GENERAL: 'American Idol Worship' Praises Clay & The Christmas Tour

Our friends over at American Idol Worship are complimenting Clay left and right in their fantastic new write up on Clay's current Christmas tour:

"Clay is in a league of his own with Christmas carols, and this tour proves as much. His range has grown each year of his career, and the finale, “All Is Well” is a how-to primer on soft, low notes sung with passion up to the soaring, glory notes well above a tenor’s range."

"In each city, while Clay might have crossed his fingers and planted his feet for luck in hitting that final note, the audience shot to its feet and screamed in appreciation as he hit it. Even more impressive is that for the last week, Clay has been suffering from a debilitating inner ear infection that has given him vertigo and dizziness.

He was forced to sing an entire concert from a seated position on a stool, gripping it with both hands to keep his balance. Most entertainers would have canceled, but Clay wanted the show to continue even though he had to be helped on and off the stage by an assistant."

It is also important to note that during each concert, Clay stresses the need to reach out to others. He spends a few minutes talking about his work with UNICEF and the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, and encourages people to reach out and contribute any way they can to whatever organization they choose to support. He then launches into “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day,” the last song of his set before the “All Is Well” encore.

GENERAL: Christmas Tour Draws To A Close

After 10 near or complete sellouts, Clay's hit 2006 Symphonic Christmas Tour has come to an end. We'll be here as Clay kicks off his "ATDW" tour sometime in the new year.

Recaps
You can find some of the Clay nation's best recaps here. Don't forget, we have all the Christmas tour highlights RIGHT HERE on this CDD Christmas Tour 2006 blog.
- Select Concert -Dec. 1, Waukegan, ILDec. 2, Merrillville, INDec. 4, Verona, NYDec. 5, Englewood, NJDec. 6, Baltimore, MDDec. 7, Norfolk, VADec. 9, Williamsport, PADec. 10, Wilke Barres, PADec. 11, Easton, PADec. 12, Hartford, CTDec. 14, Greenvale, NYDec. 15, West Point, NYDec. 16, Red Bank, NJDec. 18, Detroit, MIDec. 19, Grand Rapids, MIDec. 21, Jacksonville, FLDec. 22, Charlotte, NCDec. 23, Greensboro, NC

Tour Dates
More of a keepsake than anything else, here are all of the concerts Clay did:

December 1, 2006
Waukegan, IL
Genesee Theater

December 2, 2006
Merrilville, IN
Star Plaza Theatre

December 4, 2006
Verona, NY
Turning Stone Resort

December 5, 2006
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center

December 6, 2006
Baltimore, MD
Lyric Opera House

December 7, 2006
Norfolk, VA
Scope Arena

December 9, 2006
Williamsport, PA
Williamsport Community Arts Center

December 10, 2006
Wilkes Barre, PA
FM Kirby Center

December 11, 2006
Easton, PA
State Theatre

December 12, 2006
Hartford, CT
Connecticut Convention Center

December 14, 2006
Greenvale, NY
Tilles Center

December 15, 2006
West Point, NY
Eisenhower Hall Theatre

December 16, 2006
Red Bank, NJ
Count Basie Theater

December 18, 2006
Detroit, MI
Max M. Fisher Music Center

December 19, 2006
Grand Rapids, MI
DeVos Performing Hall

December 21, 2006
Jacksonville, FL
Moran Theatre

December 22, 2006
Charlotte, NC
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

December 23, 2006
Greensboro, NC
War Memorial Auditorium

GREENSBORO: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's sorkid78:

VERY LOOOONG! You are warned now....

O....M.....G....:thud ! Two days of Clay Aiken IN A ROW! :thud I don’t know if I can take that again? I mean, I WILL do it again, but after two days...:thud , I’m already planning my wedding invitations now. :grin WOW! Probably...no DEFINITELY the one of the best weekends a person can have. I already explained Charlotte’s show and if you haven’t seen it...well look in every possible blog, yahoo or message board, IT’S THERE!

Now let’s talk about Greensboro. I just hope I don’t leave anything out because I know you all want to live vicariously through me right now. First I drove from Charlotte by myself but it’s wasn’t that bad a trip so once I got there I called Karen (kcudawg) who was the one to give me the ticket at Charlotte and she told me that CarolinaClay had a gathering of CV and CB at Carrabbas, so I decided that would be a great chance to meet a bunch of wonderful Claymates. It definately was. There were I believe 35 or so there so that was neat to see few. (I wont name them all because I really don’t want anyone to feel bad, in case I left you name out.) You will see in reviews I am sure a few of them. But I had to make that quick because I was to meet Karen at the Sherraton so we could drive together. We got the to venue at 630p and could not believe how many people were already in line to get in. The front lobby was FULL! So instead of waiting inside we decided to meet up with more die hard fans. I was supposed to meet both Diann and Candy but it just didn’t work out. So let’s skip past this boring stuff. Do I really need to go into detail that we got to our seats? Yes, no? Good. Ok so we were seated Orchestra Leftside Row W seats 7-8 and now I got your curiosity as to who I was sitting with huh? Marilyn or aka Claysrainbow. She was a hoot! My goodness if you knew how much of a fan she was? You’d :thud and call an :ambulance ! Lights go down and the show begins...

The orchestra was really good. Not as good as Charlotte but pretty close. The conductor was funny and put a bit of a different spin to his segment. Ok so intermission. Gee, can you guess what was next?

The most beautiful, sweet, smartarse, cuttie, loving man in the world is who. “Please help us welcome our guest, multi-platinum artist CLAY AIKEN! “ So here we rise for what felt forever. We were still standing when he began the song so you clack waiters, may not hear as much of the beginning of CW as you would normally. He wore a black business type suit with a white shirt and burgundy tie. P.O.P. H.O.P! He was to die for and believe me I would’ve if he was the one holding me in his arms. If my last breath was with him looking me in the eyes...oh good lawd! Let me stop right here. So you know the order of the songs, I don’t need to go into detail. But I will tell you which I should’ve before that I called Clayperfect to let her know anything you guys or she wanted to know prior to the show. And fair warning this is gonna be a looooooooooong review. So if you want to skip some or all...well you are gonna miss it all. Too bad!

So he comes up to the welcome banter. I can’t remember word for word, dang, if I could I’d be ‘stealing the show’ but he talked about the last three weeks, he showed us his socks, (green striped one on side and brown striped on the other.) He talked about being the controversy king again (or was that in the 2nd segment of banter?) Well whichever he spoke of that. He introduced Allison Lawrence and told the audience that Gregory Ellis and his mom and family were in the audience. He snarked about how he was bad in 9th grade, actually gave the microphone to Allison and she said that (I probably have this out of order) “he thought a note was to pass in class, a measure was an inch, a bar was where you go to drink, scale something you weigh on.” Darn my brain! I can’t think of all of them but you get the jist of it. He said he was a smart allic and had to clean the bathroom with a toothbrush. He did intros to MCWL. Sang it just top notch, until we had major mic problems. Oh lawd! I wish I were closer because then I could see he was getting a bit ticked (yeah I will use the p word when HE gets to it) off especially during HYAMLC. He played with it though and made the audience erupt into laughter many times during these mic’s trying times..:lol But I think (since I borrowed someone’s binos) that he was getting a bit mad. He called to his crew to fix it before he sang ‘Jesus’ songs. So he bantered about that as well before he called into the audience for the men and ‘fresh meat’ he picked on this one lady who ‘lied to me twice now. So you don’t get to hear this song.” So he briefly picked on a different couple and sang TCS and then :pray ed that the mic wouldn’t cut out during “Jesus” songs. He was just beautiful to look at and close up with them binos. Thank you Marilyn! Whew! I almost had to call in an :ambulance for myself! It should be illegal to see him that close up. So he sang MDYK and HTHAS/OCOYF and wow, ‘is it getting hot in here or is it just me?’ Those two are one of my favorite, along with OCOCE, DSIAFCD, AIW, and now that I think of it, HE is my favorite altogether because I can’t pick a SINGLE song I like best that he brilliantly sings. He just blew the roof off the building. Here we can cheer no mic problems beyond that. :ya He bantered more and I am sure clack (yes, there will be some, and I mean lots) will suffice when it comes to the banter segments. BEAutiful everything dealing with Clay Aiken. He introduced Mary, Jesse along with the “J crew”, of Jamie, Jennifer who gets to wake him up every morning’ Good lawd, I WANT her job! I’m sure we all WANT that job. He made some comment to the audience "so now you're pissed" about someone in the crew. I think it was Jennifer about waking him up or something. But he DID say the word. And he introduced Jerome, who I think could be almost close to as popular as Clay. He is just so nice and loves to please us fans with bringing and allowing Clay to go the extra mile for us. So thank you Jerome, you are a sweetheart. Yes, I did get to talk to him in Charlotte.

