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Archive => The Timeless Tour 2010 => Topic started by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 01:38:44 AM

Title: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 01:38:44 AM
ASHEVILLE: FROM  BRIGHTSTAR AT CV

Jul 24 2010, 12:16 AM 

 Wow, wow, wow! Back from the concert. That may be the most fun I've ever had in a two hour stretch! So much laughter and fun and silliness and absolutely awesome music sung by such talented singers, served with a lots of teasing, considerable respect, and tons and tons of love. Amazing! They were both in great voice and looked wonderful. There were so many songs packed in, yet the time flew by. I bet I don't remember a tenth of it now. All I want to do is see it again, and immediately.

DH went with me, and he really, really enjoyed the show. He asked if there were another one nearby--he'd like to see it again. Unfortunately, there's not one close at all (though I'm going up north for some more in August  ). Tooks some pictures which I will download when I get home. Hope a few turned out okay.

Those two men put their heart and soul into this show, and they sang and danced their asses off (almost literally, since Clay could hardly keep his pants up). They have to be totally and completely exhausted tonight (and dehydrated too), but I hope they are proud of their accomplishment. I have no doubt it will change and evolve as time goes by, tighten up here and there, change up the banter now and then, and I can't wait to see the version they give in a few weeks. Once is never enough. Or twice. Or three times. Or a dozen.

One of the hottest days of the year. Sun and sweat and unforgiving heat. Yet I could focus on nothing but the stage, and the heat disappeared for me when the show began. That's magic.

Two unlikely stars, talented men, forever friends. I'm so lucky to have been there.   

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 01:45:31 AM
ASHEVILLE-FROM COTTON AT CV

Jul 24 2010, 01:17 AM 

 Hello, All!
I have a few pics and vids, but left my cable home. So - if any of it is worth posting it probably won't happen before Tuesday.


RE: M&G
We - I think all 5 of us - had a great time. Clay looked great. Jerome looks wonderful. He has HAIR! What's up with that?!  I asked him and he said, "I don't know. I didn't make it to a barber?"
There are two trailers back behind the stage that serve as dressing rooms, Clay came out of one of those and joined us at a folding table with 6 chairs set up. Quiana and Casey came out briefly and he said, "you all know Quiana" and then introduced Casey. She is so cute and tiny. She's so cute it must be downright illegal how cute she is. (Sometime after she and Quiana left is when he said something about some people saying crap about her "online", but I have no idea who or where it was being said. Having been offline for a few days, I couldn't really say, I haven't seen anything or whatever. Sorry. He's just coming out fighting to defend his "family" again, I guess.)

He asked each of us who we were, where we were from,etc. and went around shaking hands before he sat down with us.
IIRC, he kind of said, "Okay, how's this gonna work? Anybody got anything they want to say? or question to ask?" A few people did and he chatted with each while including all of us. I told him he was a good storyteller, in the old Southern story-telling tradition, that I had had great storytellers in my family, etc. He said, "What?! You had relatives who liked to TALK?!"  (Then made sure I knew he was teasing.  ) I asked if he had any in his family or past that were storytellers. He said - 1. He didn't. And 2. He doesn't think he's a good storyteller. I told him, "Yes you are. You are a great storyteller!"
I'll let others tell their stories of what he talked with him about. He made sure everyone had some of his time and attention.

When he was getting close to wrapping it up, he asked if there were any other questions and a few had last minute comments.

That was my chance to mention something my DH asked me to specifically tell him. He wants Clay to record Vincent. I began by saying I knew that would probably never happen, but I that my husband really wants that song, that there's some kind of connection with DH's Mom.
You could have knocked me over with a feather when Clay held up his thumb and forefinger and said, "We came thisclose to doing Vincent in the PBS special! Even as far as the musicians learning the music." At first he couldn't remember why they didn't but then thought about it and said it must be because it came from the 70's. I said, "Oh, my husband will be so disappointed" or something like that, Clay said, "Well, no, because that might mean that it will happen sometime."

My hubby will be happy to hear that!

Clay signed our items as we chatted. We got our pictures taken by Jerome. Nobody ever mentioned emailing them to us, so I hope those pictures with Clay actually get to us sometime!

It was a very nice start to a fabulous evening of entertainment. Each of those four singers have great voices, stage presence and they were a good mesh, IMO. I had a great time!
I'm so glad I get to see it again in a couple of weeks!

Th-th-th-that's all, Folks!
G'night!
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 09:15:50 AM
A M&G Recap from the CH

 ("geekette")
Man, what a day, what a show! I'm going to recap what little I remember of my meet and greet before either catching up or falling asleep. Not sure which will come first.

The 4 auction winners went back first, Jerome leading the way behind the barriers to the stage. Several band members (and Ruben) were eating dinner under the gazebo to the right of the stage. Ruben came up (on the other side of a serving table) and I asked him if they had some good vegan food for him, and he said "yeah, but this is what I really want" and pulled out a hunk of watermelon, and offered it up. Very approachable guy.

We walked up on stage, and Jerome talked a bit about the setup, the monitors, and the "ears" the singers wear so they can hear each other. We wandered around between the drum set, the guitars, mics, and stools, and had time to take pictures (and sweat) for a bit. He joked how we need to give him a good review of his tour, so he could get a raise. Back down to a sunny spot for a welcome drink of water and a bit of a wait.

A little more sweating, and they snuck up - I never saw them coming. Clay took control, as he is wont to do, and asked where everyone was from, and if we were going to any more shows. Sadly, I am not because most of the rest of the tour is while I'm up in the wilds of New England with mom and sisters. I must have mentioned never having been to VT and he said "it's a lot like this" sweeping his arm out to the view. I joked about "the city of Vermont" and he hollered over to Felix "hey, she called you out on the city of Vermont" and they all laughed. I don't know that he'll ever live that one down...

Others talked about different things, but I'm not really sure what. I know their foundations were talked about (they both thanked us for our support). More general chit chat and Clay mentioned not wanting Ruben to mess up tonight, and somehow the Aiken random lyric generator came up. Well Ruben liked that saying all right, while Clay said he'd never heard that expression before...heh.

Photo time. I'd done so much sweating, I don't even think I want my M&G photo... Even though we were told to bring our own cameras, the pics were taken by their photographer. I may get my wish.

One guest had the AI2 CD for Ruben to sign, and the guys exclaimed how that was so long ago, and sort of mumbled something about "spooky", I think. We finally got them to explain what they meant - Ruben's track was number one and Clay's was number two, and the CD was done well before the competition ended.

I got the iPad signed by both of them, Clay telling Ruben not to mess it up, then looking at the signature and remarking that if he did, no one could tell anyway. True!

We were taken to the merchandise table and given a choice (i got the tote bag). That's all I remember of that!

We were given second seats as part of the package, and while they were a bit off to the side (and right in front of the speakers) I could really see their expressions, so it was worth the ringing ears.

I wanna go again! Hopefully they will extend the tour.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 02:53:54 PM
ncgran4clay at CV:

Back from the concert and will just post a few thoughts as I suck at good recaps. He was Hawt. Oh my, the black suit of perfection. The whole show was awesome. The preacher banter was hysterical. When I looked around the men especially were laughing like hell. His voice was spot on. I loved all the songs,( well, except Mandy & I never liked Barry singing it either) esp. " "Footloose". I've been waiting forevah for him to sing this. And the slide across the floor. Swoon. He really can dance a lot better than he says he can. Oh, and "Alone" he nailed that one. Sang it in a lower key than on the JBT. He and Ruben played off of each other so well. You could just feel the love & comraderie between them. All the nju around us seemed to be having a ball. Saw a lot of men. The show just flew by. Such fun. Can't wait til my only other show, Biloxi. Sure hope they add another leg & come closer to me again so I can do more shows. It is soooo worth every penny.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 03:03:59 PM
From our own mimi

Fantastic!!! For those who are going to future shows .you are in for a treat. Clay dances a lot, the banter is so funny,and Clay just beamed the whole show..I'm in love!!

It is late but we will check in tomorrow.

We had dinner at the Texas Steak House with Gwenn,Sunny & Michelle. When we got to the Biltmore we ran into Irene,Cindy and their  friend Fran  We found out they are staying in the same hotel as we are.We will probably see them at breakfast.

For those who have been thinking or trying ti decide whether to spend your money for this concert..it is well worth every penny. They probably did sing 85 songs, two many to remember, but so good. Loved it(can you tell?)

They were also selling shirts with Clay & Rubens picture on front,with schedule on back,$30.00.also a bag  with picture of the guys,which I treated myself to..also Clay & Rubens tapes were on sale.

Will talk with you all later tomorrow,we're calling it a night.

Marlene
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 03:04:52 PM
From our Gwenn:

IN THE ROOM.  WE HAD A BIT OF A MISHAP ON THE WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL BUT MORE ON THAT LATER.

THE SHOW WAS SO MUCH FUN.  CLAY AND RUBEN BOTH LOOKED WONDERFUL.  SO CLASSY IN THEIR BLACK SUITS.  BOTH IN FINE VOICE AND VERY FUUNY.  GENUINE LOVE BETWEEN THEM.  THE NEW GIRL HAS A GREAT VOICE BUT SHE ISN'T COMFY YET.  SO GOOD TO SEE FELIX AGAIN.  IT ALL FELT LIKE HOME.

I LOVED THE WAY THEY STARTED THE SHOW WITH FWW AND TITN.  I THINK IT WORKED SO WELL.  EVEN THE SPIKES FIT.  BY THE END, HIS HAD A MESS ON HIS HEAD FROM SWEATING.  BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER.

THESE 2 MEN WORKED THEIR BUTTS OFF FOR OVER 2 HOURS.  NONSTOP.  UPTEMPO.  JUST PLAIN FUN.  PAM AND MICHELLE BOTH LOVED IT AND ARE SORRY THEY AREN'T SEEING ANOTHER SHOW.  CLAY DIDN'T SIT ON A STOLL AND SING SLLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW SONGS.

I AM SOOOOOO GLAD MY OTHER 2 SHOWS ARE INSIDE.  THE HEAT WAS A KILLER EVEN AFTER THE SUN WENT DOWN.  CLAY HAD ON MAKEUP IN THE BEGINNING BUT BY THE END, HIS SKIN WAS AS WHITE AS FAYE'S.  SCHVITZED IT ALL OFF.  HE LOOKED SLIM.  HIS FACE WAS ANGULAR.  HIS LEGS WERE THIN AND HE LOOKED HAPPY.  I THINK THEY WERE BOTH THRILLED TO BE TOGETHER.  I THINK THEY BOTH WANT THIS TO BE A HUGE SUCCESS.  IT WAS A FIRST SHOW AND I BET BY THE TIME I SEE LANCASTER, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT.

SOME SONGS WERE FROM THE JBT BUT OTHER THAN MANDY, I DIDN'T MIND.  A COUPLE FROM CD'S.  I LIKED RUBEN'S SONGS FROM THE 60'S BETTER THAN CLAY'S BUT THAT IS FINE.

THEY WERE FUNNY.  THE SHOW WAS UPBEAT.  OTHER THAN THE DRUNK GIRL NEXT TO ME, IT WAS ALL GOOD. 

UNTIL  WE WERE ALMOST HOME AND GOT A FLAT TIRE.  THIS IS GONNA BE AN ISSUE.  BUT TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY AND I AM BASKING IN CLAY.

I LOVE HIM.

GWENN
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 06:54:18 PM
Moonhead at CV:

  Jul 24 2010, 03:58 PM


 LOVED the concert...had a great time. It was HOT...in many ways. At one point, looking through binoculars, I could see Clay's shirt literally plastered to his skin. I actually thought that he might have taken it off, wet it, and put it back on when he was offstage to cool himself off...it was THAT wet. His hair was a hot mess as the night went on...but in a cute sexy way. The banter was fantastic and the show was very high energy. It was sooooo hot...I don't know how Clay did it with that suit on and all the jumping around he did. From where I was sitting, it seemed as if Clay's mike was too low for the first half of the show (60's/70's). At one point, he finally signaled the soundguy with his thumb and it was better after that. I would have preferred to have heard a full song from Clay that I had not heard before, BUT I am chalking it up to the fact that I believe he has been VERY busy (as he mentioned in the interview with RH). Clay's Footloose was awesome and was the highlight of the night for me. It was really perfect and he was very into it. His slide across the stage was priceless. Ruben's medley parts felt like longer snippets than Clay's did and the second half (80's/90's) felt more Ruben concentrated. I almost thought that maybe Clay missed a song of his because at one point he was offstage for quite a bit (maybe there was some sort of snafu or the heat was bothering him?). I'm curious to listen tonight to see. An encore would have been great too (BUT it was HOT)...so maybe one will eventually be added. Overall, I really enjoyed the concept, thought Ruben and Clay had great chemistry and were very funny, and loved the energy of the show. I am looking forward to how it evolves!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 07:44:39 PM
FROM MIDDLE ONE AT CB:

long meet and greet recap
 

(07/24/10 7:14 PM)
  This is long, but I just have to share my thoughts about the Asheville
meet and greet and concert.  I just arrived home and haven't even
unpacked, but I wanted to post my thoughts before I read anything
that anybody else has written.  First it was HOT!!!  Everybody
probably already knows that by now.  Even though we were all
prepared, I was afraid that we would not be "fresh" by the time
we finally got to meet Clay.  We were shuffled from spot to spot,
wait here, wait there, but finally, sometime after 6, we were led
into the meet and greet area.  They told us that a tent had been
set up, and indeed it had.  However, because the sun was going
down, it was shining straight into the tent.  There was a table with
6 chairs, 3 on each side.  We each took a seat.  By the way,
Jerome has lost weight and his hair has grown, so I almost didn't
recognize him.  He was very friendly, and he didn't even give us
special instructions like I had heard was done in the past.   I guess
we looked like a "safe" group.  Clay came out of a travel trailer
that was parked somewhere back behind the stage.  I couldn't
tell you what he was wearing, except I do know that he had on
2 shirts, even though it was unbearably hot.  The moment I saw
his face, it was like I froze, and I couldn't see anything else.  His
eyes just sort of hypnotize you, I have never seen eyes like that
before.  Anyway, he saw the 6 chairs and asked where the 6th
person was, and we told him there were only 5.  So he sat down
right between me and Scarlet.  I think I was just in another world
the whole time he was there.  He asked each of us our names and
where we were from, then said since Scarlet had come the farthest,
he was only going to talk to her.  He asked if we had questions, and
somebody asked if he were going to sign something for each of us.
He said to get out our things to be signed and he would sign while
we talked.  Somebody told him that we wished he would have a
variety show on television.  Somebody asked about the reference
in his book to the little notes that his mom used to include in his
lunch each day.  He said she still sends him little e-mails each day,
and if he doesn't receive one, he gets worried.  I didn't ask a
question, I just thanked him for being in Spamalot, because that
created my 1st ever trip to NYC.  He asked if I liked NYC, and
I said I wasn't expecting to, but I loved it.  He said, "So did I!"
Then he said someone was going to take our individual pictures.
I was the 1st one.  He put his arm around me, and I put my arm
around him, and I thought I was going to die!  I must have still
had on my sunglasses, because it was still extremely bright.  He
told the photo person to show him the picture, so he could see
that it was ok, and it was.  Then the other ladies had their pictures
taken.  Then everybody thanked everybody, and we were
escorted back to a public area.   He made sure that each of us
was allowed to talk.  The funny thing is, when I started to thank
him for being in Spamalot, I couldn't even look directly at him.
His eyes just do something to you!!!  I just kept looking over
at him as he talked to the others, and I just couldn't believe
I was actually sitting right beside him. It was an absolutely
wonderful experience, one that I will cherish forever.  I have
had my turn now, so I hope each of you get to experience this
at some point in time.  If I think of more, I will add later. 
Oh yes, I thought of something else.  His hair appeared to be
the natural color, and he had scruff all over his face.  It seemed
to me that he was already "made up", but I might be wrong
about that (you know, Clay fog and all).  Also, Quiana and the
new girl came out at the beginning.  He introduced the new girl
to us.  She was very friendly, and she is BEAUTIFUL!!!  He
said she currently lives in Nashville, and has done mostly
country stuff.   Quiana had family there, so she only stayed
for a couple minutes.  She is a sweetheart!  More later if
I think of things....
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 24, 2010, 07:48:20 PM
SAME PERSON AS ABOVE BUT HERE IS HER CONCERT REVIEW:

my review of concert
(07/24/10 7:41 PM)
As I said in my earlier review of the meet and greet, I haven't
read any reports yet, so this is my recap without knowing
what anyone else has written.  By the way, my sister and
I were sitting directly behind Faye, Clay's grandmother,
his former teacher who works for the foundation, Diane
Bubel, and another friend of Faye's.  We got to watch
their reactions all night! Rubin came out first singing
"Flying Without Wings" (I think). 
Then Clay came out singing "This is the Night."  The
two songs were meshed together, it is hard to describe,
but it was beautiful.  Both guys had on black suits,
white shirts, and ties.  It was so extremely hot, I honestly
don't know how they could even come out for a minute
in those clothes. There was a lot of the banter that we
love.  You can tell that they were really enjoying
themselves.  At one point, Clay made a little speech
about how he and Ruben met, and how their
friendship had contined because of their love of
music.  I couldn't even begin to name all the songs
they sang.   Lots were in medleys, but some were
entire songs.  There were only a couple songs in the
entire show that I did not recognize.  The new girl
is absolutely gorgeous!  She sang "Harper Valley
PTA."  Quiana sang something by herself.  Ruben sang
a tribute to Marvin Gaye.  Ruben really likes for
people to clap along.  He kept saying, "Come on
y'all", and he would start clapping. Clay and Ruben
both were about to lose their pants due to the
extreme heat and sweating.  He said he thought he
had lost 3 pounds yesterday.  They did look like they
were going to fall off.  Finally he got a belt from somewhere.
And both of the guys danced a lot!  I was really worried
beforehand about Ruben, due to the extreme heat,
but he hung right in there with all the dancing.  You just
could tell that they were really, really enjoying themselves.
Clay did several small parts of songs that he did on the
Jukebox tour, but it was great to hear them again.  The
band was, I believe, the best one ever.  It lasted about
2 hours.  Everybody screamed at the end, hoping for
an encore, but I guess they were just too pooped for
an encore.  I will say, there was so much singing, and
a lot of it with BIG notes, I really wonder how they
are going to keep that up for the next 3 nights. 
I just remembered, Clay sang "Night Fever" in falsetto,
and it was great.  They ended with "I've Had the Time
of My Life" from Dirty Dancing, and I truly believe they
meant those words.  I'm sure others have probably
already listed all the songs and all the jokes, and all
the costume changes.  I just wanted to post to give
my impressions before I read anything else. 
There were lots more men there than I expected,
and if the crowd reaction was any indication, it
was indeed a big hit.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 25, 2010, 10:05:18 AM
M&G RECAP FROM LUCIA AT CV


My Meet & Greet recap
It was awesome. I was really worried and nervous but Clay has the ability to put everyone at ease.
Our M&G took place at the first row of the theater, and there was only three of us, me, msidolfan, and another girl not on CV. First, we were chatting with the security guard and we told him we wanted Ruben to be at the M&G. He told us that some legal stuff on fan clubs does not allow him to participate, because it was Clay´s fan club.
When Jerome brought Clay, he (or the security) told us to stand, and Clay entered the room and said: - Don´t stand. I go: We already are standing. So he asked our names while giving us a big hug! The he asked where are you from. I told him I was from Brazil, and he seemed very surprised. He asked me when did I flew in and I told him today, and he asked me how long was the flight. When I told him 15 hours, he asked if I was going to other concerts, and told us Quiana was not feeling well and is was not going to sing tonight. Then we told him the new backup singer was very good, and he told us to wait and see what she was doing tonight, singing all hers and Quiana´s part in the last minute. He also told us not to tell people about Quiana.
He was wearing cargo shorts, a plaid blue shirt and the sneakers (the old ones, without the lace). He was also wearing sunglasses over the head, and he told us his hair looks better that way!
He told me that he had a very good friend whose parents lived in São Paulo, so he knew about my city. I told him I knew he had been to Brazil and about guarana. He told me it was very good. MSidolfan asked what´s guarana and he answered it´s a fruit from Amazon (I love my smart and intelligent boyfriend). . I told him I was running his fan club there and I gave him a pin and a key ring from the Brazilian fan club. He goes: Do I have a fan club there? We need to know these things because Decca is planning to release Tried &True internationally but this has to be a decision from people in each country. In Brazil it was Universal. I asked him can I help, and he said sure. You have to e-mail them and pressure them. And if they don’t want it, it will be your fault (pointing his fingers at me). He is so cute.
Then he asked for items to sign and I told him he had no idea how hard it as for me to find the cd, because cablegirl was bringing the cd for me and she could not come. And he goes: - Oh, you´re the one looking for the CD. I only posted that on CV, so my conclusion was he or someone reads CV. And he told me he could have given me one. Then he asked my name and wanted to sign Stay True in Portuguese, so h asked me what it was. Then, he asked me to spell it. I told him: No, you´re not going to ask me to spell in English (spelling is very difficult for me). So he signed it in English!
Then he went to msidolfan and I am going to let her tell this part, it was hilarious! He is so cute!
He also told us he is touring next year, in February and March, and he already had some places booked (Cleveland, Greenville, Memphis, Miami, Orlando and others I cannot remember).
And when I told him I got some presents for him, Ruben, Jerome, Quiana, he wanted to make sure I had something for Casey (I did).
It was a dream comes true! Thanks OFC and Clay!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 25, 2010, 10:49:42 AM
From Farouche at CV on Asheville:
Now, for a few of my thoughts on the Asheville concert.

It's a really fun show. Light, upbeat, entertaining summer fun. The two of them are adorable onstage together. From where I was sitting, I could see Clay the first time he went offstage while Ruben was performing alone. Clay was not visible most of the time, but he kept peeking around the corner, swigging water, watching Ruben. (I have a not great photo of that I'll put up when I have a chance.) Whether intended or not, they definitely evoked the AI days -- even to the spikes. I think that casual fans/AI fans who attend a concert (and I hope they are able to reach that audience and get them to buy tickets) will have a great time. One thing I especially like about having the two of them together is that they play off one another in a way that I think the whole audience can enjoy without needing to be a longtime Clay fan to understand the jokes.

Ruben looked and sounded great. As others have said, his stage presence and movement have improved by leaps and bounds since I last saw him onstage (which would have been in 2003 for me). He had some very nice and special moments on stage. Someone else said (it may have been here but I don't remember), "I had forgotten how much I liked Ruben's voice." I had the same reaction to Ruben. And that leads me to my one regret/wishes for the show.

I personally felt that Clay didn't quite have that one special show stopping vocal moment in the show -- the song that would make someone who hadn't heard him in a long time leave saying "Wow. I had forgotten how he could blow people out of the water." Don't get me wrong. Clay sounded good, and there were some wonderful vocal moments scattered throughout the medleys and his numbers. But I didn't feel that his solos showcased his voice in the way that Ruben's solos showcased his. By contrast, Bringing Broadway Home was an ensemble show where everyone shone and where Clay had several of those moments -- Home, Those Magic Changes just to name two. And I don't mean it had to be all glory notes or wailing. A quiet, powerful moment would have worked, too.

I'll be upfront -- my reaction could very well stem in part from the fact that the songs he sang as solos are among my least favorite of his songs and by the distance from the moment that videotaping sometimes creates. I like Suspicious Minds well enough although it's not a favorite, but I really don't care for Mandy or When I See You Smile. So I know that could have influenced my reaction. Even so, they're not show stoppers to me the way Crying (which he sang a little of) or To Love Somebody (to choose another AI song that he's sung in concert) could have been. I would have loved at least one new song from his solos, but mostly I wanted him to have that one big vocal wow moment, and I personally didn't feel he did. I'm not sure -- if the intent is to impress new fans or people who just bought a ticket to see the two of them together -- that he needed all new material. If you haven't seen him in concert a lot, you don't know that these are songs we've heard on past tours. (Of course, for those of us who do go to every tour, new stuff is always great.)

His biggest moments were comedic ones. He was hysterical and clearly loves hamming it up. The humor in the show is great -- it could show casual fans a side of him that they haven't seen. I think that's especially important to attract male fans, frankly. I just wanted one bop on the head from the frying pan of talent.

Sadly, I can only attend one other show. It will be interesting to see how their banter, etc. has changed by mid-tour.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 25, 2010, 08:14:01 PM
MELBOURNE- FROM FLORIDABELLE AT CV:

(07/25/10 7:56 PM)


I thoroughly enjoyed myself today at the concert today. I'm so happy this one made it to my hometown.  Clay and Ruben are majic together....and I have a totally new appreciation for Ruben. He holds his own very well with Clay and the man can sing so much better than I ever heard him on AI. They were both hilarious and sounded good together and individually. I feel that a lot of thought and time was put into creating the concept, and the script. While I believe it probably mostly Clay writing it, from what I saw today, I think it's quite possible Ruben had a lot of say as well...cuz he's a natural too in the comedy department. Who woulda thunk it? LOL I was a bit uncomfortable when Clay had to call someone out for continuing to shout out and interrupt the show. Why people can't keep their mouths shut when they're supposed to be shut is beyond me. Fortunately, it didn't take long for that moment to pass. Quiana. I love to listen to her sing. She can really belt it out....and the the new girl, Casey Thompson, WOW, she also has unbelievably powerful voice. I enjoyed her a lot. Clay, OMG, he is so funny. I almost think he loves getting a laugh from an audience just as much as he does the applause for singing. And sing he did. There was one only one time when he was in the back beside Ben and the keyboard that he either sounded off, or the music was so loud it was hard to tell what was going on. Yes, the music is loud....maybe a bit too loud cuz there were times I feel Clay and Ruben had to sing louder to be heard which made it a bit weird sounding at times. I didn't want it to end, but am so grateful that I got to go. It was a blast and I can't wait to get my hands on some Melbourne clack.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 25, 2010, 10:06:54 PM
CINDY ANN AT CV

My re-cap from Melbourne show

When I first sat down behind Scarlett & Lucia ( Hi Guys  it was so great to finally meet both of you) , they told me that some security guy came by and said that all camera's and video's were prohibited. I thought that was sort of funny, because the last 6-7 concerts that I've been to there, they didn't mind the camera or the filming of the shows one bit. Since I am a member of the King Center, I happen to know a lot of the people who run the King Center itself, along with most of the official members of the security team that work there. I asked them to point this person out that told them that. They pointed that person out to me, and low and behold, it was one of the wanna be security guys, who normally works the parking area as a flag man, but he was by no means an official member of the security team. Why he was working inside I have no idea, but I think it went to his head. I along with a few others asked around, and then they came back and said, that they could take them as long as no flash was used. After the show started I looked around, but I didn't see anyone who was taking photo's or video's being approached by the security there. And there was quite a few of them taking both photo's, as well as video through-out the concert.

I did notice that there were a lot of people of all ages there this time unlike previous concerts of Clay's that I have attended in the past. This time also included a lot of men in that mix. Men of all ages too! They were scattered though-out the the whole place, and they were not just someone's hubby's that tagged along with their wives to this concert either. In fact, right behind me in was a group of 6 men all sitting together, who were all approx. 30-35 yrs old. They were dancing, singing, and laughing their heads off just like the rest of us. I think they were having the time of their lives, if their actions and the smiles on their faces were any indication.

The show itself was great, but I have to tell you.... I laughed so hard that I almost peed my pants a couple of times, towards the end of the show! (Sorry but I really had to go, and I wasn't about to miss even one minute of this show) Just let me say, that if Ruben's musical career decides to take a dive suddenly one day, he would make one heck of a Baptist Minister!  The show is very high paced, and I'm sure that they are completely drain by the time they crawl onto that bus. I did notice that Clay has lost a lot of weight since BBH show, and I thought that he was on the lean side then. But right now I think that he's almost to skinny, and with these high paced grueling shows, I'm really worried about his health holding up.. I don't know if the banter was all that clear on the oki or the cell certs, for me at least, but being there in person and seeing all those weird faces that Clay makes through-out the concert, made it all the more priceless! Especially when he was doing those dancing segments in the show! I was really surprised that Ruben was so funny, I guess I never seen that side of him , while he was on Idol. But Clay is still my man, and no one can, or will ever be able take his place in my heart.. I was worried a few times, because when Clay was talking, his voice sounded raspy, but it seemed to be okay when he sang. Quianna was back today and sounded great, so what ever was ailing her must have past quickly. Casey (the new girl) did a really great job. She had a really good clear voice, and seems like she fits into the mix quite well. Ruben and Clay's voices were great like always, and they seem to blend very nicely through-out the whole concert. I hope all of you going to shows in the near future, enjoy the show as much as I did. I'll be curious though, to see if they make change-ups in the show down the road, like they normally do.

Cindy

This post may travel!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Tiffany on July 26, 2010, 11:33:16 AM
From Betty from the Jax and Melboure concert.
 Now to the good stuff!! the concert was amazing. The singing, musicians, comedy and all out excitement. Clay was like a lttle boy at Christmas!! He and Ruben were so happy together.  Ruben was in great voice and I was amazed at his energy and humour. Clay and  sang his songs , swoon!and Ruben his then they sang together and did comedy and also danced. Yes! Clay danced. The musicians were wonderful and the new girl singer has a fantastic voice and is very cute.  Quiana was sick so did not appear at Jax but was at Melbourne...as always a great singer.
It was wonderful none stop entertainment and they must have been exhausted afterwards. Hope they
can stay healthy for 14 more shows. We saw Ruben leave but not Clay..

MELBOURNE

We had breakfast in the hotel and the drove  two and a half hours to Melbourne, may is such a good driver.The theater was full downstairs I don"t know about the the Grand tier but lots of people seemed to be up there.The concert was changed a little but again fantastic. Quaina was there and sang beautifully.
 The same wonderful rapour between Clay and Ruben. The audience was absolutly having a great, great time and were all but dancing in their seats. I loved the fact that  the audience cheered and clapped for Ruben as well as Clay, but they went crazy when Clay first appeared.I should"nt say this, but a little part of me missed a Clay only show but this takes nothing away from Ruben.
Now the icing on the cake for me..... Clay is doing a tour for T&T staritng in the Spring and he is coming
 to Orlando. I told Corina even if she has to push me in a wheelbarrow I"m going. GOD WILLING!!!!When we got home last evening out neighbors said " The Groupies are home" Funny!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 26, 2010, 07:14:56 PM
FROM TEXWRITER AT CV

This recap is going to be kinda long, so my apologies in advance.
On my 16th birthday, I went to a concert in Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City to see Johnny Tillotson. (If you're nearly as old as I am you may remember him from Poetry in Motion and I'm so lonesome I could cry) When he found out it was my birthday I got to go up to the fence and he leaned over for a picture. I can still remember thinking that that would be the best birthday I would ever have. Well, I was wrong. 40+ years later I got to spend my birthday with a guy who has 1000 kilowatts more charisma than Johnny did and a voice that puts poor Johnny to shame. I laughed so hard as the curtain rose and the Star Warsian voice and music began telling the tale of the great showdown between the greatest voices of the century (or something to that effect) and laughed even harder when Ruben jerked the mike cord away from his cheeky competitor. That opening proved to be appropriate for another reason, because the entire show passed at what seemed like warp speed. The power of Clay's voice in Still the One even had Ruben shaking his head in wonder! And those high notes in the Bee Gees number must have made the Gibb brothers who have passed look down from heaven in amazement that a skinny kid from North Carolina could sing that song better than they did. It was a magical night and I one I will always remember.

But, the funny thing is that the show itself, was actually much better on Sunday. I think having Quiana back really made a difference. It seemed to flow more cohesively, and it really helped to have her introduce Pastor Ruben to sort of set the scene. I had purposely remained a concert virgin on Friday night, so I was a little confused on Saturday when Ruben started his role play. The intro makes it much better. And Quiana plays the role of the church sister to perfection, with her hand waving and hallelujahs! I hope one of our Clack gatherers can zoom out a bit at one of the shows to include her in the frame because she is almost as hilarious as Ruben and Clay. I have a feeling that Ruben has been developing his televangelist persona for the entertainment of friends and family for many years. I can see him sitting around at a party and folks begging him to do his imitation. Paula talked about the "church of Ruben" and now we get to see it. I also enjoyed the show on Saturday because the sound level was so much better. Saturday night I could feel the base in my chest, and as much as I love Felix, I felt like he was waging a war to be louder than Clay. That was not an issue on Sunday, and it was so much better. You can tell that every person on that stage is literally having "the time of their life". I loved how the two guitar players joined in on the dances in a few of the numbers and Felix's drum rolls that accompany the jokes and ad-libs are quite comical (especially to those on stage.)

I will close this extraordinarily long post by saying that I feel so blessed to have been able to attend another of Clay's magical concert series (I haven't missed one yet) and look forward to tonight's performance, the show in Reno, and the last one in Biloxi, where I finally get a meet & greet! One of the best parts of it all is sharing it here with so many wonderful fans, many of whom I've met, and many others who I feel like I know from hanging out together for these many years. It's great to be a Clay fan!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 26, 2010, 08:03:29 PM
CHARITY MEET AND GREET WITH NCWANNABEE AND MERCEDES AT CV

This is a joint recap from mercedes and me of our “Amazing Asheville Adventure.” We put our heads together (two heads are better than one?) and tried to remember everything. Surprisingly enough, we actually remembered most of the same things! And so, without further delay, we give you this:

Mercedes had gotten an email from SAM (Strategic Artist Management) on Wednesday thanking us for bidding on the auction and informing us they would send an email on Thursday with details of how we would get our M&G materials and whatnot. We were both traveling to Asheville separately on Thursday, so we figured by the time we got together, which would be late afternoon, she would have the email and we would know what was happening.
Wrong. No email. We went about our business, having dinner and whatnot, and finally decided we would try emailing the representative from SAM to see what was going on. Fortunately, she responded back quickly and we received our instructions. The plan was to meet at the box office at 6:00 on Friday before the show. The email also said our tickets would be at will call under the winners’ names. Aaah – we’re golden!! Ready to go! Or so we thought.

It occurred to me Friday morning that I had no recollection of there being a box office at the venue, having been there when Clay toured in 2007. So, I thought I’d better ask the Inn staff where the box office was located. No one was at the concierge desk as I walked by, so I proceeded to the front desk to make my inquiry. When I asked where the box office was, the young lady behind the desk looked perplexed. She mentioned that they didn’t really have a “box office,” but that perhaps they meant the will call area. By this time, the concierge had returned to his desk and she referred us to him to see if he had further information. When I told him of our situation, and that our tickets would be at will call under our names, he offered to call and see if the tickets were indeed there, and if that was the meeting area for the meet and greet winners. Unfortunately, not only were our tickets not there, but they had no idea if they were the official gathering area. The concierge took our names and phone numbers and said he would try to get the information for us.

Eventually, he got back to us and said that yes, we were to meet at the will call area (which is not anywhere near the venue) and that they would have everything there for us, plus a shuttle to take us to the venue. This all seemed fine, except when I inquired as to when a shuttle could take us to will call, he informed us that will call wasn’t a shuttle stop. By this time we were getting a bit frustrated, but Jonathon (our now-on-a-first-name-basis concierge) quickly arranged for a special shuttle for us to take us to will call. Whew. Okay – we’re golden!! Ready to go! Or so we thought.

Three o’clock rolls around and it’s time to primp and preen for our date with Clay and Ru. The special shuttle is coming for us at 5:00, but we have to be down at the shuttle stop by 4:50 or so. After the daunting task of putting myself together, I was ready to go. But wait! Change in plans! Jonathon called again and now tells us we’re to meet at the Biltmore Mansion at 6:00. Someone will be there to meet us right next to the shuttle stop in front. That’s fine, we think, and we can take a regular shuttle there – we’re golden!! Or so we thought.

Mercedes and I (looking absolutely ravishing I might add, or, well, until we stepped out into the intense heat and immediately wilted and my painstakingly straightened hair curled and expanded to three times its normal size – but I digress) arrived at the shuttle stop in front of the mansion with plenty of time before our scheduled meeting time of 6:00. As we stepped off our shuttle, we heard music. We looked at each other with widening eyes and made a beeline toward the stage area. Sure enough, sound check was in process! Lucky us! There was a small bunch of other folks there as well, listening and gazing through binoculars at the stage (as we couldn’t get up close and were way back on the terrace of the house). Clay was walking back and forth in a light blue shirt and rolled up jeans – and he was barefoot!! Ru was sitting down on a stool. Quiana and Casey came out and soon the band was jamming and we were having a blast watching them. Eventually Clay and Ruben started singing portions of songs, and Clay was moving back and forth across the stage constantly, checking the sound from various areas onstage. At one point he walked forward and there was very loud feedback. Clay exclaims “You’re supposed to check that shit!” which promptly elicited a guffaw-type response from the bunch of folks watching. Clay looked out at the group and gave us an “Oh hush” in a teasing sort of way. As we were watching the festivities, mercedes ‘ email pinged once again with an “urgent” message from SAM. We were now to meet at the Lion’s gate entrance to the mansion. WTH?

Soooo, we find the two carved stone lions guarding the steps at the mansion’s entrance and there we stay. Soon we’re joined by cotton and a few other folks who have OFC M&Gs. Yay!!! Looks like we are, indeed, golden at last!!! As we’re waiting for everyone to gather and for someone to come get us, we see a shuttle bring Clay’s mom, grandmother, Diane Bubel, Debbie Cain and Fran Wilson (the last two also work with the "National Inclusion Project") to the venue. A Biltmore staff employee approaches us and tells us there is a slight delay, as there was a storm earlier and it pushed back sound check, which pushed back the performers’ dinner, which pushed back the M&Gs. However, they will be with us shortly. We ask about the tickets, since we still don’t have them and when we had called, they weren’t at will call. She knows nothing about them, but tells us to come with her and she’ll find a way to print them off for us. Great! (as it turns out, our own seats were better than the M&G seats, so we stuck with our first row seats!!!)

Okay, if you made it this far, I’m finally getting to the good stuff. Sorry. I get a little wordy, don’t I?

Finally, Jerome approaches us with his handy, dandy clipboard. He starts reading off names. He says a few names then says “Sherri … and I’m going to butcher the last name.” I piped up and said I was here and he asked me to pronounce my last name. I told him, and he sort of shook his head and said it would be “Diablo.” He then asked mercedes to pronounce her last name. He laughed, and said she would have a nickname too – “Ghetto.” Hee! Anyway, he asks the four auction winners to follow him and off we go to begin our backstage tour. We have a bit of a walk from the Lion’s entrance, to the stage area and one of the winners walked with a cane, so we had a bit of time to chat with Jerome as we sedately made our way to the backstage area. Along the way we asked if he was having fun yet? He said he would in a few days, but the first few shows are the most difficult as they can be a bit unorganized and not quite ready to go. Then he very quickly added that he didn’t mean the performers. He said Clay, Ru and the girls were great and the show was completely solid and ready for primetime – just that things regarding his responsibilities hadn’t all fallen into place yet.

We finally arrived at the backstage area, where Jerome basically apologized that there wasn’t really much of one. This being an outdoor venue, there were no dressing rooms or anything like that to tour. There was an awning set up over the catering area, and lots of the band members and Ruben were eating dinner. Jerome pointed that out, and then led us to the stage. We climbed on up the back stairs and he showed us all the equipment on stage and pointed out the speakers where the musicians hear their music. He told us they don’t hear what we hear, and that everything they hear comes out of the consoles on stage. They wear their earpieces so they can hear each other. As we walked by a particular music stand, I noticed the music for Suspicious Minds and nudged mercedes to take a look! Big grins from both of us! Then, my eyes widened as beside it was the set list for the 60s! I tried to quickly memorize a few things, but my mind was mush as I was soon to meet the Aiken. Jerome took a pic of us and the other two winners up on stage, and asked if we had any questions. Oh, he also told us that any “horns” we hear in the music are from the keyboard. Then he started to escort us back off the stage and over to the area where we would wait for Clay and Ruben. As we walked off, we passed right by the stools and the tambourines were sitting on top of them. I couldn’t help myself as I lifted one up and gave it a little shake! Bad nc!

Soooo, now Jerome points to an area and tells us to stay put while he gets Clay. It was the area next to the dining tent and the band members and Ru were still eating. Oh, before he left, Jerome got us all icy cold bottles of water for while we were waiting. Ruben was so very nice during this time. As we waited there, he looked at us and said hello. Someone asked if they had vegan food for him. He said they did, but that he wanted “some of this” . . . and proceeded to lift up the foil on a huge tray of watermelon. He took a couple of pieces and then offered some to us. How sweet!!!

We were still waiting for Jerome to come back with Clay and it was soooo hot. We looked around at the area Jerome had told us to stay in, and there was a tiny sliver of shade back in a bit of a corner. So mercedes and I kind of crowded back there, while the lady with the cane sat on a bench that was there and the other woman stood beside the bench. There was a trash can behind the bench (I think) and I was sort of beside it behind the bench. Mercedes was to my right.

At last, Jerome returns with Clay. I see them walking toward us and my first thought is “The man has on layered long sleeves and jeans. How can he stand it in the heat??? My barely second and much more important thought was “Oh dear Lord, he’s so adorable.” He had on his laceless sneakers, and his sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He walked up to us and Ruben came and joined us as well. As Clay was walking over, he said something like “Why are y’all back in the corner here?” We explained it was the area Jerome pointed out, and that we were looking for a sliver of shade! At this point, Clay either asked our names, or his assistant, Cheryl, said our names, and Clay shook our hands. As she said my name, he said “Oh, we know Sherri” in this matter of fact sort of way (ARGH!!! My name must be on the “stalker girl” list!) He had to lean over the bench a bit to shake my and mercedes’ hands. I’m sure we must have all said hello to Ruben as well, but I’ll be darned if I remember doing so. Clay then asked where each of us was from. One gal was from Raleigh and Clay asked what part. The second gal said she was from California. Ruben asked which town (I think), and he and Clay were trying to figure out where in California it was. Mercedes told him she was from New York, and then he came to me and he looked at me and said “And you’re from New York.” I looked back and shook my head no. He said “New Jersey?” I said no. He looked puzzled and said “where?” I said “Pennsylvania.” He said, “Oh, that’s close to New Jersey – like Philadelphia area, just over the bridge.” I said “No, I’m in central PA - Harrisburg.” He made a cute face and said “Oh, I was way off, I thought you were from New York.” I said “Well, you’ve seen me in New York more than a few times.”

He then asked us if we were attending any other concerts. The woman from Raleigh mentioned that she couldn’t, as she was going to be driving her mother across New England for much of the remaining tour time. This prompted some mention of Vermont, and since we had seen Felix over in the dining area eating dinner (and he was still there and we were fairly near them), a few of us mentioned that we were at the Vermont concert and were laughing about the “great city of Vermont.” Clay called over to Felix and said we were “calling him out on the city of Vermont.” Felix looked over and grinned and we all laughed. Mercedes told him what other shows she was attending, as did I. Hee! He didn’t appear at al shocked that we were attending multiple shows! (imagine that?) Mercedes asked them if they were nervous. They said not, and Clay said something about he just hoped Ruben didn’t mess up. Somehow in the “messing up” conversation, the Aiken Random Lyric Generator was mentioned. Not sure how, but I do recall Clay saying he hadn’t heard that one before.

Both guys then thanked us for supporting their foundations. One of the others asked Ruben if his foundation ever had children with disabilities involved? It prompted a discussion between Clay and Ruben about how they certainly knew about each other’s foundations (Ruben’s is about funding for music programs in schools and whatnot) but had not thought about doing something combining the two. They said something to the effect that if that came to fruition, they’d have her to thank. She said they could name it after her!!

Clay, ever the man in charge, then said it was time for some pictures. We debated the best place to take them, and moved over to another area away from our corner. They asked if we wanted the pics with both of us together, or individually. The other winners said they weren’t really together so they each wanted a separate picture. They went first. While they were having their pictures taken, we were standing with Jerome. We asked if we could have an individual pic with the guys, and then one with both of us together with them too? Jerome said sure, and told us what to do. He told mercedes to be ready to go on up, get hers taken, then she’d step out and I’d step in and get mine taken, then she’d step back in again and we’d have it taken together. Well, Clay had other ideas!! Mercedes stepped in, and was ready to back out when Clay told me to come up and get in the shot with everyone, then after that mercedes stepped out and it was my individual one. Clay hadn’t even questioned that we’d get one individual and one together - he just called the shots!!! I will say that I distinctly remember Clay moving over when calling me up for the shot together so I could squeeze in between him and mercedes and his arm was around me! Oh, and when it was time for my individual shot with them I was jumping up and down trying to be taller between them! (I’m such a dork!)

I think it almost ended there, when one of the other ladies reminded them that we were to have items signed. So, we all scurried back over to our corner where all our stuff was and grabbed our items to be signed. We were all standing around in a circle more or less, handing things to the guys and back and crossing arms and whatnot. While I was standing there waiting for Clay or Ruben to finish signing other stuff, Clay handed something to one of the others and then looked at me and said “What’ve you got?” and I handed him a picture of us from the CV10 dinner. He looked at it and said “Oh, it’s the Paxil weight face” or something like that. (actually, I think he looks wonderful in the pic!) In the meantime, mercedes had handed Ruben the Idol love song CD. Ruben looked at it and said “Wow, I haven’t seen this in such a long time. Do you mind if I glance through it?” and he proceeded to look through the insert at all the pictures and whatnot. He said he remembered posing for the picture on it. He then nudged Clay and said something sort of under his breath that we didn’t hear and Clay made a sort of face and laughed. We looked at Ruben and said “What did you say?” and he said “Never mind. “ But, later (and I can’t remember which one said it, but I think it was Clay) said that what they talked about was that the order of the songs on the cd went from the winner and on down in order of how they were eliminated. Ruben was first on the cd, and Clay was second. AND, the cd was made before the end of the show. Hmmmmm. I had a full page photo of Clay and Ruben from the Newsweek article way back when prior to the end of Idol. It’s the picture where Clay is up on Ruben’s back with his arms around Ru’s neck and his feet hanging out. Ruben showed it to Clay and they both made a “Wow, look at that” type of comment. Then Clay asked Ruben if he thought he could still hold him like that on his back? Ru took a bit of time to answer but then said “yeah,” he thought he could do it. I came this close to asking them to try it!!!

I think that was about it. They thanked us for coming. We wished them well and told them good luck and thank you. Then off they went into the sunset (well, not really, as the sun was still blazing hot for a few more hours!) Assistant Cheryl then paraded us over to the merchandise tent where we selected a free item. She is a lovely lady, and mercedes and I chatted pleasantly on the walk over to the tent with her about seeing her at the CV10 dinner. She said she’s the “newbie” on the tour, but she’s having a good time.

So, that was the end of our M&G! It was fabulous!! We loved every moment of it. Clay and Ruben are so friendly that you feel you’re just having a regular conversation with friends. It was very relaxed and casual. No actual sit down and ask questions format like the other M&Gs. Just a chat. You all know how wonderful the show was so I won’t recap it other than to say we were so blessed to have front row seats and it was a magical night. Just two little tidbits to leave you with. During the show, Ruben was singing and standing pretty much right in front of us. I know I was looking up at him with a huge grin on my face (I know this since I had the huge grin on my face throughout the entire show – a permagrin, if you will!) Anyway, he looked down and saw us and did a teensy little wave to us with a smile. Awwwww. Mercedes said that she happened to look over at Clay immediately afterwards and he was looking over and grinning at the exchange. Double awwwwww.

And, finally, as we were all filing out of the venue, no one really wanted to leave. I was just standing there waiting to walk up the center aisle to exit, but getting nowhere fast since there was much congestion in the aisle as people were talking and hugging and generally EEEEEEEEing and whatnot. So, as I’m just standing there, I hear a voice say “Miss, Miss” (and points to him for not calling me “Ma'am”), so I turn around, and the security guard who had sat in front of us through the show thrusts something into my hands. I look down and he has given me the papers with the set lists for the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s printed on them that had been taped to the stage!! I looked up at him with my mouth hanging open and thanked him profusely! He just smiled and told me to have a great night. And you know what?? I did! So did mercedes! Hee! We’re golden!!!!!!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 01:01:00 AM
From deemer at CV:

OMG! I never ever was so close at a concert than tonight. I originally had a row V seat, but chatted with some friends as I came in and they had an extra third row seat. Oh, but this is the thing: the 1st and 2nd row ended short. So there were no seats in front of us!! And when the guys had us stand and Clay came over by that side, I swear he was for a moment only about a foot away! Ruben came over and he stands right at the edge of the stage and practically over me! OMG. I am sure if they did a full body scan of me now I would have some neurons that spell out C L A Y ... I am blown away! Thank you ladies for that seat! Thank you Clay and Ruben for the MOSTAWESOMESHOW

I had the honor and awesome responsibility tonight of dancing between Scarlett and the security man. goldarngirl remarked later that when she looked over noticed that when Scarlett moved the people around her moved in concert. Hey, we take care of our own! And yes Scarlett got loads of clack and had NO security encounters. The rules were confusing: At first a lady told Lucia she could not bring in a camera and sent her to her car with it, then they said oh you can take stills but no flash and they told her sorry go get your camera (she did). Then a lady came out at the start of the concert to tell us about upcoming events and said there are no cameras allowed. Goldarngirl called over the security guy and asked and he said she was wrong, we could take stills, no flash. They later told her video was okay for small cameras. It was confusing!

