Pamela
Assistant Webmaster
Enthusiastic
Posts: 17,648
AIKEN NEWS NETWORK DECEMBER 28
« on: December 28, 2003, 10:05:39 AM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning all! I hope it's a glorious day wherever you are.
Countdown to 2004: 3 days!
FROM A DURHAM, NC NEWSPAPER: TOP NEWS STORIES OF THE YEAR
Quote
10. Clay Aiken (84)
The buzz around Durham Bulls Athletic Park on May 8 should have signaled things to come. Thousands of middle-aged women and young girls crowded into the ballpark. The Bulls were taking on the Rochester Red Wings that evening, but many in the sell-out crowd had gone to downtown Durham to see the elfen crooner named Clay Aiken.
Aiken, the 25-year-old Raleigh resident who was wowing folks by the millions on the FOX TV show "American Idol," sang the National Anthem before the game and signed autographs during the contest.
"We love Clay," 13-year-olds Kate Christensen and Meg Niemann said simultaneously while standing in line to see him at the game. The two wore shorts with Aiken's picture on the back and shirts with his likeness on their chests. "We're his biggest fans. We want to marry him," they said.
The two were among the early admirers of Aiken, who finished second in the "American Idol" contest, but still snagged a record contract. So far, his career has outshined winner and Aiken friend Ruben Studdard's thus far.
Besides having a top-selling album and winning an American Music Award, Aiken has appeared on the front of Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly in the second half of this year. In fact, he had been set to appear on the cover of Time magazine in October before the cover was bumped for a story on CIA leaks. Aiken settled for a story inside the magazine.
Aiken hasn't had to settle for many things this year. His album "Measure of a Man" has been certified double platinum.
While Aiken's rise has been meteoric, some wonder if his popularity is sustainable. Critics seem blasé about his album and many think his voice is better suited for Broadway. Only time will tell if people will still be talking about Aiken at this time next year.
DURHAM HERALD SUN
Report to moderator Logged
Pamela
Assistant Webmaster
Enthusiastic
Posts: 17,648
AIKEN NEWS NETWORK DECEMBER 28
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2003, 10:09:38 AM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now testing: All Clay All Day Internet Radio
Check it out HERE - just click on 'Listen.'
Report to moderator Logged
liney23
Guest
News
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2003, 06:46:49 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In our Sunday paper, they reviewed the year.
First, Number 6 of 10: "The Moment Clay Got Robbed. No sooner had Ruben Studdard been crowned the new 'American Idol' than fans of second-place finisher, Clay Aiken cried foul. The runner-up took the high road, however, and implored his fans to stop demanding a recount. But if we were to compare each singer's record sales, it would appear as if Clay really did get robbed."
Second, in another article reviewing the year, "American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken demonstrated he was no mere flash in the pan, touring and recording to wide acclaim (his TITN/BOTW is the best-selling single of the year."
In the OC Register. The second writer didn't do much research or they would have included his double-platinum MOAM, but I thought it was neat that Clay was in two reviews in our paper. There will be more. I was totally stoked at Clay and Ruben being number 2 in the Entertainment Weekly, after Lord of the Rings. Whew!!!
AND, next year is going to be even better as Clay proves that he has staying power. He just keeps getting better and better at all that he does.
Report to moderator Logged
Pamela
Assistant Webmaster
Enthusiastic
Posts: 17,648
AIKEN NEWS NETWORK DECEMBER 28
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2003, 07:00:01 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
liney, what paper was that in?!?
Report to moderator Logged
Pamela
Assistant Webmaster
Enthusiastic
Posts: 17,648
AIKEN NEWS NETWORK DECEMBER 28
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2003, 07:15:54 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLAY IN THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER TODAY
Quote
Clay favors the UNC brand
One of UNC Charlotte's most famous recent graduates isn't a big fan of Mayor Pat McCrory's push to change the institution's name to the University of Charlotte.
Clay Aiken, who took a break from his pop star life to claim his diploma at UNCC last weekend, took a few minutes to chat with an Insider cohort before the ceremony.
Told of the mayor's proposal, Aiken replied: "I think the University of North Carolina system is well-known throughout the country. I think it would be a shame to lose that brand-name recognition."
Aiken himself is part of the reason McCrory wants to change the name. During Aiken's rise to fame on "American Idol" last spring, he was referred to as a UNC student -- continuing the longstanding confusion between UNCC and UNC Chapel Hill.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
THE YEAR IN QUOTES
Quote
"They have notes attached that say, `From your older fans. We love you, too.' People are very creative."
"American Idol" star Clay Aiken, noting that the inventory of undergarments thrown on stage by fans includes two pairs of Depends.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
AND...IN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Quote
Will Observer finally get off Clay's back?
In response to "Aiken gets diploma, donates money for youths" (Dec. 21):Thank goodness all this is behind us -- now The Observer can find something else to blame on Clay. Let's see, he was responsible for the ticket debacle, for traffic tie-ups (that didn't materialized) and maybe even for the confusion of UNC Charlotte with UNC Chapel Hill.
Amazing! I thought he was just a student trying to finish his degree like everyone else.
Bonnie McIntyre
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Go go Bonnie. Yeah
