Clay Aiken News Network

The American Film Institute is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. The organization was founded in 1967 as a national arts organization. Besides preserving America’ film heritage, the organization trains filmmakers.

According to their website:

AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

On July 29, 2003, Clay Aiken joined executives of the AFI on a visit to Capitol Hill, the White House and the US Department of Education. Their goal was to urge the expansion of AFI’s Screen Education Center into schools across America. They proposed that Congress provide additional funding to expand the K-12 program from a demonstration project into a national level program.

Clay met with many senators and members of congress including the Majority leader, William Frist, Senators Dole, Edwards, Feinstein, Boxer, Spector, Harkin, Mikulski, and Lott. He also met with the Acting Deputy Secretary, Dr. Eugene Hickok from the US Department of Education. After the closed-door meeting with officials at the U.S. Department of Education, Aiken said:

Since I’ve had to put my own work with special needs kids on hold for now, I am excited to do what I can to support worthwhile educational efforts, particularly those which reach kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

During the busy day, Aiken stopped by the Capitol to sing “Happy Birthday” to Senator Elizabeth Dole from North Carolina.

Clay followed this busy schedule on his day off from the American Idol Tour. The other cast members had the day off, but Clay spent his day pursuing a goal that was important to him.

Do you think Washington D.C. is ready for Clay Aiken?

       

Comments

• Clay is ready for Washington, but is Washington ready for Clay? ... by Emily Patrick
• Yes, of course Clay is ready for Washington. Thank you for all ... by Phyllis Solotoff

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Hurry, Hurry! – Grab your morning coffee, orange juice, or tea!

Run to your Computer… It’s a Busy week!

Clay Aiken – Ruben Studdard……two of the most famous names in American Idol history. In 2003, Season Two of American Idol was popular because of the talent, but also because Clay and Ruben were promoted as big rivals. Thank goodness both young men became good friends and to this day, enjoy each others company

I thought it might be fun to remember some of the great times the two have had together.

This video does not show a lot about Ruben… it is for December…

but it is a great song.

I hope you enjoy it!

 

       

Comments

• I was lucky enough to get up to Chautauqua to see Clay during ... by Emily Patrick
• Thank you for the pictures and the video. Some of the pictures ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• I love that song – perfect for ending the Christmas Show. ... by Marlene Michener

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It’s almost the anniversary of the Season 2 Finale of American Idol.  It is hard to realize that it has been 20 years since that fateful night.

To me, there were two winners on the finale night in 2003.

Both Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard were amazing and ready to Reach for the Stars.

Let’s have a toast to the show that introduced Clay Aiken to the  world!!

With three performances each, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard showed the world their singing prowess on the Finale of American Idol, Season II.  The competition, held on May 20, 2003 was the last chance to swing the final votes over to their side. Their performances blew the roof off the place

On the finale night, Ryan Seacrest started the show by stating that it started with 70,000 contestants and came down to two southern boys who are the most unlikely people in the world to be there.  He also reminded the audience that they would have 3 hours to vote and how important the vote is this evening.

The final round of the night was amazing.  Singing Flying Without Wings, Ruben  delivered an outstanding performance.  The judges commented that it was the best performance of the night.

Clay then performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and did a tremendous job.  Accompanied by a choir, Clay knocked the song out of the park.  It left all three judges with big smiles on their faces.

The night produced beautiful performances and two very different vocal styles. Both performers left it all on the stage.

Finally, Ryan said “it’s the closest vote in American Idol history, the American Idol is…….Ruben Studdard.”

The 2 winners that night were talented young men who were ready to step into the world of pop music.

nd, as we all know, coming in second just didn’t matter.

I hope you enjoy the video of Clay’s performance with Ruben.

 

       

Comments

• Thank you for the pictures and the video. I love all the ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• This video was new to me – not sure how I missed it but it ... by Marlene Michener

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~ Listen to the song here in my heart
A melody I start but can’t complete

Listen to the sound from deep within
Its only beginning to find release

Oh the time has come for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own, all ’cause you won’t listen~

Remember this??

On July 23, 2007, Clay and his team put on a wonderful concert in Sterling Heights.  Unfortunately,  one of Clay’s back-up singers, Angela Fisher was feeling poorly.  She was not able to sing her featured song that night.  So, Clay and Quiana improvised a duet of her song,

Listen. 

This impromptu performance ended up being one of the  highlights of the tour.

 

I feel sure you have seen this video before….but

….I love seeing it and I hope you do too.

 So much talent!!

       

Comments

• Thank you for the pictures and the video. Yes, I have seen the ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• It was so great to be in the audience at Sterling Hgts. that ... by Marlene Michener

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Today,  I thought it would be fun to remember one of Clays performances on American Idol!

To love somebody

 To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

~~~~~

In 1967, the Gibb Brothers released their first album in England.  Named Bee Gee’s 1^st, the album had 14 tracks.  One of the most popular tracks on the album was #10.  It was called To Love Somebody and it became a huge hit for the group.

In May of 2003, Clay Aiken sang To Love Somebody as part of the Top 4 Show of season 2 of American Idol.  All the American Idol judges, including Robin Gibb who was a guest judge for the evening, immediately praised Clay’s fantastic performance of the song. The live audience gave Clay a standing ovation for his performance.

That evening was one of the few times that I agreed with Simon Cowell’s comments about Clay’s performances.  That night, Cowell said:

Clay, I think this is the third Pop Idol or American Idol I’ve done if you include the English one, and that’s probably one of the best performances I’ve ever heard throughout the competition.

I would love to hear Clay sing this song again.  I think it really fits his vocal range and it certainly brought out strong emotions in Clay’s performance.

 

Were you watching Clay on American Idol when he sang this song? 

Is it one of your favorites too?

       

Comments

• How could Clay not win AI after this performance? He was ... by Emily Patrick
• Thank you for all the pictures and the video. I love the ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Oh! Yes I saw this on my TV and Clay was “brilliant” – no ... by Marlene Michener

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