Joyful Noise 2005 Comes To An End

The 2nd annual Joyful Noise Tour (2005) came to an end last week in Clearwater, FL to a sold out, 5500 strong, audience at the Ruth Eckerd Hall. To celebrate the New Year, Clay performed What Are You Doing New Year's Eve off last year's Christmas album, Merry Christmas With Love.

Get Caught Up
JNT2005 Archives
This JNT2005 blog is now being archived and will continue to be available 24/7 for reference. You can browse our extensive tour coverage archives using the archive pull down menu on the left sidebar.

Recaps
We also have recaps from each of the 40 concerts.You can browse the recaps using this pull down menu which you can also access on the left sidebar.
- Select City -11/2 Vancouver, BC11/3 Portland, OR11/5 Eugene, OR11/6 Seattle, WA11/8 Oakland, CA11/9 Los Angeles, CA11/10 Los Angeles, CA11/11 San Diego, CA11/13 Phoenix, AZ11/15 Salt Lake City, UT11/16 Denver, CO11/18 Council Bluffs, IA11/19 Kansas City, MO11/21 Minneapolis, MN11/22 Chicago, IL11/25 Louisville, KY11/26 Cincinnati, OH11/27 Youngstown, PA11/29 Pittsburgh, PA11/30 Reading, PA12/2 New York City, NY12/3 New York City, NY12/4 New York City, NY12/6 Boston, MA12/8 Albany, NY12/9 Providence, RI12/10 Wallingford, CT12/11 Camden, NJ12/13 Washington DC12/14 Baltimore, MD12/16 Nashville, TN12/17 Atlanta, GA12/18 Pensacola, FL12/20 Columbia, SC12/21 Charlotte, NC12/22 Raleigh, NC12/27 Hollywood, FL12/28 Melbourne, FL12/29 Clearwater, FL12/30 Clearwater, FL

Photo Albums
Click here to see JNT2005 photo albums (PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE BOLDED ONES -- THEY'RE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Storyline Transcript
Click here to read a transcript of the JNT storyline/skit/theatrical elements

Some JNT tour info

• Opening act: Pianist William Joseph
• 40 shows long, started in Vancouver, Canada Nov. 2
• Clay hired 11 year old Gregory Ellis and his former music teacher Allison Lawrence for the concert's storyline.
• Clay's back-up singer Jacob Luttrell left the tour mid-way citing personal reasons. Clay took over Luttrell's solo, Emmanuel.
• Clay was backed up by back up vocalists Angel Fisher, Quiana Parler and his band, led by musical director Andy Abad. Most of the band had been with Clay for the 2004 tours as well as this summer's Jukebox Tour.

Timeline/Highlights
Some highlights sorted in a timeline format of this tour.

Aug. 25 - Clay announces at a Jukebox Tour concert in Toronto that the Christmas concert will begin Nov. 2 in Vancouver, Canada.
Aug. 27 - Hours after first show (Clearwater, Dec. 30) goes on sale, the concert becomes the first unofficial sellout. Venue adds second show for Dec. 29.
Sept. 3 - Back-up vocalists/band announce that they will return.
Sept. 8 - Official Fanclub releases statement regarding tour.
Sept./Oct. - Concert venues/dates announced by fanclub and venues.
Sept. 24 - Hurricane Rita creates cahos for ad agency promoting tour.
Sept. 24 - First newspaper print ad appears in Vancouver newspaper.
Sept. 29 - Pianist William Joseph confirms via his message board that he will be Clay's opening act.
Oct. 2- Belkin Productions announces that concerts will feature 'theatrical element'
Oct. 7- First major batch of tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster.
Oct. 8- Revised advertisement appears in newspapers across the country.
Oct. 12- Clay band member Andy Abad announced as musical director, succeeds S'Von Ringo.
Oct. 19- RCA Records press release issued, says tour will have a storyline. Concert dates/venues are finalized.
Oct. 27- Vancouver newspaper pre-concert article takes quotes off the Clayboard.
Oct. 28- Fanclub announces that each concert will have 100 specially designed Clay Aiken ornaments on sale.
Oct. 31- The Insider goes backstage at JNT.
Nov. 2- Clay opens JNT at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. Venue was 80-90% sold out.
Nov. 2- Setlist posted.
Nov. 2- Tourbook scans posted.
Nov. 3- ABC Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher takes in JNT rehearsals in LA.
Nov. 4- Canadian TV show Star! Daily interviews Clay.
Nov. 19- Back up vocalist Jacob Luttrell quits citing personal reasons.
Nov. 20- Clay re-organizes tour due to Luttrell's exit. Clay sings Luttrell's solo, Emmanuel.
Nov. 30- Clay does a 'special' version of Don't Save It All For Christmas Day... "Clay sang the line 'OH BABY, THAT'S A FACT' in what had to be THE most sensual way I have EVER heard him. There was a very loud gasp across the audience - I think it was a collective thud."
Nov. 30- Clay makes hasty exit at the end of 'Good News' at Reading concert... says fans used flash excessively.
Dec. 5- Clay takes time off in New York City to tape performances for CBS' Early Show and ABC's Good Morning America.
Dec. 17- Clay adds powerful ending to The First Noel.
Dec. 18- Raleigh News & Observer welcomes Clay home with looooong, positive article.
Dec. 22- Clay comes home to Raleigh... RBC Center packed...most of Clay's family and friends present... about 8500 out of the 10,000 available tickets were snapped up. Clay performs bluegrass song Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem for his Grandpa Aiken. RBC Center changes arena marquee to say "We Celebrate You Home, Clay Aiken. Merry Christmas With Love from your fans" (See Raleigh video in CDD's Video-On-Demand Player)
Dec. 22- Clay is interviewed by Raleigh TV Station WRAL (See Raleigh video in CDD's Video-On-Demand Player)
Dec. 23- Entertainment Tonight airs 2 minute piece about JNT.
Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30- Clay ends JNT with 4 consecutive days of performances in the sunshine state.
Dec. 30- Clay visits Bausch Gardens Adventure Park in Tampa Bay, FL.
Dec. 30- Clay ends the Joyful Noise Tour 2005 in grand style by singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" (he came in from the back of the theatre!) and introducing and thanking each and every cast member individually during his banter. Clay also kissed his former teacher/cast member Allison Lawrence during My Grown Up Christmas List. After the show, Clay was whisked off by a SUV.

