NYT: The Big Voice of 'Idol' Gets Christmas Spirit --Clay Aiken, "mushy-ballad singer that ...."

New York Times ^ | December 11, 2004 | KELEFA SANNEH

[BlessedBeGod]

Ruben finished second in a recount of all votes.

Source? I post on an AI board almost every day, and we never heard anything like this. And we search for news articles every day to post.

[TommyDale]

That was a tonue-in-cheek slap at the Democrats and anti-Clay Aiken fans. Everyone really knows that if the voting had been truly fair, Clay would have won easily. It just wasn't the "politically correct" outcome the show's producers wanted. Just look at how the public has voted with their dollars since then. Clay has had tremendous success, while Ruben seems to have disappeared.

[jrcats]

I'm a claymate from Fl. Haven't been to any concerts yet and The Tampa concert was sold out. I do have all his cd's & love listening to his music.

[MaryFromMichigan]

The audio book of "Learning to Sing" is worth picking up, too.

Love his warm southern accent. :)

[BamaDi]

As Bill McCuddy said on Fox & Friends the other morning everyone forgets that Clay was the runner-up in season two as he's the biggest success of all three seasons. Then there's Josh Gracin, the US Marine. Simon was awful to him every week and so far he's had a #2 on the Country Music Top 40 and he's #18 on the latest Billboard Country Top 20 and rising. I love it....

[MaryFromMichigan]

Here are some of Clay's early (pre Idol) demos.
He was only 19 when he recorded some of these.

[manic4organic]

Clay seems like a nice enough guy. A bit too "Broadway" a voice for me. I like vocals a bit dirtier, rootsier, soulful.

[GVnana]

Wow. This is a real treat. That was one of the best renditions I've ever heard of Hold Me, Kiss Me. This kid was born to be a pro. Nice to hear a singer that knows how to enunciate. Rosemary Clooney was known for that, and she never missed landing a song. I'm delighted to lend support to someone with genuine talent. I hope Clay is around for a long, long time.

[Tess1]

Super song. I love to hear Mark Lowry sing it too.

This song has been around for a few years.

It was written by Mark Lowry who is a great Christian comedian and was member of "The Gaither Vocal Band". Kenny Rogers recorded the sound a couple years ago also.

I decided to watch Clay's special the other night. I've never seen him before or heard him sing. It was a real treat. I truly was thrilled with the show and his "missionary" work done on that show. How many teens were watching? Nice to see a real "Christ"mas special.

Alan Jackson does a nice family "Christ"mas special too.

NYT reporter is just rude and deeply saddened that no one is as impressed with him or her as folks are with Clay.

[grounhog]

I think the voting was rigged, I'm not sure why. May be some PC crap.....

[GVnana]

Been checking the net on Clay Aiken and there's a website called, "Lecherous old broads for Clay Aiken!" Cracks me up!

[cyborg]

I love Clay Aiken.

[cyborg]

He's a herb, but a herb that can sing.

[cyborg]

Politically correct? The winners are picked by fan voting so how is that PC?

[GVnana]

I never watched American Idol, so I was out-of-the-loop. I happened to catch him singing, "My Everlasting Love" while channel surfing and my jaw about hit the floor. I've had a LOT of music training in my day, and this guy is one of the best natural talents I've ever heard.

I heard Quincy Jones signed him? If that's true, he's going to have a very well-managed career.

[k2blader]

Lame. It should be common sense that it's not right to "poke fun" by calling someone homosexual who is not.

Clay is probably more man than half the guys (yep, not using the word "men" was intentional here) on FR.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Lecherous old broads for Clay Aiken!

It's just called Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken!

[MaryFromMichigan]

I've had a LOT of music training in my day, and this guy is one of the best natural talents I've ever heard.

Up through "American Idol" he had received very little training.
High school choir was pretty much the extent of it. Although to her credit his choir teacher was rightly impressed!
The man has pipes, great stage presence and a huge heart.
(I know I'm getting all fangirly here)

In addition to the site I listed earlier for his early (pre Idol) demos, there are other sites I can point you to if you want more information.

[D Edmund Joaquin]

Amen to that

[paudio]

I heard Quincy Jones signed him? If that's true, he's going to have a very well-managed career.

I believe he's now with Clive Davis, not Quincy.