ClayManiacs.com
Archive => Tried and True Tour 2011 => Topic started by: Marilyn on August 04, 2010, 11:24:26 AM
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from notacanuck at CC:
Clay Aiken coming back to town -- late Valentine's Day present?
American Idol star Clay Aiken will return to the Tennessee Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.
Aiken's live concert special, "Tried & True," will air on East Tennessee Public Television at 8 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 5. Filmed at the Memorial Auditorium in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, the special is a preview for the upcoming tour. Aiken will perform standards from the '50s and '60s with a full orchestra. The special airs again at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 8.
Tickets for the Tennessee Theatre show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outlets, by phone at 865-656-4444 and online.
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Just saw this tweet.
TNTheatre We lied. But not on purpose! Tix for the 2/17 Clay Aiken show will not go on sale this Friday. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause!
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Feb 17--Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
Time: 8:00 PM
Tickets: OFC Presale 8/18/10 10AM PDT
On sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 27TH, at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outlets, by phone and online.
Venue website: TENNESSEE THEATER (http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/)
Venue Capacity: 1,631
Address: 604 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: Box Office: 865-656-4444, General Info: 865-684-1200.
Seating Chart: Link (http://www.seatingcharts.com/charts/TN/Tennessee_Theatre_seating_charts/Tennessee_Theatre.asp)
NOTE THE VENUE WAS CHANGED TO THE BIJOU THEATER
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Ticket Info$69.50 and $49.50, plus applicable service fees
Tickets go on sale Friday August 27th, 2010 at All Tickets Unlimited Locations and The Tennessee Theatre Box Office
Doors open at 7:00 pm
17 Feb 2011 at 8:00 pm
Clay Aiken
Seven years after launching his career journey on American Idol Clay Aiken has never sounded more at home than he does singing the lushly arranged classics on his fifth studio album Tried and True. For Aiken, the album was about getting back to himself after a career performing more pop-oriented material. The bulk of the album - which showcases Aiken's powerful tenor voice and considerable interpretive gifts - is made up of songs from the '50s and '60s that Aiken grew up listening to as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina. Aiken's delight in the material comes through not only in his vocal delivery but also in the way he connects to the emotional undercurrents running through each of these melodic ballads.
TENNESSEE THEATRE (http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/562530/clay-aiken/)
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This is a great place. I seen David Cook here for his 100th show. May go to this one but not sure yet.
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BONILEE
We just got to our hotel in Knoxville and I am pretty sure these are his buses here!
Can't wait for tonight!!!
I love this man.
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This concert starts at 8 tonight.
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OK SUPPER DONE- READY TO GO!!
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Report from the venue...
They are being um...not very nice about cameras. They are going to see if someone who has a M&G can get Jerome to talk to security and the ushers on a power trip.
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Cellstream connection seems to be ok. LOTS of talking and chatting. Seem to be a lot of people.
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Hey, That's good since it's a smaller venue and hope we can get clack.
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Clay is starting late again!! I think the REAL start time is 8:10-8:15!!
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K4clay2
(C finger @ Feb 17 2011, 08:02 PM)
(caperkeeper @ Feb 18 2011, 12:59 AM)
No news on camera police.
It's a thursday probably low turnout. Always happens when we have a clear stream
Just 700 seats here. Really intimate....
I'd love to be really intimate with Clay ......................
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"Just 700 seats here. Really intimate....
I thought I would get the smallest venue with 995. Sounds nice.
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Still nothing yet!! :D
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Oops- the audience is doing the clapping to show they want the show to start!
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Lights going down.............
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Remember in NY last year we waited a half an hour to start cause of the changes in seats. ::) Hope they didn't have any problems with that on the change of this venue.
ETA: Yeah!!!
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Overture...........
Where do I begin..................
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The cellcert is SOOO clear!
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Great!
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Kind of Hush
OMG Love Story gave me chills!!
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I love the way Clay pronounces WORLD.
Saying Hello to all!
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Heard the country version of Hush today. Doesn't even compare Clay's.
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Saying he recognizes a lot of people, but they are probably embarrassed to admit it!
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You Dont Have to say you Love Me
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Cant take my eyes off you
The sound is so good it feels like I am THERE!
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Something About Us
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Hi Marilyn & Tiffany
I have been here since 8:00 but I can't post. Don't know if it is my computer or the site.
Marilyn - I am glad you finally got a clear connection tonight
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Hey Barb. Still have to log in sometimes.
