Flashback IT 2004 - Share your pics/stories!

[cjrmax]

San Jose was fabulous!!  Meeting Carol and Amy was fabulous!!  Getting an amazing long eye-f*ck from Clay during ISY was fabulous!! Seeing Clay with stubble was fabulous!! Having a lustful, laugh filled breakfast with Amy the next morning was fabulous!!  

But maybe the most memorable thing for me was to see Gwenn transformed into a true Clay luster.  I so remember sitting in our hotel room before the concert and talking about Clay.  I was talking about how hot he was.  She kept insisting that she didn't think about him in that way, that her daughter Erica had friends his age and she could never think about Clay that way.

Then I remember after the concert.  We were still gushing about the concert, still on our Clay high, and Gwenn kept screaming over and over and over and over "I WANT CLAY!!!  I NEED CLAY!!  I WANT TO ____ (I'll let you all fill in that blank!   ) Clay!!"  

What a change!  She had already seen him twice before in concert and had never reacted this way, but there was something about San Jose.  He was just hotter than hot!!  Yup, Gwenn may have lost her Clayginity in Philadelphia, but she crossed to the lecherous side of Clay fandom in San Jose!

Its fun on this side, isn't it Gwenn!  

What a great 24-hours we had!  As nuts as it may have been to fly cross country for 24-hours to see Clay for 1 hour, I would do it again in a heart beat - money permitting of course!

[ILClaymate]

Seattle, WA
4/8/04
Key Arena
Stats courtesy of the Clayboard:

#26 Thurs 8-April 7:00 pm PDT Seattle WA
Closing Artist Kelly Clarkson KeyArena
Wardrobe Major stubble. Fedora. Blue Shirt and Tie Outfit with grey pants.
ClayAikenSeattle.org Seattle Clay Fans
Pre-Concert Party Seattle Center House
The Seattle Times 'Idol' duo gets crowd's vote at KeyArena Without question, Aiken seemed to be the one most came to see Thursday night at KeyArena. His fans are notoriously loyal, known in some circles as "Claymates," and reflect a true cross-section of America: from children to tweens and teens, parents and grandparents, students and professionals.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer 'Idol' stars Clarkson, Aiken light up KeyArena This wasn't a show for couch potatoes. Fans rose to their feet and cheered as soon as Aiken, surrounded by security guards, strolled through the crowd and up to the stage for a 70-minute set that opened with "Kyrie," the 1980s Mr. Mister hit.
Pollstar Ranking #15 worldwide in 2003 with 249,488 tickets sold
Arena Opened 1995 Seating (Max 13,500)
Rent $10,000 - 15,000 min. / 11% Merch Rate 35% Box Office 3% Tax Rate 7%
Box Office Summary KeyArena Seattle
__DATE_____SOLD_____CAPACITY__HEADLINE ARTIST
Gross Sales $304,625
04/08/04___79%___7,125___8,910__Clay Aiken / Kelly Clarkson
03/28/04__100%__13,222__13,222__Metallica /Godsmack
03/12/04___95%__10,426__10,898__Britney Spears / Kelis
02/29/04___93%___6,238___6,738__Sarah Brightman
02/26/04__100%___7,221___7,221__Newsboys/Rebecca St. James
02/21/04__100%___7,459___7,459__Newsboys/Rebecca St. James
02/03/04___94%__10,572__11,210__Bette Midler
01/12/04__100%__13,424__13,424__Dave Matthews
11/17/03___36%___3,622__10,031__Good Charlotte
11/01/03__100%__12,998__12,998__Simon & Garfunkel
10/21/03___60%___7,423__12,242__Red Hot Chili Peppers
09/25/03___77%___4,964___6,407__Def Leppard
08/26/03___87%__10,037__11,422__American Idols Live
07/12/03__100%__14,325__14,325__Dixie Chicks
06/02/03___67%___8,296__12,205__matchbox twenty
11/20/02___89%___9,922__11,120__American Idols Live

[ILClaymate]

Seattle, WA

[ILClaymate]

[ILClaymate]

Spokane, WA
4/9/04
Spokane Arena
Stats courtesy of the Clayboard:

#27 Fri 9-April 7:00 pm PDT Spokane WA
Closing Artist Clay Aiken Spokane Arena
Wardrobe Major stubble, like a soft downy beard. Striped jacket outfit.
Pre-Concert Party Cyrus O'Leary's
The Spokesman-Review (subscription) Kelly, Clay delight Arena crowd... From the moment Aiken entered the stage, fans were roaring. One area where Aiken has grown since his "American Idol" days is in his showmanship.
Arena Opened 1995 Seating 6,013 - 12,638
Rent $8,500 / 12% Merch Rate 35% Box Office 3 - 5% Tax Rate 5%
Box Office Summary Spokane Arena
__DATE______SOLD____CAPACITY__HEADLINE ARTIST
04/09/04__Fri____________________Clay Aiken / Kelly Clarkson
03/21/04___83%___9,179__11,000__Metallica / Godsmack
03/12/04___50%___6,078__12,099__Gaither Homecoming
03/02/04__100%___3,850___3,850__Sarah Brightman
06/20/03___64%___3,100___4,834__Godsmack
06/16/03___50%___2,670___5,266__The Moody Blues
05/31/03___70%___7,087___9,991__Brooks & Dunn
05/23/03___89%___8,049___9,000__Third Day/Michael W. Smith
05/15/03___67%___5,634___8,383__Yanni
05/08/03___51%___5,166__10,089__Little River Band

