#30: Faith has conquered fear...on my way here!

[annabear]

Was this from this afternoon's show?

No, supposedly this evening's show. Glad you had a good time this afternoon!

Woohoo for your victory, laljeterfan!

I think I'm procrastinating on writing a real recap because writing it all out makes it seem so final and I had such a good time that I don't want to face the ending. Does that even make sense?!

[bottlecap]

The tongue action was in full force during the bottle dance. Whichever way his leg kicked out his tongue stuck out in that direction! His eyes seemed frozen upward. All I could think about was bottlecap each time the tongue moved!

Have fun at QVC tomorrow! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[Gibby]

Ya'll are cracking me up with your talk of virginity. I'm amazed at your determination, as I've never been one to wait patiently for something I really want if I have a choice. In regards to OMWH, I'm completely, joyfully and absolutely deflowered, and loving it. And I know I have a lot more surprises in store for me when I listen to QVC and when I get the album.

I just watched the finale of AI2 RW. Wow, they left A LOT out! I watched to the very end, when Ruben was announced as the winner. It sure helps knowing that Clay has had absolutely amazing success since then! Otherwise that finale would be very, very sad, as it was the first time I saw it. I was struck by how much better Clay sang than Ruben during the finale. Ruben even acknowledges that he didn't sing that well that night. Clay, on the other hand, was amazing, particularly on BOTW. I'm grateful that AI brought so much fame and success to Clay, regardless of the final outcome.

I'm looking forward to some reports from the FCAers at Spam tonight!

ETA: lajeterfan - how cool that your family came with you, and that your boys actually admitted that Clay was good!

And CG - thanks so much for the recap. Have a fantastic time at QVC tomorrow!

[ldyjocelyn]

Eeeee!! As I was typing this couchie called me! She had her Spam cherry popped and she loved it! She thought he was very funny and - here's a shocker, folks, he was CUTE! I am sure she will post a more detailed recap later!

You mean I've been practically sitting on my cell phone all night tonight, waiting from a phone call from Miss Couchie -- and she calls you? Someone she saw earlier in the day? WAH!!!! She's going to hear it from me!

OTOH, I think she's planning on calling me tomorrow after the Broadway Cares event....

Couldn't be because the funniest part of the whole show for me this afternoon was his braiding the ribbons! OMG it was hysterical! He just kept braiding and braiding and braiding. Herbert's father was trying very hard to hold it together. Clay just kept braiding and the audience kept laughing and Clay kept braiding and Herbert's father kept turning his head away and finally when Clay was done the father said "Very nice"! It was very funny!

This sounds so fantastically funny. I remember when I saw the show a month ago -- about the time he started being fascinated by the pretty stuff on his staff (muski...that's for you....). Found out later that was the first weekend he did that. Now he's added braiding the ribbons, and that sounds like a great touch.

Glad your lurker friend got her picture with Clay! And have fun at QVC tomorrow! I have the ordering information all ready to go...

laljeterfan -- woohoo! I was pleased to read about your son and his friend....accepted Clay. *g*

annabear, it will be OK....I'd love to hear your recap!

[Claygasm]

Eeeee!! As I was typing this couchie called me! She had her Spam cherry popped and she loved it! She thought he was very funny and - here's a shocker, folks, he was CUTE! I am sure she will post a more detailed recap later!

You mean I've been practically sitting on my cell phone all night tonight, waiting from a phone call from Miss Couchie -- and she calls you? Someone she saw earlier in the day? WAH!!!! She's going to hear it from me!

OTOH, I think she's planning on calling me tomorrow after the Broadway Cares event....

Awww. I'm sorry!!! I saw her earlier but that was before she lost her Spamalot virginity! She was waiting for the bus when she called. I bet the bus came before she got a chance to call you and now she probably feels its too late! That must be it!

I guess Clay won't be at the Broadway Cares event tomorrow since he'll be at QVC but she said she was also going Tuesday afternoon so I bet he will be then!

