AIKEN NEWS NETWORK NOVEMBER 16

[clayMaine-iac]

Good Morning, everyone!!  

Monday, November 15, 2004
MULTI-PLATINUM RECORDING ARTIST CLAY AIKEN RINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS DURING HIS FIRST TELEVISION SPECIAL ON NBC ON DECEMBER 8
Released by NBC

BURBANK -- November 15, 2004 -- NBC will showcase multi-platinum recording artist star Clay Aiken as he sings classic Christmas carols on his first television special, "A Clay Aiken Christmas," on Wednesday, Dec. 8 (8-9 p.m. ET). The music special comes just weeks after the release of Aiken's first book and holiday album, as well as the start of his holiday concert tour.

The hour-long studio special will feature Aiken and Special Guest star Barry Manilow as well as gospel singer Yolanda Adams and NBC's "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally.

The program will come on the heels of Aiken's first book, "Learning to Sing," and his debut holiday album "Merry Christmas with Love," scheduled to be released on November 16. Likewise, Aiken's "The Joyful Noise" concert tour begins on November 21.

Aiken's first single "This Is the Night," made history by becoming #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart as it sold 392,000, beating Elton John's 1997 record for "Candle in the Wind."

Aiken issued his first full-length studio album, "The Measure of a Man," in October 2003.

Barry Manilow's unparalleled career is made up of virtually every facet of music, including performing, composing, arranging and producing. A 2002 inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. He has received Grammy, Emmy and Tony Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award. He's just released his 43rd album -- "Scores ? Songs From Copacabana and Harmony" -- which features Manilow's personal renditions of the songs he has written for two of his major musical properties, "Copacabana and Harmony." Manilow also was named the "the showman of our generation" by Rolling Stone in 2002.

Two-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams has long been one of gospel music's biggest stars. Adams soared to new heights with the 1999 release of her Elektra Entertainment debut "Mountain High...Valley Low." The album featured the smash hit "Open My Heart" and spent much of the year at #1 on Billboard Magazine's Gospel and Contemporary Christian Charts, eventually selling over one million copies. Her subsequent Elektra albums, "Christmas with Yolanda Adams," the live release "The Experience," and her latest, "Believe," have further strengthened her position as one of gospel's best loved and most successful artists. .

Mullally is an Emmy winner and three-time Screen Actors Guild recipient who made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of "Grease" with Rosie O'Donnell. She then received an Outer Critic's Circle Award nomination for her performance as "Rosemary" in the Broadway revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" opposite Matthew Broderick. Her Los Angeles stage credits include "The Berlin Circle" at the Evidence Room Theater and her performance earned her the 2000 Backstage West Garland Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play and the LA Weekly Award for Best Leading Female Performance. Mullally has also appeared in "Mayhem" at the Evidence Room, as well as a variety of other plays and musicals in both Chicago and Los Angeles.

Mullally's concert appearances include the 2003 Kennedy Center Gala with Patty Lupone and Michael Feinstein and Los Angeles' Disney Concert Hall. One of Mullally's fondest projects is her glamorous cover band, Supreme Music Program, with whom she has released two CDs, including her most recent in "Big As A Berry" on Fynsworth Alley. Supreme Music Program has essayed a successful performance art piece, "Sweetheart," and will perform this Fall with the Seattle Symphony and at the Oklahoma Civic Center before appearing next year at the Kennedy Center.

Four-time Emmy winner Louis J. Horvitz is the executive producer and director of "A Clay Aiken Christmas." Horvitz is one of Hollywood's most prolific live television event directors. Horvitz' expertise has been recognized by his peers with numerous Emmy and DGA nominations.

This past September, Horvitz earned his 10th nomination and won his fourth Emmy Award while directing the live Emmy telecast.

Additionally this year, Horvitz has helmed over 15 high-profile events including his eighth year as the director of the Academy Awards, his 12th year as the producer/director of the Peoples Choice Awards, his 10th year as co-producer/director of the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, director for MTV'S VMAS, VH1's "Divas and Hip Hop Honors," "Bad Boys of Comedy" (a film series for Sean "P Diddy" Combs), and more.

