Clay Aiken to take top spot at Musikfest'American Idol' runner-up to perform on first day of festival.By Manuel Gamiz Jr.Of The Morning CallClay Aiken may have come in second on Fox TV's ''American Idol'' a year ago, but he will be No. 1 at Musikfest this year, festival officials said Thursday. Aiken, known for his quirky facial expressions, down-home personality and powerful voice, will perform on the first day of the Bethlehem festival — Aug. 6 — at the RiverPlace venue on Sand Island. Tickets will go on sale in May.Festival officials also announced that Huey Lewis and the News, the Grammy-winning '80s band with hits like ''The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll'' and ''The Power of Love,'' will perform Aug. 15, the final night of Musikfest.Aiken's star has risen swiftly since his No. 2 ''Idol'' finish behind Ruben Studdard. His debut album, ''Measure of a Man,'' released in October, has sold more than 2 million copies.''We are thrilled to have someone who has captured the hearts of fans of many ages with his powerful voice and his boy-next-door looks,'' said Sharon McCarthy, director of marketing and public relations for ArtsQuest, which organizes Musikfest. ''It's not just young girls, but also women in their 40s and 50s.''Aiken is now touring with Kelly Clarkson, who won the first ''American Idol'' competition two years ago. They performed Monday at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre and last week in Philadelphia's Liacouras Center.Aiken, a 25-year-old former camp counselor from North Carolina, became a fan favorite as he evolved from awkward to adroit during his ''American Idol'' contest. Aiken lost by a slim 134,400 of the 24 million votes cast.However, losing the competition didn't hurt him. Aiken's compact disc was released before Studdard's, and he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone a month before Studdard. His first single holds the record for the second-highest sales week ever and his first two videos have hit the top spot on MTV's ''Total Request Live.'' McCarthy said she hopes the show will attract the legions of Aiken fans, known as ''Claymates.'' Previous Musikfest acts catering to teens have been successful, including a 2001 Aaron Carter show that sold out in two hours. Other recent successful teen-friendly acts have been Savage Garden and O-Town. Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert at RiverPlace, which seats 6,500, will range in price from $22-$36.
Musikfest to open with Aiken Friday, March 12, 2004Musikfest set up the bookends for this year's festival with the announcement of who will play the opening and closing nights at RiverPlace. American Idol sensation Clay Aiken and pop-rock band Huey Lewis and the News are the first acts announced to perform at Musikfest 2004's Straub Chrysler Jeep RiverPlace, festival officials announced in a release Thursday. Aiken, who wowed television audiences during Fox TV's 2003 American Idol competition, opens the festival 7 p.m. Aug. 6. The opening act for the concert will be announced in the near future, according to the release. Since appearing on the television show, the Charlotte, N.C., native has climbed the chart, earning a People's Choice Award nomination before he had even released a full-length album. The Idol runner-up's "Measure of a Man" was released this fall and quickly climbed to the top of the charts, selling more than 2 million copies. Aiken's latest single, "Invisible," has made the Top 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. Tickets for the Clay Aiken show will be $22-$36. The date the tickets will go on sale has not been released. (snip)For information about Musikfest, celebrating its 21st year, call 610-332-FEST or visit www.fest.org. Musikfest takes place Aug. 6-15 in downtown Bethlehem. The event is presented by ArtsQuest and showcases more than 300 performers on 13 indoor and outdoor stages throughout the city. In addition to nonstop music, the festival also features a wealth of foods, children's activities, visual arts and crafts displays and a closing-night fireworks celebration. Proceeds from Musikfest go to support the programs of the Banana Factory, the community arts center and gallery in Bethlehem that's owned and operated by ArtsQuest.
Idol' runner-up Clay set for summer gig in Clio CLIO/THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITIONFriday, March 12, 2004 JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Clay is coming to Clio! Clay Aiken, that is. Last year's "American Idol" runner-up will perform Aug. 14 at the 3,100-seat Clio Area Amphitheater, spokeswoman Jessica Pearce confirmed. Details are still being worked out. Aiken brought his easygoing charm and honey-sweetened tenor voice to Detroit's Joe Louis Arena on Thursday night, along with the first winner of the "Idol" television talent show series, Kelly Clarkson. Journal music critic Doug Pullen's review of their show can be found in today's Entertainer section, on B18. Also added to Clio's summer lineup are Lyle Lovett on June 23 and Willie Nelson on July 15. Meanwhile, two previously announced shows are changing dates: Journey from July 1 to July 25, and Vince Gill from July 12 to July 11. The outdoor theater, located at 301 Rogers Lodge Drive, offers concerts each year from May through September. For details, check the Clio Area Amphitheater's Web site, www.clioamp.org. M-LIVE
are those the only dates? That doesn't seem like to many and is this even for certain because there isn't even anything on clay's official website?! I hope and pray that he comes to Canada so badly...if anyone knows please let me know if there will be more dates...Thanx!
