AIKEN NEWS NETWORK MARCH 13

[Pamela]

RCA Releases New Clay Aiken Single From 'Measure of a Man'

Friday March 12, 5:53 pm ET

'The Way' / 'Solitaire' Available in Stores March 16

Previously Unreleased B-Side Issued After Overwhelming Requests From Fans

LOS ANGELES, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- RCA Records will release a new Clay Aiken single from the double-platinum "Measure of a Man" album on March 16. "The Way" / "Solitaire" is the second commercial single from this CD, following the No. 1 single "This Is the Night" / "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Released in June 2003, "This Is the Night" became the best-selling single of the year. With almost 393,000 copies sold in the first seven days, "This Is the Night" had the best opening week of any single since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997." Aiken's "This Is the Night" was the first single in five years to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

"The Way," which is already receiving major airplay, is on track to become Aiken's second double-sided smash hit. The B-side is the previously unreleased "Solitaire," the Neil Sedaka/Philip Cody song that Aiken performed to great national reaction on the April 29, 2003 installment of "American Idol."
In its review of "The Way," Billboard called Aiken's recording "a total show-stopper." "The Way" was written by Steve Morales, Enrique Iglesias, Kara Dioguardi and David Siegel. It was produced by Morales and recorded at Icon Sound Studios in Miami, Fl.
Aiken is performing "The Way" on his current tour with Kelly Clarkson. The two "American Idol" stars are in the middle of their "Independent" tour, which began last month in Charlotte, NC and ends April 16th in St. Paul, Minn.
Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken are managed by Simon Fuller, creator of American Idol and founder of the 19 Group of Companies. Founded in 1985, the 19 Group of Companies has achieved over 35 No. 1 singles and 14 number 1 albums. Fuller created and managed the Spice Girls who became a global phenomenon under his guidance selling close to 40 million albums worldwide. In 1998, Fuller launched S Club 7 which has sold 10 million CD's worldwide while its three television series consistently topped children's viewing figures in the 104 countries where it aired. In 2001, Fuller's 19TV created and produced the television phenomena "Pop Idol" and "American Idol." "Pop Idol" launched the singing careers of Will Young and Gareth Gates in the UK (both of whom are managed by Fuller) while "American Idol" has done the same thing for Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson. Other clients of Fuller's 19 management include "American Idol 2" winner Ruben Studdard, along with Tamyra Gray, and Annie Lennox.
The RCA Music Group, which includes both J Records and RCA, is a BMG-owned label group. The J Records roster is home to platinum superstars Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Annie Lennox, Wyclef Jean, Luther Vandross, Busta Rhymes, Ruben Studdard, Maroon5 and Monica, among others. The RCA roster is home to superstar artists Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, The Strokes, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Heather Headley and more.

YAHOO LINK

[Pamela]

From Neil Sedaka’s website:

Clay Aiken's single with "Solitaire"
03.02.2004

Needless to say, Neil is thrilled with 'Solitaire' being released as a single by Clay Aiken on March 16. Neil heard "Solitaire" when Clay played the song for him, and he thinks it sounds awesome.

We want to thank everyone for their support in getting the single out there. And thanks to everyone for your wonderful e-mails about this exciting project.

NEIL SEDAKA

[Pamela]

From Billboard.biz:

ON THE WAY: Clay Aiken's latest single, "The Way," is set for retail release March 16. Accompanied by "Solitaire," a non-album B-side that is a remake of Neil Sedaka's 1975 hit for the Carpenters, the single is shipping heavy units and is poised to debut at No. 1 on Hot 100 Singles Sales and possibly on the Hot 100 in two weeks.

No link available - subscription only.

[Pamela]

Clay is on the Windows Media page, with links for the Invisible video and
The Way video!

POPAHOLICS

[Pamela]

As announced yesterday,  the following venue in Clio, MI lists a concert appearance on August 14.

CLIO AREA AMPHITHEATER

Idol' runner-up Clay set for summer gig in Clio


CLIO/THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Friday, March 12, 2004
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Clay is coming to Clio!