[ILClaymate]

[ILClaymate]

[ILClaymate]

Denver, CO
4/13/04
Pepsi Center
Stats courtesy of the Clayboard:

#28 Tues 13-April 7:00 pm MDT Denver CO
Closing Artist Kelly Clarkson Pepsi Center
Wardrobe Blue shirt and tie outfit with fedora and extreme stubble/beard. Clay wore a different shirt for Open Arms! A purple and white striped shirt, with wide stripes and a floral pattern in between. There were t-shirts underneath, number unknown. Hair was long, especially in the back.
Pre-Concert Party Jackson's All-American Sports Grill
Post-Concert Party immediately after Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center
Post-Concert Party late-nighter Executive Tower Lounge
Denver Post Confessions of an instant heartthrob
Rocky Mountain News Live singing at concert? Who would have thunk it The pair are switching off between who opens and closes the show, and you can't help but feel Clarkson draws the short straw every time she has to follow Aiken. He's got an affable stage charm that the audience ate up.
Pollstar Ranking #24 worldwide in 2003 with 216,116 tickets sold
Arena Opened 1999 Seating (Max 18,650)
Rent 12% / $20,000 Merch Rate 35%
Box Office Summary Pepsi Center Denver
__DATE______SOLD____CAPACITY__HEADLINE ARTIST
04/13/04 Tue____________________Clay Aiken / Kelly Clarkson
04/08/04 Thu____________________Rod Stewart
04/01/04 Thu____________________MartinaMcBride/ Alan Jackson
03/31/04 Wed____________________Metallica / Godsmack
03/15/04___64%__11,439__17,700__Britney Spears / Kelis
01/31/04___80%___9,901__12,333__Bette Midler
12/01/03__100%__16,928__16,928__Shania Twain
10/30/03__100%__15,464__15,533__Simon & Garfunkel
10/11/03__100%__15,480__15,480__Fleetwood Mac
09/13/03___76%___9,607__12,566__Alabama
07/21/03__100%__17,609__17,609__Dave Matthews
07/08/03__100%__16,034__16,034__Dixie Chicks
06/24/03___77%__10,118__13,022__Eagles
06/23/03___87%__10,838__12,428__Justin / Christina
06/17/03___98%__12,226__12,534__Cher
02/01/03__100%__16,680__16,680__The Rolling Stones

[ILClaymate]

Denver, CO

[ILClaymate]

[ILClaymate]

More Denver

[ILClaymate]

Kansas City, MO
4/15/04
Kemper Arena
Stats courtesy of the Clayboard:

#29 Thurs 15-April 7:00 pm CDT Kansas City MO
Closing Artist Clay Aiken Kemper Arena
Wardrobe Beard is well trimmed and cared for. Long hair... looks extremely HOT! Striped jacket outfit.
KCClayFans.com Kansas City Clay Fans
Kemper Arena Free Block Party 4:00 pm
Pre-Concert Party - Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill
PJ Party 4/14/04 & 4/15/04 - Hyatt Regency
KC Loves Kids, Inc. The Bubel Aiken Foundation
"Night Of Champions" benefit awards dinner
Kansas City Star (subscription) Review: Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken... Aiken took the headliner's slot, emerging at the back of the arena and making his way through the crowd (with the help of a phalanx of security guards) while performing an infectiously percussive arrangement of Mr. Mister's “Kyrie.”
Managed By Global Spectrum Arena Opened 1974 Seating (Max 18,500)
Rent $8,000 / 12% Merch Rate Centerplate Box Office 3% of gross Tax Rate 6.975%
Box Office Summary Kemper Arena Kansas City
__DATE_____SOLD_____CAPACITY__HEADLINE ARTIST
04/15/04__Thu___________________Clay Aiken / Kelly Clarkson
03/14/04___92%___4,820___5,230__Yanni
02/15/04___43%___2,518___5,803__Sarah Brightman
12/16/03___66%___8,871__13,391__Manheim Steamroller
11/30/03___64%__11,901__18,574__Shania Twain
11/29/03___86%__16,141__18,574__Shania Twain
09/22/03___63%___8,520__13,514__Cher
08/15/03___85%__11,050__12,952__Fleetwood Mac
06/21/03___77%___9,441__12,226__Journey/REO Speedwagon
05/10/03___99%__17,890__17,973__Dixie Chicks

[ILClaymate]

[ILClaymate]

THE FINAL IT CONCERT!!
St. Paul, MN
4/16/04
Xcel Energy Center
Stats courtesy of the Clayboard:

#30 Fri 16-April 7:30 pm CDT St. Paul MN
Closing Artist Kelly Clarkson Xcel Energy Center
Wardrobe No stubble. Hat was in place with blue shirt and tie.
Kelly's T-Shirt Clay Rocks
MNClayFans.com Minnesota Clay Fans
Cyber Cafe Pre and Post-Concert Party - Great Waters Brewing Co.
Star Tribune Concert review: Aiken's star quality shines in St. Paul... Aiken has it -- that undefinable star quality. He commanded the stage in front of 11,783 screaming fans. There was a bounce in his step, attitude in the tilt of his fedora, drama in his gestures and a twinkle in his eyes.
Pioneer Press POP MUSIC REVIEW: Clay finding way; Kelly may go another... Even Clarkson knows that in the year since she released her debut album, Aiken has eclipsed her in popularity.
Pollstar Ranking #5 worldwide in 2003 with 349,280 tickets sold
Arena Opened 2000 Seating (Max 18,340)
Rent 12.5% Merch Rate 35% Box Office 3.5% Tax Rate 7%
Box Office Summary Xcel Energy Center St. Paul
__DATE_____SOLD_____CAPACITY__HEADLINE ARTIST
04/16/04__Fri____________________Clay Aiken / Kelly Clarkson
04/03/04__100%__15,652__15,652__Kenny Chesney / Keith Urban
03/26/04__100%__12,467__12,467__John Mayer
02/21/04__100%__15,371__15,371__MartinaMcBride/ Alan Jackson
01/31/04__100%__15,756__15,756__Linkin Park / Hoobastank
12/19/03___87%___8,727__10,000__Bette Midler
11/29/03__100%__12,153__12,153__Manheim Steamroller
10/28/03__100%__18,340__18,340__Shania Twain
10/27/03__100%__31,237__15,618__Simon & Garfunkel 2 Shows
10/17/03__100%__13,167__13,167__Eagles
09/20/03__100%___8,146___8,146__Good Charlotte
09/16/03___63%___6,306__10,000__R.E.M.
09/02/03__100%__12,016__12,016__Justin / Christina
08/07/03___71%___6,785___9,500__Steely Dan
08/01/03___82%__10,042__12,200__James Taylor
07/13/03___69%___3,843___5,500__Sheryl Crow
07/08/03___79%__10,817__13,627__American Idols Live
11/10/02___66%___9,430__14,342__American Idols Live

[ILClaymate]

St. Paul

[MelissaM]

Okay I realize this is late but I wanted to share my most amazing concert experience with Clay in Denver, Colorado.  I was going to post this on wednesday(Now officially Clay and my one year anniversary) but I lost track of time and this is my first opportunity!!

So here I go................

Well my mom surprised me with tickets to go see Clay in Colorado, I couldnt believe it.    I had previously already started knitting a blanket for Clay's dog Raleigh and since I had barely had anything done I wanted to work on it and finish it before the concert.  The weekend before the concert was Easter weekend so I knit my hands off(literally) and finished the morning we were leaving to go to the airport.  When we landed in St. Paul, Minnesota (connecting flight)  I stiched the name Raleigh on it and finally it was done.  When we arrived in Denver we went straight to the hotel and got ready, then left and walked around the nearby mall.  After we ate dinner and took a bicycle carriage thing to the pepi center only like 2 minutes away.
 I was sooooooo excited.  We got my program, keychain, picture etc and finally went to our seats.    They were 2nd row floor and to our surprise right beside the catside. I sat right beside the catwalk.    [/i]Dies.  We were talking to the ladies beside us and they said I should give the blanket to one of Clays people and they would give it to him but I wanted to try and give it to him myself.  Then it was time to start. OMG!!!!!!!  The lights dim. Angela, Quiana and Jacob sing then all of a sudden "My heart is open holds my memories, my body burns a gem like flame........." SCREAMS everywhere.  He sits directly in front of us on the stage " KYRIE ELEISON down the road that I must travel"  Holy cow Im in heaven.  
 Well later on during the concert I still had the blanket and I wasent thinking he was going to take it from me.  Then he sings WYSYLM.  I was singing along screaming when Clay came up the catwalk and then *he looks at me*  OMG I die. He keeps going down singing and comes back and *SITS DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME*      HOLY CRAP I was completely in shock, all I could do was smile like an idiot. :)  He took the blanket and held it close to his heart tightly in his hand.  Then somehow I manage to reach out my hand and he holds it as he stares into my eyes *MELTS INTO A PUDDLE OF GOO*  Then he sang to me somemore and got up.  IT WAS SOOOO AMAZING!!  
I still cant believe it has been a year.  The whole way back to the hotel I just clutched my hand to my heart staring off into space. :c9   I did the same thing on the plane home.  I didnt wash my hand for a couple days after *real santitary of me* hehe.  That was the most amazing concert experience ever!!!!! :)

Thanks for reading about my amazing experience with Clay.   Sorry its so long!! :)

Melissa