I forgot to mention his tower scene was great tonight. He spoke a bit slower than he has in other shows I have seen and I could understand him much better, And in the scene in Camelot where he is chasing the girls he growled!!! And in the scene where they are discussing what the grail is and the king says its a symbol and you hear the cymbal from the orchestra, he looks over and says "That's just stupid!"

ETA:

Saw this posted at the CH and really liked it!

From the blogs, he appears to be a comic book artist in town attending a Comics Convention:

While in NY we managed to get discount tickets for a Saturday night performance of Spamalot! Marvelous production! Even more over than the top than I could have imagined. I think I like the play better than I ever did the movie (which admittedly has that oh-so-strange ending).

This was the run that included Clay Aiken of American Idol infamy as Sir Robin. Never having been a fan of the Idol franchise, I must admit I was prepared to hate, but he was terrific in the role and I've had to reassess my biases.

[playbiller]

The smelling the flowers was tonight. There was other stuff, but right now I am kind of beat. Oh, wiat, afterthe big butts song, where Clay kept his face, the king was looking around as if he was trying to remember the new Ni name and Clay cupped his hands as if he was holding a big butt.

I got one playbill tonight for $40 but it is only Clay's signiture, PM me if you want it. I would be surprised if anyone does. < sold

I also got several cast signed posters for $40, but to be fair to the first person who bought a poster, I would like to price average it to $45, which is a slight loss to me, but more fair to everyone. I would also like to send them rolled in insured priority mail boxes, since I already have them, so mailing will be a bit more, but it is a great signed poster. I have promised a few, but have about 5 to go. Let me know. i will offer the remaining to others tomorrow. <- pretty much all spoken for, a couple of ifs, will repost if they are still available.

magnets are also back, I got a few if anyone wants them..

[txflwrgrl]

The ordering info for the cd/dvd is up at QVC. I was on there setting up an account so I'd be ready for tomorrow when I realized there was a "add to cart" button just waiting for me to click. WooHoo! :00000442:

The price was $19.38 plus 3.97 (standard shipping) and 1.93 tax. Total - $25.28

Standard shipping gets it here about May 15th. There is faster shipping, but the cost is a lot higher. I figure I'll be busy listening to the Wal-Mart cd I ordered.....and the iTunes digital download when it's available. In case you're wondering, yes, I do seem to be spending a lot lately on Clay stuff....trip to NYC....signed playbill.....lots of cd's.....etc.

Clay just rings my bell......

[txflwrgrl]

Playbiller - I'd love one of the signed posters if you have any left. Just let me know if you have an extra that's not spoken for.

[Gibby]

Thanks for posting about QVC, txflwrgrl! I hustled on over there and ordered one pronto. Yay! Now I can just watch my boyfriend sing to meeeee tomorrow night without worrying about placing an order during the show. I wonder how many they've ordered, and if they'll sell out very fast? I'm glad they have plans for two shipments if the first one sells out quickly.

[Iseeme]

Okay - where did the two of you find the place to "add to cart?" I clicked on the notice of the show, the picture of OMWH comes up - but nothing that says "add to cart!" What am I doing wrong?

[Couch Tomato]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm home.

I'm sorry LdyJ...don't hurt me. I forgot to program your numbers in my phone before I left this morning. Even worse I almost left New Jersey for my day in New York WITHOUT my Spam tickets. I will do it as soon as I finish this post and will give you a call tomorrow after the Broadway Cares event. Honestly, I don't think Clay will be at either night...but for me it was a way to really enjoy the Broadway actors and have some fun. And really, you can't beat $20 or $40 for a night of entertainment.

So today I went into the city to meet Solo, Perusing One and Heidi at the Natural History museum. I was told to take the C train from Port Authority...except as soon as I got into the train station there was a sign that said NO C TRAIN would be running all weekend. And then after I got on the 1 they made an announcement that due to constrution that the 1 would turn into an express train from 72nd to 96th. OK...so I jumped off and walked walked walked to the museum where I met everyone...and then we seemed to walk up and down stairs for 2 1/2 hours -- up and down, up and down, looke at planets, up some more stair, looked at dinosaurs, down some stairs, went to the gems exhibit. We then met up with 00Lsee, Merrieeee, Keeping Faith, KAndre, Claygasm, Lurker friend, Playbiller, and ShelleyC at Johns Pizzeria. I hope I'm not missing anyone. I loved that place..noisy and loud and boisterous, and good food. And good company.