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TALKING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE THEATER -WAS HOSPITAL, ADULT THEATER- WHOREHOUSE !!
ASKED SOMEONE IF SHE WAS GETTING GOOD FOOTAGE- TOOK THE CAMERA (DROID??) AND TOOK A PICTURE - MAYBE HIMSELF
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TALKING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE THEATER -WAS HOSPITAL, ADULT THEATER- WHOREHOUSE !!
ASKED SOMEONE IF SHE WAS GETTING GOOD FOOTAGE- TOOK THE CAMERA (DROID??) AND TOOK A PICTURE - MAYBE HIMSELF
Odd combo and too cute.
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I have to log in almost every time.
I had to reboot before I could get that last post to work. I think I will have to have it checked out after I finish my two trips to see Clay.
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Banter
History of the theater:
hospital, adult theatre, whore house, military HQ, baptist church
And there's suppose to be a ghost that runs around the theatre
I hope he likes music from the 50s and 60s.
Video person: hi how are you getting, good footage?
he's taken her camera - I look fat.
Pushing button and taking a picture - it's a Droid phone. (I have that! - me, not Clay)
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SWING MEDLEY
THE WAY
RIGHT STUFF
VOGUE
GLORY OF LOVE
HIT ME BABY
FOOTLOOSE
INVISIBLE
LOTS OF SCREAMS FOR THE TUG
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I'm ok if I stay here a while.
He does not look fat. ::)
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CRY ME A RIVER
QUIANA
HE DOESNT SING DONT STOP BELIEVING ANYMORE
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I don't mind cause I hated that song after Glee sang it. LOL Sorry Glee fans.
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Getting ready for the autotune bit
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I don't mind cause I hated that song after Glee sang it. LOL No Sorry Glee fans.
I LOVE that song
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He said they were going to do Suspicious Minds after this bit. Some girl got enthusiastic (Kim) and he said that he liked it too. "So just me and Kim like it"
Suspicious Minds on Auto Tune ha ha-cute
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Radio Banter
Audience calling out names of artists they listen to on the radio
Calls out younger fan for her enthusiasm
She called Clay 'sir'
He asked her to please not call him 'sir'
Talking to the young fan again - asked her name
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I perfer other Journey songs but I do like the 80's rock stuff. Would kill to hear Clay sing some of them. I know he can do it.
Of that's funny about SM in auto tune. Elvis might spin in his grave. LOL
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Suspicious Minds for real!!!
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Clay said something like he doesn't want to do another artist's song because he knows it'll end up on You Tube (or internet?)
Auto tune a bit of SM and something else by Quiana?
Suspicious Minds
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Auto tune song tonight was Chris Brown, "Forever"
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So wonder if he'll do his own songs for now on. Haven't seen any other singer slam him for it or anything. JUst doing it for fun.
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Buttercup
Someone on CH said about last nights concert
Clay's voice was in tip top shape! He soared on most of the songs. Solitaire rocked the house....as did the cellcert chat.
BTW: My hubby is the one that yelled out Techno........
Gee, when you bring your husband to see your boyfriend sing to you- the least he could do was be quiet! :)
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He did a little flair at the end of Suspicious Minds he-e-e-ey
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I have no doubt. 5 more days til I see him live!
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Moon River
don't know what he was doing right before he started singing and the music was playing, but the crowd was laughing!
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I have no doubt. 5 more days til I see him live!
I'll bet you are getting excited. Everybody who has been to a show seems to think he is singing better than ever.
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Nice to hear a guy go: YEA just as it ended.
Its Impossible
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I have no doubt. 5 more days til I see him live!
I'll bet you are getting excited. Everybody who has been to a show seems to think he is singing better than ever.
Very! Can hardly wait! And happy we are hearing not one bad comment at all about the concert. I hope to get to see Jill and Gwenn. They will be there too.
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. Everybody who has been to a show seems to think he is singing better than ever.
It sure sounds like it. This sound is WONDERFUL! Its an iphone
and ONE WEEK FROM TOMORROW I WILL BE PICKING YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT.
Breaking Up is Hard to do
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Nice you guys will be spending a few days together. ;D
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OK now Who's Sorry Now styles
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Are you seeing him Sunday in CT Marilyn?
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Someone picked Bossa Nova
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Are you seeing him Sunday in CT Marilyn?
No I almost had a ticket but the hotel and ferry would be above my budget
I would LOVE to though
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. Everybody who has been to a show seems to think he is singing better than ever.
