iTunes Podcasts...Six Degrees/The Bubel-Aiken Foundation

I can barely comprehend this, but I do believe the ClayNation is falling down on the job. We have just yesterday discovered interview podcasts that are dated...ummm...Dec 11, 2006. Now that is a little embarrassing. An excuse could be is that they are not that easy to find which really isn't a big surprise with anything to do with A Thousand Different Ways album promotion. The podcasts don't come up if you search Clay Aiken. They are listed under your Idols. Not surprising that they were not readily found. A good portion of the fandom has nothing to do with Idol anymore. As for as they are concerned, "Game Over, Idol Found". Still, finding primo clack almost four months after the date is not the norm for the "enthusiastic" fans of Clay Aiken.

The interview (in five parts) is quite good. Clay speaks on how he choose some of the songs on A Thousand Different Ways.

In part one, he discusses "Here You Come Again". Dolly Parton was a great favorite of his mom's, so he grew up with her songs. He wanted to sing on AI during country week, but Michael Orland and Debra Byrd talked him out of it because they felt it had too much of a Broadway vibe. Something Simon Cowell kept harping on with him. He tells of how the song came to be an the album, and how it got changed to more ballad-like.

In part two, he discusses "Broken Wings". His mother almost entered him for Star Search when he was eleven, and he was going to sing "Broken Wings". Seventeen years later, he finally gets to record it. Clay explains how he came up with the ethereal version on his album.

In part three, Clay talks about the original songs on his album and how he came to choose them. "Lonely More More" Jaymes Foster, his executive producer wanted on the album because Clay helped write it. "Eveything I Have" was a favorite of all the females in Clay's life, "A Thousand Days" was a song that considered for his original song album. "These Open Arms" is Clay's favorite perhaps due to these poignant lyrics

What if everything you ever took for granted, was gone?
And everything you ever thought was right, was wrong?
And what if everyone you ever loved was torn, from the pages of your life?
Would you reach out for tomorrow, or try to turn back time?

In part four, he talks about blending his singing career with his work with children with disabilites, and his passion for he cause of inclusion.

In part five, he talks about UNICEF, how he came to be an ambassador, and his work with the organization.

These interviews are well worth the download. They are free, but you do need iTunes. This link will take you to the iTunes store.
At the right you click on "Get Episode". Only download one at at time. It downloads quickly. After it downloads, you can find it in your iTunes Library under podcasts. It will most likely say Your Idols. Click on the little triangle to see all five parts. Click on each and they will play in the iTunes player.

March 31st is the last day to donate for the Six Degrees project. Through the badge at the left on this blog, you can donate as little as $10 and keep The Bubel-Aiken Foundation in the Top Six badges for the matching $10,000 from Kevin Bacon's Six Degrees Project. TBAF has collected over $28,000 to date. Please donate to this worthy cause if you can.

More on The Bubel-Aiken Foundation

What We Do

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation -with your help- will address areas of the disability community traditionally under-served. Investing in the education community will give us a voice in the future. Providing services and financial assistance, creating awareness, and recognizing ‘Champions of Change’ will help us extend the boundaries of the human experience for all.

Providing Services and Financial Assistance
Our grant program will provide much needed funding to qualified programs serving families in need of funds to assist individuals in life skills and one-to-one social skills, but more importantly, to programs that provide social interaction with their peers. We will fund the development of curricula and the necessary training aimed at achieving full inclusion in the educational, employment, and recreational settings.

Our Mission

Creating communities where ALL children can learn, live, and play together.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation will serve to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them. We will support communities and programs in creating awareness and opportunities for full inclusion where barriers break and doors open. It is our goal to create an environment for children where inclusion is embraced.

Related Tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, iTunes, podcasts, download, The Bubel-Aiken Foundation, Six Degrees, inclusion

Getting Better Looking As Time Goes By

I've been away so haven't been able to update my blog. Due to time constraints, this one will be mostly a pictorial, not that anyone should mind.

I was hoping for more print media promotion for A Thousand Different Ways. When a man photographs like a model, it is crime not to share the beauty. Luckily we had a People feature which gave us this:


and this


Here are some pictures that didn't make the magazine:







A creative fan did come comparison People Magazine pictures:









Some people, like fine wine, just get better and better with age.

TechnoratiTags: Clay Aiken, People Magazine

Numb3rs: Week 2

Hits Daily Double

A Thousand Different Ways Sales:

% stores reporting/units sold

.64% ....... 164
1.61%......3,206
14.61% ...19,983
17.06% ...21,400
19.78% ...22,048
21.19% ...22,783
22.60% ...23,071
26.37% ...25,166
37.26% ...42,950
41.80% ...43,790
41.87% ...43,790
41.93% ...43,790
55.80% ...53,322
57.74% ...56,385
74.34% ...62,776
84.31% ...80,381
100.0% ...80,381

Drop-off rates of artists debuting 9/18/06 (thanks to beachgal):

CLAY AIKEN RCA/RMG-- 80,381 -61%
FERGIE A&M/INTERSCOPE-- 72,102 -55%
DIANA KRALL VERVE-- 47,964 -48%
KENNY CHESNEY SBMG NASHVILLE/BNA-- 43,645 -69%
CHINGY CAPITOL-- 32,696 -56%
ELTON JOHN ROCKET/UNIVERSAL-- 22,551 -53%
JESSE MCCARTNEY HOLLYWOOD-- 17,455 -67%

Official Soundscan Numbers:

Week 1: 211,234 (#2)
Week 2: 74,053 (#8)

Drop from last week: 65%

Total sales: 285,766

Tags: Clay Aiken, Hits Daily Double, Sound Scan, Sales, Numbers, A Thousand Different Ways, Week 2

Numb3rs

Hits Daily Double is a website that builds a sales chart with the sales numbers that the retailers report. The charts are built Monday and Tuesday. While the numbers are not totally accurate, they do tend to mirror the official Soundscan numbers and rankings fairly closely.