And then eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Spamalot. I'm not going to go into detail. Honestly I don't know if I could. Surprisingly I kept my eyes on the entire show and not just Clay. I thought especially on the first night it would be all about Clay. I thought he was wonderful and funny and he fit right in with all the othergood actors and really I think that's the best compliment he could receive. My favorite scene is the guard scene. It's just hysterically funny and I think he has such great timing with it all. I'm really so proud of him and am so happy I will get to see this a few more times because I think I missed a lot.

Hannah? SHE IS THE BOMB. I adore her and thought she just knocked every one of her scenes out of the park. Her voice is spectacular and she just cracked me up how she used it in so many musical styles. I loved that song she sang in the second half about the fact that she wasn't getting any stage time. I have a serious girl crush on her. It's VERY serious heee. But the song I can't get out of my head is I'm not dad yet. heee.

So to all the FCAers traveling home tomorrow, have a safe trip. I really enoyed getting to meet all of you or see you again.

So Thursday seems so far away but that's when I'm going back and I think I'm in my same seat as I was tonight! I just know I'm going to pick up on all sorts of things I didn't tonight.

tomorrow I will be going to the Javits Center where believe it or not my company is taking part in an event. I will stay only an hour or so though as I will be meeting a friend from my last fandom. He's a really funny and fun guy and always keeps me in stitches...and then I'll be going on to the Broadway Cares event where I'll meet up with Playbiller.

[txflwrgrl]

Okay - where did the two of you find the place to "add to cart?" I clicked on the notice of the show, the picture of OMWH comes up - but nothing that says "add to cart!" What am I doing wrong?

When you go to QVC.com type in Clay Aiken in the search box and the page with the order info should show up for you. It has "add to cart" right below the cd/dvd info.

[cha cha trusty]

EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I just logged in to QVC and saw THIS!!

eta : I JUST ORDERED MY CD!!

[Iseeme]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee - thank you! My order has been submitted and completed. WOO HOO. I like the idea of not having to worry about getting an order in while he's on TV.

Glad all the FCA'ers had a great time in NY. I had printed my tickets off the computer and then sent the file to two of the other folks I was traveling with - I was so afraid of forgetting them when I went.

Next week is going to be awesome - I can just feel it! AND we get an entire hour of Clay on TV tomorrow!

Found this at CV...hope it wasn't posted earlier and I just missed it somehow. It's a pretty interesting interview:

http://www.fanbolt.com/musicinterview.php?id=69&page=1

When Clay Aiken and his executive producer Jaymes Foster began the search for songs to record for Aiken's first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man, they both fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan "Alias" Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics - how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults - struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection.

"I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album," Aiken says. "Since I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself and about life and the world. I'm nowhere near an expert, but this album has taken on the form of addressing how far I've come in those five years and how I feel like I've found myself."

As Aiken's millions of devoted fans around the world already know, it's been a whirlwind journey. We had the honor of sitting down with the multi-talented artist to talk about his upcoming album, the future tour, Spamalot, his ever-changing hair, and so much more! He's the most charming star we've interviewed to date. Here's what he had to say:

I think the #1 question everyone wants to know is when is the tour?

I don't have an answer for that actually. I have no idea. We were going to take some time off, and we haven't started planning one. I'm sure we will do it, we just don't know when as of now.

Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

No, I couldn't pick one. I mean this is the first album where everything is handpicked by myself and my executive producer, so we have reasons we liked every song. There's an eclectic mix, there's some variety in it without question, and that makes many of them favorites for different reasons.

Do you have any plans to do videos for any of the songs on the new album?

We probably won't do any videos to be honest with you. Videos are for MTV and they don't really play those anymore. When is the last time you saw a full music video?

That's true.

