#56: Clay's going to sing. Life is good.

[ldyjocelyn]

More from diamondjake2001 at the CH:

More from Q&A: There was a camera man following Clay around all day. He also taped during the rehearsal & at least some of the Q&A. Clay insisted it was some of the most boring video tape ever but some of it would probably be used for the DVD. When he said it was boring someone asked if he would sell it & he immediately went into the "How much are you willing to pay"

Someone asked about a UNICEF trip. He said that the person he use to work with on his trips is no longer with UNICEF USA. She has gone to UNICEF International. He said that unless this album goes big internationally he has to stay with UNICEF USA. The USA organization seems to need short notice for trips and he really can't do that any more. For example he was asked to go somewhere in 2 weeks. He said with a child he needs more time to schedule. He also said he really doesn't want to go somewhere safe but he really shouldn't go somewhere very dangerous because he has a child. He was going to go to Haiti but the response was so great he didn't need to go.

I asked him about blogging again on Huffington Post. He said he probably will but he wants to be careful to not over do it. He doesn't want to speak out so much that people just learn to ignore what he says.

[FromClaygary]

Thanks so much to all the attendees at our Post-Gah breakfast at Tyrnanog! We raised $409 for the National Inclusion Project from the raffle! I will ensure that is topped up to $425 and sent to them in the next few days.

Thanks everyone who attended, for your generosity!

:twinklewhore:

[FearofH2O]

Thanks so much to all the attendees at our Post-Gah breakfast at Tyrnanog! We raised $409 for the National Inclusion Project from the raffle! I will ensure that is topped up to $425 and sent to them in the next few days.

Thanks everyone who attended, for your generosity!

:twinklewhore:

Congratulations! Great prizes. Really nice gift to TNIP. It was so nice meeting so many people at the breakfast.

What a let down it was to go to work today. Why isn't there a concert everyday? I'm still in a daze.

Tomorrow my husband has surgery on both knees. Ouch! He'll be in the hospital for three days. He did mention again to me about how much he enjoyed the concert Friday night. I didn't even have to prompt him.

[aikim]

5 Days until The First Day of Spring!

:glasses:

76 Days until June 1 and The New CD! :04:

Clay addresses The Key Club in July!

Happy Birthday to all celebrating!

Everyone have a great day!

Kim

[ldyjocelyn]

From the CV, via the CH:

clayniac2 wrote:

I'm putting this in red because it is new information about the concert even though it didn't take place Friday night. I have been asked by a few friends to post this here and at CV and I'll do that.

I was at RDU airport for my 3pm Saturday flight home. After having lunch, I walked around and right to the stage production crew from the taping. I'm sorry that I don't know (or remember) their names, but there were four there. One was the "audience man" with the long hair, another was part of the filming crew and the last two were both the lighting crew (and from Ireland). I thanked "audience man" for a fabulous production, told him how it was the best that I had seen . He then intro'd me to the other three, and wanted me to know that the lighting was a very special treatment designed specifically for Clay for that night. They were so impressed with Clay; his talent, professionalism, attention to detail, and his sense of humor. They loved Ruben and Quiana too. They were also pleased that they were able to tape the concert straight through with only a short amount of "retakes." Only one of the three retakes was because of Clay, and that was the lyric scramble on Mack the Knife the first time. We chatted about Friday night and they told me that after the retakes and most of the audience left, there were just a few people, mostly family and teachers, who remained. I was fortunate enough to have remained there as well, and was able to watch the photo shoot. That was done with Clay's back to the audience section of the theater, the photogs were back where the band had been. Some poses resembled the Time photos, some TV Guide, and some new treatments. Then, when the photo shoot was over, Clay turned again to face the audience area, but was "miming" a couple of songs complete with a lot of personality and movement (even more than I had seen on some of the songs during the taping). I thought perhaps they were just trying for some tighter shots to edit into some of the songs, but the guys said no, it was being filmed for a commercial for the microphone which would be distributed in the tech world. Sorry, I don't know the name of the microphone company. We talked about how so many of us had formed lasting friendships with others all over the country and different parts of the world. Friendships that continue even when Clay is seemingly inactive. They said we were a great audience and they could feel the love. I also told them about how great Clay's concerts were, full of terrific music and lots of fun, and that Clay and Quiana were hilarious together. I told them what a wonderful singer she was too. We ended that part of the conversation with the information that the airing should be in June, but if not, then it will be done in August.