Number of units of ATDW sold by % of stores reporting in:

~~in progress~~
.55------254
.64------266
4.35----3,533
6.80----5,615
19.80---47,394
23.93---50,427
25.34---52,371
39.40---87,544
54.38---144,327
56.77---157,671
73.37---179,756
83.34--- 206,631
100%----206,631




Soundscan is a sales source that tracks sales data for singles, albums, and music videos for Billboard, music channel companies and other music industry companies. It reports sales numbers on Wednesday.

From the Soundscan website:

Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Sales data from point-of-sale cash registers is collected weekly from over 14,000 retail, mass merchant and non-traditional (on-line stores, venues, etc.) outlets. Weekly data is compiled and made available every Wednesday. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Billboard music charts.

Clay Aiken's Album 1st week Soundscan Numbers:

MOAM: 612,859 (#1)
MCWL: 270,010 (#4)
ATDW: 211,234 (#2)

MOAM:

• AI buzz from both the show and the tour.
• Ruben vs Clay rivalry
• 'Invisible' impacting radio several weeks prior to the release date.
• Early promotion: Time article, Elle article, EW Cover, Nickelodeon's Let's Just Play, Primetime Live interview, Leno, TRL, GMA, World Series.

MCWL:

• Cross promotion with "Learning to Sing".
• Continued momentum from MOAM/Touring/Appearances
• TV Guide cover
• The Vox singing Christmas

ATDW:

Note: No Song impacting radio before the release date.

• Walmart Soundcheck
• GMA, Leno, The Insider
• People feature (should have been a cover, but was bumped by Anna Nicole and son)
• Hot new look
• Clear Channel streaming/AOL First Listening Party
• MySpace launched/website redesign
  
  Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Soundscan, Hits Daily Double, Billboard, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure of a Man, Merry Chrismtas with Love, Sales, Numbers

Lover All Alone

Check out Clay's Walmart Soundcheck performances and interview here: http://soundcheck.walmart.com/index.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a busy week with the CD release date finally coming to pass. The album is even better than I thought. Even though I did not like all the originals, I love all the songs sung by Clay. The biggest surprise was not even on the album, but included as a bonus on the iTunes download. The bonus was a song written by Clay called "Lover All Alone". It is just gorgeous--heartfelt and haunting. I literally get goosebumps listening to it.


Lyrics to Love All Alone:

maybe i've convinced myself i've really been in love
and i've been wrong all along
for all i know the feeling and the picture that i've tried
so hard to find isn't mine

could be its all just a waiting game
wanna share my everything c

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love

picking up the pieces makes me wonder if
i only build it all to watch it fall
the faster it can go away it means the less of me
is gone to stay and i'm ok

but lonesome(?) tomorrow comes anyway
i'm alone for another day, another day

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
that this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
that this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love
a lover all alone... without love

maybe i've convinced myself i've really been in love
but i've been wrong all along

Fred Bronson confirmed that the song was mostly written by Clay with co-writing credits going to David Foster (music), and Emanuel Kiriakou (prob a hand in both).

The promotion for this album has been a bit disappointing considering that RCA did not see fit to include radio play in the promotional budget. There were not many performances with the exception of Leno, Good Morning America, and The View. Clay was to have the People Magazine cover this week, but got bumped to the upper-right hand corner in favor of the amazing and very newsworthy Anna Nicole Smith. The article in the issue is very good, and well worth the price of the magazine. There were quite of few interviews though. It seems people just can't leave Clay's private life to himself. He stated in 2003 that he was straight in both Rollingstone and on Primetime Live, but that's not enough. People would rather believe tabloids, liars, and late-night jokesters instead of taking someone at their word for something that should be private. He drew the line, and said he was done talking about it. People will believe what the want to believe. I was more than a little disappointed in the editing done on the Diane Sawyer interview. Who knew that Lara Spencer of The Insider would have the best interview with Clay. She actually asked reasonable questions and let Clay answer.

For a wonderful blog addressing the media attention and speculation on Clay's sexuality visit WebWeaver's World: Is Clay gay or straight? It's none of your business!



Video of The Insider Interview:




Clay had a Leno appearance on 9/15. The man is beyond adorable on the talk-show circuit. Howie Mandel was the first guest, and stuck around for Clay's time on the couch. The two of them should be a comedy team. Jay was not needed. *g*



Performance of "A Thousand Days" from GMA



Part 1 (9/18/06) of the Interview and
Performance of "Without You" from GMA




From the ClayNation Newsletter:

Tight Race for the #1 Slot
According to Hits Daily Double, the race for this week's top-selling CD will be a tight one. HDD projects that Justin Timberlake is on track to sell 225-235k for the week, while Clay's A Thousand Different Ways should surpass 200k. This weekend's sales may well determine who ends up with the #1 selling CD of the week. If you haven't purchased your copy of A Thousand Different Ways yet, this weekend would be a very good time to do so. Many Walmart and Kmart stores will have been restocked by this weekend, and if there are still stock issues in your area, iTunes is a great alternative. Remember that if you purchase Clay's CD via iTunes, you will receive the bonus song, "Lover All Alone," written by Clay! Visit http://www.itunes.com to download their free player and purchase ATDW for yourself or as a gift for a friend.





Technorati Tags:
Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, Leno, The Insider, Good Morning America, Lara Spencer, Lover All Alone, iTunes

The Story Of The Man

From Clay's MySpace and RCA comes a "Who Is Clay Aiken?" write-up including an in-depth look at some of the songs on A Thousand Different Ways.