So it's $300,000 for something that is never going to get used and if it does get used, it's only going to be about 30 seconds of it... TRL only shows like 30 seconds. So videos don't really serve the same purpose anymore. Who knows? I could eat crow later and make one, but usually videos go along with radio singles which would be "On My Way Here".

Tweaking the relationship between music and lyric in order to nuance a story or evoke a certain image seems like it could be daunting, especially if it's personal or emotional to the artist. So I could see how someone might go over and over a small bit of music until, finally, it merges together and tells the story in just the right way they had conceptualized. Is there a song the new album that presented more of a challenge for you in that way?

Well, there are some songs that aren't as personal. If they're not as personal, you kind of have to act a little bit and imagine more universal themes. There are love songs on the album that are not necessarily things that I am feeling, or feel. So I kind of have to pretend and act a little bit [laughs]. There are some songs that are a little tougher, but when the lyrics are as good as they are, they make it easy for you.

You mentioned in one of the earlier interviews, I'm not sure who it was with, but you mentioned using an "out of tune" piano.

Oh did I? Did I mention that? Who did I say that to?

A sound that you liked that Kipper was able to reproduce for you?

Yeah, I can't believe I said that to someone, but okay. It's true, so I guess I must have.

Your fans want to know what song uses that as accompaniment?

Well I'm not going to tell them. Let them figure it out. It is true, it's in at least one, it might actually be in two, but it's in at least one. Let them guess! I can't believe I told that... I do love that sound. We decided to get an upright piano, and do it that way, and when I heard it I was like," HOLY CRAP! That's it!"

So it's in there. Let's see how good their ears are [laughs]!

You've mentioned in previous interviews that the track "As Long As We're Here" was influenced by your experiences in Indonesia. In addition to the connection with the lyrics, did the music of the region influence the way that you and Kipper approached the song?

No, no, no. It's all lyrical. The song "As Long As We're Here" we put on there for many, many reasons. It's actually a song I found while I was traveling to Indonesia. It wasn't necessarily influenced by my trip to Indonesia, it was kind of influenced more by the fact that it was a Unicef trip, and what Unicef does throughout the world. Also, the irony behind that song, I found it on my trip to Indonesia, and then brought it back to meet with some executive producers. I walked into this interview with one of them, and she came in and said that she's brought a song that I might like, and it was the same song that I had listened to and picked out of 10,000 songs. Literally, you want to talk about a needle in a haystack! She had brought the same song that I loved, and that's how we started working together. So that song has lots of significance to it. It's the social message song of the album.

You originally said you weren't sure about doing a Broadway show because you couldn't imagine doing the same thing over and over and over again. Now that you have done it for awhile- would you do it again? And if so, is there another play you would like to do?

I won't turn it down, but we're not looking for anything. If the right opportunity comes along, the right part in the right show... I've had a great time doing it, I've really enjoyed it. So if the right thing comes along, then I'd love to, but we're not seeking it out necessarily.

I've seen Spamalot, and I'm a huge fan as well. How do you keep a straight face, especially as the drunken guard Prince Herbert scene?

I don't keep a straight face. Well during the drunken guard scene I do, because I don't think it's funny [laughs]. But honestly, it's because it's not that easy to do. It's not an easy thing for me. I have to think about it constantly. That's the one scene of the show where I still have to think about my lines. Normally, the rest of the play I don't even have to pay attention to my lines, but that's the one scene where I still do have to pay attention, so I don't say the wrong thing. But there are plenty of parts throughout the play where I don't keep a straight face.

Down the line, if the opportunity ever arose would you consider acting on television or perhaps in movies?

Yeah, I would love that. I always like to try new things. That was the reason we decided to do Spamalot. Something to kind of push us out of our comfort zone, so if the right opportunity came along then sure, absolutely.

Are you going to be appearing on American Idol to promote the new album at all?

No I don't think so. I've been in New York and not LA, so I kind of highly doubt that I will. I think they did a little thing on me last Wednesday though.

Five years ago when this whole journey started you once said you didn't quite understand what the big deal was because when you looked in the mirror you still saw you... It seems so much has changed since then so my question is, are you still that same person ?

