#1 - Ready for your constant state of celebration

[bottlecap]

Ouch. I woke up this morning feeling like I had been stabbed in the face with a spork and jabbed in the throat with the heel of a stiletto boot. I hope it’s just my sinuses, and not something more sinister…..

So, when I left the boards last night, some posters elsewhere were convinced Clay’s new CD will be full of sappy love ballads, and will have less edge than Lawrence Welk on Ambien. It will sell like crap, and all Clay’s fans will abandon him, except for three confused old ladies in Topeka, who are convinced Clay is Andy Griffith’s grandson and are supporting him because “That Opie is such a nice boy.” 2007 brings a slight hope for a comeback, until legal problems quash plans for Clay and Bo Bice’s “I Hate Clive” cross country tour of Wal-Mart parking lots. The try-out for “Dancing with the Stars” ends poorly, as lack of funk is still a problem, and Clay’s spot is taken by a surprisingly light-on-his-feet Ruben. Not much is heard from Clay in 2008, until he appears on “The Insider” to come clean about how depression and an addiction to Krispy Kremes made his weight balloon up to 165, and how Faye forced him into rehab. Turns out, salad can save your life.

[Ansamcw]

NOOOOO bottlecap....say it ain't so!!!! Is there no hope at all...what can we do? WHo is responsible for this? Where can I vote my dialing finger is itchy, I am dying ot spam something...what can I buy multiples of...my Credit card is itching to be used...who can I write, my email is at the ready... Just let us know what to do and we will save Clay from himself!

[playbiller]

What ticks me off is that, while it is fine that we all have our own opinions, some people are hellbent on convincing others of their opinions. It seems like they feel if there is enough of an outcry, Clay will cancel this album and record another and have it out next week.

I appreciate the effort of others to point out the holes in the arguments, but it seems like shoveling aganst the tide. I just semiretired from the discussion. I feel about as welcome in that discussion as I do in den discussions lately. It seems like angst stirrers are more appreciated than soothers.

For myself, I like fun in the fandom, not much for the drama. A lot of drama seems to end up as 'poor me'.

Edited February 15, 2006 by playbiller

[bottlecap]

I think some of the angst I am seeing elsewhere is due to well-respected posters who have been neglecting to include little but crucial disclaimers like, "In my opinion", or "Maybe", or "Could be". YMMV, of course. (See how easy that was?)

Drama, indeed. I am popping my popcorn, and thinking about getting my fingers taped together so I don't participate too much. If you have to type with your nose, you consider your words very carefully, and the fish don't fly so much.

[Ansamcw]

Yup and don't forget the all important..."my fears are" and "this is what I want" phrases.

I just feel like the fandom is getting manipulated to fight for the vision of a faction of the fandom. By all means state your preferences and fears. But to keep pushing the idea that we should fight for something Clay wants when we don;t know what he wants of that if he is indeed unhappy...is just not appropriate IMO. I feel this is a way to make the fandom work for a common goal....cos you know this fandom can never have a consensus on what they want to hear from Clay so lets get together in fighting for what Clay wants, which is???? If this is what Clay wants he certainly hasn't indicated it with his blog. I say the opposite is true. He is emphasizing his happiness and excitement. If this is not what he feels, then he would find a way to indicate that...but that has not happened.

I choose to take Clay at his word on this...and just be excited and happy along with him

[playbiller]

I was looking at a favorite CD from my youth. This artist was recording his first solo album, he had been in a very popular group before, he had written songs for the group. So I look at the album and realize that it is a group of covers that are not particularly wound around any theme except his lovely voice. I loved this album, played it very often for 20 years, wore it out, had to buy another from a used record store, since it was out of print for $30. Then I lost the record player in a divorce settlement and never bought another player (how I wish these songs were available for download or on CD, but they are not), so I hear these songs in my memory. I sent money to someone on TWOP who promised to copy them to CD for me, but I never heard from her again.

Back to the point, all the songs were covers and there was no theme and I loved, loved , loved this album. Anyone else I ever met who had the album, loved it. It was a modest hit at the time. The artist came out with a second album, which is still available today, and all the songs were original and he wrote some, but this album tanked as did the next one. Neither of the albums caught the special thing on the first album, his glorious voice. The first album consisted of an odd variety of songs - Buddy can you spare a dime, a Jaques Brel song in his language, she was too good for me (dropped froma broadway show), and a quiet room (a song about love and inner peace), so on.

I don't think there have to be rules for successful albums, they just ARE and you know when you hear them. To make up rules that an album has to meet is to constrict the real artistry and put people into more boxes.

