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Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken during the Jukebox Tour in Merrillville, IN, August 23, 2005
Clay Aiken during the Jukebox Tour in Merrillville, IN, August 23, 2005
Background information
Birth name Clayton Holmes Grissom
Born November 30, 1978 (1978-11-30) (age 29)
Raleigh, North Carolina U.S.
Genre(s) Pop
Pop rock
Years active 2003—present
Label(s) RCA
Website clayaiken.com

Clay Aiken (born Clayton Holmes Grissom on November 30, 1978) is an American pop singer who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Raleigh (pronounced rah-lee) is the Capital of the State of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County, USA North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Pop rock is a hybrid of Pop music and Rock music that uses catchy pop style with light lyrics over top of guitar-based songs In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the American popular music had a profound effect on music across the world The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003 and continued until May 21, 2003. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U American Idol, with the full title American Idol The Search for a Superstar for the first season only is an American reality-competition Based on album sales surpassed only by Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, Aiken has become the most successful male and the most successful runner-up in that show's history. Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24 1982 is an American Pop rock singer songwriter and occasional actress. Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma) is an American Country Singer-songwriter. [1][2]

In the four years following his American Idol appearance Aiken has launched eight tours, authored a New York Times best-selling book Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life with Allison Glock, and was the executive producer for a 2004 televised Christmas special, A Clay Aiken Christmas. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November He has been a frequent talk show guest, particularly on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, appeared as a guest star on Scrubs, participated in comedy skits on Kimmel and Saturday Night Live, and made his Broadway debut playing the role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot in January 2008. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as appropriate --> The Tonight Show is a long-running Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night Talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC. Scrubs is an Emmy and Peabody Award -winning American Comedy-drama that premiered on October 2 2001 on NBC. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night Talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC. Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 film written and performed by the comedy group Monty Python ( Graham Chapman, John Cleese Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. [3]

Aiken created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, accepted a UNICEF ambassadorship in 2004,[4] and in 2006 was appointed for a two year term by President George W. Bush to a committee that acts in an advisory capacity to the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel to promote the inclusion of children with The United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The United States Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS) is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting Mental retardation is a generalized triarchic disorder characterized by subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age [5]

Aiken released a new studio album (the first album of original material since 2003's Measure of A Man), titled On My Way Here on May 6th, 2008. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. On My Way Here is the fourth full length studio album released by American Idol Season 2 alumnus Clay Aiken on May 6, 2008. [6] This is his 4th full length studio album, including a Christmas CD, and a CD of covers. He has also released one EP.

Contents

Biography

Personal life

Clay Aiken was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh (pronounced rah-lee) is the Capital of the State of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County, USA North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States As a young boy, Aiken sang in the Raleigh Boychoir and as a teenager, he sang in school choirs, church choir, musicals and local theatre productions. The Raleigh Boychoir was founded in 1968 by Thomas E Sibley It was created to give boys aged 8-15 years an opportunity to learn and perform Choral music. [7] . After high school he sang lead with a local band, Just By Chance,[8] and cohosted and performed with the band at "Just by Chance and Friends" shows in Dunn, NC. He was also emcee and performer at the Johnston Community College Country Showcase in Smithfield, NC, and at the North Carolina Music Connection and Hometown Music Connection shows in Garner and Benson, NC. Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. Benson is a town located in Johnston County North Carolina. The town lies at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 40. He performed the national anthem numerous times for the Raleigh Ice Caps and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. [9] Three demo albums of Aiken's vocals were created before American Idol with the aid of studio time given as a birthday gift by his mother: a cassette called Look What Love Has Done (by Clayton Grissom), a cassette and CD entitled Redefined[10] (by Clayton Aiken), and a CD that combined some songs from each of the previous demos: "Look What Love Has Done, Vol 2"[11] (by Clay Aiken).

Aiken attended Raleigh's Leesville Road High School and took courses at Campbell University before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Leesville Road High School (or Leesville High School, LRHS) which opened its doors in 1993, is a comprehensive Public high school in Wake Campbell University is a University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, USA. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (also known as UNC Charlotte or Charlotte) is a public coeducational research intensive university located in He found his interest in special education while directing YMCA children's camps as a teenager, and at age 19 he served as a substitute teacher for a classroom of students with autism at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh. The Young Men's Christian Association (" YMCA " or " the Y " was founded on June 6, 1844 in London England by a young man Language development. The terminology While attending college in Charlotte he took a part-time job as an assistant to a boy with autism, and it was this child's mother, Diane Bubel, who urged him to audition for American Idol. American Idol, with the full title American Idol The Search for a Superstar for the first season only is an American reality-competition Although his American Idol activities temporarily delayed his academic pursuits, Aiken completed his course work while on tour and graduated with a bachelor's degree in special education in December of 2003. Special Education is the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures adapted equipment and materials accessible settings and other interventions [12]

American Idol

Aiken had filled out an application to participate in the reality show Amazing Race when a freind of his insisted that he try out for American Idol instead. The Amazing Race, sometimes referred to as TAR, is a Reality television Game show in which teams of two people (with one exception [13] Television viewers' first glimpse of Aiken came during the audition episodes at the beginning of American Idol's second season. The show's judges first saw Aiken as a nerdy type unlikely to be any kind of idol, but after hearing him sing Heatwave's "Always and Forever" decided to advance him to the next round. Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or Stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues Intellectual activities Esoteric Heatwave was an international Rhythm and blues / Funk band featuring Americans Johnnie Wilder Jr The clip of the judges' surprise during this audition performance was replayed many times over the course of the competition.