Anyhow, I tried to take it all in to write a good recap (I even took notes!) and so I will recap in a following post.... [


Clearwater recap part 1:

First of all, when we were allowed to enter to get our seats, the ushers handed out Ruth Eckerd Hall fliers to each of us with guess who on the flyer?? Yes, Kathy Griffin. So much for them being up on Clay Nation. When the show was about to begin, a lady from the venue came out to mention upcoming events, such as Cyndi Lauper and Natalie Merchant, and when she mentioned KG there was booing and she said something like "well I guess that one didn't go over too well" dah! 

The venue had very long rows -- we entered from the sides and there were maybe 70 seats in the rows but NO center or middle aisles, only the ends. After it filled though, it looked really full. I don't know if it was sold out, but it looked completely full.

Clay's suit was a very nice black, not really shiny. It had 4 buttons on the cuffs (OK, you really need that, but I was so close I was trying to see everything!!). He had only his top button buttoned on the jacket. It was very neat and no wrinkles and I noticed that when they did arm moves and his suit rode up, he pulled it back down, staying neat. His shirt was white, but not plain. It had narrow white stripes patterned in the fabric. You could no way see through it, I tried to see if he had an undershirt peaking out but never did spot it. He had the same socks I lovingly photographed in Melbourne -- yellow and purple and offwhite stripes. I also noticed that Casey had the same two outfits (both all-black) she had in both Jacksonville and Melbourne. Quianna's hair was very flattering for her -- she had tight braiding at the top maybe 3 inches and then it opened into wavy kinky curls down to her shoulders. Clay's hair looked like he must have gotten a trim. Maybe a coloring too? It was brown with golden highlights. Definitely golden, not reddish at all. I tried to see if it was the yellow lights, but really in white spotlight it was golden, not reddish. His spikes did not seem as long as the last two nights. It was very neat around the ears, again perhaps he just got it trimmed.

I could see the had little mark lights on the stage floor, these were like right angles or small line segments. There were two the marked the edges of where the stool should be on the right side and then a series in the middle marking where they would stand. The middle ones (their marks were pink line segments) and the end marks on either side were green (right angles). The cabling on the stage was marked with white X's in places it seems those helped them see it so they didn't trip over the cables.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 07:01:44 AM
deemer RECAP PART TWO

Clearwater recap part 2:

other tidbits:

I don't know if you'll see it in the clack, but when Ruben had the spotlight and mentioned KISS, Clay was over on the stool and stuck his tongue out Gene Simmons-style.

He did a bit of teasing of fans tonight: He teased the men in the audience, asking how many came of their own free will and then how many were dragged. He focused in on some of the men in the front rows. One was separated from his wife -- he was on the end and she was closer to the middle. He teased and told his joke about them getting their reward later tonight... Ruben joined in to the jokes (I hope Clack will show all!). He was also teasing the couple that was in front row center. They were locals and were dancing or grooving in their seats the whole time. Ruben and Clay were watching them, said they were tiring them out and then said they were doing the concert for them...at the very end of the concert this couple put a tshirt and CD on the stage (!!!!) and Ruben did go and sign the CD. Clay backed up and made some joke about they couldn't create their own M&G.... it did seem he wasn't going to encourage but they were in too good a mood tonight to be upset by this. This was before they actually finished saying goodnight to the audience!

Another new item was that when Ruben talked about his early exposure to records, he talked about his Uncle Fred, said he didn't get mad when he scratched his records and that he had so much patience with children. He stopped himself from going on longer though (it sounded like he could have talked more on Uncle Fred)...

When Ruben was telling Clay about the 70's (since of course he lived through more of the 70's than Clay), he said people wore platform shoes. I don't know if any video has captured this, but in response to this, Clay went up on his tiptoes. When Ruben mentioned non-medical recreation, Clay guessed "checkers?" (I don't know if the jokes in this part will change, but I record this for posterity).

Ruben also was talking about how in the 70's people danced, including their parents. Clay indicated his mom could NOT dance, but Ruben insisted that she did in the 70's but it was Clay that messed up her rhythm! I don't know if this was scripted -- but at the time, it seemed like Ruben was going off script and teasing Clay.

As I think you figured out, the song where Clay makes googoo eyes at Casey is "Don't go breaking my heart" (Elton John duet). I couldn't recall for the life of me yesterday but I made note today! Speaking of Casey, her solo was very strong and perfectly delivered tonight. Scarlett got the whole thing, so you will be able to see why Clay is so proud of her.

Clearwater recap, part 3:

While Ruben is in the spotlight singing Marvin Gaye songs with Q & C, Clay was over to the left side on the stool. He was still in character, though, as it were, pretending to practice trying to learn rhythm from Rube. He was pretending to have trouble getting the rhythm, he'd start moving his arms with the music and then get off and make a face. It was funny to watch.

Now when Ruben was on the stool and Clay was singing More Than a Feeling, Ruben was playing air guitar

When Clay was joking on how Quianna was trying to get him drunk in a bar the night he met Ruben, she was making faces and started making rotating gun shooting jestures -- like shooting him with two invisible pistols. She didn't say anything and when Clay joked why she didn't retort she said something and was surprised that her mic was actually on. They had her mic off during this at Melbourne so she could not retort.

I loved being on the side at the front, since I could see offstage on the one side. Once when Clay was offstage on that side, he kept moving around. He wasn't taking a rest! He was watching it seemed.

I took some further notes on Quianna's outfit: She had on shoes that had sparkles on them (black with sparkles). They were flats (hey, I forgot to look at Casey's shoes, sorry). She had on a number of silver bracelets (both arms, I could see them separate, so it was bracelets, not just one). She had rhinestones on her straps and belt, so they sparkled too.

Ruben also had a black expensive suit with no wrinkles at all. He had the top 2 buttons buttoned (Clay only one). He had dark shoes, but later when he changed to jeans, he had on blindingly white tennis shoes.

Clay did a lousy job of putting on the "hammer pants" today -- you could see the jeans at the bottom sticking out on one side! He had trouble getting the hammer pants to rip off today, got a little frustrated and when he got them off threw them into the audience. I heard that some males in the audience did catch them (how'd that happen?). They did later retrieve them I heard so we probably haven't seen the last of them. He actually made some exclamation about how he can't get his pants off! I am sure if the clack shows this is it will be much viewed and in need of a short gif that can be seen again and again (hint hint hint to those who know how to do this!). Perhaps a thread title can be constructed about how Clay can't get his pants off fast enough by some of our talented thread namers?? After throwing the pants out, he said some things to Ruben when we couldn't hear.

About Clay's jeans: the backs of the bottoms of both legs were torn on both cuffs. They didn't look that worn otherwise, but they were not apparently brand new. I am sure there are a few of you *cough* who have already examined them quite a bit, but really the cuffs were ripped at the back. I didn't get a picture of it, though.

During the Pastor Studdard sequence, some guy in the audience came up the side by us and to the front and took a video of it in its entirety. He wasn't stopped by security. I don't know who it was, but someone later had said about it perhaps being Casey's husband???? I don't know but he had an Iphone or very flat camera and was holding it out and moved right in front of the first row to take it. He wasn't rude, he did seem polite (but on a mission). He only filmed that part.

Oh, well. I think that is all my little tidbits for now. I did get a close up of his arm though, for those of you who need at least one fuzz thrill in the clack  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/CLEARWATER%207%2026%2010/Clearwater724.jpg)
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 07:05:04 AM
annie2053 AT CV
   Jul 27 2010, 02:07 AM

 I just got back from the Clearwater concert. I was seated 18 rows back from the stage in the center. Great seats!

I absolutely LOVED this show!! This is the only one I will be attending, but I feel extremely fortunate to have attended this particular one tonight! The energy level, and the charisma projected by both Clay and Ruben was fantastic. You could tell that the guys were feeling the energy from the audience and they gave it right back.

I've seen some of the videos from past venues, and I think tonight everything was tightened up, polished, and more concise. They're getting it the way they want.

I have to say, I usually am kind of on edge about Clay maybe cracking on a high note every once in a while, but tonight???? OMG!!!! Clay was in wonderful voice tonight. I can tell it's gettting stronger from just this past week. His voice sounded very powerful to me. Every note sounded perfect.

Ruben's voice is very powerful also. The songs he sings really showcased the richness in his voice. His personality on stage is really warm and personable. I love the interaction between Clay and Ruben. It is really enjoyable. All of the banter, and leading in skit stuff is getting polished and fine-tuned.

I do think that the band and whole sound system in general was up several notches too high. Clay briefly complained about getting feedback when he was speaking to Ruben.

Here's the best part. My husband is more or less a 'drag-along'. He was kind of bored with JNT 2005. But tonight..... OMG! He was applauding after songs before I was and laughing his face off. We attend a lot of these types of concerts here at Ruth Eckerd Hall, so we can compare reactions of audiences of other shows. This is one of the more enthusiastic and energetic shows we've seen here. And by that I mean the performers and the audience. The crowd reaction was similar to when we saw Frankie Valli.

My husband thought this was a very entertaining show. Believe me, he is very critical and picky. If he is smiling and hootin' and laughin' and clapping along and boppin' his head, then it IS an entertaining show! He loved Clay's vocal range and thought Clay was more of an actor type that Ruben. He was very impressed with Ruben's voice also.

My husband thought that Ruben's highlight was Superstar. He loved it. He kept asking me why isn't Clay singing Solitaire? He thought Clay should have sung that to have that same kind of moment that Ruben has when he sings Superstar. I agree, but it is what it is. Clay really sounded good on TITN and Alone, and others, but I do wish he could have an Unchained Melody moment.

But, I still LOVE THIS SHOW!!!! The comedy and timing was fantastic!


I was looking forward to seeing Clay slide across the floor during Footloose. I used to teach dance, and I was kind of worried about how Clay was executing this slide.

There is a certain way of doing it without hurting your knees. Well, I'm happy to report, that the Choreographer obviously taught him the correct way to do it. Yay!

I saw Jerome every once in a while on the sides of the house. I didn't see anyone get hauled away or admonished for taking clack or anything. I did see several flashes.

The lady in front of me kept taking flash photography.

Clay had trouble ripping the Hammer Pants off. The velcrose stuck together on one leg. He had to yank extra times to get it off and just aimed for the audience instead of on stage. Wander who caught it? He was standing on stage right at the time.

Well, that's all I can think of now.


I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!

It was very entertaining. I'm very proud of both of them! I hope they get more legs of this tour. It's really something I think NJU types would enjoy seeing  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 02:24:29 PM
ASHEVILLE- FROM AIKIM AT CV:
I know this is late and perhaps people have moved on to other concerts and are not interested but here goes anyway, LOL!

Sound Check: We got the venue at 5:30 and to my surprise and delight were in time to catch soundcheck. As soon as I saw what was going on I grabbed my binoculars...watched Ruben and the girls going through the songs and chatted with ncwannabe and mercedes who were standing next to me. Clay was hiding behind a speaker but we could hear him talking with Jerome. Finally the little stinker graced us with his presence...blue jeans rolled up as if he had planned on going wading somewhere, blue and white striped shirt. He spent most of the time pacing back and forth and looked like he was really feeling the heat, face was red. He started to sing and then there was feedback from the mic and that is when he let out with "you guys need to check this shit!" Big "oooh" from the crowd and he told us to hush!

After he left the stage, I called Nancy (momof3boys) to tell her all about it and as I was talking to her Ruben walked by...I kind of waved to him, not sure if he noticed but people were talking to him and asking for pictures and he was telling them to come on. I was standing against a back wall...we were actually on a balcony over looking the stage and seating area when who came up beside me but Casey and someone else from the show. I was so shocked to see her! I whispered to Nancy she was there and she kept telling me to say hello, but I am so shy in those situations so I just couldn't get up the nerve. She is very cute and tiny.

The show: We had great seats, row L right in the center! There were three ladies sitting next to me from Minnesota...not on the boards, but they keep up with Clay. This was the only show they were going to. They thoroughly enjoyed it!

From the beginning when they came out dressed in their dark suits and singing their coronation songs, I realized they were going for the American Idol audience. It seemed to me they were re-creating the finale night (somewhat...I almost expected Ryan to come out!). I really do think this tour was created with that in mind; singing the type of songs they sang on the show. I was never much of a Ruben fan and really wondered how he was going to pull this off since my frame of reference has always been Idol and the interviews after the show and he never seemed to show much of a personality. I was amazed at how funny he was and to see him move and dance. On Idol it seemed he just stood on the stage and sung. He and Clay have great chemistry and play off each other well. It really was like an old time variety show and I think these two would be great on TV if someone was willing to give them a chance.

I like Casey...being the first show I think they were all feeling their way around, so their wasn't much interplay and the background singers really were much in the background, but it sounds like they are loosening things up a bit and I look forward to seeing more interaction from her and Clay. She is a great singer and I think compliments Quiana well. My husband really liked Quiana. Sadly he is not Clayverted yet, but he really didn't like the venue..too hot and packed in like sardines...I am hoping he will enjoy Hammond more.

I saw there was a lot of analyzing after the show and some had concerns, but I think you just have to take it for what it is...two hours of enjoyable music and 4 people have a great time on stage. The band is great and it is just a fun evening. I am so glad I made the decision to go to the show...it was fun not knowing what to expect and being surprised by the dancing and the comedy. Preacher Ruben was a hoot!

kIM
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 02:27:06 PM
Joemomma
 Re: JULY 26-RUTH ECKERD HALL-CLEARWATER FL
 Today at 09:50:54 AM »

 Awwww! they got GREAT photos! I knew they would. I could see all the cameras goin. It was nice they didn't bother anyone about it. Heck some even had flashes goin off...security didn't seem to care.

Well what a FUN show that was! I love the 2 of em together. They seem to feed off each other and have such a good time doin it that the fun rubs off on the audience! Whole entire auditorium was on their feet dancin & singin! 

We had great seats...8th row smack in the middle. We could see everything so well!

My momma said she liked it better than SRHP. And that's sayin somethin cuz she really loved that tour.

I think I kinda liked it better too. I think Ruben in this makes it fun! That man can dance too! Who knew!??

And now I am soooo glad I get to see this show again in Windsor
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 27, 2010, 02:43:11 PM
Great Not a Recap from GBB at the CH:

 ("Goood Baby Brush")
Just had a wonderful breakfast and nice long chat with Lyndolphin, Friend of Deedle and .... another CHer, friend of friend of Deedle and Lyndolphin (So sorry for blanking on your name. I remember thinking a the time I didn't hear it properly and then I forgot to ask again before I left).

I love this fandom. Friends everywhere you go

So I still can't get over last night's show. I don't have time this morning to do a proper recap but I just wanted to share a few impressions. I can't stress how much better this show was than I expected it to be. Don't get me wrong; I didn't expect it to suck. It's Clay after all, and I've never been to a Clay show that I didn't enjoy (but then I didn't make it to any of the Christmas with Death shows).

I knew I'd enjoy the show but I have to confess I was a little disappointed the other day when I heard the set list. There were just so many songs he'd done before. It seemed so much like a repeat of the JBT. And listening to the cellcert, the concert seemed a little like a "mishmash." Like one song led to another without any real cohesion. So I expected to just "like" the show.

Let me tell you, hearing the setlist or listening to the cellcert does NOT do this show justice. It's not at all a rehash or a mishmash. It's a well-conceived, well-executed SHOW.

From the opening song/shoving match, there are two concepts set up for the audience: Clay and Ruben in competition and Clay lack of ... soul/hipness. Those two ideas are woven throughout the whole show and played with, both in song and in the comedy bits. There's a reason the songs don't seem to flow into each other well. They don't. They're not supposed to.

They lay out their musical roots in the opening statements. For Ruben, it's Tina Turner and The Temptations. For Clay, Bette Midler and Perry Como. For Ruben, Isaac Hayes and Al Green. For Clay, Andy Williams.

As Clay says, "What the hell are we doing putting on a music show together?"

And so when they start singing, you'll have Ruben singing "his" music and Clay singing "his" -- with a little crossover, of course, because there are not hard and fast lines when it comes to music.

Clay opens with Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." Ruben follows with Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me." The 60s medley swaps back and forth with "Midnight Hour" (Ruben), "Up on the Roof" (Clay), "Someday We'll Be Together" (Ruben), "Out of My Head" (Clay), "You Can't Hurry Love" (Ruben), "So Happy Together" (Clay), "Sugar Pie Honeybunch" (Ruben), "Crying" (Clay), "Soul Man" (Ruben), "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" (Clay), "Shotgun" (Ruben), "Sugar, Sugar" (Clay), "Just One Look" (Ruben), "Harper Valley PTA" (Casey), "Ain't To Proud to Beg" (Ruben), "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Clay and Ruben).

And so it goes for the whole show. Each man singing the best of "his' music, with the two of them joining together on some songs and the girls picking up a number here and there. What appeared to be a mishmash of songs by listening to the cellstream or seeing bits of clack became this cohesive SHOW when you add in the physicality of the performances (smiles, grimaces, rolled eyes, shoving matches, bits of oneupsmanship, "dancing," and DANCING).

And really, I can't say enough about the physicality and physical comedy both men brought to the show. From the opening shoving match to the schtick with the stools (made so funny, not by the punch lines but by the expressions on their faces and their body language) to the absolutely hilarious "dance" Clay did at one point before Ruben grabbed him by the jacket (another bit of perfect physical comedy) and made him sit down, to Pastor Ruben "healing" Clay of his lack-of-rhythmitis, to hammer-pants Clay... these guys are very, very good at physical comedy.

They're also very good at comedy period. I know much of the show was scripted (and they do a great job delivering the jokes) but some of the best moments were the unscripted ones.

When Clay's mic echoed:
Clay: "There's a lot of feedback on this mic."
Ruben: "Soundcheck was at 4, Clay."

When Clay messed up the steps on a dance:

Ruben: "And it made me sad 'cause I had just healed you."
Clay: "Maybe your powers aren't as strong as you thought they were."
Ruben: "Maybe your mama didn't send enough money."

Audience member: "I love you Clay!"
Clay: "I love you too."
Another audience member: "I love you more!"
Clay: "Well, you two fight it out. We'll wait."

I wonder if we'll be getting more off-script moments from now on. Last night, when Clay stopped to chat with the audience and did his bit teasing the husbands for their wives having better seats, Ruben jumped right in and played along: (woman's voice) "I'll buy MY ticket today and I'll just get your ticket later."

One scripted but hilarious moment:

Ruben: Peaches and Herb. One was a fruit, one was an herb.
Clay: Kind of like us.

The look on Ruben's face totally sold this bit. Could NOT stop laughing. Especially when Ruben just stood up and walked away.

Another fun moment: Clay screaming "I can't get these pants off!" (Maybe that's just me *g*)

I had no idea I'd think this, but I'd really, really love to see this show (or some version of it) on television. I think it would be a fantastically funny and entertaining special. The guys are just that good. Maybe "somebody" will see the show when they're in NY or LA.

Can't finish this recap without mentioning the audience. Last night's audience ROCKED. We were a little slow getting started, but once we got to our feet the first time, we were up all night, dancing, clapping, singing and just having a blast. You could tell Ruben and Clay were feeding off the energy and loving it.

In short, yeah, cheesy as it sounds, I had the time of my life  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 07:18:54 AM
SUSANDAVIS AT CV MEET AND GREET

My Meet and Greet report from Clearwater:

After waiting in the lobby with the other three attendees while the charity M&G started , we were shown to the Green Room(it actually had green carpeting). 

Jerome told us to sit down and make ourselves comfortable. We sort of looked at each other because along one wall were a stuffed chair, couch and another stuffed chair. So we lined ourselves up on those seats, the only other two chairs were in one corner and behind the door.

Dowoper was next to me, thank goodness, we sat on the couch and pretended we weren't nervous..........well, actually we were beyond pretending.

Jerome came back in once and then Cheryl came in with the camera. She was nice and friendly. Soon we saw the charity group go past us to leave and a few minutes later Clay breezed in. He stopped and looked at us all lined up there and said, "You all look so formal". We giggled..........I am telling you we were experts at this.

Well, shit.............I posted this mess by mistake. Hang on........I am just getting started.

He stopped and shook each of our hands and asked our names, pulled up a chair and sat right in front of Dowoper and I.  He asked where we were from, I think when he got to the last girl who was from Sarasota he said "We are going to be in Sarasota in Feb. He went on to say Sarasota, Orlando and Miami. Big mouth that I am I asked "Kansas City?" " No" I accused him of not liking us and that is when he said St Louis and Chicago and then added that he wasn't sure but thought they were on board. Someone else asked if the tour would be regional and he said "No, Coast to Coast"  He asked if I was coming to Hammond.

Next he asked if we had any questions and there was dead silence.  More giggling. I am telling you we were eloquent. Someone asked if he was putting out another cd soon???????  And if he was what kind of music would it be.  He made a point of saying that nothing is in the works or decided but that he wants to do a Christmas CD. Same person asked if it wasn't Christmas what kind of music would it be.  His response was adult that he just didn't want to do pop. She then asked if he ever thought about recording a song(I think it was called Always) and he pondered it and then......................... SANG a line from a song, lovely spot on and spontaneous. I about fainted. She told him that wasn't the song and then the person at the other end told Clay she knew the group who had recorded what he was singing(I have no memory of the group-I am senile) and he SANG another line from the song. All my nervousness was worth those two lines.  Then the first person held out her cellphone and played the song she was talking about.  He listened to a very few notes and said, "You aren't selling me". 

He then took our items to sign and chatted while he did that. We talked about the yellow shirt, no big story, they just wanted something oversized and that is what they got.

He told us we were so calm...........translated, you are the most boring M&G group ever. A little more idle chit chat....translated I am senile and don't remember but it wasn't newsworthy or I would remember.

We took pictures and then got a hug, he thanked us for coming and out he went.

Jerome came to get us and asked us to post on the boards and spread the word at the concerts about flash cameras. They had been so bad in Melbourne and he was getting close to banning them. I piped up and told him I didn't think these were fans that are on line, we have learned this. He agreed but said we have to tell people sitting around us. It was better that night but still a few. He commented on how calm we were, too. I said, "Do people really come in here and act crazy?" I really wanted to know and he said that almost every night there is at least one in every group. 

So that is it...............the most boring M&G group ever. 

An aside about his attire: After I got my picture taken and was watching the last ones I suddenly looked at him and just about burst out laughing. This was my first and probably last time to have my picture taken with him and he had on those beige converse shoes with no laces and they are getting a little worn, the oldest pair of cargo shorts in his closet, a white undershirt that was big, and the pinkish polo that he had on in the bus pictures from Melbourne...........white undershirt hanging out the bottom and sleeves. I guarantee you he hadn't combed his hair, it was bad bed hair. I just about split a gut. It was just so 'Clay'. Before anyone says that they wouldn't care what he had on and would be happy to be there, rest assured I was delighted but it sure did make me laugh.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 07:19:44 AM
2OLD4CLAY AT CV

Asheville, NC…I arrived on Thursday and had been invited by goldarngirl to dinner, unfortunately she never made the dinner due to flight delays, but I was fortunate to meet a few other fans, canfly72, LauraQ, ImAllEars, Scarlett, Nickki and Amy. On Friday since I would have the day to myself while waiting for my roomie, ncredclayrocks I decided to go on the Biltmore Tour ( a bit expensive I thought). After I bought my ticket and pulled back onto the road towards the Biltmore the guard told me that Clay and Ruben’s bus was right behind me. This was around 10 a.m. I moved onto the self guided house tour…what I saw of it I thought it was very beautiful inside and an amazing thing to see. I made it through the first floor…and then the buses pulled up outside. I walked outside to see if anyone was getting off the bus, but that was not to be for a long long time. I couldn’t tear myself away from waiting for a disembark so I turned in the audio tapes and took myself back outside in the shaded area and proceeded to watch the crew set up the stage. This was at 11 a.m.
After a while, toni7, claym8, Mercedes and Carol5230 were there…doing the same thing I was ….waiting. They finally decided to leave for a bite to eat and I stayed to wait for sound check. I also had a nice time talking with Bonnielee. I stayed until 3 P.M. and still no Clay and no sound check, so I finally left and went back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. We had great seats, 4th row on the aisle.

I thought the show was really a great variety of music and comedy. I never liked 80’s and 90’s music, and in most cases I didn’t even recognize the songs. From where I sat I thought the sound was well balanced as was the allocation of music between Clay and Ruben. This opening show was really tight. You could tell everything was laid out in a specific way and that is why it flowed so smoothly with no extraneous chit chat.
I was surprised to see them in that heat dressed in black suits, ties and all. Even with the later clothing changes…it was still jeans and jackets. I would bet Clay lost 5lbs in Asheville. It is very difficult to do a 2 hour show of that energy without even considering the heat and humidity. I loved every moment of it. They had to have been exhausted.

Jacksonville, Fl. 2nd concert day and it appeared to me that the set was getting a little looser in the flow, a bit chattier and I could already see that they were starting to feel more comfortable after playing the first night. Unfortunately we were without Quiana, and after seeing the duets and the way the show was laid out there was definitely a vacancy there although Casey did a wonderful job filling in for her. I was glad to hear Clay interact a bit with the audience which told me he was getting comfortable with it all. Vocally I definitely feel that the key is too high on Africa and I Can't Stop This Feeling. I can’t possibly see how he can continue that vocal stretch for 17 shows even with the breaks in between.

My travel partner cablegirl called and told me her flight was cancelled. We talked trying to find her a flight to just about anywhere. I was driving from Asheville to Jax, and even told her if they would fly her to Savannah, I would get off the highway and wait for her, but not to be. She missed the concert, and also her meet and greet. Yikes, a sad situation. Later that day I had dinner with ToldForThis and her travel friends. A bit of aadditional info from the Jax concert issues. I sold Scarlett the ticket that belonged to cablegirl so that the front row seat would not be empty. So Scarlett was sitting next to me when the security guard came down on her. I read somewhere that security took her purse and didn’t give it to her when they set her outside. Her bag with her id, cellphone etc was left on her seat, and I took it with me after the concert and talked to the guard several times about what he did with Scarlett (this was before it became known she was ‘missing’). As time passed and we (me and Scarletts roomies) were talking to security, etc. Jerome appeared and I told him of the situation. goldarngirl, MBlovesclay and I checked our hotels, and bars and walked around and talked to security and police. Later she was found back at the venue, so I went with the officer to check on her and take back to her roomies. I had called goldarngirl and told her Scarlett was found and ok.
Cablegirl arrived while we were searching and we had some visiting at the hotel with curiousgladys and ialreadyam. By that time I was ready for bed, it had been a very exhausting day.

Melbourne, Fl.. cablegirl was able to get her meet and greet which made her a very happy camper. It’s really great the way TC will accommodate when unfortunate things take place. Another plus for me, was that my son…who is not a Clay Aiken fan…came to the concert. Unfortunately he requested his ticket later than mine and we did not sit together. His take on the Preacher skit….he said he thought it was boring. The rest of the show he enjoyed. I had dinner with goldarngirl, Lucia, cablegirl, MBlovesClay and Scarlett at TGI Fridays. I am having such a good time with this concert tour, as I have had a chance to meet so many new, and see again others that I had already met.

Clearwater, Fl. Now I know the area is either Tampa/St. Pete or Clearwater/Tampa but both Clay and Ruben referred to it as Tampa several times and never mentioned Clearwater. Again a great dinner with an even larger group of fans just before the concert. Included are others I didn’t mention before terter4aiken, kcudawg, katy4clay also joining us later ialreadyam who missed her meet and greet because there was traffic accident on the highway. Lo and behold, she was able to meet with Clay after she arrived at the venue, which made her a very very happy lady, and I was glad for her.

As many have mentioned, this was the most enjoyable concert because they are really loosening up on stage. Lines are being forgotten or changed up. We are getting ad-lib funny, and big belly laughs, wonderful pants, striped socks and some of the best dancing Clay has ever done. That man dances with attitude, and I mean a lot of attitude. I would love to be on the dance floor with him and just watch him let go and really enjoy. He purses his lips, or he lip bites or he holds his head up and to the side, the attitude is in his shoulders and in his hips. The rhythm is certainly in his feet.

I love his hand movements when he sings. Every word or phrase gets a special touch, either in a wave of his hand, or a finger movement…and when those big notes come in the upbeat songs he has leg movements and body sways to die for.

I was sad to come home, but happy to have the great fortune to experience all he has given me and know that I look forward to many more of those moments.

As long as this is, I must add….Ruben, Casey, Quiana and the band are really just outstanding. I love the addition of Casey and the sound of her voice, I am not a fan of Harper Valley PTA, a duet of Islands in The Stream would have been nice.
I prefer Clay singing Everything I Do as it is at the top of my list of Clay Aiken favorites, but Ruben does a wonderful job of singing it. And where or where is When A Man Love A Woman? This would have been a show stopping song for Clay.

For those that don’t want to get up and dance, I can understand from the perspective of blocking someone’s view and for those for whom it is difficult to do. Except….the musicians on stage feed off of our energy. If we sit in our seats and watch and listen, they are not enjoying it as much. This is a high energy show and for them to maintain that high we have to give it back to them…so I would say if you want to get up and dance with the crowd just do it. I think it would also help if either Clay or Ruben would ask the audience to stand, because sometimes people are just shy about doing it. I know Rube did it a few times, but I think there have been opportunities missed and perhaps as times goes on the house will be rockin’

My apologies to anyone I have forgotton or names mispelled and many hugs to some really great people with whom I spent the weekend.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 07:33:06 AM
Jul 28 2010, 01:18 AM Post #1446 


siclayfan FROM CV




 I'm going to attempt a post--not sure it will go through. I'm staying with my aunt here in Palm Harbor (about 15 min. from the Ruth Eckerd venue) until Friday then driving back across the state to pick up the auto-train to northern Va. and will be back home Satuday morning.

No internet here but I'm trying to read a little on a "Borrowed" wireless connection that rarely has one bar of connectivity.

I loved my Fl. 3-fer. By the 3d show I think I got to hear most of the banter--I really must get my hearing checked. I had great fun going with my "adopted" daughter (my DD's best friend who lived with us for a few years in their early twenties) She had announced before the shows she was more of a Ruben fan. She really loved the shows and said she wished she could go to more. She said she had no idea Clay could sing like that. She said anytime I need someone to go to a concert with she's ready.

My aunt came to Clearwater with me. Honestly I tried to talk her out of it--I didn't think she could take the noise and might want to go home in the middle of the show. Her seat was back in Row JJ. She was glad she went but really didn't recognize more than a couple of songs and didn't hear much of the banter. She said she enjoyed watching the audience getting up and dancing and having fun. I wish I could have stayed for the bus line but there was no way I could ask her to do that. I did get to see Clay leaving on the bus in Melbourne. I got a few really awful ant bites as a result of standing in the grass waiting at the fence but it was worth it.

I upgraded my Clearwater ticket Monday mid-day. It was the best seat I ave ever had for a concert. Row B--off to the side but far in enough have a good view. I've been to over 60 concerts and have never ever gotten any kind of interaction from Clay on the stage--no EF's for me!! My record continues to be unbroken, but I did have Ruben talk to me. I'm hoping there is Preacher clack from Clearwater so I can see what he actually said to me--I was sort of frozen in fear at the time. When he was talking about feeling like a wall flower in middle school--I was nodding my head yes. Next thing I knew he was standing in front of me asking if I wanted to be cured. I just nodded NOOOOO!! and started waving my hands--he asked who I was with. I said my aunt and sort of pointed to the back of me. I think he said something like for only $1257 he could cure me--he then thankfully walked away.

I got a really close-up view of Clay at the end of the show when he leaned over to let JessMcVargas, who was sitting next to me, sing into the microphone.

I have 3 more shows--can't wait to see them--one with my DD. I think she's gonna love it. She's not a huge fan, but she loves "funny Clay" in concert. I can't wait to get home this weekend so I can start downloading some clack.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 07:35:26 AM
DOWOPER AT CV MEET AND GREET

susan, thank you so much for taking the pressure off me and telling our story! I've had one of those days also, so getting on here late. (after having to buy a new washer and various other little things)
Will add my tiny tidbits. But first and foremost, I must say that having you there was truly a lifesaver for me!!!!!!! If I would have going into this totally alone, don't know if I could have done it.

Anyway, here's my other tidbits:
Loved, loved that he sat right there in front of us. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Felt like he kept glancing at me to see if I had quit staring at his eyes yet.  I was mesmerized by
them.
I was also  that he was being asked about putting out a new album when he hasn't even really starting promoting this one yet. But he was cute with his answers on it, and did seem very interested in a new Christmas CD, and that while he didn't want to go pop, I'm pretty sure he said that it also wouldn't be standards again. (or something along those lines) I thought he tried 2 different songs with Always in there and she said 'No' to both. Loved having him singing to us!
The other girl asked about Raleigh and Durham when he was trying to get questions, and he said he still had them both. She asked if takes them on tour and he said he can't because Durham won't shut up barking all the time. Then, and I still can't believe I did, told him about being in the room next door in Jacksonville in 2006 and hubby complaining about the 'yappy dogs' next door. Then hubby wondered why all those women were out there taking pictures of said 'yappie dogs'. I told him when I walked out and there was Jerome. Said I was scared to leave the room after that ...........He said, OMG, you had the room next to mine! (no kidding, Clay!  Still can't believe I told him that story.  Guess the only other thing I could add is that while he was doing the pictures with each of us he was talking about how they were still trying to figure out how to get them to all of us since it got so confused last time. I offered to give him my address so he could drop mine off at my house. He was cute about that and said he couldn't promise. DARN....
He gave each of a big hug at the end, and after having him pull me in close for the picture, well, we may be boring but I sure was happy!!!
Oh, and susan, I agree about the outfit, I loved every single bit of it. It is so him, and I just adore that he doesn't primp or put on airs, is just 'real'. And it makes me laugh also!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Tiffany on July 28, 2010, 12:33:24 PM
Hi all, I am a newbie here and not sure if this post goes here, so bare with me. Just got back from seeing all three concerts in Florida. I am not a fan of Clay (well now I am) but my friend loves Clay and talked me into going to all three concerts as a vacation. I did not know what to expect, for I have never been to a single concert of his. Little did I know the huge treat I was in for. Coming from Georgia we were driving blind relying on the GPS to safely get us to all three locations in one peace. I will say now, I wanted to throw the GPS out the window several time between Georgia and Clearwater. I am still thinking about it this very moment! Turn left at 2 feet turn right at 4 feet turn left again at .8 miles to arrive at destination. What? There are buildings if I go left! Beats the stupid computer generator lady voice on the GPS. She had us going right over a bridge at one point! But that's a whole different story. Jacksonville 1st. GPS says turn left to reach destination and I did, then my friend starts screaming BUS! I see BUSES!! (heart failure number 1) . Then she screams look parking lot on the left turn turn turn. I slam on breaks cross over 2 lanes of traffic to get into the parking lot, nearly taking out some poor innocent soul driving in the left lane! (heart failure number 2) I get park dead center facing the tour buses, I didn't even get the car in park and my friend is jumping out with her camara click click click click. Umm ok, how many pictures can you take of a bus here? So I turn my head all but 10 seconds to get my purse and stuff together lock car up, turn around no friend. (heart attack number 3) Where did she go? I start freaking out and look across the street there she is with her camara yet again taking more pictures of the buses! Ohh good grief! So I get across the street and she starts mumbling something about 3 buses which one is Clay's yack yack. Me not being a fan is thinking she has lost her mind at this point. But hey I am a tolerable and understaning person, so I just went with the flow. We get up to the theatre which was like 20 steps. There were fans all over the place and this is where my life changed (sorta) They all start coming up talking to me and my friend like we all have known each other forever asking where we were from. Georgia was not that far of a travel considering some fans drove and flew from all over the US to see Clay. I said I wasn't a fan I was here with my friend, which some would think that would be stupid to say to 800 fans to hear. But, soon as I said that, the entire Clay family of fans welcomed me in with open arms, I don't remember everyones names I met that night, but I want to say thank you all for being so warm to someone completely ignorant to the whole entire clay fandom world. Clay fans are very loving and nice people. We get to our seats and yet more fans sitting around us, introduced themselves. Was very cool. The concert starts and out came Ruben 1st then out came Clay and the place went to roaring like a roller coaster. I was like Wooahh! My ears went to a toss between ringing from the screaming of the fans and in complete serentity listening to the gorgious voice of Clay Aiken. I sat there two hours completely mesmerized by not only his voice, but his personality. He is just to darned cute for words. I thought him and Ruben had great chemistry together. Amost like two school boys up to no good! Ha! I am sure you all remember those days! I left the concert smiling and said ok, I can sort of see what the big deal is why you like Clay so much. Off we go to Melbourn now that trip wasn't too bad. GPS didn't get us killed. Found the hotel room about 2-3am? I don't remember the exact time, I just remember testing out the bed to see if it was hard or soft and boom next morning my friend is waking me up holding a cup of coffee over my head! Rise and shine today is concert #2. I think i said a few bad words to her and covered my face with the blanket. Ha! She left me alone for another 2 hours, then I got up on my own, gripey as can be. Three cups of coffee was not enough for me to be alive, much less go to another concert. How my friend can be so chippery and happy was beyond me. We go and get some food and back to the hotel to get ready for concert at 3pm. Melbourne had the same people Jacksonville had. Clay And Ruben did their own thing once again, but added a few new things than from the night before. I am bad with names but the back up singers did such an amazing job. Seemed two hours flew by faster than Jacksonville did and off we went to drive across the coast to clearwater. This time it was earlier enough we had time to enjoy the area. Melbourne was just a blur, sleep, concert, leave. Clearwater we got there around 8:30pm. We had until 7pm next day before concert to enjoy everything. We went to the beach, there were allot of people there vacationing. But we were able to put our toes in the sand, collect some shells, and relax talking and just enjoying the sounds of the ocean. Very pretty in that area. Time for concert #3. Now this I will say "saving the best for last" I do not know what in the world the difference could have been from three different concerts, but personally to me this was the "BEST" by far of all three. The theatre seating was spaced so everyone wasn't squashed on top of each other and the way it was laid out, there was no such things as a "bad seat". I loved this theatre! They were late getting the doors open to get everyone seated. Some lady asked one of the ushers when are they arwe going to open the doors and she answered we should have opened the doors 10 minutes ago, but "It is up to Clay and Ruben" to decide when they were ready. I didn't know that. But, thought it was cute. This concert had allot of blips as in mishapes not on the script, which made the concert even better. I am sure this has been told a million times But Clay's MC Hammer pants got stuck and he couldn't get them off and he was hopping around laughing trying to get them off, finally he got them off and flung them out in the audience and said he was sick of those pants. Then Ruben walked over to the end of the stage to who ever caught them and said you know Clay is going to want those back at the end of the show. My friend leaned over to me and said good luck with that one. If he didn't get those back, good luck trying to find another pair of MC Hammer pants with velcro! Ha! They interacted with the audience alot that evening. From handing the microphones over to fans to sing, signing Cd's, talking to the audience, getting the audience to clap and dance. Ruben's uncle was there for that concert, and Ruben didn't know where he was sitting, so he shouts out where you at uncle? And you heard "woof woof" like dawg! (you know the Aresenio Hall thing) and the audience laughed. The only other shout out from the audience besides woof woof from his uncle, was one lady yelled out I love you and Clay said he loved her too, someone yelled out get er done and then two people up front got quiet a few shout out's. Other than that the audience behaved unlike Melbourne it was a wonderful show and I walked out of there completely a "NEW FAN" of not only for clay Aiken but for Ruben as well. You can honestly tell they are friends and not just an act to put on for fans, they truely are close friends and it shows through their laughter, there facial expressions and their chemistry. So to all who get's to go to these concerts, you will not be disappointed and this is coming from someone that was not a fan to either, pryer to last Friday.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 08:40:01 PM
ialreadyam at CV
 Jul 28 2010, 06:44 PM Post #1741 


I finally got my hug!!!!

 I hope this isn't too late. I won a M&G at the Clearwater venue and was beside myself with excitement. I had been waiting to meet Clay and get a hug since 2003, like so many others. On my way to the venue, I encountered bumper-to-bumper traffic. Even having allowed myself extra ample time, I missed my scheduled time and was devastated. No M&G for me. I tried to soldier through, but my friends all knew how sad I was. Wouldn’t you be?

I met my friends for dinner then went back to the venue, made a restroom stop, and wandered back through the lobby, where the lovely 2old4clay and cablegirl called me over and introduced me to Clay’s personal assistant. They had told Cheryl my circumstances. I told her I was pleased to meet her, etc. chatted a bit and we said our goodbyes to her. While we continued to chat for a few minutes, here comes Cheryl, who says, “Come on with me!” OMG,OMG,OMG,OMG. Needless to say, I was so shook. I apologized to her and said I certainly did not expect this and was so appreciative.

She brought me to a room, and said “wait here - I’ll be right back!” I lost all composure and cried like a baby. I was very embarrassed that I could not stop crying.

So anyway, in walks Mr. Sunshine himself with Cheryl, and Jerome. I look out in the hall and the entire security staff are all watching. I’m still boo-hooing and I reach out my hand to shake Clay’s and he gives me a BIG hug and says “why are you crying?” Because I’m a stupid emotional wreck, that's why!. LOL

I am not going to go into our conversation. It was short, and I asked no questions. I got something signed, got a prom pose picture and at least one more hug too. All I can say is he is a beautiful, caring man, who glows from the inside out. He is exactly who I always imagined him to be. Don’t ever doubt his kindness or sincerity. I had an amazing experience. Yes, I had the TIME OF MY LIFE. Thanks to all who were instrumental in helping me meet him. I am forever grateful.

Some on you may notice, that I changed my avatar. I said I would never change my original until I got my hug. So thanks Invisible926 Isn't he gorgeous?   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 28, 2010, 08:49:45 PM
msidolfan  at CV
Jul 28 2010, 07:13 PM Post #1758 

 Hi everyone. We had a fantastic trip. I wish all of you could have been with us. My sister, 2 daughters and my wonderful tour buddies, Brensmemaw and Luvbenmeg and I took off early Saturday morning in a rented van. I had a M&G that day so I was getting more and more excited as the day went along. We got to the hotel about 4:30 and I was to meet Jerome at the box office at 6:00. There was a small group already there but no one that I recognized from our group. They turned out to be winners of the charity action. One of them had also won the fan club M&G and was hoping to be able to do both. Sorry, I don't remember her screen name, but it was one I had never heard before. I turned out that she was not allowed to do both so she chose the charity one. We were down to 4 of us. After a few minutes I spotted Lucia who I recognized from her picture on CV. Deemer was with her and I was so glad to be able to meet her also. She told us that Cablegirl was not going to be there because her flight out of Chicago had been canceled due to weather. We all felt so bad for her. By now the 3rd member of our little group had joined us and I am so sorry that I don't remember her name. We all talked excitedly for a bit and then was real happy when a venue person allowed us to come inside. It was very hot out on the sidewalk. Pretty soon Jerome arrived and checked off our names and gave us M&G passes. He has allowed his hair to grow out and he is really a very handsome man. He took the charity winners in first for there backstage tour. The 3 of us tried to think of questions to ask Clay but we came up empty. We knew that Lucia coming all the way from Brazil would be an interesting topic of conversation. In about 15 minutes or so a nice security guy came and led us into the theater and told us to take a seat on the first row. He asked us if we were excited and wanted to know where we all came from. Then---there he was, coming towards us, with Jerome close behind. Of course, we all jumped to our feet. He said, don't get up and gestured with his hand to sit down, but Lucia said we are already up. We wanted our hugs and we got them. He asked each of us our name as we went up to hug him. Whew, he is a good hugger! With that beautiful face so close, it just seemed natural to give him a little kiss on the cheek. His face was so smooth and he smelled wonderful. It was a very light, subtle scent. Not like cologne, but more like shaving cream. This is embarrassing, but he said "you had your nose in my ear, that's a little weird, Janet." OMG, I didn't know how to respond to that. I wasn't even aware of it. Thinking back on it, I am happy that he said my name. After we all got our hug and sat back down, he asked each of us where we were from. He sat on the edge of the stage. He was excited to hear that he had a fan club in Brazil. He said that they were trying to get the album released there. He wanted Lucia to help them out and she said something like, should I pressure them and he said, "Hell yes." I was funny the way he pointed his finger at her and said something like, and it's all your fault if it doesn't happen. Sorry, I don't remember exact words except where I quoted, but that's that is generally what was said. Now that Lucia has had time to think back, she may remember it better than I did. At some point he ask us what other concerts we were going to see and we told him the 3 Florida ones and then he said is anyone going to Biloxi? I chimed in with, yes, that's my home and I couldn't believe when I saw that he was going to be at the Beau Ravage. He said, "that isn't one of those floating casinos, is it?" I said well, yes, and his eyes got real big and he said, "I ain't singing on no boat." Oh my gosh, I was wishing I hadn't said that. He looked over at Jerome and said, we've got to look into that, and repeated cause I'm not singing on no boat. I spent the next few minutes assuring him that the casino was huge and the front of it was on land and it was securely anchored and would not float out into the gulf. I don't remember what we all chatted about after that. I was determined to look at him and try to remember everything I could about the way he looked sitting close enough for me to reach out and touch him. At one point I said that we needed to note what he was wearing for the clothes and hair report. He laughed and said, "Oh, the clothes and hair report." He had on his usual cargo shorts, the tennies with no laces and no socks and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Lucia said the shirt was blue, but I remember it as being green, so we need out 3rd member to confirm what color is was. Someone mentioned that he had his sunglasses on top of his head, even though we were inside and he said that his hair usually looked better that way and he took them off and ruffled up his hair with his hand than put them back on. He is so beautiful up close. No picture could ever do him justice. I am sure that I am forgetting a lot of things, but it is hard to think when he is sitting so close. It just seems so unreal. We can tell ourselves that he is just a regular person, but he just isn't. He is sweet and warm and wonderful and made us feel at ease and that he was happy to spend some time with us. Eventually, he said he had to go and get ready for the show so it was time for the pictures. We didn't need our own cameras. He said they wanted all of the pictures to be really good so they had a someone there to take them. I just hope it goes a little smoother than last time. He pulls you in very close for the picture. I put my arm around his back. He is very slender. I gave it a little pat before I moved away. He probably didn't even notice. I want to always remember the way he felt. I will treasure that moment forever. Thank you, Clay.

The show itself was fantastic and way beyond what I was expecting. The band was great and I was thinking that Fountaindawg would love it. The new girl is adorable and a wonderful singer. Ruben was funny and sang great. Clay will never again be able to say that he can't dance. I love the way Ruben pointed out that he danced in Spamalot. Each show was a little bit different, as always. The last one in Clearwater was the best because the crowd was really into it. I can't wait to see it again in Biloxi. I missed him the moment the curtain closed on the last show.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 29, 2010, 01:12:27 AM
From deemer at CV- a NJU story:

deemer
Jul 29 2010, 01:02 AM

Hi, all I'm back from the Crowded House concert. Before I tell you a little about the concert I wanted to tell you this NJU story:
I was coming into the Ruth Eckard concert hall for the concert and I found my seat but then decided to check with an usher about picture policy. I asked a lady usher who was free. She said we could take pictures, but no flash. She said she was there on Monday night and they had a problem with people using flash that night.... mmmm well, I know who was there Monday! .... so I said I was there to see Clay Aiken on Monday, that I was a fan. She was quite animated and told me she wasn't a fan before -- oh she did like him on Idol but haven't followed him --- but that NOW she is. She said he was wonderful on Monday. She said "THAT VOICE!".... She felt bad for Ruben at first because there was so much more applause when Clay entered (and Ruben won, you know she said). She went on to say how she remembered how the stylists remade Clay's look on Idol... and that he has gained some weight since then, but was too skinny then. And she assured me she was able to see him quite close on Monday and he was looking mighty good. I can't recall the exactly the words she used, but she was trying to tell me if I didn't see him close up, she did and he was very handsome, I should know. .. of course, I never noticed myself LOL .... She said she had looked up his website (OFC) but didn't join... I told her he has an album Tried and True and she said yes she saw it on iTunes (sounds like she has looked since Mon!). I told her about the PBS special coming up and that he may come back to Florida in Feb/Mar for TnT tour. After the concert, I said goodbye to her again and she said something again about how wonderful Clay was.... Another one bites the dust!

oh, and another thing she said is why he isn't doing larger venues -- he should! He's so good!
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 29, 2010, 01:17:24 AM
July 26, 2010, 12:24:13 PM

NOW THAT I AM HOME AND SETTLED, I AM GONNA RECAP.  I STINK AT THIS, BUT I WILL GIVE IT A TRY.