[FearofH2O]

I just feel like the fandom is getting manipulated to fight for the vision of a faction of the fandom. By all means state your preferences and fears. But to keep pushing the idea that we should fight for something Clay wants when we don;t know what he wants of that if he is indeed unhappy...is just not appropriate IMO. I feel this is a way to make the fandom

I have to agree with you Ansa. I have been feeling manipulated. It seems like we are being questioned about why we aren't concerned, as if there is something wrong with us cheery folks. I have been particularly concerned about the "tell RCA " folks who insist that we post at the OFC. IIRC when Clay's second single was being released it seemed that the fandom was petitioning for the Way over I Will Carry You. We know how that worked out.

I just like my happy place.

I am not totally happy though. I started on a low fat diet Monday due to high cholesterol and I miss my toast and butter.

[Couch Tomato]

If people want to shout from the rooftops what they want for this album - I say go for it. i'm just not going to pretend to know who did what why when and where. But I do know there is no one voice, or a majority opinion on what's best for him or what fans want. I think this is easy for me because I am not invested in any one thing. I just want a great album. And if Clay called me up and told me what was going on I'm sure I would be more demonstrative on his behalf. But until then I just can't get worked up about it. I got my own problems and I can't make myself feel better with a great big new house and millions of dollars. When the track list comes out and it really is Clay Aiken remakes all the greatest hits of every AC singer that ever lived then maybe I'll kick myself for not doing what exactly I don't know. I have a feeling the only one reading over at the OFC is Clay and JFL, certainly not Clive Davis. And no I don't like or trust him.

And having said all that I'm not any less invested in Clay than I was on day one. And I'm not posting on OFC because I don't think "I just want you to be happy Clay with whatever it is" is the right answer. I do think it's the not knowing that has everyone up in arms. But time will fix that. And really, there isn't much of it left for a new release in May.

Also having done a few skips around the nation last night there seems to be a growing suspicion that some people are in the know of more information. If I knew more maybe I'd have another opinion but I don't so I can't. For instance if this album is Neil Diamond remakes then I'd be living over on OFC. Since nobody has told me that, I'll pass.

ETA: And I'm not his mama. I really feel like Clay can fight his own battles. Even if he doesn't win this one he will have learned something for the next fight.

[bottlecap]

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts....

Congratulations to Quiana on her happy news. I had always been a secret 'shipper between her and Clay, because she seems like such a good friend to him and she has known him right from the beginning of the AI thing. Guess I'll put that one on the backburner for the time being. Yeah for touring again, though. Can't wait - maybe I'll actually pull myself together and travel somewhere this time around. A sad confession: I am XX years old (not 12 ) and I have never flown in my life. It might be time to take that step...

playbiller, I continue to enjoy playing around with your youtube links. Following your advice, I pause them at the beginning, and let them load fully before playing the video. I swear sometimes though, it's like waiting for water to finally boil.

Thanks and hugs all around.

(And one slightly evil thought - can.not.wait to see what happens to the annoying twins on AI tonight. After all that set-up, I hope they just aren't dimissed with a voice-over explaining their legal problems.)

[playbiller]

Bottlecap, you will findthat the youtube's play better when there are fewer people on, late at night or early morning. I always have multiple windows open, so waiting is not a big issue for me.

As to the album. I never know what anyone else is putting out, so why should I worry about Clay's until it comes out. I cannot imagine that RCA wants to lose money, so I am going to have to assume it is pretty good. I also tend not to worry when Clay posts that he is happy and excited, why should I?

One thing I have noticed is taht all the happy people seem to have to post how sorry they are forthe sad people, yet, the sad people never post how they are happy for the happy people. It is joy predjudice, I tell you? WHy is one almost required and the other not?

[bottlecap]

Happy hugs all around! One day closer to a new DualDisc, album promotion all over the teevee, and touring. Awhooo Hoooo!

Ansa, your post upthread about being manipulated has really resonated with me. I woke up this morning, and you know what? I am still not Clay's mom, girlfriend, wife, manager, executive producer, personal assistant, publicist, A&R rep, spiritual advisor, band mate, back-up singer, close personal friend, or financial advisor (although I'd love to get a close-up look at his......cash flow. Accountant porn, y'all. ) I'll let those people give Clay the advice he needs. I'll just start squirreling away funds now, so I can handle the deluge of Clay-related opportunities to spend my money on this summer and fall. Awwhhhooo Hoooo!

[bottlecap]

An only slightly, vaguely Clay sort-of-related comment. As I was listening to the radio this morning on my way into work, the DJ played a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. He mentioned that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have a new album due on May 9th.