I still don't understand why people like my ass, I'm sorry [laughs].

Really?

No [still laughing] I have no idea.

So do you feel like the same person?

Obviously, I'm a little bit more comfortable with what I do, and some of it's a little old hat... I'm not the same performer; I'm not the same in that way. I think, hopefully, I've grown in some ways. I still don't understand the motivation behind people that are excited and enthusiastic as they are.

Your hair is actually a big conversation topic with your fans! Can we expect any more hair changes from you in the near future?

Who knows? I have absolutely no idea. I just got it cut today, just finished up before we started talking. But yeah, I have no idea. We change it all the time. I get bored, and someone else gets bored and says let's do this. I mean, I think we've gone through all the colors that are possible right now. We won't do green or anything. We could go to my natural hair color, which is probably gray [laughs].

Your fans miss the "Tug."! So I have to ask since we all love it so much, do you intend to use it again?

Oh Lord, no. That has its mark. If I sing that song again, I'll do it again if I'm in the mood. That was actually an accident that happened, it... it became a phenomenon! So when I do it, I do it for the fans and not naturally. We kind of joke around backstage sometimes when I'm about to sing "Invisible", and I'm like, "Oh crap where am I supposed to do that?" I can never remember where it's supposed to be [laughs], so we do it on purpose now. I think that has its place.

[Gibby]

Thanks for posting that article, Iseeme. There were lots of good questions, and great answers from Clay. I find this part particularly funny:

I still don't understand why people like my ass, I'm sorry [laughs].

EEEEEEEE! If you zoom in on the extra CD/DVD at QVC, it says that Invisible, I Will Carry You and and Measure of a Man are live, and enhanced. Hmmmm, wonder what performances? And TITN is listed as an unreleased video. All of this sounds GREAT to me!

ETA: I tried to read the small print at the bottom of the CD, and it looks like at least a couple of the songs are from AOL sessions.

[jmh123]

EEEEEEEE! If you zoom in on the extra CD/DVD at QVC, it says that Invisible, I Will Carry You and and Measure of a Man are live, and enhanced. Hmmmm, wonder what performances? And TITN is listed as an unreleased video. All of this sounds GREAT to me!

If you zoom in some more, it says the songs are from AOL sessions recorded live, November 2003 and December 2004, I think. So we've had those awhile, although I don't remember any 2004 Sessions recordings. I'm pretty sure TITN is the video that was made and never officially released--it's in the vaults too. So I just paid $15.00 for WINY.

[Gibby]

Yeah, jmh, I just zoomed in and saw the AOL sessions part. Heeee, WINY is probably worth $15.00 to me. And I'll enjoy the other stuff, too! I do plan to give a CD to my older daughter, and another one to her best friend. Her best friend LOVED the copy of ATDW I gave her, so I'll need a few extras to give away!

[jmh123]

I'm cool with it too, Gibby. It's new music from Clay!!! I think WINY must be from about the same era (that is, recorded around the same time) as IYDKMBN, which is one of my favorites from ADTW, and that was a bonus too.

[cha cha trusty]

EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

I'm excited and I should go to bed.

But I checked back in here one more time.... and now look!!

Here's a screenshot of the zoomed in on CD!!

it says (unreleased video) -- was there more than one?

[jmh123]

The Matthew Rolston TITN video was never officially released, so I assume that's the one.

[muskifest]

Well, I certainly love the 'love my ass' comment, but my favorite is:

You mentioned in one of the earlier interviews, I'm not sure who it was with, but you mentioned using an "out of tune" piano.

Oh did I? Did I mention that? Who did I say that to?

A sound that you liked that Kipper was able to reproduce for you?

Yeah, I can't believe I said that to someone, but okay. It's true, so I guess I must have.

Your fans want to know what song uses that as accompaniment?

Well I'm not going to tell them. Let them figure it out. It is true, it's in at least one, it might actually be in two, but it's in at least one. Let them guess! I can't believe I told that... I do love that sound. We decided to get an upright piano, and do it that way, and when I heard it I was like," HOLY CRAP! That's it!"