Aiken made it to the round-of-32 before being cut from the show, but he was invited to return for the "Wild Card" round; his performance of Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" sent him on to the final 12 as the viewer's choice. Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English pop / rock Singer, Composer "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" is the first single from British musician Elton John 's 1974 album Caribou; it was While noted for his performance of ballads, such as Neil Sedaka's "Solitaire", his upbeat performances, including The Foundations' "Build Me Up Buttercup", were also appreciated. Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn New York) is an American pop Singer, Pianist, and Songwriter " Solitaire " is a popular song written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody The Foundations were a British soul band active from 1967 to 1970 " Build Me Up Buttercup " is the name of a song written by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, and released by The Foundations with Colin Young Aiken received enough votes every week to keep him out of the bottom three. Part of his appeal was his "geek to chic" transformation in appearance. "I looked like Opie," Aiken said to People magazine regarding his appearance at his American Idol audition in 2002. Opie Taylor is a fictional character in the American Television program, The Andy Griffith Show which was televised on CBS People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published American Idol, with the full title American Idol The Search for a Superstar for the first season only is an American reality-competition An audition is a sample performance by an Actor, Singer, Musician, Dancer or other performer [14] He replaced his glasses with contact lenses and agreed to let the show's stylists change his hair style. A corrective lens is a lens worn in front of the Eye, mainly used to treat Myopia, Hyperopia, astigmatism, and adjustable focus [15] With longer, flat ironed, spiky hair and a penchant for wearing striped shirts, Aiken had established a trademark look by the final American Idol season 2 show.

On 21 May 2003, Aiken came in a close second to Studdard, who won the contest by 130,000 votes out of more than 24,000,000 votes cast. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The result was controversial, as some hypothesized that Idol's voting system was incapable of handling the number of attempted calls. [16] In an interview prior to the start of the fifth season of American Idol, Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe revealed for the first time that Aiken had led the fan voting every week from the Wild Card week to the finale, when the possibly-random voting result gave Studdard the win. The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949) is an English Television and Film director and producer and former Dancer and [17] Though officially Aiken was the show's "first runner-up," he has since gone on to be the second season's best-selling star.

Rolling Stone magazine featured Aiken on the cover of their July 2003 issue. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published In the cover article Aiken said, "One thing I've found of people in the public eye, either you're a womanizer or you've got to be gay. Since I'm neither one of those, people are completely concerned about me. "[18] In subsequent interviews he has expressed frustration over continued questions about his sexual orientation, telling People magazine in 2006, "It doesn't matter what I say. People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published People are going to believe what they want. "[19]

Aiken made a surprise appearance on the final show of American Idol season 5, when failed auditioner Michael Sandecki returned to the show to receive a "Golden Idol" award for Best Impersonator for his Clay Aiken-like appearance. The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Aiken appeared without introduction in a well-tailored designer suit and longer, darker hair with bangs, looking so different that many did not recognize him until he began to sing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. "[20][21]

Aiken provided the narration for the second season of the American Idol Rewind series. American Idol Rewind is a syndicated television series that premiered on September 30, 2006. [22]

Music

On October 14, 2003, Aiken released his first solo album, Measure of a Man, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and was, with 613,000 copies sold in its first week, the highest-selling debut for a solo artist in 10 years, and to date the highest debut of any Idol. The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard The album received RIAA Double Platinum certification November 17, 2003 (a Double Platinum plaque was presented to Aiken by Clive Davis on October 22, 2003, during Good Morning America). Clive Jay Davis (born April 4 1932 in Brooklyn New York is an American Record producer and a leading music industry executive. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November The album spawned both the hit single "Invisible" and his first hit song, "This Is the Night" (both co-written by British songwriter Chris Braide). " This Is the Night " released on June 3, 2003 on the RCA label was American Idol contestant Clay Aiken 's debut CD Chris Braide (born 6 February 1973, Cheshire) is a British Singer, Songwriter, Record producer and music Later that year, Aiken won the Fan's Choice Award at the American Music Awards ceremony, and his CD single "This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water" won the Billboard award for the Best-Selling Single of 2003. The American Music Awards show is one of several annual major American music awards shows (among the others are the Billboard Music Awards the Grammy Awards

On November 16, 2004, Aiken released a holiday album titled Merry Christmas With Love, which set a new record for fastest-selling holiday album in the Soundscan era (since 1991). Merry Christmas with Love is Clay Aiken's first Christmas album released on November 16, 2004. Nielsen SoundScan is an information system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and tied Céline Dion's record for the highest debut by a holiday album in the history of Billboard magazine. The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( OC OQ (born March 30 1968 in Charlemagne Quebec) is a Canadian pop Singer See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry Merry Christmas With Love sold over 1,000,000 copies retail in 6 weeks and was the best-selling holiday album of 2004, receiving RIAA Platinum certification on Jan. Merry Christmas with Love is Clay Aiken's first Christmas album released on November 16, 2004. 6, 2005.