I’m all flustered I forgot where I left off....

Ah, yes, DSIA. So I called just out of a whim Clayperfect and streamed for the remainder of the show and found out AFTER that I was perfect timing because CV’s stream was crap so she said I was heard perfectly. I’m glad I was able to do that for you guys. :) AIW, perfect again! We gave him I believe at least 3 Standing O’s. So I just stayed on for the entire rest of the cert and buscert. Before I went to the busses I met Faye, and Allison. I actually talked to Faye and I don’t know if stream heard her of not but she called me ‘very sweet’ because I was drawing a blank to say what I wanted to say to her about Clay. I said something like “I appreciate your son and think he is wonderful’ or amazing, something to that. Wow. She is so nice to talk to us fans too. Grandma was there too. She is so cute! Allison was right beside Faye and so I waved and then headed to the busses. So I met more Claymates. And was speaking to Claysfavorite from CH and we relayed information for both CB and CH. So I am sure I am everywhere right now in name..:lol We stood waiting for Clay for a good two hrs I believe and I had a moment where I needed to find a facility and started heading toward the venue again and boom, ran RIGHT into Faye and family. WOW. Lucky me. Now understand I didn’t literally run into them but they were coming out as I was approaching to go in. Still no such luck so I waited and :pray ed I wouldn’t have to worry about water for a while..:lol We (the 300 or so) waited for everyone, Jesse and Jamie came out, then Gregory and family, then Allison, then Jerome go us to back away and THEN Clay and Greer (the little singer, she is so cute) Clay was holding her hand. Let’s ‘Awww’ now. And let me jump on a soapbox now, if I could. Those who used flashes when you took pictures of the bus and people were very inconsiderate and also if you continue to do so, you may ruin it for the rest of us next tour. He could just completely prohibit cameras and cell phones all together. Is that what you want? No? Then don’t use flashes, it hurts his eyes and ruins the essences of the concert anyway. I wanted to hound these people! Ok, so now I will jump off and back into Clay’s arms...oh, not dreaming, not dreaming. Reality. Yes, so he comes out and goes straight to the busses as Jerome is lining us up along the street, which the line formed for probably quarter of a mile! So he walks by, I’m still on with CP and I say hi and he (says without looking at me) “Hello.” I doubt stream heard it, it was so soft. Then he goes to the end of the line and works his way back. I touched him again :thud ! And he said and I believe stream heard too, “Thank you so much, Merry Christmas” I looked him dead straight in the eyes and I think he caught a glimpse of me too. So that was that and he did not stay at the window of the bus as he pulled out to go back to Raleigh.

Now here come the thank yous
:bawls That is the end of the tour but I have to say that was the best two days of my life and I would not have experienced it if it weren’t for Lisa M from ABB. I wouldn’t have been able to go to Greensboro if it weren’t for Karen (kcudawg). I met some wonderful people and had the time of my life. I will not forget the memories, nor the lovely Claymates I have met, the drive home by myself, with a huge smile on my face the whole way. It was like I swallowed a hanger I was so ecstatic!

Long live and forever live the Claymates and Claynation.

CHARLOTTE: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's sorkid78:

OMG! I am back now! Let me breathe and eat first and then I will be able to give you a review. What I will say is that was the most amazing experience of my life! And i get to relive it all again tomorrow night! KCUDAWG was generous enough to give me a ticket for tomorrow's show as well. WOW!

*ten minutes later, after eating*

I was so hungry when I got home so forgive me for taking a pause! :thud for sure! I hope that the cellcert worked for part of the show! I know you all know that I met Clay after the show! he shook my hand and said "Merry christmas" almost right directly at me. I believe we made eye contact! Now one amazing thing that happened was right when we were in the lobby, so was Diane Bubel and the first thing I thought was I wanted to meet her but I also remembered that I had this yellow envelope for Clay, so my other thought said "give it to her" so I got to meet and chat with Diane for a minute and asked her if there was anyway she could give this to Clay, she said absolutely and took it. She said "Thank you so much for your support." I said it was a pleasure meeting you and thank you so much". Well later when Clay announced her and she stood from her seat, she STILL had my envelope so I had no doubt in my mind I did the right thing. So happy that Clay will get that video. :banana

So anyway, I also have a bit of a moment that I had with Clay. Lisa and I were in the MZBX box seats or what Clay likes to call "hollywood squares box" and I was leaning over quite far and he glanced up to me and said "that girl's about to fall out." So yeah I was the blonde that was inches from fainting out of the box. :grin I wish I had a camera but I couldn't get my teeny tiny, itty bitty camera to work. And Lisa couldn't get her camera to work either. I was lucky that I was able to cert for almost 3 hrs with CP! That was fun jeanene, definately want to do that again. I hope for being a rookie I did ok? The reception was not the greatest!

Clay: OMG! :thud AGAIN! He was wearing a grey pin striped business type suit, with a blue shirt and silver tie. He had his brown boots on this time and no knowledge of sock color. He didn't show us. He had not quite the POP pants but NICE! :thud Gorgeous hair, gorgeous, butt. Gorgeous everything!

Voice: Oh Lawd! Do I even have to state what we all know, PERFECTION! Not one crack. Not one waver. JUST the most amazing thing to see it live. Those who said, it's like nothing you can see on tv or computer...:thud you were dead right! I think one of the best sounding concerts this series.

Humor: He always knows how to use the snark. Now, unsure of the word 'fart' being used, some are confused and some say NO. I'm not too sure, half the time I was about :thud and the other I was memorized by him. GOOD LAWD! He always knows how to involve and play with the audience.

Ok, now for the buscert. WOW! We waited there and the security guard said that he was already gone, but us Hard core fans didn't believe and even though Lisa (btw, this was her first concert EVER!) thought we should go I said no I have this feeling he is still there, so I said i wanted to wait and then CP told me that Chris (pack) wanted to meet me so after about ten minutes on the cell trying to figure out where she was I FINALLY met her so that was great we chatted for a bit before Jerome came out and said that Clay wanted to go down the line...just that we had to line up along the wall so Lisa and I ran to the wall and got a really good spot to wait. 'Lisa, I just love you and I wish we could've had longer of a time to hang out but we WILL meet again, no question!' so we waiting what felt forever and then everyone screamed and saw Clay coming out in the same suit. He walked by with Jerome real fast the other end of the line and worked his way through the line. I was still on the cert with CP and she heard all the people I met. Pack, Tdallasw, Claysrainbow, Youmakemesohappyforever, KCUdawg, Brightstar, xxx4clay, OMG, I'm fried right now, so I forgot anyone, which I know I did, I sincerely apologize! :hug2 Anyway, Clay came right to me and shook my hand and as I'm writing this, I'm realizing I wrote that like firsthand on this review..:grin
Worth mentioning twice anyway. What else? Umm, :thud He was just GORGEOUS!

I am going again tomorrow or well tonight now that I look at the clock but I want to throughly enjoy this one so I will not be certing for this one. Sorry. I need to have the full experience.

I'm new at reviews so forgive me if I was boring. I hope at least the Clay stuff will suffice.

Take care all and I just say, if you haven't been to a concert live, WHAT THE HECK IS STOPPING YOU???