THE BILTMORE ESTATE IS MAGNIFICENT AND THE STAFF RUNS IT LIKE A CLOCK.  NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.  BUT IT WAS HOT.  I MEAN IT WAS FRY AN EGG HOT AND SUNNY, MICHELLE, BARB, AND MARLENE SAID IT WAS WAY WORSE IN CARY.  OY.

THE SETTING IS GORGEOUS AND IF ANYONE HAS A LONG WEEKEND THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO, THIS IS THE PLACE.  SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO RIGHT ON THE ESTATE.

I THOUGHT THE VENUE HAD ABOUT 1100 OR SO PEOPLE.  WE TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT.  NICE SIZED CROWD, BUT NOT TOO BIG.  WE HAD WONDERFUL SEATS THANKS TO SUNNY.  THE GIRL NEXT TO ME HAD WAAAAAYYYYYY MORE BEER THAN NEEDED BUT WHATEVER.

WHEN RUBEN CAME OUT IN A SUIT SINGING FWW, ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS HOW MUCH WEIGHT HE LOST AND HOW HOT HE WAS GONNA BE.  HE SOUNDED GREAT.  THEN CLAY CAME OUT SINGING TITN WITH THE SPIKES AND I WAS TOAST.  HE LOOKED AMAZING.  HADN'T STARTED TO SWEAT YET.  LOOKED SVELTE, HAPPY, AND SOUNDED WONDERFUL.  IT WAS A GREAT MOMENT AND HE GOT A STANDING O.  SO GOOD TO SEE HIM AGAIN.

YOU READ THE CELLCERT SO YOU KNOW WHAT HE SANG, ETC.  NOT GONNA GO OVER THAT.  BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS I WANTED TO SAY.

FIRST, THE MAN CAN SING ANYTHING AND SING IT WELL.  HE BELTED OUT SOME STUFF THAT WAS JUST SCARY GOOD.

SECOND, HE NEVER LOOKED BETTER.  ALMOST LOOKED YOUNGER TO ME.  CHEEKBONES THAT COULD CUT LIKE A KNIFE.  JAWLINE THAT WAS PERFECT.  LEGS THAT WENT ON FOREVER AND MIGHTY FINE THIGHS.  GEEZ, I HATE THAT HE IS GAY.  ANYWAY, HE LOOKED GREAT.

THIRD, THE NEW GIRL HAS A GREAT VOICE.  NOT A TON OF RHYTHM, BUT A GREAT VOICE AND I MUCH PREFER IT TO ANGELA SCREECHING.  I ALSO WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A BODY LIKE THAT. 

FOURTH, Q CONTINUES TO BE AMAZING.  FELIX LOOKED HAPPY AND IT WAS FUN TO SEE HIM.  BEN LOOKED BORED SILLY.  ONE OF THE OTHER GUITARISTS LOOKS LIKE RANDY JACKSON'S SON.  NO IDEA IF HE IS.

RUBEN IS FUNNY.  SHOCKED ME TO HELL BUT HE IS FUNNY.  HE AND CLAY HAVE CHEMISTRY ON THE STAGE AND  THAT IS PART OF WHAT MADE THE SHOW SO MUCH FUN.

DID I SAY IT WAS HOT?  THANK THE LORD, MY OTHER 2 SHOWS ARE INDOORS.  BY THE END OF THE SHOW, CLAY'S MAKEUP WAS ALL GONE AND HE WAS AS PALE AS HIS MOMMA.  HOW HERS DIDN'T SLIDE OFF IS BEYOND ME.  BUT SHE WAS THERE HOLDING COURT.

I DON'T CARE WHAT HE SAYS.  HE WAS HAVING FUN SINGING UPTEMPO SONGS AND BELTING THEM OUT AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS.  DANCING THE BEST HE CAN GIVEN HIS HIP ISSUE. 

IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN A TICKET FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU MUST.  YOU WILL REMEMBER WHY YOU ARE ON THIS BOARD.  YOU WILL REMEMBER WHY YOU FELL IN LOVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.  NO FRILLS.  NO FANCY LIGHTING.  NO OTT STUFF.  JUST GREAT MUSIC, GREAT BANTER, GREAT FUN.  PURE TALENT. 

I GUESS I LIKED IT.

GWENN
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 07:06:54 AM
langslowblack at CV
Jul 30 2010, 02:31 AM Post #2434 

 M&G Report

Perma and I met at the Clay fan gathering and freaked out together before the M&G. Neither one of us could eat. ~4:30 we started wending our way towards the box office. We had to wait til a little after 5 to get our passes . All of the fan club members were there, but one of the charity winners wasn't. They went first and we waited outside the ballroom. We settled in around a table and shortly after Clay came out. He shook each of our hands ans asked our names, then asked a little bit about how we got here. One woman was from Canada but had been born in Britain and he asked her how they got there and they had a discussion about Visas and moving between England and Canada. When he got to me we talked a little bit about the ferries. Then he asked for questions we were all quiet. Perma asked hers first and I'll let her tell you about it. I asked about his high voiced singing. He said that nomally his voice adapts as he sings the songs more and his throat muscles become used to it but he still was feeling the strain in his voice from the high songs. He said the '80's in particular were hard on his voice. He also said that one of the songs they were going to give to one of the backup singers but he ended up with it instead. I forgot to ask which song it was. Ben arranged the songs as easy as he could for the singers while still maintaining the integrity of the song. He went through the itinerary of concerts for the T&T tour. He is not coming to the Northwest, but he will be in San Francisco, San Diego & Los Angeles. The only other venue that we didnt know about that I remember is Dallas. Nobody else asked any questions so the meeet and greet was short. One woman has several tattoos related to Clay on her arms, so she had him sign her arm and will get a tattoo of that. I had him sign the Twelve Days of Spamalot and he signed it "I fart in your general direction" We took our pictures and got our hugs and it was over. It was probably shorter than a lot of M&G's because no one was asking questions.

That man does not look 31 years old, he looks so young.

That is all that I remember for now.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 07:12:40 AM
demeter at  CV-

Snoqualmie, Washington Recap
Yes, we were in the mountains and I think that had its problems (although Clay said he loved it, more later).

Venue... such a beautiful setting, nestled in the mountains. The weather was perfect, clear skies, temp in the low 70's. It looked to be sold out. THe place was packed all the way back and I didn't see any pockets of empty seats at all.

Audience... we were a great, lively audience... some too lively (of the drinking kind). But it was a fun audience and there was great audience participation right from the beginning. Lots of people up and dancing at some points, some select people dancing throughout. I had a couple seated next to me, the guy next to my seat. A fellow in mid thirties. He had his legs pumping the whole time, clapped and stood when the majority of the crowd stood. Although I met lots of fans, the majority of the audience seemed to be local patrons.

Either the fan wars continue, or there was a very disgruntled Clay fan in the charity auction M&G. She had a front row seat. I spoke to her briefly and she said a couple times that "Clay is an asshole and Ruben is sweet as can be". I was so deflated, I didn't know what was going on and she wouldn't be more specific. Then Perma and Lang came out of their M&G and they told a different story. You read their M&G stories already.

What can I say about Clay. Spicey (boy is she a cutie) about said it already. That really is all that needs to be said. But, OMG, OMG, OMG... he was f*cking gorgeous! And that suit... Wow! It fits him so well. It is clearly an expensive suit and it is the best suit I ever seen him in. He is quite trim and no 'belly' at all. Such an incredible stage presence.

I was nervous about how much Clay time there would be (before the concert), but it goes by so fast it wouldn't really be noticeable by NJU if there is one with more time than the other. There was a ton of ad libbing tonight and several times where Ruben and Clay were cracking each other up, a couple times where they started laughing and couldn't go on because they were laughing so hard (but trying to hide that they were laughing... the full body laughs though). I can't share any of it yet... too tired to remember, but maybe later I can.

For me, some of Ruben's stuff dragged on quite a bit and I found myself looking around when he was talking or singing those long songs. I never felt the urge to look away when Clay was on stage. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Ruben too, but he just didn't captivate me the way Clay does.

Casey is very attractive and very thin (but not too 'skinny'), but with some real curves. She is definitely a looker. She has a great voice too, nice energy and seems to be a really nice addition to the 'family'. Quiana is looking good too.

I think you already heard that Rube had a white choir gown on for his 'pastor' part. Clay didn't have his hammer pants, so he came out with his jeans (wowza) with one leg normal and the other leg rolled up to the knee. It was hilarious.

I was in the fourth row and had a tough time hearing Clay at times. I just don't think his mic is loud enough.

Lots of love on that stage and it just radiates right out to the audience.

Ok... I'm done... except for the fan report... I'll add that in another post. Some interesting stuff.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 08:03:06 AM
(Can'tExplainIt)at CB- who just experienced her first live Clay concert.



West Coast person here so I will file a report tonight. This was my first Clay concert, so very exciting just because of that. And third row seats!! And on "Clay's side" of the stage!!! Everyone was in great voice and having fun. A few special Snoqualmie moments:

Black-and-white striped socks for Clay.

The venue is outside so the sun was still up when the show started. The middle section of the audience was in the sun and having to shield their eyes. Ruben said, "We'll call them the sunglass section." Clay said, "What time does the sun go down here?" Someone called out, and Clay said, "They want us to stand here and block the sun for them." So Ruben moved over a bit and Clay said, "A Ruben eclipse." Later Ruben went to call out to the sunglass section again but noticed they were in the shade now. He said, "What happened?" Clay said, "God is good, Ruben."

A couple came in a bit late and Ruben called them out saying, "Hey, gray dress lady." Hey, long-haired man." Clay teased them about thinking the show started at 8:00 instead of 7:00 and not checking their tickets. He said, "Did you even pay for your tickets?" Apparently the man said something about he was on the Tribal Council, and that made Clay and Ruben speechless for a bit. (The casino is owned by the Snoqualmie tribe; most of the casinos in the area are owned by Native American tribes.)

Clay said the nice thing about doing the show at a casino was that everyone was over 21. "So we're going to be a little raunchy."

Clay was talking about how nice the weather was tonight. He said, "We did a show a couple weeks ago... Well, it seems like a couple weeks but it was only a few days ago. Anyway, we did a show in North Carolina and it was 175!" He then talked about how beautiful the area around here is and Ruben said, "Look at all the Christmas trees, Clay!"

Early in the show a woman called out something and Ruben said, "Who was that?" Everyone pointed at her and Ruben called her "blue shirt lady."

At one point Ruben noticed a woman killing a mosquito. He demonstrated how she held her hands out to clap and waited for the perfect moment to get the mosquito. Later a mosquito was buzzing Clay and he "assumed the position" to try and get it. Ruben said they would have to have that woman come up and show them how it's done.

During Ruben's speech leading up to the Marvin Gaye songs, when he's talking about the Gulf crisis and the war in Afghanistan, a loud truck went by. (The entrance/exit to the casino runs right alongside the venue. When the music is playing you don't notice it, but when Ruben was talking the truck was loud.) Ruben stopped, and Clay yelled at the street, "We're trying to do a show here!"

When they were talking about how so many famous duos are different, like Peaches and Herb, Clay said, "How are they different?" Ruben said, "One's a fruit and one's an herb." Clay said, "Kind of like us." Then they got to the part where Clay said Ruben can be like Luther Vandross and Ruben started to say, "And you can be..." and then a woman yelled out "Barry Manilow!" Ruben said, "Who was that? Was that blue shirt lady?" He told her to come up there. She hesitated and Clay said, "If Ruben says to come up here you better come up." So she went to the front of the stage. Ruben said, "Turn around and face the class. Repeat after me. 'I (state your name)'" She said, "I (and she said her screen name which included "Claymate"). Ruben said, "Not your log-in name. Your real name." He made her say, "I will not steal Ruben's lines anymore." Clay was chuckling a lot at the way Ruben handled this. And then she got rewarded with an autographed t-shirt!!!

After singing September to close out the 70s segment, during which they dance through the whole thing, Clay said, "We should have recorded that" (instead of trying to sing it live and dance at the same time).

The Preacher/lack-of-rhythmitis segment continues to develop. Ruben came out in a white robe. Clay had a hard time keeping from laughing through most of it.

During When I See You Smile, a helicopter fly right over the venue and Clay raised his arm and sang to it.

When Clay came out for the 90s segment, he didn't have his Hammer pants on, but instead had his jeans on with one leg rolled up. Ruben said, "Why are you wearing your jeans like that?" Clay said, "Didn't you wear your jeans like this in the 90s?" Ruben told him he looked like he was going fly fishing. Then Clay explained that he did this because he didn't have his Hammer pants because when he threw them into the audience at the last show he thought he had two pairs.

Towards the end of the show, Clay and Ruben were joking with several people who were drinking quite a bit. A couple woman had made a trip out to get more Bud Lights and they were asking them how many they'd had (5? 7?) Clay and Ruben even talked a bit like they were drunk. Then a few woman went up to the stage and were talking to them. Ruben said, "You helped her through menopause, Clay." Apparently that's really what she said because Clay was laughing but also looked a bit mortified and said, "That's really what she said." Security had to get involved again.

I really like the 80s segment--lots of fun songs and Clay in great voice on Africa and Alone, plus fun songs like Eye of the Tiger, If This Is It, and Footloose. Also love More Than a Feeling! I like the opening too when they both sing their Idol songs, and I've Had the Time of My Life to close the show. They really have fun with that. I'll also mention that the opening of the show--before they come out on stage is funny. A recorded voice gives a big introduction about "7 years ago two singers met in a singing competition. Now the two legends meet again in a death match..." I can't remember all the words but it's very dramatic with the Star Wars theme or something playing.

It was a wonderful show! I've finally seen Clay and Quiana and Jerome live and in person!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 07:58:04 PM
("Quiet1ne") AT CH
I was at the show last night. I was so paranoid that I was going to miss the beginning since I got stuck Portland traffic then again in Olympia/Tacoma traffic about 40 miles from the Casino at 5:30. The traffic gods smiled on me once I made it past Tacoma.

Quote
Well, the positive is that Scarlett is there, she is there, right?!!

Scarlett was right in front of me and it was fascinating watching her work. Sadly she was told by security to stop filming during the 70s medley.  


Quote
I think they've called someone up on stage!
“Blue Shirt Lady” “stole” Rubens line about Clay being Barry Manilow, so he called her to the front of the audience and made her repeat “I [state your name] will not steal Ruben’s lines.” She had to do the first part twice since she said her board name first Clay[something I missed]414.  

 
Quote
Are they singing about Krispy Kremes and Bar B Que?

Just after Clay’s last solo Ruben was mocking Clay’s holding of the not and started making up lines to the tune of the song Clay just finished like Alabama BBQ was better than NC BBQ and that Krispy Krème is really a Birmingham treat and NC just stole it like they stole everything else. It was very cute.


Quote
This audience is outta control!

This was a casino with CHEAP alcohol available at a bar at the back of the audience. Aside from “Blue Shirt Lady” there was the woman who kept walking up & down the aisle holding a glass of wine and trying to the guys attention when she got the front of the stage. Then there were also three women in the front row who had a steady supply of beer. One of those women shouted up to the guys that she went through menopause with Clay. He completely lost it for a good five minutes. Ruben, of course, had to repeat this so the entire audience could hear and further tease Clay. This was right before TOML.

Quote
How did they guys react to the drunken woman and the menopause comment?
Clay lost it and Ruben was having a blast a Clay’s expense.


Quote
Any changes in the set list?

No changes in the set list. They kept going off script with the banter though.

There was a small van line last night about 50 feet from the front door. Clay just shook hands while most of the band, Quiana and Casey took pics & were chatty with the fans. Ruben came out a different door at the back of the casino (have no clue why).

My overall impressions were that this show was much more fun than I was expecting. Even though I still think it is a little heavy on the medley front, it flows much better in person than it does over the cellcert. All were in good voice and C&R are hysterical. I took some pics but I have not DLed them to see if they are any good.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 08:21:38 PM
FROM SMITTEN AT CV

When the concert started, I had a fabulous seat, I think most of the seats would have been good, it was a very compact seating area. but I was 3rd row on the right of the stage, there wasnt anyone sitting to the right of me, so I could spread out a bit, which was good cause..like I said, compact!

As I said before the concert I wasnt feeling well, but I tried to make the best of it, I felt the smile come to my face when the music started, and didnt feel it leave until I was leaving the venue.. It was fantastic!

a few things I noticed without going through every song. I didnt notice it to be ruben heavy at all, I thought it was pretty evenly paced, the medleys went back and forth, as well as the solo's. I enjoyed Ruben a lot when he was doing the medleys, and cutting up with Clay, Im sad to say I didnt enjoy his solo's as much as possibly others, but I wasnt unhappy that he was there, the guys were clearly having a good time with one another..and they bounce of eachother so well, and Ruben as improved SO much on interaction with people. One of my favorite parts was when they were teasing a couple that came in late, the man said that he was a tribal council member, and both guys got serious "uh oh" face..it was really funny.

Another really funny moment was when the helicopter flew over during "when I see you smile" it was classic Clay moment, he sang to it or at it..he really handles things like that so well.

There was a road next to the concert area, behind the fence, and at one point when Ruben was trying to talk he kept getting distracted, and he looked over at the road where there was a truck coming by, and Clay yelled "hey were trying to have a concert here" that was another funny improv moment.

I really really loved that he sang Still The One, thats always one of my repeat, repeat, repeat songs, and it was fun to clap and move to the music..

The medleys were fun, and upbeat and the crowd got up and danced with them a bit.

I think my favorite part was the 90's, probably cause that was my era, and I noticed during the 90's a group of young girls a few rows behind me were up dancing and singing along, its kind of fun to hear them sing songs that you grew up with. I personally loved it when QUiana sang "you oughta know" mostly because I went through an alanis morrisette phase in jr high, so it was a lot of fun.

I thought he looked FABULOUS! I love the hair..love love love, was glad to see the spikes, and loved the suit.

If I had a complaint, it would be the lack of intermission, I personally cant sit through 2 hours without going to the bathroom, so toward the end I had to go, and I wasnt going to go during Clay, so I did go to the bathroom while room was singing (Right here waiting?) and I think a lot of other people do to. I felt terrible, and very rude, and hated to do it...I waited as long as I could, but I knew I wasnt going to get another moment to go, and when I gotta go...I gotta go 

all in all, I had a good time. The show was a lot of fun, and I didnt get to go to the JBT so Im glad I got to experience this. Of course there was other funny moments, that Ill probably touch on later, but I wanted to get some sort of a recap out  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 30, 2010, 09:53:44 PM
FROM CV (REFERRING TO THE WOMAN WHO SAID RUBEN WAS SWEET AND CLAY WAS AN A****):

So I am going to put myself out on a limb here with permission from Iseeme.

She had one of the two charity M&G's last night so I asked about the "asshole" woman. What follows is my report on what she told me..........I sure hope this woman doesn't read here(she told Iseeme she didn't post on any board).

This woman was pissy before the M&G started because she had brought her 17 year old daughter to be part of it and they wouldn't let her in the casino because she was under age. As soon as Clay and Ruben showed up she took total control and monopolized the conversation. She demanded two of everything......even though the M&G clearly said you could get one. Each person(4) was allowed to have one item signed...........she laid down 6 pictures but by that time Clay just gave up and signed them and then looked up and said, "Ebay gold". When it was time for pictures she went first and put one arm around Clay's back and one across his stomach, he removed the front arm and said to her, "This is not a prom picture".

Iseeme said the whole situation with this woman put a damper on the M&G. She still had a wonderful time, loved both guys and loved the concert.

I thought you might be interested in what happened before the comment was made and if she comes after me I expect protection.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 31, 2010, 01:03:06 PM
This is a recap from a Ruben fan from the concert in Snoqualmie.

331 Well, I am home from my concert experience, and I gotta say, that anyone that misses this concert, is really missing a lot of fun. No matter how you feel, you gotta go out and support Ruben! Naturally there were more Clay fans, than Ruben's, but both were treated with respect and lots of laughs, applause, and screams, me being the loudest for Ruben! There was a lot of banter, singing, and so much energy. Those two guys are funny! Ruben did a pastor segment, saving his people for just $9.95, but he got a letter from a mother wanting to save her son, cause he could not dance. She sent him a check for $755, (which he promptly spent on new rims for his caddie, which he surely needed)! Naturally he saved Clay and gave him rhythm. Very funny bit! They sang so many songs from the 70's, 80's and 90's, some of which were "Bring It To Me"-Ruben, "Midnight Hour"-Ruben, "Up On the Roof"-Clay, "Someday We'll Be Together"-Ruben, "Out of My Head"-Clay, "You Can't Hurry Love"-Ruben, "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch"-Ruben, and the list goes on and on and on. They did a lot together, and only a couple of songs alone. The girls each sang a couple of songs too. I did not get to meet with him, as they were really rushed, and heading back to the airport right after the show. Stupid of me not to have listened to the radio station, as I think they were giving away meet and greets, from their station. I would have waited after the concert, but with my husband needing to get into bed, it just was not a choice for me. I was just happy that he made it through the whole concert with no complaints. Even won a few dollars at the machines, so it was really a fun experience. If there is anyone that is not going because of the cost of a ticket, just let me know, and I would love to help, cause I would hate for anyone to miss this concert. It was fun, fun, fun!!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 31, 2010, 10:02:18 PM
waudio1 at CV



 My recap of my Washington concert experience.

1) The concert was really really fun! Filled to what looked like almost to capacity at a BEAUTIFUL venue. Great weather. Gorgeous view. I got chills during TITT and thought to myself - yep - I still love him just as much. I have to agree with everyone that I wished for more knock out moments from Clay. I kept getting little glimpes of it during the melodies and then they were gone. He sounded amazing and I'm not complaining. Ruben sounded amazing as well - I was very impressed. My friend (that isn't really a Clay or Ruben) fan loved the show and was impressed as well. I took a few photos with my average point/shoot camera that I will post below. Before the show we had a conversation a women sitting next to us - she was staying at our hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) and earlier in the day she had seen Jerome in the lobby leading her to believe that Clay might be staying there tonight. I took this with a grain of salt - I will say that this Hilton was very nice and new and very close to the casino - so maybe... The next part is the most interesting/frustrating/exciting part of the evening for me....

2) After the concert we stopped at the bathroom and then left the casino. When we got back to the parking lot it was pretty full and we had to park a little ways out in the lot. As we got out of the car a white van with tinted windows pulled into the hotel. I jokingly said to my friend - Clay is probably in that van.... As we got closer to the valet drop off area - OMG - Clay got out of the van. Jerome was with him and some others from the group and they were unloading luggage and just standing outside the van. I can honestly tell you the next is a whole big blur. My brain literally froze - I was like a deer caught in the headlights - I couldn't think what to do - unfortunately as all this was happening I was still walking (about to walk past Clay without saying anything). My friend hits me trying to knock me out of my Clay panic and yells out "Great show tonight Clay". Of course I can't be bested by my non-Clay friend and so quite eloquently I yell out "Yeh - great show tonight Clay!" - I'm amazing - I know. By this time we are already we are almost past him. And he doesn't say anything back to us so I keep walking and I don't stop. I know if he had said something back to us I would have stopped. We get inside the hotel lobby and it is empty - no one is there - I expected to see Clay fans all over the place - but no one. We stop in front of the elevators and I'm shaking and stuttering and my friend is trying to help and asking me what I want to do. The elevators open. We stand there for a minute hoping the group will start to come in and we can nonchalantly hold the elevator but they aren't coming in and I don't want to annoy him or be the "crazy" fan so we get in the elevator and go up to our room.

Our room had a perfect view of the outside valet area and by the time we look out of our room Clay is gone. However, we see another SUV pull up and Ruben get out. We mull around in the room for a bit - I'm now thinking of a million things I could have said to Clay (and let me tell you they were all brilliant - he couldn't have helped but talk to me if I had said them.. Then we decide to go back down to the lobby to see about getting a drink or food (I need to calm down at this point because I'm literally shaking). On the elevator ride back down Casey and some other girl that I don't recognize get on the elevator. Casey is very tiny and very pretty. I didn't speak to Casey either - but I'm OK with that... Casey and the other girl got off the elevator and left the hotel. By this time Ruben is no where in sight either. But Jerome was in the lobby talking to the manager of the hotel. No - I didn't talk to Jerome either (see a pattern developing here...).

I have to assume all of them were taking a flight out in the morning to Reno. No - I didn't stay up all night stalking the lobby waiting for them to leave. Although I couldn't sleep so I should have - kidding - I think.

My friend felt really bad that she didn't make me go up and talk to Clay. I have mixed feelings about it. I didn't want it to turn into something negative. Since he didn't answer us - I assumed he wasn't really in the mood to talk to fans. I didn't want to have Jerome come over and tell us to leave. As big as a fan that I am - I didn't know enough about how he "might" react in that situation to give it a chance in the moment - and evidently I'm a complete wimp..... I wonder what everyone here thinks I should have done. I'm a bit sad about it but not crushed. I probably missed my "great" opportunity since the meet and greet numbers odds aren't in my favor.  







 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on July 31, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
catlady4clay at CH

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacksonville

The concert far exceeded my expectations in song choices and humor, and Clay was drop-dead gorgeous--I had a wonderful time. The highlight for me, though, occurred about an hour after the concert ended. I was one of the diehard fans still waiting around outside the theater hoping to see Clay. The security guys tried to get us all to leave by saying Clay and everyone had already left. My patience and stubborness won out because Clay came out of the bus and shook the hands of those of us remaining. Not only did I get a handshake, he touched my shoulders as he tried to maneuver around me to get back on the bus! I don't know how I drove back to my hotel in my Aiken fog, but I made it.

Again, thanks to all the clack gatherers and goddesses who help upload and make everything available to the fans--I love this fandom!
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Tiffany on July 31, 2010, 11:10:01 PM
This is about our very own JoAnn's Meet and Greet from Prissy.

   

JoAnn called just before she went in for the concert.

Great M&G with Clay and Ruben.  She really enjoyed talking to them and just talked like she would to friends.  The assistant took her gift for Clay which had striped socks in it for Clay and for Parker.  She saw the socks and Clay showed them all that he was wearing yellow striped socks.  Clay signed "JoAnn, Thank you for your support" on the picture she brought with her.

Both Clay and Ruben were chatty and she said Ruben looked like he had lost weight.  She got four hugs from Clay!!!   Clay did say he was coming to Grand Prairie on the next tour.  Grand Prairie is just 25 minutes from me and even closer to JoAnn!!!!!

The gal that won the other charity auction with JoAnn gave her passes to a couple;  so four in all at JoAnn's M&G.  She did not have time to say anything about the tour.

It really sounds like she is having a great time!  ;D

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 03:59:20 AM
texwriter from CV:

Just back from the concert. It was completely full with more men than I've ever seen at a Clay concert. The crowd was very into it, but not to the extent of getting up and dancing like they did in Clearwater. As you probably heard, there was one lady in the front row who immediately got C & R's attention. She was wearing a black & white striped top, so I'm going to refer to her as zebra lady. She told them over and over that it was her birthday and that she loved them. Zebra lady stood up and danced (all by herself) through about half the show. I was sitting at the end of her row, and was thinking that the people behind her were probably really disgusted with her blocking the view. The boys did get a lot of mileage out of kidding her. Clay said the sad thing was that she would probably never remember a thing in the morning. He asked her who she'd come with and she pointed out her children, sitting apart from her. He said it would probably take them years of therapy to get over this night. I saw her leaving during one of Ruben's slow songs and she never came back. I just hope she made it to her room before she passed out because she told Clay that she'd been celebrating since 12:00 a.m. She was reallllllly drunk!
Clay has a new outfit for the 90's that even Ruben hadn't seen. It was a black zippered jacket with an elastic waist and these SHINY black hammer pants that looked like they were made out of black plastic (picture a garbage bag) There was a gold chain hanging from under the jacket. Ruben completely lost it when he saw Clay's outfit, then Clay pulled up the jacket to reveal this 4" wide gold belt that the chain was hanging from, and Ruben lost it again. Clay proceeds to turn around and flash his belt to all of the band members because he was so proud of his "bling". It was hysterical. I think a lot of the audience members were NJU and they were very responsive to the humor and the vocal abilities of everyone. Security was very attentive to what was going on and I did see them approach a few people with flash cameras. Not sure if anyone had to leave because I was in the first row. It was a really good show, and my DH said he'd never heard Ruben sound better. (He thinks Clay always sounds great!) I do think Ruben's improved a lot since AI. I also think that being around Clay has made him stretch a bit, which he never had to do during idol, because they were always praising him.

Forgot to add that at one point Clay said zebra lady was "ducking frunk", which also cracked Ruben up and got a drum roll from Felix. Felix was doing so many drum rolls during Ruben's preacher routine, that Ruben said "Felix, you're gettin' on my nerves with those drum rolls, cut it out." 


 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:00:23 AM
From demeter at CV:

After Concert Report:

deemer called... said the audience was great, really enjoyed it. She talked to a guy after the concert and she said "wasn't it fabulous?" and he said, "It was beyond fabulous!"

mentioned the hammer pants... shiny black, gold belt and chain hanging down... he was trying to hide the belt... Rube hadn't seen the outfit so he was really surprised, but he said the pants were actually pretty good.

Then when he took the hammer pants off, he also removed the jacket he was wearing with the pants, and the rest of the concert was Clay in his white button down shirt, tucked into his jeans.

Lots of clack tonight. Scarlett got everything.

Some drunks and Clay and Ruben made fun of them, then one of the drunks didn't make it through the show and Clay said "did you see how fast they took her seats? She was in front row.

Security didn't seem to crack down on anyone at all... the only problem might be obstructed view because the floor was flat.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:05:44 AM
from copingincalif at CV

Hi y'all from Reno!
 I'm not great at recaps so will just post this:

The Yellow Shirt is History! We got belted jeans!

Clay sounded great. No trouble on high notes. Ruben was terrific. Audience showed everyone even band the love.

I met Perma and we compared our hand Injuries hee hee

But loved being in 2nd row to see that man dance. He is getting skinny! Looked great as always.

Off to bed cuz got early flight and then in LA!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:09:03 AM
kristi rainbowgirl at CV:

They teased the intoxicated BIRTHDAY lady throughout the show. She kept saying she loved them. They made a bet that she wouldn't make it through the show. Sure enough, she ended up being escorted out, slowly, by someone (like a relative or friend or something, not security I don't think lol). She kept wobbling and stopping. So it made it even funnier because they knew she wasn't going to make it to the end of the show.

I was so happy that he wasn't wearing that yellow shirt. He looked great in his jeans/white button up shirt/belt. Even better in the new 90s getup. Black parachute pants, gold flashy belt, gold chains. Black zipper jacket. Looked ridiculous in the best way.

I can't remember everything all at once. It keeps coming back to me in pieces. But I do remember LOVING "Still the One." I could listen to him sing that forever. I thought he was AMAZING on "Footloose." I hadn't heard him sing it before.

Maybe I'll think of more later. =D  

From her M&G:

Couple more meetngreet tidbits before I forget. So while Clay was talking to us, he looked down at his jeans. They were frayed at the bottom. He ripped off a piece that was dangling too much from the ankle/cuff of his jeans lol. I almost reached out to get it from him but I stopped myself haha. So Clay.

He signed my photo "Kristie - Stay True, Clay Aiken"
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:12:52 AM
from wandacleo at CV:

Back from the concert (with a little detour for ice cream). OMG, what a great show! Little tidbits that I loved--when Clay was entering the stage and Ruben was leaving, they slapped hands The drunken lady--Alex--kept yelling out "I love you," and Ruben and Clay sort of just included her in the routine. At one point, Clay said something like "Drunk and funk" and was laughing. He asked us all to say happy birthday to Alex and asked her whom she came with. When she said her kids, Clay looked incredulous and said something like "You came with your kids!!" and then something about them needing therapy for that. (Sorry, I'm paraphrasing here!") At one point when he and Ruben were talking, and the woman was disrupting, Clay said, "Let me guess., you love me (or us)." After she finally left, Clay asked for a moment of silence for her and then teased the people who had run up and taken her seats. That woman interrupted them SO MANY times that at one point they forgot what they were talking about and Clay finally said, "Screw the script" and they just sang.
The best moment of the whole concert--I swear--was when Clay came out in the new Hammer outfit. It was so damn funny and he could hardly contain himself he was so pleased. Ruben apparently hadn't seen the outfit because he about split a gut. Clay had some kind of big satiny black jacket on and the most hideous black lame (as in lamay) pants with gold chains hanging and this indescribable gold belt. Clay said something like "Reno has great shops," since they must have purchased them there. OMG, he looked so funny I just about peed myself laughing. PLUS, he grabbed his crotch higher than usual, as in the real thing. OMG, funny.
The singing as always was great. Clay was pathetic as all get out (wrapped in a white blanket) whimpering, twitching, and moaning for the pastor and Ruben couldn't stop laughing.
Another time they both got to laughing was during the peaches and herb routine--you know, the "fruit and herb" just like us bit. Not sure why they got to laughing, but it was funny.
The whole evening just flew by and I'd be sobbing now that it's over except that I'll see it again in NY.
Little note: I noticed that Clay pretty much stayed in character and in focus all night, but a few times Ruben was sort of staring off while singing--just momentary lapses. However, I thought Ruben was great--loved his voice and loved the connection. The two guys really seemed to be having a good time--well, everyone on stage, actually.
Lots of men in the audience, and at the end I looked around and could see lots of them up, grinning, clapping, singing along and having a good time. The place was packed with people. We had great seats in the 4th row, so I was blessed. .
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:42:23 PM
FROM DDUB0558 AT CV:

Hello all! Just got back from a week in Fl! Finally got to see Clay live and he did not disappoint. We saw him at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and I had a great experience. My 25 yr old daughter and 9 year old son went with me. Everyone was so nice and friendly there. We didn't have seats up close (damn it!!) but had a very good view. I don't think there are any bad seats in that place. My daughter recorded some songs on her phone but I haven't had a chance to look yet to see if it turned out good. My kids enjoyed the show and were up dancing and singing along. The crowd was VERY enthusiastic (I don 't think I spelled that right). My daughter got a kick out of the little lady ushers in the isles that were singing and dancing right along with every one else. The show was wonderful and I looked through my bi-noculars and noticed how thin and handsome Clay is!! As we were leaving I smiled when I heard a man (and there were lots there) say how much he enjoyed the show and "Clay is cool"!!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 04:45:11 PM
FROM CANUCK 2010 AT CV

Hi everyone! Well, I saw my final show last night and it was as fantastic as Clearwater if not better. DH came to his first every pop concert of Clay's and loved every bit of it. That just thrilled me to the bone. I think he now finally gets it - why I love to do this so much. He even met some of my Clay fan friends and enjoyed that very much.

The most exciting change for me last night was the new hammer/harem pants and the replacement of the baggy yellow shirt with the new tucked in white dress shirt of perfection. When he walked out of the back in those pants and Ruben saw him, it was beyond hysterical. Ruben may have lost it but I lost it more. I was actually convulsing and when Clay said "They have some fines stores in Reno", I just don't know how I recovered. These two are comedy gold and Clay is a master.

Though DH was totally blown away by Clay and Ruben, he also mentioned that the drummer was spectacular (as was Casey) ha! He was impressed by the whole band.

I hung out in the lobby this morning hoping to catch gareem, lovethatguy ficus cloopy and lizzybutts to say goodbye. I had limited success but I did hit the jackpot when Clay came down and was met by a couple who he obviously knew and he chatted with them for 10-15 minutes. I promise I didn't stare but I did manage to keep tabs very closely, while appearing nonchalant. He may have stayed longer because the fans were very good at leaving him alone until one family of Japanese tourists marched up and asked for a photo. He graciously gave them one but then quickly left. I was again thrilled to see him. He was wearing niiiiiiiiice jeans, a yellow plaid shirt, white runners and carrying his laptop and pulling his own carryon bag.  It was an unexpected sighting as the band had left a good hour earlier.

All in all, these past four concerts were OTT wonderful. I looked forward to them for so long and they surpassed my expections by a mile.

I mentioned to someone that you are best served by leaving all expectations and biases behind you as you enter the venue and just sit back and soak up the talent and magic on that stage  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 09:50:27 PM
FROM ELEID AT CV:

eleid


 Hey everybody...just got back from Reno.

What a fantastic show!! I am so glad that I didn't get a chance to watch any clack ahead of time, it was one surprise after another. Two hours of non-stop great music and comedy. It all went by in such a blur, but I have to say hearing Clay sing "More Than A Feeling" by Boston made this former rocker-chick's day. 

Clay sounded fantastic, one of my faves was "Still The One", I've always loved that song and Clay's rendition. I can't say enough about how impressed I was with Ruben. I like Ruben, but I've never been a fan of Ruben "the singer". He was amazing. He had both Marti and I impressed from the very beginning with his version of "Bring It On Home To Me"...outstanding! I know now why Ruben mentioned "playing at the Wynn". This style of show is one that fits Las Vegas to a tee, IMO.

Clay looked incredible...except for the hair. Those bangs reminded me of Cameron Diaz in "There's Something About Mary"  Either that or that rooster look from a few years ago.  But he looked great and thin and I loved that white shirt with the blue jeans. He wears a pair of jeans like nobody else.  The 90's outfit that he "bought in a Reno store" was hilarious and brought the house down. Even Ruben lost it for minute until he could compose himself and go on with the show. So much fun!!

 I want to send a special shout out to Nancela. She did a fabulous job organizing the CV dinner and the raffle/auction to benefit the National Inclusion Project was a great success. Ymarie, if you read this when you return from vacation, you were sorely missed. 

I was thrilled to hang with my LV buds Marti and Mitzi. We were really missing Yollie last night. She was such a huge fan of Clay and Ruben's, I know she would have loved this show. Marti and I got a little choked up during "One Sweet Day", thinking about her.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 09:59:21 PM
FROM PERMASWOONED AT CV:

Hi honeys, I'm hoooooooooooooooooome!!!

I need to unpack, put together my concert purse, change out my camera SD card, slap cold water on my face and mainline some caffeine. Geez I'm tired!!

I'm pretty sure I'm on the list now. Everytime Clay turned around at the airport, there I was! More about that later.

2 important things:

I sat across the aisle from the new tour manager....I forget her name....the new Mary. Very nice. The flight attendants and multiple passengers were all atwitter about Clay, Ruben and all the band members being on the flight. She seemed really friendly and approachable, so I asked her if she could clear up something for me. I told her the Ticketmaster tickets stated that the concert started at 6:00, but the website said 7:00. She told me she was virtually sure it was 7, but then said she'd check for me. As soon as we were on the ground, she called her contact at the venue. They told her "Doors open at 6:00, the concert starts at 7:00", and then she leaned over to pass that on to me.

Moby (the Dick). He indeed was in first class in the row ahead of Clay. Ruben was across the aisle from Clay. Honestly, I didn't recognize Moby, and this is key....I don't think anyone else did either. I just thought.....hmmmmm....middle-aged bald guy, thin, glasses.....part of Clay's road team???? Who knew?

When I was boarding, Clay was seated in 1st class and Ruben was standing, just getting ready to sit in his seat. Clay was joking with Ruben, saying "Studdard, are they letting YOU up here?" And then he DID indeed sing something softly to Ruben, that I think was a song that made some kind of a dig or joke between the 2 of them. Ruben grunted something that was probably some version of "bite me", and Clay laughed and sang a little more. SOFTLY, people. Alas, it was a little TOO soft. My reaction was "OMG, CLAY IS SINGING 1 FOOT AWAY FROM ME ON THIS AIRPLANE", and not, unfortunately, "What the heck is that song????" Mea culpa.

Anyhoo, back to Moby. I never would have recognized him if someone hadn't quoted the tweet. The plane was buzzing about Ruben and Clay and the band, and all the instruments strapped into seats. My seatmate, a cool guy in his twenties wanted to know who they were. He'd never watched AI, but had heard of them and excitedly snapped a pic with his phone of Ruben when he stood to deplane. Clay was on our side, so we couldn't see him. Until we got off the plane. More on that later. The flight attendants were all atwitter, lots of passengers talking......

Funny thing.....no one noticed Moby at all, and he strolled slowly through the plane to use the bathroom. Has been!!!! He's just jellus'

OK....more fun stuff, but I need to get ready for another concert. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 10:01:20 PM
FROM SUERUE AT CV:

My Meet & Greet Recap
By: SueReu

We'll start with MY clothes. Ironically, I ended up wearing nothing - that I bought specifically for the M&G. We had a dinner before at a buffet at an attaching casino/hotel. It was so wonderful to meet so many fans. I left the buffet at 5:30, figuring I would have plenty of time to change - EHHHH WRONG!!!! I ended up with just enough time to run up to my room, run a toothbrush through my mouth and grab the folder I had been oh, so carefully hauling around with me all.day.long with the photo and our concert tickets.

So, I'm running through the hotel lobby (kind of like one of those hertz commercials, I SWEAR I jumped over some poor unsuspecting soul because they would NOT get out of MY WAY!!!!), hauled my ass down the stairs to venue (at this point I was thanking Jesus I did not have on three inch heels, but was also hoping he wouldn't notice that I had had no pedicure) and went careening around the corner to the box office. No Jerome, no M&G passes, but I was definitely in the right place (another thank you Jesus moment). It was about 5 minutes before the magic hour of 6:00 and I had time to do the one thing I didn't have time to do before my mad dash through the Casino - go to the bathroom. EEEEEEEEHHHH WRONG!!!! My good friend Nyama came running in to tell me to get ON with it, Jerome was there. So, I yet again had to come rushing out and up the stairs to where Jerome and the rest of the Meet & Greeters were all standing. Goodness, but Jerome is quite large, isn't he? But he looks GREAT!!!! and he's a sweetie pie. He got to my M&G pass and said "Sue"? I looked over his shoulder and said "you're not even going to try the last name?" and he said "No, how do you say it?" I said it once, and he asked me to repeat it

So, they took the first group back to meet Clay - that would be the auction winners. Unfortunately, two of the winners were MIA, I don't know if they ever got their chance to meet Clay, but I sure hope so. More waiting and then (dun dun dunnnnnnn) it was our turn.

We all lined up like good little soldiers and followed Jerome through a door and down a long hallway (actually, it wasn't that long, but when the prize at the end is Clay Aiken it felt like an ETERNITY!!!) and there were 7 chairs lined up against the wall. We were instructed to take a seat and Jerome would go Clay....eternity....well, a few seconds later Clay is there. He is so incredibly cute - he truly does glow!! His hair was just natural, brushed back, no spikes or anything. He had on that yellow plaid shirt with a long sleeved shirt under it, the arms of both shirts were rolled up to his elbows (like he does with the suit jacket/white shirt combo). He had on jeans and tennis shoes (I have no clue which tennis shoes) and yellow/white striped socks. and he looked just like Clay, freckles, green eyes, warm smile.

He walked up to all of us and shook hands- my instinct was to stand up, that's what I've always been taught - but I didn't want to make any fast moves for fear of being kicked out. He has a very firm handshake and his hands are soft to the touch (I believe that I saw freckles, but that could be my imagination going overtime). He then went and got a chair and set it down in front of us (I'm sure we all think he was sitting directly in front of us, but he was kind of in the middle). At this point he took one long leg and put it over the other, with his ankle resting on the knee. He then proceeded to pick at the ends of his jeans - the same frayed jeans I had just been talking about on Friday. I felt it was either a subliminal message to me personally, or he was giving me the opportunity to fully size up Clay Aiken - and let me tell ya, Clay more than measures up, if ya know what I mean (and I think you do). It was also somewhat fascinating watching him rip pieces of fabric off the bottom of his jeans, he'd twirl it around his finger and then rip

I do have to warn you, there are gaps in my memory - hopefully other fans have recapped and they'll do better at remembering specifics than I do (my brain kind of got off kilter with the whole ripping of fabric at the bottom of his pants and hopefully we'll all remember it the same way, if not than the Aiken Fog is a real phenomenon that should probably be studied for scientific purposes)). At this point he asked everyone where they were from. I cannot remember where everyone was from, but it seemed that there were 3 people from California, one person from Utah and I, of course, am from Portland. He asked the first fan about Bakersfield (I remember something about dust). Then he came to me. Ah yes, Portland. He said he loves Portland, but doesn't get there very often. I said "I know" (and gave him a "look") and then he said something that I'm probably not supposed to recap, but I said "I figured" and then we talked about the weather - honestly. He said he had just been to Seattle and he asked me if it rained in Seattle more than Portland. I said yes, about a half an inch a year (that's a joke, and I think he got it). I said it does rain more in Seattle but Portland has its fair share. He asked me how much rain we got and I said let's put it this way - they say there's two seasons in Oregon, rain and August. But I told him that wasn't really true, that it gets nice here in July and it stays nice until October. and while it rains a lot, it's also very green. Then he told me it was green in Raleigh but that they don't get a lot of rain (now, my mind is thinking - how the hell did we get on the topic of rain and how the hell can we get off the topic of rain?). But it didn't matter, because I think he was done with me and went on a fan from Utah. Now, this is where my memory starts to fade - I believe he talked to the remaining three fans about where they were from, but I was too busy watching his mouth to hear what he was saying. I remember something about San Antonio and humidity and 92% humidity couldn't possibly be right because then it would be raining. He then went on to talk about the humidity in Raleigh and that he can stand a lot of heat (he actually addressed the two shirts and jean wearing during extremely hot weather), but the humidity is what gets ya. I was listening, but was enthralled with how he moves his mouth. It's really surreal to see him speaking in person, he talks kind of out of the side of his mouth (like he does during interviews). It's too cute!! I believe the last fan he spoke to was from LA and I can't remember what was said, but I think it had to do with PBS (I'm such an idiot). He actually talked quite a bit about PBS - but we were been told that we aren't supposed to discuss the Meet & Greets - I'm assuming he means career related stuff and not weather related stuff - if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will come after.

Then it's time for him to sign things. He said as he's signing that we can ask him a question. Still in my mouth stupor, and starting to panic, I don't remember what the first fan asked him - I was trying to figure out how to get out of asking him my question, without saying "I don't want to ask you anything" I do, however remember that fan was handing him a pen and that it wasn't quite making it to his hand and I tried to be helpful, I really did, but my fingers got all tangled up with his - accidentally, I SWEAR - but I finally got the pen in his hand and asked if he had it. I shall repeat, I'm a IDIOT.

He finishes signing the first item and answering her question and then it's my turn. I handed over the photo and he asked who it was for. I told him it was for William. He asked me who William is, so I told him my son - you will see the outcome of this exchange at the bottom of this post - be sure to read the signature carefully - the man is so sweet, so clever and so quick on his feet. He asked me what my question was and I told him it was too long. So he asked me what it was about and I told him the Constitution - well, you know Clay, he said ask him. So I did - I asked him if he felt that we should periodically look at the constitutional amendments so that they reflect our society as it changes, for example freedom of the press. He said he would love love love it, but he also said that he felt it wasn't a good idea, because the more you pick at things the more they change and there was the potential of them changing too much and the freedoms going away (or something like that). He seemed to enjoy the question, of course what would have made it too long is that I wanted to argue with him, but I controlled myself.

He then went on to the next girl, who had all of her questions written down. She started at the top and said "she wants to know" - which is when we got the "talking to" about the Message Boards and how what is said in the M&G needs to stay off the message boards. He said he thought we were doing a good job of that, so I'm hoping I'm not betraying his trust by this recap. The question that was asked was career related, so I'm not going to put it here. I will say that it was not a going forward question, but it was a question about the past (and really nothing earth shattering).

I cannot remember the last two ladies either, because I was yet again watching his mouth (I'm completely hopeless). He does have a nice mouth though.......

Then it was picture time!!!! We all stood up and went over to him, not a prom picture, but he put his arm behind your back and you got to put your arm around his back (and may I add, for the record, he has a damn nice back). So I got my picture taken and said "hey, I didn't blink!" and he said I probably looked like this - and screwed his face up into a goofy look. Have I said in the last few paragraphs how cute he is? He's such a doll!!!

Then we all got hugs and that was it - the end. As we were leaving, and we were all talking about how sweet and charming he is (everyone in my group were first timers) the lady who was working security for Silver Legacy chimed in too!! She kept saying how nice Clay is - that made me feel really wonderful (and I think she may have also been in a bit of the Aiken Fog - hopefully she snapped out of it).

Here's the scan of what I got signed - the scan itself isn't very good, but you can see the signature (which is the most important part). I love him


Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 01, 2010, 10:30:02 PM
from sutter4clay at CV:

My Reno recap!

First I want to thank my good friend Cheri (claylove) and her wonderful family for allowing us to stay the night Friday evening so we could head to Reno the following morning! Never have I felt such complete warmness..genuinely this family is close knit because you feel and sense the love they all have for one another!!! Another amazing thing!! My friend had received her PBS DVD from Amazon so we were going to sit down and watch it on their big flat screen t.v. they have in their living room.. it wasn't just me, Cheri or my daughter but her whole family sat down and watched.. It was amazing.. Her dad kept commenting on how wonderful the show looked and Clay's incredible voice.. I loved how into the show he was!!! This for me was the highlight of what I will remember staying there!!!