Horvitz, now in his eight year as executive producer and director for "An Evening of Stars," is in the final editing stages for this four-hour tribute to Quincy Jones. In addition, he is putting the finishing touches on an ultra-stylistic film "Music 101".

Upon completion of "A Clay Aiken Christmas" Horvitz will fly to Washington, D.C., for his 12th tour of duty as the director of the Kennedy Center Honors.

FUTONCRITIC

[clayMaine-iac]

CLICK ON LINK FOR SCREEN CAPS FROM LARRY KING LIVE SHOW

[clayMaine-iac]

Teen filmmaker who's autistic to be honored
Newbury Park 15-year-old surprises mom

By Sue Davis, sdavis@VenturaCountyStar.com
November 15, 2004

Taylor Cross has a few things most 15-year-olds don't.

The Newbury Park teen has an award-winning film in the can. He has a feature-length movie on the way. And he has autism.

When Taylor was a baby, a doctor said he would never walk or talk, said his mother, Keri Bowers.

"Many of us parents were told to put our child in an institution," Bowers said. "We were told our child would never contribute to society. They just didn't know at the time."

Taylor not only walks and talks but plans to attend New York University to study directing and film editing.

"Not even UCLA or USC," Taylor said. "Totally out of state. That's how high my expectations are."

Taylor will be honored for his first film, "Normal People Scare Me," Friday in Los Angeles at a gala benefit dinner for the Bubel-Aiken Foundation, a nonprofit organization created in 2003 by "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, mother of a son with autism.

Aiken has a degree in special education and has done music therapy with Bubel's son. He will perform at the benefit, which also honors actress Laura San Giacomo, a disability activist.
Bowers said her son came up with the idea of making a film when he was trying to raise money for an annual family community service project.

"At Christmas, we adopt two families of battered women," she said.

"This time, Taylor wanted to pay for it himself."

Bowers suggested mowing lawns to earn money, but Taylor was determined to make and market a film.

His mother discouraged her son at first, but soon realized she was sending the wrong message.

"What a horrible thing to say, 'You can't do that,' " she said.

Taylor made the 10-minute film with the help of friends he had made at Joey Travolta's Entertainment Experience acting workshop.

The documentary film asks seven autistic teens a series of questions about their lives.

Film co-producer Alisa Wolf said when the film was shown at the Chaminade High School Film Festival in West Hills, parents of children with autism drove two hours to see it.

"After that, our office was getting 50 calls a day about it," Wolf said.

The feature-length film will be along the same lines as "Normal People Scare Me," but will include interviews with families and friends of youths with autism, Wolf said.

Bowers said she is happy to see her son learn important social skills and to show his talents to the world.

She and her son spoke to a group of parents of autistic children at University of California, Irvine, this weekend.

"He spoke from a place and to them in a way that I never could," she said. "He touches, moves and inspires people."

VENTURASTAR

[clayMaine-iac]

DETROIT, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Symphony Orchestra invites the public to sing a song of Christmas on Tuesday, November 16 when The Max hosts a "Holiday Happy Hour" to kick off the 2004 UBS Holiday Festival. The event takes place in the atrium lobby of the Max M. Fisher Music Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features half-price cocktails and a "Christmas Karaoke" where all singers will receive two tickets to their choice of DSO Holiday Pops, Messiah or Empire Brass concerts. The singer judged to be the best by DSO staff members will also win four tickets to LeAnn Rimes' holiday concert on December 16. In addition, a 20 percent discount on tickets to all DSO Holiday Festival performances (with the exception of Clay Aiken and LeAnn Rimes) will be featured throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers can purchase discounted tickets over the phone at (313) 576-5111 or in person at the box office, located at 3711 Woodward Avenue. Merchandise at the Shop @ The Max will also be sold at 20 percent off the regular price.