It sure sounds like it. This sound is WONDERFUL! Its an iphone
and ONE WEEK FROM TOMORROW I WILL BE PICKING YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT.
Breaking Up is Hard to do
I am really looking forward to it. I'll send you the flight info this weekend. I checked out weather.com today and they are calling for "snow showers" for next Friday. Got to get busy this weekend.
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That's too bad. I don't have enough money either to see him more then once this time around. :( Going to be over sooo quickly.
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Disco
Cajun Latino???
Now Mack the Knife
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Disco
Cajun Latino???
Now Mack the Knife
Never heard of that. No one has picked like blues yet. I might say it to him if I'm not shy enough. LOL
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That last note was WONDERFUL
Its only Make Believe
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Quiana- Foggy Day in London Town
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Crying!! LOVE this!
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Band intros
"Felix has many stories but he'll never tell them." *g*
"Five keyboards and six computers - Ben"
Doing Banter about Unchained Melody
Here we go
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Talking about all the people who have been there a long time:
Quiana
Jerome
Mary
Felix
Felix has video of me - have you deleted it? - he's not going to tell me!!!
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Talking about all the people who have been there a long time:
Quiana
Jerome
Mary
Felix
Felix has video of me - have you deleted it? - he's not going to tell me!!!
Ohhh I want to see.
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I am really looking forward to it. I'll send you the flight info this weekend. I checked out weather.com today and they are calling for "snow showers" for next Friday. Got to get busy this weekend.
NO!! We havent even been cleared up from the last snowstorm almost three weeks ago. The stuff STILL hasnt melted and it look horrible and dirty!!
My bushes are all weighed down and broken- the ice is heavy.
I Was hoping it would all be melted before you came.
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I love the ending of Unchained Melody- he did it fabulous!!!
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Talking about being a card carrying member of the CULT!
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Hi MARILYN, TIFFANY, and BARBARA . . . I think I just caught up!! ;) Had company tonight, so I got a late start!!
This signing in almost everytime reminds me of how lucky we are on Claymaniacs most of the time!!
Clay seems to be doing great on this tour!! So sorry that it wasn't promoted like it should have been!!
Late last night, I downloaded some clack. THUD! 8)
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Talking about incredible people who have been around for the last 8 years!!
Dedicating to those who have been responsible for this journey- people on cell phones, people on computers, people in the seats, etc.
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He was describing to those in the audience who didnt know how people hold the phones- some type on their computers what he is saying or singing, and then there are those that actually broadcast the show for others!! But he appreciates all of us.
In My Life
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Hey Barb. All the clack has been wonderful.
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"Went off stage to get a drink."
Audience members shouting out songs they want Clay to sing.
Clay: "I don't think this is a jukebox."
"Have two others we're going to do yet."
"How many have you been to more than one show?"
"How many have read about it on line?"
"Is It true someone had their phone on in their purse?"
Guy in audience: "Just might be."
"Some people will hide their cell phone purse. It's true; you might not know it if you're not a member of this cult."
Anyone know about this cell thing?
Audience member: "Cell cert."
"Will someone tell me how it works?"
Clay explains as he understands it.
"Apparently, there are people who literally broadcast it over the internet. So there's people at home listening on the internet. So, I'm not getting paid for it."
"People incredibly supportive. Was supposed to last maybe one album, instead one, then two, then three, then four."
"So this song is for everybody, including those with their cameras and those with their cellphones and everyone else; this song's for you."
In My Life
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Talking about incredible people who have been around for the last 8 years!!
Dedicating to those who have been responsible for this journey- people on cell phones, people on computers, people in the seats, etc.
He's going to make me cry. *sniff* He REALLY loves US. No one could ever doubt that!
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Clay: "Someone owes me a quarter; they called out for this song."
Man in audience: "Here I am."
Solitaire
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Another day......................a lonely day
Hi Barb!!
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Hi Barb - my fingers and toes are all crossed for you. Best wishes and good luck.
Marilyn - Just so the snow and ice is not on the roads or walkway, I'll be OK. Of course, this far ahead it could chance several times.
I haven't watched any clack because I am too lazy to go sit at the "real" computer. Sounds like there is going to be plenty.
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Oh Barb. Me too. Praying for you everything will be ok.
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And its over!!!!