Aiken's third album, A Thousand Different Ways, was released September 19, 2006. A Thousand Different Ways is the third studio album by Clay Aiken. [23] He worked on the album under the guidance of Canadian producer and A&R executive Jaymes Foster. [24] The album contains ten cover songs, and four new songs, one of which Aiken co-wrote. [25] Clive Davis is credited with the cover concept. Clive Jay Davis (born April 4 1932 in Brooklyn New York is an American Record producer and a leading music industry executive. [26] One additional song, "Lover All Alone", written by Aiken and David Foster, is included with the album on iTunes. David Walter Foster, OC, OBC, LLD (born November 1, 1949 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada iTunes is a proprietary digital media player application introduced by Apple Inc Debuting at #2 on the Billboard chart, A Thousand Different Ways made Aiken the fourth artist ever to have his first three albums debut in the Top 5 and scan over 200,000 in the first week. [27]

Aiken's fourth album, All is Well (an EP of four Christmas songs), was released exclusively to Walmart on November 28, 2006[28] and was released to iTunes as a digital download in December 2007. An extended play ( EP) is a Vinyl record, CD, or Music download which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify Wal-Mart Stores Inc (or Walmart as written in its new logo is an American public corporation that runs a chain of large discount department stores iTunes is a proprietary digital media player application introduced by Apple Inc

Aiken stated in an April 2007 interview with People that he was looking at making a new album soon,[29] and at his May 2007 Kimmel appearance, he mentioned that he was in Los Angeles interviewing producers for the new album. People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Aiken found a song, "On My Way Here", written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder that struck a chord with him and became the inspiration for the album's theme in addition to the album title. OneRepublic is an American Rock band formed in Colorado. After a few years of moderate success they have drawn mainstream attention with the release of Ryan Benjamin Tedder (born June 26, 1979) is an American Singer, and Grammy nominated On My Way Here was released May 6, 2008 on the RCA label. On My Way Here is the fourth full length studio album released by American Idol Season 2 alumnus Clay Aiken on May 6, 2008. Marc 'Kipper' Eldridge is the producer. [30]

Broadway

On January 18, 2008 Aiken made his Broadway debut when he joined the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" for a 4 month run ending on May 4, 2008. Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He played Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 film written and performed by the comedy group Monty Python ( Graham Chapman, John Cleese The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented Mike Nichols (born November 6 1931) is an American television stage and Film director, writer and producer In addition to Sir Robin, Aiken played the 1st Sentry, the 1st Guard and the Brother Maynard roles. [31]

Television

Aiken has made many television appearances. [32] He sang The Star-Spangled Banner on opening night of the 2003 World Series and appeared in numerous television specials during the winter of 2003, including Disney's Christmas Day Parade and the Nick At Nite Holiday Special, where he sang the "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" with Bing Crosby via special effects. " The Star-Spangled Banner " is the National anthem of the United States of America For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. Nick at Nite is the evening programming block broadcast over Nickelodeon Sunday &ndash Thursdays from 900 p " The Little Drummer Boy " is a popular Christmas song, with words and music by Katherine K Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Aiken starred in and executive produced his first TV special (December 2004), titled A Clay Aiken Christmas, with special guests Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams, and Megan Mullally; the special was released on DVD later that month. Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American Singer-songwriter, Musician, arranger, producer and conductor Yolanda Adams (born Yolanda Yvette Adams on) is a American Gospel music Singer and Radio Show host. Megan Mullally (born November 12, 1958) is a four- time Golden Globe nominee a four-time SAG - and two-time Emmy Award -winning On July 4th, 2004, Aiken was one of the performers in the A Capitol Fourth concert in Washington, D.C. and performed in the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series in 2004 and 2005. A Capitol Fourth is a free annual concert performed on the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building in Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November