The DSO's 2004 UBS Holiday Festival includes Handel's Messiah; DTE Energy Foundation Pops Series' "Home for the Holidays"; the Young People's Concert, "Holly Jolly Holiday"; the Von Trapp Children Christmas; LeAnn Rimes Christmas; Standard Federal Paradise Jazz Series' "Holiday Swing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra"; Empire Brass Christmas; George Winston; and Clay Aiken Christmas. Also featured is the theatrical production "The Mystery of the Magi's Gold," a new installment from the creators of "Late Nite Catechism."

BIZYAHOO

[clayMaine-iac]

Now it's your turn.

Last week, Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Andy Dehnart shared the reality TV moments that made them cringe as well as the ones that made them proud.

Here are our readers' versions of those moments:

THE WORST:
"Clay Aiken's singing and 'dancing' of 'Grease’ [on 'American Idol']. Many of his cheesily delivered performances had me giggling at my TV screen, but 'Grease' had me rolling."    —Nancy

MSNBC

[clayMaine-iac]

Holiday happenings galore if you're headed for the east side
Sunday, November 14, 2004
By Doug Pullen
The weather outside may be turning frightful, but arena, theater and club stages on Michigan's east side will be filled with some pretty darned delightful offerings, depending on your taste.

The holiday season will bring out some pretty big names, including "American Idol" heartthrob Clay Aiken (Dec. 23, Detroit's Masonic Temple Theatre), touring in support of his first Christmas album, and country belter Leann Rimes (Dec. 16, Masonic Temple), both backed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

MLIVE
He's a heartthrob again!!!

[clayMaine-iac]

He is also the  UNICEF ambassador for education for all children!!!!

This was announced on Larry King Live last night.

GO HERE FOR THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SHOW.

[clayMaine-iac]

Clay Aiken's Joyful Noise Tour
Claymates Get A Special Gift This Season

Commentary By Bonnie Lini Markowski
November 15, 2004

Santa is bringing Claymates a very special gift this season-Clay Aiken. Now, he won't exactly be under our trees on December 25, but we can expect the next best thing. Now that Clay's Not A Tour is officially and unofficially over, Clay is embarking on a five week Christmas Concert tour dubbed "Joyful Noise." Several dates have been confirmed:    
11/20 - Los Angeles, CA
11/21 - Pasadena, CA
11/22 - Phoenix, AZ
11/23 - El Cajon, CA
11/26 - Costa Mesa, CA
11/27 - San Jose, CA
11/29 - Salt Lake City, UT
12/02 - Sewell, NJ
12/03 - Providence, RI
12/04 - Baltimore, MD
12/08 - Lowell, MA
12/09 - New York, NY
12/10 - Wallingford, CT
12/13 - Raleigh, NC
12/15 - Clearwater, FL
12/16 - Melbourne, FL
12/17 - Atlanta, GA
12/18 - Atlanta, GA
12/20 - Chicago, IL
12/21 - Cleveland, OH
12/22 - Pittsburgh, PA
12/23 - Detroit, MI

If the recent sample of "Mary Did You Know," is any indication of what to expect on the tour, we are in for a special Christmas treat. The haunting song is by far one of the best showcases of Clay's vocal magic. Now, picture that stunning voice backed by a live orchestra. WOW!

According to Clay, we can expect a classy show. Sunday dress. Does that mean our boy will be sporting a tuxedo? Be still my heart. I don't think I'll be able to stand it.


Bonnie is a professor and freelance writer in Northeastern Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband and two children. She is currently very involved in raising awareness of autism and inclusion.
You can contact Bonnie at albon725@adelphia.net  

REALITYTVCALENDAR

[clayMaine-iac]

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) The three "American Idols" will appear together on a FOX holiday special later this month, the show's most famous second-place finisher is striking out on his own.
Clay Aiken, who has outsold all of his "Idol" compatriots, will star in an NBC holiday special that also features musical forebear Barry Manilow and "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally. "A Clay Aiken Christmas" is scheduled to air Wednesday, Dec. 8.

The hour-long special will feature Aiken singing Yuletide classics along with Manilow, gospel star Yolanda Adams and Mullally, who has starred in several Broadway musicals and released two CDs with the band Supreme Music Program.
 
