to act all Hollywood too, and he's going to start taking drugs and become a drunk and he'll marry Brittney and Paris and Nicole and Angelina and adopt every child in Africa, and he will never, ever be the same again, and now he's never going to marry meeeeeeeeeeeee and it's all Clive's fault, and I'm so mad I'm going to go find Clive and beat him into a bloody mass for taking my Clay away from meeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angry22: I've met YSRN, Clayzor. She's all that good stuff, and more. Yahoo for :TourExcite: Dreamlarge, your daughters are funny. I'll bet there are a lot of other people out there like them who have no idea what Clay looks like or sings like, but are just sure that it's bad. He will win them over one by one.

I don't think they are stupid, and so I expect there is a reason, and that it may become evident with time. So sorry for all who have made plans that are now royally screwed up.

Kool and the Gang was last year.