Aiken was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 2004 and participated in several skits. Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City He has appeared multiple times on The Tonight Show, interviewing with Jay Leno as a guest in addition to singing, and he has become a regular guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as appropriate --> The Tonight Show is a long-running James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28 1950 is an Emmy Award -winning American Stand-up comedian and Television host Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night Talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC. The Kimmel appearances often feature skits: in one Kimmel's girlfriend Sarah Silverman confessed to an affair with Aiken, and in another, Aiken expressed his distaste for Kimmel's jokes about him by beating him up. Sarah Kate Silverman (born December 1 1970 is an Emmy -winning American Comedian, Writer, Singer, Guitarist, and In May of 2007, he spent the first half of his interview on horseback while talking about his recent UNICEF trip to Afghanistan. A few weeks later he appeared as a spokesperson for "Guillermo's Mustache" in Kimmel's fictional DVD informercial shown on the Dancing With the Stars finale. Dancing with the Stars is the name of a group of international Television series based on the format of the British series Strictly Aiken made his acting debut on Ed in early 2004 playing himself, and in 2005 he was interviewed by Erica Kane on All My Children. Ed is an NBC Television program produced by David Letterman 's Worldwide Pants Incorporated from 2000 – 2004. "Erica Kane" is also the title of songs by Aaliyah, B5 and Urge Overkill, all written about this character All My Children ( AMC) is a popular American Soap opera and drama television series that has been broadcast Monday through Friday on the ABC He played the role of cafeteria worker Kenny whose job was in jeopardy on the Scrubs episode "My Life in Four Cameras". Scrubs is an Emmy and Peabody Award -winning American Comedy-drama that premiered on October 2 2001 on NBC. " My Life in Four Cameras " is the 85th episode of the American Sitcom Scrubs. In December 2006, he made an appearance as himself on Days of our Lives. Days of Our Lives is an American Soap opera, which has aired nearly every weekday since November 8 1965 on the NBC network in the United

After hosting and performing in the American Idol Christmas special in 2003, Aiken has had several subsequent hosting jobs. He was a special correspondent for The Insider for the 2005 Emmy Awards, and on the sets of the sitcom Reba with Reba McEntire and Dancing With the Stars. The Insider is a Tabloid television news program covering events and celebrities Reba was an American sitcom starring Country music singer Reba McEntire. Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American Country music singer performer and actress Dancing with the Stars is the name of a group of international Television series based on the format of the British series Strictly He co-hosted The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet in 2006, and on November 17, 2006, filling in for Regis Philbin, Aiken was guest host on Live with Regis and Kelly. The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet is a morning program. Produced by FOX, the show first aired on January 22, 2007 to a number Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (born August 25, 1931) is an Emmy Award -winning American Television personality and occasional Actor Live with Regis and Kelly is a syndicated American television Talk show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. During an interview Aiken covered Kelly Ripa's mouth with his hand, and[33][34] there was considerable media reaction after Ripa complained at length about the incident on her show the following Monday. Kelly Maria Ripa (born October 2, 1970) an American Daytime Emmy Award -winning actress, Television personality and [35] Aiken made fun of the controversy on the 2006 American Music Awards the next night with Tori Spelling. [36] On the The Tyra Banks Show in 2006, filmed before the Ripa incident, Aiken mentioned wanting to have his own talk show someday, and Banks switched seats with him and let him interview her for one segment of the show. The Tyra Banks Show is a Daytime Emmy Award winning American Talk show hosted by former supermodel and America's Next Top Model

In November 2007, Aiken was a contestant on a celebrity edition of the game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?. Playing for his charity, the Bubel/Aiken Foundation,[37] he chose to drop out after the ninth question with $300,000, despite having a copy and a save from a very smart 5th grader at his disposal. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel to promote the inclusion of children with If he had played the tenth question, he would have won $500,000; Aiken and the 5th grader both had the correct answer.

Tours

From February through April 2004, Aiken and Kelly Clarkson embarked on the "Independent Tour" as co-headliners. Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24 1982 is an American Pop rock singer songwriter and occasional actress. Following this tour, he was scheduled for a few summer solo tour dates, but demand ultimately led to the booking of fifty dates across the United States, resulting in what many fans called the "Not-a-Tour. " Disney was the exclusive sponsor of this summer tour, promoting their Aladdin Special Edition 2-Disc DVD with a preview of Aiken's rendition of "Proud of Your Boy", a song originally intended for the first release of the film but cut when the Aladdin storyline changed during production. Aladdin is a 1992 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, and released by Walt Disney Pictures on November 25 A music video featuring Aiken is on the Aladdin Special Edition DVD. On this tour he also performed a duet, "Without You," which was released on Kimberley Locke's 2004 debut album One Love. Kimberley Dawn Locke (born January 3 1978 in Hartsville, Tennessee) is an American Adult contemporary pop One Love is the debut Album of American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke.

In November 2004, Aiken launched his third tour of the year, which revolved around a Christmas theme. "The Joyful Noise Tour", sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities, featured a conductor and a 30-piece orchestra. In some cities, Aiken was supported by the local philharmonic or symphony, such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ( BSO) is a major American Symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra ( ASO) is an American Orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA Local choirs from high schools and elementary schools also participated at each concert.

Aiken at a 2006 Christmas tour appearance in Waukegan, IL
Aiken at a 2006 Christmas tour appearance in Waukegan, IL

During the summer of 2005, Aiken, along with a seven-piece band and three back-up singers, toured with the "Jukebox Tour," performing songs of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, as well as a few favorites from Measure of a Man. He also performed a few new songs being considered for his next album.

