Clay Aiken News (Page 7)

They came for the voice. They stayed for the man. They buy many tickets really, really fast!

Yesterday, tickets went on sale to the general public for the only Clay Aiken appearance scheduled this year -- at least that is known, as of this posting. Aiken enthusiasts, known for being the most loyal of all Idol fans, were true to form in bringing yet another in-house ticketing system to its knees.

Clay is slated to perform with several Symphony Orchestras across the U.S. this holiday season, with only a December 9 concert in Williamsport, Pa., officially scheduled so far. According to insider sources, fans alerted the venue in advance that Clay Nation has a reputation for crashing ticketing systems, but the location wasn't concerned.

As it turned out, except for a few seats that were sold online before the official start time of 10 a.m., all the rest were done via phone. Memo to future concert sites: Do not underestimate the power of Claymates missing their Idol and looking for tickets en masse.

Clay's new CD, A Thousand Different Ways, is scheduled to be released September 19. We're no math geniuses here at AIW, but we think that's only 35 more days away! Holla!

Clay Aiken is being sued for more than $250,000 by the author of an "unauthorized tribute" to the second season American Idol runner-up.

According to People and MSNBC, Jeannie Holleman of Raleigh, N.C., claims Aiken defamed her and conspired to hinder sales of her 2005 book, Out of the Blue - 'Clay' it Forward.

Holleman, 50, describes herself as a lifelong friend and neighbor of the McGhees, a Raleigh family that was close to Aiken's mother, Faye Parker. Holleman says she took in Parker and a young Aiken when Parker left her abusive husband. The book is a compilation of interviews with the McGhees, along with the author's recollections and anecdotes from Aiken fans.

In her lawsuit, Holleman alleges that Aiken, his mother and others denied her stories and unfairly criticized the book on Aiken fan sites.

She is seeking at least $260,000 in damages, and has asked that the court order Aiken to retract his critical comments or endorse Out of the Blue on his official website.

Yesterday, Aiken issued a statement.

"[I've] instructed my attorneys to not only vigorously dispute the claims that have been made but to also pursue all possible remedies against those involved in the perpetration of these untruths," Aiken said.

"As a so-called 'celebrity' I have become used to scurrilous allegations and untruths being made about me and my work. I have always taken the path of not reacting to these matters and have accepted them as, somehow, coming with the 'job.' However, I cannot, and will not, stand by when these attacks are made on my family," he continued.

Clay's upcoming and highly-anticipated album, A Thousand Different Ways, is due out September 19.

NOTE: American Idol Worship supports Clay in his efforts to settle this dispute amicably and permanently, and welcomes comments from fans with greater insight on the issue.

As we reported yesterday, Clay Aiken is gearing up for the release of his long-awaited and highly-anticipated new album. A Thousand Different Ways will hit shelves September 19 (giving it a nice two-month buffer before the November 14 Idol onslaught), and consists of 14 songs, 10 of them covers.

Clay will cover a variety of songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s, in addition to his four original recordings. Here's the complete track listing, and list of original artists when applicable, for A Thousand Different Ways. Thanks to USA Today for providing this.

In alphabetical order:

-- "A Thousand Days" -- NEW
-- "Because You Loved Me" -- Celine Dion
-- "Broken Wings" (Mr. Mister)
-- "Every Time You Go Away" -- Hall & Oates (original), Paul Young (best-known)
-- "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)" -- Bryan Adams
-- "Everything I Have" -- NEW
-- "Here You Come Again" -- Dolly Parton
-- "I Want to Know What Love Is" -- Foreigner
-- "Lonely No More" -- NEW
-- "Right Here Waiting" -- Richard Marx
-- "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" -- Elton John
-- "These Open Arms" -- NEW
-- "When I See You Smile" -- Bad English
-- "Without You" -- Badfinger (original), Nilsson (best-known)

Interestingly, Aiken will receive a co-writing credit for "Lonely No More," while Jon Bon Jovi co-wrote "These Open Arms." In a press release about the album, Clay expressed his excitement in recording songs from his youth.

"These are songs I heard growing up. I loved them then and I still love them today, but we decided to do them a little differently. They have new arrangements, and we put our own style on some of them," he said.

Aiken, 27, expounded further on the pure emotion of some of his selections, and how that led to the name of the new album:

"This is an album of love songs, but they are about all different kinds of love. Romantic love, friendship, unconditional love. There are a thousand different kinds of love; a thousand different ways to tell someone you love them. And, on top of that, since so many of these songs are covers, it's realistic to say that many of them have been or could be sung a thousand different ways."

