AIKEN NEWS NETWORK DEC 18TH

[Marilyn]

Here are our individual lists for Top Ten Albums of 2008. It was a terrific year for breakthrough artists like Bon Iver, MGMT, Hayes Carll as well as tested veterans like George Strait, Bryan Eno and David Byrne, and Randy Newman. Trimming down this year’s releases to ten albums wasn’t an easy task for each of us. We hope you enjoy checking out these lists as much as we’ve enjoyed putting the magazine together for you this year. Happy Holidays!


Evan Schlansky, Contributing Editor


1. Miley Cyrus, Breakout
2. Wynton Marsalis, He and She
3. Clay Aiken, On My Way Here
4. Dem Franchize Boys, Our World, Our Way
5. Sixpence None the Richer, The Dawn of Grace
6. Boz Scaggs, Speak Low
7. Cyndi Lauper, Bring Ya To The Brink
8. Tom Jones, 24 Hours
9. Barenaked Ladies, Snacktime
10. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges

AMERICAN SONGWRITER

[Marilyn]

Christmas Past & Present

It's just not Christmas without listening to Clay Aiken sing Christmas songs. One of my favorites is Little Drummer Boy. A few years ago, Clay was on Nick @ Nite and, thanks to modern technology, sang this in a duet with Bing Crosby. I found a clip of the performance on YouTube. When we found out that Clay was releasing a Christmas album I was hoping that this duet would be on there. Clay's voice and Bing's voice sound so good together.

The Past:

NICE VIDEO'S HERE:

TRUTH RULES

[Marilyn]

MEMORIES:

Ten Best Mannered People Of 2003


Each year, the NATIONAL LEAGUE OF JUNIOR COTILLIONSTM releases it's list for the Ten Best Mannered People. The major criteria for selections is that the indvidual has been an outstanding role model of good manners and exemplary behavior during the current year. NLJC students from across the nation submit their list of nominations from individuals who are news makers from a wide variety of activities including but not limited to: Politics, Business, Sports, Arts, Military, Music, Comedy, Television, Motion Pictures or Theater. The Ten Best Mannered list is prominently featured in the media - including CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, and the associated press.

Clay Aiken -
Oprah Winfrey -
General Tommy Franks -
Michael Vick -
Bethany Hamilton -
Tom Brokaw -
Laura Bush -
Mel Gibson -
Condoleezza Rice -
Tony Blair -

I AM SURE CLAY IS STILL WAY UP ON THAT LIST!!

NLJC.COM

[Marilyn]

Stars Come Out
Clay Aiken wasn't a surprise; Wanda Sykes was. We're happy for both of them, and for Lindsay Lohan, who shows everyone it's okay to keep things ambiguous

VERY NICE PICTURE!!

TV GUIDE.COM

[Marilyn]

American Idol is plumbing its past to bolster its future, in the wake of a seven percent audience decline for the previous cycle.

Among the changes on tap for Season 8, premiering Jan. 13, is the resurrection of two elements from seasons gone by — one of which affects game play, the other offering fun (if not deliciously catty) insight into the semifinalists.

As hinted in recent weeks, Season 8 will reinstitute the Wild Card round, in which singers who don't make the Top 9 are afforded one last chance to improve their fortune and thus comprise the Top 12.

"We want to change things up a bit," exec producer Ken Warwick tells TVGuide.com. Though the exact process has yet to be cemented, he says, "The judges can pick anybody they like that they thought maybe was better but just off form and then decide on three" from that group. Such a "save" is what kept eventual second-placer Clay Aiken in the Season 2 mix.

TVGUIDE.COM

[Marilyn]

And a seventh off-chart Idol was in four figures this week, as Clay's Merry Christmas With Love jumped from 900 to 1,100, for a total of 1.37 million. On My Way Here was up from 400 to 600 for a total of 156,000.

 

USA TODAY

[Marilyn]

It should be quiet, well after the lunch rush, but every minute or so another customer strolls in, studying the price list above Cozart's head ($6.49 for a meat dinner with two sides and hushpuppies, $3.50 for a barbecue sandwich). Well-muscled and elaborately tattooed, he welcomes new diners with a knowing nod ("First time here?") and a sample-cup of chopped pork barbecue. Though the menu offers pork chops, beef ribs, roast chicken and a wide variety of fish, that little plastic cup does the trick: Everyone is won over by the balance of spice, vinegar and woodsmoke (including Clay Aiken, a regular, who reportedly lives nearby).

INDY WEEK.COM

[Marilyn]

Clay Aiken Mary Did You Know -A Blend of several videos

BEAUTIFUL RENDITION- CHRISTMAS CLAY:

MDYK

[NCSandhillsDeb]

 

Thanks for the news and links, Marilyn!!!!   

Debbie

[lucrezianoine]

And a seventh off-chart Idol was in four figures this week, as Clay's Merry Christmas With Love jumped from 900 to 1,100, for a total of 1.37 million. On My Way Here was up from 400 to 600 for a total of 156,000.

 

USA TODAY

  Yay indeed! That is great news, glad that his x'mas album is still doing so well and that his newest album is picking up!

Jules