In early November 2005, Aiken launched his second Christmas tour. The 2005 Joyful Noise tour featured a series of vignettes, written by Aiken,[38] which told the story of an older woman who has lost the Christmas spirit and a young boy who helps her find it again. A cast of actors, dancers and back-up singers traveled with the tour, and members of local theater groups were added in each venue for smaller, non-speaking roles and crowd scenes. The tour opened in Vancouver, Canada, on November 2, and ended in Clearwater, Florida on December 30. Vancouver (vænˈkuːvɚ is a coastal Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Clearwater is a City located in Pinellas County Florida, USA, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St According to Pollstar, Aiken's first five tours grossed $28 million dollars. [39][40]

In December 2006, Aiken mounted his third Christmas tour, comprising performances in eighteen Midwest and East Coast cities. Aiken was supported by local orchestras, which also opened the concerts with a program of seasonal music.

A 23-date tour in support of his third album, A Thousand Different Ways, began on July 4, 2007 and ended in Orlando, Florida on August 19. A Thousand Different Ways is the third studio album by Clay Aiken. Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. On this tour Aiken hired local symphonies to back him, along with tour regulars Jesse Vargas, pianist, conductor and arranger; Sean McDaniel, drummer; and Quiana Parler and Angela Fisher, backup singers. Three days into the tour, on July 7, 2007, Aiken and a woman were involved in an in-flight altercation in which she allegedly shoved him. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. As a result of the scuffle, Aiken and the woman were later questioned by the FBI. [41] Aiken told ET that he had been sleeping when the incident occurred. [42]

His fourth annual Christmas tour, "Christmas in the Heartland," began on November 26 in Wichita, Kansas. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Wichita (ˈwɪtʃɪtaː is the most populous City in the US state of Kansas, and the county seat of Sedgwick County. Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " [43] This 21-date tour ended on December 22, 2007 in Merrillville, Indiana.

Faith and philosophy

In 2004 Aiken made the New York Times Best Seller List, debuting at #2, with his "inspirational memoir" titled Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, written with Allison Glock, and published by Random House. The New York Times Best Seller List is widely considered to be the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November Random House Inc is the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher Barely mentioning American Idol, in the book he instead turned his focus to the people who had the most influence in his life—his mother, grandparents, siblings, teachers, and friends—and to the importance of religion in his life.

While not self-identified as a Christian music artist, Aiken was featured in Christian Music Planet as an "American Idol Christian" in 2004,[44] and in a cover story, "Clay Aiken's Balancing Act," in the January/February 2005 issue. Educational Media Foundation (also known as EMF Broadcasting, or just simply EMF) is a not-for-profit organization which operates the [45] His pre-Idol demo albums included several selections of contemporary Christian music (known as CCM) and gospel songs. Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term " inspirational music " is a genre of Popular music which is A performance of the Commodores' "Jesus is Love" at the American Music Awards in 2003 earned Aiken and Ruben Studdard a standing ovation. The Commodores were a highly successful Funk / soul band of the 1970s and 1980s Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American pop, R&B, and gospel Singer. Aiken has sung a few CCM songs at his pop concerts, and has made Christmas albums, Christmas television specials and performances, and Christmas tours essential elements of his career.

He described himself in Learning to Sing as a proud Southern Baptist who had journeyed away from those roots in his late teens in search of a religion with more liberal social policies, and then returned to that church because of family and social ties although he remains at odds with the church on some issues. The Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC) is a United States -based mostly conservative Christian denomination [46] When asked in a PBS Kids interview to name his idols, he responded, "When people ask me what three people I’d like to have dinner with, living or dead, I say Jesus Christ, Mr. Rogers, and Jimmy Carter. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) James Earl "Jimmy" Carter Jr (born October 1 1924 was the thirty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981 and the recipient of the 2002 "[47]

Aiken makes it clear that he is aware not everyone shares his religious beliefs and it is not his intention to press these beliefs on others. When he worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA, he challenged other camp faculty by insisting that singing "overtly Christian songs" was inappropriate, as some of the kids were Jewish. "I stood firm. . . . no child is going to have a spiritual crisis on my watch. " [48] His public philosophy, geared towards inclusion and service to others, reflects his stance that decisions about religion should be made at home. [49][50]

Activism

Aiken has donated his time and his voice to multiple benefit events and concerts, including the 2004 Rosalynn Carter Benefit, the America's Promise Benefit, and Heather Headley's Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit, "Home," where he sang a duet with Headley. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter (born August 18 1927 is the wife of former United States President Jimmy Carter and was First Lady of the United States Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Trinidadian R&B and soul Singer, Songwriter, Record producers [51] He was one of the celebrity readers for the "Arthur Celebrity Audiobook (Stories for Heroes Series)," which benefits the Bubel/Aiken Foundation and other charities, and served as spokesperson for the series. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel to promote the inclusion of children with He was also a spokesperson for the 2004 Toys for Tots drive, and is an ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates Toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for A Ronald McDonald House (named after Ronald McDonald) is a place where the parents of children that are in a nearby Hospital can stay at night for reduced or no cost