Anyway, the rest of the conversation that I remember had to do with my upcoming trip to Ireland, and with the next gig they were headed for in NYC. They will be taping another PBS special (which makes me think that they are hired by PBS) on board an aircraft carrier with the 4 Troops. This group has just returned from being stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and have very uplifting music, so that should be a terrific special too.

[luckiest1]

After reading the reports, it sounds like the song I personally am most looking forward to seeing is Mack the Knife. Clay blew me away when he did that song on AI, and it sounds like he's really made it his own now, even more so.

You know, I think seeing what PBS does with Mack The Knife is what I am looking most forward to. I was never big on Mack from the AI days, just not my cuppa. But it blew me away at the taping. I didn't notice any mix ups in the lyrics, probably because I was in shock when he sang it as soon as the curtain lifted. I was thrilled that he had to redo it! Heh. But I still find that everything is foggy and I can't remember much already. Is it June yet? I'm not going to make it!

Fear, it does suck to be back at work, doesn't it? And as soon as I got here this morning they, like, wanted me to do stuff that wasn't Clay related. What's up with that?

[Carolina Clay]

I should never try to write a blog on Monday, a traveling day for me. I literally got the "Take 2" installment of recaps posted 20 minutes before I was supposed to be teaching a piano lesson 30 minutes away. Fortunately, all the lights were green; and the student was five minutes late!

Many thnx to Pink Armchair, Cablegirl, cindilu2, mumm fums, moonhead, goldarngirl, jmh123, SueReu, Heart, Elizabeth, Craving Clay, and claym8, whose PBS concert reflections were quoted in the new blog: Carolina On My Mind: Clay Aiken PBS Magic Continues. Here's the lead:

Clay Aiken's one-time only concert at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh included a preview of his upcoming Decca album, Tried & True, plus a host of other memorable classics.

At the top is "Clay Aiken's Back in Town," a new montage by LovesClaysVoice, who combined the AP photos from the concert with previous art and the AI2 MTK performance to create a neat promo for the PBS special and TNT album.

Hope you enjoy! As always, thank you for your comments and hits. I so appreciate ALL the recaps that have been shared throughout Clay Cyberspace. You certainly helped put all of us "in da house."

Have an awesome day, FCA!

Caro

[luckiest1]

From CV:

New Concert...

Silver Legacy Casino

Reno Nevada

July 31, 8:00pm PDT

Tix on sale Thurs Mar 18, 10:00am PDT thru Ticketmaster

Wheeeee, now I wish the OFC would get on the ball and give us the full list of dates! As much as I love it that we are getting new venues, I hate that they have to come out in dribs and drabs like this. I want to PLAN! So far Chatuaqua is a definite, and Asheville is a maybe, depending what else we find out about before the tickets go on sale.

[keepingfaith]

So far:

Weekend 1 - The South (Asheville)

Weekend 2 - The West (Reno)

Weekend 3 - The Northeast (Chautaqua)

I noticed Clay's ticket prices at $65-$40 in Reno. Also noticed the following on the Silver Legacy Casino website:

Daughtry: $39-$29

Carrie Underwood: $55-$35

Frankie Valli: $85-$55

Johnny Mathis: $85-$60

Tony Bennett: $96-$51

The singers of classic songs are pulling in the better cash! Who knew?! Also, Ticketmaster has this listed as simply "Clay Aiken." Is Ruben a "special guest" I wonder?

[justclay12]

I'm sorry I didn't get to meet up with more of you while I was in Raleigh. My friend and roomie had to leave for the airport a little after ten so I wanted to spend the time with her and then I just wanted to get home. And I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but sometimes I just want to savor something special like this on my own for awhile. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I still feel that afterglow.

Everyone's recaps have been so good and I've been trying to read as many boards as I could to see others reactions. So far, it appears that about 99% of them have been that it was damn near perfect. I used to get mad at some of the critics who would pan Clay's songs because they felt he should have done something else because I loved all of the songs he had sung, and thought they were absolutely beautiful. However, I think I get it now. As much as I loved all of his songs, especially those on OMWH, none of them did justice to what Clay can do. I have never, ever heard anyone do anything with their voice and with songs as Clay did Friday night. I am still amazed at some of the sounds that came out of him. Highlights for me were Crying, BMUB, SM, and absolutely UM. I was glad that he was going to sing that song because I've always thought that he has done a great version of that song, but words cannot express what he did on Friday. I am so glad that more people will have a chance to hear this masterpiece when it appears on PBS.