From the CB's ClayMakesMeSoHappyForever:

This was the most AMAZING night in my life, EVER! I'm not good at recaps at all, so I'll tell you a few things. My mind is still a blur at the moment, all I have is the sight of Clay in my head. First of all, I WAS THE WOMAN IN THE FRONT ROW WITH THE BINOCHULARS. I got my front row seat, because of a wonderful new friend I met at the preparty, Ann. One of her friends had an extra front row seat, Ann told her about me, and that this was my first Clay Concert, so I got it. They both were very nice, and everyone else I met. I met the cellcerters, the only name I can remember at the moment is sorkid78, she was very nice and sweet. I'm sorry I can't remember anyone else's name at the moment, but my mind is so full of Clay. Anyway, so I ended up having front row center seat. It was during Clay's first banter, when he caught me with the binochulars. I was caught off guard, I figured he would catch somebody in the third or fourth row or something. It was such a glorious moment. He said, you're in the front row, and you have binocs, what are you looking at, I smiled, he said are you looking up my nose, I smiled and shook my head no. He asked how much I payed for my seat, I said $75, then I said that wasn't nearly enough, everybody laughed and clapped, and cheered. He asked somebody in the balcony how much did they pay for their seat, they said $50, he said it was a ripoff, because they were so far away, and that they were in Concord. He asked me if she could borrow my binocs, I shook my head yes, and said sure, and held them up to him. He never took them though. A little later he told me not to look at his crotch, I yelled, TOO LATE! During WW, when he got to the clown part he pointed at me and did a hand gesture thing, I held my hand and arm up and gestured back to him. During MCWL he looked down at me, and smiled at me, he smiled at me a couple more times too. During SR, he pointed at me once to do the giddy up, so ofcourse I did. I did go wait at the buses for him. It had stopped raining, and wasn't cold at all. The cop and security guard kept saying, he aint coming out, he already left, and to clear the sidewalk, they weren't nice at all. We knew they were lying. Jerome later came out, and told us that they, the security guard, and cop, didn't know us like he did, and we knew what to do, and to line up in a single file line. He said that Clay REALLY wanted to do this. Clay came out, I know I saw Jamie and Jesse, others may have been with him, he went down the other end of the line, and worked his way up quickly. He shook my hands, yes I touched both his hands, and one of his sleeves, his hands were very soft and very warm. He said Merry Christmas and Thank You, I told him Merry Christmas. He still had his very sexy suit on, and OMG yes THE PANTS OF PERFECTION WAS THE BEST EVAH! After Clay went by, Jamie went by and said hi, the Jesse was behind her, somebody I was standing near to, wanted to get their pic took with Jesse, so he did, I told him great job, and he said Thanks. When Jerome had came out to make the announcement, I gave the gift I had gotten for Clay to him, and asked if he could give it to Clay, he took it and said yes, he was very sweet.Clay sung so beautiful tonight. I have NEVER heard him sound better. Clay was fine, he was NOT sick at all. He was full of energy and pizazz. OCOCE, was AMAZING, my favorite. DSIAFCD, and AIW, is the best I've heard yet. Clay was AMAZING, what more can I say. I know I left alot out, I will add more later. OFCOURSE he looked HOT HOT HOT HOT! EVERYTHING , was SEXY SEXY SEXY SEXY, believe me, I had a PERFECT view of EVERYTHING from where I was sitting. Clay was SO VERY FUNNY TONIGHT, and he DID NOT insult ANYBODY. he was at his snarky best.That's all for now.
Arlene

From the CB's CharlotteClayFan:

I composed a recap trying to capture the unique things from my concert. One doesn't get a lot of time to theirself two days before Christmas, so forgive me if I don't go into the details of the music. Suffice it to say that Clay is sublime and his voice without compare. After going to a concert, it's easy to understand how some are following him around like the Pied Piper. He casts a spell.

A personal note or two.

First it’s always a rush to see the man walk on stage. Actually flesh and blood and in the room with you. I had forgotten that thrill, and all through the concert I had the thought “That’s really Clay right up there in front of us!” running through my mind. I don’t know how/why he does that and keeps on doing it, but I love it.

Clay loved our symphony. He said so a couple times and was aware he’d probably catch hell about it at home. I really wished the conductor and Clay had been on stage together for a bit, because Albert-George Schram is not the least bit “stuffy”, was extremely complementary of Clay, played up the “Claymates” and he called the Charlotte Symphony “the best warm up band in the world.” He was a hoot and I bet their rehearsal was a fun one.

I know the couple he dedicated TCS to, ClaystheMOAM and her hubby, they are good people. We were bought one pair of her, “not as good” seats. (And thankfully she got her front and center tix back from the lady she mistakenly sent the other pair of “not as good” seats she sold her)

We enjoyed being on the left side, we saw the interaction of Jesse and Clay, my daughter thought they were both very cute. And since Clay wasn’t nice enough to take off his jacket, we were forced to admire Jesse’s gluts instead… *g*

He got a lot of mileage from the EW Top Five Worst Albums of 2006 schtick, even introducing Jaymes as the EP of one of the Top Five Worst Albums. He cracked on her about not knowing to when to talk into a microphone, and made fun of her pitiful attempt at a Southern accent. She looked like she wanted to give him a smack on the head for picking on her. They have a very comfortable dynamic.

Clay walked over in front of us during DSIAFCD and gave us a little serenade. (oh if I only had the camera then!) Then our hearts lurched as he stumbled forward a wee bit and steadied himself. I looked at my daughter Devon, and she said, “He tripped on his own big foot!” (she had noticed his large feet on a few occasions – I’m concerned, she’s only 13) Immense relief that he’s was just suffering from klutziness and not dizziness.

One thing that maybe only we saw. We were sitting 4th row over to the far left, so we could see into the door where Clay entered and exited the stage. After DSIAFCD Clay goes through the door getting kudos from Jerome and possibly Jaymes. (It was dark so we could only be certain about Jerome’s silhouette.) He’s followed by Jesse and Dev cracks up at the height differences. Then Jesse and Clay head back out for AIW, which made everyone happy since it was close the time Clay said the lights were going to be put out. Clay and Jesse spoke briefly then he sang. It was perfect, no tension, no worries, just pure praise. I never once felt I had to will a note to be true, pray for Clay to pull it off, I relaxed and drifted off with that voice and tried not to get choked up. Afterwards the place went wild again, Clay smiled, waved and walked back to the door.

There was a single light or flame, held up high. A candle? No, Jerome had a lighter lit just like we used to do at the end of an Eagles concert. It just warmed my heart to see that admiration from him.

JACKSONVILLE: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's 2005lovesclay:

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

no words can describe what has happen tonight... so many highs and lows... i got to meet up with shireen from the board (:wave hey shireen)my sister and i had pretty good seats, not close, but good... we were dead center but about 30-35 rows back... but still AMAZING!!! the symphony was amazing and really nice to watch! clay came out though in the second half and he looked gorgeous! no tie, no stubble, and the black pants of perfection:thud his voice was amazing, and was on. he was cracking jokes with the audience left and right.... bethie and my favorite... "if i fall asleep on stage tonight, and then ya'll fall asleep... you can say you all slept with clay aiken" or the story about how the miad at the hotel accidentally let raliegh and durham out of the hotel room...OMG he was great... there are no words honestly... MDYK was amazing and OCOCE:thud , all the songs though were pnenomenal... when he got to his soapbox for the night... i knew it was coming to the end... DSIAFCD was amazing... the glory note was kinda rusty... and we could tell he struggled a little bit... then he left... with a great bow... then jessy left... the orchestra remained seated, they looked confused, then they left to... NO AIW:waa :bluesniff so upsetting... i was really looking forward to it... we have no idea why.... they were no flashes until the end of DSIAFCD.... but clay also had said that he had a headache during the concert.... so we have no idea... my sister and i went out to the bus to get a shake... jerome came out and made us all line up single file around the building... after a 45 minute wait mr. aiken came out.... he was so BEAUTIFUL!!! hoodie, PJ bottons, and sneakers, said "merry christmas, thank you soooo much for coming... merry christmas"... he is just amazing, so generous he is... so my one and only concert for JNaT is now over...

i took no pictures... security was everywhere, told several to put away their camera's and cellphones...

i am :pray for clack!

oh and PS... if anyone in the Jacksonville/ North Flordia area can tape the local FOX news tomorrow... they were there video taping clay was he shook hands... thanks

From the CB's DancingDigits:

Hi, guys! Thanks for using my info about Jax at the top of the page.

