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!

Hello everyone,

Once again, we celebrate the day when in 1978, our favourite singer was born!

I watched Clay Aiken on the Dr. Oz Show, where he appeared this week to share some thoughts (outrage?) on so-called "reparative therapy" for LGBT people. And once again, I thought what an articulate, sensitive and perceptive person he is. And of course, Clay's singing voice always moves me in ways I can't even describe; such is the happiness when I hear him sing.

On this, Clay's 34th birthday, I wish him and his family the best of health, much happiness and peace in life. I'm sure many of us are thinking of him today.

Happy birthday, Clay!

Happy Birthday, Clay!

Hello everyone,

Right in the depths of the late fall, dark and cold, Clay fans have a joyful moment to celebrate: the birthday of our favourite singer-man.

All the best of happiness, health and fulfillment to you, Clay! Know that so many of us are thinking of you today and wishing you well, "always and forever"!

Happy 33rd birthday, Clay!

Have you heard of Rick Rescorla? A 9/11 hero

Today is September 11th. For anyone in North America, this date is a haunting one. It would be easy to spend the day feeling so very sad. But I want to take this opportunity to focus on human solidarity, on the strength of people, on love.

Specifically, I want to pay tribute to a man whom I only heard about a few years ago - perhaps on the 7th or 8th anniversary of the tragedy. I have no idea how come I didn't hear about him around that terrible day itself, 10 years ago. Everyone should hear about the bravery of Rick Rescorla.

I will tell you in my own words what he means to me. Below I will give some links for those of you who want all the facts, but now, I am speaking from the heart.

Rick Rescorla was head of security for Morgan Stanley, one of the companies whose head office occupied many floors of one of the buildings of the World Trade Center. There were around 2,700 people who worked for Morgan Stanley and Rick Rescorla felt responsible for the safety of all of them.

On September 11th, 2001, when the first plane hit the first tower to be attacked, Rick Rescorla gave the order to evacuate the entire staff of Morgan Stanley. Those in charge of the World Trade Center had asked everyone in both towers to stay put, saying things would be fine, but Rick Rescorla knew better. After all, he had predicted such an attack since the towers were first attacked back in 1993. He wasn't going to take any chances with the people whose lives and safety were entrusted to him. So contrary to those orders, he immediately went about organizing an orderly evacuation of all 2,700 people. 2,700! It must have taken a long time. Two by two, people walked down the dozens of flights of stairs and left the building to safety. They all lived.

A dozen people out of the staff of 2,700 of Morgan Stanley didn't live: one of them was Rick Rescorla. You can guess why? After evacuating his people, he - and a few others with him - went back into the building. By now, the tower where Morgan Stanley had its offices had been hit by a plane too. He began helping other people get out, helping the wounded down the stairs.

The last anyone saw of Rick Rescorla, he was walking back up into a tower to save people's lives. That image makes me tear up every time. He had to know he was likely going back up to his death, yet he did it, to attempt to save others. The tower went down soon after that. No trace of him was ever found.

Every time I think of Rick Rescorla, I wonder if I would have had that kind of courage. He saved the lives of 2,700 people! Morgan Stanley - to my knowledge - is the only company whose offices were in those two towers and who did not experience huge numbers of deaths among their staff. Thanks to the incredible bravery and foresight of one man. He trusted his instincts and his knowledge and experience with terror - and he acted swiftly, going against the grain, making the people he worked with his first priority, regardless of what anyone else said. They are alive thanks to him.

I am remembering and giving thanks for the hero that he was. Thank you, Mr. Rick Rescorla - and may you rest in peace. You are a lesson to us all.

For information on Rick Rescorla:

- Rick Rescorla Memorial: http://rickrescorla.com/

- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rescorla

Today is a Clay-versary for me

Hello everyone,

When I woke up this morning and noticed the date, I wondered why August 25th just made me feel happy... Then I remembered! Six years ago today is the first time I saw Clay Aiken live in concert (but not the last time!).

It was August 25, 2005 in Toronto, Canada and Clay was part way through his Jukebox Tour.