GBB did a recap where she said that although she had still loved Clay, it had grown into a more comfortable place. Until Friday. I completely understand what she was saying. It was like those first few months on AI when I couldn't get enough of him, only magnified 100 times. These songs truly are the ones that Clay was meant to sing.

One other wonderful thing that happened for me was that I finally got to meet Reed. I think he may have been checking out the floors at the Marriott to get feedback from smaller groups because a few minutes after we met him on the 11th floor, canfly and Scarlett and another friend met up with him on the 6th floor. He was asking where the ice machine was but he didn't have an ice bucket, and both ice machines were working fine, so I think he was a tad excited himself. My friend and I were waiting for the elevator, and I was on my phone with my daughter, when I saw Reed walk down the hallway. He looked over our way, and I automatically smiled and waved. My friend caught a glimpse so she peeked around the corner and he was right there and that's when he asked about the ice machine. He asked us our names and where we were from. He was so very sweet. We told him how great the show was and asked who had done the arrangement of UM. He said that was Ben. I also told him that I thought he was a beautiful dancer because I've watched some of the stuff online and he is amazing. He thanked me and he said how lucky Clay was to have such supportive fans. I told him that Clay was also very lucky to have him and he thanked me and he hugged both of us. He really is so sweet and it makes me happy to know that Clay has so much love in his life right now, and people who are so supportive of him.

On a side note, Scarlett cracked me up before the show. Her and CF had come up to our rooms, and both had their computers, but Scarlett was sitting on the floor with her laptop doing all that fb crap (sorry Scarlett, but I have a complete hatred for any of those fb games). I told her we needed to do an intervention. I think fb came up with those games to addict people and suck out everyone's sanity.

[bottlecap]

So are we like Reed’s Fans-in-law?

And how jealous am I that I only got a handshake from Reed and not a hug?

[justclay12]

So are we like Reed's Fans-in-law?

And how jealous am I that I only got a handshake from Reed and not a hug?

I like that, fans-in-law. I'm not one who usually goes up to friends or family of Clay's but it was so natural to start talking with Reed. He is very open and friendly. I'm also a fan of his, although not even close to where I am with Clay. Although I have about as much knowledge of dance as I do about music or singing, I do know what looks or sounds good to me, and I think Reed is one of the most beautiful dancers I have ever seen. Sure helps that he has the body for it too, as well as beautiful eyes and a beautiful smile.

[Lotus]

So exciting the concert dates are increasing. Now one in Reno..tickets on sale Thursday morning...can someone, anyone give me advice?

Do you think that there will be other concerts nearby, that is, within reasonable driving or busing distance from Reno?

I really would much prefer to go to more than one concert if I'm going to fly 1100km even if I did go much further, around 5000km, for Saturday's amazing concert experience.

I wonder if Clay will have meet and greets other than ones auctioned off.

[wandacleo]

Hallelujah!!! A concert in the West! I'm so going to get tickets on Thursday. I don't care if he does nothing but stand on stage and grin.

ETA: I just have no clue at all where he will be next. Maybe he's just flying out and doing weekend concerts here and there. That's what some artists do--I think it's cheaper than a bus tour and a lot less complicated.

[keepingfaith]

If what I've read on the boards is true ... Clay's going out with Ruben this summer, and a full-blown big-band tour probably won't be until January 2011 and would be contingent on the success of Tried & True. IF that's the case, sounds to me like Clay will do smaller venues with Ruben where he can fly in on weekends, and major cities with big buses and larger venues out on his own.

I'll take some of everything, please.

[goldarngirl]

So exciting the concert dates are increasing. Now one in Reno..tickets on sale Thursday morning...can someone, anyone give me advice?

Do you think that there will be other concerts nearby, that is, within reasonable driving or busing distance from Reno?

I really would much prefer to go to more than one concert if I'm going to fly 1100km even if I did go much further, around 5000km, for Saturday's amazing concert experience.

I wonder if Clay will have meet and greets other than ones auctioned off.

I would certainly buy a ticket. I wonder if there will be clumps of concerts two or three in NC; two or three in NY; two or three out west; maybe some in the south close to where Ruben would consider home???

Too bad it isn't in June when I am out there we could fly down together.

[claylove]

I will be there! Reno is a 2 hr drive for me :-) Woo Hoo!!