Fans were waiting at the bus when I left. I had a friend who had come to pick me up and was stopped at the curb near the bus, so I had to go. It was starting to sprinkle then...rained some on the way home.

Anyway: He was wearing a gray pin-striped suit, eggplant shirt, no tie, no glasses, no stubble. His boots looked black to me. His hair appeared to be a light-to-medium brown with some highlights. Very healthy and shaped. He ran his fingers through it at one point. :thud He never took his jacket off, although he did unbutton it for a bit. He mentioned sleeping and the maid came in and inadvertently let the dogs out...and it was a while getting them back because he wasn't going to get out of bed. :laugh

He was in top form with the banter. He zeroed in on a lady with twinkling lights in her hair and in her boa. Her friend also had the boa with lights, so they both stood. He said it was tacky--in his snarky, joking way. :grin

Clay gave many accolades to the orchestra and to the children's choir (which really was excellent.) He said he was glad to be back in the South. :)

He talked about what a big city Jacksonville is in area. (It's the largest city in the USA landwise.) He said he went to eat at a very good restaurant, but it took them 45 min. to get there. Wouldn't give the name of the restaurant because "you'll stalk me." (I'm thinking he may have gone to the beach.) He did say that he had stayed at the Omni.

There were quite a few men there and many, many audience members of both sexes who had never been to a Clay concert. I was listening to the comments of a couple in back of me, and they started out not understanding what the big deal was (the Claymates gave OMC a standing O for the longest time, when he first came on.) Later, that same couple said what a good voice he had and how funny he was. I heard them both laughing. They also said he is a good entertainer. :thumbup

One of our major Clack suppliers was in the row in front of me, but I didn't see her taking video or pics. I saw no flashes at all, but I didn't turn around and was up front. There were 5 rows of pit seats that weren't offered online, and I was told that they released a bunch today. I saw some of the NE FL Clay fans there, as well as CH members. I was in Row B Center, on the aisle, which I thought would be 2nd row--but with the pit seats, it turned out to be 7th row. Still a good view, but I used my binoculars to see those great expressions as he sang and talked.

On DSIAFCD, I thought his voice sounded a little rough and nearly cracked on one note. Nevertheless, I was expecting the AIW encore, but he didn't do an encore. I guess he felt it was best not to attempt it. I'm sure he is also anxious to get back to NC and finish this tour.

An usher knelt down beside me (I was on the center aisle) and told someone in the row in back of me that she would not tell her again--NO PICS! Any Clack that comes out of this concert was taken VERY surreptiously. I took binoculars, but no camera.

I wonder if all the talking he does (which we do love) affects his voice. My favorites of the night were Grown Up Christmas List and Mary, Did You Know. Winter Wonderland was fun.

I'm glad I was able to go, and hope we won't have to wait too long for a regular tour. :lubdub

From the CB's amyrrhielle:

Since I get so good reviews from all the people here at CDB and someone gave me the opportunity to let me go to a Clay Aiken show from the Claynation, I thought it was my duty to give everybody a review last night.

I was seated at the balcony. Way up high, but I had my handy dandy binoculars. A friend of mine told me that Clay looked cute up close from those things.

Of course the show was started with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra playing some songs and then there was also special music from the Jacksonville Children's Chorus which made my spine tingle 'cause I remember what it was like back home for me and being in the chorus as a child and thinking that these children are so lucky 'cause they got to perform before Clay Aiken starts the show.

As for the population of the audience, I think there were about 2,500. The capacity of the Moran Theater is 3,000 and there were some empty seats on the right side of the balcony. It was full on the orchestra section, I think. On the left side where I was seated, it was pretty full. Sadly, I got to sit with people who were a little stiff (who probably came for the symphony orchestra 'cause some of them were trying to look at their watches and some of them were grumbling and I wanted to tell them, "Hello, he's got a great voice and he's entertaining people!" Of course, I didn't do that. As usual I became my silent self in a crowd).

I was on cellcert, too. I called my friend who bought me the ticket. I hope she heard pretty well but everything sounded good even up in the balcony so I'm sure she could hear. When Clay went out to the stage, I could describe it as being surreal. I'm a new Claymate and well, I've never been to a concert before and this is my Clay Aiken show and I usually don't get to see big stars. So when he walked out, I actually realized that I was in the same room with Clay. Maybe I'm over a hundred feet from him, but he was in the same room as me. He is actual a real person.

So there, he came and he sang The Christmas Waltz and then The First Noel. Then he said, "Thank You Jacksonville." And he started talking about how the city was big. And then some people from the front argues about whether it was Jacksonville and Miami and he said, "Well, argue later. As for now, I'm gonna go with Jacksonville 'cause I am here and not in Miami." That got us laughing. Oh yeah he was wearing a brown suit, brown shirt, no tie, no contacts. So handsome, I thought I was going to fall off my seat. I kept holding my mom's hand just to know that I'm still awake and not dreaming. He was talking about going to a restaurant that was 45 minutes across the city that's why he thought it was so big. Someone asked him where and he said that he won't tell her 'cause they'll be stalking him and then he talked about staying right across the street at Omni Hotel (I wanted to stay there but well, I couldn't afford it and I had to go home to Gainesville immediately) and the housekeeper let Raleigh and Durham out for 15 minutes and she couldn't catch them and he wouldn't get out of bed. And he said that if he was going to fall asleep at the concert then we could all sleep here and we could actually say that we slept with clay aiken and then that would be in the tabloids again. We were hooting with laughter. And he mentioned that he was always a target of scandals and tabloids and that he should cover his mouth more often (and he covers his mouth). More laughs from us!

Then, he notices these two ladies who wore green feather boas which were really tacky. He said they'd do anything or wear anything so that he could notice them. There were also some ladies who wore some sort of halo hats. He asked them whose idea it was to wear them?

He sang MCWL and then WW. Oh yeah he talked about his shirt being wrinkled so that why his suit was buttoned. In the end, he took off the button or maybe it just came off. He kept on introducing Jessie Vargas due to the fact that he forgot to introduce him at Grand Rapids. He asked about how many guys were there and that he wouldn't tell anybody that they were in a Clay Aiken show. Then about binoculars 'cause there was this lady from the second row who had binoculars and she has no on in front of her and then he came up to our side of the balcony and asked us how much we paid for those tickets and we shouted, "Too much. We want to be down there!" He made three women from some rows transfer to the three seats on the front row. Everybody laughed 'cause after they moved, three others moved into their seat. It was so crazy. Then he asked who wanted to move to the seats on the 8th row. People from the balcony shouted, "Us, us!"

There were some people from the back who shouted, "Clay, we're from Raleigh." They kept shouting 'cause he was talking to this couple up in front who were at their first Clay show. He got his stool and he kept on hearing the shouting and then he said, "Lord, I'll see you when I get home!" Then he proceeded to talk to that couple and he sang the Christmas song but I guess he got too preoccupied with talking that he started to sing HYMLC. He got around the second stanza. When he sang HYMLC, he actually emphasized the first words to tell everyone that he got it right. After he sang that, he went right into Sleigh Ride and he was having fun with the giddy-up. You could hear him laughing as he sang 'cause he encouraged people from the front to giddy-up and then he made someone do a giddy-up and it wasn't the giddy-up part of the song. You could actually hear him say, "Ha!" in between the lyrics of the song.

