Clay: Timeline 2006

January 2006:

It was announced that MCWL took the Top Christian Album for 2005.
Clay blogged "hints" about his new album and asked his fans to keep an open mind.
It was announced on Pollstar that Clay had one of the Top 100 Tours for 2005.

February 2006:
Clay sent DJ Madison of Sunny Lite 93.9 a birthday greeting.
Clay went on vacation to Eastern Europe and, unfortunately, got very sick.

March 2006:

The Scrubs episode with Clay re-aired because Sarah Chalke picked that episode as her favorite.
Clay was featured in a local children's weekly reader.

April 2006:

Clay continued his humanitarian efforts by supporting a National Radiothon and Auction to Benefit West Africa.
He also supplied autographed items for bidding in support of the Children's Miracle Network.

May 2006:

Clay appeared (with a whole new look) on the American Idol Finale! He sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with superfan Michael Sandecki.
He had a huge media buzz following the show with tidbits on The Most, Countdown, E! News weekend, ET on MTV, Inside Edition ,ET, and The Insider.
Clay visited Middlesex Middle School in Darien, CT. They won the first ever UNICEF Kids Helping Kids Challenge, which raised $14,209.34. In support of the challenge, Procter & Gamble donated $150,000 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. As UNICEF ambassador, Clay surprised the students to thank them for their tremendous fund-raising efforts.
It was announced that the "Our Friend, Mikayla" book was going to be published by the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

June 2006:
Clay won the E! channel "Stranded with a Star: Who would you choose?" poll!
He was still placing in the Top 50 on the Lycos Search engine making him a fixture on that list for over 3 years!
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation raised money using the empties4cash recycling program.

July 2006
Clay placed fifth on the list of ET's America's Favorite Stars.
Promosquad previewed snippets of A Thousand Days and I Want to Know What Love Is.
Clay and Ruben were seen together at Kelly Clarkson's concert in Raleigh NC.
Clayonline sponsored a contest to allow members to guess the initials of the new CD (the NANA contest), and he blogged several times to encourage participation.
Clay was in Parade Magazine and readers were asked to share their opinions about Clay's new hairstyle.
Clay blogged to encourage his fans to contribute to Unicef (to assist Lebanon) and was amazed that over $70,000 was raised.

August 2006
ATDW song clips went up on the Sony site for a few hours.
The Insider had more photoshoot coverage and more news about the album.
E! News had the story that Clay's album release was #4 on their countdown.
Official press release and track list hit the wires.
ET covered Clay's album cover photo shoot .
Promosquad had snippets of Without You.

September 2006
Inside Edition episode about the best moment on television mentions the AI appearance.
The President announces he intends to appoint Clay Aiken to be a member of the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
The Insider featured Clay singing Without You.
David Foster Star Search Gala had Clay serving as the snarky tough judge on this talent show held in Vancouver, Canada.
At the same David Foster Charity Gala, Clay was guest performer singing Right Here Waiting For you, Unchained Melody and Without You. He was accompanied by David Foster. He also helped raise 1M dollars in auction by offering to add a private concert to the autographed piano that was being auctioned off.
Clear Channel sneak peak happened when the local AC/hotAC clear channel station streamed ATDW.
The new Clay website and OFC reopened and memberships were renewed.
Clay appeared on Jay Leno for an interveiw and performance.
The Insider featured a CLAY AIKEN WEEK.
CD release parties were held across the country.
GMA had a two-part interview and then a performance as part of their concert series.
A Thousand Different Ways was released on Sept. 19th.
The View had a performance of Without You and an interview with Clay.
Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, Showbiz Tonight, Insider Weekend, and E! News Weekend all had stories about Clay following the release of ATDW.
People magazine had a cover story featuring Clay.
Virgin Mega Store in LA had a Meet and Greet and CD signing.
Clay appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show for an interview and mini concert.
Clay appeared on Larry King Live for an interview session.
KTLA had Clay as a guest for the show throughout the whole morning.
Walmart premiered their in-store Clay Soundcheck.

October 2006
411 (TV Guide Channel) interview aired.
Clay appeared on The Martha Show and cooked pineapple salad with his Granny and sang A Thousand Days.
Clay taped the Tyra Banks Show with air date to be announced.
The TV GUIDE channel aired a Clay Aiken Special.

November 2006
Clay appeared on The Megan Mullaly Show where he did an interview and sang a duet with Megan.
Clay co-hosted on Live with Regis and Kelly only to later become the "Controversy King".
Clay was an America Music Awards presenter.
The Tyra Banks Show interview aired.
Clay took part in the UNICEF Snowflake lighting in NYC.

December 2006
Clay performed for a Symphonic Christmas Tour:
12/1/06 - Waukegan, IL
12/2/06 - Merrillville, IN
12/4/06 - Verona, NY
12/5/06 - Engelwood, NJ
12/6/06 - Baltimore, MD
12/7/06 - Norfolk, VA
12/9/06 - Williamsport, PA
12/10/06 - Wilkes Barre, PA
12/11/06 - Easton, PA
12/12/06 - Hartford, CT
12/14/06 - Brookville, NY
12/15/06 - West Point, NY
12/16/06 - Red Bank, NJ
12/18/06 - Detroit, MI
12/19/06 - Grand Rapids, MI
12/21/06 - Jacksonville, FL
12/22/06 - Charlotte, NC
12/23/06 - Greensboro, NC
Clay appeared on the Soap Opera, Days of Our Lives, and sang a song for Steve and Kayla.