Who can explain why a singer becomes a pop star? Sure, talent and ambition contribute to the rise of many singing sensations, but skill and drive alone do not guarantee a berth at the top of the charts. Ultimately, it is an almost inexplicable reaction between a singer and his or her audience that creates a superstar career, sparking the kind of fanatic devotion that propels a performer into the pop stratosphere.

Such was the explosive reaction when Clay Aiken burst onto the music scene. An unlikely pop star, Aiken has remained steadfast in his desire to remain true to the simple values he learned as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina. "I still live in the town where I grew up", he says. "I like surrounding myself with people I know and love." It is this authenticity that his millions of fans have responded to, an almost supernatural earnestness that feels unconventional in the cynical world of today.

No slave to fickle trends or fashion fads, the singer has once again listened to his heart and has come up with an album that extols the value of love in all of its myriad forms. The singers third CD, A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS, offers fans 10 cover versions of love songs spanning the last three decades, as well as four brand-new songs that are destined to become Aiken classics in their own right. “This album is very different than my first, MEASURE OF A MAN, in that I had a lot more say in how I wanted things to be.” says the singer. “For the first album, they just gave us the songs, and I sang them. This time, Clive Davis, Jaymes Foster [the albums executive producer] and I came up with the songs together. I also felt more confident in the studio while we were recording. Before, it was all just a bunch of knobs and controls. Now, I’m comfortable offering my opinion on how the arrangements and mixes should sound.”

Though his fans have come to expect him to knock each song into the heavens with his transcendentally powerful voice which he does here quite masterfully, particularly on Harry Nillson’s Without You, the Bad English hit When I See You Smile (written by Diane Warren), and the Foreigner classic I Want to Know What Love Is. The new album also shows off a more mature Aiken, one who is able to add beautiful vocal nuances to such unexpected choices as Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It For You), Paul Young’s Everytime You Go Away (written by Daryl Hall), and Dolly Parton’s Here You Come Again (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil).

”Fans like to hear big songs,” says Aiken, “That’s what people have come to expect from us. I like big songs as well, but on this album, we also wanted to choose songs that expressed different parts of my voice.”

To be sure, Parton’s peppy Here You Come Again, done on A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS as a ballad, shows off a softer, more vulnerable Aiken. “I have always liked that song,” he says, “but I had never sung it before.” Foster promised to come up with an arrangement that would suit Aiken’s voice and she did. “It’s truly my favorite song on the album,” says the singer.

With classics like Celine Dion’s Because You Love Me, Elton John’s Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, and Richard Marx’s Right Here Waiting also rounding out the list of covers, one has to wonder if Aiken felt at all intimidated by competing with the original versions.

”I did feel a bit anxious about 'Because You Loved Me,'" the singer offers, "not only because of Celine, but also because the original was produced by David Foster, one of the greatest producers of all time. David has heard our version, and so has Diane Warren, who wrote the song. They both approve of what we’ve done, and that makes me happy.” (Aiken’s version of Because You Loved Me was produced by Eman. Other producers on the album include John Fields, Andreas Carlsson & Samuel Waermo, Adam Anders, and Russ Irwin & Charles Pettus.)

If any song made Aiken nervous, it was Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It For You). “That gravelly voice is so well-known,” says Aiken about Adams’ iconic rasp, “I didn’t know if I could do the song justice.” With a lovely, restrained vocal and an arrangement with a lilting Celtic feel Aiken’s version is an undeniable highpoint of the new disc; it’s one of the most romantic songs the singer has ever sung.

The new songs also give Aiken the opportunity to show off his emotional growth, with each track highlighting a different facet of his personality. Everything I Have (written by Jeremy Bose) brings to mind the poignancy of an Art Garfunkel performance. The song’s subtle piano and string arrangement allows Aiken’s naked voice to express the delicious ache of love. “Every woman I have played that for absolutely loves it,” says the singer. “I have people telling me they want to play it at their wedding.” A Thousand Days (written by Christian Leuzzi, Aldo Nova & Emanual Olsson) and These Open Arms (written by Jon Bon Jovi & Desmond Childs) are both classic Aiken, with big dramatic vocals and rousing, take-no-prisoners choruses. The fourth new track Lonely No More has a lighter, more playful pop sensibility and the song also represents Aiken’s first songwriting credit (along with writers Andreas Carlson, Samuel Waermo, and Mimmi Waermo.)

Perhaps the most astonishing artistic departure for Aiken was the decision to cover the Mr. Mister hit Broken Wings as an ethereal, New Age-like track. With an otherworldly spoken word vocal by poet Erin Taylor, the song is a spectacular tour-de-force. “We didn’t know if it would work. We took a chance, and I’m so happy with how it came out.”

Covering such a varied emotional spectrum, but always staying true to the essence of who Clay Aiken is, A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS is bound to please the millions of fans who loved 2003 MEASURE OF MAN (triple platinum and counting) and 2004s platinum MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE, the best-selling holiday album of that year. (2004 also saw the release of his inspirational biography, LEARNING TO SING: HEARING THE MUSIC IN YOUR LIFE, which reached #2 on The New York Times Bestsellers List.)

While the accolades that followed his stunningly close second-place finish on the second season of American Idol have validated him in ways that he never could have dreamed of when he was a teacher working with autistic children back in his home state of North Carolina, it is the charitable work that his musical career has enabled him to do that means more to him than anything else these days.

The singer created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, an organization that promotes and funds educational and recreational programs for children with special needs. “I worked with Mike Bubel, who has autism, when I was going to school at UNCC.” says Aiken. “My mother was very instrumental in encouraging me to get into this business.” The Foundation remains close to the singer’s heart at all times. “My music career has allowed me to do the same thing I was doing before, working with kids with disabilities,” he says. “It has given me a big stage to talk about the same things I always cared about. I don’t get to be as hands-on with the kids anymore, but I do get to work toward enacting change on a much larger scale.”