What a night! And what a ride since then...

I started this blog soon after that first concert, and wrote about that magical evening in a three-part post.

I re-read it myself to put myself back there and remember what it was like to be a Clay-concert-newbie. If you would like to read "Me and Clay's Jukebox tour", here you go:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

And here's one of my favourite pictures from that concert (I didn't take it), snapped while Clay was singing "Tears Run Dry". Enjoy!

ClayKat

Some more pictures from the live video chat with Clay yesterday

At the very beginning of the video chat:




Playing with the twist-tie from his bread bag (that he joked about):

Some pictures from the live video chat with Clay

The face he made when asked if he ever eats Spam:






Giving us a quick glimpse of one of his dogs, Raleigh (Durham was somewhere else):

Clay on video chat this evening!

Hello fellow Clayfans,

I seem to be following the ebb and flow of Clay's public life, since I don't come here very often these days, just as we don't see or hear from him too often.

However, this evening will be different: Clay will be participating in his first live video chat with us! You have to be a member of Clay's online fan club to be able to participate.

Will you be there? I know I will. I'll do my best to share with you afterwards, and let you know how it all went.

Hope to see you in the chatroom this evening (video chat begins at 8:30 p.m. EST)!

ClayKat

Happy birthday, Clay!

Hello everyone,

Today is Clay's 32nd birthday, so I thought I would at least come out and play a bit to say that I'm thinking of him and of all of us who still admire the amazing man and the great talent that is Clay Aiken.

Wishing you lots of love today and forever, Clay! You're "Still The One", after all these years!

Happy, happy birthday!

Clay 2.0... part 1

Hello Clayfans,

Many of us came to the Internet and technology through Clay - and we remain tech-involved because of Clay and the friendships we have formed online. Filming Clay anywhere and creating videos to be put onto YouTube. Recording his unearthly beautiful voice and his lovely, sweet face in a variety of places and moments, and uploading the mp3s and photos to the Internet to be shared with others. Building our first Websites and blogs (I started this blog after I first saw Clay live in concert - Jukebox Tour in Toronto, August 25th, 2005, what a night!).

Six years after Our Man burst onto the big scene and into our lives, Clay and his fans have a strong Web presence and Internet-related technologies are an integral part of our lives.

What about the newer online tools, the so-called "Web 2.0" tools (although even Web 2.0 is getting to be a passé term), meaning collaborative, user-created content? Twitter, anyone? Twitter is a free micro-blogging/messaging service.

Do Claymates tweet (= participate in Twitter)? Well, yes as a matter of fact, some of us do. Me, I lurk, so far - I'm at https://twitter.com/ClayKat - trying to figure out the hype around Twitter. I've found 4 other fans so far - or they have found me, I'm not sure! Come and join us - and tell me why Claymates need to be on Twitter.

More to come on other Web 2.0 tools and Clay in another post!

-- ClayKat

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A new look for ClayKat blog

Hello Clay fans,

For ages now, I have been wanting to fold this blog into Blogger's new layout format, and clean up all the ragtag widgets that have been hanging out in the right column, some completely outdated.

I finally did it today, and I think the look is cleaner and sleeker now.

I'm also thinking of opening up the blog purpose. Broadening its horizons to encompass life in general, as well as my thoughts, experiences and feelings about Clay Aiken.

Two reasons for this:

1. I want to write more in general; and
2. Clay has been quite quiet for over a year now - except for Spamalot gigs 1 & 2 (which I was unable to attend) - so I haven't been very inspired to write much about him. Not that I admire him any less - don't get me wrong! I'm still - and plan to always be - a true Clay fan.
   

So we'll see where I go with this... I'll keep you posted (sorry for the pun!).

-- ClayKat

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Happy 6th anniversary, Clay fans!

Hello fellow Clay fans,

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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Happy 30th birthday, Clay!

To the amazing man with talents galore and a heart of gold:



So many of us are thinking of you today! Hope you're having a good one!

Love always and forever,

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Presenting... Celtic Thunder!