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FROM A MEET AND GREET IN ATLANTA
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SOME GUY YELLED OUT "SING ON MY WAY HERE"
ANOTHER GUY WAS ON A CELL PHONE TO SOMEONE AND SAYING HOW TERRIFIC THE SHOW WAS- THE BEST SHOW HE'S EVER SEEN
ANOTHER ONE WITH A DEEP VOICE WAS YELLING "THATS RIGHT BABY" WHEN CLAY FINISHED SINGING
SHE SAID THERE WERE LOTS OF MEN THERE
SOME OTHER GUY WAS SAYING HOW GREAT THE SONGS SOUNDED AND HOW GREAT THE SHOW WAS
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VERY VERY BAGGY JEANS THAT HUNG LOW :o
LOOKED LIKE A BURGUNDY SWEATER AND PERHAPS A LAVENDER SHIRT WITH A PURPLE TIE???
THEY SAID THE STAGE WAS THE PERFECT SIZE FOR HIM AND THIS SHOW.
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THE AUDIENCE WAS PERFECT AND VERY ENTHUSIASTIC
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Thanks Marilyn. Another great show. Scarlett is soooo right that he gets better and better. I wouldn't have the energy if I did what he does. LOL On To Pittsburgh tomorrow.
Looking good Clay.
A guy flirted with him? hee
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Welcome, everyone. I sure wish we had more people at the cellcerts. I miss all the chat that we had during the past ones
I will try to gather recaps, etc.
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Me too. Guess they are too busy for us. :( They are missing out.
Thanks Barb and Barb for joining us.
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Several people video'd the whole show. And there were pics, too.
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Several people video'd the whole show. And there were pics, too.
Good! Good! Good!
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Great picture, Marilyn
Such wonderful comments after the show. Hopefully, these people will tell others--and so on and so on.
Thanks for the great work tonight ladies.
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Agreed Barb and love hearing Men are enjoying it. Have a goodnight.
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During the Disco Who's Sorry Now he and Quiana danced a bit
He did a little shimmy while Quiana was singing
He did more hand movements and seemed a lot more animated during Buttercup
He said that the crew usually puts tape along the front of the stage so that he wont slip, but tonight they didnt put it there and he was a little nervous when he came to the front. He asked the people in the first two rows if they would catch him if he fell.
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Lots of major stubble. She thinks that some people might think there is too much.
She says at the end of the songs, where the band is still playing but he is not singing, he closes his eyes and has this most peaceful look on his face that she loves to look at.
The shoes are not big and dont make his feet look huge- the feet look much smaller in these shoes.
They change color in the light (the shoes)
They are waitingin line to see if Clay comes out -Quiana has already gone by.
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Great picture, Marilyn
Such wonderful comments after the show. Hopefully, these people will tell others--and so on and so on.
Thanks for the great work tonight ladies.
Glad you could join us!!
and Wisconsin Barb-I hope everything works out well for you.
Maybe I will win the lottery and we can all go to the last show in California!!
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Clay thanked us for keeping him around as long as we have, and for putting his son through college!
Only one bus, but it has a trailer (probably for equipment)
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Great picture, Marilyn
Such wonderful comments after the show. Hopefully, these people will tell others--and so on and so on.
Thanks for the great work tonight ladies.
Glad you could join us!!
and Wisconsin Barb-I hope everything works out well for you.
Maybe I will win the lottery and we can all go to the last show in California!!
I'm in. Would love too. ;D
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Clay is worth seeing multiple times
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BRIGHTSTAR
Quick post to say tonight's concert was fabulous! Some random observations--
The crowd was especially enthusiastic. Clay and crew felt it and appreciated it, and there was just a special chemistry about the show. Every song was superb, moving, and heartfelt. The size of the theater fit the crowd, and the size of the stage fit the performers and band. It made for a warm, intimate, and lively atmosphere.
I love the beautiful way Clay introduces "In My Life" every night, expressing such a tender and genuine appreciation for all of his fans, but especially those who have supported him for a long time. And the song itself is so soft and tender and touching--it's almost like a whispered prayer, or a blessing.
He wailed "Mack The Knife" and the crowd loved it. In fact, the audience cheered more loudly than last night and showed tremendous enthusiasm for the performers throughout the whole show.
Solitaire was magnificent--both touching and powerful. It leaves the audience breathless.
I heard a lot of people who dearly loved the Atlanta show say this was even better.
I find myself watching his hands so often this tour. They are so expressive, and I often think his hands sing too. They are an integral part of many songs (whether he realizes it or not). They weave and flow, they caress and hover, they touch tenderly at times and channel emotions into fists at others--a wonderful ballet of sorts. Fascinating.