Here is a complete listing of all the concerts Clay played during this tour.

November 2, 2005
Vancouver, BC, Canada, Queen Elizabeth Theatre

November 3, 2005
Portland, OR, Theater of the Clouds at Rose Garden Arena

November 5, 2005
Eugene, OR, Hult Center

November 6, 2005
Seattle, WA, McCaw Hall

November 8, 2005
Oakland, CA, Paramount Theatre

November 9, 2005
Los Angeles, CA, Kodak Theatre

November 10, 2005
Los Angeles, CA, Kodak Theatre

November 11, 2005
San Diego, CA, Civic Theatre

November 13, 2005
Phoenix, AZ, Dodge Theatre

November 15, 2005
Salt Lake City, UT, NuSkin Theatre @ The Delta Center

November 16, 2005
Denver, CO, Convention Center Theatre

November 18, 2005
Council Bluffs, IA, Mid America Center

November 19, 2005
Kansas City, MO, Midland Theatre

November 21, 2005
Minneapolis, MN, Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnisota

November 22, 2005
Chicago, IL, Chicago Theatre

November 25, 2005
Louisville, KY, Louisville Palace Theater

November 26, 2005
Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati Music Hall

November 27, 2005
Youngstown, OH, Chevrolet Center (formerly the Youngstown Convocation Center)

November 29, 2005
Pittsburgh, PA, Heinz Hall

November 30, 2005
Reading, PA, Sovereign Center

December 2, 2005
New York, NY, Beacon Theatre

December 3, 2005
New York, NY, Beacon Theatre

December 4, 2005
New York, NY, Beacon Theatre

December 6, 2005
Boston, MA, Orpheum Theatre

December 8, 2005
Albany, NY, Palace Theater

December 9, 2005
Providence, RI, Providence Performing Arts Center

December 10, 2005
Wallingford, CT, Chevrolet Theatre

December 11, 2005
Camden, NJ, Tweeter Center

December 13, 2005
Washington, DC, DAR Constitution Hall

December 14, 2005
Baltimore, MD, Lyric Opera House

December 16, 2005
Nashville, TN, Gaylord Entertainment Center

December 17, 2005
Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Civic Center

December 18, 2005
Pensacola, FL, Pensacola Civic Center

December 20, 2005
Columbia, SC, Township Auditorium

December 21, 2005
Charlotte, NC, Charlotte Bobcats Arena (New Charlotte Arena)

December 22, 2005
Raleigh, NC, RBC Center

December 27, 2005
Hollywood, FL, Seminole Arena

December 28, 2005
Melbourne, FL, King Center for the Performing Arts

December 29, 2005
Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall

December 30, 2005
Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall

CLEARWATER 2: Clay Plays Prank on William Joseph

Cute story about Clay playing pranks on his cast and his opening act/pianist William Joseph.

From the CV's stripedshirts:

I also have a sweet William Joseph story to share.

He was out in the lobby for the final time last Fri. to meet the patrons & pose for pics. I was one of the last to get to him after the crowd thinned out. It being the last show, I had held together pretty well - didn't break down as I thought I would during Clay's sets, as I was a weepy mess the night before.