Also important to Aiken’s life as a humanitarian is his work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Since 2005, the singer has been passionately committed to supporting the organizations education programs. Not only has Aiken testified before Congress urging the government to allocate more funds for UNICEF’s global work for children, he has also traveled to Indonesia and Uganda to see the devastating conditions affecting millions of the worlds children first-hand, disease, malnutrition, kidnapping, and war, chief among them. “You just cannot believe how some of these kids are forced to live, says Aiken. It’s truly heartbreaking, yet many people don’t even know these conditions exist. I am hoping to shed light on some of these problems and so that more resources can be allocated to help make things better.”

Aiken meant for the title A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS to express the many different kinds of love in the world. Surely, his charitable work expresses a deep and abiding love for his fellow man, particularly the littlest ones among us. Where did such a driving need to help others come from, one can’t help but ask? Typical for Aiken, his answer is devoid of any egotism. Where did the desire to help come from? The need for help! He answers matter-of-factly. “You know, my mother has always been someone who urged me to help people in need. Maybe that’s it. I don’t think its something you can learn. It’s just something you do.”





Tonight is Star Search Final in Richmond, British Columbia. Here is a report of a Clay siting at the hotel:


From AprilJoy at Clayversity:

9/7/06
Well, here I am in the lobby of the .... no, I am not waiting for Clay to come in from a late night of carousing with his people, it is just the only place that has wireless internet... so here I sit.
---
We did run into Faye, Kristy and some others in the lobby, I had to be told as I walked right by and didn't notice... must be the lack of sleep and delirium from actually being here. I've got my camera at my side just in case we might spot Clay, but either way I'll be seeing him tomorrow evening and there will be many pictures and many reports.
----
Yep, Kristy is here... and someone they said was Priscilla (in other words.. I have no idea)..
---
Ah well, he walked by... he smiled.... brown suit, white shirt.... oh yeah, this is all third party since I was busy talking to Codmag and not looking straight ahead like I had been all night...

So you can all call it a night, Clay has gone to bed. He went up to his room with no Kristy in sight, btw, in case anyone was curious. I'm sure no one cares at all. He was with a woman, much older (40's) Long dark hair. Blazer. Much shorter than him. but not Kristy. Oh, and he rode in our elevator.

Oh and Raleigh just walked by! Her I see, typical.

ETA: Actually it was Durham, news to me... since I just discovered there was a Durham. I got lots of Durham kisses. Hee. Why does that make me a silly fangirl? I have pictures too. So cute.

The woman who walked with Clay to the elevators was Jaymes. She looked lovely all dressed up. She actually came back downstairs later and we said hello, and that's about it. Since it's 1:00 am I've decided I'm done for the night. I sat out on the patio with the girls (two of them are still down there), but this fangirl is tired after the seven hour drive.

Susandavis, same alternate world as me apparently because I didn't know there was another dog until I got up to Durham and noted she was quite thin and small for Raleigh, only to discover he/she was not in fact Raleigh.... by the way, does anyone know if Durham is a boy or a girl? we weren't sure and didn't think to ask.


Jackie said the hair was parted similar to Hawaii hair, she thought it was shorter too... not short, just shorter...like recently trimmed perhaps. The quote from BC4Clay is "He is looking fine."

---
9/8/06
Update from RiverRock:

We ran into Jaymes and Durham again. Jaymes confirmed that Durham is a HE. Raleigh is at home.
Jaymes said she had no idea how the snippets of ATDW even got out there, they are totally flabbergasted by that... she didn't seem upset, just confused about it. We were hanging out with Durham and Jaymes said to the dog "We need to go see your daddy." and I thought and maybe mumbled... "can we all go see his daddy...please?"


Oh and Roger is here as well. He's just checking in right now.

The Hair has spoken:

It's been since last December since we actually heard Clay speak. Clay appeared on a The Insider segment yesterday, so the wait is over. The hair is trimmed, but still looking mighty fine even though I prefer the bangs a little longer, brushing those long eyelashes.

Here is the video of Clay segment plus all the teaser's leading up the segment:





Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, The Insider, Star Search, Vancouver

Without You Too Long

A radio copy of "Without You" was received by radio stations which will be going for adds on AC stations sometime in the near future. The cover features another lovely photo from photographer extraordinaire, Miranda Penn Turin, the absolutely best professional photographer Clay has had to date. She brought out the sexy in him, and made him look like he believes it, which we know he doesn't.

WSRS out of Worcester, Mass gave Clay his maiden spin in their 5:00PM Request Hour.

"Without You"


DJ Tom Holt, who more than one Clay fan wants to adopt, said many positive things about Clay and his fans. He said, he received over 100 e-mails thanking him from playing Clay from all over the US. ClayNation was lucky enough to hear the song played because the radio station streams over the Internet. Here is the the Mediabase Quick Spin Chart of Clay's first spins of "Without You".