 
The show follows on the heels of Aiken's holiday album, "Merry Christmas with Love," and an autobiography, "Learning to Sing," both scheduled for release this week. Aiken is also hitting the road in support of the album, beginning Sunday (Nov. 21) in Pasadena, Calif.
Aiken famously lost a very closely contested final vote in season two of "American Idol" to Ruben Studdard. Since the show, however, he's gone on to greater commercial success than any of the show's winners. His debut album, "Measure of a Man," has sold 2.6 million copies.

The three "Idol" winners -- Kelly Clarkson, Studdard and Fantasia Barrino -- will appear in a FOX special set for Wednesday, Nov. 24.
 

ZAP2IT

[clayMaine-iac]

'Idol' minds do differ

Past winners ponder keeping ties to show

By Jeff Leeds
NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

November 15, 2004

'Take a chance," Kelly Clarkson sings on her new hit single, "Breakaway." "Make a change and break away."
But her managers, along with many others who have a stake in the careers of former "American Idol" stars like Clarkson, are not so sure that is a good idea. And as a flood of their albums arrive in stores for the holidays over the next few weeks, the singers are wrestling with how closely to link themselves with the show that made them famous.

Starting tomorrow, the RCA Music Group will deliver five new CDs from former "Idol" finalists, including Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard and the most recent winner, Fantasia Barrino. The glut will again pit the singers against one another, jockeying not for praise from Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell but for limited slots on radio stations and television.

Appealing directly to the show's huge audience could stoke sales during a season already thick with offerings from established stars like Eminem, U2, Gwen Stefani and Destiny's Child.

But it could also hinder the former contestants' efforts to establish themselves as recording artists with distinctive personalities and the legitimacy needed for long careers.

It is a particularly nettlesome issue for the stars of the show's first two seasons – Clarkson, Studdard and Aiken – who are releasing albums without the hype of a just-finished television victory behind them.
"We're venturing into brand-new territory here," said Tom Ennis, a senior executive at 19 Entertainment, which is the creator and a producer of "American Idol" and manages Clarkson and Barrino.

Ennis said he worries that there could be a logjam of "Idol" stars trying to land, for example, spots on the same late-night talk shows. But he insisted that the artists should still play up their ties to the show, especially if it means appearing in front of more viewers. Clarkson, Studdard and Barrino all are scheduled to appear on an "Idol" holiday special Nov. 24 on Fox. But Aiken, who finished as the runner-up in the second season and whose debut album has sold more than those of Clarkson and Studdard, is not taking part. Instead, he will have his own holiday television special, Dec. 8 on NBC. Representatives for Aiken, who has broken from 19's management division, said he was interested in standing apart from the show and would not comment for this article.
"Idol" has continued to draw a large audience, with little sign of weakening. The show drew an average of 25 million viewers a week in its third season, making it the most-watched show on television.

Clive Davis, the music impresario and record executive who oversaw the new albums, said the artists could survive only if they receded from the show's glare. "We're not having an 'American Idol' marketing campaign," Davis said. He credited the show with energizing the pop field, but said, "I'm not interested in merely souvenir sales."

The release of so many albums in such a short period of time stems partly from a collision of agendas. In Clarkson's case, RCA executives are releasing her CD to try to ride the wave of holiday sales and to capitalize on the popularity of her hit "Breakaway," from the "Princess Diaries 2" soundtrack. Aiken, for his part, was pressed by the label to record a Christmas album. And more generally, RCA has made a habit of releasing albums by the most recent season's finalists at about this time, before viewers have a chance to forget them.

UNIONTRIB

[Her]

My heart is full.  Mr. Aiken never ceases to amaze me.....[/color]

Good morning M.B.!  It is a glorious morn'...I'm headed out early to pick up my MCWL!!!!!

Thanks for the news!

PS.  The man was   last night!

[clayMaine-iac]

Good Morning, Buddy!!!

I agree--

The man is simply amazing!!!

Have fun today!!

I officially declare this---Clay Day!!!!!

  Deanna

[Her]

I officially declare this--- Clay Day !!!!!  

Oh Deanna, that would be great since it's my day too!  

[clayMaine-iac]

Yes, MB, I know!!