Hello fellow Clay fans,

During my recent summer vacation, I discovered - completely by chance, on a local PBS station, while channel-surfing - an amazing new musical group called Celtic Thunder. Now don't me wrong, Clay is still my absolute favourite musician around, of course! But when I happened to fall upon Celtic Thunder's show, well, let's just say it was love at first listen.

I am of Scottish and Irish heritage (a few generations back), so I must have Celtic music running through my veins. It has always been a form of music that moves my soul in a very fundamental, to-the-core way.

Celtic Thunder is made up of five men - one Scot and four lads from Ireland - who range in age from 15 to 40. They sing both together and solo, traditional Celtic songs as well as music from a modern repertoire with an Irish take. Each of the five has a tremendously beautiful and powerful voice, and the sum of the five is something else to hear. Listen for yourself! Their Website offers this widget, which gives us a chance to hear so many of their songs, in full-length versions - not just snippets! Amazing. Next chance I have to get near a record store, I'm getting their CD, that's for sure.

They are all over YouTube as well, of course. So you can go check them out there and see them performing the songs you will hear. I quickly learned their names and voices by heart - they each have their own distinct, unique tone and style which are quickly recognizable, but their five voices blended together are overwhelmingly lovely.

Do you have (a) favourite(s)? I do... George Donaldson has a sensitive depth to his baryton voice, which I love. And tenor Paul Byrom, what can I say? Simply stunning. He brings tears to my eyes.

Lucky those of you in the United States (and in Toronto, Canada), because they will be touring near you this fall! They won't be coming to Montreal, unfortunately, so I won't see them live. Hopefully I will at some other time in the future.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the songs here. Hope you do too!

-- ClayKat

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Congratulations to new Daddy Clay!

Hello everyone,

We all heard the rumours, back a few months ago. Tabloids and gossip TV shows were saying that Clay's executive producer and friend, Jaymes Foster, sister to the famed David Foster, was pregnant - with Clay's baby. It quickly became a moot point on Clay's Online Fan Club, since people became passionate about different aspects of the rumours, and speculation and judgment ran rampant in all directions.

Was Clay or not the father of Jaymes Foster's baby-to-be? Had Clay and Jaymes wed, or were they planning to do so? Was the baby conceived in vitro or through traditional means? No matter the answers, everyone had an opinion. Me? I figured it was Clay's life, and not my business. I found some of the discussions somewhat distasteful, and especially, intrusive. I was thrilled with the idea of Clay becoming a father this year, because we know that for many years now, he has said that he is ready to take on that role, and we are sure he will be an amazing daddy.

I decided to sit and patiently wait, in case Clay let us know something in August. Eventually, most fans and our Websites became very quiet over the summer, waiting for August, hoping we would find out the truth at some point then.

I wasn't even thinking that we are now in August, what with the excitement over the Beijing Olympics, and on a personal note, hubby and me recently moving into our first real home together (we love it!).

And then, wham! We heard this morning - from Clay himself! Yes, he blogged on his Online Fan Club, and told us about the arrival into our world of little Parker Foster Aiken, this very morning! At 8:08 a.m., just minutes after the beginning of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies, Clay's little boy was born. And what a time to be born: 8 minutes after the 8th hour, on the 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year of the millennium! I know I'll never forget the time of this little one's birth, since 8 is my favourite number.

Welcome baby Parker, and congratulations to Clay and Mommy Jaymes! My warm, sincere wishes for a wonderful, healthy and happy life together. Parker is one lucky baby, with amazing, generous, loving and talented people as parents. This is truly a happy day in the Clay fandom, and my thoughts go to Clay and his family as they celebrate the first day of life of this new little one!

-- ClayKat

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I love On My Way Here

Hello fellow Clay fans,

Well here we are - May 6th! I needed a break from work and have many overtime hours anyway, so I left early this afternoon to go for a nice walk and pick up my copy of On My Way Here, then spend the evening enjoying it.