~~Chart provided by moonhead of Clayversity~~


The Radio version of the CD single is already up on EBay with a big of $305.
To put this into perspective here are some other CD's up for auction: (compliled by Madison of Clayversity):

Item # Item Title Bids Price Time Left

280022481420 NEIL YOUNG - AFTER THE GARDEN **RADIO PROMO CD** 3 $7.50 1d 05h 49m

280021711949 PHIL VASSAR - THE WOMAN IN MY LIFE **RADIO PROMO CD** 1 $5.00 1d 20h 43m

280023526535 CLAY AIKEN - WITHOUT YOU **RADIO PROMO CD** 23 $255.00 2d 10h 42m

280022484971 KEITH URBAN - ONCE IN A LIFETIME **RADIO PROMO CD** 5 $31.00 2d 20h 43m

280022485534 RASCAL FLATTS - MY WISH **RADIO PROMO CD** - $7.00 2d 20h 43m

280022486320 RHETT AKINS - IF HEAVEN WASN'T SO FAR AWAY *PROMO CD* 4 $15.01 2d 20h 43m

280023515989 BRAD PAISLEY - SHE'S EVERYTHING **RADIO PROMO CD** - $7.00 4d 09h 14m

280023516551 BECK - NAUSEA **RADIO PROMO CD** - $7.00 4d 09h 18m

280023517170 JAMES BLUNT - GOODBYE MY LOVER **RADIO PROMO CD** - $7.00 4d 09h 22m

280023517508 PEARL JAM - GONE **RADIO PROMO CD** 1 $7.00 4d 09h 25m

280023517773 SARAH MCLACHLAN - RIVER **RADIO PROMO CD** 2 $7.50 4d 09h 27m

280023518055 CLAY AIKEN - WITHOUT YOU **RADIO PROMO CD** 17 $255.00 4d 09h 29m

280023518795 JIMMY BUFFETT - BAMA BREEZE **RADIO PROMO CD** - $7.00 4d 09h 35m




In Other News:


On September 9th, Clay will be appearing as a guest judge on David Foster's Star Search Finals which gave him a very nice write-up on their site.

Clay Aiken’s awards and achievements make for a very long list: multi-platinum recording artist, goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, best selling author and advocate for individuals with disabilities through his Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

Some might call this overachievement. For Aiken this has become standard. Following his introduction to the American public, he became the first artist in history to have his premiere single debut at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

His first full length album followed suit, also debuting at #1. His 2004 book, “Learning To Sing: Hearing the music in your life”, went to #2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list, while “Merry Christmas, With Love”, his holiday album, became the fastest selling holiday album ever. His third album “A Thousand Different Ways” will be in stores on September 19th 2006.

Clay Aiken was born November 30, 1978 in Raleigh, NC. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in December 2003.

Then on September 10th, Clay will be performing at David Foster and Friends Charity Gala 2006 . There are several Clay Nation attendees so hopefully there will be clack (video) or at least detailed recaps.

Can't Wait. Let the good times begin.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Tom Holt, WSRS, David Foster, Charity Gala 2006, Star Search Finals, Vancouver, Miranda Penn Turin, Without You, Radio Spins, EBay

Sing a Song (or Fourteen)

Magnet


Sony Music Store has A Thousand Different Ways for preorder. It's a bit more expensive than Amazon, but you get a nifty Clay Aiken Magnet for your fridge or as some would say, "EBay Gold" since it is a limited item. If you would like to listen to the song snippets on the album, please watch the following montage which has some pretty pictures as a bonus.

Montage created by Brandilyne using the snippets of songs on A Thousand Different Ways:




Speaking of Amazon, the sales ranking has remained strong since it went up for preorder on 8/3 considering the promotion has not kicked into high gear.


Daily Amazon Sales Ranking
Aug 04 #1
Aug 06 #1
Aug 08 #1
Aug 09 #2
Aug 10 #2
Aug 11 #2
Aug 12 #4
Aug 13 #4
Aug 14 #7
Aug 15 #10
Aug 16 #8
Aug 17 #8
Aug 18 #7
Aug 19 #7
Aug 20 #7
Aug 21 #10
Aug 22 #10
Aug 23 #9
Aug 24 #10
Aug 25 #8
Aug 26 #10
Aug 27 #11
Aug 28 #12
Aug 29 #11

Thanks to Clay's Daily Double and demeter, the Keeper of the Amazon charts at Clayversity for the Amazon stats.




Since its release, there have been varying opinions of the tracklist . Many fans who had qualms about the tracklist were pleasantly surprise at the overall sound of the CD. Songs that were not necessarily anticipated became favorites, and songs that were looked forward to were overshadowed by others. I believe even the fans most disappointed in the tracklist found something to like. From reading the boards, I get the impression the majority of fans are happy with the CD even if covers was not originally what they wanted. I know I wanted some great original songs, but the CD is what it is, and no one can sing the schnitz of songs like Clay Aiken. He has the way of making songs seem better than the original, at least to me.

There were many wonderful posts pertaining to the CD, what it means to Clay, or what it means to us. Here is a sampling from some of our wonderful writers which were written before we heard the snippets.

"I don’t know what Clay will do with this material, or how the pacing and the production might help or hinder it. I do know that Clay Aiken is an artist still in the beginning phases of his career but one who has touched on moments of brilliance again and again.
He is just three years down the road, but he has changed and he has grown.This album is not his destination. It is a single step along the route that he travels.It could be a comforting way station or an unexpected vista found on his musical travels or it may be a place he regrets having visited.
And if a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, how much better that he takes that step instead of standing frozen in inaction, fearful of what might lie ahead.
I hope that Clay steps forward boldly. It is for him, not for me, to define what is bold, what is right, what is best."~~berkleylovesourclay at the ClackHouse

"I am at peace with this now, It's who he is. He's not a rocker although he can rock. And he's not edgy, even though he wears titanium balls,. heh He's a realllyreallly good singer who loves to sing and perform and have women squee at him. He will rock out a concerts, but this CD reflects his "lane", his vision. I'd bet on it".~~aginghippee at the ClackHouse

"There are no mistakes on this album. Every song is there for it’s own reason. If there are songs on the album that you don’t like, that’s okay, that song is not for you at this point in time, but it may have a life changing impact on someone who needs it. Music is powerful and can be a vehicle to transport a much needed message to someone who needs to hear it, in that format, at a specific point in time, for the message to really get through."~~Raffine at the Clayboard

