Cellcert: Clay at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, NY

[WilsonClaymate]

THIS WAS THE MOST HEARTBREAKING AND ALSO THE MOST AMAZING SHOW I HAVE EVER HEARD. 

THE FACT THAT HE COULDN'T EVEN WALK AND YET PUT ON A COMPLETE SHOW WITH VERY FEW PROBLEMS REALLY SHOWS A LOT ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION.

YOU GO CLAY -- IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NAILED IT         

YOU HAVE ALL OUR LOVE, PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES FOR A VERY SPEEDY RECOVERY.  TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND REMEMBER WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU.

HEATHER -- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE CELLCERT.  I'M SURE THIS WAS HARDER FOR YOU ALSO BUT YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW TO CHECK ON CLAY.

[Sararocks]

Thanks Heather for the cellcert reports and gorgeous pics.

Even though Clay is sick sounded like he gave it his all. He is wonderful. for him that he can feel better before tomorrow's concert and can be able to walk and get some help.

See you all tomorrow.

[Pamela]

Sorry about the forum burp; just some maintenance, no problems!

Thanks for the cellcert ladies, you rock! 

[Marilyn]

I have never in my life seen such grit, such stubbornness, such endurance and showmanship. This man is totally amazing! He came out walking very very slowly and we wondered what was wrong. He sat on the stool for the first two songs. Then he said that probably all the message boards would be typing that he was sitting on the stool, that he had no tie on. Then he explained about his ear and his dizziness and asked the people in the first row to watch out in case he falls on his face on the stage.

And he proceeded to give the show of his life. Occasionally he would grab onto the stool and hold on for dear life. And yet, he still had time to joke with the audience, to give the mic to a girl who got engaged last night at the top of the Empire State Building.

When it came to DSIAFCD, he held that note and it was just as powerful as when he was standing. He moved the mic away for the last sentence as usual, and it was wonderful.

And then he tried to stand and almost went over. He walked oh so slowly to the side of the stage, and Jamie met him there and walked him out.

The house lights went up, but my sister said “Wait- the orchestra people are looking to the side”

And sure enough, Jamie escorted this wonderful wonderful man back to the front- he sat down, and the pure notes of All is Well drifted out over the audience. And the last note, he took a breath---and held it for longer than I ever heard him do it before.

He stood, wavered a lot, and Jamie came and got him and took him offstage.

Everyone in the audience gave him a huge standing ovation, their mouths open in awe. He is so freaking unbelievable. That man is capable of anything!!

I hope that he rests and takes something to clear that up. I have vertigo and there are antivertigo pills that are available (with prescription) but if he has an ear infection too, that would need antibiotics.

I believe he will be there tomorrow night. What a man, I am awed at his perseverance. Totally.

[Pamela]

Marilyn, what a recap!  Thank you muchly.



He has a gift, to be sure.  He knows himself, and his own limits, no doubt.  I don't think he would have gone on if he didn't think he could do it, but still...

I hope he felt the gratitude and love in the room tonight!  And from your recap, I think he did.

[Marilyn]

From NYCityClayFan at CB


QUOTE
Jesse Vargas is the one that came out several times to the buses to give us updates - first saying if Clay did come out it would be a while and then later on - after we were there for quite a bit and most people had given up - he told us that Clay was "being taken care of" and that he was doing better, but he would NOT be out at all and he wanted us to know that because he knew we were waiting. He said he wasn't sure about tomorrow but being that Clay performed tonight he didn't foresee the show tomorrow being cancelled, his words, not mine.

[lorraine]

MARILYN - I COULDNT SLEEP LAST NIGHT JUST WORRYING ABOUT CLAY BUT I KNEW YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO POST TO US GIVING US EACH AND EVERY DETAIL.  WHAT A GUY.  HE CONTINUES TO AMAZE ALL OF US ON SOME OF THE THINGS HE DOES.  I WAS READING YOUR REVIEW THROUGH TEARS BUT WAS HAPPY AT THE END WITH JESSIES COMMENTS.  SURE HOPE AND PRAY AS I HAVE NEVER PRAYED BEFORE THAT OUR HONEY WILL BE OKAY.  THANK YOU FOR SUCH A TERRIFIC REVIEW.

AMAZING, SIMPLE AMAZING.

HUGS
RAINEY

[heater]

I was never able to get back on before bed last night, so thanks to everyone who was here last night for the cellcert.