In September 2006 Aiken was appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. The Committee acts in an advisory capacity to the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities. The United States Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS) is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting Mental retardation is a generalized triarchic disorder characterized by subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age [52] Appointees serve a two-year term; Aiken was sworn in September 14, 2006 by HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Wade F. Horn, Ph. D. [53] In April 2008 Aiken told People Magazine that he was too busy to do as much as he would like, but "If there's something I can do remotely, I would've been happy to do it. " [54]

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation

Aiken has been a dedicated advocate for education and for children's causes. His interest in autism issues led him, along with Diane Bubel (whose son Michael is diagnosed with autism and was tutored by Aiken), to found the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which supports the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers. Language development. The terminology The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel to promote the inclusion of children with The BAF runs summer camps which reflect its mission,[55] and also presents Able to Serve awards to support the volunteer efforts of children with physical and mental disabilities. [56] In July 2005, Raleigh's WRAL-TV reported on an internet campaign mounted by critics questioning how Aiken's foundation used its money. WRAL-TV, channel 5 is a Television station in Raleigh North Carolina. WRAL news hired an independent accountant who reported that program services totaled $920,000 in 2004--around 85 cents on every dollar donated--which is considered a solid percentage compared to other charities. [57] CNN picked up the story, and Aiken appeared on Showbiz Tonight to provide details about the Foundation's programs. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner Showbiz Tonight is an American Entertainment News program on CNN Headline News. [58] In late 2004 the BAF was awarded a $500,000 grant by the US government to develop a K-12 model for inclusion in community service projects to be used in schools across the country. In addition State Farm has granted $1. State Farm Insurance is a group of Insurance and Financial services companies 5 million dollars to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to help develop a primary education curriculum focused on teaching social and life skills through service to children of all levels of ability. [59] A fund-raising gala held in Raleigh at the end of March 2007 netted over $330,000[60] to fund BAF programs and in June, the Executive Director announced a goal of supporting 100 "Let's ALL Play" camps in 2008. [61]

UNICEF

In November, 2004, Aiken was appointed a United States Fund for UNICEF National Ambassador, with a mission to help ensure that children everywhere are afforded a primary education. The United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 Primary education is the first stage of Compulsory education. [4] After the tsunami at the end of 2004, he participated in the NBC4 telethon, which raised over $10 million, and recorded public service announcements in support of South Asian tsunami relief. A tsunami ((tsuːˈnɑːmi is a series of waves created when WNBC Channel 4 is the flagship station of the NBC television network located in New York City. A public service announcement (PSA or community service announcement (CSA is a non-commercial advertisement broadcast on radio or television ostensibly for the Public He later recorded a video, featuring the song "Give a Little Bit", to be used as a public service announcement to raise money for tsunami victims. " Give a Little Bit " is the opening Song on Supertramp 's 1977 Progressive rock album Even in the Quietest Moments A public service announcement (PSA or community service announcement (CSA is a non-commercial advertisement broadcast on radio or television ostensibly for the Public He was the 2005 spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF drive. [62]

Aiken has made four trips for UNICEF. In March 2005, he went to the tsunami-stricken Banda Aceh area to raise awareness of the need to restore education quickly to the children who survived this disaster, in order to provide stability in a time of great loss. Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an Elevation of 21 m [63] UNICEF sent Aiken on another mission in May 2005, to northern Uganda, to witness the plight of children called "night commuters", who flee the villages each night to sleep in streets and shelters in hopes of avoiding being kidnapped by the Lord's Resistance Army. The Republic of Uganda is a Landlocked country in East Africa. UNICEF sent him to Kabul and Bamyan in Afghanistan in April 2007 where he was able to spend time with children in their classrooms; he also visited a health center for women and children where he administered oral Polio vaccinations to babies. } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with For the province see Bamyan Province. Bamyan ( is the capital of Bamyan Province and the largest town in Hazarajat, central Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, He observed that Afghani children, after being forbidden for so many years by the Taliban regime to attend school, are eager to return to school now that they are once again allowed to receive an education. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Aiken also visited the Said Aabad women’s literacy centre in Bamyan, where girls and women from ages 16 to 50 are learning to read and write for the first time. [64] Just before leaving Afghanistan, Aiken launched the "$100,000 in 10 days" campaign to support UNICEF efforts in that country, a campaign that raised a total of over $180,000. [65] Aiken spent his 2007 Christmas in Mexico with the children affected by the floods in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. [66][67]

Fans

Aiken at a 2006 Christmas tour appearance in Merrillville, IN
Aiken at a 2006 Christmas tour appearance in Merrillville, IN

"Aiken was voted the Favorite Reality Star of 2003 by TV Guide readers and “the most-loved reality star of all time” in a TV Guide poll conducted in the summer of 2005. TV Guide is the name of a North American weekly magazine about television programming TV Guide is the name of a North American weekly magazine about television programming Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [68] In February 2006, People magazine readers voted Aiken their "Favorite American Idol". People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published [69]