Then the word of the day and he mentioned that he wasn't really classy and into those Italian words...that music notes were foreign to him. He was saying those words crescendo, descrendo, karaoke...and we all laughed then he let Jamie in with the word of the day. Saltando. He asked several people. The first was from a lady on my back wearing red. Her name was Barbara by the way. He couldn't hear 'cause we were so far away. he asked her and she didn't know the meaning. Then there were others, even a music teacher whom he made her sit down 'cause she would definitely know. No one could answer the question he asked the guy who was the first viola (he was cute, by the way, but Clay's more my type). he said it meant jumpy and then he proceeded to give a demonstration. He was pretty good.

Then he sang Hark the Herald/O Come all ye faithful...Then he asked who were at their first Clay show. I raised my hand of course and I think it was around 50% of the people. Some of them were season ticket holders of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra I think. And then he asked those who have been to other Clay show and he was with his usual banter about them asking our home phone number, home address, etc and then we'll be at the computer 25 hours a day (which I am actually doing already).

Then he talked about Angela and Quiana (who sang MGUCL during the JNT for the past two years and gave him a sort of break during the concert). He said to listen very carefully to the words of the song 'cause it described what America is like right now or something. Then he sang and I swooned because I loved that song.

He said something about mentioning Christmas Jesus Mary and etc and he'll be ok it would be a christmas show anyhow. and then he talked about o come, o come emmanuel and how they sang it at church, "Turn your hymnals to page 294, O come , o come emmanuel." He said that it was sang in a minor key so it was a little bit and not very Christmassy. And then Steve Curtis Chapman rearranged it and it's become one of his favorite songs to hear and to sing to and he sang that and it was wonderful.

And then he started talking about the charities that he's so passionate of BAF and Unicef and he was encouraging people to support if not his charities, other charities in the community. And then he sang DSIAFCD...And once again, I swooned. He nailed the glory note! I loved it and I love him...

Too bad he couldn't go back to do AIW because it was already late and there was a time constraint, but I just loved the whole concert. I'm going back to another one someday soon...Whee!

GRAND RAPIDS: Grand Rapids Press: Aiken has "the right touch"

Woohoo! The Grand Rapids Press published this truely delightful review of Clay's Grand Rapids concert, which was held before a sold out crowd last night:

Claymates everywhere slept easy Tuesday night.

Diehard fans of Clay Aiken go online each night their "American Idol" favorite has a concert to listen to that evening's pirated, cell-phone recording. They need to know if their guy hit the high note of his encore, "All Is Well."

He did.

Aiken was a hoot and a holler, full of Southern charm, telling stories, cracking jokes, bantering with the audience.

He also sings rather well.

But beyond the songs, it's the whole package -- the easy grin, the down-home demeanor, the good ol' boy charm -- that made the former special-education teacher from North Carolina the kind of celebrity who makes headlines just by clapping his hand over Kelly Ripa's mouth.

Amen!

GRAND RAPIDS: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's MIGAL4Clay:

Okay, I think my feet are unthawed after waiting for the buses for about 1.5 hours. There was a huge line and he came by quickly. The bus was parked in a garage at the venue. He left in the bus. I doubt there were any flights out of Grand Rapids at 11:30 pm unless they traveled to Detroit or Chicago.
It was great to see that the place was sold out and filled to the brim. Lots of stubble, looks like we are growing a beard. Had on a blue-gray shirt and blue gray pants. Busted a lady in the front row with binoculars and then he proceeded to turn around and give everyone a back view. Thud! He also busted a lady doing a cellcert in the front row.
He voice sounded great, cracked in a couple of places but to the average person, they probably didn't even notice. Very touching tribute to Brett on his 21st birthday yesterday. The change ups in DSIAFCD were great and he nailed the glory note! AIW is simply awesome...breath taking.
He snarked on the Grand Rapids symphony that they are Grammy nominated and he's not. Made reference to the Ripagate and the lady next to me yelled out that she deserved it and the place went crazy!
Okay, now I have post concert depression...

From the CB's LUVClay26:

I want to thank God, and that I owe him one for last night.
When I write the full recap for Grand Rapids, I advise the squeemish just read the parts about the concert itself. Let me just say I will not be drinking anything that looks like a chocolate milkshake for a looooooooooong time (nor Sierra Mist - less refreshing on the way up than the way down...).
Literally when I hit the city limits of GR, lemme just say I got sick in my car. This continued until about 7 PM in the VERY NICE Amway Hotel room. I called a friend and started feeling better and thought, "**** it! I'm going!" My stomch seemed ok and I said a very very very very very very urgent prayer to God to just let me have an hour or so where I was well enough to just sit in the audience.
I unfortunatly missed the first half. I saw them when they had Bugs Bunny on Broadway and I agree they are top notch as symphonies go. I sauntered into the theatre with no makeup, no earrings and looking pale as heck. I didn't care. This was my last concert of this tour. I WANTED BADLY to be there.
When I got to my seat (which I had sat in before in the beforementioned concert), the ladies that were rude (is it mean to hope they caught my stomch virus???) claimed my ticket was not real. Then they claimed I had not had the ticket as long as they. Sweetheart, I had the ticket since the presale so kiss it. (Sorry, that may get deleted by a mod, but they were so rude that for DSIAFCD when Clay asked people the hug, I just got a couple noses in the air.)
In the haze of praying I would stay well, Clay was so on as usual. You should see the local paper's review. He got 4 1/2 stars out of 5 and DESERVED it!
There were a couple jokes about this big gap between front row and the stage. Clay mentioned it was a moat and he finally got one. Later on he said he had a frog in his throat and said that it fits with the moat.
What is it with his obsession with Hollywood Squares in the Michigan shows???? It was cute. When the person got the word of the day right, he said "Circle gets the square!" hehe He also said the lodge area looked like a game show panel. I actually knew what mercato was too!! It is accented notes. It just means there is an added "punch" to the notes as you play them. See, I paid attention in band and music theory in high school after all.
There was some conversation with a guy named Elmer. That was funny as Clay said Elmer shouldn't wear white. Also, I love it when he really lets his accent roll on the "turn to page 345 for 'Joy To The World'..." It reminded me of Reverend LoveJoy from "The Simpsons." So cool!!
As far the the "Wizard of Oz" reference, he was mentioning the Symphonic Boom series (Bugs Bunny, him and Pink Floyd) and the last show in April is the orchestra playing Pink Floyd. He said, "Be sure not to come stoned" and then said "Afterwards you can listen to it backwards and watch the 'Wizard of Oz.'" AWESOME!! hehe (Of course I'm going to see this show too. I feel so blessed to have been living so close to 2 fine orchestras - Detroit and GR - to have the opportunity.)
He made some comment about not being close enough to have the front row spit on by accident and the gals cheered. he went "ewwwwwwwww" with the CUTEST face. Oh man.
He was just so funny last night and it helped me forget being so sick.
One part that made me cry was when he did GUCL for Bret's 21st birthday. He has the prayers of so many people to come home safe. Even though Clay and his family are virtually strangers, I care so much as many people do. May God watch over Bret.
He asked how many show's we been to. It is comforting to see 28 is not that bad. Yes, I have been to 28 shows as of last night over a period of 3-4 years.
Like I said I plan on full recaps of the 6 Christmas shows. I have been so busy with life and dealing with stuff. GR may be a tick graphic (and I guess bodily fluid mentions are frowned on on this board...), but the rest are sans losing lunch for 20 days references.
I can't wait until the next tour. Clay, you are so worth it and you rock!
LUV
edited to add one more funny thing he said...
He almost said (I think) debacle about another show (maybe last year's show - I forget.) I laughed and thought that was funny and he said something like "Oh, I didn't win that show." (It may have be a ref to AI - hehe)

GRAND RAPIDS: Program Scans

Thanks to the CB's claikendee for these scans from the Grand Rapid Symphony's holiday program, which includes two pages on Clay. This program will be handed out at tonight's concert at the DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids.