I took some pictures (in spite of the bullying announcements and thorough search of our bags, and mine was searched twice!). I think my pics from Atlanta are better--the light tonight was not as good for taking pics, but I'm so glad I got some. Tomorrow when I'm home I'll try to post a few.
It's late, and time to go to bed and dream of heavenly songs and a beautiful man.
Life is good.
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Two Scarlett clips from Knoxville uploaded to You Tube:
Who's Sorry Now - Bossa Nova Style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BJ5UovWBxc
Who's Sorry Now - Zydeco Attempt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qagk1y8VYCU
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Clack so far.
http://www.clackunlimited.com/clack/Concert_Clack/2011_Tried_And_True/Knoxville/
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hippoga
We spent the night at my friends house and then five of us headed up I-75 to Knoxville. The venue had changed and we really had no idea where our seats would be. We had PBS M&G's there, too. Along the way, we stopped in a Wal-mart to copy some pictures and we decided to see how mine turned out. Some were good! My friend made a collage and we planned on getting Clay to sign it for us all. Our new seats turned out to only be one row further back so we checked into the hotel and met friends for dinner. This PBS M&G was incredibly unorganized. The venue people said no cameras were allowed and we had 5 minutes to go put them in our cars and come back. Thank you to the CVer who let us put ours in her trunk! We stood in line for a while in the lobby and then went up stairs to a room. Mary the tour manager was taking pictures and we were sent in one at a time. We asked if we could go in together and the staff person said OK. There was no PBS representative. We weren't even sure if we could get something signed but we asked Clay to sign the picture and he did.
We're not totally sure how we'll get our pictures and the Aiken fog kicked in and I didn't remember how he looked!
The theater was small and our seats were 10 rows back, dead center, just on the rise of the theater. AAIT and I looked at each other and pronounced them perfect! And then Clay proceded to deliver a perfect concert! This crowd was very small but everyone there was thrilled to see him. Thunderous applause was the order of the day! The band also looked better on the smaller stage, less open space. I loved looking at "all of Clay" while he sang instead of a small part through a viewfinder. His dancing was an unexpected sight to behold. So funny! I enjoyed the "swing band" medley more the second time but I'm still not too fond of the autotune bit. I don't know how those fans upclose survived when he sat down on the stage for his slow numbers segment. Oh my, very nice! He gave us a history of the theater and thought it was very funny that it was once a whorehouse and even had a ghost! Special favorites that night were "There's a kind of hush" and "You don't have to say you love me". I'm absolutely no good at a recap. Sorry! From the first notes of Love Story to the last glory note of Solitaire, I enjoyed every minute. AAIT and I were a bit nostalgic thinking of how Build Me Up Buttercup on AI was performed by a boy we had fallen head over heels for and now a man we still adored was singing it IN PERSON to us! He mentioned the cellcert again in his thank yous to the fans. Goodness, I only hope to be able to tell him one day how much it means to have him In OUR Lives!
That concert was over MUCH, MUCH too soon! We waited at the bus for a bit and saw Clay get on. He waved and said another thank you for coming. Home again in a daze! I got good reviews for my driving (I am related to Dale Earnhardt you know! LOL!) and we got back in time to have lunch with another old figure skating friend.
Now to make it til Wednesday and do it again in Charlotte and Greenville. Can't listen to the cellcert tonight. Gotta visit with the hubby! But can't wait to read about it tomorrow!
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peeko4clay
I thought I would share a couple of NJU moments I experienced at my concerts. I attended Houston, Atlanta and Knoxville.
Houston...Before the show started, I introduced myself to the ladies on each side of me. Neither one of them had been to Clay concert before. They both came with friends that were Clay fans. The gal on my right was a joy to watch... First thing she said was "he's adorable". She kept on saying "I love this song" and clapped along to the more upbeat songs with a huge smile on her face. I could tell she was caught...hook, line and sinker! At one point she waved to Quiana. Quiana waved back with a big a smile on her face. At the end of the concert she told me that it was the best concert she had ever attended and was going to go out and buy everything Clay had recorded!! This statement was made with no prompting from me.
The other gal seemed to really enjoy herself as well...just not as vocal about it.
It was just so nice to see and hear their reactions...he's still winning them over!!
Atlanta... This time I had a couple sitting next to me. The husband sat just to my right. It sure looked like he wasn't one of those husbands that was "dragged" to the concert. He was smiling and nodding his head from the very beginning. Big, huge belly laughs during some of the banter. Again... It was so refreshing to see someone other than "us" enjoying themselves at Clay's concert.