Clay Aiken, that is.

Last year's "American Idol" runner-up will perform Aug. 14 at the 3,100-seat Clio Area Amphitheater, spokeswoman Jessica Pearce confirmed. Details are still being worked out.

Aiken brought his easygoing charm and honey-sweetened tenor voice to Detroit's Joe Louis Arena on Thursday night, along with the first winner of the "Idol" television talent show series, Kelly Clarkson.

(snip)

For details, check the Clio Area Amphitheater's Web site, www.clioamp.org.

M-LIVE

[Pamela]

VH-1 is featuring lots of new Clay pix on their site!  Check it out!

VH-1

#3!  #7!  #9!

[Pamela]

One idol shines; another searches

Friday, March 12, 2004
Elizabeth Weinstein
FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Idol worship was on display Wednesday night at Value City Arena when a force named Clay Aiken rolled into town to perform songs from his chart-topping debut album, Measure of a Man.

Females from toddlers to middle-aged mothers sported Aiken T-shirts, painted his name across their faces and carried banners with pictures of the American Idol runner-up turned international phenomenon.

When he walked through aisles of admirers to the stage, an initial hush preceded eardrum-piercing screams that continued throughout the evening.

Kelly Clarkson was there, too: She performed before Aiken and after a bland set from a Disney-friendly opening act, the Beu Sisters. Clarkson has come into her own musically since winning the first American Idol competition, finding a hybrid of pop and rhythm and blues that works nicely with her soulful voice. But her tame reception, compared with Aiken’s Beatle-esque treatment, must have left her wondering, and rightfully so, "Where is the love?"

Clarkson emerged wearing torn bluejeans, a black T-shirt and a ponytail. The acoustic guitar strapped to her shoulder was a pleasant surprise and she strummed it ably during several songs.

Clearly determined to pre-empt any diva image, she kicked off her shoes, flashed a winning smile and peppered her chatter with familiarities such as "What’s goin’ on, y’all!"

Clarkson sang most of the songs on her album, Thankful, but the highlight came when she propped herself on the piano and sang an acoustic version of Beautiful Disaster, followed by a rousing cover of the Jay Livingston/Ray Evans scat tune Stuff Like That There.

Aiken began his set in a mismatched blazer, green polo shirt and blue cargo pants, his indefinable but undeniable allure causing teen girls and their mothers (and even their grandmothers) to swoon.

Unfortunately, the uninspired, forgettable songs that make up Measure of a Man are nothing to swoon over, not that it mattered.

Perfect Day, No More Sad Songs and I Survived You were pleasant enough, but, when he sang about picking up a girl in a bar (When You Say You Love Me) or declared his love through trite metaphors (crescent moons and shooting stars on Shine), it rang false, contradicting his geek-next-door charm.

The worst moment occurred when Aiken broke into a sedated version of Prince’s When Doves Cry, then proceeded to bump and grind (giggling awkwardly all the while) with a female backup singer.

At moments he shone, as during his singles This Is the Night and Invisible. He turned on the charm by inviting a lucky teen from the audience to join him in a song, later promising a girl he would find a special place for the teddy bear she handed him.

Unlike Clarkson, who has found a comfortable niche in pop music by staying true to herself, Aiken seemed torn between two personalities: the familiar boy next door with a powerhouse voice and the new teen heartthrob.

If he’s wise, he’ll ditch the uncomfortable sex-symbol act and concentrate on his voice, a gift that can make even the most insipid pop song a tolerable listen.

As Idol judge Randy Jackson might say, "Sorry, dawg, but I just wasn’t feeling it. It was just all right."

Fact checker!  Did he sing Shine in Columbus?  Did he sing This is the Night in Columbus?  If not, then was this person even there?

No link - subscripton only.  Like I'm sure I would pay for erroneous information.  :roll:   :

[cjrmax]

As announced yesterday, the following venue in Clio, MI lists a concert appearance on August 14.

Do you get the feeling that these small venues will sell out faster than you can blink an eye?????

[Pamela]

Brought by ClayMaine-iac.  Thanks!