My Reno trip was everything I had hoped and dreamed it would be!! From seeing Clays and Rubens pictures on a giant billboard off Hwy 80 to the concert itself! At the Legacy!the excitement was everywhere..you could feel it!! Clay was in the building somewhere!!! we got our key headed to our room and then went to dinner at the gecko bar and grill!! That place Rocks!!! After dinner we headed to our rooms to brush our teeth and freshen up!! We had about 45 minutes to kill so we went and sat in the lobby!! So at about 6:55pm we headed downstairs where the doors opened at 7:00! So we go inside to find our seats and to sit down! Once the show begins it is high octane fun and laughter from start to finish! No clack can do this show justice compared to live!!! Clay and Rubes banter was painstakingly laugh out loud funny. My sides hurt from there antics.. Boy these two are in their element cracking on each other!!! I must say Clays 90 pants that had the long chain hanging down almost made me fall of my chair ! What a riot that was!! That was the 1st time Rube got to see them.. and he was shocked I tell you!!! There was a lady in front row who was celebrating her birthday who had one to many drinks and Clay and Rube brought attention to this which was funny!!!

Many have said this and it really hit home with me !! No studio can touch Clays voice live!!! Clay was flawless for 2 hrs!! What a powerhouse,He jet propelled me a couple times backwards when he sang reaching for those big notes!! Holy crap I had chills on top of chills.. Rube was great I enjoyed his song choices and his banter back and forth with Clay!!! Quiana and Casey were awesome!!! just WOW! This show for me is outstanding and now holds the number 1 place as far as tours go!!


I want to give a shout out to GrandmaJane!! What a joy seeing you!!!


Perma you are a rare treasure!!! Thanks for saying hello !! and tell your other half hello too!!! It was truly an honor meeting you both.

Scarlett what a sweet gem you are!! Finally I got to meet you!!!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 02, 2010, 10:37:18 AM
FROM OUR OWN JOANN MOODY:

JoAnn Moody
Saturday started out with a "bonus"!   Me and 3 other friends were at Cafe Sedona minding our own business and eating lunch when I looked up and saw Jerome on the cell phone perhaps 8 feet away from us.  When he was finished, he returned to his table about 10 feet away and GUESS WHO WAS THERE EATING! CLAY!  We remained calm, cool and collected and the only way out was next to our table.  We were good and "ignored" him as he passed by and it was wonderful just to be that close.
   Quick wardrobe:  light yellow plaid shirt, jeans  tan laceless converse shoes, combed over hair and stubble!  In fact, that is exactly what he had on at my M&G!
   We had also seen Casey so many times by then, she was just a blended in person.  So cute, and tall and thin. 

  At my M&G, the charity one, there was "supposed" to be four of us.  Well, the other two weren't there, so Jerome said, "Come on ladies" and my guest and I followed him behind the stage.  HE QUICKLY GO US LOST AND APOLOGIZED FOR  FOR GETTING LOST.  IT WAS KIND OF CONFUSING, NO SIGNS TO FOLLOW.
   We finally get to the right place and Jerome told us to wait there.  The ENTIRE TIME WE WERE WITH CLAY AND RUBEN, IT WAS JUST THE 2 OF US1  ME AND MY GUEST, SHARRIE!
   Cheryl J.. Clay's manager, came in with a great looking camera to use and asked if we wanted anything signed.  There was a "bar" type table sat up with two lit candles on it.  Cheryl is extremely nice and even gave me  Ruben's CD and told me to let him sign it too. It is called, Ruben Studdard  "Love Is".  Clay commented about my photo I "made" to sign.  I explained how I used the Silver Legacy promo shot and "redid" in in B&W.  He even told Ruben, "nice!" 
     As he signed, he asked who had won the auction and I told him that I had.  Then he asked me how I had met Sharrie(my guest) and I said on the OFC.  He turned Ruben and mentioned something like" MIne, ha ha! Ruben asked me what the OFC was and I informed him.
    When we were signing, Clay asked me to spell my name and where I was from.  When I said, "Fort Worth, TX, he "from his own lips" said that he was coming to Grand Prarie on the next tour. Yeah!!! Ruben was watching him sign my photo and said, "Clay, nice handwriting tonight!"  I also mentioned that too and said since I was left handed, my handwriting was rather sloppy.  My guest and Clay's manager also said that they were left handed and Cheryl, said that we left handers rule!
   I mentioned that I was a retired art teacher and Clay asked if it included visual arts and then mentioned Ruben's foundation.  I also mentioned to them that as a teacher of the gifted and regular kids, no one was excluded in my classroom and that my class motto was, "We're all gifted, we just open our packages at different times."  That impressed Clay and he told Ruben that he liked it.
   While all this was happening, I had handed the package that I brought for Clay to Cheryl to take charge of it.  She took a "peek" and said "OH, cool socks!"  Clay looked up, and when he realized that they were stripped, he said that Cheryl had said that only because he "used" to mismatch his socks. BUT, HE HAD "GROWN UP" LAST YEAR AND NOW HE "MATCHED" HIS SOCKS.  I told him that there were also a pair of stripped socks for Parker in the bag and he said that he also wore a pair too.
   During the session, we just all four just kept up the chit chat with each other and BOTH CLAY AND RUBEN kept giving us the best hugs!  I was standing next to Ruben and he would just look at me and hug!  Clay did too.  I do have a good feeling that they both knew how much I had bid for the charity and that they really appreciated that.
    Picture time, I requested to be by myself with Clay and Ruben, so my guest also got her single photo with them both.  I "requested" a Ruben sandwich for the photo.  Clay asked what was that and I stood in the middle and gave each one a "little" squeeze.  I "remember that Clay was on my left and bent down with a check touch.
     I can't wait to get the photo!  I FORGOT  to look at his eyes!
Oh yes, as the charity winner, I was given a gift bad of goodies from the National Inclusion Project.  The bag contained :  the book,, ""OUr Friend Mikayla", two NIP pins and several NIP note cards.  I also received a merchandize choice.  I chose the black t-shirt and they gave my guest  a black tote bag too.  OUR SEATS (2) THAT WE RECEIVED WERE ROW 3 SECTION C  SEATS 11 AND 12.  Cheryl apologized that they weren't center but they were perfect.

 I feel so special and I believe that we had at least 20 minutes with Clay and Ruben.   The other two charity winners did show up but they did not share our time! 

   After the concert, we met up with some friend in a little "cozy" lounge area and 30 minutes later, TA DA! In walks Clay, Jerome and a few guests!  They sat down about 10 feet from us and we were that close until he left the area at about 1:00 a.m.!
 
BUT WAIT, THE CLAY PART CONTINUES AT THE AIRPORT.   I was sitting  down and everyone came in and sit within the same area.  Cheryl saw me and waved at me and Ruben nodded at me!!!!
   As I was going to my gate, I stopped and said hello to Cheryl and Ruben waved at me!!! Cheryl was still holding on to Clay's gift.  She said that she had read the poem I had made and loved it.  I hope Clay does too.

ADDENDUM:

 I "forgot" a little something about the M&G!  When Cheryl was talking about the "cool" striped socks I had brought, Clay  stopped what he was doing and became interested too.  When he was "showing" us his yellow striped socks that he was wearing, his torn jean cuff had caught under one of his feet.  He yelled, "A stir up! I have a stir up on my foot!" then he jumped around on one foot "removing" the stir up.  Thought I was going to lose it I was laughing  so hard.

My room:  18 floor, corner two walls of huge windows meeting at the corner looking out at a mountain view!  Spa tub right in the corner.  A huge king size bed, two seating areas, wall mounted flat screen about 48 " a walk in shower that I "measured" using my feet at about 5'x5'. 

I ate "real" food the entire time but had quite a walk each time I went to and from the room and always walking around the casino floor. I WEIGH IN THIS MORNING AND WILL PROBELY NOT LIKE WHAT I SEE.

The new "harem" pants are a riot! Ruben had not seen them before and I thought his sides were going to split open when he saw them.  I thought that I was going to choke laughing so hard too.  Clay just "looks" up at Ruben with this "little" boy face and "tries" not to crack up. 

I can't wait til Biloxi.  It is one of his best shows, energetic and so, so good.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 02, 2010, 01:14:55 PM
from copingincalif at CV

Here's my meet & greet recap from LA:

Flew to San Diego from Reno, then got my daughter to drive us the 2 plus hours to LA - got there with 30 minutes to spare.

We met 2 lovely young gals both named Jackie at Club Nokia and Jerome collected us for our M&G (we had won the charity m&g). Jerome had on a yellow striped shirt and looked very fit. We were directed to sit inside the club in the front row while a sound check (not the musicians) was going on. Staff were milling around (more about this below). Jerome leaves and returns with Clay, Ruben and Cheryl (Clay's asst). But Ruben and Clay are in their own little world talking to each other. I have no idea what Ruben was wearing except he had on sneakers with neon orange strips. We asked him if they glowed iin the dark. Clay wore jeans, tennies, and the yellow plaid shirt seen in his unicef psa. They noticed my daughter's sunglasses (in the shape of hearts). Ruben said I like those and Clay said Ruben has a pair just like them.

That started the friendly banter like we see on stage. R: My momma says you're mean to me. C: I'm not mean. R: You threw that pillow on the plane at me. C: I was defending myself! CLay looks over and sees that we 4 gals are just watching all of this and smiling. Clay says next: excuse us and he pulls Ruben aside and says "I'm gonna kick your butt!"

So that's how the M&G began. Very playful. Then Clay asked our names, shook our hands, ware are we from. And then let's sign stuff. we were expecting, I think, to sit and ask questions so this threw us all off. (They were running 15 minutes late so I think that's why Q's didn't happen).

My DD had Clay and Ruben sign CD jackets, I had them both sign my ipad (R: Happy birthday and God bless you C: Happy surfing)and the one Jackie had him sign LTS while the other had Clay sign her ankle! Why, do you ask, because she wanted a tattoo. He was so worried his signature wasn't good enough, he asked if he should do it again! Before he signed it though, Clay called to someone in the back of the theatre to come forward. We thought it was a staff person or Clay needed something. He wouldn't go on until this person came over. So the person comes up from the back with a staff/tour badge on and Clay says watch this and signs Jackie's ankle.The other Jackie viedoed him signing and talking. So cute!

I go and stand next to staff person and Ruben to see Clay sign. Ruben says "You do know this is permanent if you get a tattoo don't you?" The staff person says, wow. I see his badge and it says Devin Finn. Yep. He isn't very tall but has a nice smile. Kind of reminds me of Tom Deckman from Spamalot. After Clay signed her ankle, Devin left.

Then we had pictures. No one knew what to do so I said, let's do a sandwich (not wanting to leave Ruben out) so my daughter went first, then me and the 2 J's together. While Cheryl gave us info about getting a backstage tour with Jerome and our free merch, I said to Clay "I hear you're losing weight on this tour with all the dancing" and pulled out a Parker sized t-shirt. Those green eyes and the smirk on his face said it all!! haha Each of us got hugs from both guys.

(We saw Faye and grandma as we left and I hear Jaymes was there so I think Parker's BD will be today).

We were wrapping up so I said "Ruben you get a gift too. Intfact I have one for Casey and Quiana too." As I am talking Clay is walking away to go backstage or wherever and I say: "If Clay is ever giving you a hard time, just read my book." And I pulled out my book Dealing with Divas (which was the gift for him and the gals.) He started laughing so hard, Clay turned around and stopped. Ruben:" I will so read this!"

And then they were gone.

The little tour by Jerome was cute. He showed us the production office, the changing rooms back stage and the stage itself with the set lists (my DD was very impressed by the set list!). At the end he thanked us for donating to the foundations and Cheryl returned and gave us our tickets.

I have no pictures. My camera died (not dead battery - it's literally dead dead) a second before they came out to see us. Of course.

We had a wonderful time and the concert was a joy.
Cute aside: I told my DD this will be rock and roll.
DD: your R&R or mine? (insert smirk)
Show starts: DD knew EVERY SINGLE SONG! HAHAHAHA She loved it.

And that was that. Clay Aiken is such a dear man. He looked great on and off stage and I am proud to be a fan.

PS I was this close to those jeans of perfection! Kill me now.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 02, 2010, 10:03:57 PM
christy47 at CV
 


 Recap from the Reno Concert!!

Where to start! I just got back to Idaho last night after a great weekend. The last time I had seen Clay in concert was November 2004. I saw Spamalot once, but I was really looking forward to seeing Clay in concert again. I traveled with my mother who is a fan, just not on any boards. When we were waiting for a shuttle to the Silver Legacy outside the airport on Friday, I saw an airport staff member holding up a sign that said Silver Legacy - Timeless. I knew it could just be a group of fans meeting up, but then the guy kept coming outside and looking around. Finally when we were on the shuttle and leaving, I saw Casey Thompson, Clay's backup singer, leaving in a bigger shuttle with some of the band members! I wanted to say hi but by that time we were already on the road.
The shuttle was full of Clay fans, which was really fun. When we arrived at the Silver Legacy, there were so many posters and promos advertising the Timeless Tour. It was great promo and just made me more excited because I knew I was seeing Clay the next night! The clerk who checked us in was going to see Clay too and was all fangirly. It was cute=) Later on I ran into Casey and talked with her for a bit. She is really sweet and so pretty. She seemed honored to be recognized!
Later on, we were eating dinner when I looked up and saw Jerome in front of this Seafood restaurant! I started getting excited because I thought that meant that Clay was near haha. Jerome left and then came back a few minutes later and went into the restaurant so I was really confused by then! He headed towards the elevators about 20 minutes later. Then I saw Jerome coming back with Clay in tow!! I never thought that Clay would just walk down to the restaurant! No one was around so Jerome picked a really good time to bring Clay down! Clay looked so cute and totally natural. His hair wasn't fixed and was just down. It wasn't a controlled setting, he was allowed to completely be himself. I don't even know what he was wearing, by that time I was immersed in the Clay fog! He walked right by us and I said Hi, Clay quietly. I didn't even think he heard me, but he looked at my mom and I and waved and smiled before going into the restaurant. That was so sweet, he didn't even have to acknowledge us! I wish he knew just how much that moment touched me. It was wonderful.
The next day, the day of the concert, I talked to a lot of fans in the lobby. You guys are so nice and don't make me feel awkward about talking to a total stranger at all! haha. I love the connection that Clay fans have with each other. It's amazing. I met Grandma Jane, and she said, "You can now say that you survived the Grandma attack!" haha. By the venue, I met more fans, including Heather (Hcorbett10). I had seriously been waiting 3 years to meet up with her! We have a lot in common, we have been fans since we were 12 years old and we are now 19. It was so great to meet her finally. Casey and Quiana walked in for soundcheck, and Heather and I asked for a picture with them. Go us! haha. We also got a picture with Felix which was really cool. After that Felix kept recognizing Heather haha=)
Clay didn't come down for soundcheck since he was getting ready for multiple M&G's, so we ate dinner (well, what we could!) and got ready for the concert. We had 3rd row and a great view. The venue was alternating between playing Clay and Ruben songs. Touch came on right before the concert haha. I wondered how Clay felt about that! When I first saw Clay come out onstage, I couldn't stop shaking. I was trying to film but I couldn't believe Clay was right there! He is so tall and so skinny in person. His legs are so slim and I was mesmerized by his arm hair for some reason haha. I could go on all day! Clay was in terrific voice and I remember being in awe of his humor and how great he looked=) There was a drunk lady in the first row who Clay and Ruben kept making fun of. At one point she told Clay that her children were there, to which Clay responded, "Excellent!" He is so witty and he just has the whole package. I film a lot of the concert and now I am glad that I did because I will have this forever. Clay's new hammer pants were so hilarious and I just uploaded that video on youtube. I will upload the rest in the coming days, I am on a really slow computer! That show was more than 2 hours, but it only seemed like 10 minutes. The audience left wanting more which is always good. But there is truly nothing like seeing Clay live. He is incredible, and I am glad that I was so fortunate to be able to see this amazing performer live. I just hope Clay knows how much he moves so many people. I appreciate Ruben more now, but Clay will always be #1 in my book.
Here is the youtube link for the hammer pants http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixs7YlkUnCM

 

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 03, 2010, 09:52:00 AM

mr.baconclayaiken17 AT CV
 Here is my long Reno concert recap:

On Saturday afternoon I ended up meeting some more wonderful Clay fans all day long and having tons of fun and I had my picture taken a few times.. So about 2pm that afternoon I went down stairs where the concert was going to be at and I was there for quite a long time because I was hoping they would do sound check. At one point they had one of he doors open. So me and a couple of others saw it was opened and we went over to the door and looked in. Me I waled right in through the door and quickly looked around and then walked out. After I walked out they closed the door on us. At that time there weren't many people down there. I ended up staying down there and waiting to see if they were going to do sound check until about 3:50pm and then I went back to my room to change for dinner.

When I went to change I decided not to wear the heels that I was going to wear after all. So then after I changed, I went down stairs to were Sue and everyone else was waiting to go to dinner. When we went to dinner I had a great time. Everyone was so nice and, but I ended up leaving early with my friend Amber aka BigClayFan4Eva and with her friend she was with and we ended up going back down stairs were the concert was going to be. While I was down there I ended up meeting one of the one's who had a meet & greet Sharrie aka Arial. I had known her for awhile from the OFC and she was super nice. After I talked to her for a bit I watched all of the meet and greet winners get their tickets from Jerome. Then I wished them all good luck and then watched them go. The first one's to go were the one's that won the auction meet and greets. When They were done and came back I ended up taking to Sharrie aka Arial all about her meet and greet she just had. She was telling me how she said the wrong thing when Clay asked her a question. Also she told me what Clay was wearing and how he wears matching socks now and how he ripped the bottom of his pants. One other thing she told me was they were looking for a Littler Mermaid DVD and how Clay said he liked the crab.

When I found out they wanted that DVD, I was like I have copy of it, but it''s at home, so I was bummed. After that I had my picture taken with her and with her Clay and Ruben autograph. The I went to see what Sue had signed and what it looked like. I thought the Phineas and Ferb pictures she has signed for her soon was so cute. They after that they started setting up for the concert with merchandise and drinks. When they were done setting up I went and bought the with shirt with Clay and Ruben on it and then I bought the tote bag. After that I went and found my seats in the front row. When I found my seats I went back out to see if I could meet anyone else and the only person I ended up meeting was Claybella and I thought she was really nice. After I few I went back and sat down in my seat. While I was waiting for the concert to start they were playing Clay and Ruben's songs and I was singing along with them.

As time was getting closer for the concert to start I could not sit still and I noticed they were running late. Finally when the concert started it was 10 after 8. I loved the opening when Ruben was singing Flying Without Wings and Clay was singing This Is The Night and they were taking turns singing and being silly. I laughed a lot and next they talked for a bit and then jumped right into the 60's medley. I knew every song they sang and I sang along to all of the songs and I was dancing in my seat. Next up was Casey the new back up singer. I thought she was so good singing Natural Woman and I think she is cute. I loved hearing Clay sing Still The One. Clay sang that song great and sounded so good. I sang along to that song as well. I loved, loved the 70's medley. I knew every song and it was so funny. My friend Amber aka BigClayFan4Eva was the one who shouted out Spamalot. When Clay said he couldn't dance. It was so funny. I was dancing and singing along in my seat the whole time.

I loved all of the banters that why did. They were all funny, but in the preacher banter the only thing I didn't get was what Ruben said the money was for after he read Clay's mom's letter, other than that the whole thing was funny. Clay sang Mandy beautifully and Ruben sang Superstar really well. I totally loved the 80's and 90's medley the best since those who are my favorite decades ever. I had more fun with the 90's since I grew up during those years. I really would love to see Clay record some songs from the two decades. The new hammer pants were so funny. That whole bit was funny. Again I knew every song from the 90's and 90's and yes Clay can dance his butt off. It was so much fun watching him dance, he was so cute.

When it was time for the last song, Time Of My Life, I was sad that it was ending, but I loved that song a lot.I was so happy they sang that song because I used to be obsessed with that song, that I loved them singing it. That was so funny when Clay told Ruben why do you always give me the girl parts. lol I bused up laughing and thinking how cute that was. When they were singing I got to go right up to the stage and sing along and also I ended up getting the chance to touch Ruben twice, but I wish Clay would have came over to my side so I could touch him, but never did. When the concert was over I was wanting more and I was wondering if they were going to do a bus line, I doubted that they did one, but I could be wrong. Well anyways I left after the concert back to the lobby. When I was going to the lobby I got to wave and say hi to Felix Clay's drummer which was pretty cool. After that I spent the rest of the evening with Amber aka BigClayFan4Eva. The next day I got up early to try and say bye to other Clay fans that I got to meet, but I only got to say bye to a couple and then around noon we left and drove all the way home.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 04, 2010, 07:50:43 AM
From 2old4clay at CV:


At the beginning of the show a woman was shouting out to them and Ruben said turn on the house lights, she was in one of the booths, so she walked forward to the steps and said I'm a lesbian and I'm in love with a gay man!...Clay just stopped and looked at her, and said 'you're a lesbian' then paused and said...we can't do anything for each other".

As far as Clay's wrinkled pants, he has worn this suit before, from what I can tell it looks like a black summer suit of polished cotton. The material looks very stiff and even the jacket wrinkles at the bend of the arms. An iron won't help it out, it's the material.

During the duet with Casey where she gets really close to him, at the end he just leaned into her and kissed her, not a peck, but a short kiss, he was quite smug about it and just stared into her eyes for a moment.

He also must have read the article by that Ben because he mentioned several times that there were too many rim shots, every time that Felix would hit one.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Thea on August 04, 2010, 12:45:38 PM
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 04, 2010, 01:31:38 PM
Thank you Thea!! Glad you had fun!!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 05, 2010, 12:02:39 AM
artquest AT CH
  My Milwaukee recap

I loved my visit to Milwaukee. Great folks in the person of jojoct and Attack Kat are a good part of why this was so much fun. We had a spy-filled dinner at a place called The Safe House on Monday. Good food, too. Five stars on the artquest-o-meter.

We hit the casino around lunch time on Tuesday and ran into a long line of cars waiting to be parked. We asked the attendants why the crowd, and they said it was Senior Day. Considering the stereotypical Clay fan, that cracked me up. I, for one, fit right in with the geezers. It also meant that our excellent lunch was half price. Three people for $15.00 total!!!

We ran around the casino, trying out different slot machines. The Mac Geezer told me what to look for in a good video poker machine, but honestly, I couldn't understand what he was saying: He said look for a list of odds that shows it's a "7/4" machine. Whatever the heck that is. I finally took a surreptitious photo of the machine odds and emailed it to him. It looked like this. That was great, he said. Go play that machine. Which I did and lost $20. So I went hunting for a $5 blackjack table. After a slow start, things perked up considerably. I ended up winning $75! So we ate dinner at the gourmet restaurant instead of the sports bar. *g*

And then on to the show. We had seats in the balcony, but jojoct, who knows this venue well, stopped by the box office at the last minute, just before we hit the stairs. Four seats in a center table in the second row just showed up. We grabbed them and headed over to the best seats I think I ever had. It was a banquette - a curved booth - in the center with some stairs beside it. I had an end and jojoct had an end, and the four of us fit nicely in a booth sized for six. The banquette was raised about 6" off the floor, so I was able to turn to face the stage with my legs hanging off the end of the bench. I slipped off my sandals and was able to clap and swing my legs and dance whenever the mood hit me. GREAT! The table in back of us seated a young couple, some other folks, and an Elvis impersonator. Elvis is in da house!

I was almost a virgin - watched no clack, and only heard the cellcerts I hosted. I had skipped over the set list, though I must admit to saving a number of yummy photos. And let me say, it's much better to wait. Almost everything was new and fresh. For me, it's better to wait.

I won't go into a lot of details as apparently most of this is already familiar to folks. I will say the black suit was a bit of a mess. Not polished cotton. (*Waves to cotton.*) That was a very nice woolen worsted. Nice suit. Has to be wool. Could be mixed with silk. Maybe was! Yummy. Except for the wrinkle thing. Maybe he's got John D. back in charge of wardrobe?

The opening mashup was cute, Clay's cute, Ruben's cute, and so on. Clay could sing "This Is The Night" to me forever, and I don't think I'd get bored. Casey truly has an amazing figure, and we all agreed there was nothing under that dress but good muscle tone. Quiana looked good and sounded better. I still think she's singing "Climb Every Woman." During the course of the evening, well-mannered security folks were moving around asking folks not to take video. The CH cellcert phone was lying on the edge of the table, microphone facing the stage all night long. They did take a look every time they passed, but no one said anything to me at all. They did talk to jojoct, but she kept taking still pictures.

Right at the beginning there was a very enthusiastic response from some of the folks sitting at the front row tables. Ruben asked the lights to be turned up and then told them to hush! Which they did. Didn't bring down anyone's spirits as he did it with great class. A happily inebriated woman got up and proclaimed her love for Clay. "I love you! I'm a lesbian and I love you!" Most of my lesbian friends look like anyone else, but this young woman pretty much fit the stereotype. Clay or Ruben asked if she was drunk. "Yes!" Then Clay said something like, "I don't think a lesbian and I have anything to offer each other." She laughed, we laughed, and then she seemed satisfied and sat down.

The Pastor Studdard bit was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I'm sorry for hooting so loudly on the CH cellcert, but frankly I was laughing my ass off. It's not too long; it's perfect. Clay, wrapped in a black tablecloth, made these sounds I've never heard from a human. Attack Kat said it sounded like a goose. I thought it sounded like a dying goose getting goosed by a donkey. Kinda a honk/bray/moan thing. I had tears in my eyes by the time it was done. Bravo, guys, bravo.

I smiled, I grinned, I laughed, I cried. Afterwards my face hurt from all the happiness.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 05, 2010, 12:58:08 AM
Pink Armchair AT CH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
MILWAUKEE RECAP

Well, it was a memorable evening on several fronts. Mostly because hensey and I had won our first – and judging from its deleterious effect on my bank balance, probably my last – charity M&G auction, which resulted in the loss of my “first row” virginity (as ficus pointed out, I can cross that off my bucket list). And yes, it was good for me! And I hope it was good for hensey, too – in seven years of hauling our group to concerts in her van, she was the only one of us who had never gotten the chance to talk to Clay. About time, if you ask me!

For my part, I was a little leery of doing this so soon after Clay had been at my station, but we really had a "que sera, sera" attitude about the auction. And evidently it was meant to be, because there we were.

Except to say that we’d met them before, I’m not going to reveal the names of the other pair in the M&G with us – I figure it’s their story to tell if they choose. Anyway, we were met by Jerome, who thankfully felt the need to see my I.D. I think at this stage of the game that’s probably a good thing. *g*

Jerome ushered us onstage for our backstage tour, and after apologizing for there being, really, no backstage for us to tour (this being a casino), he let us hold the microphones instead. As I had already held a microphone or two in my time (but never Clay's...shut up!), I took a gander at the instruments and drums and soundboard and some other cool stuff. We met the lighting director, a friendly but rather jaded young woman who told us she was “with the tour.” Nice green Crocs flipflops is what I mostly remember about her.

We went out into the house, parked our stuff, and waited for Clay and Ruben, who appeared almost immediately. Clothing report: Ruben was all in black, with a long chain around his neck and sporting a black baseball cap emblazoned with a white “B” (Baltimore? Boston? Birmingham?). Clay wore jeans, a striped dark blue polo shirt with a long-sleeved gray tee-shirt under it. He hadn’t shaved yet. Looked great.

We each got a hug, which was really nice. I understood after that why Ruben is called “the Velvet Teddy Bear” because that’s pretty much how he felt. I don’t remember how Clay felt because I never do! And my clothes and hair reeked so badly of secondhand smoke from the casino that I can’t tell you much about how anything else, including Clay, smelled either.

Clay said to hensey, "Do Ah know you?" No, said hensey, she didn't think he did, telling him her name. Clay looked happy to meet somebody new.

Soldiering on, I told Ruben how much I had enjoyed him in the David Foster & Friends show in Chicago, saying I had just wanted to “put him in my pocket and take him home.” (Yeah, I actually said that.) “Whatcha got at yore house for me?” he asked with an innocent leer. My witty riposte: “Um…huh?” He asked patiently, “D’ya cook?” “Not even a little,” I confessed. He waved his hand dismissively as if to say, well, too bad for YOU then.

One of the other ladies attempted to play a practical joke on them, saying that she was really there for a Twilight M&G, and produced photos of the two dweebs from that movie. (Don’t ask me who they are – I don’t have a clue.) It fell a little flat, or at least Clay seemed to think so, because he told her bluntly, “That’s not funny.” Then, in full teacher mode, he proceeded to explain how she should have altered her delivery to make it work.

I interjected, “Oh, so you’re a comedy coach now?” I don’t recall saying this, but one of the ladies assured me afterward that I did. Yeah, judging from the eyeroll he bestowed on me, Clay didn’t think it was too scintillating either. He turned to Ruben, pointed at me, and said a little facetiously, “She works for PBS,” as if to say, “That’s why she thinks she’s so smart.” Nodding, Ruben looked back at Clay knowingly (“ahhh, one of those”).

Then somebody asked Ruben if he was finding good vegan food on the road (or something like that) and he and Clay launched into what looked like a mock bickering match/vaudeville routine about "NAYSTEE vegan food," with Clay insisting that he drove all the way from someplace (New Orleans or Atlanta) to Birmingham because Ruben had invited him to a homecooked vegan meal and when he finally got there (“after drivin’ fer HOURS!!” claimed Clay melodramatically), Ruben had “forgotten to cook,” so they went out for...
“Chinese,” said Clay.
“Thai,” corrected Ruben with an eyeroll.
“Same difference,” said Clay with a shrug. We laughed. Ruben cringed.

Contemplating the burger I was about to order in the sports bar, I said I didn’t think I could ever go vegan. Ruben said to me mournfully, “So…y’all just cain’t give up the brown stuff?”

“No,” I said. “I like chocolate cake too much.” Okay...Dorothy Parker I'm not. But everybody laughed, and Clay said something like, “Red velvet for me."

Then, abruptly, they wanted to sign stuff. I pulled out the T&T press release I had written – the only thing I could think of that referenced both of them. Ruben signed it “God Bless You” with his name, and Clay wrote “Julia – Thanks so much” and his name. hensey had them sign her teeny little iPod, and they somehow managed to get both of their names on there.

Moving on to the photos: nobody seemed to want to go first, so Clay finally said, “Julia, git over here.” I did “git over” there, couldn’t decide which side to stand on and switched a couple of times…in goodnatured exasperation, Clay finally grabbed my arm and dragged me over to his right, pulling me in; Ruben sandwiched me in there, and THIS is what we got. Well, they look good, anyway!

And yes, that’s the actual size, making me think they sent thumbnails instead of the actual images. But c’est la vie. Maybe I'll figure out how to make it bigger eventually. And no, it isn’t Photoshopped. Not. At. All. *g*

More thanks and hugs on the way out, and they were gone. It was a lot of fun to hang out with them, listen to them play off each other, and just generally shoot the breeze.

I’ll skip over dinner, except to say that there were lots of great old friends there. I finally met the wonderful Leroy1704 after God knows how long! And we sat with Shamrock, ficus, Ms Crabtree, deweygirl and our concert buddies Snix, ShyGirl, and poor gimpy Beagle3, who got to ride in a wheelchair through the casino, just like the high rollers. And Beagle3's friend Gladys, who had never seen Clay live before. I understand she was impressed. We also saw several others -- artquest, jojoct, cloopy -- in the venue. Sorry if I'm forgetting anyone -- I'm sure I am.

Speaking of high rollers, that’s what hensey and I felt like as we took our front row center seats. Good lord. I had never sat that close at any performance in my life. Except for a few choice bits being blocked by the monitors on the floor a couple of inches from our faces, the view was phenomenal, especially if you like kneecaps. Of course, when you know you are completely visible to the performers at all times, you’d better keep your chin off the edge of the stage, your tongue in your mouth, and pay attention, and I noticed each of them glancing our way once or twice, not surprising since we were practically sitting on their laps. Of course, it was easy to stay engaged because the show was FABULOUS. Hilarious, goofy, charming…and they sang pretty good, too. Loved Casey to death (hated how cute and skinny she is, but loved her), loved Quiana as always. The instrumentalists were da bomb!

Notable things:

The “I’m a leshbian and I lurrrrrrrve you!” dialogue was a riot.

Hammered lesbian (getting out of her seat, staggering toward the front): HEYYYY! I LURRRVE YOU!!
Ruben (flattered): Why, thank ya vurry much.
Hammered lesbian (slurring): Not YOU. (jabbing her finger unsteadily toward Clay) HIM!
Clay (drily): So…yore a lesbian? Not much we kin do fer each other then, is thayre? (rim shot)
Hammered lesbian (vigorously shaking her head): NOPE. NOT A THING! *hic*
(Security whisks her away)
Clay: Wow…these guys mean bizness!

The Clay-Casey kiss: well, kill me now! From 10 feet away, it sure looked like a dare to me. They got closer and closer and closer…her egging him on, him smirking, and then her surprise as he actually PLANTED one on her, then both of them cracking up. Clay looked so proud of himself. It was priceless. I’m so glad Snix got that fabulous photo of it.

***

This is a tome, I know. Just suffice it to say that I loved the show and could probably watch it every night for a year. (I'm so glad I still have Hammond.) I hope Clay and Ruben get to do a run of it -- or something like it – somewhere again sometime. The chemistry between them was perfect and they revealed themselves to be very skilled physical comedians. Some people have compared them to Martin and Lewis; to me, they were more like Laurel and Hardy (or maybe Crosby and Hope) on steroids.

And as far as Clay having a “lack of rhythmitis?” HAH! Don’t you believe it.  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 05, 2010, 01:02:22 AM
WilsonClaymate


 I have been trying to get here all day today because I sure had plenty of time.  I never could get my netbook to work in any airport, so here I am--long after I had thought I would be in bed.

I have spent 12 hours in airports and planes today and just got home about 10 minutes ago.  I spent most of that time in the Milwaukee airport--and if I never see it again, it will be too soon.  Most unorganized place I have been in a long time.  Barb,  I hope you had better luck getting to Detroit.

We have to pay $25 to check a bag.  In Milwaukee we had to take our bags from the ticket counter to somewhere else so they could be put on the plane (and the conveyor belt behind the agents was working), and mine still has not made it to RDU.  Now something just seems to be out of kilter with that picture.

On to better things -- Barb thanks for your great hospitality and for showing me around the upper Midwest.  It was my first trip and I really do like the area.  I also saw Lake Michigan and it reminded me of an ocean--I guess what is why they call them the "Great Lakes".  Nancy and Lexie were also so very generous with their time. 

Then we headed to Milwaukee to see OMC.  I envy Nancy because there is no way in the world I could drive in Milwaukee.   The nice thing about staying in a downtown hotel is the Casino runs a shuttle bus to and from the downtown hotels.  That was very convenient.

The casino is pretty large (I guess because it is the first time I have been in one).   Barb and I go in and the first people we see are Thea and Phil.   Debbie and her family joined us and we had a delightful dinner before going to the show.

The show has changed a little since I saw it in Asheville, but Ruben and Clay are still having a great time.   IMO Clay is absolutely where he needs to be and it shows.  He looks darn good--very slim and trim--and smiles all the time.
He is really enjoying this tour and I think Ruben is too.  There was one woman who tried to disrupt the show at the first and she either shut up or was taken out because I never heard her again. 

I don't remember the name of the song Clay and Casey sing together face-to-face or what was going on between them but at one point Clay leaned down and kissed her right on the mouth and then had that famous Clay mischevious grin on his face.  The little devil!!

All of you who are going to shows this weekend -- enjoy because they seem to be getting better and better.

I haven't read back to see anything else that has gone on and it is too late now to do so, so I'll check it out tomorrow.

All-in-all I had a great time, saw a fantastic show and met up with some friends I had not seen for a while.  And that is what brought us here in the first place, and now 7 years later we are still here.

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 05, 2010, 01:09:32 AM
toni7babe AT cv
 
 well, I am still up I saw you typing Nancella Great recap. I have been so tired I never typed anything.

I will add to your recap:

It was my question to him if on the T&T tour we would hear any of the songs from On My Way Here. He said no. I said will we ever hear these songs live? He said maybe someone else will sing them, then added well you might hear Something About Us but the others don't fit the show.

I asked him then if T&T the tour would be coming to Chicago next year and he said we will be there in October. I said I know that:) I said will it be all songs from T&T/PBS Special in Chicago? He said yes though probably shorter. I said we heard maybe Waukegan and he said oh yes maybe we will be there and then someone asked about Minneapolis and he said we might be there I think so and Ann Arbour too.

He looked great in a blue striped polo shirt, grey long sleeve shirt under it, same jeans as he wore in the show, striped socks, tan chucks with no shoestrings.

He was chatty and funny and snarky and gave us all hugs upon greeting us and leaving. He spent time asking your name and where you were from with each. When he got to me I said: Sam from Chicago and he said Oh I know that we have met several times and smiled.

He asked us what we wanted him to write on our items also when he signed them.

M&G was inside the venue we sat in booths and he sat in front of us on a chair!

It was too funny when he told us if folks stated talking during the concert to tell them to STFU!! We all cracked up when he dropped the F bomb. He was very animated, he thought the tables and booths set up lead to talking:)

Before the M&G Felix came out and talked with us all for a long time and took pics with us. He and I talked about Chicago for sometime he is from Oak Park but now lives in LA. He said Kelly and Angela at LA concert spent alot of time visiting with them all back stage!

It was a great M&G! Clay was funny, snarky and nice all rolled into one:)   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 06, 2010, 09:30:52 AM
MARYJOANNE123 AT CV:

Was at Windsor last night and it was a huge crowd and very mixed, a lot of young people and men. All were enjoying. The banter was not off, just different or sometimes a little rushed to fit into the time element. They were hilarious. Read the review and it was pretty good. Don't know why "Still the One" does not fit into the sixies. The microphone episode was totally hysterical and Clay was bent over laughing. Hope that one shows up on clack. Can't wait until Hammond and hope that Clay's knee is OK.

 Safe travels to everyone traveling to nights concert, have a wonderful time.

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 06, 2010, 10:44:54 AM
FROM CHRISTELKLEIN AT CV

Hello from WINDSOR!!! Good morning, love and hugs to one and all.

The concert last night was AMAZING. Just loved it all!! I'm so glad i hadn't watched any clack .... so i was so surprised!!

The venue was PACKED .... maybe a few empty seats (probably from our propensity for upgrading!).

Just loved it all .... and the crowd sure loved it too.

I was sitting next to our lady from Gone with the Wind!! And yes, i'm sure she "got some". Security spoke to her .... near the end!!

I'm SO glad i went to the concert!!!

Loved the preparty .... got to meet lots of people! Even won a Spamalot wall clock .... had a choice between "gorgeous" and "fun" there .... and i went with fun!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 06, 2010, 03:59:42 PM
gbmifan

I got home late last night so I went right to bed. I am not great recapper but I will try.

We(Annie52, a friend and I) left my house around 1pm. Going great when all of a sudden we are in standstill traffic aroung 30 miles from my house. Luckily the friend that came with us use to work in downtown Detroit for 17 years and was able to get us off at an exit and take some back roads around the area then back on the highway. Once we were back on we had smoothe sailing all the way to Windsor. We got their around 3pm and walked around and played a few machines.

Went to the dinner and met many fans that I did not know. Starfishy was there and very excited about her M & G. When we were in line to get into the dinner I met a fan who lives a short distance from me. She had an extra ticket, because her friend could not come, and asked if we(all three of us were standing there)would like to have it. Annie and my friend said that I could take it so I did. It put me from row 17 to row 3 center.

We went to the concert area and Starfishy had just got out of her M & G and I have to say she was glowing. I will let her do her recap.

What can I say about the concert except that it was wonderful. Clay is gorgeous up close. He is so pale and becoming very thin again. He wears a suit perfectly. When he was talking he diffently was hoarse but it did not affect his signing.
I laughed so hard at their banter together. The preacher part with the microphone was hilarious. Clay could not stop laughing. Also, Casey and Clay did some nose rubbing during DGBMH. They are really cute together. The mosh pit at the end was unexpected but it was great seeing all those people enjoying themselves up there. I stayed in my seat but everyone looked like they were having fun. Ruben was touching hands and signed a few admission tickets. Clay did not, I thought he looked a little uncomfortable, but that could of just been me. Security was really tough tonight on camera. I tried and got about 2 minutes of SM and got shut down. I decided it was not worth getting kicked out so I did not try again. I did hear that other people did get the concert. Annie was going to take still pictures but because of security being everywhere decided not to. If I could go to this again I would, it was so good. The fans from Michigan kept saying they hope the rumor that he was coming to Ann Arbor was true. That is an hour from me and in the winter time alot closer than trying to drive far in bad weather.

I finally got to meet Luckiet1. Thanks for everything and when I saw you I said to myself, someone as short as me!!! Even though I try to hide it with my highheels.
Again. I will say how gorgeous this man is. Those cheek bones are so evident now and that smile is so contagious. I love him!!!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 06, 2010, 10:43:09 PM
Starfishy at CB
Recap Part 1 - Getting to Windsor and the M&G
Wow, what a day! To sit here and type it all out makes me kind of sad that it is all over, but I get to relive it so I will manage!

My day started off not as expected. I got about half-way to pick up PebblesinMichigan and realized I forgot my picture for Clay to sign. I had to go all the way home and start over. Thank goodness we were starting early! So, I finally got to Pebbles by 2pm, and by 2:45pm we were circling Caesar's Windsor trying to find the stinking valet! Only took a couple times!

So we headed straight to the box office to pick up tickets and M&G passes. We did not know where in the front row our seats would be, so we ended up squealing when we opened out tickets and found us in the middle section up! A guy behind us asked us what we won, and we explained our tickets. He was there with his wife buying tickets for the show. We mentioned that were going to meet Clay and Ruben, she exclaimed "Ruben is here too???" Very cute! Apparently something was weird bout our M&G passes, so they said to come back later. So we decided to find the buffet area for dinner. While in line we ran in to lots of friends! Way too many to remember/mention! But I love seeing you all! Thanks to clayitagain for hosting such a fun gathering!

At about 5:30pm we headed back to the box office for the passes. While in line there was a couple behind us buying tickets for the show. The wife was a Clay fan. Pebbles offered them her tickets and they were very happy! Turns out they were doing something different with the M&G passes, and we would meet with Mariah (the tour manager) at 6pm. We met up with the other auction winners (great ladies!!! and were all M&G first timers!) At 6pm, Mariah and Cheryl (Clay's assistant) came up and found us. They had a man with them from the venue (to later be references as the Camera Nazi!!). We were told that Jerome was under the weather. We all awwwwed and they reassured us he was fine and would be back. We were walked over to the venue area (which is surprisingly no where near the box office). They took the auction winners first. While heading backstage, we were told that the merchandise was in Detroit and that they would have to mail us that part of our prize. And I believe it was Cheryl that told us they would be taking our pictures and emailing them t us. It was brought to her attention about the pictures issues with the first batch of ones sent out. She was more then aware, she said she contacted by many people!

We started by going backstage and in the venue! We saw the quick change spots on both sides of the stage for Clay and Ruben. Right there is front of us were Clay's jeans!! We all restrained ourselves, but offers were made to touch them! No such luck! We met Joe, the nice man who runs the controls backstage for the sound and we got to stand on the stage! It was amazing. Then they took us to a curtained off area backstage with chairs along a wall. While we waited we asked the venue man (aka Camera Nazi) about the camera policy. He said nothing is allowed at all. He said with the new iphone people take video and have them on youtube before the show is over. Personally I had a horrible time getting a signal all day, so how people are uploading things is beyond me! (ask Sue and Matt, the signal was terrible!!) As we were sitting there just talking we heard a deep voice on the other side of the curtain that could only belong to Ruben :-)

All of sudden they walked in. So calm and relaxed. They were joking with each other about something! All of a sudden I gasped, Clay cut his hair! It was spiked, but shorter then I had seen in previous concerts. Looked like a fresh cut (IMO). I am pretty sure the shirt was grey, but other remember blue, so maybe the stripes were blue? And there was a long sleeve shirt underneath. There were jeans, and I would assume shoes.....but who knows! We were all sitting along the wall, so Ruben came up to Pebbles on my right and went to give her a hug, while Clay started shaking hands. Pebbles didn't realize what she was doing, and gave Ruben a kiss on his cheek. He exclaimed "I got a kiss!!" Then Clay asked us where were all from. Pebbles and I both said the Detroit area. Clay was fascinated by this. He asked if we came to Canada often, Pebbles said she did, I don't. He had heard from someone (I assume that day at the casino) that they cross the border into Detroit to buy groceries. We explained that we had border crossing cards. Pebbles pulled hers out and he again was fascinated! We explained that only border states offer the enhanced licenses, and he pouted "I want one!" and proceeded to take hers and put it in his pocket!

He was then asked, are you hoarse? He said firmly, NO! During all this, a table was moved over to be between the guys and us, and Clay was very impressed with this! Ruben says "I want a chair!" and we all just giggled. So he went over and grabbed one, and looked at Clay standing to our left, told him there were more empty chairs, but Clay stayed standing. They started signing things, I handed Clay my picture I took at Sterling Heights 2007. It is the very first clack I ever took!! I told him that he and I was about to tell him SH, but he said "don't tell me.......Clio? (no) Troy? (you have never been to Troy Clay!) . So I told him Sterling Heights, and he was ".......200......7! He was so proud of himself. I reminded him how he came over for us poor souls in the sun and he smiled! Then I handed over the CD I brought for Ruben to sign. It was a "Playlist, Best of Ruben Studdard" CD. He was shocked, "where did you get this?" And Clay looked over and said "that's how they get more money out of us, didn't you know about it?" Ruben called over his manager and showed him. Clay was so proud "They called me, I got to pick my songs!" Ruben flipped it over and said "They picked that picture? Who picked these songs??" lol Hilarious!

So Clay asked the lady who was first if she had any questions. She told him she couldn't think of any. Pebbles started to ask Ruben about him singing opera, and Clay said "Picture time!" He called up the first lady while Pebbles was talking to Ruben. Clay said that maybe he didn't want to be in the picture, and Ruben was like, "I am answering her question" So at that point questions were done..... So we did pics and man are they tall. But I am pretty sure Clay leaned in. Cheryl was really sure to make sure they came out good, and Clay asked if she had been critiqued on her picture taking skills......she just said yes!

After that we were standing there, and I wanted to make sure I thanked Ruben for starting his foundation (for music in public schools) because I am a music teacher. Clay perked up at that point and asked what grade? I said elementary, you know, the recorder? and they just laughed. At that point it was over and we got hugs and thank yous. It is true, Clay smells like fresh laundry. And he gives great hugs!
After the M&G we went out into the lobby and talked a bit with Ben, Quiana and Casey. So much fun!

More on the concert coming soon.......
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 08, 2010, 02:44:44 PM
scorpionlady45 atCV
 
 Good Afternoon Everyone

Home from Chautauqua -

it was wonderful 

The show was so fun, I really really enjoyed it. One of the women I went with is going to Lancaster tomorrow and as soon as the show was over I turned to her and said ... can I go to Lancaster with you  But of course I can't as they are staying over and I have to go to work - but of course I guess I could *cough cough* call in sick

I just laughed and smiled and drooled (over Clay), all night.

The crowd was so mixed up with men, couples, older people, younger people.

There were four girls there with handmade t-shirts (not sure exactly what the front said) - but they each had a letter on the back that spelt out CLAY and whenever Clay sang solo they stood up and turned around

Lot of laughing and singing and dancing all night - but the crowd absolutely LOVED Footloose - after it was over, there was a SO - and then sang a part of it over again (kinda like an encoure) - then when that was over, more standing and clapping and Clay said - "we aint' singing it again"
Is this they way it usually is????

I haven't watched much video - so I guess I haven't watched the ending of the show - but I guess last night it seemed that they made Time of My Life as an encore - is that how they usually did it?
After the one song (can't remember now what it is) - Ruben and Clay thank everyone and they leave the stage - Casey and Quiana stay on stage then people are clapping and Clay and Ruben come back up and sing TOML. The whole audience was up singing and dancing with the song.

It was a great night   

=======
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 08, 2010, 03:12:27 PM
Claymatron at CV

 Hi Honeys, I'm home from Windsor and Chautauqua (and my fabulous M & G) - GAH!!! Two wonderful, exciting and OMG days...I'm going to be walking around 4 ft above the ground for weeks. I admit I was a little worried before my M & G. Clay is human and I hoped that I would catch him on a good day, in a good mood and living up to the (probably) unrealistic fantasy I have always had about him. I am happy to report that HE WAS AMAZING. I'm not a great re-capper, but I do have a pretty good memory, so if you are interested I'll do my best to share once I get all my thoughts together.

