Here we are again, another January 28th... it's our anniversary with Clay Aiken ! The day when, back in 2003, we saw a geeky-looking, tall, skinny yet adorable young man walk out in front of Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson of American Idol, right into our hearts. He showed surprising confidence, yet modesty at the same time. And a talent to be reckoned with. When he belted out that very first lyric, "Take..." from the song Always and Forever, well, that was it! That evening, American Idol served its true purpose: discovering real talent that would otherwise remain undiscovered, because outside the box of mainstream pop culture.
Like many fans like to say: "Game over, Idol found". We had never known anyone like Clay before, nor have we since.
When Clay walked into our homes and hearts, it was just 16 months after September 11th, 2001, that tragic day where people across the United States and Canada too, were shaken to the core with grief and fear. We needed to see joy again, feel hope, love. Needed to know that the world could be incredibly good, that people could be wonderfully and powerfully beautiful.
Getting to know Clay Aiken over the course of that winter of 2003 was a balm on our hearts. He brought a fresh-faced innocence to our lives, with his dedication to children and to the rights of marginalized, disabled people of all ages. He made us get back in touch with our fun-loving selves, such that it was ok to smile, to joke, to laugh - even when we are all grown up. His poise - Simon Cowell said that Clay was one of the rare contestants to take negative critique "like a grown-up" - humbled and moved us. And The Voice - did I mention his voice? Like cool water flowing down a creek on a hot day. Like honey on a sweet cake. Smooth, refreshing, soul-replenishing, joyful.
A fellow fan I met through the Online Fan Club has ongoing pain with her teeth and jaws. She cannot stand noise or music of any kind, in general. Until she heard Clay. His singing is the only music which doesn't resonate painfully in her head - in fact, his voice soothes the chronic pain she lives with daily. Astoundingly moving... There are stories upon stories about the ways in which Clay Aiken has affected people's lives in such powerful ways.
Six years ago already - hard to believe! It's been an amazing ride, and it's far from over yet. I hope to hear and see Clay for the rest of my years, at least! I was an instant fan that evening six years ago, and I still am - in fact, even more so - today, six years later.
Clay Aiken has made our lives better, has made the world a better place, with his heart, his words, his soul and his voice. Clay isn't a perfect human being, but he is one of the most extraordinary ones I know. Decent, committed, hardworking, honest, loving, faithful, gifted, bright, funny, witty, wacky - and did I mention The Voice?
I have over 1000 songs/pieces of music on my iPod, from Beethoven symphonies to James Taylor folk songs, Latin activist music (Silvio Rodriguez +), R & B (Dawn Tyler Watson +) to hard rock and heavy metal (yeah! Van Halen, Styx, Led Zeppelin, Dilana, Dream Theater and Aerosmith). I listen to music every day - it's my lifeblood. I love all the music I have, but something special happens when I come upon a Clay Aiken song... a smile comes to my face and in my heart, regardless of how I feel that day. Clay's voice is one of the most soothing, peaceful and soulful that I have ever heard - he still brings tears to my eyes on a regular basis. Even more now, six years later, that I know the person he is. The measure of the man that Clay is. And what a man! He is a role model, an inspiration to many, certainly to me. "Knowing" Clay, even from afar, as a fan, makes me want to be a better person. Contribute more to my community, be more loving to my loved ones, fulfill my own potential to the fullest.
Happy 6th anniversary, Clay fans! Here's to 6 more (plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6, plus 6,...). I can't wait to see what Clay has in store next!
Most of all, I wish him every happiness in this journey of his life that he began just last year, as a young father and in a new relationship. His happiness is so richly deserved!
-- ClayKat
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