"Hey", I thought, "That's a rumored date for Clay's CD to drop. EEEE!"

Then the DJ said: "We'll get the new Red Hot Chili Peppers' single...."

"Oh!", I mused, "Maybe that will give me an indication of when we could expect to hear Clay's single. EEEEE!"

"...As soon as possible", the DJ finished.

"CRAP!", I mumbled. Okay, maybe I might have yelled it....

[playbiller]

Pats poor Bottlecap on the head There, there, little lid, good things are still to come.

I am still in a pissy mood, so I will watch myself - Why? because the idiot who wants to put up the apartment building on a one family property adjoining mine now bought anothe single famly houe and wants to put up townhouses (7) with no yard because there probably won't be any children in it.

Both these buildings need to be approved because it is a financial hardship on this poor guy! It is such a financial hardship that he can affordto buy all this very expensive property and immedialy tear down the houses with emergency permits! Yeah, he has the zoning board in his pocket. What, he is a member of ths zoning board? Son of a gun. And this costs me (and other neighbors) about $1000 a year each in legal fees to fight this. Well, at least we are suing for damages as well and are currently in state court where the influence is less. I don't think we can take it to federal court.

[Ansamcw]

(((playbiller)))

hope all goes well with you...I guess you cannot use Clay stuff to get you out of the bad mood right now...maybe concentrating on Clack will help.

Bottlecap...yeah, I really think this silence about the upcoming CD is not only expericned by Clay fans...I wonder how Ruben fans are doing...his Cd was suppsoed to drop earlier...I hear Christina Aguilera fans are also waiting

[bottlecap]

Hee. I'm cool with it - just wanted to have a bit a information to throw into the bubbling stew pot of suppositon, rumor, hearsay, and extrapolation but I was cruelly thwarted by a non-cooperative DJ. Drats!

I wasn't nearly as involved online in the lead-up to MOAM. Was there all this scrambling for and examination of every whisper of news? Geez, it's much easier to deal with other artists whose CDs I might want to buy - maybe I hear a single on the radio, read some press about a new CD, and if I'm lucky, listen to a stream of the new CD on AOL or VH1 on a Monday. If I like what I hear - I pick it up at Target on Tuesday. No fuss, no muss, no angst. Seems kinda boring, actually.

playbiller, your neighborhood situation sucks. I am sending a virtual kick where the sun don't shine to your nemesis. <KICK>

[playbiller]

That's ok, this funk will last for a few more days, I have to go to the tax department on Monday to dispute mey tax rate a well and fight to keep my COBRA and a few other minor annoying things.

Before MOAM release, you can look at the archived threads in the CH if you wantto get a feel. There were some different people in the fandom then, some dropped out, no one acted as an expert on music and what should be on albums at that time and inside informtion was shared with all or not shared, it was not held in secret and winked at with an I know best attitude. Yeah, I am still pissy, what do you want to do about it?

Yes there were angsters, some of the same people today, but I think most people were just plain excited. I remeber the thrill when the album suddently appeared at Amazon and shot up to #1 in 2 hours. Then there was when the picture was posted and some people hated it and had reasons why it would tank sales. Now it is considered a great picture with the backgroud being so noticable. I didn't pay any attention to them - there were the Amazon charts updated hourly and then, when the album wa released, tracking of sales. Fun times.

Edited February 17, 2006 by playbiller

[Ansamcw]

ITA Playbiller...

It was a different time for sure...and I know there was a different whipping boy at the time 19.

I checked the timeline and Invisible was released to Radio on Sept 23...so only 3 weeks before it dropped. I do remember some people worrying about the short time on radio...

But the situation here was so different...I got the feeling that they were really in a hurry to get that CD out. He also was not out of the public eye at all except for that one month before the AI2 tour when Clay was in England. So he was cosntantly being asked about the CD and when it will drop. I alos got the sense that it was supposed to be finished before they left for the tour but he had to add some songs like shine and perfect day while they were on tour.

The release date was also moved several times...at first it was august then september...I remember at first it was dependent on Ruben's release date. Then we had the news that Ruben let Clay release his CD ahead to it dropped on OCT14. It was exciting times specially when the song clips came out...I was a spoiler ho...I had all the songs from the previews even before the CD dropped. I don't think I can wait this time either.

[bottlecap]

I just want that one bit of "Official" and widely-released news to get the ball rolling. I am tired of reading all the speculation and extrapolation based on hints in blog entries, months-old interviews, hunches, and personal preferences. I am tired of holding my breath when I do a Lycos search. I want the rumors to get quashed effectively. I want the big Diane Sawyer / Oprah / Rolling Stone interview so we have something of substance to digest again. I am pissed that I am expected to watch five freakin' hours of AI5 next week. Oops, let my ranting get away from me there.