The two concerts, Windsor and Chautauqua, were outstanding, I think. HUGE attendance at both, lots of Claynadians and plenty of NJU men and women at both. Loved the mosh pits and I know the folks on stage enjoyed them too. I had 8th row center seats in Windsor and SECOND row center at Chautauqua (it pays to stand in line for 6 hours prior to the show, it seems). Clay looked wonderful and I've never heard him sing better. As for the kiss, HO-LY CRAP!!!! Give the man an Oscar - that is not to say he didn't enjoy it, but anyone who thinks he couldn't play a straight man on stage or in movies is crazy. His acting skills are improving daily and meeting him in person, seeing the real man behind the guy on stage, you begin to understand this guy's talent. On stage he's Clay Aiken, singer, performer, actor and DANCER, by golly!! Off stage, he's warm, friendly, snarky, witty, goofy, and just a cool guy, once you stop staring at him and start to breathe, you just want to have a conversation with him, about anything and everything. At least that's the way I felt. He made me feel completely at ease and comfortable. I loved him before, but now...there are no words! Ain't no mountain high enough...if you get my drift, and I think you do.....   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: wisconsinmaniac on August 08, 2010, 03:48:05 PM
My recap of MILWAUKEE and WINDSOR!  I was fortunate to be with friends for each of the concerts, but for now - I will focus on the concerts and the thrill of seeing Clay on stage once again!

WOW!  That unexplainable magic fills the air when Clay steps on stage.  It happens EVERY time and I am thrilled that it does.  In MILWAUKEE, the venue was small but the crowd was enthusiastic.  Clay and Ruben are absolutely perfect together.  Loved the music, the banter, the revival skit, Footloose, SM, Alone, and I didn't want it to end.  Clay has never looked or sounded better, in my opinion. 

The WINDSOR concert was in a huge venue.  It is estimated close to 5,000 people in attendance.  Again, Clay was in his element.  Ruben really did the Pastor Studdard with even more flair.  Then .  . when Clay's microphone slipped down into his underwear . . . the crowd went wild.  Lots of men and lots of very young people were in the audience.  Towards the end of the show, many  from the crowd went towards the edge of the stage with their arms reaching towards the performers.  Ruben stepped forward and was touching their hands and even signing a few things.  Clay, on the other hand, stepped a bit further back on the stage and he stayed back a bit right through the end.  I understand completely why he has good reason to be uncomfortable doing that.  Jumbotrons were a delightful bonus!  He and Ruben were breaking each other up with their phrasing and antics and it was hilarious to watch Clay's facial expressions.  Seeing those eyelashes on a Jumbotron, up close and personal, didn't hurt either! :D

I never had a doubt that I would love the concert.  BUT, seeing Clay on stage again in this production validated the pride and affection that I have for that talented, caring, snarky, and HAWT singer man!  :)

THUD!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 08, 2010, 06:58:35 PM
Claymatron at CV

OK, here goes...scroll if you bore easily...

The five of us OFC Meet and Greet people found each other at the rear porch of the Amphitheater at Chautauqua about 10 minutes before we were scheduled to go in to meet Clay. We were all giddy and nervous and excited, of course. There was Jennifer, Lynne (waves to Lindy500), Marie-Anne, Megan and myself. Megan, Marie-Anne and I are all Canadians and I knew them both, Jennifer was from Pittsburgh, and Lynne, from Cleveland. There were three lots of M & G groups and ours, from the fanclub, was the last one...and they got a late start.

Finally, Jerome called our names and we followed him into a long narrow corridor and were told to sit down and relax (yeah, sure!) wait until they were ready for us. It gave us a little time to get to know each other and we were really an amazing cross-section (age-wise) of Clay fans. Each decade was represented...from Megan in her twenties to me in my sixties...but in that room we were all like a bunch of excited school girls waiting for our date to arrive for our first prom. We talked a little about the questions we were going to ask him and Megan actually had a list of them on her cell phone. Too cute.

Eventually, Cheryl, Clay’s assistant, came and took us upstairs to another larger room and again we sat down in a row and waited for Clay. By this time the anticipation was almost over-whelming, but eventually we could hear voices and knew he was close.

People have said that when Clay enters a room, it becomes energized. I didn’t believe it, but even dressed casually in a yellow plaid shirt, cargo shorts and his laceless sneakers, you are aware that you’re in the presence of - I was going to say a “Star”, but it’s not that, it’s something special, something magical almost, but the perfect word alludes me. Anyway, initially, he was a wee bit formal, but still friendly. After he asked our names and where we were from, he relaxed completely, and so did we, for the most part. He commented on the fact that it was strange that there was only one Canadian at the Windsor (which is in Canada) M & G the night before, but three of us at Chautauqua, NY. I mentioned that we knew the Canadian at the Windsor M & G and he said that was because Canada was such a small country everybody knew each other...then he winked. I said, no, it was because we all get together for Cluncheons regularly and watch videos of him and eat. He repeated the word "Cluncheon" and sort of rolled his eyes and said that watching himself on video would put him off his food. LOL! I said we all had strong constitutions...and he laughed. He said he would answer questions while he signed whatever it was we wanted autographed, asked that everyone repeated and spelled their names for him so he wouldn’t screw up. When he got to me, I said... Bev..B..E..V, he looked up, and snarked that he had figured that one out himself.  Beside me, and last in the row, was Megan, a tall, gorgeous, shapely, 25 year old, who was so enamored of Clay I thought she was going to faint. He had been signing “Use your voice” on all his autographed items, but she asked him to sign “I love you” which he did. I doubt she will ever be the same! She also had some cute questions..like what side of the bed he preferred? (I think she was hoping that it would be for future reference, ;) )

He said he was an equal opportunity sleeper and that he slept on his stomach and demonstrated that he didn’t sleep with his head on the pillow, but sort of had it tucked under his arm near his chin. He had us laughing and completely relaxed and when he had to leave to get ready for the show, you could tell he would like to have stayed with us longer. We each got hugged and our photos taken with him and he told us our group had really put him in a good mood and thanked US profusely! Then he was gone.

Sigh!

Megan, and her three cute young friends, were in the front row of the concert later and he flirted with them, and especially her, throughout the show.

As I said, she will never be the same, I was standing right behind her, and neither will I!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 08, 2010, 07:14:13 PM
from the CH
("LizinToronto")
Better late than never.
I'm on vacation now. Terrible head cold, plus a deluge of rain today.
Inauspicious start to the holiday week!
Sunday afternoon and I'm in the library (Thank you, Georgian Bay Public Library System) and here is my snooze -worthy recap of the Windsor M and G.
(I'll be on the iPhone for most of the week.)

Recap of Windsor M and G

Jerome was sick, so Clay's assistant Cheryl met with the 5 of us. So sorry to miss seeing Jerome. We were led by Cheryl and venue security via elevator down underground and through passages to the " backstage" area past a performers" refreshment stand, and behind a black curtain to a sectioned-off area of a room,. I think were might have actually been under the stage.
There was a round table, and opposite it, 5 chairs in a line for the winners. I was the first in line to enter the room and opted to sit down on the first chair, right end of the line when Clay was looking at us. Cheryl went to get Clay and a couple of security stayed with us. In 2-3 minutes Cheryl was back, and Clay entered with a big smile on his face.
He was wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved grey t-shirt with a polo shirt (blue stripes) over it. Beige sneakers with no laces and no sox. Hair appeared to be freshly washed and only very slightly spiked. He looked young, clean, fresh, glowing with health and happiness. Just REAL. Indescribably gorgeous.

He asked us how we were doing, and then went down the line, asking our names. Repeated each person's name back to them, and made note of the fact that the first three names began with L and the last two with B. When greeted and asked my name, I stood up to shake hands and was immediately told by Clay that no one need stand up. So I sat down! Ooops.... faux pas.

Then he went down the line and asked each one where she was from.
Next he sat down at the table and began signing autographs, one person at a time and told us we could ask our questions while he signed. It all proceeded very easily, no "star power trip" going on. Felt like we were talking with a friend.

I managed to sneak in 3 questions (my bad)
My official "autograph signing" question was,
'Is the "Tried and True Tour" going to come anywhere near Toronto?'
He frowned (knowing it wasn't) and looked to his posse to see the answer (how close he WILL get) and the answer was: Boston is the closest to Toronto that he will get.

Later, in a brief lull, I asked the question from the CH: "Would you consider setting up a kissing booth to make money for your charity?" and he laughed (entertaining question! he liked it..) and the swift retort was along the lines of, " No, but if you gals set one up, I 'll be there!" (and he was rather pleased with his joke.) Too cute.

At the end, as he was preparing to leave and no one was talking, I asked if I could ask another question and the answer was "Sure."
I said, " We love you with Jimmy Kimmel. Any chance you'll be there soon?"
The answer was swift and predictable: "I don't plan these things, they just happen."

After the signing, it was picture-taking time. I got the "prom pose", complete with the firm arm around the waist. He feels very solid.
Then each winner got a good solid hug. Yum. Loved it.
And with a big smile and thanks, he was gone.
It was wonderful; I was on cloud nine. I love him.

Liz

This recap may travel.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 09, 2010, 08:19:50 AM
claythleena at CV

 My Meet and Greet at Lancaster on 8/8/10.

I arrived at the venue at 4:10 because I was terrified of a traffic jam, flat tire, or some other disaster keeping me from my all important M&G. Something DID almost happen.  While I was waiting inside, my 85 year old mom and her friend came in to use the restroom, and Mom started to lose her balance across the room from me. She was using her quad cane, but started to wobble to one side, overcorrected, and started to wobble the other direction, but her friend (also using a cane!) kept her from falling.  Thank goodness they both didn't end up in a pile on the floor! Other than that, I waited uneventfully for the other M&Gers to arrive. I saw a lady come to the door with a crutch, a purse, and a Learning to Sing, so I figured I had found another M&G person. At 5:00 we realized that the others were waiting elsewhere - closer to the Box Office and went to join them. A tall, slim, handsome Jerome eventually came out and gave either a first or last name for each of us, and we had to supply our missing names to receive our M&G pass. The auction winners went first, all in one group. While waiting, the OFC winners chatted with each other and one of the AMT workers. She seemed very interested in the show, was surprised that Clay would be funny, and wondered if we could get her an autograph.  I met Lolacat while waiting.

Eventually, Jerome came back and led us through to the front of the theater. We met Cheryl, and sat down in the front row, center-left. The backdrop was black with "stars" peeking through. Soon Clay appeared and did the handshake/ what's your name /repeats your name/ routine. As others reported, his hand is firm and warm. TAKE THAT, KRIPA!!!  Clay noted that I had a list of questions written on my notepad. I was quite surprised by the up-close Clay. He seemed sooo petite to me! He is tall, but he seemed fine-boned and is very slim and young looking. He was wearing the greenish-gold laceless sneakers, jeans which were frayed at the bottom (but NOT the ones he wore in the show), a plaid shirt, with a gray t-shirt underneath. Now, I made special note - even wrote it down, to look at his eyes, BUT the theater was so dark, and the lighting was such, that I couldn't see his eyes! He asked where we were from, and was quite concerned with the lady who had the crutch (she had a knee injury). She told him that she had driven three hours (stick-shift) to get there because her driver hadn't shown up to bring her. He was worried that she was driving while taking drugs (painkillers), and said that she wouldn't see him again because she was driving impaired. She joked that the lady who was supposed to be her driver was on her way to the theater now, and she would point her out to him during the show.

He took our questions and signed our items at the same time. I asked the first question, which was simply whether he broke his toe. He said he actually didn't know for sure, but that he believed that he did break it. I had also planned to ask him how the Pastor Studdard skit came about, but did not have the opportunity. Someone asked about Phineas and Ferb, and he mentioned they gave him blue eyes. I don't want to say much more about the questions because I'm not sure what Lolacat asked, and I don't want to take away from her recap. He had each of us come over for our photos while he continued to answer questions. He leaned down, put his arm around us, and produced a dazzling smile with each of us. Then he went to Yvonne (Crutch-Lady) so she needn't walk over for her photo and finished her photo with a hug while he had her standing up. Very efficient. Next, he stepped in front of me and leaned down, so I stood up and was enveloped in a warm, cozy hug. Before we knew it, he was gone, but oh what a wonderful memory!!!!

It was so late when we finished, that my family wolfed down take-out dinner in the car (didn't want to lose our handicapped parking space nor deal with the traffic), and went in to the show with almost no time to mingle. Not exactly the nice sit down restaurant dinner I had envisioned, but worth it for the M&G!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: woodstock854 on August 09, 2010, 09:11:04 AM
I know I am very late with this review of Milwaukee but here goes!!!

Had a WONDERFUL time!!!  The highlight was spending time with Thea, Barb (wisconsinmaniac), and Barb (WilsonClaymate).  It was wonderful to see these great Clay fans, and SUCH lovely ladies.  Thank you, gals!!!  Let's do it again soon!!!

As you have read in other reviews, the evening started off with a "disruption" from a "fan".  I think she called herself "Lesbiana", and I heard Clay repeat that name.  I am SO glad Clay and Ruben had the house lights turned up and put her in her place.  Clay's reply was very funny, but I truly hate when fans cause such a ruckus to get attention.  Luckily, that was the end of it for the night.

My daughter, who is my concert Buddy, was not thrilled with seeing Ruben.  Since I had only read the first cellcert, I didn't know much, but I did know that Clay and Ruben were on the stage together most of the time.  So there was no escaping, I told her.  LOL  But, I thought Ruben was very good.  He was very entertaining, seemed at ease, and I thought his voice sounded really good.  He really is very talented.  I enjoyed the banter between the two, and am happy to see they have stayed friends.  I don't think the banter went too far at this concert, but I must say, although the Reverend Studdard bit was funny, I personally was getting bored and thought it went on too long.  The point had been made.  I would have rather spent the time hearing Clay sing more songs.

I LOVED Clay.  I have always loved Clay, and will go to concerts as long as he is performing and my legs will get me there!!!  I think his voice was SPOT ON at this concert.  By now, he has proven he can sing ANYTHING, and I do enjoy hearing him sing a variety of genres.   Although he may be more comfortable with the "oldies" and being a "crooner", I think he sounds great doing Pop and any other thing he chooses to sing.

I found it interesting reading the other Milwaukee reviews.  Quite frankly, I didn't even pay attention to what Clay was wearing.  I know he was wearing a suit, but I didn't notice the fabric OR the wrinkles.  I was just anxiously sitting there waiting to hear THAT VOICE!!!  I DID notice his hair, though.  Only because my daughter had commented on his hair on the cover of T&T.  "What's up with Clay's hair?"  So I was happy to see it wasn't plastered on his head.  I thought he looked great.  And yes, a little skinny.

They were watching very closely for people taking video.  They were walking back and forth throughout the whole concert.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Casey!!!  She is a wonderful addition to the family, and I think she is very talented.  I also thought Quiana was great, and it was wonderful to see her.

My favorite songs of Clay's were Suspicious Minds, Alone, Mandy, and I LOVED When I See You Smile.  But my VERY FAVORITE of the night was MORE THAN A FEELING.  WOW!!!  Totally blew me away!!!  Wish he could have sung the whole song.

After one of Ruben's songs, my daughter said "Clay could have sung that better."  I can't remember what song she said that about.  I texted her and I will edit this when I hear back from her.  But, I was happy to hear her say that.   :laugh:

I have ONE negative comment.  I agree with Thea.  I think "enough is enough" with the gay comments.  On the way home, I told my daughter I thought there were too many gay comments, and she said there were so many racial comments, too.  She is right.  A little goes a long way.  On with it, already, IMO.

SUCH a wonderful time.  SUCH a wonderful Clay.  I am SO glad to be a part of it!!!

P.S. My daughter took a picture of the 4 of us, but she is moving and her computer is packed up, so I will post the picture as soon as she e-mails it to me!!!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 09, 2010, 06:12:42 PM
Tiffany
Claymaniac
 
Hello from Newark, NJ. Headed into NY tonight. Having a great time so far.Was in Lancaster last night. I saw Faye in the bathroom but didn't talk to her. . Amazing concert and had the best seats. Great sound too. Nice venue. Could see Clay and Ruben so close. I was on the left side on the 6th row. Our section was a little boring with some people around us. Saw some older people. Maybe NJU. We got up for a few songs and clapped, danced, sang along but our section weren't as good as the right side. Clay said that in the beginning. Hope it can be a better crowd around us in NY. I like to get up and dance. I thought Clay's voice was perfection. Didn't sound sick to me at all. Ruben sounded good too. Very impressed with him now.  My friend was surprised and didn't watch clack like I did so she was cracking up at their comedy bits. THey play off so well with each other. Hilarious last night! During Preacher Ruben someone in the audience was just cracking up and Ruben called her out. It was so funny. Clay's such a good actor and he's facial expressions were so cute when he came out in the blanket. And the Peaches and Herb joke just never gets old to them. LOL Didn't think it was that much audience interaction this time. They were good. Hardly no one called out. So it's just a fun show. Loved it! And Clay gahhhh he was so gorgeous. Really impressed with Casey too and she's so beautiful.  CAn't wait to see it again on Wednesday in NY!

Waited out a while by the buses for Clay and anyone else to come out. Saw Ben 1st. Casey did a few autographs but didn't see her from where I was standing. Wanted to see her. Wasn't a big crowd of people waiting. Actually had no idea where Clay would come out at 1st cause I moved cause we thought Jerome told us too but he was talking to the McV's girls to go on the bus to see Clay. Grrrrr  And it was loud like everyone could hear him. But anyway he did come out with a dark plaid shirt and jeans. He did touch my hand. Eeeeeeeeeee Was a better touch then I had just touching his fingers a few years ago in Asheville. I was happy.  Was worth the wait!

Gwenn, Jill, Marion and Micki-Didn't see you but if I did I wanted to say hello.

Tammy, Philly and Irene-Great to see you gals. So happy for you Irene for your Meet and Greet. You survived! Looking forward to seeing your pic with him.  See you all in NY.

I agree Micki. Take this to Vegas!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 09, 2010, 06:14:37 PM
jax5230 wrote:

Hi everyone! Posting on behalf of Jess and I (we're sitting here together) and Conehead who I'm sure will vouch for everything we say once she gets a chance to come on the board and post. Clay actually asked us to post on here to give an explanation about what happened at buses tonight!

Conehead and I had a meet and greet yesterday (Jess did too, but was in a different one) and he mentioned that he was done watching The Little Mermaid and they had moved on to looking for Beauty and The Beast. Luckily, Conehead had it and brought it to the Lancaster venue today. When they were originally were looking for the Little Mermaid DVD, Quiana said whoever won would get meet and greet passes, which I'm sure all of you read. Obviously we weren't going to part with the DVD without making some kind of bargain!

Jerome called us back during the period where people were waiting for Clay to come out and shake hands and we sort of bargained back and forth a few times about the worth of the DVD, what we wanted in return, etc. We finally came to an agreement and he would get the DVD if we could take a picture with him at the bus. He said we could get in the luggage compartment with him if we went to the Cracker Barrel across the street and convinced the manager to sign a menu in 10 minutes. Sounds easy until we realized the second they told us about the challenge, it was closed. Luckily we were totally up for the challenge and got the menu in time. Most of the crew came outside and Ben took the pictures for us...thanks Ben! So much fun!


Quote
Clayphan76
Yep!!! I'll vouch for ya!!!  It did sound like an easy challenge until Jerome called us back and told us we had to run....not drive. They wanted us to run past the back of the venue where they were waiting by the windows to watch and record the whole thing. Jerome kept calling every other minute to check on our progress. We made it in 7 minutes!!!! Anyway, there's a pic from the luggage compartment, taken by Ben Cohn.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 09, 2010, 06:29:21 PM
cagney1950 FROM CV
Lancaster Recap
I have attempted, half-heartedly and not very successfully I might add, to avoid a lot of clack of the concert and that includes the recaps. Now that I have seen my one and only show, I look forward to going back and catching up on all of your recaps.

I have been waiting for a long time to have a Clay concert to come to the AMT in Lancaster. I had heard that we were very close to getting one of the Christmas tours but negotiations with an orchestra fell through. Given that the show sold all but twenty seats (according to a sales person last night) out of 1607, I would consider this show a rousing success from their point of view. I have seen numerous shows in this venue and I don’t believe I have seen the level of enthusiasm by the audience. I must add that I was in the 5th row to the side and never looked behind me-so perhaps my vantage point skewed my perceptions.

As this was my only show, I tried to be hyper alert to remember as many details as possible. But then the Aiken fog creeps in. It’s a battle, I tell you.

The introduction owes a lot to Star Wars but Spamalot as well. The orchestra backing is full of discordant sound just like in the beginning of Spamalot. It made me chuckle and as some of you have mentioned, Clay’s role in developing this show was evident right from the beginning. I love the premise of joining differing musical styles-it worked well.

Some overall thoughts before I get into specifics. Vocals: Ruben sounds great. Clear, warm tone. I found myself getting a bit bored with his first solo-not sure what that was. My impression was that Ruben used the back-up singers more than Clay-just an impression. But as good as Ruben’s vocals are, he just doesn’t make the sounds that Clay does. Clay has a layered richness to his tone, and when you least expect it, he provides an inflection, and emphasis which I could just listen to on repeat. Very, very few vocalists do that to me. Clay’s speaking voice was hoarse but that did not seem to impact his singing voice. A few wonky notes but generally, he sounded terrific
From the clack I did listen to, my immediate impression was that I preferred Ruben’s songs in the 60s to Clay’s. I love Sam Cook and Marvin Gaye. I would kill to hear Clay sing those songs. But then Clay began to sing “Going out of my head over you…..” one of my favorite 60s tunes and I was happy. Actually when it comes to Clay, the bar is sooo low, it doesn’t take much to get me grinning and purring.

I thought the humor and interplay between Clay and Ruben was just right-not forced at all. Some of my favorites including the “Peaches and Herb” interchange where Clay talked about embracing his inner fruit and Ruben his inner herb. Cute. Also I enjoyed the interchange about the macho 80’s with Clay and Ruben playing against type a bit-Clay talking about macho influences and Ruben bringing in the softer side of the decade including Teddy Ruxpin, my buddy (his singing the theme song for that was adorable). I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Reverend Studdard bit-he really sold it. Having Faye in the audience must have made it more fun to deliver.

Rubin is polished and solid. Clay oozes confidence and charisma. He looked absolutely wonderful. I love the hair, including the exaggerated spikes. It works for all the songs in the set, IMO. I don’t always see sexy when I see Clay but man oh man, he oozed a lot of that for me last night. LTVL-wow, the moves were sensual. His pushed up sleeves on his blazer for the 80’s worked for me too. He sold and delivered the ballads like MTAF-wow the taste was just too brief. Clay’s versatility astounds me-he can do pop, green-eyed soul, and then the standards on TnT. I don’t believe we have seen the last of pop Clay-at least in concert.

Quiana and Casey-very solid too. But I’m Every Woman goes on way too long. I kept thinking, Clay, come back! For those who picked up a brochure for AMT, do you think that is Casey on the cover? She has been in some of AMT’s reviews over the years. DGBMH-Clay did a shimmy instead of a kiss, reminding me of the shimmy with Angela when Clay and friends were watching a KLO concert way back when. Clay could dance back then.

After the show I ran into a vice president at the university where I teach. She is a stunning, African American woman there with her daughters. She, I discovered, is a huge Ruben fan but loved the whole show. At work, I say very little about my clay obsession fandom, I have sort of a reputation for being calm, cool, and collected but I couldn’t contain my fangirliness “I’m a claymate” I gurgled, “but don’t tell anybody.” Smooth.

I went with several friends, one of them being one of the first people I met in the fandom. We had traveled to over twenty concerts together. Real life had intervened for her, and in a good way, being blessed with two baby boys, and she had lost much of her interest in Clay. She doesn’t enjoy TnT and I really wondered what she would think about Timeless. Well, it didn’t take long (pretty much as soon as we entered the theatre) for the feelings to come flooding back for her and she absolutely loved, loved the show. At the end she was asking about the Tnt tour. I told her that it would be the songs she doesn’t care very much but she just said, “I don’t care, it’s Clay.” Yeah, that sort of sums it up.

I had fun running into queemsmum, claytheleena and njrp4clay and wished I knew the other CVers who attended. I am sorry I missed saying hi to Craving Clay and molino79 among others.

About the busses and the McV girls opportunity. I hung out at the busses. Didn’t expect Clay to come out but it was a beautiful night and it was fun to catch up with local clay fans that are not on this board but have been so much fun to know over these last 7 years. At one point it seemed like a bus line might be possible as Jerome came out, surveyed the scene, and went back in. The buzz began. Then I saw a lot of activity from fans at the front of the bus, taking picas and what not. When I walked over, I saw several girls with clay and several others talking, laughing, and getting into poses in the luggage well of the bus while the rest of the us were separated by a yellow security tape but looking on none the less. I assumed that these women had won a type of meet and greet-how cool for them. I admit when I found out the spontaneous nature of this privilege I felt a bit of the green coming on. That emotion is kinda rare for me and I don’t like it! That being said, I don’t begrudge Clay or fans for creating these kind of happenings. More power to them. But I certainly felt wistful watching it firsthand.

This show is so special. I would watch it again in a heartbeat!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:16:13 AM
Southern Belle AT CV
Stopping by to say that a non Clay friend attended the Cluben concert with me last night in Lancaster. She doesn't watch AI but is aware of it and knows of Clay through me and has caught him singing a time or two on TV but nothing extensive. She loved the show and thought it was wonderful. As soon as it was over, she said "wow", I didn't know either of them were that good. She said they could sing anything and thought they were really funny. She said this was more of a "show" than a concert. She also thought the singers and dancers were great although she thought at times, the band was somewhat loud and overpowered the singers. She likes to be able to hear the lyrics but again on the way home - the ride from hell actually - she mentioned how she was so glad I asked her to go and that it was great.

I thought Clay looked very slender especially in his suit. I also thought his face looked thinner than it has in a long time. His cheekbones were very prominent and I thought his profile looked different most likely because his face is thinnner. His face seemed pale to me but I loved his hair color and I like the hair. It reflects his time on AI and seems appropriate for what he and Ruben are trying to convey. My friend even said that he is recognizable due to the hair. Oh and one more thing, yes, he looked quite nice in his jeans. Last time I saw a singer look that good in jeans was Fabian and that's been a long time ago.

I was very, very impressed with Ruben. His voice is rich and soothing. I even forgive him his wonderful rendition of EIDIDIFY. He sounded great on it even though I am still not over my disappointment that it isn't Clay singing it and I can't for the life of me figure out why. It is a head scratcher. I also thought Ruben has come a long way with his stage presence. Perhaps Clay brings out the best in Ruben in that regard. And, despite what the one with the golden lungs says, he can dance.

We saw the fans waiting in front of the bus and another group over by what I assume was the door to the venue. We did not stay but I was hoping for their sakes, that he would greet all of them.  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:20:32 AM
CravingClay AT cv
 
 My Lancaster Recap:

Since we only live about an hour from Lancaster, my DH and I left home mid-afternoon and arrived about 4:15. We found the venue and took a drive around the parking lot which completely circled the building. The 3 buses were parked in the rear with only one person visible. I thought he might be security, but now I think it was Ruben's keyboard player. Didn't stop to take a picture but DH waved at the guy. 

We really like Texas Roadhouse and don't have one near us, so had planned to go there even before I saw the recommendation here. We were seated immediately at a table for 6, even though it was just the 2 of us. The food there is really good and the service was also great. After a short drive through the outlet shopping area, which was closed by this time, we made our way over to the AMT parking lot to get a good spot. It was only about 5:30 so we sat in the car for awhile and just watched people make their way in.

After 2 glasses of iced tea at dinner, I really needed to find a ladies room so we headed into the theater. The American Music Theater is really a beautiful place. We were very impressed. I bought the black t-shirt which DH kindly took back to the car so I wouldn't have to hold it during the concert.

Eventually we made our way to our seats, which were 8th row right in the "good time section", according to Ruben. The seats are roomy and have generous leg room. I hope Clay comes back there at some point. Even if he doesn't, we will certainly try to see other shows there.

Others have described the show very adequately. It was wonderful! This was my first and only show, but I had watched quite a lot of video. DH did not have a clue, except that I had told him Clay was not singing from TnT and that it was 60's through 90's music. He was laughing quite a lot but is not one to stand up and dance or anything like that. He did stand at the end. When we were walking out, he said he was surprised that Clay did not sing Moon River or "Mack The Knife" (he has listened to the album). I said that I had told him he was not singing from the album. DH said he thought maybe he'd sneak one song in there. I informed him that Clay did sing one song from the album, SM.

I loved the show as a whole, was quite impressed with Ruben's singing and onstage chemistry with Clay. It did seem to me that Ruben was given a little more opportunity to shine, but I assume that is Clay's doing. Ruben does a great job with the old school R&B style. I think it might be fun, though, to hear Clay sing a lot of the songs that Ruben is doing.

We didn't go to the buses after the show. My ultimate handshake line was in Asheville in 2007. Nothing can top that!

On the way home, DH said that he thinks that Clay is very smart. He said he thought that Clay had probably planned most of that show (he does NOT read at CV nor had I said that to him). He also said he wished Clay would do another Christmas tour. DH really likes the Christmas shows.

I got to see some folks I had not seen for awhile, meet a couple of others for the first time, but did miss saying hi to Cagney, jasr, farouche, and queensmum, among others. I did see a couple of people from a distance, but never got close enough to say hello.

Wish I could go to another show, but will have to be satisfied now until February.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:59:17 AM
luckiest1 at CH
 
Posting from the lobby of our hotel in Findlay Lake, which we eventually found last night after driving what seemed like forever down unlit, one lane roads. We were warned about deer but thankfully none jumped out at us. I doubt any of us would have been awake enough to see them anyways, even the driver (my daughter, good job!)

Wow, what a 2 days it has been. Hopefully when I get home I wil remember enough to write some semblance of a Windsor recap, but what can I tell you about Chautauqua last night? After a 5+ hour journey full of bad decisions and wrong turns, we (me, Claymatron, luckiestdaughter, friend of luckiestdaughter aka disneykid) finally arrived at the Chatauqua Institute sometime around 1:30 pm. They wouldn't let us in, but sent us back to the box office to purchase additional $10 "afternoon" tickets. Otherwise we'd have to wait until 4 pm and we weren't doing that. So we hiked it over to the amphitheatre, certain we'd be about 80th in line, it was sooooo late. And there wasn't a single, solitary person around. WTF? We made sure at the visitor's centre that all 4 gates would be used for entrance that evening, and then picked one near the stage to stand at. Claymatron wandered around to find the spot for her M&G and discovered a line of 10 or 12 people at the rear of the venue where they do wheelchair access. It is the only entrance down on the floor level so I guess people figured it would be a quick route to the good seats. We decided to stay where we were, which would involove a run down a ramp (but we'd done that 3 years ago and it worked out for us). No other fans joined us a for a few hours, but there was a really creepy man who came out of the Presbyterian House every once in a while and tried to pretend he knew us, wanted to shake our hands, bump fists, wink wink, I'll be back later and you'll save my spot, right? Um, no. And a semi-bitchy Chautauqua employee who absolutely insisted we should not stand there, but rather walk around the Institute and experience everything, because no one else would be lining up. Riiiiiight. We explained we were choosing to stand here, unless we were in her way or something? She said no, but got rather rude about it after a while. She just thought we were crazy I think.

So the band warmed up for an hour or so and eventually Ruben came out and sang a few bits and pieces of his songs. Quiana took Clay's mike and did a rendition of Suspicious Minds. Clay never made an appearance that we saw or heard (but to be honest, we couldn't see much from our vantage point and we were scared to leave it). There were a few people milling around and looking over the railings but I never saw anyone lining up anywhere until 6 pm or so. Then there were maybe 15 people at each gate, tops. I kept wondering where everyone was? Apparently most were down at the rear entrance. I did hear the screams eventually when Clay must have come off the bus and entered the venue for the M&Gs. Claymatron kept it together pretty well all day but was shaking with excitement by the time she went down. Cindilu2 and friend (who had a charity M&G) were cool, calm and collected. They offered to get some stuff signed for luckiestdaughter and I since they got their stuff signed in Windsor, so I sent a Rolling Stone with them and my daughter sent a copy of "On My Way Here". Eeeeeeeeee! I've been dragging that poor copy of Rolling Stone around since 2003. It was still in a ziploc bag from the Cleveland Jingle Ball, I kid you not!

The annoying man came back and tried to get in line behind us. The people he cut in front of were (obviously) upset by this and told him so. He went on about how he'd been here longer than them, blah blah blah, and we kept our backs to him so he couldn't try and drag us into it. The more the people insisted he hadn't, the more upset he got, and then he launched into a shouted speech in Chinese which totally freaked us out. The guy was certifiable. He refused to move and by this point everyone was a bit frightened of him so we just ignored him. By this time ficus had joined our little line and she and the girls made sure to make friends with each and every usher who might possibly be taking our tickets when the gates opened. Hey, every advantage, right? Fran or Freida (can't remember) was the lucky one and when the gates finally opened at 7:20 she made sure to get us through quickly. We ran down the ramp with shouts of "no running!" from the ushers and managed to score 2nd row centre seats! Wheeeeeee!

There were 4 young girls (20ish) in front of us, one of whom Claymatron had with her in the M&G, and they told us they wanted to dance! So we agreed that if they stood up, we'd stand up too. The stage in Chautauqua is only about a foot and a half high, so what a view we had! I'd say the venue was about 80% full or so by the time the lights went down. But the nature of that venue is that the music attracts other people to come check things out. Those with a pass can enter for free. So people do wander in and out at will. The creepy man ended up in the 3rd row behind us and proceeded to tell everyone how 'rude' the people in line were. Thank goodness he left after a few songs. Ficus was beside me doing the CH cellcert. I sure hope I couldn't be heard singing and screaming all night (but I bet I could). Eeep.

I have never been so close at a concert before. Clay played up to the 4 girls in front who were attempting to mimic every step of the 60s medley. He made funny faces and exaggerated movements so they could follow along. It was really cute. I felt bad because I knew Scarlett was attempting to get clack behind us but we had no choice but to stand or we wouldn't have been able to see anything either. We explained this to the girls during a quiter moment of the concert and they didn't stand up as much during the 70s or 80s. But it is such a danceable concert! We were having a blast. I think Ruben and Clay both were feeding off the energy of the crowd.

There was some different banter than Windsor for sure. I got the impression at Windsor they were under time constraints so they kept it short. Not so at Chautauqua. The revival was really drawn out, and when Ruben asked Clay for money the girls in front of us quickly ran up and offered him $10. Clay came forward and took it from them but Ruben said that 'his father' didn't accept Canadian currency. Too funny. I"m sure you know by now about the kiss. It was right in front of us, OMG. OMG. OMG. There are no words. Clay was very pleased with himself and went on about it for a bit. I can't wait to see the clack because it was so loud in there I didn't catch Ruben's comment but it drew a lot of laughs.

When they finished the 80s medley, the crowd cheered so much that they revived it and did the ending a second time! So cool! And we had been advised by venue staff that partway through the 90s, we were going to be allowed to approach the stage again. So when TOML started, I jumped over the front row and then turned around and realized no one else was coming. Hee! Thankfully they followed me and security didn't throw me out. So it was another mini mosh pit, but this time with only a short stage, whereas the one in Windsor was a good 4 feet tall. Very cool! Clay walked along the front of the stage, just out of reach, but put his mic to us so we could sing into it as he walked. He seemed to really be enjoying himself up there. Apparently the mosh pit in Windsor was not planned by Clay and co. But I guess they must have liked it enough to do it again.

Afterward were wandered out the rear exit and there were lots of people waiting but Jerome had told someone 'no bus line' so we went for ice cream instead. My throat thanked me, I was pretty hoarse after two night of screaming and cheering.

 
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 03:28:01 AM
luckiest1
 
If you can stand another recap....

Windsor Recap

Claymatron, luckiestdaughter, friend of luckiestdaughter (Michelle, a Clay virgin), luckiestmom, disneykid & her fiance (another Clay virgin) and I left my house at precisely 1 p.m., as per cindilu2's instructions. We crammed into one van and headed a couple of exits west on the highway to meet up with 4 more Claynadians, so we could caravan and also so we could spread out a little. 7 in a van is tight, y'all. We managed not to stay together on the highway and still both vans got lost. Mapquest sucks sometimes. There was no exit 3B! In any case, we communicated by cell phone and GPSed each other to the venue eventually. We didn't have a whole lot of time until 4 pm so we just hung around the entrance to the Market Grill until they let us in. It was like a reunion in line! And finally we all got seated in our "Claynadian" reserved section. There were nametags and door prizes and raffles! The food was out of this world fantastic. What a selection! Down home southern to Italian to Asian. And a dessert bar to die for. We all ate too much. I was thankful our concert wasn't until 8 pm so I could try and digest my food before getting myself all excited. So laughn came over to our table at one point and gave us her door and raffle prize tickets so she could go up to her room. Didn't she win the special 'American' prize basket right after she left? So we carried it with us until we were able to check it with the concierge. Hope you got it ok!

After dinner some of us went gambling and others went to wait for the lucky meet and greeters to exit so we could EEEEEEEEEEEE with them. It was fun watching the charity people come out and the OFCers go in. One day, my ship will come......

After we tracked down luckiestmom who kept disappearing to gamble, we entered the venue. It was a great set up, although there were some seats on the floor on the extreme side, facing in, that kind of reminded me of where we sat in Meadville for the JBT. I was very, very thankful that our 4th row seats were actually not that far off centre, even though they weren't in the centre section. I was amazed to hear "On My Way Here" playing, alternately with what I assume was Ruben's most recent album, through the sound system. I believe that is a first for all the Clay tours I've attended. What a concept, playing music by the artists! We got beverages and mingled until showtime.
Now, I was pretty spoiled, but I had not watched the opening or closing number, and I also had not watched the 'revival' skit. So when Ruben came out singing FWW, I didn't know what to expect would happen next. It was hilarious the way Clay interrupted him with TITN, and the screams were loud. I loved the comedy of the whole number, and especially the last few lines were inspired. "You stole my damn wings" was just about the funniest thing I'd ever heard Clay sing! And it set the theme for the night, which seemed to be Clay uttering every cuss word imagineable (ok, except the f bomb). Ha ha ha, what a riot. I believe we got damn, hell, shit, and ass all in one concert. Who woulda thunk it a few years ago? You go Clay!!!!

I don't think I can remember many details after that. I remember itching to get up and dance but no one else was. I remember thinking that I was probably shaking the whole row because I couldn't help but dance in my seat. I remember during Still The One that Clay stood right directly in front of me and made a funny face at ficus who was in the front row ahead of me when he sang the line "I see your face every day". Ha ha.

The revival skit was priceless. The noises Clay made were hilarious. I now understand the description 'dying goose'. And when he whispered in Ruben's ear and left the stage, accomanpanied by the girls, I had no idea what was going on. Ruben took that opportunity to come over in front of us and ask if anyone else couldn't dance and needed to be healed. I raised my hand but he honed in on disneykid, who was holding up her fiance's hand. Hee, that was awesome, she was thrilled. In any case, Clay came back and advised us that he'd dropped the mic down his drawers and the place just cracked up. What a goofball!

The 70's and 80's went by in a blur. Clay's vocals were outstanding all night. He danced up a storm. My mother later commented that she had no idea he could dance like that. I told her maybe Reed had taught him a few things, and she didn't know what to say after that. Ok, so the 90's start and disneykid, luckiestdaughter, and I immediately stood up and started clapping and dancing, everyone else be damned. And then the strangest thing happened. The two security women at the front of our aisle, in tandem, got up and whisked their chairs (that were forming a barricade) away, giving us free access to the stage. I saw two women run up and I waited a second to see if they would get pulled back, but when they didn't, we took off too. I managed to get right to the stage, and stand in between two of the speakers right at the centre. I still can't quite believe it happened. And I watched in awe as they went through the remainder of the 90's medley, with only one thought in my mind. Clay is going to sing LLVL in a minute, right in this very spot. And I am going to witness it. It was surreal. I had to keep convincing myself that this was really Clay and this wasn't a dream. I just never thought I'd see the day come where I was so close. Whoever's idea it was to allow it, I kneel down and thank them profusely.

The front of the stage was just a party. They were ready to go into TOML and Ruben was still shaking hands and even signing a few autographs. Clay seemed amused when he had to wait for Ruben to finish so they could continue the show. I never got the impression that either guy was uncomfortable with the 'mosh pit' at all. I think they loved it. It really brought the energy of the crowd up!

So afterward, when the house lights came up, it was like the Raleigh OMG concert all over again. People finding other people and hugging and saying "OMG! can you believe it??" I think I wandered around in shock with my hands over my mouth for 10 minutes or so before I realized we'd lost luckiestmom again. Thank goodness she was waiting by the exit and hadn't decided to go gambling again because we might never have found her.

ETA that I was really impressed by Ruben. I absolutely love his vocals on Bring It On Home To Me and Everything I Do. I will be downloading audio of both of them for my iPod.

The two hour drive home gave us time to unwind and share our stories and favourite parts of the concert. We were mellowed out and ready for our next adventure. We got between 1 1/2 and 5 hours sleep collectively and got up to do it all again the next day!  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 03:48:10 AM
Corabeth at CH

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My eyes were bobbing last night when I was trying to type up any semblance of a recap. I just wrote it in random thought form versus full paragraphs.

-Place was packed, there were some empty seats right behind us but there is a very high balcony and it looked full all the way to the back. I saw a lot of men. There was a man sitting to my left and one in front of me and of course my husband so that was three in our four seats in the corner.

-Unfortunately, I thought it was a rather obnoxious audience. The woman behind me kept talking to the woman next to her in a loud voice-through the whole concert. I came this close to turning around and asking her to talk into her friend's ear instead. I HATE that. The woman behind her kept Wooting or some weird hound dog howl, even during quiet parts like Superstar (which is still Supersnore to me). A lot of I Love Yous, etc.

-We were definitely in Claymate corner. When we got there, a woman sitting in front of us (who was chatting with the people next to us) kept talking about seeing the show in Chautauqua last night, and she was an expert on the show and she asked my husband if he liked Ruben and I'm thinking, "lady, does he look like he cares."

-Lots of flashes in the first half. I can see why they bother the performers, they bothered me. It didn't seem like the ushers were doing anything.

-Vocally, they were all in great form. BUT, where we were (right orchestra, the very last two outer aisle seats), it was hard to understand Ruben. Not his accent, it just sounded like he swallowed his mic. The band overwhelmed the singers, it may have just been the way the speakers were projecting to our seats because others more toward the center didn't seem to experience that. Sgt. CB kept asking me what they said. If I didn't know the script, I wouldn't have been able to answer him a few times. He said that made it hard for him to enjoy "their little vaudeville act". (My mother said she had a hard time understanding Ruben at the Clearwater show too.)

-He thinks Clay talks waaaay too fast! I said I can understand him just fine. *g*

-He thought Ruben actually sang better but he did concede it was because Clay has much harder songs, so he sounds like he's shouting at times. Ruben's songs are all pretty much in the same general key with the same small typical R&B range. (He obviously has a great R&B voice but I could not sit through a whole concert of it.)

-I think Clay kicks serious ass on MTAF and Alone. I think he just shouts Africa.

-Clay didn't say frell into the mic. He said "you paid $600 (turns away from the audience and mouths "frell" ) dollars for those seats. And he repeated it later but again turned away from the audience and mouthed it. It was funny.

-During the revival, Clay added a lisp to his Pastor so it came out like Pathta. Ruben kept cracking up.

-I thought their little banter leading into the 60's fell flat. I wish they kept the schtick from Asheville about your 60's and my 60's, that was hysterical. I think Ruben went off script or didn't follow script. Clay kidded him about going to the spa and getting too zen.

-Sgt. CB really liked the medley concept. He said you got to hear a lot of songs over one evening and you don't get sick of any one song that you may not like or know. However, he can't believe I'm seeing the same show two more times.

-They had two jumbotrons and they did some double images sometimes. It was kind of cool

-Sgt. CB was obsessed with the fact that Clay's coat looked wrinkled at the beginning. He believes Casey must use double faced tape to hold her dress in place. I think he studied that carefully.

-Felix sent a drum stick flying about 20 feet into the air.

-Clay does a really nice job with Mandy, some nice change ups especially toward the end. Very pretty.

-"When I See You Smile" has to go. Such a boring song and on top of that, it just doesn't fit after he's just been "healed".

Overall, it was a good show but I think the sound system put a bit of a damper on it for us, plus I usually don't watch as much clack as I do before my show but this was too far away. I wish I hadn't. I didn't think the schtick was as funny as other nights.

I think Clay's part shows far more versatility as a singer but he is thrown off the stage by Ruben too many times. But they definitely deserve a shot at TV with this. It's well put together, for the most part and the chemistry is great. I also think being way over on the side in the 12th row is different, I must be spoiled. We have I think third or fourth row on Tuesday night.

I also think watching it with my husband I have this sense of wondering if he likes this or that and it impacts my own enjoyment At JBT, I had Nanjeanne on the other side of me to dance with, etc.

And I think TnT tour will be slowwww after the high energy of this one.  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 03:54:27 AM
LizinToronto at CH
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Recap of Windsor M and G

Jerome was sick, so Clay's assistant Cheryl met with the 5 of us. So sorry to miss seeing Jerome. We were led by Cheryl and venue security via elevator down underground and through passages to the " backstage" area past a performers" refreshment stand, and behind a black curtain to a sectioned-off area of a room,. I think were might have actually been under the stage.
There was a round table, and opposite it, 5 chairs in a line for the winners. I was the first in line to enter the room and opted to sit down on the first chair, right end of the line when Clay was looking at us. Cheryl went to get Clay and a couple of security stayed with us. In 2-3 minutes Cheryl was back, and Clay entered with a big smile on his face.
He was wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved grey t-shirt with a polo shirt (blue stripes) over it. Beige sneakers with no laces and no sox. Hair appeared to be freshly washed and only very slightly spiked. He looked young, clean, fresh, glowing with health and happiness. Just REAL. Indescribably gorgeous.

He asked us how we were doing, and then went down the line, asking our names. Repeated each person's name back to them, and made note of the fact that the first three names began with L and the last two with B. When greeted and asked my name, I stood up to shake hands and was immediately told by Clay that no one need stand up. So I sat down! Ooops.... faux pas.

Then he went down the line and asked each one where she was from.
Next he sat down at the table and began signing autographs, one person at a time and told us we could ask our questions while he signed. It all proceeded very easily, no "star power trip" going on. Felt like we were talking with a friend.

I managed to sneak in 3 questions (my bad)
My official "autograph signing" question was,
'Is the "Tried and True Tour" going to come anywhere near Toronto?'
He frowned (knowing it wasn't) and looked to his posse to see the answer (how close he WILL get) and the answer was: Boston is the closest to Toronto that he will get.

Later, in a brief lull, I asked the question from the CH: "Would you consider setting up a kissing booth to make money for your charity?" and he laughed (entertaining question! he liked it..) and the swift retort was along the lines of, " No, but if you gals set one up, I 'll be there!" (and he was rather pleased with his joke.) Too cute.

At the end, as he was preparing to leave and no one was talking, I asked if I could ask another question and the answer was "Sure."
I said, " We love you with Jimmy Kimmel. Any chance you'll be there soon?"
The answer was swift and predictable: "I don't plan these things, they just happen."

After the signing, it was picture-taking time. I got the "prom pose", complete with the firm arm around the waist. He feels very solid.
Then each winner got a good solid hug. Yum. Loved it.
And with a big smile and thanks, he was gone.
It was wonderful; I was on cloud nine. I love him.

Liz

This recap may travel.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 04:06:29 AM
NeelieB2 at CH
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I got back from Lancaster, PA this afternoon. Thank goodness for GPS or I’d still be there.

The concert started at 7pm. The anticipation started about 4pm and I could feel my hands getting a little shaky. By 5pm my body was shaking. By 6pm the adrenaline was picking up and I couldn’t even think straight. My daughter had to drive the two mile drive from the hotel to the venue.

The concert was so much fun. He is so handsome, his singing is amazing, he’s very funny and his dancing is fun to watch making me smile from ear to ear. He’s like a magnet to my eyes. They follow him everywhere. Has anyone mentioned the body slide he did with Casey? When they were singing “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (I think that was the song) he pulled her to him and slid his body down hers. I think I stopped breathing at that point.

I took my 27 year old daughter who is a NJU to the concert hoping she would have a good time. Was I surprised. She had a blast. She enjoyed the sixties and seventies. By the eighties and the nineties (her era) she was singing, dancing, jumping, waving her arms and whoo hooing. She loved the little skits and the banter between Clay and Ruben and found them funny.

Her camera takes video but I told her not to use it because I’d rather have her watch the concert than worry about holding a camera. When Eye of the Tiger came on she starts grabbing in her purse for her camera saying “I love this song”. She taped all the songs that she “loved”. She has to figure out how to send them to me. These I have to see because her experience using the video feature is taping her dogs playing.