It was fun and I can tell you, from what I heard Clay did an amazing job.  I was speechless when it was over and I was only listening in my living room!

Marilyn, thanks for a fantastic recap.  Even though Clay wasn't 100%, he give it everything he had.

See you all tonight from West Point!

[ILClaymate]

Wow.  I'm still in awe!  My internet wasn't functioning last night but thanks to Heather for calling me and filling me in!  What a guy.  Hope you feel better today, Clay! 

Here's a few photos then I must get ready for work!

[lorraine]

HEATHER - I WAS WONDERING WHERE YOU WENT.  THANKS AGAIN AND YES HOPEFULLY SEE YOU TONIGHT.

CLANDY - I SEE THE STUBBLE IS COMING BACK.   THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICS.  WHAT AN AMAZING MAN.

PRAYERS FOR CLAY 

HUGS
RAINEY

[GWENN]

I HAVE LOVED AND ADMIRED CLAY FOR 3 PLUS YEARS NOW.  I HAVE BEEN AWED BY HIS VOICE AND HIS SOUL.  BUT NEVER HAVE I HAD MORE RESPECT FOR HIM THAN I DID LAST NIGHT.

HE PUT ON A COMPLETE SHOW--BANTER AND ALL--FEELING LIKE CRAP.  VERTIGO IS A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE THING TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE.  WHEN BARRY GETS A SPELL, HE IS IN BED FOR DAYS.  TAKING MEDS THAT KNOCK HIM OUT.  CLAY SAT THERE AND GAVE US HIS ALL.  NO MATTER HOW HE FELT.

I THINK THAT IT IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET ABOUT HIM.  HE PUT THE FANS FIRST AND GAVE HIS ALL.

ADD THE WORD PROFESSIONAL TO THE GROWING LIST OF ADJECTIVES TO DESCIRBE HIM.

GWENN

[fantasy]

So sorry I missed this cellcert. It hurts to know that he was that sick but it sounds like he pulled it together. That is a true professional and he continues to amaze me.

Marilyn, what a great recap and expressed what you felt experiencing it last night.

Gwenn, that is beautifully said and so true.

I will be at the cellcert tonight and hope that Clay is feeling better.

[NCSandhillsDeb]

Marilyn, what a great recap.  And what a wonderful man he is.  I have had vertigo too and I cannot imagine how he managed to pull that off!!!!!!  Incredible.

Debbie

[Pamela]

Permaswooned on CH:

I can have this magnanimous change of heart, because they had a BAF raffle for 2 front row seats at the Tilles party, and nicegurrrrl won the tickets. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Y'all may be aware that I have been to a concert or three, but I have never, ever, ever before been in the first row. It was amazing.

Plus, most everyone we encountered had better seats than we did in the 7th row, so I tried an old favorite. I went up to the top of the balcony, to the 2nd to last row, and found a mom and her daughter (somewhere between 8 & 10 we think). I told them how I came to have new seats, and invited them to take mine. They followed me all the way down to the front orchestra, and nearly fell apart when they saw where the seats were. At the end of the show they came up to hug nicegurrrrl and I. The mom, Jennifer, had tears in her eyes as she thanked us, and Abigail was so excited. She loved Clay and had never been able to see him before. She said it was the very best night of her whole life. That would have been enough to make my night.

19 years ago, my whole family stayed in a cabin where we were bit by ticks. We all got relapsing tick fever. Each of us got a nasty residual from it. Mine was catastrophic vestibular failure. Clay probably has labyrinthitis, which is generally short-lived, thank heavens, but mine was more severe, and it took months for my brain to pick up the slack. I still have problems if I'm in a crowd, in the dark, walking on an uneven surface, or if my sinuses act up.

Tonight I watched Clay seemingly "saunter" out to the mike, arriving a bit late for the first few words of CW and then sit squarely on the stool. After a few moments, I watched him grab for the side of the stool and hang on, and I said to myself OMG, he's got vertigo. Wow. What a moment of deja vu. I used to sing in a huge choral group, and I had to get permission to sit on a stool for the concerts, but it had to have a back and arms. It wasn't enough to just have a seat. Otherwise, I was going to fall off the risers, and I usually had to hold on to the person next to me with one hand from time to time.

Here's a little medical aside (hey...medicine is my life!). We know our position in space because our brain integrates signals from our inner ears, what we are seeing, and where our body is touching something solid. Because Clay was on a stool with no back, and because he closes his eyes so much when he sings, and has a spotlight in his eyes when they're open, he was truly working without a net tonight.