So it's in there. Let's see how good their ears are [laughs]!

God, he LOVES to mess with us...and I LOVE that he loves to mess with us and I just KNOW that he must be such a fun lover and soooooooo inventive and and he's such a little shit and gah and there are SOOOO many things I want to do to/with/under/on/for him.....

[djs111]

Couchie said...

But the song I can't get out of my head is I'm not dad yet. heee.

So, is this a super sekrit coded message from Clay?

[duckyvee]

I'm home!!!

And duckyvee, I was sitting next to a friend of yours on the train home. In fact you called her but she didn't hear the phone so she called you back! I told her she should come post here. It was fun talking with her.

Yes, that was cagney! I invited her to the CD listening party here that is coming up. She loves talking about Clay's music! We will both be at closing night and are hoping to meet up with some people from FCA.

I'm home!!!

And duckyvee, I was sitting next to a friend of yours on the train home. In fact you called her but she didn't hear the phone so she called you back! I told her she should come post here. It was fun talking with her.

Yes, that was cagney! I invited her to the CD listening party here that is coming up. She loves talking about Clay's music! We will both be at closing night and are hoping to meet up with some people from FCA.

[luckiest1]

Heh, I am sooooooo glad I got up early, because there is a lot to catch up on! Today I will be in a St. John's Ambulance training course all day, and sadly, have no access to internet (except maybe at lunch).

Two quotes that made me really smile:

From a blogger:

I've had to reassess my biases.

Woo hoo! I bet a lot of people seeing Spamalot during Clay's run have felt the same way.

From Clay:

I still don't understand why people like my ass, I'm sorry [laughs].

Heh, the first time I read that I thought he literally meant his ass, until I read it again and realized he just meant he doesn't understand why people like him. Hee! I use that expression all the time! What a great interview. I'd love to hear the audio of it.

couchie, so glad to hear you are having a great time, and finally got to see our boyfriend last night! Thanks for the poster! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I will see you in 6 days!

OK now I am off to make sure I know my QVC log in info before tonight. I'm confused, though, as to why everyone seems to have already ordered? I thought there was some concern about his live segment being cancelled or shortened if the product sold out? As much as I want the bonus DVD, and I want him to sell big on the show, what I want more than anything is the live QVC performances. I will wait to buy until the show is on.

ETA: Found this at the CH (where everyone and their brother is pre-ordering as well):

PWing to comment that shipping for Canadians is $9.95 for one CD and $14.95 for two!! with a delivery date of May 27th!!!!!

Clay really does want all our money, doesn't he?

[djs111]

OK now I am off to make sure I know my QVC log in info before tonight. I'm confused, though, as to why everyone seems to have already ordered? I thought there was some concern about his live segment being cancelled or shortened if the product sold out? As much as I want the bonus DVD, and I want him to sell big on the show, what I want more than anything is the live QVC performances. I will wait to buy until the show is on.

Quick answer is that ordering anything Clay-related is now an uncontrollable automatic reflex. Most posts I read said that the poster was just making sure all numbers and accounts and order info were in place, they saw the "order now" button, and could not help clicking it!

I have read that there are two item numbers, one for the initial orders, and then another for a later shipment, so I think they are expecting quite a lot of orders. I absolutely doubt they will cut entertainment short, because people will be able to order even if the initial batch is gone, and they have actually been promoting this appearance a lot. Yeah, they cut Padma's jewelry segment short, but then why would they sit around discussing jewelry that was sold out? Clay singing is good for future orders, and may keep people who tuned in just for Clay watching long enough to perhaps buy something else. QVC wants to get a lot of new customers out of this, I believe; they won't want to piss off Clay fans.

Plus there is always the niggling little fear that you might miss out. There are fans who will order a lot more than one, so buying now is just a safeguard. Many times people miss out on something because it was passed around behind the scenes, and was gone before they even knew about it. Paranoia abounds!

The extra shipping for Canada likely does not benefit Clay at all.