Well, crap.
I was going to make this blog a retrospective of the past year; the ups and downs, the surprise media dynamo that was the appearance of Clay on AI5, the two new CDs we got this year, the warm and fuzzy visit to the Tyra Banks show, the UNICEF snowflake lighting ceremony, Jimmy Kimmel and the CD signing, the TV Guide close up special, Clay's appointment to a presidential committee, his being named Outstanding Young Alumnus of UNC Charlotte and maybe even his part in raising $1 million for David Foster's Annual Charity Gala.
But nooooo.
The Fox TV station in Greensboro NC has ruined my plans and compelled me to use my voice. The set up - Clay performed his 18th concert in 23 days last Saturday night in what was billed as "Clay Aiken Christmas with the Greensboro Symphony."
Apparently, a teenager named Joshua and possibly some others were told they could sing with or before Clay Saturday night. They even rehearsed for this performance. This fact was not publicized, nor was any fan I know aware of it. I have to wonder if Clay was even aware. Shortly before showtime, their performance was cancelled, reportedly due to either the content (not Christmas music) or time limitations.
According to Fox, "As a consolation, Joshua was allowed to sing 30 seconds leading a group sing-along. He also got to go backstage to meet and get a picture with Clay." Also according to Fox, Clay's "people" cancelled the extra performances because Clay wanted to do a longer set. This is a lie, as his set for this show was exactly the same as the other 17 shows. Fact checker please!
If this did happen, it's unfortunate for those involved, but hey, that's show biz, kids!
I'm sorry Joshua and his compadres didn't get to sing for Mama. But here's my issue - the fact that Greensboro's Fox station considers this kid's whining to be not only a "controversy," but actual NEWS.
Hello! On what planet is this news? Oh yeah...Planet Fox, home of the upcoming 6th season of American Idol, that's what planet! According to UPI, the Fox network is floundering, and eagerly awaits the return of American Idol to bolster it's poor ratings.
You know, Clay can't step outside his door without having some sh*t storm swirl around him. It's so freaking ridiculous, you just have to laugh!
These idiots in the media who have to create news where there is none for the sole purpose of bashing Clay - do you think they even realize how petty, small minded, and ignorant they seem? Somehow, I think not.
But I'm quite sure they know what I have known since the beginning - the man just has to show up and the kleig lights go on, the music starts and the hubbub and brouhaha begins! Clay's a diva! Clay's snotty! Clay's mean! He's the antiChrist, didn't you know? Some podunk weekly paper in Charlotte even recently blamed the fall of western civilization on him....I mean, seriously.
Delusional much? I laughed myself silly when I read that!
Why doesn't anyone ever call them on their inane articles? Where are the editors? Why do the fans have to rise up in defense of Clay, when instead they should be calling these alleged "news organizations" out for their misuse of the media, our time and their own energy?
Let me debunk a Claymate myth. As a Claymate, it's not my responsibility to defend Clay against the media bullies. He has an entire staff of well paid management and publicity people to defend him, and he's perfectly capable of defending himself as well.
The replies posted in response to these ignorant missives are always along the lines of "Clay wouldn't do that, or say that, he loves kids! He's a humanitarian! He's a good guy!"
Please. Frankly, none of that matters to anyone but us. No one cares that Clay is a UNICEF ambassador, the head of his own foundation, or even that he has sold millions of albums. Listen carefully: No.one.cares.
They only care that he is rich, and famous, and a huge pop culture icon, and has legions of fans who love him unconditionally, and all in such a short time....and they resent him for it, because he is, after all, just a regular guy, and yet he has it all, and they have nothing. They don't understand, and it scares them. Fear of the unknown. And they strike out in fear, with words of hate, and jealousy, and ignorance.
I'm debunking another myth, are you ready? I feel my personal role, as a Claymate, is to support him, not defend him.
I will support him, because I feel he is worthy of my time and energy. It's my choice. I'll support whomever I choose, and no media lackey with no hope of ever winning the Pulitzer is going to shame me into withdrawing that support. To think otherwise is delusional on their part.
I will support him by laughing, in public when warranted, at the petty, hipper-than-thou, lazy wannabe writers who think Clay is so famous, so important, so worthy an adversary as to spend their time and energy bashing him. I will tell them, when it strikes my fancy, how uninformed they appear, how small minded and whiny their words sound.
I will let them now how insignificant they are, in the big picture.
I will advise them to choose their words more carefully, for it's their words that reflect their intelligence, their self-awareness and how evolved they appear to the public. Or not.
Can you imagine how hilarious it would be, to read some soporific rant by some nobody, and see a bunch of replies of people laughing at the writer? Glorious! I will laugh at them and they will know their words have no affect on me, my life, or my support of Clay Aiken.
They are nothing to me, but my free will and freedom to support any artist I choose is everything.