"Clay’s Measure of a Man stayed put at #74, although it is shown as having one of the largest sales gains this week. Foxes On Idol has received reports that Clay mentioned at his concerts that his album has now gone triple-platinum. However, the chart still shows it as double, although it is frequently a few weeks behind before it gets certified. Meanwhile, “Invisible” fell two spots on the Adult Contemporary singles chart to #13. Of course, next week his CD featuring “The Way” and “Solitaire” comes out. With pre-sales for the single already in full swing, expect it to debut high on the charts – that #9 record held by Kelly and Ruben might be in danger."

In addition to charting singles and albums, Billboard also keeps track of concert gross. This past week, the Clay & Kelly concert tour took two of the top spots, #8 and #10, coming in behind the likes of Celine Dion, Bette Midler, and Rod Stewart. Their concert at Raleigh, North Carolina, grossed $586,230. The one at Uniondale, New York, brought in $565,198.

FOXES ON IDOL

[Pamela]

MoaM is #74 on the Billboard album chart again this week.  Someone on another board was able to find a documented sales number from Soundscan through week 19.  Based on other information about sales for artists just before or after #74, estimates have been made about MoaM sales for the past two weeks.

Wk------Rank-------Sales
19-------#57------- 24,001 (est) (2,356,906 total per Soundscan)
20-------#74------- 16,900 (est)
21-------#74------- 18,590 (est)

GRAND TOTAL 2,392,396 (est)

These are domestic sales numbers and do not include any international sales.  Clay announced during the Washington DC concert on March 5 that he had been told the CD had been certified Triple Platinum (3,000,000 units shipped).

MOAM SALES

[aikenfan327]

Pamela,
I caught the exact same mistakes when reading the review of the Columbus show yesterday in the Dispatch.  I also thought that the reviewer did not go to the show and was relying on secondhand info.  Clay did not sing TITN or Shine.  He brought the girl up on stage to dance & sing for WYSYLM which is the song the review said "rang false". The crowd was crazy for Clay and the energy was amazing. Part of Clay's charm and appeal is that he doesn't try to be blatently sexy.  Everyone is entitled to their opinions.  But they should at least be factually accurate. I better stop or move to the Soap Box thread!

[Pamela]

MEDIABASE REPORT

The Way has dropped from #49 to #53 with 714 spins down from 781, a loss of 67 spins.

Hopefully, good sales of the new single next week will give CHR/Pop some incentive to play the song more.  In the meantime, please take just a few minutes if you can, and call your local pop station and make a request.  You could mention you saw the video on TRL, and that the single drops next week!  

Also, please visit the Polling Place thread in Got Clay and vote on JoJo's countdown - Clay didn't make the countdown at all last night.

ThanX!

[Pamela]

IDOL FINALISTS TAPPED

Both season one winner, Kelly Clarkson, and season two winner, Ruben Studdard have had top 10 releases, but the show's biggest success to date is last year's runner-up, Clay Aiken.

It seems some fans of the show may believe that American Idol peaked during Aiken's tenure.

"We have 12 contestants, very little talent," one poster complained of Wednesday's show. "70,000 auditions and this is the best America has? Last year's final 12 were much better...Bring back Clay."

YAHOO LINK

[LJB]

"We have 12 contestants, very little talent," one poster complained of Wednesday's show. "70,000 auditions and this is the best America has? Last year's final 12 were much better...Bring back Clay."

I couldn't agree more!!

[quynn]

Unlike Clarkson, who has found a comfortable niche in pop music by staying true to herself, Aiken seemed torn between two personalities: the familiar boy next door with a powerhouse voice and the new teen heartthrob.

Clay TORN between two personalities?   :?  He seemed pretty darn confident and sure of who he is at the concerts I attended!  He's not one- dimensional.....he's definitely multidimensional....and that's definitely a good thing....that's the major, mass appeal, the mystery that is Clay!  

If he’s wise, he’ll ditch the uncomfortable sex-symbol act and concentrate on his voice, a gift that can make even the most insipid pop song a tolerable listen.