"I have seen him make gold from straw. I've seen him rise up again and again when critics, cronies, media, fans, and foes have doubted, attacked, or ignored him. He's strong, smart, and gifted. I believe that whether Clay Aiken chose or did not choose all or even some of the material on this album that he will throw all he has and all he doesn't even know yet that he has into the execution of it. That's the kind of talent he is and the kind of man he is. There's nothing half-hearted about him. If everything was completely his choice or if he doesn't yet have that kind of controlling power, he will take ownership of the project and will live it to the fullest, come what may".~~00lsee at the ClackHouse

" ATDW is just a point in time in Clay’s career. A very early point in time. He really did just begin this journey 3 years ago, you know. He is searching, learning, improvising, trying new things, working with what he is given. Just as I did. His career is only starting to take form. I think his career, like mine, will not be a step by step progression. He will move through his challenges as most of us do, making choices, learning new things, building the “tapestry” of his music. He may make some mistakes but even so called mistakes are a part of what will make him whole. I’m sure in my career others perceived some of my choices as mistakes, while I never did. They were just choices that helped me learn. My career was never static and I don’t think Clay’s will be either.

I say this because there is no doubt in my mind that Clay will have a long and successful career in music. With his voice, how could he not? It really is early days yet. Clay has only begun to weave his tapestry. I may not like some of his choices but, if so, I’ll just move on to the next. I’ll relax, enjoy the parts I love, and know that he is ever growing and changing, joining small parts of his world together into what will some day be a whole. And I get to watch. How fortunate for me!"~~xxx4clay at Clayversity

Some other great blogs written by Clay fans:

The ConClayve: All The Things Clay Made Me Do

Carolina on My Mind: Medley Inspires Blog Potpourri

Some great places to get breaking news:

Clay's Daily Double Ads/News

The Clay Report

All-around good website for Clay links, photos, media, news etc:

Finding Clay Aiken

The Ideal Idol



Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Amazon, A Thousand Different Ways

Cover Me

RCA has hit upon the perfect marketing plan. Use an album cover that screams "YOU WANT ME! BUY ME! BUY EIGHT! TAKE ME HOME!"

Walmart was the first to post the cover of Clay's new album.

It's been fun reading some of the reactions in the fandom to the cover. Here's a sampling:

• I am cracking up here re-reading Clay's blog about the photoshoot and he said something like, what is an album of love songs without some romantic pictures and to me that doesn't scream romance as much as it oozes S-E-X and in this case they are not one in the same.
• Who wouldn't want eight of those? Or ten? Or a thousand? Kinda gives "a thousand days, a thousand nights are not enough" a whole new meaning, wouldn't you say???
• I can just see the double takes when people walk by the CD racks. "That can't be Clay Aiken...can it????" Oh yeah, it's going to sell!!
• RAWRRRR!!!!
• YUM. Just perfect. I want more of him...now!
• Track listing?????OH you mean.... he sings??????
• Ah, Library Boy. In less than 35 days, I'll have my hands on you. I might even listen to your music..cover to cover.
• Romance? The man said they were going for romance with this photo shoot? Was he kidding? 'Cause romance isn't the word I'd use for that picture. More like S.E.X.JT's CD might be called "Sexyback"; but he ain't got nothin' on "Library boy"... I can't stop drooling
• OMG, if there EVER in the history of the universe, was a MONEY SHOT, that one really defines it. He won't have to sing a note. Put 'em up on the shelves and watch 'em sell.... Cool, classy, casual, chic, confident, in control of his surroundings. Am in love!
• The heck with a thousand different ways... I'll take him just.like.that!
• I want to wallpaper my house with this album cover.
• EVERYTHING about that cover is PERFECT!!!!
• They say a Picture is Worth A Thousand Words...well, that Picture is Worth a Million CD Sales!

You get the idea---a rousing success. Is it September 19th yet?

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, CD Cover, A Thousand Different Ways, Walmart

Fame Comes With A Thousand Different Downsides

~~created by claystruck~~


This year Clay Aiken has been plagued by people of dubious character looking to make a dime off of his celebrity. The latest such person is one that purports to be an old family friend even though she is at most an acquaintance. This so-called friend wrote an unauthorized biography and was shocked to find out that Clay and his family did not endorse her book. What a surprise! Now the author is charging Clay and his mother with defamation of character. Clay normally does not answer charges and lies about him, but don't mess with his family. Mr. Aiken has decided to kick some ass. Yay! I love a man who uses the word "scurrilous".

From the Associated Press: Author of Clay Aiken Book Sues Singer

*snip*
Aiken, in a statement issued by RCA Records, said Monday that he had"instructed my attorneys to not only vigorously dispute the claims that have been made but to also pursue all possible remedies against those involved in the perpetration of these untruths."

*snip*

The lawsuit seeks at least $260,000 in damages and asks the court to order Aiken to retract the critical comments or endorse the book on his official Web site, to write a positive introduction for the book and to sell the book at his concerts for at least five years.

In his statement, Aiken, 27, also said:

"As a so-called `celebrity'I have become used to scurrilous allegations and untruths being made about me and my work. I have always taken the path of not reacting to these matters and have accepted them as, somehow, coming with the `job.'However, I cannot, and will not, stand by when these attacks are made on my family."

On a happier note, here are three songs that will be on Clay's new album. I can't wait to see what Clay does with the Bon Jovi song. It is one of the four songs considered original for this album since Bon Jovi had only released the song in Japan and not the USA.

Note: YouTube seems to a bit wonky. If per chance the videos are not showing up, check back later.

