There Was A Man

Summer Tour 2007--The Texas Two-Step

Frisco TX
The summer tour kicked off on the fourth of July at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco TX. The concert was held after an opening act of a soccer game between FC Dallas and FC Chivas with the home team winning 2-1. I tried to watch, but honestly, except the obvious goals where I just followed the crowd in cheering, the game was pretty much off my radar. I was having a great time meeting Clay fans in the stands. Luckily after weeks of rain, the Fourth decided to behave and we had really nice weather. It didn't rain, and it wasn't too hot-- can't ask more from Texas. After the game, the event 'police' guarded the gates onto the field like they were guarding the crown jewels. On further thought, perhaps they were. The Clay fans were stuck waiting on the stadium stairs for at least 20 minutes. It felt like an hour because it was Clay Aiken time. The anticipation was killing me. Finally the gates opened and we all made a mad dash for the stage. I mistakenly thought we were going to have to sit on the field so I came prepared with a towel. Once on the field, we were crowding (in a well-mannered way) toward the stage. I wanted to squee because I was so close. Who cared about sitting when The Aiken would only be a few feet away. The show was fabulous. It was a shortened set (concert length was about 70 minutes) from the regular venues, so the drawback besides less Clay time is a more choppy feel to the show. I didn't care. Clay looked stunning. No picture does him justice. The man was and is drop-dead gorgeous in person. His voice was more glorious than any record. He was funny and engaging. What more can a fan want. Well, this is Clay Nation we are talking about so it should have been no surprise that opinions (many from people who only saw video) were wide and varied.

Houston
The Houston was better received because one, it was a beautiful symphony hall not a stadium with bad sound and two, because it was the full show. Also, Clay had a chance to see what worked and what didn't in he first show. He asked for feedback after Frisco on his official fansite, and I bet he got plenty. Hee. Well, he did ask. He should know his fans are very opinionated. I wasn't at this show, but the crowd was comprised of online Clay fans, local fans, and symphony members. It was reported that one-third to one-half of the audience was male. There was even a group of fans that flew in from Korea. The concert last almost two hours with 5 additional full-length songs and more banter than Frisco. The show flowed more evenly. Clay was again in spectacular voice. Besides "Lover All Alone" and "Because You Loved Me" one of the most loved parts of the concert was his Classics Segment which were songs normally not heard with an orchestra, and also songs you wouldn't expect to hear Ckay Aiken sing. He had a lot of fan with that segment and so did most of the audience.

He got many ovations, but none so heartfelt as when he sang the song he wrote himself, "Lover All Alone". Be sure to watch the YouTube video after the setlists. He ended the concert with a song to his fans "Because You Loved Me". That is the truth Clay Aiken fans do love him.

Frisco Setlist:
Here You Come Again
I Want to Know What Love Is w/Quiana Parler
Banter – band intro – Quiana and Angela
When I See You Smile
The West Wing theme song – orchestra only
Banter
TV Theme Song medley - Perfect Strangers, Full House, Laverne and Shirley, What's Happening (orchestra only), Growing Pains, Different Strokes, Charles in Charge, Roseanne (orchestra only), Who’s the Boss, WKRP in Cincinnati, Golden Girls, Gimme a Break, Welcome Back Kotter, The Jeffersons, All in the Family
Banter
These Open Arms
When the Lights Go Down – Quiana Parler
Banter – more band intro Orchestra and drummer
Without You
Banter
The “Classics” Medley – Baby Got Back, Like a Virgin, Bills, Bills, Bills (Quiana), 1999, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Oops, I Did It Again, OPP, Yeah, SexyBack , Achy Breaky Heart, Opposites Attract, Beat It
Lover All Alone
Banter
Because You Loved Me
Banter
God Bless the USA (Proud to be an American)

Houston Setlist:
First Half
Here You Come Again
Everything I Have
I Want to Know What Love Is w/Quiana Parler
Banter
When I See You Smile
Banter
Everytime You go Away
The West Wing theme song – orchestra only
Banter
TV Theme Song medley - Perfect Strangers, Full House, Laverne and Shirley, What's Happening (orchestra only), Growing Pains, Different Strokes, Charles in Charge, Roseanne (orchestra only), Who’s the Boss, WKRP in Cincinnati, Golden Girls, Gimme a Break, Welcome Back Kotter, The Jeffersons, All in the Family
Banter
These Open Arms
When the Lights Go Down – Quiana Parler

Second Half
Without You
Banter
Measure of a Man
A Thousand Days
Banter
The Way You Make me Feel
The “Classics” Medley – Baby Got Back, Like a Virgin (Angela), Bill,s Bills, Bills (Quiana), 1999, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Oops, I Did It Again, OPP, Yeah, SexyBack , Achy Breaky Heart, Opposites Attract, Beat It
Listen – Angela
Banter – band intros
Lover All Alone
Banter
Because You Loved Me

Thanks to quiet1ne for the setlist

~Lover All Alone--Houston~