No one is quite sure where the term "Claymates" originated, but Aiken has trademarked the term. A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual [70] While in Los Angeles in September 2006 for a CD signing and appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Aiken talked with Jann Carl of Entertainment Tonight about the names various sub-groups have given themselves: "Claysians" (Asian fans), "Claynadians" (Canadian fans) and "Claydawgs" (male fans). Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night Talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC. Jann Carl (born May 19, 1960) is a Los Angeles-based newsreader and since 1995 correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Entertainment Tonight is a daily Television entertainment news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United She teased him about having his own "Clay Nation". [71] At the CD signing, two young fans asked Clay to autograph their shoulderblades and then went to the local tattoo parlor to make them permanent; later that day on Jimmy Kimmel Live they were brought on stage to show the tattoos. Although some of his fans have been criticized at times by the media as being obsessive,[72] he defends the group as a whole. When Kimmel said to Aiken that his fans were "crazy". Aiken stated they were merely "enthusiastic". In 2003, in anticipation of the release of Measure of a Man, fans all over the country decided to get together and hold parties to celebrate the release of the CD and purchase copies at midnight. In 2006, for the release of A Thousand Different Ways, release parties were held in more than 80 cities in the United States, Canada, and Singapore. A Thousand Different Ways is the third studio album by Clay Aiken. [73][74][75]

