PRECIOUS PAISLEY PERFORMER PLAYS PARAMOUNT'S PALADIUM

My Charlotte trip was wonderful! Here is my exciting weekend experience.

I flew in to Raleigh from Indy on Friday and stayed with my brother/sister in law who live on the outskirts of Raleigh Friday night. Saturday morning, Heater (Heather) and Claysjoy (Kris) picked me up there. It was great to finally meet them both in person after SEVERAL phone conversations!! They are both so sweet and cute!! Then we took off for Charlotte which was almost 3 hours away. We got to Charlotte and picked up LuvMyClay (Lorrie) from a friends house she was staying at. By the time we made it to the hotel, it was around 2:00 after getting lost a couple times. We were to meet in the lobby at 2:30 so we quickly checked in and got changed for the concert since we were heading to the park for the preconcert picnic. Linda (CtlovesClay) and I volunteered to make the nametags for everyone and we handed them out in the lobby. It was wonderful meeting everyone and it was so NOISY in that lobby with all us Claymaniacs together!! We then headed to the picnic and had a special section for all of us Claymaniacs to sit together. HER (Jayne) had made a great sign for us to “mark” our section! Diane Bubel was there and said a few words and some of the Claymaniacs got to meet her and talk with her. They said that she was very nice and friendly to everyone. Once the picnic was over it was time for the MAIN ATTRACTION! Thanks to Pamela and Mackncsu, Heater and I were able to get row 17 seats instead of our row 30 seats. They were MUCH better! I had some trouble getting past security with my digital camera. They had metal scan things you walked through plus they were checking all the bags. I tried a couple different security guards and tried hiding the camera but it didn’t get through. They said I had to take it back to the car or leave it in a box under this table UNMARKED and I could get it afterwards. Well, I had ridden with Heather and she was already inside plus we had parked on the other side of the park and I was not about to go all the way back to the car. I did not want to leave my digital camera in this box for someone to snatch it either so I went back out front and hid it in the bushes and got it after the concert. I wasn’t very happy but I was able to sneak my regular camera in since it was in the case and they didn’t see it.

Part 2 Clayness!

Clay came out of the mothership in my most favorite tour outfit...red shirt and yes, THE JEANS!!! Thank you Clay! I was so hoping to see them live and in person and I did! His hair was claylicious as well...loved the blonde spikey highlights!! He was in such a good mood. He was very chatty and laughed A LOT! The laughing really started during WYSYLM when the band would not stop playing at the end! Clay was trying to “wrap” them up from playing and they thought he wanted to keep on going. He just sat down on a stool and was laughing!! It was hilarious. Then the whole dirty dancing/humping move was hilarious as well!! I was in shock at first! I think he was as well when he realized what he had done in front of everyone! I read a post from the singer and she said she was just stunned and didn’t know what to do!! He was on fire for all his songs and you could tell he enjoyed being “home” in NC. Someone mentioned afterwards about some word mess ups but I didn’t notice anything...I was just enjoying Clay and think he did a fabulous job. Mama Faye wasn’t there so maybe he was able to be a little more relaxed. It was really great also to sit next to Heather during the concert...we had so much fun! I hope in all my future concerts I will get to sit next to another Claymaniac because it makes the experience all the more exciting and fun!

Sadly, the concert came to an end and I thought I would be sad since this was my last one but I wasn’t. Maybe because I am hoping to make it to Chicago to see him in December and that is why I wasn’t sad. After the concert, Heather and I met up with Lorrie and Kris and went to the after concert party at a local resturant. We had a great time there with just the other Claymaniacs unlike how the picnic was for all clayfans. It was a wonderful time and got to know more people and of course talk about CLAY! When that was over it was kinda sad since I knew that this was the last time I was going to see most everyone since I needed to fly out the next day and I couldn’t go to Raleigh. Heather, Kris and I all shared a room and we had fun spending time together (even though I wished it could have been longer!). We went to breakfast at the hotel in the morning and there were several claymaniacs that came in as well so I was able to say goodbye to a lot of them then. I will never forget this and I cannot wait for the social event in April. We have such a bond here and I am truly greatful I found this board. Thank you Pamela for all your hard work. We have some really great members here.