I loaded the CD into my iTunes file on the computer, and lo and behold, something funny occurred: it decided the album is called On My Way There! Hilarious! I haven't corrected the mistake yet - who knows, if I'm the only one with this bug in the title, it might be worth something some day. ;-)

I really like this album, more than the last one, A Thousand Different Ways - the overall sound is stronger, more mature and powerful, more... true to Clay and who he is. That golden voice, powerful and resonant. Lyrics which speak to Clay and what he has been going through over the past few years. I love it! I need to listen to the songs over and over to really get them in my mind and my heart - and to decide which one(s) I love most.

Do you have a favourite already? Let me know by participating in this poll:


-- ClayKat

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Getting excited about May 6th!

Hello fellow Clay fans,

I'm generally very patient whenever I have to wait for something. When it's for something not so fun - a doctor's appointment delayed, for example - I figure it will come eventually, so no big deal. I read, think, write and wait. When it's something pleasant, I tell myself it will be a pleasure whenever the big day is actually here, so I just look forward to it in a general way. I don't waste time and energy thinking things like: "I wish it were xyz date already!"

Now, as we know, May 6th is the date that Clay's upcoming album, On My Way Here, will drop. We have known this for a while, and I was very zen about it all, until just recently. Thinking - "right, early May, well, that's nice". Then... Amazon.com put online snippets of all 12 songs from the new album... and all of a sudden, I'm so excited! Looking forward to May 6th, planning when and where I will go to get my copy of the CD. Listening to the snippets over and over again. Deciding which ones are my favourites. Falling for Clay, once again. He never ceases to amaze me - and yes, in my opinion, he is still absolutely, far and away the best male vocalist of our times.

Amazon.com had the right idea - just giving us enough to enjoy and long for The Voice once again... teasers! On My Way Here is giving me chills of happiness, and so far, it feels like it might be my favourite Clay album yet. There is something hauntingly beautiful and moving about each of the songs on this album, as well as the overall album itself. It works. It holds together well, is mature and wise, though somewhat sad, in my opinion. From what I know of Clay these days, the message of this album truly reflects where he is and who he has become. It feels like Clay is speaking to us, generously sharing his feelings, his thoughts, his fears and hopes. In some ways, it almost feels like it's too intimate, as though I were seeing right into Clay's heart and soul. Because of that, I feel the need to protect him and this album, such that I don't want to hear negative feedback about it. I want to avoid like the plague, sources of anti-Clay talk or negativity. Clay is a beautiful soul and he's giving us a gift with this album. That's all I need.

One of my favourite lines, from the title track, is: "faith has conquered fear". It seems to me, from what I know and have heard of On My Way Here, that phrase sums it all up. Clay has dealt with a number of horrendous, challenging situations in the past few years, as well as good things like the love from us fans. He went through a time of great sadness and a sense of fear and overwhelm. He is still looking and longing for true love. And he has grown from all these experiences and feelings, moving through and beyond these challenges to reach a certain serenity. What a Measure Of a Man is our Clay!

Many of the songs on the upcoming album pull at my heartstrings, whether through the lyrics, the music or both. In particular:

• - On My Way Here - "I wouldn't change what I've been through... I did what I had to, on my way here"
• - Ashes - "...so I can rise up from the ashes"
• - Falling - "trying to hold on to something for so long"
• - The Real Me - "but you see the real me"
• - Weight of the World - "everybody gets down, down, down"
• - As Long As We're Here - "As long as we're here, alive on this earth, I'm gonna love you, for all that it's worth"
• - Grace of God - "there's gotta be some rhyme or reason why we turn away"

and of course, a song we already know and love:

• - Lover All Alone - "on my own, it's hard to tell my heart it'll be all right"

Check these out for yourself - enjoy!

• - the snippets on Amazon.com.
• - on Clay's offical Website, listen to the full title track from the album, On My Way Here
• - a video of Clay in studio singing "On My Way Here"
• - and for your viewing pleasure: pictures from the album photo shoot, online at Clay's MySpace page. I love the wistful picture of Clay from behind, with him looking out over the Hudson river and New York City. But my favourite picture is still the album cover picture, as I wrote in my last blogpost

There are lots of options for purchasing On My Way Here, with some including (a) bonus track(s). I haven't sifted through all of them, or figured out which option I will choose. But if you want to know all the information, to make the best decision for yourself, see my favourite source of Clay information - you'll find it all: Clay's Daily Double.