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clayizzaqt
I have an email group of fans/friends to whom I send Clay news, photos and articles. They are all fans, but to varying degrees. Some follow him more closely than others. Only a couple of them read message boards. They had been asking me to recap my Knoxville PBS M & G, so today I finally wrote it down and mailed it. I decided to share it here as well, and because I'm lazy, I'm posting it just as I sent it to them.
My Knoxville PBS M & G (also known as a Meet and Moo, due to the cattle call nature of the beast).
Due to the large volume of these PBS passes that were sold, all of the PBS M & Gs were done in the following format...Clay stands in a room, Mary or a PBS rep. position themselves in front of Clay, and then the fans file past, one at a time. You hit your mark by Clay's side, he shakes your hand, asks your name and then you hand him the item you'd like signed. He signs it with his name (no personalization), he puts his arm around you and you both turn toward the camera, smile, click, and then Jerome hands you your coat and purse and off you go. Now this is by no means a complaint as I knew going in that it would be like the M & Gs of old due to the sheer number of fans involved. I cherish every single second. However, I was blessed to have a bit of an 'extended' time with Clay.
After the hand shake and name bit, I pulled a full size mosaic from a cardboard mailing tube and held it out to Clay...this one:
Reduced 79%
650 x 953 (195.25K)
Now some back story. The week before my trip, I decided I'd better make sure that I knew where the photo of Raleigh that I'd hidden in the mosaic was located because Clay ALWAYS wants to find it (and at times, has enlisted Mary, Jerome, Nick and anyone else nearby to help). It had been months since I'd made the mosaic. So out comes the poster and, with bifocals in place, I searched. Looked and looked and couldn't locate her. No recollection of where the pic was positioned. Wow, Raleigh is really well hidden this time! So I finally had to open the digital version on my computer and blow it up and hunt down the photo. So glad I did that. Because the instant Clay saw that I had a mosaic, he said "Are you the person who always makes these?" I said "Yes." He said, "Is there a photo of Raleigh in this one?" I said, "Of course!" And the hunt was on! I suddenly got extremely nervous, standing so close to him and all. He was holding one end of the poster and I was holding the other, trying to keep it from rolling up. For some damn reason, I began to blather on and on as I watched him search, telling him that there was no way he would find it. Continuing with the blather theme, I shared the story about not being able to find it myself until I blew up the digital copy as an aid. The Aiken Fog had enveloped me thoroughly by that point and I recall saying more than once that he would NEVER find it. I have no idea why I did that. None. Blather,blather...The word NEVER kept tumbling out of my mouth! OMG, somebody stop me! The NEVER Gauntlet had been thrown down and Clay was NOT going to give up. Meanwhile, the line of fans behind me, still waiting to see Clay was long and I was squirming, sweating and feeling badly that their wait was now longer still. Wanting to speed things along, I offered to give Clay a hint. Looking up at Clay, I could track his eyes as he scanned the mosaic and I could tell approximately where he was looking and I was DYING to give him a hint each time I could see that he was near the Raleigh pic. But when I offered, he was adamant that I NOT give him a hint. It seemed like I'd been holding up the line FOREVER. I continued to squirm and finally Clay said, "Wait, is this it? No. I thought I had it but ...no." However, I could tell by his eyes that he was REALLY close so I blurted, "You're REALLY warm!" (or perhaps I blurted "You're really HOT!" Not sure. Gawd, I hope not! ) Oops. There came that hint I wasn't supposed to give. Damn. Fortunately, by then, Clay didn't seem to mind too much, though he shot me a glance. He found the Raleigh pic just a few seconds later, located just under the eye on the right half of the mosaic. Phew! He then asked me to hold the poster tight at the top and bottom while he signed it. Cool! I thought to myself, this mosaic has tons of white space at the lower corners. That area will be a great place for the signature and it will show up very nicely there, thank you very much. But, to my surprise, Clay signed his name under the eye on the cheekbone area and with seeming great pride, drew an arrow pointing to the photo of Raleigh Bwah! Love it! Wanted to hug him, but resisted the urge. Turned to face Mary, felt Clay's arm around my waist as he pulled me in, and Click! Goofy expression captured for posterity! Collected my purse and coat from Jerome and floated out of the room. That 120 seconds with Clay seemed to last forever! SA-woon! Thanks for the memories, Mr. Aiken.