I had mentioned briefly about the bus line. When the concert was over and we got out the door she starts walking fast saying “Lets go, come on, we have to get a good spot”. We did get a good spot, second row of people behind the police tape at the back door of the venue where Clay would be coming out. As usual everyone was clapping for all the band members as they came out. She was getting so into it. Every time Jerome came out she would hold her breath and when Clay wasn’t with him she would say “awwww”. We waited for an hour for him to come out. When he finally came out she yelled “there he is, whoo hoo”. When she saw everyone put their hands out for the “touch” she put her’s out too with this big smile on her face. He missed her hand by about a hair’s breadth. I didn’t put my hand out (I’m rather shy in RL) and she kept telling me “put your hand out, put your hand out”. I was chuckling to myself because I never in a million years would have imagined her becoming fangirly over Clay. She thinks he is more handsome in person than he is in pictures.

She wanted to know if all his concerts were like this. I told her that he is usually just with backup singers and he jokes a lot with the audience. She said that it sounded like fun and she would go to another concert with me. This is rather long winded but she was so cute and I’m tickled pink that she actually came with me and then wound up having such a good time.
 
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 04:08:34 AM
Giselle at CH


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My Foxwoods Recap.
I’m finally home from my whirlwind weekend with my 2 daughters to see Clay.
When Clay’s tour dates were setup, I wanted to make a mini vacation
around the tour so my daughters decided they wanted to see Mystic.
We left Friday from NY and headed to the Mystic Aquarium. We stayed
overnight and then went to Mystic Seaport the next morning. When we drove to
Foxwoods, my daughters couldn’t get over the hotel. We were on the 30th floor.
The show was great. Like others said the venue was packed. My daughters
really enjoyed themselves. They were laughing and clapping along. I was just
mesmerized the whole time watching Clay. This was my second show seeing Clay.
The first was the Christmas show where Clay just sang. So this was so much fun
seeing Clay in person. He is so darn cute and funny and sexy and oh my I could go
on, but you all know what I mean. It’s funny the next day I asked my daughters what
their favorite parts were and they could remember every detail. I on the other hand
was in the fog. I am so thankful for the Clack gatherers that take the videos and pictures
for the rest of us. This will be my only show and I so appreciate being able to relive the moments over and over again.
The only regret was that I didn’t get to meet others there. My internet wasn’t working
so didn’t know where people were hanging out. Maybe next time.
My daughter took a few pictures during the concert, but we were far away.
I really enjoyed this weekend and I have Clay to thank for continuing to entertain and I am going to try to go to all his tours in the future.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 12:02:03 PM
Lolacat at CV

Well the man is gorgeous. 

Claythleena did a great job with the recap. I told her to make sure she got the clothes discription down pat and she sure did. Them jeans fit those slim hips mighty nice. Clay was concened about Yvonne driving and about the pain she had to be in but she told him she was fine because she was on drugs. He said you can't drive like that you'll get a DUI and she said don't worry, she drove slow and he said don't you know that is when they pull you over. He told me to drive her home but I said she had a hotel room for the night and she told him he could take care of her and he said he had a bus and she said that's fine. He mentioned his eyes were blue on Phineas and Ferb and we all said at the same time we know. Cracked me up! Someone asked if it was his idea about the kid breaking the camera on Phineas and Ferb and he said he didn't have anything to do with. We told him we thought the kid was destroying Clack. When he asked us where we were from the women next to me started saying a few different places and he asked where do you live NOW? We were all from Pa. but the one women was from Singapore, her name was Zinny. She asked him about touring in Singapore and he said no. He'll only be released in the US and Canada. The other women said she has alot of friends in London that would love to see him. He said it is up to the record label in those markets. The US office has nothing to do with it. The overseas offices in those countries have to make that decision. He's a new artist in those areas and with the way the industry is now he don't see them spending the money. Zinny said but he has lots of fans and a fan club in Singapore and then he said it's up to you to push it. Someone told him they like his hair and he said oh thanks and ruffled it up. I asked him if it was spiked to go with the Clay, Ruben era or is that just the way he was wearing it now but I don't think he heard me. Someone told him to wish Parker a Happy Birthday and he said thank you he will. Did I mention the jeans were tight and mighty fine and the bottom buttons of his shirt were open  He gives bear hugs and he does smell like fresh laundry.


The concert was fantastic I was watching some of the men in the audience and they were laughing and singing and clapping. Everyone was having a blast. Queensmum was behind me and we got to chat for a little while. I saw Shady from the Clackhouse and Rockys Mom was with her. I gave her a big hug and told her we all miss her.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:14:00 PM
Mee4Clay at CV
Hi everyone,

I'm mostly a lurker here but thought I would share my m&g with you all. I've met some of you at the Chautauqua concert (dancermom, cindillu and others whose names I don't remember). I also want to thank the person who shared the tip about rubbing Vicks under the feet and wearing socks at bedtime. I got a cold when coming back to Toronto and I did what she said and it worked. I'm well enough now to go on my 2nd leg of the tour, NYC and Verona.


M&G Recap:

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I might not be recollecting the exact chain of events and words/sentences Clay, Cheryl or Jerome used. So, if my recap differs from the other OFC winners, it would be mostly because due to the Aiken fog as sometimes I was more intent on looking at Clay (and trying not to be too obvious about it) and therefore some of the conversation escaped me. So here it is:

All the m&g winners met up around 6:10 p.m at the back of the amphitheatre where we were to get our passes and meet Jerome. There were 13 people in all, so we were wondering about that since we know of 5 OFC and 4 Charity auction winners. It turns out that there were 4 other winners, probably some Chautauqua Institute contest or something. Jerome called out the names of the Charity auction winners first, then the OFC winners and then he started apologizing to the other 4 left and I could see their face changing to disappointment. I was like “oh, they won’t get their m&g”. Well, Jerome then told them that their m&g will be later than scheduled and their faces brightened up again.

The charity auction winners went inside first and then Jerome came back to get the 5 of us (Bev, Megan, Jennifer, Lindy and I) and had us sit in a narrow corridor. Jerome told us that they were running late for the m&g but not to worry about the seats in the amphitheatre as they have the whole third row on the right side (when facing the stage) reserved for us. We were all nervous while waiting there. Then Cheryl came and she said that the place is too tiny and took us upstairs to a big room with chairs piled on top of each other all along the wall. We chatted with Cheryl while waiting for Clay. She asked us if we have seen the show before. So, we said that the three of us (Bev, Megan and I) went to our first concert last night. Then, Bev said that she has been to the JBT tour (I then said Jukebox Tour as I’m sure she wouldn’t know all the acronyms) and that this one is like the JBT tour on crack. She laughed and said that her favourite part was the “Preacher/Revival” segment, at which point we mentioned the “mic in the pants” in Windsor. She agreed that it was very funny and then said that the mosh pit was unexpected but that they enjoyed it (so that is why when the 90’s started in Chautauqua, the security guys who were sitting at both ends of the stage came up to the centre and people, including me, started moving to the front).

Then, we heard people coming up the stairs and there was Clay with Jerome. He looks so tall and commanding as soon as he walked in. We all stood up, he shook our hand and asked our names and then told us to sit down. He asked each of us where we were from. I told him that I was from Toronto but originally from Mauritius and he said that he knew where it is, which surprised me very much. He noticed that there were 3 Canadians in the m&g and mentioned that there was only one last night in Windsor. He then wondered how that happened and one of us said that it’s just luck. Bev then said that we know each other and Clay snarked back “Canada is such a small country”. We then said that we meet at luncheons. I said “we meet every 3-4 months at cluncheons” and at the word cluncheon he made a scared face in a joking way. I think he even said “I’m scared now” but I’m not 100% sure.

He said that we seem to be a calm group, so we can ask as many questions as we want. Someone then said that we were not calm at all to which Clay then said “I take it back then, one question only” and then laughed, so we knew he was just joking with us. He started with Jennifer who I think said that she did not really have any questions but then she did say something, but I just can’t remember what. Then, it was my turn. So I asked him how he knew about Mauritius. He said that he is with Unicef and therefore knows about these countries. He then said “it’s an island in the Indian Ocean” right? I said yes and that I was so happy that he knew about my country. I then thought that he would move on to Lynn but he said to me “Is that what you were going to ask me?” I said no and then asked him my question which is “Why did you not record Mandy since you seem to love it and sing it so many times on tours?” (I actually read the question from the piece of paper I wrote it on, so nervous I was that I would stumble on the words and make a fool of myself). He then said that he wanted to but they were going for the 50’s and 60’s songs (he was thinking of Tried and True) and Mandy was in the 70’s and I said “But A Thousand Different Ways?” and he exclaimed “I didn’t think of it then, Marie Anne” and punctuated it with a diva’ish expression and spread of his hands (I’m not sure how to describe it but he was just too funny with his answer which is probably what happened, he forgot Mandy when doing ATDW). I might not remember clearly everything else but I do remember that last sentence very well because he actually said my name.

It was then Lynn’s turn and she told him that he was so funny and asked him where he gets it from. He said that he does not really know, probably from his mother who is “funny as a rock” (his words) and his grandmother too. He also said that it might also be a “self-defense mechanism” (not sure if those were his words”). Next was Bev’s turn and I will let her recap it herself (she might have done it already). Afterwards, Clay moved on to Megan and noticed that she had her iPod (?) in her hand and asked her what questions she had. She asked him what his favourite candy was and he said “Peanut and chocolate twix” and somehow they were discussing the difference between it and another candy, the name of which escapes me. I can’t recall this one clearly because I am not familiar with them, so hopefully Megan will. She also asked him on which side he sleeps on. He said “the bed or my sides?” I am not sure what she said then, but he said that he sleeps on his stomach, that he does not sleep on the pillow but hold it under his arm instead and proceeded to demonstrate with the right arm under the pillow. I think he repeated that he does not sleep on the pillow at which point someone asked him “where do you put your head then?’. He then exclaimed with that same mock diva’ish expression on his face “on the bed!!!” Too funny. I think I phased out here (must be the visuals of Clay laying in bed) because I don’t remember most of the conversation afterwards. After the concert, for some reason I told everyone who asked about almost everything except the sleeping on the stomach part. I only remembered it when I got into bed at about 2:00 a.m and told my room buddies who were about to go to sleep too.

So, while we were asking questions, he was signing autographs and asking how to spell our names. I gave him the piece of paper where I wrote mine down and he signed my T&T DVD with “Stay True”. Okay, now I remember that Jennifer had him sign a picture that her daughter had taken from the JBT when she was 8 and that’s what she talked to him about. I can’t remember what Lynn had. Megan had him sign a picture that she took too. I can’t remember what was said then but he mentioned that nobody has asked him to personalize our items. Someone tried to say something and he said “Too late now!!”. We had our pictures taken with him. I have no idea if anyone asked any questions then, the Aiken fog came over me after I had my arm around him and his around me. After the pictures, he came to each one of us and gave us a goodbye hug. He actually initiated the hug, we didn’t have to ask him.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:15:13 PM
Dancermom 2 at CV

Chautauqua...gorgeous perfect weather. It is a beautiful place. In the middle of nowhere. We left at the crack of dawn since it was an 8 hour drive. I started this trip having a nightmare that we got a 2 hour late start …geez did I wake up in a sweat. We pick up CrazyAboutClay and hit the highways…Anyway…so...we start the drive…and about oh…2 hours out DH goes…why is our GPS saying low batteries since it’s plugged into the car??? There is a reason this is noteworthy…this is a start of a theme for the trip.  We tried switching it to the other outlet…no luck. Luckily he rented a premium Genesis Hyundai which had a GPS built into the Dashboard. There is only one problem with this GPS…she was cranky and a bit tired and old…we named her Agnes. She was a bit of the old matron idiot bitch in a box all in one neat package but beggars can’t be choosers and she had to do since DH didn’t’ bring the other charger for the GPS with a brain. We needed a GPS since Chautauqua is in the middle of bloody outer Outer Boondockville in the middle of nothing.We hit Chautauqua…and goldarngirl says they are headed to Chautuaqua Institution since the hotel won’t let them check in.

We are close behind but our hotel is the better Holiday Inn Express because we got to check in. Go us!!!! We weren’t at the same Holiday Express. Did you know there are Holiday Inn Express's that have sprouted like weeds all over the place?
goldarngirl asks us to go buy batteries…because her camera batteries are dying. I ask the guy at the front desk where we can go to buy batteries and he pauses and has to think. Oh oh. He sends us to a local hardware store…there aren’t any you know…like drugstores/grocery stores he can think of to go to!!!!! We drive there…and turn into a gravel parking lot. It looks like it’s straight out of Deliverance. Ramshackle falling down Hardware store building with gas pumps outside that look like they harken back to the 1940s. We found out latter they actually work! Anyway…I look at DH and say…I am NOT going in there. I may not come out. He says…oh stop being a chicken…CrazyAboutClay agrees the guy needs to go in the store.
DH comes back out to say the guy looked like a college prof and you all are insane crazy. They do not have name brand batteries. And he buys the better of the no name brands. We figure if we should pass a drug store on the way to Chautuaqua….WRONG! We don’t’ see hide nor hair of any grocery store or drug store on the way. And Agnes can't find Chautuaqua Insituttion. If can find the Yacht Club, the real estate company and a couple of banks...but no Chautuaqua Center/Institution!!!!!!!!! We finally aim Agnes for the Yacht Club and hope there are signs and we are somewhat close and can find our way.We get to Chautuaqua in spite of Agnes..

The parking lot guy says…you can park in any space you can find. HA HA!!! That was like finding a needle in a haystack. We decided the guy was being totally snarky after the third circuit looking for a space.We go in and have to wait until 4pm to get on the grounds…I call goldarngirl again…where are you...I make one more try for batteries..I go into the souvenir store in the ticket/Will Call information meditation area and ask if they had batteries. OMG you would think I had asked her to strip or something. I got an eyeroll and a no that would make your toes curl. I went…oppppsie…and mentally think I guess batteries are a no no here??! ACK!When we finally can get in…we walk to where goldarngirl etc are eating….the Refectory. If you have never been to Chautuaqua it is a very beautiful place. Too perfectly beautiful in fact. DH started to say he was getting Pleasantville/Truman Show/Steppford wives feelings from the place. It literally looks like a movie set that people are living in.. Way to serene and pristine and it harkens back to another era. It was a little well…strange in that Truman Show way. DH realizes that even though we have preferred seating that we are going to line up and that dinner is going to not happen until after the show is done that I should eat. He eats. I am in pre concert no way I can eat stage.

We hear sound check and wander over to see Ruben and everyone but Clay doing soundcheck. We got a sweet wave from Ru!!!! . We hear people are lining up so go to line up…even with preferred seating it’s GA for that too. DH got some pics of Clay coming out of the bus on the way to the Meet and Greet. My one reaction…was…his HAIR!!! OMG his hair!!!! But I digress…even with the HAIR…he looked scrumptious. But HIS HAIR!Then camera Nazi comes out and lays down the law…no cameras if we see them we confiscate them. Then of course cindilu comes out from her M&G and says Jerome said it’s all good unless you use flash. Video is fine. Pics are fine but no flash. He asked us to spread the word on no flash. Talk about conflict of information. Thank goodness that before the show started cindilu talked to Cheryl who talked to the venue and got everyone on the same page. So…it was a perfect Clack night.

 But lets rewind a little. From Claygary’s phone died…no batteries. Are you sensing a theme here?I am waiting on line and I hear my phone and I check to see a voice mail message…I go to retrieve it…and my phone goes pfffft. It is totally deader than dead. I am so sorry s-lady…that was her trying to find me…and my phone totally screwed up the hug I wanted to give you! We feel a few rain drops but that’s about it. We got great seats...6 row maybe on the right. Perfect view.....I was happy!We go in.

The concert starts….and the heavens opened up at the same time. It poured. And I mean poured. It’s a covered outdoor amphitheater. Pews for seats.. It has great acoustics in there but totally open air. Thank goodness it was covered because it was raining buckets for at least half the show..The concert was off the chain. The cellcert does not do it justice…nor does the Clack. Ruben and Clay/Clay and Ruben have a friendship that shines through….and a chemistry together that is totally hilarious. And they can make beautiful music together. Their voices do so well together. Clay’s speaking voice was hoarse…and at one point you could tell his contacts were bothering him. His singing voice though was sublime. But this hair!! OMG His HAIR!! There is this ski jump ramp thing going on. From the front it looks great…but from the side…oh dear hot mess personified. By the end of the show it had fallen a bit and it looked so much better!!!!!

Clay did this Prince Herbert bending backwards thing and making a funny noise during the Preacher bit and Ruben lost it. It was sooooo funny!!!!! DH was laughing so much through the whole show. The Stool banter was priceless. The whole comedy banter thing between Ru and Clay was pricelessly funny…I mean truly cannot breathe funny. There is so much in the facial expression and body language and it just as a whole works to a find crescendo of funny.DH truly enjoyed the whole thing and has been telling me how talented Clay is singing wise…and just his star quality…and how funny Ru and Clay were. He also said Ru was great too. I still think Superstar is too long…he says no it isn’t. LOL!

DH totally enjoyed Casey. I mean…he really really liked her. He liked her singing…and well…she is nice to look at. Heh. He also liked how they gave everyone…even the back ups a time to shine and a solo and as he put it…didn’t treat them like dirt. The guitar player…I can’t remember his name was awesome!!! The band totally rocks!!!I have to say when I heard Mandy and "When I See You Smile" were on the set list I wasn’t exactly thrilled. Well…I was wrong. I will admit it. He has sung them before but not like this.

Mandy was gentle and more poignant and not a frying pan in sight. Same with "When I See You Smile". And the band rocked on "When I See You Smile"…I think that was part of it. Having a band versus a orchestra makes a huge difference in the feel of the song…not to mention that he again had a gentler touch on the song. They were both beautiful. And MTAF. Alone, September, Footloose.Night Fever…OMG!!!! Clay was on fire. And so was I. Footloose was amazing. The energy level just rose through the roof…standing O for a reason and they sang it again!!! Clay does a cute air guitar somewhere along the way but for the life of me I can’t remember where. No footloose slide and I see it may be because he hurt himself doing it.

Oh…I have to mention His jeans…he wears a nice pair of jeans! Those jeans…..are really really nice!!!!It was a joyful fun night. And it was good to see Clay sing as Clay again. It was medicine for the soul. And his aura…his aura is a beautiful thing to sense and behold. The show is not something that is Clay or Ruben or Ruben over Clay or Clay over Ruben. It is truly a joint effort. It is a cohesive whole that works. So the concert is over…it’s officially no bus line that night. And we are hungry!! And it’s late…and did you know that in outer no where Boondockville that finding a place open past 11pm is ifffffffffy???? We talk to a person who works there who tells us that Webbs should be open but likely will close at midnight.

From Claygary (who’s phone is dead) needs to retrieve Oki’s charger in her car. And goes off with the person transporting it to Foxwoods to pass Oki off. We have CrazyAboutClay’s luggage in our car which needs to go to From Claygary’s car. And From Claygary has Scarlett’s luggage which needs to get to Scarlettt. And we need FOOD! And we aren’t all together and time is running out before the place with food closes down. I tell DH…we could always head back to Highway 89 and try for a rest stop…I mean we are talking desperation here!We finally get everything straightened out and where they should be…but we loose goldarngirl and From Claygary’s car. Where are they? Ahead of us? Behind us??? And the clock is ticking. Did they go to the restaurant??? The problem is…I had goldarngirl’s number but it’s on my deader than dead cell phone and I can’t get it. CrazyAbotuClay doesn’t have that number but has From Claygary’s number which is also dead. ACK! We are driving towards the one open restaurant when DH’s phone rings…and it’s goldarngirl. I said…where are you…and how did you get this number??? Heh…turns out I used DH’s phone to call her earlier and had forgotten but she is smart and found the number.Lesson…always charge your cell phone before a Clay trip!!!!!!! And what they heck was going on with the power/battery issues anyway??? It was sort of like our own little retrograde following us around.  We eat. 100% better. Everyone is with who they should be with….and luggage is with who they should be with and off the hotel we go at near 1am. Agnes…the Car’s GPS sends up off and we find our selves in pitch blackness with nothing to the right, left, front or back of us but pitch blackness and not one clue where the hell we were. We could have been on Mars for all we knew. Talk about having to put faith in Agnes. Not that we had much choice! Fell into bed when we got back to the hotel…totally exhausted but totally satiated.Oh and those batteries I bought goldarngirl?? Didn’t last the concert. DH got some great pictures. And he is thinking of going to Hammerstein.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 02:51:47 PM
Foxwoods Recap by MARILYN

I brought my sister with me to Foxwoods. She likes Clay but only does one concert per tour. We stayed at the Bellissimo Grande Hotel. Got a drink in the lobby (Sex on the beach of course) and took the limo, drink in hand, to Foxwoods.
My sister had saved up quarters and had $50 worth. Well, they don’t take quarters any more!! The lowest denominator you can put in at a time is $5.- even though there are 25 cent bets. We both played about $10 and got bored- I will NEVER be a gambler.

Then we met up with our old Claymaniac friends for dinner- Tammy, Sasha, Angela, Lorraine, Pam, and a friend, and two hubbies. It was so good to see them again and catch up on old times.

Showtime- when we got into the theater I was pleased to hear them playing On My Way Here interspersed with Ruben singing songs from his album. It sounded so GOOD!! And I am glad they chose that album, because NJU would get to hear it too.

I absolutely LOVED the Star Wars/Spamalot announcement in the beginning. It was so cute and so apropos.

And there he was- Clay in the flesh (well, he was dressed but you know what I mean) I devoured his face with my eyes. Feasted on the pulchritudinous pictures on the jumbotron when sometimes the glare from the spotlights obscured his expression from my naked eyes.

He was ON- literally and figuratively. His voice was golden. His humor is priceless. The “pip” typed dancer in the 60’s segment belied the fumbling dancer that Ruben had to teach. That boy has Rhythm!!! I love it. He moves his hips more and seems so comfortable doing it.

I am SO in love with “More Than A feeling”. I always liked it by Boston and I adore Clay singing it. Bring It On!! I want more where that came from!!

The Revival scene was priceless. I do not know how Clay kept a straight face, but he did. When he had to tell Doctor Studdard what was wrong with him, he lisped “Patha”. I thought Ruben was going to fall on the floor. And Clay kept that face straight. Although I find that the beginning of this skit seems to drag a bit, it could be because I am longing to see that dear face again. The skit perks up as soon as Clay hits the stage.

The hammer pants crack me up. But they are so appropriate. Then when he takes them off, THERE are the jeans of beautanemous joy. Clay looks really good in jeans, REALLY- really -REALLY good. And that white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It was all I could do to keep the drool in my mouth. It was hard.
Stopping the drool I mean. ………I think!?

This show is put together well. Clay rocked on Still the One and Suspicious Minds, and was gentle on Mandy. He changed Mandy a little and it was all good, I love hearing him sing When I see you Smile, however, I agree with those who wanted something more “danceable” after his “healing”.

Ruben sang well, also. I liked him more on the medleys- Superstar dragged for me, and Everything I Do- my favorite rendition is on ATDW so this was anticlimactic for me.

Footloose was phenomenal, and they did it a second time. I LOVE when they do that. No sliding on the knees, and earlier Clay said either he broke his toe or he must have hurt it. I thought he was joking just so he didn’t have to dance-but I see in a M&G recap he thinks he really did do something to it. Also, he had a rip in the jeans above the knee that he was playing with his finger in it for a bit.

I was disappointed there was no Kiss for DGBMY, but Clay did one of his shimmies down close to Casey, so it wasn’t a total loss, LOL!!

They also did TOML as an encore, which I like more. That way, folks know the show has really ended.
All in all, it is a TERRIFIC show with loads of fun, and I hope TPTB notice it and do something, even if it’s a television special fill in for fall ratings. This show CANNOT die so quickly- I cannot believe it will all be over on Saturday. ARRGGGH

BTW- does anyone know if there is Foxwoods Clack, or do I have to rely on my swiss cheese/Aiken fog memory to remember my experiences??
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 10, 2010, 04:30:31 PM
Shadylil at CH

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I'm borrowing a page from Corabeth and doing a stream of consciousness recap.

He's just so frell beautiful......................

Oh, you wanted more?

Clay Aiken is just too frell beautiful for words. It's been a year and a half since I saw him last. I didn't realize how much I missed him until tonight. He's so beautiful, even with his Something-about-Mary hair, that I get a hitch in my breath at odd times.

He was in fine voice and fine pants.

I was a virgin for the opening number. It was very well done. If Ben arranged that, he did a good job.

Clay Aiken is beautiful. And sexy. He exudes sex. He's sex on a stick. He can't help himself, once he gets on the stage, he's just a sex god, it oozes out his pores.

Casey doesn't have one single frell ounce of fat or celulite on her body, the bitch. Not only that, she's very talented and sounds much better in person than she does on the downloads.

The concert was fun, just plain fun. I'm surprised the audience wasn't on their feet more, and we were on our feet a lot.

Since losing 100 pounds, Ruben sweats a lot less than he used to. He still sweats, but it doesn't drip down his face. He can also move.

Clay Aiken is frell beautiful.

"More than a Feeling" is sublime.

LLVL is an experience that is otherworldly. He stopped camping it up and sings it rather straight with just a few toned-down 'Ricky' movements. He took it from kind of silly to simply sexy. And hot. I was mesmerized.

I think I could attend a concert where Clay doesn't sing as long as I can stare at him for two hours, he's that beautiful. I hadn't realized how much I missed him.

They had a really nice gift shop in the venue. I told the lady behind the counter if she got a fan and charged people a dollar for 30 seconds of standing in front of it, they'd clean up, it was that hot.

Funny Scarlett story. We went to CrackerBarrel for some ice cream after the show. As we were waiting at the light to go home, I saw Scarlett and her friend walking down the sidewalk. I opened the door and yelled, "Scarlett"! She came trotting over to say hi. As I opened my door, my cooler fell out onto the road. I leaned over and picked up my cooler and, as the light was going to change, I shut the door and put the window down to talk to her. Well, I was in a strange car so the button I was pushing to try to get the window down was the door lock button. I couldn't get the freaking window down, the light changed to green and we had to take off and left Scarlett standing there.

Scarlett, my dear, I did NOT shut the door on you and leave, I just made a fool of myself and was ribbed about it on the ride home. Please don't be pissed at me *begs* I iz sowwy.  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 11, 2010, 01:04:23 AM
deemer at CV
 
 OMG OMG OMG what a wonderful concert!!! It was just amazing and he was sooooooooooo close. I had gold 2 (second set of tables) in the middle so those in gold 1 must still be in a Clay daze. He was so gorgeous. Stubble, every outfit so neat not a wrinkle, and spikey hair not too out of control. He was verra cute.

The venue had tables on a flat floor although there were some balcony boxes. Everyone's chair was actually facing sideways (one or other side of the table) so I think we will all be suffering "Hampton Beach Whiplash" tomorrow with some sore necks from looking sideways intently for 2 hours.

The stool banter went long -- he tried at one point to switch with Ruben, but they didn't switch so he went back to the tall stool and it took a while before Clay could bring it around to the switch. At one point he said it was a 7 year relationship that unfortunately ended tonight... they were milking the "falling out". Later in the concert, Clay gave Ruben a big hug, so they made sure we knew it was all fun.

Another thing that was different was how he came out for the healing scene. Previous concerts he came out as if he was afflicted, head down and with a grimace even sometimes little spasms of affliction. But tonight he looked about as if he was confused and finally made it over to the pastor. Reminded me a moment of the guard from spamalot -- doing a bit of the "clueless" guy.

Clay was just wonderful in Mandy and "When I See You Smile" and everywhere else. His speaking voice was a bit horse and he did make a "going through puberty" joke at one point that was funny and well-recieved.

The crowd was screaming and clapping -very loud for Clay. Ruben also had a contingient of supporters, a few who shouted out "I love you Ruben". There was also an "I love you Clay" too, but no doubt that we were very loud for Clay. He seemed happy although not goofy tonight. He does seem like the one who tries to keep the show on track JMHO.

He did come out briefly at the bus and touched hands with the people in the front near the barrier. Claym8 was glowing, she got two touches. Aw.

I got loads of pictures, but won't be able to post tonight. I'm at the hotel computer station.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 11, 2010, 02:53:00 AM
Brightstar at CV-Hampton NH
Aug 11 2010, 02:25 AM

 What a great night! Only my second show, after Asheville, and it was fabulous. A very "different" venue, and we weren't sure how the crowd would be. But the crowd was great--enthusiastic and appreciative-- and I think Ruben and Clay really felt the love. Lots of standing and dancing and cheering in the latter part of the show.

There was a lot of chemistry on that stage. Many of the bits had changed over time, but even the lines I recognized seemed fresh and genuine. They are really good actors!

Clay looked amazing, and his voice was spectacular. He seemed especially playful at times, teasing, and grinning, and trying to provoke Ruben.
The "homo" line was unexpected and hilarious. "Only a homo would know about lame" (pretend there's an accent over the "e." And he kind of mimicked some gestures/movements of a stereotypical "homo." He can still surprise me and make me laugh out loud.

Ruben was so sweet to go down the barricade, chatting, signing autographs, giving hugs, and taking pictures with fans when asked. He went really slowly and took his time. We hoped Clay would "do the line," since we were not too large a group and were behind a barricade. Claym8 and I (she says hi) were right behind one of the buses and were a little taken aback when the motor started and the lights went on. We had a brief discussion of Tiananmen Square but held our ground. Security was nice--not a word about moving or any statements that Clay wasn't coming. So we waited, and were rewarded when he walked the line and touched hands. So fun!

A delightful night and NYC awaits!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:12:21 AM
lylekira at CV

LAST NIGHT WAS AWESOME! As I said, I had avoided all spoilers and clack, so I was completely surprised by the whole concert. I think I was the only one in the audience who had no idea what song was coming next. It was a great fun surprise. I can tell you that my biggest surprise was that it was basically another Jukebox Tour wrapped with a Laurel & Hardy comedy act. I was smiling from minute one. I honestly expected songs from Tried and True and other songs Ruben would have picked from that era. I was SO happy to find out that I was completely wrong! I loved all the medleys, I loved the songs, the banter, the jokes, etc. It was pure bliss from the get go. I even wanted to give Ruben a big hug he was so great.

The two bummers on my part were this ... this was my ONLY concert this time around (which I immediately regretted) and that my one concert was this one with no room to stand and dance. I've been to Hampton beach Casino before, and I guess when i thought it was gonna be a concert of slow standards, the layout and stage size didn't concern me. The minute I realized what kinda of show it really was, I was immediately bummed that this was the locale of the concert. Speaking with Quiana (and Casey) before for the concert, they both mentioned how disappointed in the venue all of them were. When I mentioned it was my only concert, they were both like ... "what an unfortunate place to see your only show." I got they were pretty concerned about the stage size and space too, and then there was the feedback issues when the concert started, the room was very very warm with everyone crammed in. They made due though and so did I.

I was dancing in my seat aplenty, I was giddy and maybe even a little bit rowdy. I could tell that the sedate gal to my left was turned off by my hyperactivity, but sorry lady, I've not been to a Clay concert since 2007 and I was a bit "pent up" I guess. LOL!

I was thrilled to find I was sitting next to trishcc and cotton!!!! Glad I also saw Claym8 and finally got to meet RIClayFan. I only wish I got to see more of my CV friends, but space for mingling beforehand was sooooo tight and with no intermission, opportunities were limited. I also arrived to town later than most so it was really and in an out type of thing.

The way the venue is set up with the exit doors at the back made for a pretty easy exodus to the buses which were just parked at the bottom of the steps where we come out. They had barricaded around the back of the buses and the crowd immediately filled in along all the barricade, basically blocking the backs of the buses from any easy escape. Yeah, they could have pushed us all away and moved the barricades and yes, the buses could have backed up and out without anyone saying hello, but we were basically "on top" of them, and they had to pass into the open to get into the buses, so I think they realized it just made sense to come out and say hello. Ruben did more of a "Spamalot" stage door greeting. He signed autographs and took pics and moved a long the barricade very slowly. I was happy to finally give him that bear hug. Donna snapped a cute pic but its on her camera not mine, so I have to get that from her. Clay soon followed after Ruben was done. His was a much more "busline" type greeting. Quick, fast and pretty impersonal. I'm not blaming him one bit or saying there is anything wrong with that, just describing the difference. I did get a nice quick double hand squeeze and was able to take a quick pic as he approached me. He was out and gone in less than a minute and it was to our car for the two hour ride home.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:38:45 AM
dancermom2

 Hammerstein...

Back from the show. My ears are ringing. The applause for the guys was amazing…and the show was amped up a notch…and the screamers you all heard?? You know the shout out really really annoyingly bad interruptus screamers?? They were two rows behind me. Boy did I want to throttle them. Why am I always so lucky?? And no it wasn’t the Vargas girls.

When we got to the theater there was a line. This line was a very slow moving line. Turns out you could only go upstairs to the venue by taking two elevators. Uh right. I asked…can we walk up the stairs…and was firmly told no. So we wait for the elevator to take us up.

The start of the show was a total mess up. The tickets and the seats were totally screwed up. There was no balcony and they moved those seats to the back of the floor. It was totally flat and it was just not good. There was like a 10 foot gap between the first row and the stage. We were joking that we should just all go sit on the floor. I heard that they moved the show to this room but who the heck knows what happened? The room was packed. The AC lost it by the end and it was hot in there. We were packed in like sardines. The seats were too close together and were the kind of chairs you would find in a banquet hall. They had the seat numbers typed out on white stickers that were on the back seat of the chairs. I think what happened is that they screwed up and not all the seats they sold had a seat with a sticker with that seat number on it. Total cluster frell of the highest order. It took them a long time to straighten out. I was a lot further from the stage than a Row H Center section ticket should have put me. And if someone in front of me stood I had no choice but to stand since the floor was not raked and totally flat.

People started getting restless and there was a couple of Clay Clay Clay chants and clapping to get it going things. Then the lights finally went down and the intro started…and then when the curtain should have opened we had

No movement.

Then it closed more instead of opening. I was thinking…oh no it’s going to be one of those nights….we wait….

But then the curtain opened…Ru sang…and then Clay sang. TITN and you know what? All that mess just flew right out of my head. There he was….and my lord he looked gorgeous in that suit…and his voice??? Sublime.

The crowd rocked the house tonight. Clay rocked STO. I mean totally thoroughly rocked STO. His voice…his delivery…and GAH his presence was intense. LLVL? Oh geez…sex on a microphone….there it was and his name was Clay. Alone? September??? And then MTAF????!!!!!!!! MTAF?????? What can I say but Clay rocked that song.

Hee…when Clay came out in his hammer pants I went…oh my goodness they are gold!!!!! Boy did they glitter and shine. And they CMSU!

Ru changed up the Pastor part…he did sing Amazing Grace and Clay was trying to find his rythmn. They also started in on an auction since people were shouting out offering money…it got up to $90,000 and Ru said…Clay you got a bargain! The guys were good dealing with the shout outs…and one point saying…is there a bar back there and looking and going…yup there’s a bar….

Footloose was amazing. That’s when we blew the roof off the place. And this place by the way is old. It smells old…feels old…and is musty. And there were times I felt the floor move and shake and not from an earthquake. It was a bit unnerving to say the least when people started to move and dance and they to jump in unison and I felt the floor really start to vibrate. I was like…Pastor Ruben…don’t pray to cure Clay of lackofrythmnitis but to save us from a collapsing floor.

Mandy was sublime. And "When I See You Smile"???? Stepped up a notch.

There was a lot of audience singing to the guys…and a lot of love in that room. The doofus from MTV? He can bite me. Ruben got the love. Yes Clay got louder love but if most of the fans in the room are there for Clay I don’t know what you are supposed to do. Ru wasn’t ignored and he got applause…and a standing O and it’s not true that when he sang we all sat down. People stood for the fast songs and sat when it quieted down and it was a slow song.

The last strains of Time of Life fade out…the band improve at the end was great. I really really love the band. And I think…I am not waiting for that elevator to go back down. We take the stairs. 7 floors down. We pass places that look like time forgot. At one point DH said…oh lookie…that’s what happened when the floor was shaking. There was a room on the side with all these really broken chairs strewn all over the place. We finally reach the lobby….Civilization!!!!!

DH took 700 pictures. He took too much with his bigger card and was afraid he messed it up but it saved okay to his computer.

I am really sad that this is my last show…but so very happy that I saw two great shows.

Clay is the one.

PS: Just checked the pics...yup...he shaved...   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:44:35 AM
ROADNOTTAKEN AT CV

Just got home five minutes ago! We just missed the earlier train and had to take a local. Since they had to move everyone upstairs to the 7th floor, the show started close to a half hour late. So of course it ended late too. Trains don't wait for late concert endings!

njrp-- I can only imagine your predicament. I was in the 11th row and still had to look around the person in front of me all night.

But whata great, high energy raucus enthusiastic show it was tonight. The crowd was boisterous and I'm sure they all fed off of that up on the stage.

But I couldn't help imagining the entire floor of people collapsing down 7 floors; that floor was literally jumping along with the audience. Guess we got an amusement ride along with the concert.

Clay's speaking voice was so hoarse, poor baby (hope he gets down to Chinatown for some of that throat serum while he's in NYC! ) -- but his singing voice was fabulous.

He made Mandy and "When I See You Smile" all new again. And I love that he's no longer being campy on LLVL. The guy really, really can dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was always obvious that he had a good sense of rhythm, and I don't know if he's more confident in his dancing now because of Spamalot, or because of being with a dancer for a long while, or both, but I'm so glad as it's just such fun to watch all of them dancing. Ruben moves very well himself for a big man. And he sounds so much better than he did on AI because his breath control is much better now. The girls were great as well.

A rollicking good time, I'd say, but not an appealing venue. Hopefully, next time Clay appears in NYC it will be at Madison Sq. Garden Theater again-- that was a great venue!!!!

Now I'm off to bed with a smile on my face. Boy will I be tired tomorrow!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:52:11 AM
deemer  AT cv

 I was in the balcony at Hammerstein but it turned out better than I thought for clack. I took some videos -- only problem was the railing of the balcony got in the way (hey, I couldn't lean way over it) and cuts off the bottom if Clay goes to the right side of the stage. Overall though I was happy with the view. It was weird that the seats were not assigned in the balcony (even though our tickets had #) and we didn't know why so I guess it was because of the change in venue as you found out (they didn't tell us nothin'). For me though, it worked out BETTER, because with no assigned seats, I grabbed one in front row balcony nearer the stage on the side.

I never did find the friends I was supposed to sit with though! I got there late since I missed the train they took (TRAFFIC!!!!) and arrived when people were going in (after 7:30) and I figured they had already gone in and best thing would be to find the assigned seats and they'd be there. Turns out when I got upstairs and called them they were still waiting for the elevator (I must have got the shorter elevator line...) and of course, there were no assigned seats. So I never saw them and it was way too loud to hear any calls at all.

I don't know how bad it was for hundreds of people to leave via 2 elevators, since I dashed out a bit early. I thought if I waited for the real exiting to start, that I would surely miss the 10:39 train... so I had to forgo a little of the concert but I got the elevator fast and got to the train in time.

Thanks a million to Scarlett who let me borrow an 8 GB camera card -- I thought 1 GB card was buckets of space (thousands of pictures!!) but apparently NOT if you are going to shoot video. What a newbie I am. With major traffic tie-ups from the airport to home before going to NY, I had no time to buy one, so I used the one she lent me and did shoot some video. Be forewarned though -- I only shoot Clay even if he is sitting on the side, I am extreeeeeeeeeeeeemly biased on what the VIEW should be.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:53:06 AM
momo AT CV

 Finally saw this concert. Lancaster was amazing and a beautiful way to lose my Timeless virginity. The second time tonight was even better.

The energy at both shows was truly incredible. Had my uncle with me who has never seen a Clay concert and he loved it. Danced and screamed so much his voice was gone after the show. First thing he asked me was...do they have a cd of this?

Can't recap too much because I have to sleep and get ready for my 16 hour drive to Alabama so I can see my mom and sisters and take them to their first in Biloxi....but,

First, I think Ruben is the cutest damn cheerleader I have ever seen. He pumps up the energy in a room better than Red Bull with an expresso shot. His smile is infectious and he was in unbelievable voice both nights. I didn't think anything he did went on too long. Superstar was beautiful and perfect and I loved, loved. loved his Marvin Gaye songs.

Second, I have never seen Clay happier in his own skin than he is now. IMO, it has made him sexier to watch too. The difference in La Vida Loca now from the JBT is huge. I also think it's a beautiful thing to see him crack gay jokes about himself. He's out and he's proud and I'm so proud of him.

Yes, there were ticket snafus....but they worked them out eventually.
Yes, the ballroom was different and SEVEN floors up *in heels* but the acoustics were phenomenal and it had a fantastic feel to it.

I liked it just a little. :- 
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 07:49:18 PM
(ForeverYoung @ 12 August 2010 - 11:49 AM) at CH
August 10th – Hampton Beach Casino – Hampton Beach, NH

My Meet and Greet -*** Warning: Free flow, lengthy recap…. Don’t miss a word! Overlook the grammatical errors and tense inconsistencies – I’m excited!

My Meet and Greet notice came several weeks after everyone else had received their notice. I was clearly a substitute. I’d like to thank who ever failed to confirm or did not have tickets to see that show or was unable to attend, for whatever reason. This was meant to be, for me, after 8 years of “wishing and hoping”.

Leading up to the ‘big day’, my mind was a jumble of questions to ask. Jumble is an appropriate word to use, because as you advance in age, your mind and your mouth begin to ‘jumble’ and that is the last thing on Earth I wanted to happen to me at my M&G. I was also fearful that I would suffer the Aiken fog and not remember anything. Understand that I have met Mayors, Governors and CEOs of major corporations, and I had never been this excited. Since I’ve spent my whole life ‘being prepared’, I typed up my 5 questions and printed them in a large bold font. Large bold font being necessary because I wanted my one and only picture with Clay to be glasses free, so I would be wearing my contact lenses (can’t read with contacts, but can see distance very clearly.)

The big day arrived and my wonderful travel buddy and friend, STPteach and I arrive in Hampton Beach, NH after a 3 hour trip from her home in CT. We get settled into our perfect hotel across from the beach, with valet parking only and terrific in house restaurants. After a quick bite and an even quicker walk onto the beach, we got ready to walk over to the venue. I arrived about ½ hr early, located the box office and was told that someone would get the M&G winners at the appointed time. Chatted with the 4 other lucky M&G winners, Shamrock, babbyd, lori509, cherie (hope I got all the names right) and several other Clay Adventurers that I hadn’t seen in several years (waves to Karen Eh and Scarlett.) Sure enough, at the appointed time, Jerome arrives with our passes. We identify ourselves to him and are lead up the stairs to the venue. We pass thru an area near the entrance where a buffet was set up for the crew and as we walked thru, Casey, Ben, Quiana and others were walking in for dinner.

We were seated at the far end of the massive room which I’ve described as a massive Texas dance hall with tables. It is dark and hot. One of the ladies was in a wheelchair and had been escorted somewhere. Since she wasn’t where we were waiting, we assumed we would not be meeting in the venue, but outside somewhere in the broiling sun near the busses. The 4 of us were told that the auction winners and the radio winners would have their M&G before ours and that someone would come for us when it was time. So we introduced ourselves to each other, chatted and tried to remain calm. Finally, we were escorted outside, down the steps and under the stairs we had walked down into an area outfitted with 4 chairs. Our wheelchair bound compatriot was already in place. So we each took a seat. I was 3rd from the entrance. The bus was parked directly in front of the entrace to that space. Jerome and Cheryl (tour manager) arrive and greeted us. There were 2 other imposing men standing against the building looking very menacing – I am assuming they were additional security. You can never have enough security when you have 5 women over 50 (forgive me ladies if I’ve overstated your age) in the same area.

While we waited for Clay, I spotted the tour tag hanging from Cheryl’s neck. I asked if I could have a look at it and she comes right over. Of course with the contacts, I can see the badge better from a distance than close up. She extended the badge and I could see Ruben very clearly and then 2 other people standing next to him. I said, I see Ruben but who is standing next to him. She gives me a few seconds to realize it is Clay wearing some sort of cap sideways on his head and bound from the chest down to his waist in what appeared to me to be tan leather straps wrapped around. There is someone behind Clay, but I can’t tell who it is. STPteach was having an M&G the next day in NYC so I asked her to look at the badge and tell me who the other person was - I'll let her tell you in her recap). Once I realize what I’m looking at (Clay in leather), my eyes widened and surprised I said, “Oh now I see who it is “and we both laugh.

Clay emerges off the bus and steps into our area with a big smile and welcome greeting and handshake for each of us. He looks yummy in a blue horizontal stripped short sleeve tee shirt and really nice jeans that have detailed stitching below both knees which look like patches but are part of the design. Hair was tousled and face unshaven with several days worth of red beard….. delicious. He proceeds to shake everyone’s hand and ask our names, which he repeats. He stands in front of us and then starting with the lady in the wheelchair asks were we are from and what we do. When he gets to me, I told him that I’m from Stamford, CT via NYC. He repeats NYC? “ Yes”, I said. He asked me what I do and I saw an opportunity to ask one of my questions. Without taking a breath, I told him I retired four years ago after working for IBM for 30 years and I’ve been to Raleigh many times on business (IBM has a very large Research Center in Raleigh with many employees) and “Why Do You Use A Mac! “ Surprised and laughing, he replied that he loved his MAC and that he had on of the first small blue MACs when he was younger. He asked if I remembered that version of a blue MAC and I told him, that in IBM we weren’t allowed to have MACs and that if you do, you would have to be fired and that as a manager I would have had to fire him. He asked me if that was in my contract, and I said yes. He looked at me and said, “Is that true?” and I looked at him and said “ NO!” (the firing part). Lots of laughter from Clay and everyone.

Then he asked us to give him what we wanted signed and we could ask our questions. I handed him the On My Way Here CD booklet, telling him it was an exquisite album and that I hoped to hear him sing those songs live. He thumbed thru the booklet and said that he might sing, Something About Us and the Real Me someday and maybe Sacrificial Love. I had my second question answered without asking a question! I then told him that he was on my bucket list along with bungee jumping and skydiving and that I could cross him off my list. He said, “You are going to cross me off your list?” I said,"Yes” and he asked whether I was going to do a controlled bungee jump or an uncontrolled bungee jump. I asked him what the difference was. Whether that meant over water or land? He explained that controlled was at State Fair where I assumed there was protective netting. I asked him if he had every done a bungee jump. He said he did a controlled jump at a State Fair. I asked him if he would skydive next and he said “ Hell No!” BWAH!

The next lady was telling Clay that she had been a big Paul Anka fan but that Clay had replaced him in her heart. I don’t remember the segway, but at that point I said that I had graduated high school with Neil Sedaka and that I had see Clay at Neil Sedaka’s tribute at Lincoln Center in NYC. I told him I had brought a high school program for Neil to sign (he was the pianist, I was in the chorus) but didn’t get a chance to see him. Clay turned to Cheryl and said, “Find out were Neil is.” I assumed he was going to help me get in touch with Neil so he could finally sign my program. (not even in my thoughts). Clay then said his mother was a big fan of Neil’s and had finally gotten to meet him. I then told him that I knew Neil when he was 16 and 17 and that he was very different then. Where is all this Chutzpah coming from?…. Of yes, Me! I didn’t interrupt anyone and I don’t think I was rude, but the mood was friendly and conversational and this was my once in a lifetime chance to have ‘fun with Clay’.

Now ladies, you have to realize, I can talk as much and as fast as Clay, so I was able to get a lot of fun conversation going, which I think he and everyone else there enjoyed. Including my fellow M&Gers who were lovely and happy to be there.

OK, picture taking time…. Lady in the wheelchair first, who, when given the choice, elected to wheel herself over to him, he knelt down, smiled and picture snapped. Next beautiful, tall Shamrock, pose, snap. Now it’s my turn, as I stand up and place my signed CD booklet on my chair, I said – “I'm 4ft 7inches, this should be fun.” Clay said, “You’re adorable, it will be fine” and he proceeded to hold me close... I proceeded to hold him close... he tipped his head toward mine, scrunched his body in half, we smiled into the camera and snap.

Next, goodbyes and hugs… again, I reached up on my tip toes, put my arms around his neck, he hugged me. I patted his back, took a deep sniff and told him to have a great time tonight because we will! Glorious! Clay is very approachable, extremely charming and very easy to talk to.

I flew out of there to meet up with STPteach, Corabeth, Nanjeanne and MrNan and ObLaDi who were eating at the restaurant next to the venue. Found them sitting upstairs having their coffee, flew over to them and declaring that I was brilliant (it’s all about me) and proceeded to talk non stop (much like this recap) while Corabeth took notes on a napkin and Nanjeanne took notes on her phone. At this point I was on Speed and couldn’t shut up going over every detail, trying to remember every word said in that M&G (which I do but haven’t included here because they were words spoken to the other ladies and it’s their story to tell. Mine has already turned into a Russian Novel.)

