The Official Clay Aiken Discussion Thread

[tar heel]

Clay's graduation is now causing lots of *******. All the graduates EXCEPT him are limited to seven guests. They were just notified, so some of them had already invited more than that. He gets to bring lots but the extras will oficially be "special guests of the chancellor." Not sure where they're planning to put all the entertainment media.

 

[stormi65]

WRAL.com
Fans Camp Out, Line Parade Route Early For Glimpse At Aiken
Raleigh's American Idol Attracts Huge Crowd
POSTED: 1:02 p.m. EST November 22, 2003
UPDATED: 1:14 p.m. EST November 22, 2003



RALEIGH, N.C. -- Hundreds of people turned out early Saturday for the Raleigh Christmas Parade, not to get to a good spot to see the bands or say hello to Santa Claus, but hoping to see another American idol -- singer Clay Aiken.

Aiken, a Raleigh native who attended Leesville Road High School, was grand marshal of the parade that was held from 10 a.m.-noon and broadcast live on WRAL.

Aiken finished second this year in voting for television's "American Idol" singing competition. But since then, he has released a No. 1 album and won an American Music Award.

Fans greeted Aiken with cheers and screams as he waved to the crowd from the back of a red convertible he shared with his mother and 14-year-old brother. Some waved signs with his picture.

After he arrived at the end of the parade route, Aiken made his way back to the WRAL broadcast tower, donned headpones and provided commentary on the parade alongside WRAL's Laurie Clowers and Mark Roberts. Loud cheers and applause rang out whenever Aiken looked down on the crowd from the tower or gave a wave to friends and supporters.

The floats and bands going past clearly were of secondary importance on a day when an estimated 100,000 people turned out for the parade, which Clowers said was one of the most-attended events in Raleigh.

The parade usually attracts a crowd of about 40,000. Parade organizers had anticipated about 50,000 people Saturday. But sunny skies, temperature in the 70's and plenty of excitement generated by Aiken's appearance helped to double that figure.

"This is so very exciting," Aiken said. "I am so glad I could be here."

WRAL reported Saturday morning that people began lining the streets Friday night to make sure they could see Aiken. Many called themselves Claymates, and they idolize Aiken.

"I drove down from New Jersey (Friday) morning," said Rachel Dunn.

Dunn said she could not possibly miss seeing Aiken lead the parade as the grand marshal.

"There's just something about his voice and his personality that is so unique and so different and refreshing," she said.

Aiken also started his day early. He made an early-morning appearance at the WRAL studios on Western Boulevard to do an on-air live interview before heading to the parade.

A caravan of several Crown Victorias and his usual bodyguard were included in Aiken's entourage.

Raleigh police said the usual number of officers worked the parade. But there were four uniformed officers with Aiken to make sure fans did not get too personal with their idol.

Aiken paid particular attention from the parade-route broadcast tower when the Leesville Road band marched by. He said he never played in the band but that he was familiar with it and thought a lot of it, and that his brother still went to school at Leesville Road. That brought a large round of applause from the fans gathered at the base of the tower.

"I think he (Aiken) has won over Santa this year, I think," said his cousin, Brittany King.

Claymates had another reason to attend the parade, too. The fans from the Triangle, the Greensboro-Winston-Salem area and the Charlotte area got together to raise more than $800 for a float. They donated it to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation so special-needs kids could have their own float in the parade.


********

We ended up watching the parade on tv. A beautiful and warm day for a Christmas parade. Clay's puppy Raleigh sure looks cute!!!!

 

[stormi65]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- This is no routine December graduation ceremony at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Then again, Clay Aiken is in the graduating class.

The "American Idol" star will pick up his diploma at the 3 p.m. ceremony at Halton Arena on Dec. 20, according to his publicist.

For only the second time in the school's seven-year history, graduation guests must have tickets to get in. This time, each ticket will be printed with a bar code and be scanned at the door to prevent the use of counterfeits.

The school has already heard from television entertainment shows interested in attending, according to UNC-C spokesman Tony Hoppa. And the university will meet next week to begin figuring out how to accommodate the media.

Hoppa also said Aiken has asked not to perform at the ceremony and declined a seat on the stage, saying he wants to sit with his fellow students.

"He really desires to come back just as Clay Aiken," Hoppa said Thursday. "He doesn't want to inconvenience the rest of his classmates. He doesn't want to inconvenience the rest of the college."

 

[Kimberle]

*bump*

 

[tar heel]

There's a little typo in storm65's post. UNC Charlotte IS a young school, but it's a good bit older than seven years.