DETROIT: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's lovingclay247:

I was there, and am still so overwhelmed that i don't know how much i can write! I have seen clay 17 times already in concert, and i swear everytime i feel so satisfied and so comfortable withen myself that i am so relaxed, that i never remember a thing! LOL....i mean i remember everything, but you cannot put it into words.
Sorry, had to get that out.
Anyway....i drove from toledo by myself, and had a great time blarring clay's music, and singing on the top of my lungs. (1 of the positive things for going by yourself:thumbup ) Found the venue no problem. Went in to my box seat, smack dab right in the middle of the venue, and introduced myself to claymates sitting around me. Nobody from the clayboard, but i was so happy to be surrounded by clay people. There were 3 people who were seated behind us who had never been to a clay concert, and pretty much didn't know too much about clay. ( i figured this out during the raise your hand banter, and their comment's in between the show..i never talked to them)
He was sooo funny the whole show. He was making the funniest faces to people like "are you nuts?" while he was singing! Then he would go over to the other side, and would nod to see if thet all agreed, then he looked over at the nutzo side, and would make the same face again! (I am not cutting up the nutzo side, they made the show so fun!) It was mostly during winter wonderland, but he was making silly gestures throughout the whole show til that point while singing at least. I was cracking up! Claymate66 who was sitting next to me let me look through her binoculars for a minute, and YES there was stubble. His behind did resemble somewhat of a melon, and it was BEAUTIFUL:tasty
Sorry...ok, i am off to bed. Sorry, but i can go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and...well...you get the idea.
I know this was supposed to be a review of the concert, but i guess it is a review of my feelings at the time.:laugh
I love you clay!

From the CB's Jackie75:

I am so happy!!! It was around the back, they had it taped off. One of the security guys came up to me& this other lady & said Clay will be out to shake hands, but it will be awhile. I was so excited! I have no idea how long we waited, maybe about an hour? My feet were numb from the cold! But then out of the shadows comes this tall, good looking man.....walking straight towards me!! I remember clasping my hand over my mouth....I was in awe....then he walked over to the left of me & began shaking everyone's hand.....he was so quick! Then, I stretched out mine....which I really didn't have to do, he was right there in front of me....he said "Merry Christmas guys!" He gave my hand a little squeeze.....my gosh....he was stunningly beautiful....I REALLY hope there is clack of it....I can't believe how gorgeous he was in real life....just too beautiful for words.....

I got so giddy afterwards. I was like, "YES!!! Finally!!" When he was done he turned around to wave to all of us before getting on the bus. I yelled out "Thank you Clay!" It's hard to explain, now I know what people mean when they said when they met him, how he puts you at ease....I felt like I was calling out to a great friend....I just love that guy!!!!! :inlove

And I swear....I put my hand up to my nose afterwards, & I smell soap or something...definitely a mans smell.....not perfume....:thud The essence of Clay.....sigh.

Hope this makes sense....I'm in a daze. He's soooooo gorgeous.....

SAndy...:hug2 Next time!!! I think I saw you there....I was a couple rows behind you in a red shirt....I wasn't too sure if it was you or not.....

From the CB's All4Luv:

OK...I'll try to fill in the blanks, hard to think past THE PANTS!!!

How could he strut out on that stage so confidentally with the POP on (actually JBT version...Elvis songs!!!) I really had a difficult time getting past those PANTS!!!

I was in 6th row on left facing stage...did not need binocs for thoat seat!! All the laughing in the begiining was due to the ladies in a box, upper level, other side. They were hooting and hollering and giddayupping...whatever. At first he did seem to notice cuz he was on my side...then we kept pointing to those ladies and it seemed he thought we were trying to tell him his zipper was down...OMG lots of howling!!!!

He talked fast, sang fast, stupid venue and its rules, but great seats! When he brought up the WORD of the night, who comes out with the card but a surprise guest...Quiana...she got a standing o!!! The word was scora...sumpthin!!! One lady siad it meant how many times he scored this tour:yow He siad none and this was a family show!! It really had to do with tuning the orchestra with a violin. FUNNY!!!

The hair was gorgeous, the PANTS...OMG the banter and MDYK was just so stunning. We knew he would come back for AIW cuz Jesse walked off and gave the Thumbs-up to the orechestra, so it was ON...and it sure was!!!

I had not seen Clay live since his bday last year, so I was almost sobbing at the end, it was so wonderful! Then he came out to the line about 45 in after show...so cute!!!


I wish I could have gone on to Grand Rapids...stupid job, can I say I hate working, it interfers with the FUN!!!

GRAND RAPIDS: Grand Rapids Press Pre-Concert Article

We have another of these wonderful pre-concert articles to share with you. The Grand Rapids Press published this article today. Clay will be in Grand Rapids on Tuesday for a near-sold out Christmas show:

It's Clay Aiken's most wonderful time of the year

Clay Aiken loves Christmas, but snow? Not so much.

"My opinion on snow is that it's cold," the Southern boy quipped in a recent phone interview from his North Carolina home. "I don't like standing out in the cold to let the dogs out."

Aiken is alpha daddy to two dogs, Raleigh and Durham, named to honor his home state.

The pampered pooches are along for the ride as Aiken tours the country this month, warming the hearts of chilly fans with Christmas tunes backed by symphony orchestras. At the moment, though, he had his hands full with an overly rambunctious dog.

RED BANK: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's Kelly4Clay:

I'm sitting here at my mom's house with Sue4AllYouDo after an incredible night in Red Bank!

Clay sounded amazing tonight, despite the fact that he was clearly not feeling well. How he continues to entertain us with such funny banter while feeling ill is beyond comprehension. And the voice tonight was incredible. You could tell as the night progressed that he was becoming more and more unsteady, but he still gave 100%. After DSIAFCD, he looked extremely uncomfortable, so we weren't surprised when he didn't come out to sing the encore. Regardless, the concert was phenomenal! The audience was so supportive tonight and really showed Clay the love. Of all the concerts so far this tour, this crowd really seemed to be the most enthusiastic and electric and Clay was really feeding off that energy.

It was great to finally meet, NyMom, Zippy, sanebc, Sash, SLC and Mamarose!! And thanks Sue for filling in at the last minute, and traveling with me to Red Bank.

Last but not least, thanks to Clay for an incredible evening, and we hope you feel better soon!!!

From the CB's Shycon:

My last concert and I cried thinking that maybe it will be quite a while till the next tour. :bluesniff

He was gorgeous and so casual and seemed lighthearted. He saw familiar faces in the first few rows as always and there was lots of interaction as always.

Too many darn flashes and they really bothered Clay especially toward the end of the concert. Once while he was on the left side of the stage, he actually staggered several steps. Lots of holding on to the stool while singing tonight.

The dizziness was especially evident during DSIAFCD and when he said good night and signed thank you to us, he then staggered off the stage to the wings....the lights came up and canned music played so we knew there would be no encore. So sad. Of course we were worried about him and as reported by BFS he looked so vulnerable walking to the bus and getting on board.

We stayed till the bus pulled out, sad to see him off, not knowing when we will see him again.

He was very snarky tonight asking who had been to more than 5 of this year's Christmas shows. I raised my hand but ducked my head down. Hee! I think he said we are the ones to be afraid off...following him all over the country. LOL

Wonderful concert except for the worry of seeing the vertigo kick in.

dda,I enjoyed meeting you and rosebud and ncctl tonight. I love putting faces to names.

God speed, Clay!

From the CB's CorieLuvzClay:

How do you reach down inside yourself and choose from the array of emotions…exactly which one to write about…at some point they begin their own little race…love is so very far ahead…oh no, wait a minute…heartsick is catching up…but then there comes pride rounding out the bend…and tonight they are in a dead heat and there is a triple tie!!!

He takes the stage like a Prince…tall, sleek & slender as ever. The shoulders are broad and straight, he walks with his head held high and with such confidence. The chestnut colored mane has a silky sheen and it flows, beautifully framing his gorgeous face and sparkling Jade colored eyes. Clay was happy, upbeat and spot on with his amazing voice. Articulate and eloquent in the pronunciation of each and every word and hitting his notes effortlessly. He was as funny as always…telling the husbands in the audience that they would be happier after the show, when they got home, that they had come…and then he made a cute remark that this was a family show. Clay even reassured us all that his fly was zipped up tonight!! And then with the first banter of the evening he asked for the house lights to come up and for the spotlight to be killed and as they were lowered Clay would say all the way, all the way…kill the spotlight. Then he told us that he’s been sick and that he was feeling dizzy tonight. Even with that he told us that if he was going to fall off the stage he shouldn’t do it in front of the center orchestra seats….that he’d better “go over here” where they looked like they wouldn’t eat him up or eat him alive and pointed to right orchestra…being funny and cute and clever in the face of all the pain he was going through.

