Happy 35th birthday, Clay!

Dear Clay,

Already another birthday! No, I'm not talking about yours, I'm talking about my upcoming birthday!  ;-)  Yes, Clay, my fellow Sagittarian, it will soon be my birthday too.

But seriously, never mind me - today is your birthday, my favourite singer-man! And if my basic math skills serve me well, it is your 35th, which means you are now middle-aged. Welcome to the club!

For most of your adult life, I have watched you grow, as a musician and as a person. Coming out into the spotlight in 2003 on American Idol, then fading a bit out of the public eye, but still living your own life, with us long-term fans always faithfully by your side.

Through the happy times and the terrible times where people doubted you, or put you down, I have always admired you and supported you, as many of us Clay-fans have. And on this day, your birthday, please allow me to say thank you for sharing your gifts with the world! The world is without question, a better place because of you. Your musical talents, your sensitivity, your sense of social justice and your quirky sense of humour bring so much joy, to me and to many others.

I wish you a very happy birthday, Clay, and a wonderful year full of happiness, fulfillment and good health to you and your family!

Clay at his first performance in the lead of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, at the Ogunquit Playhouse

Hello fellow Clay fans,

It was wonderful to see Clay again this past Wednesday evening, taking the stage for the first time as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.

It was a lovely show, and I'm sure Clay is having a ball doing this one, because of the talent of his fellow performers, and the fact that there are lots of children in the cast.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is a cozy venue, so I imagine that even those in the very last row had a good view of the stage. I was in the 12th row - the closest I have ever been to Clay in any of his concerts. For once, I could actually see his face well, with all his expressions and features. Our guy was in fine form and did the Playhouse proud, as did the entire cast.

The audience wasn't entirely made up of fans - we spoke with some local people who have season tickets to the Ogunquit Playhouse. However, there were a good number of us there. Right behind us, there was a group of five women of various ages, clearly Clay fans. I talked with them a bit during intermission, and they turned out to be the "Pink Jacket Ladies", as Clay calls them. It was great to share our admiration for Clay with other fans. I have looked them up online and see they are quite active, for example, in 2010, they threw a Release Party in honour of Clay's CD Tried and True (you can see their invitational poster here). "GrandmaJoan" and other Pink Jacket Ladies, if you read this - it was great meeting you!

After the show, we went to the local ice cream parlour for a scoop. There, we ran into 3 young girls from the cast. We chatted a bit, I congratulated them on their performance and said they were lucky to be working with Clay Aiken. They said yes, that he is a very nice guy, and they enjoy working with him. Lucky girls! One month working side-by-side with Clay!

Here are my best pictures of the evening. Feel free to share, but I would thank you for crediting me with my fan name: ClayKat. Enjoy!

In front of the Ogunquit Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse

In the lobby of the Ogunquit Playhouse

Clay Aiken outside the stage door, greeting fans and signing autographs

Clay Aiken signing my copy of his book, "Learning to Sing". Finally, after 10 years, I have Clay's autograph!

Clay Aiken's autograph in my copy of his book, "Learning to Sing"

Post edited August 14, 2013 to add the Ogunquit Playhouse's video, which shows excerpts of the show, including Clay:

10 years already!

Hello everyone,

Hard to believe it has been a decade already. Ten years ago this evening, we fell in love with the voice and the geeky charm of a tall, skinny young guy from Raleigh, North Carolina, as we listened to him audition for American Idol.

Here's a clip of that audition. All together now: "Ahhhh!".

Ten years later, I still melt when I hear that voice. And ten years later, I still love the man Clay Aiken is and has become, on top of those incredible pipes of his.

Here's to many more decades of listening to that voice and hearing from and about our favourite singer-man!

Edited Tuesday, January 29th:

I just discovered that last night, Clay - alerted by a fan's email - posted this video to thank his fans for being faithful and supportive of him for the last 10 years:

While you're there, check out Clay's YouTube channel!