I won’t recap the show, but I had the best seat I’ve ever had, 2 bodies away from center stage, thanks to Donnamom I’m sure you know by now that the venue was hot as Hades and we were packed in thigh to thigh, ass to ass.

It was clearly one of the top 20 days of my life, topped off with an ice cream sundae and then wine on the deck outside of Donnamom and MrMom’s hotel room over looking the ocean.

It was a great experience for me and I got to share it with some wonderful people in my life. Now I can share my memories with all of you!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 08:10:32 PM
HippoGA (CV)
posting on AAIT's computer. We're here in Verona, have OKI in our possession, and are hoping to have a good cellcert for you all tonight! Great news about the ticket sales. Alice and I were very disappointed with our seats because we bought the ticket/hotel package and were told they would be center tables in the King's Row. Seemed great for OKI and maybe some video taking. Well, our seats were way over on the side! After last night, we just had to say something. The folks at the ticket office were very nice. They said whoever told us we'd be in the middle was correct. Those ARE the package seats....but they are NOT reserved. They give them out as people check in. SO just who are these folks who had the nerve to check in before us!!!??? WHO?? WHO??? Anyway, they did change out our seats to something closer to what we thought we were getting.

Had a great day yesterday. I had no problems driving in the city...except for the bus who tried to take my lane. I showed him a thing or two! Alice and I also went to the Empire State Building before the show and met a friend of mine from the CB for dinner. Our front row seats on the left became front row on the right as Brightstar commented. AND then they ADDED a row of seats in front of us for the M&G winners. I truly understand. Jerome talked to us in person and we said we understood but that we had also purchased broker tickets to be on the front row. He asked if our seats were not good and of course, they were BUT I think it finally sank in what FRONT ROW is to a Clayfan!! And we were the ONLY ones who actually had a row added in FRONT of them. The tour manager came out later and said they really were sorry and appreciated our graciousness and gave us a tour tote bag in apology. That was nice and something they didn't have to do.

This was my first concert since Asheville and I enjoyed it immensely! Clay shaved just for me!! He was drop dead gorgeous one minute and funny silly the next. He said he sounded like Bea Arthur today but I thought he sang like "the voice of God or akin to it"...paraphrasing Terrance Mann from Bringing Broadway Home! There was quite a nice round of applause for Ruben but the place erupted when Clay came onto the stage. Sing it son, yes, THIS is the Night! From the first notes of "Suspicious Minds" to the last "thank you for coming", he was spot on. Dancing is just so natural, I hardly noticed that OH MY GOODNESS, CLAY IS DANCING! There were some shout outs from the audience to which he immediately inquired "are they selling alcohol here?". Later he told a loudmouth to "have another drink"! And said they were making him mess up the script! He did leave out his Peaches and Herb strange group analogy. It was just an amazing concert with some banter in between to hold it together and the one skit. Ruben really showed his ability to react on the spot to the crowd when he started an auction for another "healing". The gold Hammer pants were a riot but they made me sad because I knew the show was coming to an end in just one more segment. I think the 80's segment was my favorite...or maybe the 60's. And I just have to confess to a very special place in my heart for "Mandy". It was my favorite song my freshman year in college! And that man has made that song his own....and kind of made me act like a teenager again in the process!

OK, cameras and OKI are ready and hope we get to use them! Last night it was said non-flash photography was fine, but it looked like some people were getting shut down. You never know! See you hopefully in just a few minutes!  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 12, 2010, 10:01:24 PM
IChris1
Gwenn, Jill, Marion & Marilyn, it was great seeing you all again in NYC yesterday.  We all  had a great time.  Here's my recap from my Lancaster M&G as promised:


Recap from M&G 8/8/10 – Lancaster, PA

OMG.  I’m still in that famous FOG.  What a night that was!!!  That man is just simply gorgeous, beautiful, incredibly HAWT, sexy, sweet, thoughtful, amazing, charming, delicious, etc….words just can’t describe!!! 

I was so nervous I just didn’t know what to do with myself.  After waiting 7 long years and never thinking I would be lucky enough to get a M&G, I was just a ball of nerves.  Then, when Jerome took us into the theater and I saw that incredibly gorgeous man face to face, I thought I would just have a heart attack & die right there on the spot.  Instead, he smiled at me and I felt something I never thought would happen.  That smile was so sweet, charming and innocent; I immediately became calm and drawn into his presence.  All my fears melted away and I was just happy to be there with him. He just seems to have this energy or aura about him that you feel as soon as he’s near you.  What an amazing man!!!

We were seated in the first row of the theater, Clay walked in and said hello to all of us. He then asked each of us our names and where we were from.  There were four of us from PA and one from NY.  He said it was the most from any one state that were together at a M&G. 

He then asked one of the girls who had a leg brace on what happened to her.  She told him she blew her knee out and had to drive herself to the theater to see him.  He asked how she could drive with the brace on her right leg and she informed him that she had to use both legs as her car is a stick-shift.  He asked her how in the world she did that and she said she was all drugged up and he was shocked that she even drove like that.  She said her ride bailed on her at the last minute and she had to drive herself to get there to see him.  He asked if any one of us lived near her to give her a ride and two of the other girls said they did but didn’t know each other before now.  She said her friend was still coming to the show and she would point her out to him.  He was just shocked about this whole thing.  He told her she could have had an accident or a DUI because of the drugs.  He was really amazed at what she did.


My question to him was from my DH about the PBS taping in Raleigh.  DH wanted to know when Clay mentioned all his teachers that helped him in grades 2-6, what happened to his first grade teacher.  Didn’t he like that one?  Clay just simply said, “He’s dead!” 

I was able to ask another question about him touring in Europe and he said “no, aint gonna happen.”  I asked why not and he said that “there’s nothing planned except for the US and Canada”.  He said he’s not marketed anywhere else in the world and they don’t plan to.  I asked who “they” were and he said his record label.  He said anywhere else in the world he would be a new artist and it involved that country to request him through his label.  He said he was not known anywhere else.  He seemed a little sad when he said this. The girl who sat next to me from NY is originally from the Philippines and she informed him that he has a huge fan base there.  He told her to work on her end if she wants to and see what can be done. 

We were all asked to get up and take our pictures with him.  He’s so incredibly sweet and a pleasure to be with.  When I got up for my picture, he put his entire arm around me but Cheryl took so long to snap the picture and I was worried I would blink so I’m pretty sure I did a “deer in the headlights” stare.  I’m pretty sure I look awful in that picture but I didn’t have the nerve to ask for a re-take.  Then I remembered that Cindy wanted me to smell him so I took a whiff and he sure does smell like fresh laundry as everyone else describes.  I would even say he smelled like a breath of fresh spring air.  I think he did notice that I took a whiff but didn’t say anything. He’s just so sweet. 

After the signing and pictures, he asked if anyone had any more questions and no one said anything so I dared ask if I could be greedy and ask a third question.   He said something like “you’re not greedy, go ahead” and I asked about the P&H cartoon where a little boy snaps a picture of him using the flash and the big bully guy smashes his camera.  I asked if he had anything to do with that and he replied that he has not even seen it.  He just did the singing. I was really surprised.  I told him my 8-year old granddaughter thinks his cartoon character is cute. 

Then he came over to each of us and gave each of us HUGE hugs.  When I got mine, I was totally done in.  That sure was an OMG moment for me that I will never, ever forget.  I’m still in that Clayfog and hope it lasts forever.  He’s just one beautiful man, inside and out, and I will never, ever forget my M&G.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 13, 2010, 02:41:27 AM
M&G recap for NYC from the CH:

("STPteach")
So, am I really supposed to follow ForeverYoung in describing my M&G? First, even if my NYC M&G was as fabulous as hers, I still couldn't do it justice because my memory is CRAP! But, I will give it a little go. Okay, not so little...

ForeverYoung described New Hampshire for you, so I won't rehash it. I will, however, concur that it felt like we jammed in, at the very least, a two week vacation in just those two days! Oh, and I'll also agree that sitting three asses bodies back from the stage was definitely an experience I would not mind doing again. When it comes to Clay Aiken, people, closer is *always* better.

So, we make the drive back to CT to first pick up FY's car at my house and then travel on to her condo which is further south. We take a break and then I decided to drive into the city instead of take the train. (Me thinks my buddy FY was a little skeptical, but damn if I didn't get us there and back again without mishap -or getting lost! Yay, me!)

We park and walk over to the theater - noting that there were no large public signs anywhere posted that Rubin and Clay were performing at that venue. If we didn't know the address and hadn't had our tickets in hand, I might have wondered if indeed this was the place. But it was and we waited to find out the details. A gentleman at one door pointed out a door a few doors away as where the box office was, so I stood over there ignoring the man sitting on the ramp asking if I needed a ticket. *g* Not likely. Anyway, eventually Jerome appears and calls out our first name and last name's initial. Of course I thought he said ST*B* and twice had to confirm if it was "B" or "P" - He's like, are you asking me? It's your name - at which point I finally say my name and he tells me to get on there with him. Oy.

There were 5 fan club M&G winners, 5 charity M&G winners, and 2 "Guests of Ruben". (Unfortunately, I can not for the life of me remember anyone's name or their screen name - so if anyone from our M&G is reading this, please don't take offense if I refer to you by location instead of name. I can't remember jack-shit!) Funny, one of the Auction winners was a woman who brought a young man as her guest. Jerome was all over that - declaring the fact that he was a guy was a rarity and that he was most welcomed! It was cute.

Anyway, we're brought into the venue and Jerome tells us that things are a little confusing and he needed to check with one of the venue's security. Eventually, they lead the Charity M&G folks through a curtain and the remaining 7 of us stand for about 15 minutes or so for Jerome to return. Well, Jerome is not the one to retrieve us, but Venue Security Guy and he leads us to the elevator. Understand now that I must be the most unobservant person in the world; I had not realized we were going up to the 7th (I think it was 7...see what I mean? *g*) floor, but there we were. It felt cool in the theater and Jerome had the two "Guests of Ruben" sit on chairs on the right side of the theater and brought us over to chairs on the left. I guess Ruben really wasn't allowed to shmooze with the OFC winners.

Well, suddenly we look at the stage and see the Auction M&G winners peeking out of the curtain. Okay, they're getting their tour and we figured it would be our turn to meet with Clay shortly. I figured Jerome would bring him out to us and he'd pull up a chair and we'd ask our questions and he would answer and then sign our stuff and then take pictures and it would be wonderful 'cause I couldn't wait to see him!

Not so fast, buster... Jerome eventually comes down and directs us to follow him. Okay - we go up steps and discover he's brought us to the wings of the stage - where all of the equipment boxes - very, very large boxes - are scattered about. No chairs. Very little light (that progressively became dimmer and dimmer till it got to the point that Cheryl was not sure if the photos would come out! oy.)

I'm wasn't sure why we weren't allowed to remain in the theater until later, when I realized that they'd opened the doors for attendees to get up those two...two? What the frell was that architect thinking when they designed that building to house only two lousy elevators...but I digress <t/m HH>. Anyway, Jerome goes to find Clay and Cheryl (tour manager) joins us. What a lovely woman she is! Personable, easy-going, and really quite sweet to make us all feel at ease.

Now, she was wearing the Timeless Tour badge around her neck, but she was wearing a second one. Since I knew from ForeverYoung's recap that it was kind of a kick, and there was someone she hadn't recognized in addition to Clay and Rube on it, I figured I'd better get a closer look. Cheryl, bless her heart, allowed us all to check it out. It featured Ruben who was dressed in a nondescript fashion, and it featured Clay, who was wearing something that was anything but nondescript. For lack of a better description, it was a leather corset of sorts with straps . I had no idea who the third person was either, and Cheryl wasn't sure at first either - she asked another woman with the tour who was nearby and that woman confirmed it was Snoop Dogg. My impression was it was a photoshop, but don't quote me. *g*

Okay, so after we learn that like one of the fan club winners, Cheryl had once lived on Long Island and loved it, Clay arrives. He's clean-shaven (oh well, no scruffiness for me!) He's wearing, I believe a striped polo shirt and the hair is all over the place with spikes, and he looks adorable. I'm wearing some small heals and he must have been wearing his sneakers (see, no memory for the important details - mea culpa!) so he didn't seem quite as tall to me that night. No shrimp, mind you, just he looked so casual that he wasn't an over-powering presence to me, like when I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with him during Spam's run and the Broadway Cares fund-raiser. I guess wearing a white tux with sequins makes you look taller. *g*

He immediately says hi, and asked the Long Island winner if he knew her. When she indicated no, he then asked if he'd ever met any of us before. I mentioned that I had a previous M&G a long time ago when it was like a bus line. He misunderstood and thought I was referring to having had met him on just a bus line, and I corrected him and said no, it was a M&G that included many more than the five standing today. He understood and said something to the effect, "That was a long time ago." I agreed.

He then asked for items to sign and the "LongIsland" says she has two things, if it was possible. One for herself and one for her Mom's birthday that she'd been holding on to for the last few weeks. He said that he really shouldn't - I opened my mouth and said for him to go ahead, we won't look. He then directed us to ask questions while he signed. "LongIsland" asked if he missed teaching. He said that he didn't miss it as much as he used to, and then admitted that he wasn't sure if he could deal with a teacher's salary anymore. The teachers present (there were three of us) murmured something akin to "amen." I then followed up and asked if he gets to visit classrooms and do the read alouds like he'd done in the past, to which he replied quite forcefully - "No." He then added, (Please put on your tongue and cheek hats, kiddies!) "I hate kids now that I have one of my own." I think the parents present murmured something akin to "amen." *g*

The next question was from a fellow New Englander and it was something she'd mentioned to us earlier that she was really curious about. Well, apparently, Clay loves himself questions on technology, because he proceeded to take a good solid 4+ minutes to respond to her question regarding the ear pieces that he's worn in the past but hasn't worn this tour.

FYI, they're not using ear pieces for this tour because they're not bringing along a sound engineer that deals specifically with making sure the sound mix is appropriate for each of the singers performing. (For example, Ruben might hear more piano and guitar while Clay might hear more piano and bass - or something like that...) He also stated that since he'd started playing with the orchestras he preferred to not use them; he much prefers to hear all of the sounds around him and that of the audience (which he can't if he's wearing the ear pieces.) Anyway, he went into some pretty good detail but, again, mea culpa, I'm old and the memory banks can only hold so much.

Ms. New Jersey offered something for signing, but to be honest if she asked a question I don't remember it. Then another woman offered her item but then said her daughter wanted her to have a second thing signed - the wedding bouquet that The Lady of the Lake throws from the Spamalot stage. He asked if the daughter had caught it, but she admitted that, no, it was she who'd caught it. Clay raised an eyebrow, but he signed a petal on the bouquet - all was well. I don't remember if she asked a question that didn't relate to her items.

Next was my turn; I pulled out the small Christian Magazine interview and asked him to sign on the page where it refers to a "Susan" - and told him that the nice Jewish woman it referred to was, in fact, me. He looked, asked me if I wanted him to sign right on it, and I pointed to below the sticky note. He asked if I got into trouble for talking to a Christian magazine, and of course I laughingly said, no.

Next, time for photos. It seemed to get darker and darker as time progressed. Clay mentioned that the flash was really bright, and Cheryl responded that it was because the camera was having a tough time focusing due to the lack of light. Jerome was standing behind her holding up a flashlight to try and cast some more light. Let's just say that if those suckers come out, it will be a blooming miracle.

As we were getting ready to take our photo together, I mentioned that I had a short newspaper article to give to him (it was interesting - about research being done with robots and how it helps kids with autism relate better,) and Clay said to give it to Jerome. Oh, well; I thought he would have found it interesting. *g*

And with that, it was done. Clay said thank you very much, he turned and touched my shoulder and repeated "Thanks again" (awww....that was nice *g*) and he was gone. I swear , it seemed like thirty seconds, but I wrote enough for six days. Sorry 'bout that.

We were led back out of the darkness and I saw there were some people in the venue, but again had not connected that they were sending people upstairs via the elevator. I had gone down in the elevator thinking I would meet friends to fill them in. Then I caught a glimpse of the line. Okay, so I turned right around and got back on the line to go up in the elevator. I made some phone calls to let friends know they needed to skip the coffee and get on over to the venue; especially ForeverYoung because I knew her seat (mezzanine) 'disappeared' in the great seating debacle.

Well, I found my seat and thought I was in shit's creek without the proverbial paddle. Not only were the seats not raked, but instead of being staggered like a 'brick' pattern, they were positioned in perfect lines. The gentleman sitting in front of me was tall and, unfortunately for me, had perfect posture. *g* I was so screwed. A lovely young woman came a short while later and filled in the single seat next to me. Her seat was no better, but at least the person sitting in it was shorter. My neck was starting to hurt trying to see around the person in front of me, but luck was on my side that night. I'd looked over to the center seats and noticed that in the next row from me, in the center, there were several empty seats.

They remained empty the entire time I was straining my neck. I nudged "SingleLady" next to me and whispered, "Did you notice the empty seats?" She replied she had and I suggested that if she wanted to move, I'd be right behind her. We were both up and all over those seats like two cheap suits! I was in heaven because I was on the aisle and I could get up, dance, and not block anyone behind me. It was very freeing. *g* The only downside was those two women who were constantly shouting out at any (inappropriate) time they wanted were in the very row we to which we'd moved. They were going back and forth so many times for drinks and whatnot that it was amazing they were even able to see the concert, much less take the time to interject - loudly - their own personal touch. *g* But, all in all, it was a small price to pay for being able to *see*, partake in, and just flat out feel the joy of that concert.

And the whole experience really was a joy! Seeing Clay and Ruben interact and just flat out enjoy one another, along with Quiana and Casey and da band! Oh, it was wonderful seeing Clay perform with a band again. And the icing on the cake - getting the chance some mighty wonderful friends. Good times, y'all; good times!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 14, 2010, 09:56:35 AM
aikim at CV

 Hammond Recap:

I think I mentioned we only live 30 minutes from the venue so I figured leaving at 5:00 we give us plenty of time to walk around the casino, look for fans, etc....well...the best laid plans, etc. Hubby decided not to take the expressway because of the time of day and thinking it would be backed up so we ended up taking a back road through southern suburbs into Indiana. Bad move...road was under construction all the way and a 30 minute trip took an hour and 15 minutes.

First people I saw when we got to the venue were Ashleysgram, Kwhite and Claikendee; had sat in front of them in Sterling Heights so it was nice talking to them again! Momof3boys and another friend showed up soon after and we entered the theater. Talked to P'ivy and Jazzgirl briefly..it was great seeing them again! We had pretty good seats...left side with a jumbotron right to my left.

The show did start late...do not remember hearing the opening intro in Ashville so that was new to me. Good crowd, not sold out but they made up for in enthusiasm.

Someone mentioned Clay looking tired...I did not notice that and I only saw him cough once during Mandy.

Ruben sitting on his lap was cute and the limping and talking about his "broken leg" was a joke and Ruben did not put all his weight on Clay.

They were both in fine voice and this show seemed to have much more energy than Ashville, but then you didn't have the heat issue.

Quick kiss to Casey during DGBMH but they were facing away from me so I really didn't see it; just the back of Clay's head but I could tell it was a kiss.

Ruben held Clay's hand during the My Buddy song.

I think "When I See You Smile" was done with a much rockier beat than when he sang it on the last tour..maybe because of having a band rather than an orchestra? Anyway I really liked it...there was even a bit of growl towards the end.

MTAF was amazing!

Footloose have everyone up and dancing...one encore and then Clay stopped to talk to Arnie? and asked him how old he was and he said 73 and Clay talked about him dancing and he was "breaking it the hell down!"...then a reprise of Footloose!

End of the Road is another of my favorites from the show,,,when Ruben was doing his diva moment...Clay was timing him on his watch.

There was a lady behind me...white hair...probably in her 70's who laughed through the whole Revival. Unfortunately, I had a hard time hearing what Ruben was saying at times...he was holding the mic close to his mouth and a lot of it was muffled...so the audience would laugh at something and I had not idea what.

Mixed crowd...older people and a quite a few younger people...two girls in front of me had homemade shirts...one said "If I was Invisible I'd Sneak Backstage" and the other said "I support Clay's "?"...never saw the rest but I assume it was something about the Foundation (or not).

It was a fun evening and I enjoyed it more than Ashville. Unfortunately my husband did not...no Clayversion; although he did say he enjoyed Casey and Quiana. So guess he won't be going to anymore shows with me...but I tried.

Funny thing is my husband loves that kind of music and as soon as we got in the car he turned on the oldies station...first song we heard "Shotgun" and then a BeeGees song, LOL!

We took the expressway home and were home in about 20 minutes.

A couple of more things:

During the theme song bit someone mentioned "polka" and Clay said "Ruben's not that white"

First time I had seen the new hammer pants, LOL!...Clay said "when he decided to come out of the closet...he brought everything out"

Those were probably some of the best lines of the night.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 14, 2010, 06:48:12 PM
siclayfan at CV

I saw Ben, Sean and his Mom at the bar area in NYC before the concert. Also saw Jerome and Devin briefly when I was on line at the ladies room on the 6th floor. I've missed a lot of pages this last week, but did anyone mention Devin leaving the stage door at Lancaster folllowing a group of women and videotaping them as they went down the stairs and into the bus area?? It wasn't Faye and her group, I just wondered if anyone knew who the ladies were.

DD loved her one concert at Lancaster. What a nice theater--comfortable seats, lots of leg room, good sightlines--then there was the Hammerstein.  Despite the fact the seating was awful and the whole thing was a fiasco, the concert was still wonderful. I was just thankful my knees held out going down those flights of stairs.

I got home from Verona about 6 P.M. yesterday. We ran into lots of construction so it took quite abit longer to get home. I have to admit I was really depressed last night and I guess my fatigue had something to do with it. I loved my concerts and hate to see this tour end. The show just got better and better each time I saw it. I had a great seat at Turning Stone. I was right in front of the 3 dancing girls. I sat next to a CV'ers DH. He was such a nice man and seemd quite happy to take his his wife to Clay' s shows. He and the couple of young men sitting next to him (not sure who they were) really seemed to enjoy the concert.

It's been such a joyful tour, I feel like they just have to do more with this. I loved everything about it--though I still think Superstar should be shortened a bit.  One of the things I always get a kick out of is how Clay interacts with everyone on stage. When he's not performing you can often see him smiling and making bits of off-hand conversation with different band members, as well as Ruben and the girls.. Ruben has done a great job and I've been really impressed with his singing and his comic ability, but I still find it very hard to take my eyes off Clay when he's on the stage no matter what he or anyone else up there is doing.

After Clay tours in the winter-- and by the way I do not like winter tours---hate having to worry about weather-- but I will still try to get to a few  -- I'm hoping they put together another Clay/Ruben tour for the summer. Then to round off the year I'd love Clay to do a Christmas tour. Is that asking too much, is it, is it?? tm Spam--I think.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 14, 2010, 06:55:07 PM
QUOTE (Mandler at GCA@ Aug 14 2010, 11:01 AM)

Safe travels to laughn and bottle and ldyj! Since we drove 7 hours yesterday, we're going to hang around town today and head home tomorrow. Since I had time, I put down some thoughts and tagged some pics. 

The title of this should be a line from Rupert Brooke: “Oh! death will find me long before I tire of watching you.”

As I thought about writing a recap, it hit me how long it’s been since I’ve done a recap. Raleigh was some otherworldly experience that belongs in its own category, so I don’t count that. And thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve done a recap is fitting because all night I kept marveling at seeing the man up close, realizing how long it’s been since I’ve been close enough to him to see every nuance of his expression, every twitch of his fingers (more on that later), the light in his eyes, the hair on his arms – close enough to feel my stomach flip-flop when he makes fleeting eye contact.

As I said in the text message last night, I could look at him forever. And over and over, I just kept thinking that he was the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Oh, I know that other men are more classically handsome. And based purely on physical features, I could admit that someone else is “more attractive.” But for me, there’s just no one better. It’s something beyond his hair and face and body, although those are pretty much my ideal in every way. It’s something outside the physical, something that shines from inside him. I don’t mean some angelic goodness, though I think he’s a good man. But there’s some kind of energy about the man that utterly captivates me (and many others, obviously). I know part of it is just spotlights, but spotlights were on Ruben, too, and I didn’t see/feel it in him, but there’s a light in Clay’s eyes, a way that they shine, that just feels good. The best way I know to explain what I mean is to quote a line from My So-Called Life: “Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.” Clay’s not saying anything, but somehow, what he does and who he is just fits into a little spot in my heart.

So while I tried to be a good concertgoer and give Ruben/Quiana/Casey my due attention when they were singing, I kept dragging my eyes back to Clay. I looked for him in the wings when he wasn’t on stage. I stared to the point that I felt guilty for never looking away. I believe that may be the definition of captivating. But anyway, whilst I was staring, I was fiercely reminded why I had/have a love affair with his hands. It hadn’t waned, per se, but it had been on low simmer, I suppose. Well, it’s boiling again. So expressive. Snapping his fingers, making a fist, dragging his hands up the mic stand, holding his hands out to the side in classic belting pose, fidgeting with his fingertips while singing, fingering the hem of his jacket. I was torn whether to watch his hands or his face.

Because that face. *sigh* I could write a tome about that face. Again with the expressiveness. He is such a ham, and his put-on expressions cracked me up. But the little ones in between skits or when he stepped back for a second were the ones that stole my heart. And then he smiles. *again with the sighing* I’ve seen criticism of "When I See You Smile" as a throw-away song or being out of place. And I see that. But yeah, it’s perfect in terms of content. When I see him smile, I tell myself the money and the time is worth it to travel however far I have to travel to see him.

It sounds odd to say, but last night I kept thinking “he’s really real.” It was a similar feeling to when I saw him in Cincinnati for the AI tour after so many months of following/talking about him. Obviously I know he’s real, but it hits me from time to time that the guy I spend so much time talking about is a living, breathing human being who is flawed and wonderful at the same time. It puts a lot of things into perspective, like all the talking we’ve done about his relationship status/love life lately. I’m not saying seeing him makes me feel like it’s wrong to talk about those things, but it does bring things into perspective by making me realize very acutely that the person I’m speculating about is not some different kind of person, some celebrity species who is somehow above or separate from the rest of us. He’s just a guy who’s almost 32 years old who was singing and dancing on a stage last night. He’s amazingly talented, captivatingly beautiful, wickedly funny, and yet I know he messes up and regrets things just like we all do. And yet he’s out there doing what he clearly loves to entertain us. I guess I mean that he didn’t seem so far away last night. I don’t mean any con.nec.tion took place (I wish!), but that he didn’t seem like Clay!Aiken! to me last night. He was just Clay.

Some highlights/bits and pieces:

*Loved him limping off stage to get Ruben’s stool after Ruben sat on his knee.

*Kind of embarrassing how hot it was when he broke into “This is How We Do It.” I’ll be watching that one again.

*Dude needs to shut up about his dancing ability. I thought he did great. He actually shocked me at times at how good he was. I know it’s not high-brow professional dance, but as we’ve known for a while, he does have rhythm.

*As perfect as Ruben’s voice is for Marvin Gaye songs, I’d give a kidney to hear Clay sing that style of music. God, he would kill it.

*Biggest musical surprise for me? “Eye of the Tiger.” I LOVED how Clay sounded on it. I have a long history with the song. My college mascot was the tigers, and I have an odd love for the Rocky films, so the song has been strangely important to me for a while. And I thought he killed it. He can knock so many genres/styles of music out of the park.

*STO. *sigh* :heart Pure joy, that one.

*"Mandy." He's the only man who could make me wish I actually went by that. So lovely. It was one of only two times I heard a crack/blip in his voice, but somehow, on that song, it worked. It made it sound more heartfelt.

*I hadn’t watched much clack, so I didn’t know Clay didn’t sing “Oh Girl.” *pout* I wanted a reprisal of it from the sparkly vest days.

*A few people have told me and I had read that LLVL wasn’t as campy as it was during the JBT and that it was actually pretty steamy now. I must agree. Whew. I expected that kind of smolder with the Casey bit during “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (and was let down with that; it was cute, adorable, but not really smoldering. The lead-in was nice, but then he gave her that little playful smooch, which changed it), so I was caught off guard by LLVL. It makes sense, though. He’s in good-fitting jeans, a tucked-in white shirt, and a belt and he’s practically undulating up there. :brows

*Clay’s reaction to Ruben’s impromptu theme song writing was priceless. He was cracking up and grinning like a fool. And then Clay’s reggae styling was the cherry on top, combined with his “I feel like I need incense and a bong.” :giggle

*Quiana. Girl can SANG. I STILL do not understand why some label has not snatched her up. I’d pay to see her alone.

*Ruben. It’s so nice to not have hard feelings anymore. I haven’t for a while, but it was nice to see him in concert. He is very funny, and Clay and he play off one another perfectly. And his voice sounds great. Can’t say I’d pay to see just him, though. Lovely voice, even lovelier personality (wish we had been able to see more of that when he was on Idol) but I don’t get the spark I get from Clay. My only teeny tiny complaint was that he didn’t ever introduce Clay as warmly as Clay introduced him before “Everything I Do.”

*Casey. During “Natural Woman,” my mom leaned over and said, “If she smelled a doughnut, you could see it on her.” If she weren’t cute as a button, I’d hate her guts. In terms of her voice, I thought she sounded fine. I wasn’t blown away, but I think it’s more because her voice doesn’t sound like I expect it to sound. She has a grittier voice than one would think for a thin, petite blonde woman, so there’s something of a cognitive dissonance when she starts singing.

*I saw Devin in the wings twice, once on each side. I only recognized him b/c he was a shortish white dude with a baseball cap on. Looked to be working both times. Never saw him near Clay when Clay went back stage. When Clay went offstage after “Mandy,” I saw him (Clay, not Devin) take his jacket off before he disappeared. ;)

*One of the photographers was right in front of us. He, I suppose fearing we’d be upset because he was in front of us, told us he’d only be there for 3 songs and then he’d be out. Someone asked him who he worked for and he said he worked for himself. He may be responsible for the wireimage pics since they’re all the hyper Something About Mary hair, which Clay sweated down by the end of the show.

It was a great show. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as the entire crowd seemed to as well. As always with Clay’s shows, it was over too fast. And as always, I walk away feeling like I’ve fallen in love with him all over again. Seven years into this, I still keep finding new layers of beauty and happiness. That, I think, is pretty amazing.  

Some of my fav shots:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond25.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond25.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond22.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond22.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond18.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond18.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond16.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond16.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond06.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond06.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/th_hammond03.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/HAMMOND%20IN%208%2013%2010/hammond03.jpg)

 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:03:34 AM
texwriter at CV

BILOXI M & G

We were told to report to the box office prior to 6:00 to pick up our passes, then wait near the box office at 6:00 for Jerome. I went to the box office at 5:00. The ticket agent said they didn't have the passes yet, but the meet & greet would be at 6:40, so I should come back then. Well, I was not about to wait until then, so I showed up a little before 6:00. Still no passes. I walked over to the area in front of the theater and identified the other fan club winners. Only one of us had ever met Clay before, and hers was only a group picture at last year's gala, so we were all very excited! There were also some folks who'd gotten a meet & greet through the casino. (waves to Royal!) Jerome showed up a little before 6:45 and, after having us identify ourselves, he began apologizing for being late. He said the bus had only arrived about 30 minutes ago, so they would be a bit rushed. He took the charity winners in first, and verrrrrry quickly came back for the five of us. He then proceeded to lead us into a stairwell, that was literally under a seating portion of the theater. There were stairs going down and stairs going up, and very little room. to stand, much less sit. Jerome disappeared and came back very quickly with Clay. He went down the line shaking our hands and asking our names. But the only light was from the stairwell going down, so I could not even tell what color his shirt was. Jerome had to hold a flashlight so that he could see what he was signing. He asked for questions and we didn't immediately reply. (Not only were we suffering from the Aiken fog, but I think we were a little disconcerted by the strangeness of our surroundings. Here is what we learned:

- He has the newest iphone.

- They came up with the Pastor Ruben routine one day during rehearsals when Ruben just started doing it and everyone thought it was hilarious. The challenge was in figuring out how to work it into the narrative of the entire concert.

- When asked if he was doing a Christmas album, he said he was a little busy right now.

- Between this tour and the next one he is planning to find a cave and hibernate. When asked where the cave would be, he said "Now telling you that would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?" (I think he winked after that statement, but it was so dark, I can't be positive.)

- When I asked him what his favorite song to sing on this tour was, the had to think about it. While he was thinking, someone suggested More than a Feeling. He said "NO, that is NOT my favorite song to sing." When asked why, he said he had to be kicked in the crotch in order to hit those notes. He made one of the other ladies laugh so hard at that comment, that they had to retake the picture. (It amazes me how he can multi-task during these events, and remember everyone's name!)

- He said the Tried and True tour would have more songs than the Raleigh concert and more talking.

It's so darn cold in the casino that I had on a sweater, so when it was my turn to have my picture with him, I quickly shrugged out of the sweater, and dropped it on one of the sets of stairs. He said, "OH Lord, she's stripping." so I'm sure that I was laughing when the flash went off. After it was over and we were back out in the casino, one of the other ladies told me my sweater was on inside out. Isn't it amazing how that man can so discombobulate us that ordinary tasks become a challenge.

The item I took to be signed is a clipboard that another fan made for me during the NAT. It has an assortment of small Clay photos framing the outside edge. Then it has what looks like notebook paper lines and says Lu W****'s things to remember. He signed it, "Lu -Don't forget...." Well, there's not a chance in hell that I will ever forget this night!
After the photos, he quickly went down the line, gave us each a hug and thanked us for coming. And then it was over.

This morning, I had told my DH that I wasn't planning on signing up for any more fan club M & G's, since there were so many fans that had never had one. I'm regretting that decision, just a bit, because I never imagined a meet & greet where I wouldn't be able to see him. Darn it, if I had to meet Clay in a dark stairwell, why couldn't it have been alone!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 11:29:30 AM
NOT A RECAP-JUST NOTES

Quote
("Shadylil")
From GCA:


 
Quote
Scarlett was given a press pass


Don't know if it's true.

Yep, it's true. For tonight anyway. Scarlett can share the details if she wants.

I'm finally home and sooo tired but i wanted to hop on to make sure someone had shared a couple of things from tonight's show. We realized after getting off the cellcert that we'd forgotten to mention them.

Clay's gold hammer pants started falling off of him mid-dance. He had to hold them up with one hand and keep dancing. The he said something like "never missed a beat! That's a true professional." and ripped them off.

Clay popped himself in the mouth with the microphone at one point and then said (pitifully) "I'll be okay. The taste of blood isn't so bad. Ruben, please don't hit me again." It was funny.

Oh, and it wasn't spaghetti and meatballs. It was Spaghetti and Meatball. Singular. *g* Ruben seemed rather put out by being the Meatball *g* His opera song is gonna blow y'all away. Hilarious and good at the same time.

When Ruben got to the end of "Every Thing I Do I Do It For You" he gestured out into the audience and said "That's for you, Khobi" and blew his little girl a kiss. So much awwww.

Clay and Casey added some extra juice to DGBMH tonight. That was HOTTT. Okay, I know that part got mentioned on the cellstream but it bears repeating. Cloopy has a photo that will melt your screens.

This is NOT a recap. My eyes are crossing and I'm typing in bed in the dark. Just wanted to toss out a couple of things we forgot to mention.

Back tomorrow with more details. Today/tonight was awesome!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 01:59:56 PM
cincy at CV
 
 HAMMOND RECAP:




On Friday afternoon outside my hotel, I ran into ncwannbe, carole5230 and mercedes and we rode the shuttle together. We spent a little time in the casino and met up with toni and her sister and then we went to a steakhouse for an early dinner. The backwall of the restaurant was all glass, overlooking a marina and Lake Michigan. Beautiful sunny day!!! It was so great spending time with them and they (with the help of Kalua and cream) calmed me down before the big event.

Meet and greet. Jerome met us outside the Venue and called out the names of the four charity auction winners. We went inside where security people walked us to the front row. This was nice because we got a look at our wonderful FRONT ROW CENTER seats!!! (YAY!!!) Big hug and major thank-you to my fellow CVer who was my partner in the meet and greet!!! We were so dead center that there were no speakers to block our view, so we knew we were in for a show. (Living La Vida Loca KILLED me!!!) We met Cheryl and I gave her my gifts for Quiana and Casey and then we waited for Clay and Ruben.

I saw them walking in since I was the only one facing that way. I was on the end, so I ended up with Clay right in front of me! There were four of us charity winners, Clay, Ruben, Cheryl and a couple of other people around. Clay went down the line and asked our names and where we were from and gave us a hug. While Clay was talking with the others, I spent that time talking with Ruben and told him how much I like one of the songs on the cd I had brought him to sign. I mentioned that Ruben should come to Cincinnati because he has so many fans here and told Clay I was glad HE was coming to Cincinnati in March. He said, "Oh, am I?"

I had brought the Christmas stories book for him to sign and had my story dogeared so I could find it right away. He signed it, "Joan, Merry Christmas With Love, Clay Aiken." I love that because MCWL was the song he had just finished singing when I went on the stage in Cleveland to read a different story than the one he signed.

I asked him my question, which was, "Clay, I asked you 37 questions on the OFC (and he said, "and let me guess, I never answered a one). I said, "Right." He said, "So is that your question?" I told him no, "My questions I asked were good ones though....important things like world peace, education, Adam Lambert (he raised his eyes to the heavens and said, Oh Lord") but the only one I want to ask is, are you happy?" He smiled and replied, "It depends on the day, but today? Yes, I am very happy today."

One of the other winners was a lady who was in a wheelchair, so Clay went down to the other end to sign her items and speak with her. Then he came back to our end and said it was time for pictures. I went up and assumed the position and put my arm around his waist and he mine...Ruben was still talking to the other women, so Clay said, "I think we'd better wait for Ruben." My mamma having raised no dummies, I kept my arm right where it was until Ruben came to us and I included him in our "embrace." The first Cheryl took did not take (probably my silly grin was too strange for reproduction) and we had to take it over. Which meant I got to put my arms around the two of them again....oh well, a girl will do what she has to do. I remember that during both pictures, I was (stupidly) patting each of them on the back, the way a mother pats a baby to get them to sleep. I don't know if it was nervousness or what, but it just felt like the thing to do. (Groan...I'm so dumb). I thanked Ruben and then thanked Clay and he gave me a hug and said, "No, thank YOU so much." After all the pictures had been taken Clay came back and gave each of us another hug and again said thanks. I spoke to Ruben a bit more about his charity and he said they are hoping for four camps this coming year.

After the meet and greet, I went to meet up with neelie who was buying a ticket from me and there were a lot of CVers at the table. I had yet another Kalau and cream and this one must have had very little cream because when I called claym8, I told her I had just seen caperkeeper (who obviously wasn't even there.) LOL!

The Show. Asheville had been my only other show, so I was surprised at the changes even though they were small. There are funny things from only Asheville like him needing a belt to keep his pants from falling down and then other funny things from Hammond that made it different and special as well. Ruben singing the fan suggested theme of "It's About Dahm Time" raegae style was too funny for words and I thought Clay and Ben were going to have to leave, they were laughing so hard!!! Clay's performances of Still the One and Suspicious Minds were great as usual and even though we were in front, we got up and danced. Clay turned the mike to us during End of the Road and pointed the mic right at me, so I can hear my terrible voice loud and clear on that. I loved Crying and his voice blending with Quiana's on that one. Ruben impressed me so much with his voice and you could feel the love between the two of them. I hated to see the concert end. We did get a reprise of Footloose after Clay had asked a 73 year-old man who was dancing all night long how old he was. And Clay seemed happy during the performance and was himself cracking up laughing so many times that I think he had to have been pleased with the show and the crowd's reaction. Lot and lots of men in the audience!!!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:05:00 PM
Lorilovesgolf
I'm baaaaaaaack   and it felt so good to finally be Clayed!!!! 

My M&G was pushed back over an hour.  We all stood there from a little before 6:00 until 7:00!!!  Come to find out the bus just got there 30 mins before because of the weather.  There was a charity auction group and a group of 15 from the Beau Rivage, besides the 5 of us from the fan club waiting. Jerome came to get us and he informed us that because they got in so late the M&G's would have to move along quickly.  Figures!! Jerome sent the charity group back first.  The 5 of us from the fan club went next. I was such a nervous wreck!!  They took us through the venue and out an exit door into a hallway.  Jerome apologized as he informed us that this is where we would have our M&G!   

A few minutes later Clay came around the corner!  And OMG is he tall!  (I am only 5ft tall!).  He came straight to me and asked me my name and where I came from - he said "Oh that isnt far!!  He greeted each of us then Jerome said to get out what we wanted him to sign and ask questions.  I took his book so when I handed it to him, I asked him if he would be writing another book and he said that no, he had nothing new to add - I told him he most certainly did!!!  Everybody was very quiet, so not being the quiet person that I am, I asked him what he would be doing between now and the concert in January.  He said he would be hiding in a cave.  I asked him where this cave might be and he is said he wasn't telling then we would all be waiting outside of it for him!  He was very snarky.  Loved the closeness of the pictures - he really leans into you.   Can't wait to see mine!  After pictures he went  back around and gave us all very tight hugs and thanked us for coming!!  and he was gone!

He was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt. I think he had stubble - looked a little like he had been on a bus all day! and he is very skinny!  He was very sweet, very gracious and tried hard to make you feel very welcome.

The show was absolutely AWESOME!!!  Loved every single minute of it.  We had great seats.  The show was well over 2 hours long.  Clay and Ruben played off of each other so well - they really need to put this show as a special on TV.  I think people would love to see it.  And Ruben sounded amazing.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Clay sounded gorgeous as always.  My GF that I went with loved the show too - she has never see them in anything - doesn't really follow american idol but she had a great time too.

I got to meet Joanne Moody - didnt get to see Barb Wilson or Frankie and Mimi.    Just an amazing experience!!!!
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:06:24 PM
glory

                                            WOW, WOW THE CONCERT WAS WONDERFUL.CLAY WAS CLAY HE LOOKED STRAIGHT AT ME I KNOW I HAD A SILLY GRIN ON MY FACE ONLY THING MISSING WAS ALL OF YOU    BUT JUDY AND ME DANCED AND SCREAMED THE PLACE WAS ON FIRE PACKED,THEY WERE SO FUNNY WHEN RUBEN WAS THE PREACHER CLAY KEPT LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHO HE WAS TALKING TO, THEY CHANGED THINGS UP FROM ASHVILLE, RUBIN SAT ON CLAYS LAP CLAY ACTED LIKE HE COULD NOT WALK.

                                      THE VOICE WAS PURE MAGIC RUBIN WAS GOOD BETTER THAN ON AI.  I DID NOT HAVE A M&G BUT THE LOOK WAS SUFFICENT FOR NOW I WILL GET ONE SOME DAY.

                                     WE GOT HOME JUDY ME AND THE KIDS WENT OUT TO EAT, WELL JUDY GOT FOOD POISONIG BOTH OF US WERE UP ALL NIGHT ,THEN MY TV DIED AFTER27 YEARS,   SO I GOT A FLATSCREEN NOT BIG NOT SMALL. ANYWAY MY NEIGHBOR SET IT UP FOR ME. I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT YOU HAVE HEARD IT AND SEEN IT. IT TRULY WAS A MAGICAL SPECIAL NIGHT FOR ME.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:25:57 PM
clayrevolution19... at CV

 Eeeeee! Just got back from Biloxi--my only show! Haven't had time to read back, so I may be repeating what others have said.

What a show! Fantastic! Clay was gorgeous! His singing was flawless! His speaking voice was still a little hoarse, but not too bad.

First time I've heard Ruben live--he's amazing--I loved Mercy Mercy Me. The band was fantastic. The acoustics at the Beau Rivage are perfect.

A new guitarist came in at 4 pm and had learned the set by 8 pm. Wow!

There were no practical jokes for the last show. I thought sure Clay would play a joke on Ruben.

Clay's gold hammer pants were blindingly gold with the spotlights shining on them. As they were dancing, he told Ruben his pants were coming off. Bwah!

Did I mention he was absolutely gorgeous?

Ruben gave a shout-out to his family in the audience.

I guess you've heard about the spaghetti & meatball opera bit--it was a scream--so funny!

The sell-out audience gave them a standing ovation at the end.

We only saw one bus after the show, but it turned out to be Ruben's bus. Jerome led Ruben and his family out to the bus. I got to shake Ruben's hand and tell him it was a great show and they should do it again. We never did see Clay's bus or find out if Clay was flying out or what.

At about 1:30 am, we were eating at a cafe at the casino, and suddenly one of my group pointed out Casey and Ben walking out of the cafe. I looked up a little too late to see who else was with them, but it looked like one or two other people. It wasn't Clay, unfortunately.

All in all, a fantastic show.

I just learned that Scarlett got a press pass to tape. How wonderful!

Off to download Clack!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:33:59 PM
2old4Clay at CV

 My Hammond M&G recap:

Wasn’t I the lucky one, when I saw cincy’s post asking if anyone would like to join her for the charitybuzz auction. Now you see I had considered it myself, as I thought the auction numbers were quite low when compared to the dinner auctions, etc that we usually see at the Gala and GFI. I procrastinated and wondered who would want to share the cost and decided that it would not be feasible. Since I had met Clay previously I also wondered if I might end up on a new list of ‘’look out for her’ people. All in all though I put the idea out of my mind (but only for a few seconds). I happen to register at the site just hours before cincy’s post. I then realized that bidding for me wouldn’t be possible as the closing auction time was exactly when I would on the road to Milwaukee!

Then cincy posted, and my mind went crazy fighting itself and losing to what I have realized I do not possess…and that is self-control. Here is the funny part….I have never met cincy…but I took a chance and we emailed back and forth and came up with a bidding plan. Putting my absolute trust in a stranger, but because we both had the same goal, I gave her my pw to the auction site and we decided on a max bid. The rest was in her hands. A wonderful job she did too, because by the time I was almost to my Milwaukee exit she called and said we won! It was a bargain for us both.

Finally the time was getting close, and I received the confirming email several days before with all of our instructions. Now the dilemma was …do I bring gifts, what to wear for the picture (for which I was convinced I would look like a blip between Ruben and Clay) what to have he and Ruben sign…and do I have questions. Well…I always have questions, so the list for me was easy.

On a previous encounter with Clay we had talked about the Hammond concert (I grew up in Whiting…) and used to roller skate and go dancing right in the area where the boat was built and the overpass to get to it. I told him at one point he should get some White Castles….right down the street…and he said ‘oh no…I don’t do sliders.’ In my plans later for the M&G I had stopped at White Castle and bought a ‘crave case’, for those who don’t know that is an entire cardboard carry box that holds the little hamburgers.

All the M&G winners were outside the venue door waiting for our passes, I was a bit farther away wondering if some of my travel buddies were going to show up earlier. Jerome came out and started calling names…I was first…and no one recognized the name…basically he had it all wrong, as he couldn’t read the writing on the back of the pass…my last name is Winkler, but the W looked like a U and I guess he was saying something like ‘uncle’ when I walked up…the first name was close, but as they say no cigar. I finally identified myself and he determined that was me he was calling, so I was good to go. The 4 of us were escorted inside the venue by their security and then Cheryl got us situated.

I put together a gift bag for Cheryl, Casey and Quiana and a gift bag for Ruben and Clay, giving the girls bag to Cheryl when we walked into the venue at the appointed time. I did not want to transfer the guys gift to anyone but them, so it made me a bit nervous to hang on to it, but actually that was not the issue I thought it would be.
As cincy stated we were seated in the front row closest to the aisle and Cheryl got us settled, when in walks Clay, Ruben and Jerome…perhaps some others…but I only watch for Clay…I know it was some other security from the venue. If Devin or anyone else was there I have no clue….again tunnel vision when it comes to Mr. Aiken.

He recognized me, then had the other ladies give their names, etc. Seriously there is always that fog, I did ask the other 2 ladies their sn because that is how I know them but the only thing I heard was ‘lurker mostly’, so perhaps I wouldn’t have. Clay told me twice that he really liked my hair (which of course to me was the way it has been, but who knows what it was the last time we met.) He cracks me up the things he remembers. Speaking of hair...his looked like he had just taken out a bunch of spoolie curlers twisted every which way, and clothes..yes he was wearing some.
At this point (and because I want to get it over with before, questions, autographs and pictures) I get up the nerve to take out the White Castle crave box, and hand it to Clay.
Ruben was standing right next to him….Clay says ‘oh wow, you brought me White Castles…he seemed pretty excited about that (which totally was the complete opposite reaction when we had our previous discussion in their regard)..He looks at Ruben and says ' ..Ruben you can’t eat meat can you, and Rube responds ‘no’. At that point I had him open up the box (because if anyone knows…if they were really WC…you would have smelled them a mile away!) Inside I had two containers of homemade cookies, Peanut Butter ones, and Chocolate Chips. One container with Clay’s Cookies, and one container with Ruben’s Cookies. Sad to say, I already knew Ruben would not be able to eat these either, as he is a Vegan. Clay read the ingredients to him (as I listed both so they would know there was no allergy issues with them.). Clay was pretty excited that he would get to eat Ruben’s cookies too! I apologized to Ruben and told him I would not attempt to make Vegan cookies but perhaps he could share them with some of his family and friends. Ruben told me he would teach me how to cook Vegan, I responded…that since there is only me, I wouldn’t have much use for new cooking skills …Clay said..’what about your son, Georgene’ you can cook for him. Of course I responded that he does not live with me, he is in Florida. For the life of me I couldn’t remember how Clay knew I had a son. How dumb and Aiken foggy am I….someone later reminded me that I read my Christmas story….about my son…hence the real reason I felt comfortable with bringing cookies. In the girls gift bag…there was additional cookies for everyone!