[Thankful4Clay]

So are we like Reed’s Fans-in-law?

And how jealous am I that I only got a handshake from Reed and not a hug?

Hey, I only saw from him from a distance and I feel lucky. He is one GORGEOUS man in person. DAMN!!!

[FearofH2O]

Since I pretty much ran in and out of the venue before and after the concert I never even saw Reed, so I'll take you all at your word. But no one is gonna affect me like Clay does. I'm still skipping instead of walking since Friday night.

Mr. Fear's surgery went great. I'm a little pooped after sitting around the hospital for eight hours but it'll be worth it if he can walk without pain.

[luckiest1]

Glad to hear the surgery went well, Fear.

I was thrilled to see Reed in the lobby of the venue. I didn't spend much time over at the Marriott, so I never saw him to speak to him, but it sounds as though he was very friendly to the fans. What a nice guy, from the sound of things.

I am hoping that there will be a couple of venues closer together on this not-a-tour, since it's pretty certain there'll be a good drive involved for me. I'd like a two-fer or three-fer, please!

I'm having an interesting week....came home to find out my ex was in town and needed a place to stay for the week. I don't mind, it's just kinda weird, but great for my son to have the opportunity to spend some time with his dad.

[bottlecap]

toni7babe suggested a reason why Reed was wandering around on different floors looking for the ice dispensers / vending machines:

I think he was looking for a pop machine that took cash not credit cards or vice versa that's why between floors. Some machines only take credit cards in the hotel. Someone else who ran into him by ice machine/pop machine told me that was what he was looking for.

That makes sense to me, as I was really surprised that the pop machine on my floor only took credit cards. Also when I tried to use it on Thursday night, it only had one kind of pop available - it was out of diet whatever and water and I think I ended up going down to the gift shop in the lobby for drinks. Reed may have had the same kind of experience. Getting to check out and be checked out his fan-in-laws may have been a side benefit of Reed's drink quest.

Which reminds me - I need to apologize to the city of Raleigh for the number of plastic bottles I threw in the trash there. I recycle religiously at home, but it's tough on the road.

[Couch Tomato]

So exciting the concert dates are increasing. Now one in Reno..tickets on sale Thursday morning...can someone, anyone give me advice?

Do you think that there will be other concerts nearby, that is, within reasonable driving or busing distance from Reno?

I really would much prefer to go to more than one concert if I'm going to fly 1100km even if I did go much further, around 5000km, for Saturday's amazing concert experience.

I wonder if Clay will have meet and greets other than ones auctioned off.

YAY FOR RENO! I will definitely go to that one and probably bring my mom along. 4 hour drive? Peice of cake! So I'll know I'll get to see him twice. I'm all good! It's so funny how we can gear back up so fast. LadyJ had emailed me about this. I called my lurker friend to let her know we had one night to plan heee.

Just Clay -- hey!!

Fear, glad hubby's surgery went ok.

[FearofH2O]

Thanks guys. I'm happy too.

BCif I had known that I would have been looking in all the trash cans pulling out bottles. It's a shame that they didn't have recycling containers around the hotel. Really.

[liney23]

So exciting the concert dates are increasing. Now one in Reno..tickets on sale Thursday morning...can someone, anyone give me advice?

Do you think that there will be other concerts nearby, that is, within reasonable driving or busing distance from Reno?

I really would much prefer to go to more than one concert if I'm going to fly 1100km even if I did go much further, around 5000km, for Saturday's amazing concert experience.

I wonder if Clay will have meet and greets other than ones auctioned off.

Lotus... the only thing I know close to Reno is Sacramento and then the San Fran, San Jose area. It would be a whole day's drive for me, but I might do it if nothing else in the west comes up. I wonder why Reno? A Casino, like Atlantic City? I hope he does San Jose... I'd love that. That's if he doesn't come to SoCal. This is soooo exciting!

Since I pretty much ran in and out of the venue before and after the concert I never even saw Reed, so I'll take you all at your word. But no one is gonna affect me like Clay does. I'm still skipping instead of walking since Friday night.

Mr. Fear's surgery went great. I'm a little pooped after sitting around the hospital for eight hours but it'll be worth it if he can walk without pain.

Fear... I'm glad it went well for Mr.Fear!!!

I am still looking for and reading every recap I can find. LOL I've got it bad and, "that's fine with me" tmCHA

[ldyjocelyn]

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