So, if you happen across one of those petty little whiny articles about how Clay is the cause of the downfall of civilization, and you see a reply that looks like this:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHhahahahahahahahaaaaaa!!
Be sure to stop in and say hey! For it will be me.
touchstone (n) a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
technorati tag: clay+aiken
technorati tag: claymates
technorati tag: clay+nation
technorati tag: pop+culture
technorati tag: media
technorati tag: show+business
technorati tag: controversy
©touchstone 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Clay Aiken: The King of Controversy
Or, is he the Sultan of Scandal? Would you believe The Dean of Disrepute?
I’ve been eagerly following the wondrousness that is Clay Aiken Live, as he begins his annual holiday tour; this version of which includes solo performances with local or traveling symphony orchestral groups, led by musical director Jesse Vargas, a veteran of the first Joyful Noise holiday tour.
In my mind’s eye, I always dreamed of just this very thing. Essential Clay - a mic, a spot, and an orchestra – delivering the dulcet tones that make up such beautiful and captivating holiday songs as “Emmanuel” and “My Grown Up Christmas List.”.
The lucky fans in attendance receive a blessed holiday gift – all the music that has begun to define Clay as the voice of Christmas present. From Clive’s favorite, “Christmas Waltz,” to the magnificent show ending encore and title song of the recent EP, “All is Well,” Clay brings the spirit, and the reason, for the season to everyone in his presence.
And, he’s bringing more. Much more.
He’s bringing humor, he’s bringing playfulness, and he’s bringing a cocky new attitude. And I like it!
Who would have ever thought back in September, when Clay angrily confronted Diane Sawyer about the media’s constant prying into his private life, that just a few short months later he would be publicly laughing about the "next big tabloid scandal?" For that matter, who in a million years would ever imagine that a mere three days after the “national debate” (tm Inside Edition) sparked by the “hand over mouth” incident with Kelly Rippa, that Clay would parody himself on national TV during a major music awards show?
Yet here he is, holding court on stage, in the middle of a symphonic Christmas concert, laughing about the possibility that he could be the cover boy for next week’s National Idiot tabloid rag. Not only laughing about it, but snarking big time about his alleged "love child," a "…skinny, little redheaded kid running around" somewhere.
Clay may have grown up a bit sheltered, raised without the benefit of a strong male role model. But make no mistake – the man has received the education of a lifetime in the past three years. He’s seen the children of Uganda that move through the night to seek safety in city shelters. He has held the small hands of orphaned children in the tsunami ravaged Banda Aceh region of Indonesia, and he has no doubt heard the devastating stories of being in the midst of the war torn Middle East from his brother. Last, as well as least, he has been enlightened to the rotten-souled industry types of Hollyweird, not to mention some freaky “fans” along the way.
Let’s put some things in perspective here.
I don't see the world through the eyes of Clay Aiken. But through my own eyes, I can see that Clay has come full circle. Through his life experiences, his recent humanitarian work, and his dealings with those in the “pop culture” media, he has learned how to separate the honorable from the hubris, and to laugh at the envious wannabes who deign to smear his name, impugn his character, and harm his career. He has also learned that his fans are beginning to learn the same.
Many people don’t seem to understand the position Clay took in regard to the discussion of his private life. “Just one statement,” some pleaded. “Just say it one more time,” as if one or twenty one more times would suddenly cause the topic to dissipate. I think not; not while the pop culture media exists only to showcase the foibles and flaws of our stars. Not while a large segment of the American public still desires to know the failings of the American rich and famous, so as to make them feel more worthy as flawed human beings themselves. No, whatever he may say, they would continue to challenge him.
Because that’s what they do.
Grammy nominated artist James Blunt recently said, in answer to a personal question, “My music is for sale. My private life is not.” The thought process that states celebrities sign away their privacy when they decide to seek fame is obsolete. An entertainer owes the public nothing but to entertain us. Preferably in the course of doing their job. Singing, performing, acting – it’s a job, not a commitment to lay bare the most personal aspects of their lives. Unless they so choose of course.
I’m taking Clay’s lead. I’m laughing at these sad little people who seem to have no purpose in their lives other than to prop themselves up by besmirching those who are more talented, more influential, more treasured and admired. I’m rolling my eyes at their pitiful little hate filled commentary, because seriously, their words are meaningless to me, or to Clay.
They came at him for almost a year, a huge pile on from all sides. They didn't hurt him. He's still standing, still singing, still making a difference.
From now on, I will read it and not weep, but laugh. Loudly and with much passion. Or most likely, I’ll just skip it and not read it at all.....
Look at the big picture. Nothing they can do, or say, means anything, in the big picture. Listen to Clay. He knows what's important in this world, he's seen it. He is a man of substance, significance, and purpose.