It never ceases to amaze me how he can quip and joke and be so quick witted when obviously so ill. I was heartsick for him as the night wore on…he squinted in the harsh lights, said his head hurt, every now and then he would touch his right ear and make a painful face and then touch the side of his neck right under that ear. A few times he touched his other ear as well. My heart was just breaking for the obvious pain he was in and all I wanted to say was…Clay, please leave the stage and crawl into bed…in the dark and in your comfy PJs, we love you and you can do that…we’re a family. Go to bed honey and don’t worry about us…you’ve already given so much! This was my one and only concert this season and I would have gladly given it away to know that he would be resting and snuggled under his covers, finally in blessed peace and quiet.

I suffer with migraines and I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like for Clay these past three nights to be under blaring lights, sing the strenuous songs and notes he sang all while enduring a 30+ piece Symphony playing right on top of him. The man is dedicated to a fault, he is the consummate performer and I have never been prouder to be a Clay Aiken fan, nor have I ever felt as much love as I have for him with this concert series.

My friend came with me and I merely told her that he’s had an ear infection for a couple of days and told her nothing more…by the end of the show she was gripping my arm and just kept saying “OMG, poor baby”, “Oooooh poor baby” she could not believe the strength and determination Clay had to try his best to finish the show.

I don’t remember which song he was on but definitely by OCOCE he had been steadying himself against the stool and it was difficult to watch as he’d put his hand behind him onto the stool, try to bring it to the mic again and then go right back to the stool. By DSIAFCD, I knew in my heart that he would not be coming back out again for the encore song…he was teetering a bit and clearly had trouble balancing and Jesse Vargas quickly followed Clay out. The friend I was with knows Jesse through a Community Arts center she works with called Plays in the Park here in NJ…she loves Jesse and said she was sure that by the time Jesse got to Clay he turned to the Orchestra and made a hand signal for them to cut…they began getting up and taking their instruments with them. Although I would have loved to hear Clay sing AIW in person and hear that voice reverberate off the walls, I was relieved for his sake that he did not come back out, I felt terrible because I knew that that meant that he felt worse then last night and the night before, but relieved nonetheless that he would be getting the care that was so obviously needed!

It was a stellar performance, by a stellar performer…he sang every song and hit every single note…there was even a time where by the end of the song there was actually a light echoing and I can’t remember now which song it was but I hope it was captured on clack, it gave me chills!! Clay got several, well deserved Standing O’s. The honey coated voice flowed smoothly and sweetly tonight, we were treated to gentle whispers and stunning heaven bound notes. Clay sang from the depths of his heart just as he does every night.

Every single time I think I could not love him more, every single time I think I could not be prouder of him…Clay one-ups himself and tonight…yet again…I fell in love all over again, deeper still, with this exceptional young man and was struck anew with deep pride for him and how he handles life situations, both personal and professional. I just couldn’t be prouder if he were my own child!!

Thank God there is a day off tomorrow…God Bless you Clay and thank you for all you give to us!

GENERAL: clayniac2's WONDERFUL Christmas Tour Photos

The Clayboard's clayniac2 has some wonderful Christmas tour photos posted on this Clayboard thread. Here's a sneak peak... get ready to THUD!

WEST POINT: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's cmbcarab:

Clay was amazing tonight. He was really on from his first step onto the stage. He was obviously feeling better and was ready for fun. He was the funniest I've ever seen him. A member of the orchestra called him over to give him a present while he was starting his word of the day banter. He turned to the audience and said something like 'see what you've done, you've got the orchestra yelling out now'. He got it from them and took off the wrapping and it was a dictionary of musical terms. His banter was priceless. The word of the day was totally made-up. The orchestra demonstrating it was absolutely hilarious. It was something like 'to make sounds using only the mouthpiece.' The orchestra members were basically humming a song (can't remember which one-possibly Jingle Bells or one of the simpler ones like that) while making noises in their mouthpieces. Very,very funny. He was hilarious with the guy on the cellphone. Turns out he was on with his wife's friend - Clay was hilarious talking about this suspicious relationship. He took the phone and sang all of DSIAFCD up until the glory note with the phone to his ear. When he went for the glory note he grabbed the stool. You could tell the vertigo had just hit. He was very tentative walking off and back on again for the encore. He waited for Jesse after AIW to walk off. Jesse just followed him-didn't touch him. Not sure the newbies would have noticed. The audience was all internet fans up front and the second half were almost all newbies. LOTS of men and kids. Definitely a lot of new fans made tonight.
Our babysitter canceled at the last minute and so my husband had to stay home. My mother-in-law said she would keep me company. She doesn't watch any TV except PBS and C-SPAN. She had NO CLUE who Clay was or what he looked like. I dropped her off at the entrance while I drove off into the parking maze and was gone about 1/2 hour. I hope whoever she talked to will post cause I found her chatting with 2 women when I got back. She apparently had asked them if they had ever seen this fella before and they proceeded to fill her in. She never even heard of American Idol and their conversation must have been hilarious. Anyway, her impressions were great. She thought he was a 'really nice kid.' The audience's reaction reminded her of what Elvis used to get!!!!!!! Thought he was adorable looking. She wanted to know if he was married. She thought his quiet-song voice was superb and mesmerizing. She wasn't a fan of glory notes but figured from the fan's reactions that's what they wanted and that's why he did them. Asked why she never hears him on the radio. The funniest thing was when the orchestra came back out after intermission, the first violinist was late sitting down, he looked about 50 with what looked like grey hair from where we sat. She asked if that was him. Then she asked if Jesse was him. When he came out she whispered--he's adorable. She loved the concert, and was anxious to tell her lady friends. She thought his stage presence was superb!!!!!!! Very fun to go with her.

From the CB's MixnJude0:

The drive up there was treacherous, we (my very handsome hubby and I ) climbed some huge mountains in the dark, the directions were vague and West Point is this massive city unto itself ...so it seemed to take forever to get there, find parking, get a shuttle and get to Ike Hall...but once there, WOW!!

I guess they are used to the symphony crowd, where too close is a bad seat, cuz everytime we showed our tix to a cadet, they would say "OH wow, you're wayyyyyyyyyy down in front, keep going..the place was massive with 3 balconies!
The first guy said, when you get wayyyyyyyy down there, ask that cadet where your seats are. So we get to the next cadet and he says, "oh, you're wayyyyyyyy down there...and escorts us to our seats ROW 4, PIT, aisle, 10 ft from the stage! GAH! I'm in heaven!

So the orchestra was great, but I NEED water, I'm dehydrated...no drinks allowed inside, so we high tail out at intermission, suck down a bottle of water, when we hear SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEAMMMMMM...we run back to the theatre, and from wayyyyyy at the back of the theatre , making our way all the back up front, I will never forget the sounds that completely filled that theatre, as Clay takes the stage! It was an awesome experience, I will never forget! That roar, that energy, that sheeer joy and happiness went right through me!

And so it went for the whole show!

Clay was STUNNING!! Really!! Crisp white shirt, no tie, blue pinstriped suit, with a peach lining I could see at the cuffs (cuff links) and his HAIR, omg, his hair! It's styled, shiny, beautiful...no glasses!

His voice soaaaaared through that massive theatre, and his eyes were like green diamonds...sparkling from the inside out!

He waltzed back and forth across the stage..the house lights would go up after every song and he would relate with "his fans" who he so obviously LOVES as much as we love him!

His humor, my God, I've watched the clack, but seeing him so close, so quick, so sharp, he really has a gift! I never stopped laughing! He amazes me with his perfect comedic timing and quick wit! He interacted with people all the way up to the highest balcony!