If you haven't had vertigo yourself, it is impossible to describe what it is like. Can you just imagine how hard it was for Mr. Control Freak to discover that no matter how hard he concentrated, or how strongly he willed it, he absolutely could not walk in a straight line, or stand without being in danger of falling? There are no words to describe it.

Just so you know, in general, it is not a painful condition. Except of course for the falling, staggering, frequently extremely nauseous thing. That's not fun.

There is no way for me to describe to you all the unbelievable amount of awe, admiration and respect I have tonight for that stubborn, gallant, big-hearted, professional, beautiful man. From my wonderful front row seats, I watched him hang on to that stool with one hand, the other hand, two hands, grip the microphone like death, and try to keep from turning very much in order to keep his precarious seat. That has been me, and I cannot possibly tell you how hard it was for him to do that.

The tremendous effort wore him out, but you couldn't see it until he tried to walk offstage, and then return for the encore. He was so pale, and he looked like he was fighting really losing it and getting sick as the song drew to a close. Several deep breaths and then he had to gesture for Jamie to come and get him. He couldn't let go of the stool.

Tears were standing in my eyes, as I watched that gorgeous, determined man as he attempted to navigate a stage that must have suddenly seemed to him like the deck of a ship in a storm (more deja vu). Wow. This whole evening was delivered from the gut level. No words.

So, did his "medical affliction" (tm Clay) mean that the audience got short-changed tonight?

No. Oh no. No, Mr. Titanium was chattier than ever. He was funny and witty and quick...as much so or more than any other concert night. He sang beautiful versions of every song. Very tender, nuanced, yet with power and glory when called for. He didn't prowl the stage. And he didn't lean out over the audience to chat. Otherwise, it was a spectacular show. If you hadn't seen him before, you wouldn't know the difference. And he explained the problem in a humourous way throughout the night for those who had seen the show before and DID know the difference.

I am so honored to be a fan of this man. I feel so honored to have been one of the fans there for him tonight. Mr. Webcat is right. The lady next to me and I were chanting our prayers for him out loud as he struggled to finish that last song. On any audio version, no one would ever know what it cost him to perform it. Sheer determination and a will of iron. Unbelievable.

I took approximately a kabillion pictures tonight. Clay was really gorgeous, dizzy or not. However, I don't have any of Clay being helped on or off the stage. He was not happy to have had to ask for that help.

Plus, I was too busy applauding and yelling out "Thank You Clay!!!" Thank you for that magnificent effort. Thank you for a beautiful evening in every way.

BTW, I talked to Jesse Vargas after the concert. I told him that I worked in the medical field, and that I had had the exact same problem as Clay in the past, including being on stage.

I told him that Clay's problem got worse as the concert progressed, partially because he keeps closing his eyes. It's difficult not to try to minimize the spinning, but it makes it worse. I told him it would help Clay a great deal if they could give him a focal point. Keeping that focus diminishes the spinning. I told him a stool with a back, and if possible arms, would help as well.

At that point (gathering music onstage) Jesse said Clay was getting treatment right away. That he didn't see how Clay was going to be able to do that (Tilles) show, but that Clay felt sure he could pull it off. However, Jesse wasn't sure how he could do that again, since Clay was obviously in trouble at the end.

However, it seems that by the time the bus crowd heard from him, the word was that Clay was getting treatment, and that it couldn't be any worse tomorrow night, and would most likely be better.

If that's the case, then I'll probably be able to see that amazing, professional, gutsy entertainer again in West Point. If not, we'll plan other activities and hope to see him Saturday at Red Bank. He already gave us more than 200% tonight. If he doesn't have enough left for tomorrow, we'll more than understand.         

[ILClaymate]

Thanks so much Pamela for bringing that from Permaswooned.  That was a wonderful detailed recap with a great medical lesson too!  Just shows how amazing and determined that man is.

[lovinclay]

Thanks, Pamela, for bringing that over.  I read it earlier at the Clackhouse, so this was my second cry of the day!   

[lmatheson]

Wow what a night for Clay and fans. I will pray that he is better tonight . Funny I have vertigo too but only happens in the middle of the night when my head is turned to the left side. To perform with vertigo is awful and I hope Clay will take it easy. That recap from CH brought by Pamela was so good I was teary eyed . Thanks