Montage by Aspiegirl set to "These Open Arms" by Bon Jovi



Montage set to snippets of Clay singing "Without You"

Video of Clay performing "1000 Days" in concert




Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, lawsuit, A Thousand Different Ways, Bon Jovi

A Thousand Different Covers

We have a release date, but no cover art for the CD. Luckily, ClayNation has many talented people to design the cover. Here is just a sampling of some of the mock covers that were created by fans. Of course, having such a beautiful subject makes the job easy.


Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.~~Petrarch


Cover created by Amazing_CA


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover Created by Brandilyne


Cover created by renee4clay


Cover Created by Fountaindawg


Cover Created by claystruck


Cover Created by xandersmom


Cover created by cindilu2


Here is a little video of the covershoot that actually gives an idea of what the cover will really look like. Judging by the video, the cover will be smoking. *g*




Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, CD Cover, Computer Art

Houston: We Have Lift Off

The long awaited Press Release is finally here.



Clay Aiken Releases New RCA Records Album 'A Thousand Different Ways' in Stores on September 19th

Thursday August 3, 10:00 am ET


LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The long wait for Clay Aiken fans is over. RCA Records will release the singer's third album, "A Thousand Different Ways" on September 19th. The project, Aiken's first outing since 2004, combines 10 cover versions of well-known songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s with four brand-new songs.


The album is a follow-up to Aiken's debut set, "Measure of a Man," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and is certified triple-platinum, as well as the platinum-selling "Merry Christmas with Love," the best-selling holiday album of the 2004 season.

For Aiken, the new album's title has multiple meanings. "This is an album of love songs," he explains, "but they are about all different kinds of love. Romantic love, Friendship, Unconditional love. There are a thousand different kinds of love; a thousand different ways to tell someone you love them. And, on top of that, since so many of these songs are covers, it's realistic to say that many of them have been or could be sung a thousand different ways."

In fact, Aiken has put his own spin on some of the well-known songs he has recorded for his new album. "These are songs I heard growing up. I loved them then and I still love them today, but we decided to do them a little differently. They have new arrangements and we put our own style on some of them."

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil's "Here You Come Again," a No. 3 hit for Dolly Parton in 1978, stands out for Aiken. "I've always loved that song," he says. "But for this album, we didn't use a country arrangement. It's a ballad version now. Adam Anders produced the most amazing arrangement and I couldn't wait to sing it."

Aiken credits Chairman CEO BMG U.S., Clive Davis for coming up with the concept for the album. "When we first embarked on making an album, my executive producer Jaymes Foster and I started out with one or two covers, then we had three. We slowly discovered that it's harder these days to come by songs that are as superb as the songs that I grew up on. Based on that, it was Clive's brainchild that we take classic love songs of the last 30 years and pair them with four new songs. He is a man who not only knows music, but really has his finger on the pulse of what listeners want to hear."

Those who have come to expect Aiken to belt out a song won't be disappointed. The album shows off Aiken's vocals in a big way with songs like the Bad English hit "When I See You Smile" and Harry Nillsson's "Without You." But Aiken will surprise fans by singing in a more relaxed style on some tracks than they have heard before, showing a different, sexier side.

Aiken fans will also be glad to know he was personally involved with the selection of every track and that he participated in every aspect of the album. "For the first album, most of the songs were chosen ahead of time. I was less of a participant in the process. The second album was a Christmas album, so we naturally chose songs of the season. This new album has much more of me in it. Right from the beginning, Clive and Jaymes wanted to find songs that were right for me. Jaymes told me, "Stay in your lane, but remember it's okay to swerve a little and see where it takes you.' That's exactly what we did."

The following is a complete track listing for the much-anticipated "A Thousand Different Ways," including writer and producer credits:


RIGHT HERE WAITING
Originally recorded by: Richard Marx
Written by: Richard Marx / Produced by: John Fields

WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE
Originally recorded by: John Waite
Written by: Diane Warren / Produced by: John Fields

WITHOUT YOU
Originally recorded by: Badfinger and Then Harry Nilsson
Written by: William Collings, Thomas Evans, Michael Gibbins, Peter Ham,
and J.C. Molland
Produced by: John Fields

LONELY NO MORE
(NEW SONG)
Written by: Andreas Carlsson, Samuel Waermo, Mimmi Waermo & Clay Aiken
Produced by: Andreas Carlsson and Samuel Waermo

SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD
Originally recorded by: Elton John
Written by: Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Producer by: Per Magnusson & David Kreuger

EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY
Originally recorded by: Paul Young
Written by: Daryl Hall
Produced by: Adam Anders

EVERYTHING I DO (I DO IT FOR YOU)
Originally recorded by: Bryan Adams
Written by: Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen & Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Produced by: John Fields

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - Guest Vocals by Suzie McNeil
Originally recorded by: Foreigner
Written by: Michael Jones
Produced by: Russ Irwin, Marti Frederiksen & Charlton Pettus

THESE OPEN ARMS
(NEW SONG)
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi & Desmond Childs
Produced by: John Fields

BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
Originally recorded by: Celine Dion
Written by: Diane Warren
Produced by: Eman

HERE YOU COME AGAIN
Originally recorded by: Dolly Parton
Written by: Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

EVERYTHING I HAVE - Featuring William Joseph on Piano
(NEW SONG)
Written by: Jeremy Bose
Arranged by: Jeremy Lubbock

A THOUSAND DAYS
(NEW SONG)
Written by: Christian Leuzzi, Aldo Nova & Emanuel Olsson
Produced by: John Fields

BROKEN WINGS
Originally recorded by: Mr. Mister
Written by: Richard Page, John Lang & Steve George
Produced by: Eman