That was just for you, sweetie!!  

Happy Birthday!!!

[Her]

Ms. D. you are too kind, thank you!

[clayMaine-iac]

On Tuesday, Hilary and Haylie joined Clay Aiken, Randy Jackson and other celebrities in making cement handprints that are being auctioned off on eBay to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. The event was part of the third annual World Children's Day.

From the VH1 website

Thanks to MB for this!!

[clayMaine-iac]

Clay Aiken: His Life And Music
 From James Maguire,
Your Guide to Top 40 / Pop.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

A new album, a new book
The first chapter of Clay Aiken's life as an artist, his rise to pop stardom after his American Idol performance, is well documented. To find out the details, go the Clay Aiken info page.
The second chapter of his career is far more challenging. What the young tenor now faces is the task of building a long-lasting, stable career as a recording artist. Many artists have enjoyed a year or two of fan loyalty, only to see the enthusiasm fade as a crop of new faces comes along.

For Aiken, his work building a steady fan base is complicated by two factors. One, he doesn't fit the traditional mode of a pop star. He has no entourage, does not frequent trendy spots, and gives the tabloids precious little -- in fact zero -- dirt to report. His vocal style does not fit any of the ready-made pigeonholes: rock, R&B, rap or dance pop.

This creates a second, and more difficult, problem for him. He gets surprisingly little airplay for an artist who has as large a fan base as he has. He has to build a listenership without significant radio support, which few artists have ever done. Certainly he has received some radio play -- but by comparison to other musicians who have had recent best-selling CDs, Aiken's radio play has been pretty negligible.

His initial releases have been unequivocal smash hits. Record labels usually only dream of the kind of sales his discs have generated. Yet those first releases benefitted from the afterglow of his American Idol debut. Can he maintain this?

The response to his recent releases, his holiday album and his autobiographical book, will help indicate if his career blast-off will reach cruising altitude.

Clay Or His Producers?

Many singers, especially artists who are new to recording, have trouble getting their true personality on to a CD. They are surrounded by influential producers, who may or may not know better, telling them what direction to take. Many an artist has seen his or her career derailed by going in a supposedly commercial direction that alienated that singer's fans.

So that's something to listen for in the new Aiken CD, Merry Christmas With Love. Is the disc the real Clay, or is it a producer's best guess of what the public wants?

It's entirely possible that a great singer can make a poor CD. Or, a great singer can go beyond himself and make a classic CD -- something that survives the test of time. But he has to be allowed to use his own true voice, that special magic that turned on listeners in the first place. Will Clay, being the nice fellow that he is, get his way in the studio?

This About Poll has three questions about the new Clay CD release:

About poll: Did the real Clay find his way on to this CD? Or do you find yourself listening for something that you're not hearing? Go to poll


About poll: How do you like the Christmas album, on a scale of 1 to 10? Goto poll


About poll: How does Clay's Christmas album compare to his first CD, Measure Of A Man? Go to poll

TOP40
 

[lorraine]

GOOD MORNING DEANNA & HER.  IT IS A BEAUTIFUL CLAY DAY HERE IN CT.  THE SUN IS BEGINNING TO SHINE OUTSIDE AND ALSO IN MY HEART.  THIS MAN AMAZES ME MORE AND MORE EACH DAY.

HAVE A GREAT CLAY MORNING, CLAY AFTERNOON, CLAY EVENING.  HECK LIKE DEANNA SAID LETS JUST MAKE IT AN OFFICIAL CLAY DAY.


HUGS
LORRAINE

[HavinaClayAffair]

Good Morning!  Where is Susan???This is my 12 hour day..fun.

What was fun was Larry King Live last night!! UNICEF! GREAT!

Now I see Jimmy Kimmel Christmas Special.... with Clay Aiken?? ReUnited again?? Cool...........

Hope you all have a great day! Son is home sick but mom will be home a little later tonight..I have a little Christmas for me shopping to do after work!! I have a CD and A Book to buy..amazon is just too slow....

Lora-Ohio

[mackncsu]

I swear, this picture looks like the same car from his tour program!!