 

[BethBreakey]

Hello all -- want the full scoop on Clay today --

We got to the parade about 5 minutes before it started -- and clay was about the 10th person in the parade -- Raleigh has this thing about not having there Grand Marshall's first... I dont know - were weird like that... so anyways -- there are more people around then I have ever seen at the parade before - it was insane -- then all the sudden this announcers says "and now the moment you all came for" and everyone lost it -- it was wild -- 90 year old women are screaming "I LOVE YOU CLAY!" next to me was an old church that had a big sign that said "CHRISTIANS FOR CLAY" they were salivating when he went by -- it was so amazing! He was in a red car and sitting next to him was his autistic boy (first name dont remember) last name Buebel of the Aiken-Buebel assoc. he was waving and laughing -- then just like he appeared he was gone -- but his fans were still hanging out of the wood work! it was great - really! as he passed by I ran out to his car gave him a kiss and my phone number -- then he asked if I believe in love at first sight and I said yes and he said BETH YOU MUST BE DREAMING!

Oh well - maybe the last part didnt happen - but the rest of it did!

I'll have pics up later!

 

[phisigprincess]

I am SO JEALOUS!! I can't wait to see pictures!!

 

[scarlett873]

beth...did you figure out the picture posting thing? scream if you need some help!!

i broke down and bought the christmas cd yesterday. i LOVE it!! hubby's not quite as thrilled with it but he tolerates it.

 

[BethBreakey]

I have to get to my sisters house to do the pic thing -- they arent the best because he was looking the other way and there kinda far away -- but he is there with his adorable hair.

I will also see if I can find any online too

 

[mom42860]

Too funny, Beth I absolutely believed you.....until the disclaimer!

 

[BethBreakey]

I have a question non-clay related but - disboard related

Do you think if I asked the Tag Fairy to leave my brothers and sister a tag he/she would? I dont know if they know how to on there own and there are 4 siblings on the site - I think it would be fun for them to get up in the morning and have a tag! I think I might give it a shot.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

very funny Beth you are so lucky

well I was out puppy shopping this weekend and I but a puppy.....he's half PUG and half CAVILIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL. He was an accident of 2 pure breeds He is the cutest thing with the face of the spaniel and the eyes of the pug and he has short hair of the pug

Now for my confession
You all know I love Clay as much as the rest of you...I adore everything about him....but I do love Ruben too.....although I believe Clay is more talented. Anyway I named my puppy Ruben He just looks more like Ruben with these big eyes ...he just reminds of those expressions Ruben would make while listening to the criticisms and compliments of the judges. He was adorable......like a teddy bear.
So there you have it....I'm a Clay Aiken junkie.....lover of all things Clay....but I named my puppy Ruben
please don't throw things at me

 

[BethBreakey]

Mickey --- that is just shameful!

JK!

Ruben came in to Build-A-Bear (where I work) when the AI tour went through--- unfortunatly I was not there - but we do have a signed poloroid proudly hanging on our wall in the back room and a teddy bear with a t-shirt he signed -- very cool! I love Ruben too... I just love Clay more.

 

[honeywolf7]

Yep, I love Ruben too but not as much as Clay.

 

[scarlett873]

morning

***sorry...had to delete due to imagestation rules***

just thought i'd share those with ya...i found them on another message board...

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

i wonder what he's looking at in that last picture

 

[scarlett873]

Clay sightings this week...

Nov. 24th :: David Letterman:: CBS

Nov. 25th :: TRL :: MTV

Nov. 25th :: American Idol Christmas Special :: FOX

Nov. 27th :: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade :: NBC

Nov. 28th :: Nick At Night Holiday Special :: Nick


if you guys can...make sure you vote for "Invisible" on TRL!! we're trying to get him to number one tomorrow since he'll be there...and his birthday is Nov 30th!

 

[vald1977]

Hi Clay fans,
I am getting to be a pretty big Clay fan myself. Just think he seems like such a wonderful person and has a great voice. Of course, when AI was on, I was a Ruben supporter. I liked Clay also but just like Ruben's vocal style more. Now I like them both about equal .

Anyway, I thought I would share something I heard on the radio this weekend as I figured you guys would get a kick out of it. They played Clay's "Invisible" and that is probably the first time I have actually heard it played on the radio. Then after they were talking about how they now need coded tickets for his graduation and stuff. The djs were saying how they thought it was stupid because "Clay only has about 10 fans"!! Obviously, they need to do some more homework!


Nice pics of the parade, Brandie !

 

[BethBreakey]

Across the street from where we were standing for the parade was these slike 40 year old women who were wearing claymasks with santa hats - it was so funny and he was laughing so hard!

 

[Kimberle]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/pd697b7965376f64e7818a0c3eb682b0f/fa7a7d33.jpg




Thanks for the pic's!!!

Invisible finally debued at #57 on the Billboard Singles tracks! All based on airplay!

I actually heard it **2x** in my car on the way home from work Friday night! 2 different stations (kindof minor NYC ones). Almost had an accident!!