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: RCA Records



Related Tags: Clay Aiken, RCA, Press Release, A Thousand Different Ways

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Clay Nation has been waiting (patiently for the most part) for Clay to blog about his CD release date. On July 17th Clay's executive producer, Jaymes Foster, blogged that the CD was finished, but that we would have wait a little while longer for the release date. RCA apparently still needed to finalize the schedule. We know that RCA had been eager to release the CD earlier in the year even briefly having a June 20th date on their website release schedule. When Clay blogged Monday night, I felt sure the blog would tell us a press release was imminent. Alas, no such news was forth-coming, but we did learn that Clay had a twelve hour photo shoot. Clay was a little unclear (big surprise *g*) about exactly when the photo shoot took place. On first read, it sounded like it took place on Monday, but upon further perusal of his blog, it seemed when he says "at the end of the day" he was talking about some previous day. A day that included sunsets, indoor waterfalls, Frank Sinatra against a backdrop of the city of LA. It sounds like the pictures are going to be drool-worthy.

Clay might not be the most muscular looking man on the planet. Heck, muscular is not a word associated with Mr. Aiken, but his slim build is pefect for making clothes look really good. His body type coupled with his photogenic features, Clay is one sublime model.

Here are a few professional photos of Clay for your enjoyment.




It won't be long before we have a whole new of crop of pictures with Clay's new hairstyle. I can't wait.


TechnoratiTags: Clay Aiken, Jaymes Foster, photo shoot

One Thousand Days Is Not Enough

Yesterday Clay Aiken fans were lucky enough to stumble upon an early studio version of a song that Clay performed on the Juke Box Tour last summer. It felt like old times as ClayNation tripped over themselves to download that mp3 as fast as they could as if it would magically disappear. It was so much fun finding the new studio version of a concert song. Of course, after the initial rush of joy, there was your usual variety opinions which is what makes this fandom interesting.

This is one opinion that I especially enjoyed:

"Basically...Clay is a pop singer...he sings pop songs. Pop songs are not known for poetic or deep lyrics. Pop songs that become classics are songs that capture peoples emotions...through the melody, the beat or the lyrics...but the lyrics need not be profound or deep...at times they can be inane and repetitious or sappy and sentimental. Some people have called the lyrics boyband lyrics...but have to remember that for almost a decade boy bands were a dominant sound in pop music. Boy bands sold millions and millions of records all over the world so there are lots of people that do not mind or even love these kinds of lyrics."
~~ClackHouse poster

It is true that we are starved for new material from Clay. We have been waiting what seems like forever for the announcement of the CD. This week, Jaymes Foster, blogged that we would have to "wait just a little longer". The ball is in RCA's court to make a final decision on the release date. In the meantime we wait, but waiting is so much easier when we have new clack to mainline. The version of "A Thousand Days" that was found is a early studio cut. It's a bit rough, but Clay sounds glorious.

At first, there was some talk that this was a leak, and the song would be on the album, but I don't think that it is. The direction of the album has changed so many times that I doubt a song that was not totally well-received from the fandom would make through all the progressions of this album. Clay blogged for us to be prepared for something different with the album. "A Thousand Days" is very reminiscent of songs on Measure of a Man. Since Clay blogged to expect something different, I do.

That takes me to expectations. The longer we have waited the more expectations have risen. Some of us wanted some of the rockin' concert Clay that we have seen and loved showcased in an album. After hearing the four previewed songs at the Juke Box Tour, I thought we would basically get mid-tempo pop or pop rock songs with better instrumentation than Measure of a Man. After the direction of the album changed to covers and love songs, there was a fear of a ballad heavy album. No one can sing the schnitz out of a ballad the way Clay can, but we know there is more to him musically and artistically. I don't think any of us fully knows what to expect from this album. We have heard insider tidbits of "vocally amazing" , "stunning" and of people questioning if that was Clay singing. Jaymes herself blogged that this album was worth the wait. Expectations are high for this album by most of the fans, and rightly so. We know what Clay can do. Will he be allowed to do and will a studio sound fully capture his essence? We'll see.

Our fandom is very diverse and opinionated. Not many are too shy to voice their opinion. No matter what the final product, not all will be happy. We've got Rock Clay lovers, BalladBoy Clay lovers, sexy Clay lovers, Christian Clay lovers, cover song lovers, original song lovers, lyric lovers, melody lovers, beat and hook lovers. Can all be satisfied at once? It is a very tall order. I would be shocked if the album were uniformly loved. The most important thing is that Clay can be happy and proud of his art. We can love it or hate it or somewhere in between and that is okay. If Clay is happy (and I think he is) then I will be more than satisfied.


Here is a montage made from video of "A Thousand Days" from Tsunamimommy via YouTube



Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Days, leaked song, A Thousand Different Ways

A Thousand Different Ways

The album is done. 'Quite Soon' has arrived. Yay! We have the title of "A Thousand Different Ways which is quite appropriate since there a thousand different ways to be a Clay Aiken fan. You only have to read at his Official Fan Club site to see the diversity of his fanbase...thousands of fans, thousands of opinions are represented. Clay gave his executive producer Jaymes Foster, the honor of telling us the title of the album. I'm not surprised that Clay didn't tell us himself. He's always been a team player, rarely taking credit for his efforts and always willing to share the limelight. The nice thing about Jaymes blogging about the CD is that it gives her a chance to tell us her impressions of Clay as an artist. Jaymes has worked with legends such as Barbara Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, and Celine Dion, and said that Clay compares favorably with those powerhouse talents. We don't yet know what style of music is on the CD. For all we know it could songs done in a thousand different ways (styles).

All Jaymes would say is that Clay picked songs to showcase his amazing voice. Jaymes also said that she was astounded by Clay's musical talent, instincts and abilities. I'm not surprised...At.All.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Barbara Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Jaymes Foster