Eh, not really bitter, just frustrated. I have a busy week-end coming up, so maybe I can chill about the whole thing for a bit.

[Ansamcw]

I admit it is kinda tough being on a holding pattern. I'm gald there is olympics and the AI2 revisited that is distracting me...

and of course fun posts...so what can we talk about in the meantime.

[playbiller]

Stop me from posting at the OFC - I just read things that are such Wink ink nudge nudge, I am saying something but I am not. There are people I used to consider reasonable people who are posting this crap and now I have decided that it is easy to get seduced to the dark side. And I am off on another rant. I have to go off and load some videos to youtube to entertain myself. Sigh. I just feel that I can no longer enjoy the boards ithout feeling like smacking some people.

I really have some sharp words to post directed to specific people and I know if I do I will become a pariah. I get PMs from people asking me what these people know and if they are friends with Faye and did she tell them to tell fans this in the few places I have posted oblique objections. It is really very sad.

Off to you tube it.

[KAndre]

Nah, you can't stop posting...I still have sort of magic aura that last person who sent me anything remotely negative was way back in the YWT debacle. I have my spork and people don't cross me.

I have decided it's my job to say "feh" to a large number of people. I'm good at it. The CD will be here when it gets here (though he BETTER not put it out when I'm in Europe. Or the Caribbean. I need to be in the States, whatever in person may be reading this. If it's Clay's turn this week to read, dude, PM me. Kisses!)

That reminds me ... you darling people ... wouldn't you like to minions slaving away in an internet media empire? Can you give bad advice? Do you like to hear yourself talk? Join the evil Houston posse in our podcasting! PM me for more details! You can even have your own new on screen name!

[playbiller]

I want to post a "just who do you think you are in someones blog, so it will be a call out of names. I just want people to put up or shut up. I have been getting Pms based on the things I have posted already and there are rumors floating around that are saying Faye said this or that. We will see about that.

ON the positive side, I should have all the AI2 clips loaded out today on Youtube.

Never mind. My account at youtube has been cancelled becaseu I loaded videos taht have been deemed inappropriate for a family site. You know clips like the Charlotte audition.

Edited February 18, 2006 by playbiller

[bottlecap]

Ruh-Oh, playbiller, I'm sure that it's Clive's fault. He is the font of all that is evil and dark in the universe, dontcha know. How do I know this? Uh, I have, uh, contacts. Yeah, that's it. Sooper sekret contacts.

What, the voices in my head don't count as reliable sources? Well, pppfffttt to that!

Clay, baby, Clique has my e-mail address and my home phone number. If I'm supposed to join some sort of crusade on your behalf, I need to hear from you personally. I'm not taking any marching orders based on any wink wink nudge nudge posters or blogs. And honey, while you're accessing my OFC account information, feel free to use my charge card number if you need some more tasseled pillows or something for your new pad. Smoochies!

eta: The more I see and hear Michael Buble, the more I'm really starting to dig him. (Yeah, I have the Dancing With the Stars results show on. Wanna make something of it?) He has a nice soothing voice, and a fun kind of vibe. So want are his fans called? Bubleheads? Ha!

Edited February 18, 2006 by bottlecap

[playbiller]

I could not hold it in anymore I read TheDCmomo's blog about how sniff didn't know how to tell his fans he did not want to sing covers or love songs sniff and how he would sneak in the cool songs on tour. Then maybe people will know how he wantedto be cool.

Well, I blew my cool and said spill what yopu know or shut up. What? I hate being teased and to read this sob story weakling sad widdle Clay wastoo much for me. According to her, Raliegh has to be a sainted dog listening to the crying all the time. WHy does anyone want to believe that crap?

[Ansamcw]

eta:  The more I see and hear Michael Buble, the more I'm really starting to dig him.  (Yeah, I have the Dancing With the Stars results show on.  Wanna make something of it?)  He has a nice soothing voice, and a fun kind of vibe.  So want are his fans called?  Bubleheads?  Ha!

BWAH!!!...you were just dying to get that out there didn;t you...

Playbiller...I have learned to just avoid certain threads and blogs that I know have agendas. My BP can't take it. But I do believe other people have asked her to reveal sources...I doubt we will hear anything definitive. I guess the drama can be addicting to some and spreading rumors and launching missions is one way to keep the drama going...

I wanna sing Cyndi laupers..."girls just want to have fun"