Well, I do believe Clay IS wise.  He know's exactly what he's doing! The so called "sex-symbol act,"  (he doesn't need to act, just look at him), along with the gifted voice is the WHOLE PACKAGE.  LET CLAY BE CLAY.  

As Idol judge Randy Jackson might say, "Sorry, dawg, but I just wasn’t feeling it. It was just all right."

That's too bad,  :roll: ...cause there are millions who are not only "feeling it", they're living it.   :

[Pamela]

Clay Aiken works his way into heart of "Idol" Audience

By Doug Pullen
Journal Entertainment Writer
The Flint Journal 03/12/2004

Detroit--Like that car rental company used to say,
you try harder when you're No.2. Clay Aiken,
last year's "American Idol" runner-up, has made
success look pretty easy.
His solo career has eclipsed that of that big ol"
teddy bear Ruben Studdard, who won the 2003
competition and he has pretty much established
himself as The Favorite of all of the American Idol
stars who have emerged from the TV talent show.
That includes Kelly Clarkson who was crowned
the first AI in 2002.
The two talented young singers now are traveling
together on the Independent Tour.
If Aiken's easygoing charms, honey-sweetened tenor
and obvious popularity with the mostly female crowd
were any indication, he doesn't have to play second
fiddle to anyone anymore. Of course,he did last night
by the Beu sisters,whose generic girl pop wasn't any more
distinguishable than their pleasant but average voices, and
before Clarkson,whose impressive pipes couldn't quite
compensate for her utter lack of stage presence or charisma
Thursday night. Clarkson acted like she couldn't wait to get her
50-minute show over with.
Who could blame her? Aiken is a tough act to folow, and it was
obvious that the mostl female crowd, which ranged from little
girls to their grandmas, was mostly there to see him. The ratio of
handmade Aiken shirts, signs and memorabilia (including an older
woman's bib that read, "Clay makes me drool")out numbered
Clarkson's 5 to1, suggesting the cult of Clay is in full swing.
That's not say Clarkson's time has passed. It's just that Aiken's
time has come.
He opened his 65-minute performance by walking and singing
his way through the crowd, reminder that he was one of us until
a year ago.When he wasn't emoting on a series of insprational
ballads that just might make him the Steve Perry of the new
century Aiken often interacted with the crowd. He breezed into
the barricade betweenthe crowd acoupleof times, stopping to
shake hands and sign autographs.
He called up a female fan to dance with him on a version of
Princes "When Dovs Cry" and plucked cellphones out of the
crowd to alk to fans in Illinis and Louisiana.
Aiken, also sang beautifully, drawning from songs on his solo
debut, "Measure of a Man," that play to his vocal strenghts
more effectively than Clarkson's generic-sounding debut did.
He didn't sing "Bridge over Troubled Water," but he did
a soaring version of "I Will Carry You" and his first hit, "Invisible"
tht had the crowd in his palms.
Forgot to put this in.....
The "Idol" machinery has transformed the self-described geek
into a natural, wholesome entertainer who obviously appreciates
what's happened to him over the past year---like selling 3 million
copies of his first album, seeing his face plastered all over magazines
and MT and co-headlining a major arena tour.

No link. Found at RHT.com.

[songbird457]

Clio amphitheater holds about 3100 people (as I just checked the link). Huge difference from the Joe. I am still on my Clay high and I'm already praying and hoping with all my might I can get tickets to the August concert.
I am gonna try with all my might to get a second opportunity to see him again  :
Time to re-write some songs to throw to him on stage.  : j/k

[ANGELA]

Hey everyone,
This may be one thing the fact checker got right:

Aiken began his set in a mismatched blazer, green polo shirt and blue cargo pants, his indefinable but undeniable allure causing teen girls and their mothers (and even their grandmothers) to swoon.

ANGELA

[houstonclayfan]

Check this out !  Someone has written a "Claymate handbook" and it even includes a guide to message boards  :

http://www.claymatebook.com


Too funny!

[Misha]

Oh my word.  LOL  That is hilarious.  I'll have to check it out... *L*