-- ClayKat

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Clay's new album is "on its way here"!

Hello everyone,

By now, most of us have heard that Clay's upcoming album is scheduled to drop on or around May 6th. We have also heard that it might be called "On My Way Here". Well, now we have confirmation of the album title! In the last 48 hours, the Amazon.com listing for Clay's new album started posting an album cover image. And here it is:



I was chatting with other members of the Online Fan Club last night, and for many of us, seeing this picture is making it that much more real - the new album is really on its way into our lives and our hearts. And what a beautiful picture of Clay on the cover. Though I'm not a huge fan of the super-blond hair he has been sporting since late December, I find that it looks very natural in this picture; it suits him. The expression on Clay's face is also quite whimsical and pensive - reflective, I think, of what Clay wants to share with us through this album.

To me, the picture shows Clay's maturity. He has been through a lot these past few years. Much of it good - I believe he truly does appreciate and care for us fans, and he sees the love and admiration that we hold for him. But there have also been many dark times: the ridiculous made-up story some guy (who will remain nameless) told publicly about him and Clay; the fabulation of a female "fan" and her supposed relationship with Clay (not). There really are some sick people in this world, sadly, and as a celebrity, Clay has been directly confronted with some of them. In very personal ways.

These are all experiences that while lived, are extremely draining on an emotional level. Clay himself has told us that he was taking antidepressants for a while, and that he occasionally has anxiety attacks. But if one can move beyond them, these challenges make a person stronger, more mature and fuller as a human being. I see Clay as having done that. He is wise beyond his years, always has been. And now, he is growing into a man with an even richer, multi-layered personality and outlook on life and humanity.

Clay, I'm watching you - and I'm so proud!

-- ClayKat

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What Clay and I have been up to

Hello fellow Clay fans,

It has been too long! I have to write when I'm inspired to do so, and for the past month or two, I have been busy and somewhat preoccupied with a number of things in my personal and work lives. Mostly good things, such as buying a first home with my sweetie! But also challenges, such as dealing with the fact that a long-time co-worker was recently fired - and in my opinion, unjustly fired... Lots of emotional events and issues to deal with. But overall, life is good, so I'm dealing well.

I have been pretty much keeping up with news about Clay and what he is up to. Now, we all know he has been acting in the Broadway musical Spamalot, since January 18th. He's on a run until May 4th, and it is keeping him very busy. Many people seem surprised at how well he is doing, playing a number of parts, the biggest one being that of Sir Robin (check out Clay's Spamalot blog). It doesn't surprise me at all, to hear that he is doing well. Clay is a consummate performer, a multi-layered talent, a resourceful and dedicated artist, and a hard worker. He can do whatever he sets his mind to - even dancing! I would love to see him on Broadway, but it's not going to happen, and that's ok. I enjoy reading the stories fans share with us of their experiences at the show, and at the backstage door, where Clay has been greeting fans and autographing playbills. Check out Clay's Daily Double's ongoing coverage of Clay in Spamalot, and especially, the thread called "What's Hot From Spamalot". The stories and pictures will put a smile on your face!

Clay has told us that he is taking advantage of the fact that he is in New York City to finalize recording for his next album. He says it should be launched on or around May 6th. I'm very much looking forward to this album, for a number of reasons. The most important being that this album will be the most true to Clay himself, his values and his tastes, of all his albums. He has said as much himself. Just check out the video called "Clay Aiken Spills the Beans About Upcoming Album" on Raleigh, North Carolina's WRAL news' Website, which has a special section on Clay called "Claymania".

It seems fairly sure that the album will be out this spring, in any case. And we know what that means... summer tour! I certainly hope that he will tour this summer, and I hope that I will be able to be there. Maybe he'll return to somewhere in eastern Canada (please, please, Clay?).

In the meantime, those of you who are seeing Clay in Spamalot, enjoy! And tell us all about it!

-- ClayKat

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