Klynnie (Bolt Babe) got a major shout out, she was one row in front of me, dead center, with Ginger! It was priceless!!

I met jojoct!! finally and ficus and diventinya (?) from the Clack House...very sweeeet!

I looooove his 'New Yawk' accent and he gets a kick out of doing it!!

One guy was doing a cellcert for his wife's friend, who got sick at the last minute and couldn't come and without missing a step, and completely unannounced, Clay took his cell phone and sang DSIAFCD, the whole song, into the phone for her!! I would have DIED! It was precious!

It is such a great show, his humor, his stunning good looks...and that VOICE!!

He did get stunned at the end when someone in the FIRST ROW flashed a pic right in his eyes. He made no secret that he was displeased and that it hurt his eyes. He got dizzy after that and sat down, clutching the stool! I was so mad!!

I also was amazed that MOST of the crowd had never seen Clay in concert before...and was NOT surprised that all those who had seen him before, completely filled the best seats, up to 15 rows back!

It was a great evening, I can't get enough of him and will be going to NJ tomorrow!! I can't wait!

Thank you, Clay!!! I can't imagine my life without you being a part of it, and hope I never have to experience that

WEST POINT: Times Herald Record Pre-Concert Article

What a treat! We got this lovely pre-concert write up delivered to our inbox this morning courtesy Google News. You can read the entire Times Herald Record article here, but here are some highlights:

Those that don't know every detail of his life, as his fans the Claymates do, might be surprised to know he's not just a second-place winner of a national TV talent show. Or maybe that guy who made headlines recently for an on-air encounter with chatty "Live With Regis and Kelly" host Kelly Ripa. How much has that "incident" affected him?

"Oh, Lord, none whatsoever," Aiken says. "I've laughed at it, are you kidding me? None whatsoever. I didn't know I was that big a star."

When told about the Record's message board filling up in response to it, he replies, laughing, "Oh my gosh, people need to worry about bigger things."

The bigger things Aiken cares about come through in his charity work. This pop star uses his celebrity to help others. When his career as a special education teacher was halted after his success on "American Idol," he co-founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. The foundation helps open doors for developmentally disabled children, encouraging their interaction with all children. He was also recently appointed to the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities, was ambassador for UNICEF and spokesperson for Toys for Tots.

Hopefully that won't affect fans' chance to hear "that note" in "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day." On the CD, he holds a note perfectly for what seems like minutes. In actuality, it's precisely 22 seconds.

"You've been timing me?" he asks, laughing. "Twenty-two seconds. Now I'm going to have pressure to see if I can do 23."

The challenge is on, Clay.

... and here is a cute Q&A the Times Herald Record conducted with Clay:

Q: Colored or white Christmas lights?
A: White

Q: Cute or classy ornaments?
A: Classy

Q: Eggnog or cider?
A: (pause)
Q: You don’t like either?
A: Dr. Pepper
Q: Dr. Pepper?
A: (laughs)

Q: OK. Tinsel, garland or popcorn?
A: Tinsel’s like the shiny ...
Q: Yes, yes
A: Garland is ...
Q: The long shiny strings of it, the ropes of it
A: Oh ...
Q: Popcorn strings?
A: You know what my mom uses a lot on the Christmas tree? She uses baby’s breath.
Q: I do, too!
A: Yeah, baby’s breath and hay. And the first time I saw her do it, it was not hay so much as what looked like dead grass. The first time I saw her do it I was like, that’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and then she turned the lights on and it was the most gorgeous Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. So I say dead grass.

Q: Great. Star or angel?
A: Angel

Q: OK, tough one: Rudolph, Charlie Brown or the Grinch?
A: Oh, the Rudolf claymation thing is so much, it’s so good, it’s a Christmas tradition, you know what I’m talking about?
Q: Yes, yes, of course. That’s one of your traditions?
A: Well, I mean, I remember watching it.

Q: Turkey or ham?
A: Turkey

Q: Real tree or fake?
A: Fake. So the dogs don’t eat it.
Q: Yes, although my cats eat my fake one. Which I shouldn’t have said (I’m panicking now) ’cause I know you don’t ... (Clay has an immense fear of cats).
A: Oh my God ...
Q: I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to, but I love dogs, I have a dog, too. OK. In a fight, who would win: Santa Claus or Hanukkah Harry?
A: Who is Hanukkah Harry?

GREENVALE: Recaps

Clack
ClackUnlimited.com

From the CB's HopelesslyDevoted:

There are definitely a myriad of emotions running through my mind and my heart right now. Clay has some nasty inner ear infection...thats for sure....how he was able to get through this evening and still be his funny, snarky self and still sing so divinely is beyond me...it wont be too soon before I can get the visual out of my head of his hands grasping the seat of his stool for dear life....of the faces he made that seemd to say.."Im not sure if I can keep going but Im going to try my best"....but Ive been told he has a slew of medical professionals surrounding him tonight and I am confident he is getting the best of care. What I noticed tonight more than ever is just how much he appreciates us and the love that flowed back and forth between so freely. You could almost feel the audience willing him through the last few songs....

Someone jumped up to the front to take his picture after AIW and he told her.."stop taking my picture while Im all invaild" :laugh Even though Im sure he felt like his head was about to spin off he was still being snarky

Ill try to post more details after Ive had a few minutes to compose myself....Clay Aiken is one amazing man....

He was sweating alittle bit at the end of AIW...and there were definitely a few times where I was afraid he might fall off the stool :bluesniff But he is a trooper and an extreme professional....the fact that he came back out at all for AIW is amazing given how obviously dizzy and off balance he was feeling. He'll get some antibiotics and hopefully be fine by tomorrow.:pray
The banter from this show will be priceless...he had some really good snark this evening...hard to remember it all right now....I know Jojo was getting video.
(and oh yea...I got to move his speaker :innocent )

He tried to imitate a 'new yawk' accent...too funny!

Picked out a lady in the 6th or 7th row with HUGE binocs...told her to keep the view from the waste up :yow

Was cracking up when 14 yr old boy said he was from Dix Hills...said it was a mental hospital in Raleigh

Some girl got engaged last night and he called her up to the stage and she proceeded to tell the WHOLE story...:laugh

Said something about (paraphrasing) if he fell off the stool it would make you tube....then mb they would stop watching the 'bad note'...joked that it was baaaad :laugh poor clay:hug2

Lots of banter with Matt (faken aiken)...asked him to turn the monitor so he could hear himself better....then proceeded to ask me to move the other one:yow

Lots of standing O's tonight...he definitely felt the love...he sang amazing tonight.....I cant believe how he was able to get through it....he is one amazing man:lubdub

From the CB's PinayRN4Clay:

Just a quick post because I have to work uhmm, today.

The show was amazing! Not only was the voice phenomenal but much more so, is the courage of Clay Aiken to go through the show although he was suffering from vertigo. He was witty throughout the show. My friend who came with me marveled at how quick and funny he is with the banter. He gave out a loud laugh when the front-seat audience members giddy-yapped out of sequence; I think he jumped a line. :laugh

I was at the balcony and so I didn't see his face in pain. I did see him gripping his stool. But the voice did not waver. I had closed my eyes at several of the songs and all I heard was the beautiful melody. My, oh my, he nailed the high notes on OCOCE, DSIAFCD and AIW. His powerful vocals reached out to the rafters and the crowd responded with gusto and cheer.

Did I say how phenomenally amazing he is? :bow

:bluesniff AIW made me cry. For the encore, he was helped out by his cousin Jaimie, and even from afar, I could see that he was in pain. He was stiff as he clenched his knuckles and held on to the sides of the stool. Some of the audience menbers had tried to make their way out after DSIAFCD. Probably not message boarders since they did not know that he was coming back for an encore. As soon as he breathed life to the song in his gorgeous low register, everyone was rooted on the spot.

All is Well. As sung by Clay it takes on a spiritual sense. It becomes an inspiration, a song of hope, an eloquent assurance to us all that All Is Well. He gave the song his all. It is the most spine-tingling performance I had ever seen from him. And the stunned audience erupted in full apreciation for the gift he had just given us.