We're eagerly waiting to hear the different ways in which Clay performs these classics, as well as his new material!

Set your VCR (or DVR, or TiVo), Clay Aiken fans. Below are some details about a television "exclusive" featuring the singer tonight, along with other pieces of information from Clay's camp. Thanks to a member of Clay Nation for forwarding this along...

-- Entertainment Tonight promises a "Clay Aiken Exclusive" on Wednesday's episode. The subject will likely be the newest information on the release of Clay's forthcoming CD, A Thousand Different Ways. We aren't sure if this exclusive will be an interview, or a performance, but it should be interesting, as Clay has not been interviewed by the media since December. Be sure your local listings for the time and channel of the syndicated show.

-- According to Clay's blog, found on his official fan club site, A Thousand Different Ways is set for release on September 19. An official press release containing more information is expected later this week.

-- On Monday, Promosquad's "Rate Songs" Jukebox began playing clips of two new Clay songs: "1000 Days" and "I Want To Know What Love Is," a cover of the Foreigner hit that Clay recorded as a duet with Suzie McNeil (of Rock Star: INXS fame). Yesterday, Promosquad also added snippets from a third track, "Without You," a remake of a 1972 Harry Nilsson song from 1972.

-- Last week, as we reported, Clay asked fans to support UNICEF in its mission to aid children displaced and injured by the recent Middle East conflict. By Friday, fans had raised over $47,000, accounting for a full 17 percent of the funds donated for the crisis there.

UNICEF called the response to Clay's plea "unprecedented," and by Monday, the amount had risen to over $66,000. Fans who wish to donate may do so by following the link above.

Ever the humanitarian, we've received word that Clay Aiken has posted a plea to his fan club on its official site to help the children displaced by the recent Middle East conflict.

Officials say more than a third of those already killed or injured in the fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group have been children, and estimate that as many as 350,000 children forced to flee their homes.

UNICEF is working around the clock to deliver aid to the many children and families isolated by the destruction of roads and bridges, and you can continue to the effort by following the link HERE.

On the musical front, we have learned from a number of Clay's fans that his upcoming CD is in fact finished. We previously reported that it was still being recorded, but A Thousand Different Ways is apparently ready to go and rumored for a September 19 release.

This date has been reported by the likes of FYE, Variety Magazine, MTV and others, and Clay's fan club says the album and tour are still scheduled for late 2006. Special thanks to the fans who brought this to our attention -- and to Clay for his continued efforts to help the children affected by this terrible conflict.

Clay Nation is getting restless.

At least some members are, according to various blogs. Fans are wondering why their favorite Idol has been absent as of late. While it's true that our main man Clay Aiken hasn't been in the news too much lately, although he's got at least several good reasons. Not only is he busy with his foundation and other charities, but Clay has been working on his new album, the follow-up to his 2003, double-platinum smash hit, Measure of a Man (right).

Dick Hodgin, a partner and producer at Osceola Music in Raleigh, N.C., reports that Aiken was recently recording some vocal tracks at Osceola.

"And we got a keeper vocal on Sunday," Hodgin said.

There's been talk of a fall release for Clay's as-yet-untitled third full-length CD, but his official site is still vague on the release day, and it it looking like it may not hit stores until the end of the year, if not in early 2007.

NOTE: American Idol Worship would like to apologize for its previous remarks about Clay Aiken that some fans have taken exception to. While it was never our intent to disparage Clay, we realize that our attempt at humor was in poor taste and we would like to formally apologize to both the singer and his legions of fans.

It has been suggested by one fan that we highlight Clay's charitable work, and it is our pleasure to give the 27-year-old his due.

Apart from his music career, Clay has dedicated himself to education and children's causes across the world. Few people can match his amazing record of giving and we feel all American Idol fans should be made aware of it, as he is helping make the world a better place.

His interest in autism issues led him, along with Diane Bubel (whose son Michael is autistic, and was tutored by Aiken), to found the Bubel/Aiken Foundation (BAF), which supports the integration of disabled children into the life environment of their non-disabled peers. The BAF, which was given a $500,000 grant from the U.S. government, runs summer camps which reflect this mission, and also presents awards to volunteer efforts of children with physical and mental disabilities.

Aiken has often donated his time and voice to benefit events and concerts, including the 2004 Rosalynn Carter Benefit, the America's Promise Benefit, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and the "Arthur Celebrity Audiobook (Stories for Heroes Series)," which benefits the BAF and other charities.

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