Welcome back Mr. Aiken. You friggin rock.
touchstone (n) a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
Concert photos by Invisible926.
technorati tag: clay+aiken
technorati tag: christmas
technorati tag: concert
technorati tag: pop+culture
technorati tag: media
technorati tag: claymate
technorati tag: controversy
©touchstone 2006
I’ve been eagerly following the wondrousness that is Clay Aiken Live, as he begins his annual holiday tour; this version of which includes solo performances with local or traveling symphony orchestral groups, led by musical director Jesse Vargas, a veteran of the first Joyful Noise holiday tour.
In my mind’s eye, I always dreamed of just this very thing. Essential Clay - a mic, a spot, and an orchestra – delivering the dulcet tones that make up such beautiful and captivating holiday songs as “Emmanuel” and “My Grown Up Christmas List.”.The lucky fans in attendance receive a blessed holiday gift – all the music that has begun to define Clay as the voice of Christmas present. From Clive’s favorite, “Christmas Waltz,” to the magnificent show ending encore and title song of the recent EP, “All is Well,” Clay brings the spirit, and the reason, for the season to everyone in his presence.
And, he’s bringing more. Much more.
He’s bringing humor, he’s bringing playfulness, and he’s bringing a cocky new attitude. And I like it!
Who would have ever thought back in September, when Clay angrily confronted Diane Sawyer about the media’s constant prying into his private life, that just a few short months later he would be publicly laughing about the "next big tabloid scandal?" For that matter, who in a million years would ever imagine that a mere three days after the “national debate” (tm Inside Edition) sparked by the “hand over mouth” incident with Kelly Rippa, that Clay would parody himself on national TV during a major music awards show?Yet here he is, holding court on stage, in the middle of a symphonic Christmas concert, laughing about the possibility that he could be the cover boy for next week’s National Idiot tabloid rag. Not only laughing about it, but snarking big time about his alleged "love child," a "…skinny, little redheaded kid running around" somewhere.
Clay may have grown up a bit sheltered, raised without the benefit of a strong male role model. But make no mistake – the man has received the education of a lifetime in the past three years. He’s seen the children of Uganda that move through the night to seek safety in city shelters. He has held the small hands of orphaned children in the tsunami ravaged Banda Aceh region of Indonesia, and he has no doubt heard the devastating stories of being in the midst of the war torn Middle East from his brother. Last, as well as least, he has been enlightened to the rotten-souled industry types of Hollyweird, not to mention some freaky “fans” along the way.Let’s put some things in perspective here.
I don't see the world through the eyes of Clay Aiken. But through my own eyes, I can see that Clay has come full circle. Through his life experiences, his recent humanitarian work, and his dealings with those in the “pop culture” media, he has learned how to separate the honorable from the hubris, and to laugh at the envious wannabes who deign to smear his name, impugn his character, and harm his career. He has also learned that his fans are beginning to learn the same.
Many people don’t seem to understand the position Clay took in regard to the discussion of his private life. “Just one statement,” some pleaded. “Just say it one more time,” as if one or twenty one more times would suddenly cause the topic to dissipate. I think not; not while the pop culture media exists only to showcase the foibles and flaws of our stars. Not while a large segment of the American public still desires to know the failings of the American rich and famous, so as to make them feel more worthy as flawed human beings themselves. No, whatever he may say, they would continue to challenge him.
Because that’s what they do.
Grammy nominated artist James Blunt recently said, in answer to a personal question, “My music is for sale. My private life is not.” The thought process that states celebrities sign away their privacy when they decide to seek fame is obsolete. An entertainer owes the public nothing but to entertain us. Preferably in the course of doing their job. Singing, performing, acting – it’s a job, not a commitment to lay bare the most personal aspects of their lives. Unless they so choose of course.I’m taking Clay’s lead. I’m laughing at these sad little people who seem to have no purpose in their lives other than to prop themselves up by besmirching those who are more talented, more influential, more treasured and admired. I’m rolling my eyes at their pitiful little hate filled commentary, because seriously, their words are meaningless to me, or to Clay.
They came at him for almost a year, a huge pile on from all sides. They didn't hurt him. He's still standing, still singing, still making a difference.
From now on, I will read it and not weep, but laugh. Loudly and with much passion. Or most likely, I’ll just skip it and not read it at all.....
Look at the big picture. Nothing they can do, or say, means anything, in the big picture. Listen to Clay. He knows what's important in this world, he's seen it. He is a man of substance, significance, and purpose.
Welcome back Mr. Aiken. You friggin rock.
touchstone (n) a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
Concert photos by Invisible926.
technorati tag: clay+aiken
technorati tag: christmas
technorati tag: concert
technorati tag: pop+culture
technorati tag: media
technorati tag: claymate
technorati tag: controversy
©touchstone 2006
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