I had decided that the items I would bring for signature would be some of the wonderful concert pictures that have been taken this tour. I have some signed things of Clay that I bid on at auction, and of course they are all the serious snaps of him. I had about 7 pictures with me, a couple of them collages, but I chose 1 from the stool banter, and 1 with the preacher skit. Ruben and Clay are pictured in both, but I had Rube sign the stool picture and Clay sign the preacher picture. Ruben then wanted to see the others I had, and said he wouldn’t mind having a pic….so in the end I gave Clay and Ruben all the extras I had with me.

During all this time…though actually it only took a matter of minutes to get through the cookie chatter, Clay asked for questions as he was signing our things. I asked him if he was satisfied with this tour, if he felt it was successful. I didn’t get a complete response because he had to get silly and say ‘except that Ruben was always beating up on him’
I then asked a question that had been brought up in one of our cellcert threads about him lip-synching to the Bee Gees. His strong response ‘absolutely not! He sings every word,
and if we watched various video we would know because he doesn't always sing the same words.
He did mention the ‘fake’ piano playing, and something about Invisible…but again responded ‘I have never lip-synched or intend to in the future’.

I asked Rube what his plans were after this tour was over and he said his daughter is starting into basketball with the new school year so he is going to be involved with that, and the he has a trip to Asia with David Foster. Questions and autographs were flying all around, and then it was picture time. I put my right arm around Ruben and left one around Clay, I’m wondering how that’s going to look in this picture, as I’m probably under their arm pits…Clay did good and leaned in…and Cheryl said it was a good picture. Here’s hoping.

We then got good bye hugs and thank you’s and off we went. Part of the prize was a ‘backstage tour’…but that did not happen..Does it really matter…no…the entire 15-20 minutes we got was amazing. The one lady had a walker, so the rest of us moved out of the way, so she could stay seated, and Ruben and Clay stooped down beside her for her picture. For some of us they signed multiple items. Cheryl asked beforehand if we hand things for Ruben and we all said yes, she seemed very pleased with that.

There was a bit of ticket mixup but in a good way for cincy and me. It said the ‘winner’, which would be the credit card bidding person, would pick up 2 premium tickets. I went up and they only had 1 ticket…so I questioned about the other one, and the girl went to check with the manager. The 1st ticket was row BB….she came back with 2 tickets for row AA…dead center, so I gave back the row BB ticket. When I met up with cincy before the M&G she said she already picked up her ticket….and they gave her row BB, which was the mate to the original they had handed me. Evidently they separated each name provided in the auction. Anyway, cincy went to turn back her row BB ticket, since I had the better ones, and they told her to keep it! She allowed me to pass it on to my friend, who is a tiny thing, and this only being her 2nd CA concert we moved her into 2nd row. Everything worked out great.

Since I have rambled on and you are all now fast asleep, there is no need to recap the show…except to say, it was amazing, I danced and watched every move with no monitors blocking our view. Of course during the first song we had two photographers who thought they had free reign to stand in front of us and everyone else, until security made them move away from the front of the stage. My favorite songs are always the up tempo because that boy can dance…oh to ever be on the dance floor with him…I would pay for that opportunity. Footloose and LLVL….to die for…always and forever!

I ran into Scarlett a bit after the show as we were both in search of Jerome, the 3 of us (my friend Emma) had dinner after our meet up with him. I traveled and shared conversation and breakfast with artz11 and nuts4anerd. Thank you for the company ladies.

Who would have ever thought at this stage of my life, I would have these wonderful experiences. It does not replace the piece that is missing, but Clay Aiken sure fills in the gaps really well. So when does that next tour start?
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:35:48 PM
Shamrock at CV

 My M &G from Hampton Beach…. for what it’s worth. I have a bad case of CRS. If you want to know everything that happened, read ForeverYoung’s recap. She did an outstanding job of recalling everything. I wasn’t really nervous, so I don’t know why the details are so foggy.

We had our meeting outdoors, underneath a stairway. We were lined up in our chairs waiting for Clay to arrive when ForeverYoung asked Cheryl if we could see the picture on her Timeless Tour badge. She showed it to all of us. Without my reading glasses I could make out Ruben, but I couldn’t really see the rest of it clearly. Cheryl offered me her glasses, but they didn’t help. I later found out I missed the chance to see Clay in a leather corset thingy.

When Clay walked in he went down the line shaking hands and asking each of us our name. He then stood facing us the rest of the time….I think. At least I don’t remember him sitting down. Cheryl and Jerome were also there the entire time, and maybe some other security. He looked breathtakingly good. His hair was kind of messy (no product in it yet), and he had quite a bit of stubble. Hair and stubble looked very red to me. I thought he had on a blue plaid shirt with long sleeves, but later was told by one of the other participants that he had on a short sleeve blue striped shirt. At least I got the color right. I never saw his jeans or shoes. I couldn’t take my eyes off his face. I would not make a good eye witness.

He was very friendly. He asked each of us where we were from. When I said Indianapolis, he asked me if I drove to New Hampshire. That would be a looong drive. I told him I flew in. He then said “what do you do in Indianapolis?” I wasn’t sure what he said so I repeated, “ you want to know what I do in Indianapolis?” He said again, “yes, what do you do?” I bet he was thinking I’ve got a live one here. Maybe I was nervous after all. I told him I worked for USAirways for 30 years. He responded that he thought AirTran was in Indianapolis. I think he was thinking of the now out of business American Trans Air, but I wasn’t going to correct him. I just assured him USAirways had a reservation office in Indy for many years.

While he was signing our items, he asked if we had any questions. I asked him if he wrote the skits for the tour. He answered that there was really only one skit…. the preacher/healing skit. He said Ruben just started doing it, and it took off from there. I know other questions were asked, but I truly can’t remember.

All too soon it was time to have my picture taken with him. He put his arm around my back, so I put my arm around his back. I think our heads were touching. I not even sure I smiled. Next we each got a great hug, and then he was gone. It was a wonderful experience. I just wish I could remember more of it.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 10:57:51 PM
Lissical
 
 Great! Okay I'm going to post my Hammond recap here.
My First Clay Concert Experience...

Okay, I hope that this is going to make sense because I'm still in a bit of a fog, lol. First off, I just want to say how great it was to meet a few of you guys! I wish I could have met more, but the venue filled up fast and then the show started....and well the rest is history. ;)

All right, on to the concert. I have watched a whole lot of Clack from the Timeless Tour concerts, so I pretty much knew what to expect and when to expect it. What I DIDN'T expect was to have my jaw literally drop to the floor when Clay came out from stage left (I happened to be sitting on the side he walked out of...eeee!!!!). OMG. I just have to say that he and Ruben really compliment each other well with their singing! The whole intro with FWW/TITN was hilarious. So much funnier in person! I loved the opening banter; it was little different...they didn't talk about their "similarities" very much, but I didn't care at all, hehe. Finally it was time to start the 60s with 'the King'. Clay singing Suspicious Minds...WOW. I actually got video of it!!!!! And I got video of him singing Still the One. Also Stool Banter (which was so funny...I'll get to that in a minute) and the beginning of the 90s.

All right, now onto the 70s -- oh yeah, I got Clack of the before/after (sort of anyway) banter of that and got some of the 70s too.  Clay kissed Casey! At least I think he did. From the angle I was at, it looked like he did, but I couldn't really tell for sure. But it was so cute!!

I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life.. Just saying...

Next! Ummm...what was next...oh yes, the stool banter. Oh my goodness, I was laughing so hard when I watched this! I pretty much got most of it on video (though all the videos are kind of grainy...oh well it was a digital camera). Anyway, Clay sat down on the stool as usual and Ruben started to lean on him, saying his feet hurt from standing for so long, etc. Clay as always just ignored him and tried to go on with how they are like variety acts. But then Ruben did something he's never done before... HE SAT ON CLAY'S LAP! I'm not joking! OMG it was soooo funny! Seeing Clay's face (and hearing him for that matter) was just too funny. I'm sure others have better details than I do with this banter, but after the whole stool thing (oh and Clay messed up the stool joke, hehe), they decided to get the audience involved! They asked for a theme song. Theme was "It's About Damn Time" (hahaha) and the music was Reggae. Oh my gosh. Ruben was HILARIOUS when he sang it! Clay was kind of cracking up too. Just great though. Clay's MTAF was out of this world!

Onto the 80s! And yes I'm sure I'm missing huge chunks of the concert.... So, it was the usual banter about what "macho" things were in the 80s vs. care bears, My Buddy (which included Ruben singing the song, taking Clay's hand and swinging it...so cute!) and then he expanded on the Care Bears! I could not stop laughing. So then they finally went into the music of the 80s. I loved all of it (especially 'Alone'...wow!!!)!!! And of course, Footloose. EVERYONE stood up when they started singing it!! Great job to both of them! Once they were finished, I didn't think there was going to be an encore, but then Clay mentioned a man who was sitting in my section. He had been dancing (seriously I saw him and he could really move!) non-stop throughout Footloose. Clay asked him how old he was -- 73! Clay and Ruben were so impressed that they wanted to see him do it again...so what did they do? ENCORE!!!!

I can't remember exactly *when* 'The Revival' took place in the concert, so I'll just put it here. Now this lasted for 12 minutes. How do I know? I got all of it on video!  Unfortunately at this moment, I'm still in a fog so I can't remember all the details, lol. But it was great as always!

I absolutely loved Clay's intro to Ruben. You can tell that they're really great friends.  I hope they will always stay that way. Ruben's "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" was GORGEOUS. That man can SING!!

Then it was time for the 90s...oh boy. Clay said Ruben did a great job on the song, but Clay was nowhere to be seen...hmmm....Ruben asked where he was and Clay said he was coming; had to zip up the zipper on his pants, lol. Then he came out in GOLD hammer pants! OMG I was laughing so hard! It was pure genius! Ruben had to stop for a moment and turn around, hehe. So after Clay kept telling Ruben he really did know about the 90s, he decided to prove it by starting the medley. LOVED IT!

The end of the show didn't have too much banter in it; I think the two of them were kind of tired (I wonder why? ;)). Of course Ruben somehow turned back into the Preacher for a moment, hehe. Oh and just before they sang TOML, Clay caught some people about to leave....he stopped them LOL!

One of the best parts of the show? Ethel came up to the stage and asked Ruben to sign her 'Lackofrythmitis' (or however that's spelled) shirt! After some back and forth talking, Ruben finally did.  Clay didn't, saying he was scared of her (you could tell he was completely joking since he had a smile on his face the whole time). At any rate, I'm VERY happy for Ethel!!

Once the concert was over, I looked over to my boyfriend and I asked him how he liked it. He smiled a little and said he liked it! He said he was glad I brought him with me.  And he's now LOOKING FORWARD to coming to Cleveland with me! WOW!

All right all, this is probably the best that I'm going to be able to do here! I'll probably add comments or whatnot later when I remember more, lol. I really did have the time of my life though!

~Lisa
 

Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 15, 2010, 11:04:58 PM
jclay
 

 My recap of my one and only concert-Biloxi

Meeting everyone before the concert was so much fun. AAIT and I stopped by the box office area about 6:00 just to see what was happening and there were several other people hanging around so we got to talk and laugh with a few for a while.

We came back down around 7:00 to wait for the doors to open and I got a call from texwriter and heard that the buses didn't get in until 5:30 so we figured they might start a little late.

We got to our seats and talked to those around us, all CVer's happily and a couple of Mr. CVer's. We got oki all set up and prayed that she would work. We were a little concerned because cellphone service was a little spotty depending on the carrier. We had an usher right in front of us and had no front shielding since the seats right in front of us didn't fill up. I'm very sorry oki didn't come through, but at least we were able to give a cellcert.

Right before the concert started a group of 9 (I think) came and filled up the front row of our section. We immediately recognized Ruben's wife and daughter. Ruben's wife is beautiful. During the concert Ruben mentioned his wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt and neighbors (and maybe I missed others). Ruben's wife took several cellphone pictures during the concert. It was very cute.

The concert was fabulous and I'll let the clack tell the story. Although the clack police were out in full force at the beginning I know several got clack, including the illustrious scarlett who was given a press pass from Jerome. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

During one of the songs early when they are playfully trying to get position from each other, Ruben accidentally hit Clay in the mouth with the microphone when he "shoved" him aside. Clay made some jokes about it and I could see him rubbing his lip when he was off to the side not singing. I think it hurt. But it didn't affect his singing at all.

Ok - the kiss. It was steamy, but playful. As Casey and Clay got closer and closer during the song, Casey finally put her arm around Clay's neck and kinda pulled him in, although there wasn't much space between them at that point anyway. After the kiss, they both had big big smiles.

During Ruben's preacher bit, he didn't say much to Sister Quiana, but I think that was because his family was there. The keyboardist played the Price is Right theme during the bit and Ruben walked over and told him no more game show theme songs. It was about the only "last show" antic we caught.

The Spaghetti and Meatball in opera was a hoot. Ruben kept saying he didn't want to be a meatball. Ben had to play his intro a couple of times for Ruben to think of what to say. Clay was off on the side cracking up. But Ruben pulled out his inner opera star and did a great job. Bravo Ruben. Ruben said he was sure Clay would be the spaghetti and Clay said he wasn't that skinny - he was more like . . . . . fettucini. Quick thinking.

LLVL was get-out-the-fans hot, hawt.

Clay's jeans are so frayed that 2 or 3 inch pieces were dragging around with him.

Then the show was over. AAIT and I said that neither of us were as sad as we sometimes are when we get to the end of a tour since we know what is ahead. There are plans and that makes it easier for one thing to end knowing something else will soon be beginning.

In closing -  - and I had a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 16, 2010, 02:22:11 PM
kwhite1022 at CV

My Hammond Recap:

Ok, Everyone has pretty much already posted all the important stuff about the concert and how great it was and how amazing he looked. Ill just talk a quick minute about how great it was meeting up with new and old friends. Not many people know, but I barely made it to this, my one and only concert this summer. Heh, my car companions were sweating it out!! Waves to Claikendee and Ashleysgram! My grandmother passed away earlier in the week, and I also had sitter issues as Ive never had before, but I was able to make everything work. My grandmother lived to 99, I should be so lucky!! It was kind of a shock as she hadnt been "sick" but she had been starting to fail in recent months. In the end, I was able to make it happen and picked up my cohorts at around 3 EST to head out to Hammond. Other then worry Id wreck Ashleysgrams beautiful 2008 Jeep (her hubby has way too much faith in me!) the trip went fast! We were able to get to the venue in plenty of time to meet the Cvers at the Pub. It was so great to see familiar faces like Cablegirl, and Poisen Ivy, and then meet tons of new fans such as Sadie, Neelie and her lurker sister, Clays Rainbow, Cincy , Glory and our newbie Lissical. I think we overwhelmed the staff there, but man my grilled chicken was amazing!! It was great to just sit with people who feel like family, who know the fan terminology, who know about your life on the boards. Its a different kind of connection. Its also fun to try and figure out where youve possibly met each other before, especially as some look so familiar, doesnt take long before you start going through the list of concerts youve attended and zero in on the place! When we went to the concert I ran into Toni and Aikim who Id met before in Sterling Heights! Had a quick hello with 2oldforclay and Momof3boys. I love that you can go just a few hundred miles out of your way and see familiar faces or fly thousands of miles to place like Raleigh or NY and see familiar faces there as well. The show was amazing, lots of new bits that were not on the clack Id watched. Of course MTAF about put me under, but what a way to go! I still love TITN, and could listen to him sing that for another 10 years......and I hope I do. I hope we all do.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: fhmmany2 on August 16, 2010, 04:03:34 PM
Hello!

My Biloxi recap:

This is the one and only time in 8 years that I did not read a recap, a review, or attend a cell cert prior to going to my concert. I am going to do the same thing from now on! It was wonderful to be surprised! I have still not read other reviews prior to writing mine.

This concert was wonderful - so much fun, and the music was outstanding. We had great seats - in fact, there is not a bad seat in this theatre. If you ever have a chance to see Clay here, please take the opportunity. We were in Section 102 - the same section as Ruben's family. We had heard that the two sections nearest the Stage - 101 and 106 - were reserved for "high rollers" at the time public tickets were sold, but I don't think we could have had better seats (I've never liked or wanted floor seats unless they were on the first 3 rows or so). I was not sure if I would like Clay sharing the Stage with another artist or not, but I loved it. You can see true affection between Clay and Ruben - I can see this as a TV series - if the variety show can ever be brought back, these two are the ones to do it! I won't go into specifics of the concert itself - I'm sure hundreds of other people will do so - but I just wanted to say that I think my favortie Tour has changed from the Juke Box Tour to this one. I was so happy to hear several of my favorites from the JBT - including the Turtles' "Happy Together" (when my husband and I were engaged, it was "our" song).

The venue did have a "no cameras" policy,  and they did enforce that to some extent. As soon as the lights went down I could see 10-12 video cameras in the floor section, and (don't ask me why after all these years)  ::) there were  about 8 people in the audience using flashes on their cameras. There was an employee of the casino running around talking to people taking videos or photos with flashes. He did not kick them out, though, and he did not take their cameras. He came back to our section after he had talked to someone every time, and he had to see my camera, but he never said a word to me. My husband made the comment that the only way to stop the ClayNation from taking photos and videos is to assign a security person to each Clay fan.  ;D

On a personal note, I have always wanted my husband to  be a Clay fan - don't know why - I've just always wanted to ClayVert him. He has attended concerts (this one, like one 3 years ago was included in a trip for our Anniversary) but I know he has gone to concerts  just for me. It was wonderful to hear him laugh, clap, and really enjoy the music this time!  He is still talking about what a great concert it was! (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Holiday/banapurp.gif) 

I did enjoy seeing JoAnn, Wilson Barb, and Mimi - I'm so sorry I did not get a chance to meet Lori. I also heard that Karen from the Red Thong Thread attended - wish I could have met all of our members who attended. I did  get a chance to reconnect with the Clay Fan Club from New Orleans.  It was good to see them again.

Here are a few of my photos (I took 82 in all  :o ) They are not  great, as some already posted on the Boards, but they are mine, and I wanted to share them with you. They are thumbnails - Click To Enlarge:

Clay and Ruben - I just love to see them together:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0196-1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0196-1.jpg)

Just Clay:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0153.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0153.jpg)

It seems like we once had members who enjoyed photos of Clay in Jeans:



(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0199.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0199.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0200.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0200.jpg)

His Clayness singing "Mandy" (I love to hear him sing that song!!!)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0142.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0142.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0143.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0143.jpg)

Sick Clay (I believe the Disease was "LackaRythmnItis")


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0147.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0147.jpg)


After being cured by Pastor Studdard

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0150.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0150.jpg)

And of course I had to have a photo of a Glory Note:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0164.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0164.jpg)

JOANN, MIMI AND WILSON BARB - I am having some copies made for you. I did not post our group photo - I did that once before after another concert, and someone got upset and asked me to remove their photo. If it is O.K. with you, I will post our photo later..............

EDIT - I forgot to post the lip lock with Casey - for a gay guy, he did seem to be enjoying this:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/th_IMG_0129.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/Clay%20Biloxi%202010/IMG_0129.jpg)
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 16, 2010, 11:44:49 PM
ashleysgram at CV

 There are a lot of things I can do really well, but writing isn't one of them, so here's my attempt at a recap of my Hammond concert. We got to the casino just in time to meet fellow Cvers at Benny's Pub for dinner. It was great to see Cablegirl, and Poison Ivy again and to meet several CVers such as, Sadie, Glory, Clays Rainbow, and our new Cver, Lissical a concert virgin.. I loved hearing all about Cincy's M&G, and getting to talk with her, and with Neelie and her sister. I also got to to talk to Akim as we were going into the venue.

After a misunderstanding with our seats which caused Kwhite and I several stressful moments, and thanks to some very understanding ushers, we were able to get seats in the handicap row which was only one row back from our original seats and right behind our travel buddy, Claikendee. Our seats were dead center, and even though we were in the last row on the floor, we had a great view and could see Clay's expressions and even the twinkle in his eye very well.

The show was fantastic and I loved every minute of it. I love all the clack that I watched before, but this is the kind of show that you have to see in person to really appreciate the flow, Clay's facial expressions and physical comedy, and the rapport he and Ruben have. They are a such joy to watch. My two favorite medleys were the 70's and 80's although the gold Hammer pants in the 90's segment were a riot . We got a kiss with DGBMH.....Clay and Casey are just so natural and at ease with their flirting which makes that little scene even hotter. What can I say about MTAF.....Love it! Footloose had us all up and dancing. Clay's ability to sing every song genre so well, is a testament to his amazing talent.

When Ruben sat on Clay's lap during the stool banter, I about peed my pants from laughing so hard, especially when Clay went limping off stage to get the other stool complaining the whole time that Ruben probably broke his leg. I hope the clack catches that moment. The whole theme song and banter was also a lot of fun.

Ruben is funny as pastor Studdard, but Clay is hysterical as the boy with “lack-of-rhythymitis”. He is a master as the afflicted one with his pathetic expressions. I think the segue into "When I See You Smile" is perfect when pastor Studdard wants him to testify and Clay begins the song speaking in his pitiful “testifying” voice and then breaks into full singing voice. It all flows very well.

It was a thrill to be in the presence of those four very talented people. Clay and Ruben really do need a show of their own....hopefully in the near future.   
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 17, 2010, 12:13:15 AM
Concert Re-cap from Biloxi by KeepingFaith at the CH.

My initial report is that the show at the Beau Rivage Theater was a tour de force. The acoustics were the best I've ever heard; the lighting was fabulous; the seats were spacious and comfortable; the temperature was perfect; and Saturday night the hotel/casino hosted the best show ever seen in Biloxi. Clay and Ruben rocked the house, and I'll give you my report on the NJUs that I overheard as soon as I come down enough to think and type at the same time. Okay, I'll give it a try. There is no exaggeration or hyperbole in any of this. This is word for word. A couple walking out beside me, a 50-ish couple, were effusive in their praise, with the woman saying that "Both those boys are so talented, they both have great voices," and the man saying in thick Southern accent, "That's the best show I've ever seen. That's God-given talent. God-given. And that preacher skit was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life." Another man, walking out behind me said to someone, and I couldn't actually see him and didn't want to turn around, but he said, again in thick accent, "I've paid to see comedians who didn't make me laugh that hard, and those boys can SING better'n anythang I ever heard." Apparently there are no "guys" in Mississippi, only boys, as in good old ones. There were a lot of men in the audience, more than I've ever seen before at a Clay Aiken concert. There was one man, sitting alone near the back of the floor, who danced, clapped, and sang through the show -- and he was an older gentleman. The entire audience howled at the self-identifying gay jokes Clay made, so nobody in that Mississippi audience went away unaware that Clay Aiken is a gay man who just happens to have a charismatic presence, a natural sense of comedic timing, and a "God-given" voice. I thought it was maybe one of the best moments in Clay's evolving career. If he can win over the men of Mississippi, it's a changed world already. And Clay Aiken has it. IT. He has IT.

Yesterday morning as my buddies and I were singing, All You Need Is Love in the hotel elevator (yeah we really were), a woman got on and said to us, laughingly, "The concert was last night girls." Merrieeee asked if she had seen the show and the woman said, "Oh yes, wasn't Clay wonderful!! We asked her how many times she had seen Clay, and the woman said, "That was the first time I've ever seen him." We all noted later that it was specifically CLAY the woman had commented on. Oh, he was on fire. Ruben the Singing Meatball was amazing too. It was one for the ages. One thing that was striking to me is that at the beginning of the show there were definitely Clay fans and Ruben fans. Some fans didn't clap for one or the other. By the end of the show everybody was a Clay and Ruben fan and cheered everything happening on the stage. There was something so unifying and beautiful about that whole experience at the Beau Rivage. I'll never forget it. Yeah, I'm still high.

Oh, and Casey was trying a French kiss on Clay when he jerked away. An astute lip reader translated from his backstage comments to Ben before MTAF.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 17, 2010, 12:50:01 AM
Some more NJU comments from nunu at the CH:

On the subject of NJU in the audience; there was a woman sitting behind me in Biloxi (before I moved to the front row) who was approximately 85 yrs old (with her son). She said with a heavy Southern drawl: "Well there's only one song I wanna' hear him sing and that's Bridge Over Troubled Waters". Trying to head off her future disappointment, I turned around and asked "Do you like This Is the Night?" She said yes, but BOTW was the best song and Clay sang it the best and that's what she wanted to hear. I asked if she liked Ruben and she said "Yes but I didn't want him to win!"

After we moved, a woman was sitting behind us with her husband. She leaned forward and said she was excited to see Clay and even though he played for the other team, she thought we should all surround him and attack him. Since she sounded like she was there just for Clay, I asked her if she liked Ruben and she said "He better not mess up any of Clay's singing - he better be off the stage when Clay was singing." After the show I asked her how she liked it and she said she loved it and had a great time.

Two couples had been brought to the front row to my left right before the show started. The man sitting next to me had so much fun - I think they knew Clay and Ruben from AI but didn't seem to be fans that followed them throughout the years. As soon as Clay started talking he turned to me and asked where he was from. I think this was a Claymate test - he wanted to see how much I knew. I said North Carolina and felt lucky I wasn't asked the shoe size. He had a blast, clapping, dancing in his seat,turning to me and asking questions like "Is this the Four Tops - oh that was before your time". (He seemed to be a huge R&b fan) All four of them seemed to have a ball and reached to touch Ruben's hand when he reached down.

So from my standpoint it seemed like a lot of AI watchers but not necessarily Clay or Ruben followers, but all seemed to have a great time.
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 17, 2010, 12:56:29 AM
Nancy9213


 We got back from Biloxi yesterday late afternoon. The concert was AWESOME!!! Clay and Ruben were in their element. My sister-in-law went to the show with me and she was laughing so hard I thought she was going to pee herself. Clay also brought her to tears with some of the songs, I'm sure because they were from the time that she met my brother and they started their life together. My brother, of course, stayed in the Casino since he wasn't interested in seeing my pretend BF.

I gotta tell you, I have been so very blessed and lucky for the past month or two and have won small amounts in the Fl. lottery and scratch off tickets. I was hoping my luck would hold out for this trip, and it did. I won a couple small jackpots and now have my TNT Concert roadtrip fully funded. Now I just have to convince myself and my daughter that it is OK that I come visit her in Charlotte in Feb, say around the 23rd.

Back to the concert talk..... After the concert we ran into several people in the casino and on the trolly ride back to The Grand where we stayed, and they were all blown away by Clay and Ruben's talent. More gave comments regarding Clay's powerful vocals and they were wanting to see more of him. I hope they get to see the TNT concert this spring.

Thank you to all of the Clack takers. You Rock! If anyone has audio of the entire concert I would like to be directed to it. I love listening to the entire concerts when I am on a long drive so I can relive my concert experience over and over.

Well, gotta work early tomorrow so goodnight CV.
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 18, 2010, 07:49:29 AM
mamarose10 at CB
 One Last Timeless Tour Recap  Lead [-] 

I have finally had time to settle down, rest, recoup and catch up enough to write my recap and bid my own fond goodbye to The Timeless Tour. So here goes: (this post may travel if anyone feels so inclined).


Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, NH…or “When I see you smile
I can face the world, Oh you know I can do anything!”
 
Is there ever anything so joyous and bursting with anticipation than setting out on a Clay road trip…and better yet…a SUMMER Clay Road Trip? And for me, this one was particularly wondrous. As you may remember, I had a heart attack in September 2009. And for a time after that, I went through the depression that I was told was a normal aftermath of a heart attack and part of accepting the reality of becoming a lifetime cardiac patient. During those weeks, I admit to despairing that perhaps my “Clay time” was over. Would I ever be able to go on a Clay road trip again…or did my heart attack mean that those days were over and done?
 
So for me…to set out on this trip, once again to be with those friends that I value so much, and with CLAY, was a miracle of sorts.
 
Now just so everyone knows, let me preface these remarks by saying that I bear no ill will or malice to those who may be from Hampton Beach or those who may happen to love Hampton Beach, but let’s just say, Hampton Beach was an experience.
I believe the highlight of our motel stay in Hampton Beach was when traveling companion Claydorkable opened a cupboard door hoping to locate an iron, only to have the cupboard door come off in her hand. Now that was a moment!
 
Let’s be kind and just call the room”shabby chic.”


I could say more…ooohhhh so much more…but I will move on because after all, it isn’t about accommodations, its about CLAY!
 
But did I mention or did anyone note that it was HOT that day in Hampton Beach. OMG…HOT!

 
You know all those times when we say to each other that we could listen to Clay sing the phone book and be happy. Or how about those times we say we could go to the dessert to listen to Clay and be happy. Or how about those times when we say we would sit in a big, dark, old wooden barn in 115 degree heat with no air conditioning and listen to Clay and be happy. BINGO…that is exactly what we did in Hampton Beach. And heck…we WERE HAPPY!!
 
It just didn’t matter because suddenly…there he was. Clay was there, right in front of me, and the heat was gone and the health issues were gone and everything else was gone, because I had survived and we were together again. As if we had never been apart.
 
I felt like Hampton Beach was a show that was totally intimate. We were hot, but we were all sweating together. There wasn’t much of a back stage and the stage itself was pretty small. In many ways in was like Clay and Ruben had stopped by to put on a show in our very hot living room. It was loving and friendly and casual and crazy. This was my first introduction to The Timeless Tour and I was enchanted. I loved it…and I wanted more. And more I would get!
 
After a refreshing night in Hampton Beach, our entourage packed up and bid a not so fond farewell to our unique digs and ventured forth to The Big Apple…NYC.
 
Hammerstein Theatre (well it was supposed to be), New York City...or “I swear like a shadow that's by your side, I'll be there. For better or worse, Till death do us part, I'll love you with every beat of my heart…This I swear.”
I have heard tell that the Hammerstein Theatre is a lovely venue and quite famous. However, I couldn’t say because as you all know by now…WE NEVER SAW IT.  We have all read the different explanations of why and what happened so I won’t go into all that. But for whatever reason, we all got put in the shuttle and shifted seven flights upstairs to the “Grand Ballroom.” Well, actually there was no shuttle…but instead the management had to shift a whole freaking ton of people up to the seventh floor via two elevators that I am told held about 15 folks each. Exhale and insert OMG here! 
 
Needless to say the show started late but not only because of the lack of quick conveyance to the seventh floor, but also because Hammerstein does not equal Grand Ballroom when it comes to seating and that is NOT a good thing. There were lots of upset folks, there was quite a bit of chaos and confusion and at the time we didn’t know what the heck was going on. Gratefully our seats were unaffected, for whatever reason, so we could but sit and watch the carnage around us. It was crazy!  But eventually, the lights when out and the curtain came up and whatever had happened…it didn’t matter. The NYC show was AMAZING!!!  The energy, perhaps fueled by the very chaos that had preceded show time, was intense. Clay and Ruben were on fire. The audience was pumped! We fed off one another.  I will never forget “Footloose.” It was wild…fun…thrilling! A moment to be remembered. I, for one, am sure I will never forget the floor shaking below my feet because shake it did!  I did not want the show to end. But unfortunately it did.  And of course then came the shifting of all those folks back downstairs via those two little elevators. Well…some in our party (the wise ones) opted to go via the elevators, while others (myself included) ventured the thought…how hard could walking down seventh flights be? It was downhill after all…right? Yeah…right. OMG!!! Did you know there are muscles in your upper thighs?? Really there are!  Muscles that time forgot in my case. By the time we reached the ground floor my legs where spaghetti. By the next day…they were lead.  I was crippled…but it was time to move on to the next (and last for me) stop…Verona.
 
Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY...or  “Although we’ve come to the end of the road, Still I can't let you go. It’s unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you…”
After spending the night in NYC, our intrepid group headed out to Verona, NY, for the last leg of our Clay journey.  In some ways, it was relaxing to get to the last leg of our road trip, but sad as well. I had become used  to The Timeless Tour, but not the least bit tired of it. I could have seen it several more times and been very happy to do so. Only Clay fans can understand that phenomenon. Every show is different, every one is special and no matter how many you see, you could always see one more. Just one more!
 
Claydorkable. Secret Garden and I had a great table that night in Verona. But the show was about to be made 100 times better for me because of the three young ladies who sat down opposite us at our table. They were three sweet young things, and I was thrilled to see some of Clay’s younger fans in attendance. As the girls sat down, they brought with them a breath of fresh air. They were so full of enthusiasm and joy that it was infectious. It actually brought tears to my eyes…but I really started to cry when they introduced themselves and I realized they were my own Clayboard girls: MonicaJuliet, Claynadian75 and MeganAiken. I was thrilled!! And as the show progressed and I saw how much fun  they had and how much enjoyment they gave to Clay, I could not wipe the smile from my face. I was SO SO proud of them. They loved Clay and they loved the show and they were a joy to just be around.  They truly made the evening for me! 
 
Well…the show came to an end. I did feel like weeping…because I was reminded how long it had been since I had seen Clay in this kind of setting. It was not Spamalot, which was going to see Sir Robin and not going to see Clay. This was Clay…being with Clay. I think I had forgotten how much he means to me, what it is like to make that connection. And then you do…and leaving him, leaving his presence, is hard.  It truly is a moment of “I can’t let go…it’s unnatural…you belong to me.”   Little does he know how much of him I (and I daresay many of us) hold in our hearts …until the next time.
 
Before I wrap up this long-winded tome…I have to say what a joy it is to once again see the dear friends that mean so much to me. Big hugs to Gerwhisp and nickikiwi!!!  And what a thrill to meet Clayskater, Nebclayfan, MagicalMusic and RubyR43.   Marlovesclay…it was a particular joy to see you walking towards me in Verona…and to also see old friends Snarky, Sonnets, NY4Clay, gcd4clay and Flyonthewall.  I know I am leaving folks out…so PLEASE forgive me if I do.


The biggest of hugs and thanks to my traveling companions and dearest of friends:  Claydorable, SecretGarden, Katforclay, Claireh48, Sharmardo and Clayzedover. I love you guys!
 
And finally to Clay - When I was young (and you were but a babe), there was a TV program called “Fantasy Island.” Richardo Montalban starred as the mystical Mr.  Roarke, who brought people in a plane to his magical island, where they came to live out their special fantasies while on vacation. I remember in those days watching that show and deciding that my fantasy, my one fantasy, would be to “go on the road” with a pop star or rock group. I really have no clue why that was my fantasy…but it was. And now, I think of that with a chuckle and realize, I have lived my fantasy.  I live it every time we all pack up and head out on the road with you Clay. And we do it all without the services of Mr. Roarke. It’s just you!   Until the next time Mr. Aiken…I love you…I swear!


 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/marilyon/TIMELESS%20TOUR%202010/IMG_3334_tagged.jpg)
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 18, 2010, 08:15:39 PM
luckiest1 at CH

 
Hammond Recap

I spent the two days prior to Hammond off work sick, with a fever, but I was bound and determined nothing would stop me from my third and final concert of the tour!

Cindilu2 and I left my place at 7 am and had a smooth drive to the border. Dude there was not the friendliest, asked the 'how did you meet?' question but I wasn't giving 'the internet' as my answer (been there, done that, didn't go well the first time). Then he asked where we were going, did we have tickets to the concert, were we the only Clay Aiken fans left? And commented that he was glad Clay came out of the closet. Ooookay, we refrained from asking if he was glad because he wanted a date?

Continued on through Michigan, confusing the British GPS lady every time we detoured to pee or eat. It got hotter and hotter the farther west we drove, it seemed. We rotated Clay CDs all the way across Michigan into Indiana (and someone tell me why there is no 'welcome to Indiana' sign?) Arrived in Hammond about 2 pm EST (1 pm Central) and checked in to our hotel. Met up with some great ladies in the lobby and all headed over the restaurant to grab some lunch (or dessert, as the case may be). Then back to the room for a nap before grabbing the hotel shuttle to The Venue. Who ever heard of a venue called The Venue? OK, it was in the Horseshoe Casino, but still. Not very original!

We wandered around the casino for a bit, running into familiar faces (it was great to see you again shiness!) every once in a while and saying hi. Grabbed the world's biggest brownie and shared it, and then escorted cindilu2 to her M&G. It was fun watching everyone get called by Jerome and get their passes. Then we sat and chatted and waited. At one point Jerome came back out and seemed to be looking for someone. We were waving, hoping he'd pick us, but he didn't. He escorted a couple of young ladies in through the doors and disappeared. Then I spotted Ben and a guy in a baseball cap (Devin?) come out of the same doors.

When the M&Gers all came back out we listened to their stories and EEEEEE'd with them and then decided just to line up and wait for the doors to open. About that time I decided I'd better find a place to sit before I fell down (I think my body was saying WTF are you still doing on your feet, you are sick, remember?) And then it was time to go in and we rushed to the t-shirt stand to see if they had the black ones, and they did! Yay! Then in to find our 11th row seats, which turned out to be a lot closer to the stage than I'd imagined. And the 10th and 11th rows were, for some reason, raised a bit higher than rows 1 - 9 and were cushier chairs too. Weird. And then there was the 12th row which was lower. Yikes, glad I wasn't sitting there.

We got chatting with our seat mates and then security approached and asked to see their tickets. Turned out they'd bought them from someone online (e-tickets) and there was someone else in the venue with the same tickets. OMG, that is my worst nightmare. As it turned out, it was a case of the woman having sent them the wrong file, and they got to stay there after all. But it was a tense few minutes. Then, some friends of mine who I haven't seen since Kalamazoo in 2007 arrived to sit beside us. What are the odds of that happening, unplanned? And they were pretty unspoiled, so it was cool to watch their reactions as the show went on. The one lady laughed until tears were running down her face during the opening number, and lots of other parts of the show as well. They really enjoyed themselves.

It was a great show. There was a lot of Ruben support in the house, and Ruben was eating it up. Clay was just on fire, with his jokes, and his deadpan acting, and his voice! He changed up TITN, and Mandy, and When I See You Smile, just went that little bit extra in each song to make it super-special. It was hilarious when he messed up the stool banter and said that his stool was always bigger than Ruben's, and then tried to correct himself. We got to see Clay doing the off-beat dancing while Pastor Studdard sang Amazing Grace (new since Windsor & Chautauqua). I'm glad others have recapped the show as well as they have because I will need to watch clack to remember details. I was not feeling very well at the start but once Clay started singing to me I went into a Clay fog until it was over and I never even thought about being sick. Clay is the cure, y'all. He truly is. I have gone into concerts with splitting headaches, only for them to disappear the minute he starts singing.

I was glad that the crowd was receptive and got up and danced often. I was up as often as I dared, because it helped me to see over the tall lady in front of me. Hee. And I think the guys like it, they feed off the energy of the audience, they really do. Clay scratched my itch twice during Still The One. I was very happy.

After it was over we hopped the shuttle back to the hotel and I fell into bed, back to feeling sick again. In the morning I got up and went for a long, sticky walk to clear my head before breakfast. And then we said our goodbyes and hit the road home, reliving the concert the whole way. We stopped in Dewitt, MI for some lunch, and had the friendliest waiter ever. He noticed a pin I wear on my jacket that is a rainbow flag, and that sparked a conversation about Prop 8 and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He commented that he'd love to join the military just for all the guys. Bwah ha ha. I've never had better service in a restaurant in my life. He brought us free breakfast coupons, and offered to refill our drinks for the road. We left him a good tip.

To pass the time, we listened to an old CD I had in the car of the NAT and it was so cool to hear the recording Clay used in that concert about his 'first year in the business'. To think it's almost been 8 years now, that is mind blowing, and he is still going strong. We are so lucky to still having concerts to attend, and to still be meeting up with friends in cities near and far. And to have concerts on the calendar for next year already! What an amazing journey it's been so far, and who knows where it will take us in years to come? Bring it on Clay, I'm ready!  
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Marilyn on August 20, 2010, 12:50:39 AM
ldyjocelyn  AT fca

Wow.

Just wow.

The Hammond show was on FIRE! Everything really "clicked" tonight, IMO. My husband and I had fantastic seats, 6th row, "Clay's side" of center. We also had a very energetic row of Ruben fans directly behind us. The fun part was that they cheered as much for Clay as for Ruben, and most of the Clay fans cheered for Ruben energetically as well.

Best joke of the night: when Clay came out in the new Hammer pants. (OK, they were new to me -- at least it's a different pair than what he had in Reno!) Ruben was giving him a hard time about finding them deeply in Clay's closet. Whereas, Clay then says "well, when I came out of the closet, I brought EVERYTHING with me!"

They did Footloose twice, via a gentleman who was almost directly in front of bottlecap. Clay noticed him dancing up a storm, and after they finished up the first time, Clay asked him his name (which I don't remember), and his age (84). Clay was like "man, I hope I have half his energy when I get to be that age. Let's seem him do this again." And they tore into the encore of Footloose!

The Pastor Studdard Revival was full throttle. To me, part of it is Quiana's selling of the bit as well as the two guys. And then, when Ruben gets to her with the "come to my office later," everyone was cracking up! The band especially seemed to be really enjoying the bit.

Clay and Ruben didn't attempt as much to crack each other up as I noticed in Reno. The only time is was noticeable to me was at the very beginning, after The FWOW/TITN medley. Clay was in Ruben's face, and Ruben could NOT look him in the face back. It was hysterical.

As for their voices...magical. Everyone sounded fantastic to me. I simply can't pick a highlight -- too much good stuff, IMO. Clay sings the shiznit out of More Than a Feeling...and then does the same for Mandy. Bring It On Home to Me is sooooo good from Ruben -- and then I like Everything I Do as well. These musical decades are so diverse, and to me, vastly enjoyable.

It was great spending time with bottlecap, laughn, Mandler and her Mom. Wonderful ladies all of them. I also got to talk briefly to aikim, plus the Pink Posse from the CH. Good to reconnect with people.

aikim, how did DH like the show? Mine thought it was really good. He seemed to enjoy most everything, although he did say that some of the 80's reminded of things he'd rather not remember. He really enjoyed the band, and laughed out loud many times at the jokes.

I'm sure I'll remember more later. Now it's time for sleep, and dreams. And to rest my tired voice.  
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: Tiffany on August 30, 2010, 02:08:22 PM
I don't think this Meet and Greet from Hammond was posted here. It's a good one. ;D

I will attempt to remember my M&G from Hammond!

First of all, a huge Thank You to nicki503 for hooking Banshee up with me ~ that was so thoughtful, nicki, and I love you for that! Also, a million Thank You's to Banshee for writing such a wonderful recap ~ it did help me remember! Banshee is absolutely beautiful and was so kind to help me out during our special time with CLAY. She is a treasure, that's for sure!

Banshee wrote about my health history, so I won't touch on that. Also, since I have never, ever seen CLAY up close, and then only have seen him on TV and my computer screen - Entertainer Clay - this is the CLAY that I am used to... Also, my daughter, Sara and her best friend, Melissa were along on this trip (we first saw CLAY at the IT in St. Paul in 2004 - - they Love him!)

Ok, on to what I can remember ...

Sara, Melissa and I got the to Casino and were walking to the restroom, when Jerome came up the stairs .... I started getting even more excited just seeing him! The girls and I went over to the waiting area, and, of course, they were teasing me, all while they were counting down the minutes to when I had to go to the M&G!

I went over to The Venue and sat down with the other four ladies from our group. They were just lovely and so friendly and kind to me. We chatted a bit, and someone asked why I haven't seen CLAY since 2004 - so, my health history was revealed.

Jerome comes out with the Passes and begins handing them out. Sara and Melissa came over near us, and started cheering me on!! They are so cute! Jerome picked up on this and asked why all of the celebrating ... as he was chuckling - he is a sweetheart! The girls told him that they were just so happy for me, and that I wasn't going to remember this anyway...... Jerome finallly handed me my Pass (I was the last one, and he kind of took his sweet time giving it to me .. so funny!). Melissa was taking pictures of this (thus, my avi).

We filed in to the room, and I sat in the first seat, with the incredible Banshee sitting next to me. I was getting very nervous at this point, and trying to focus on what was to come. We hear voices and out walked Jerome and CLAY AIKEN - THE MAN!! OMG, my hands went up over my mouth and my eyes were just huge looking at Mr. Gorgeous walking towards us! I could not believe this was happening to me! I do remember mumbling Omg, Omg, Omg over and over .... it was very surreal to see the MAN himself .... I kept trying to focus ... but, I guess that didn't work so well, as he greeted us and declared me as 'crazy'!!! So snarky! I was having a hard time trying to wrap my mind around putting CLAY AIKEN together with Entertainer Clay (which is how I am used to him), and it wasn't working ... I hope this makes sense!

OK, CLAY came back to me and said "Now, You..." I told him my name, that I was from Baraboo WI (he repeated Baraboo a couple of times - sooo cute!), and that Baraboo is home to the circus. He asked me where exactly was Baraboo. I said 40 miles North of Madison ... He said "Oh, somewhere out there then!! And the circus is in Sarasota!!" Omg, HOW in the world did he know this? (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey winter in Sarasota - - how did he know about this? I want to know!) I said, "No, the Ringling Brothers started their circus in Baraboo, and I have proof!" He said something like "Oh, we have proof!! Let me see your proof!" I hauled out my Circus World Museum brochure and one for the Al. Ringling Theater. He looked at both, and said that the Theater was really nice - very pretty. I said, "Yes, it is, Al Ringling built the Theater, and you should sing there". Jerome said "Her family brought her here today". CLAY asked who was here with me, where were they, and how old are they. I told him my daughters brought me and they were right outside the Venue door. CLAY was absolutely so sweet, kind and considerate to me. He said "Jerome, go and bring them in here (then Big Green Eyes to Big Brown Eyes -- GAH) We want you to remember everything about this day!" Omg, how incredible is he?!! The girls were coming back up on the escalator, when Sara saw Jerome point at her and motion for the both of them to come over to him. They thought that I was probably having a meltdown, and Jerome wanted me taken out!!! They both could NOT believe it when Jerome said "Come with me!!!" CLAY is a very intuitive man, and knew that by bringing the girls in would help me. I LOVE HIM!

My mind was spinning by this time...

Picture time .... I don't remember going over to CLAY, but I DO remember having my arm around his waist ( extremely yummy, and I hope I didn't give him a squeeze!). Cheryl was very sweet saying that the picture was nice. CLAY called Sara and Melissa over, shook their hands, asked their names and said for them to get into the picture - they would take one of the four of us! OMG, what a blesssing!

Signing things ... CLAY used the stage as a desk. I remember taking him my TnT booklet and giving it to him. I also gave him a piece of paper I had written what I wanted him to sign. He looked at that and said ... "What? I don't understand!" I said "It's a lyric from "Those Magic Changes" that you sang in Raleigh." I sang the lyric to him, but using what I had written down (I still can't believe I did that )!! He said "But, what does it spell?" I said "My name!" CLAY: "Oh, now I get it ... that's cute!"

THE HUG: OMG, CLAY gives the best hugs, ever!! I DO remember this, and HUG HIM, I DID!! I didn't want to let go!!!!

He signed everything for the other sweet ladies, said his good-byes and off he went. I was competely in another world in the Fog by this time, and I don't remember him leaving. Sara and Melissa said our Thank You's for us ... I am so embarrassed ... I don't remember what I said. I will say, I DO remember giving him 7 years of pent up "I Love You's" in our time together (Oh Lord, the poor man) ... I am so embarrassed, but they just came out of my mouth... it's just what he does to me!

These Magic Moments with CLAY AIKEN are some of the best of my life, and I will cherish this forever! I Love Him even more! He is absolutely the most caring, generous, sweet, thoughtful, extemely handsome man ever! The other ladies were so gracious and kind to me, and I thank them for this. I also can't say enough as to how wonderful Banshee was to me, and I thank her as well. Thanks again, to nicki503 for being so sweet and caring!
 
Title: Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
Post by: fhmmany2 on November 20, 2010, 09:14:44 PM
I just got some photos from Betty/corbet that she took of Clay on the Timeless Tour (Click To Enlarge):


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/th_scan0022-1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/scan0022-1.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/th_scan0023-1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/scan0023-1.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/th_scan0024-1.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/fhmmany2/scan0024-1.jpg)

She said it took a while to get a photo of the Marquee because of traffic - I had the same problem, and never got my photo!