Discography

Main article: Clay Aiken discography

Awards and nominations

Professional

American Music Awards

Billboard Awards

New Music Weekly Awards

American Christian Music Awards

Achievement

See also

References

  1. ^ "No Love for 'Idol' Losers" by Corey Moss, MTV. Pre-Hot 100 era 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 This is a list of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, who work on behalf of the United Nations Children's Fund. com. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  2. ^ "Idol sales standings: A fairly exhaustive list" by Ken Barnes, USA Today (11/09/06). Retrieved 2006-11-23.
  3. ^ Clay Aiken meets Monty Python CNN. com. Retrieved 2008-02-05
  4. ^ a b US Fund for UNICEF website, Aiken page,
  5. ^ US Dept of Health and Human Services Official Website for The President's committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
  6. ^ "Clay Aiken heads "Here" on next album" Reuters New York (Billboard)(03-25-08)
  7. ^ Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken, (2004), p. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November 250, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  8. ^ "Scouts Remember Fallen Veterans" by Tom Woerner, The Dunn Daily Record (05/22/03). Retrieved 2006-04-07 (article archived).
  9. ^ Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken, (2004), p. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November 249-251, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  10. ^ Redefined track listing last. fm. Retrieved 2007-06-24
  11. ^ Demo CD, "Look What Love Has Done Vol 2", track listing last. fm. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  12. ^ "'American Idol' star Clay Aiken graduates" USA Today (12/24/03). Retrieved 2007-07-03
  13. ^ Bronson, Fred (2003), "The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits". Billboard Books ISBN 0823076776
  14. ^ "People Photo Album, Then and Now". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  15. ^ "Interview with Clay Aiken", by Chet Cooper, Ability Magazine. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  16. ^ "American Idol Outrage: Your Vote Doesn't Count" by Deborah Starr Seibel, Broadcasting & Cable (5/17/04). Retrieved 2006-04-08.
  17. ^ "It's Going to be a Very Strong Season, I Think: An Interview with American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe" by Logan Martin, Reality News Online (01/17/06). Retrieved 2006-04-08.
  18. ^ "New kid on the block", Erik Hedegaard, Jenny Eliscu. Rolling Stone. New York (07/10/2003), Iss. 926; pg. 40.
  19. ^ "Clay Aiken Facing the Music" Michelle Tauber. People. New York (10/02/2006), Vol. 66, Iss. 14; pg. 122.
  20. ^ "Clay Aiken Biography: An Idol Returns", People (05/24/06) Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  21. ^ People Photo Album, Clay Aiken 2006 Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  22. ^ 'American Idol Rewind' Returns in National Syndication on Saturday, September 29th biz. yahoo. com (09/28/07). Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  23. ^ "Idols Back in Competition" americanidol. com (07/19/06). Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  24. ^ "Aiken and Canadian Producer See Eye to Eye" by Karen Bliss, JAM! (11/07/2005). Retrieved 2006-04-08.
  25. ^ "News" clayaiken. com. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
  26. ^ "Clay Aiken Releases New Album" Access Hollywood. (08/03/06). Retrieved 2007-06-24
  27. ^ "Clay Aiken Album 'A Thousand Different Ways' Debuts at Number 2 on Billboard Album Chart With Sales Over 205,000" PRNewswire (09/27/06).
  28. ^ CD: All Is Well: Songs For Christmas
  29. ^ "Clay Aiken: 'Idol Is a Drug'" by Constance Richards, People (04/03/07). Retrieved 2007-04-13.
  30. ^ "Clay Aiken Heads 'Here' On Next Album" by Jonathan Cohen, Billboard (03/21/08). Retrieved 2008-03-21.
  31. ^ Clay Aiken joins Monty Python's SPAMALOT, The Funniest Show on Earth Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  32. ^ IMDB - Clay Aiken
  33. ^ Ripa Rips Clay; Rosie Responds by Gina Serpe, eonline. com (11/21/06). Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  34. ^ "Ripa is dis-satisfied with Aiken's actions" nydailynews. com (11/21/06). Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  35. ^ "The Z List : This Week's Biggest Losers" TMZ. com (11/25/06) Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  36. ^ "People Photo Album, Comic Relief" Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  37. ^ "Fox 50", Open up THE CLAY FILES (11/1/07). Retrieved 2007-11-03
  38. ^ "Pop nerd Clay Aiken brings 'Joyful Noise' to San Diego" by Pam Kragan, North Country Times(11/09/05). Retrieved 2007-06-25
  39. ^ "American Idol's Biggest Winners" Forbes. com (01/15/07). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  40. ^ "Popularity Contest"The Wall Street Journal (06/22/07). Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  41. ^ "Aiken apparently questioned after airplane incident" Tulsaworld. com (July, 2007). Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  42. ^ Clay Talks to ET About Airline Drama ET. Com (July 09, 2007). Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  43. ^ "Clay Aiken Adds Dates to Magical Holiday Tour 2007" TicketNews. com (06/25/07). Retrieved 2007-06-25
  44. ^ "American Idol Christians" in "2004 in Review" Christian Music Planet (01/2005). Archived, searchable.
  45. ^ "Clay Aiken's Balancing Act" by Andy Argyakis, Christian Music Planet, (January/February 2005). Archived, subscription required.
  46. ^ Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken, (2004), pp. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November 221-230, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  47. ^ "It's My Life" pbskids. org (October, 2003). Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  48. ^ Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken, (2004), pp. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November 228, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  49. ^ Bubel/Aiken Foundation
  50. ^ Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken, (2004), pp. Learning to Sing Hearing the Music in Your Life is an inspirational memoir written by Clay Aiken with Allison Glock published by Random House on November 227-229, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  51. ^ "Heather Headley: Home" broadwaycares. org. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  52. ^ The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/pcpid. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  53. ^ ACF Press Office - PCPID Appointments" US Dept of Health and Human Services (2006). Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  54. ^ Clay Aiken Defends His Busy Schedule People Magazine 24 Apr, 2008
  55. ^ Bubel/Aiken Foundation, "Let's ALL Play". Retrieved 2006-06-23.
  56. ^ "Youth Service America, Partners & Sponsors". Retrieved 2006-06-23.
  57. ^ "Clay Aiken's Nonprofit Group Comes Under Critic Scrutiny" WRAL. com (07/18/05). Retrieved 2006-06-23.
  58. ^ Showbiz Tonight transcript CNN. com (07/25/05). Retrieved 2006-06-23.
  59. ^ "America's Good Neighbor Teams up with Recording Artist Clay Aiken's Bubel/Aiken Foundation to Promote Inclusive Education" CSR Wire Press Release (11/02/2005). Retrieved 2006-04-08.
  60. ^ "Champions of Change Gala a Huge Success" bubelaiken. org (04/15/07). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  61. ^ "Letter From the Executive Director" bubelaiken. org (06/08/07). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  62. ^ "'Idol' surprises Middlesex" by Susan Shultz, The Darien Times (05/18/06). Retrieved 2006-07-27.
  63. ^ US Fund for UNICEF website, Aiken page.
  64. ^ "UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Clay Aiken visits Afghanistan" unicef. org (04/18/07). Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  65. ^ "Clay Aiken's Afghanistan Appeal" unicefusa. org (04/23/07). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  66. ^ Mexico flooding affects '700,000' BBC News (11/01/07). Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  67. ^ (In the Field) Christmas Greetings from Clay Aiken in Mexico unicef. org (12/25/07). Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  68. ^ "The Best and Worst of Reality TV" by Ali Kazan, TV Guide (08/08/05). Retrieved 2006-04-05.
  69. ^ "Is There Life After 'American Idol'" by Steve Ryfle, Netscape Celebrity. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  70. ^ US Patent and Trademark Office Claymates Trademark Registration
  71. ^ "Clay Aiken: A Day In The Life!" Entertainment Tonight video with Jann Carl (09/28/06). Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  72. ^ "obsessive fans make Clay want to quit" realityblurred. com (11/15/2004). Retrieved 2006-04-05.
  73. ^ "Fans' most anticipated album worth all nighter" by Stephanie Lazzaro, nineronline. com (10/23/03). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  74. ^ "Clay Aiken Album 'A Thousand Different Ways' Debuts at Number 2 on Billboard Album Chart With Sales Over 205,000" top40-charts. com (09/28/06). Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  75. ^ clayaikencdparties.com
  76. ^ Caregiver Newsletter Issue #220, Caregiver. com (04/21/05). Retrieved 2006-11-25.
  77. ^ 2006 "Alumni Award Recipients" UNC Charlotte Alumni Association (11/11/06). Retrieved 2006-11-19.
  78. ^ "Voices of our Children, Voices of our Future" National Center for Learning Disabilities, Press release (April, 2007). Retrieved 2007-04-27.

External links

Official websites

Reference Sites

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