However, when I got to William to praise & thank him, I started to tremble & said, "I think I'm going to cry" & covered my face. Imagine my surprise when both William & his assistant Maka both came forward & enveloped me in an embrace. whoa, they're BIG guys "awww, don't cry" Maka said, so I pulled myself together & told William how impressed I was w/ his "Amadeus" no. (where he lain on his back & played his piano, chin facing upwards).

We also kidded about how he was goofed on. "You're the rookie" I laughed. This is what he shared w/ me (shared as best as I can remember):

Right into his earpiece while he performed Kashmir, was Clay, who piped, "Hey, this is Clay. I just wanted to see how good you are keeping time" then "Invisible" was cranked up into William's ear to throw him off. Clay apparently had been in the control booth upstairs, watching William through the glass window before starting on the few goof-ups for fun William managed to keep on key, but boy, did he struggle! So that was a moment of mischief Clay pulled on William, the sneaky trickster.

Additional pranks pulled, was that all wigs & the phone were greased up w/ Vaseline & the snow machine was put on full blast, releasing chunks instead of flakes. I remember Brianne kept her wig on during "Celebrate Me Home", which she hadn't done before.....probably because her hair was all gooey from vaseline :lol During the church scenes, the sound crew was having a little fun w/ William again w/ putting different music into his ears while he tried to work w/ music of the scenes. But of course, nothing was done to Clay since after all, he is master director of the show & entirely excusable

William & I had a good chuckle there at the lobby as we cleared out of the concession area. I wished him the Best of Luck as he & his assistant Maka headed towards their SUV's. Sweet guy I do hope he comes back next tour w/ Clay, as he certainly won many hearts.

PENSACOLA: Don't Miss These Fantastic Shots

The Clay nation's best photographer, Tasapio has posted her FANTASTIC photos from last month's Pensacola concert. Click here to go to her gallery.

CLEARWATER 2: Clay Suprises Allison With Kiss

Clay suprised Allison Lawrence Saturday at the final Clearwater, FL show by planting a kiss on her cheeks during My Grown Up Christmas List. Allison was Clay's former music teacher in high school.

Video is now up in our Video-On-Demand player.

Clearwater Day 2 Recaps

Clay ends the Joyful Noise Tour 2005 in grand style last night by singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" (he came in from the back of the theatre!) and introducing and thanking each and every cast member individually during his banter. Clay also kissed his former teacher/cast member Allison Lawrence during My Grown Up Christmas List. After the show, Clay was whisked off by a SUV.

From the CB's zippy888:

I'm so glad to be part of the last concert. It was bittersweet, just as Clay said. I wanted to see the last concert and experience it but I didn't want it to end. :bluesniff :jump

From start to finish, the concert kept us guessing. Starting with William Joseph's opening act, it was hilarious to see William's piano being taken down while he was playing. It was indeed amazing to see William play the piano upside down. Poor William - he was quite befuddled.

Then when Clay came on - the thought that went through in my mind - it's the last show - no more Clay for a while. :bluesniff But he looked so good! :thud Pink chunks of cotton wool came down from above with the snow. It was quite funny!

Clay was really on last night - his voice soared above - new flourishes to all songs in the 2nd half of the concert. I was stunned to hear the beauty of that voice ring crystal clear through the whole Ruth Eckerd Hall.

DSIAFCD - Clay's banter - I've never heard him speak so much. The warmth and friendship in Clay's entourage was radiating last night. There were hugs and smiles, tears of laughter and joy. Wonderful!

WAYDNYE - Watched him come down from the top and managed to catch him towards the end on the main floor. Those lucky ladies got to dance with Clay! :thud

I can't believe that Joyful Noise 2005 is now over but it will remain in my mind for a long time

From CDD's renee4clay:

I am not good with words, and reading the past reviews, I hate to even try to write anything , it will pale in comparison. I'll just mention a few tidbits. I was on the far right hand. When Clays show started , the snow was coming down fast and furious and big chunks. Jerome was standing right inside the doorway next to me giggling away. He would pop in now and then and watch from there.

Clay was PERFECT. the voice was top notch, he changed some songs a little, put a little more emotion in some of them and brought us to our feet several times.

One of the coolest parts was after he sang The First Noel. He poured his heart and soul into it. He got a rousing standing ovation. The cheering wouldn't stop. Finally it stopped and they were about to go on when it swelled up AGAIN. It was the first SPONTANEOUS DOUBLE OVATION I've ever seen. the crowd had died down and the excitement made it just build right back into a full blown ovation again. . it was awesome.

The final banter was so emotional. Brianne was bawling, poor thing, She kept wiping her eyes, and the tears just kept coming. Same with Patricia. Patricia kept trying to turn around so no one would see her wiping her eyes but I was right there on her side and I could see her.

During the last scene with Beverly where she put the ornament in Tommy's backpack, that was the best I've ever seen that scene. It was great. She had tears streaking down her face and she almost sobbed. It was so heartfelt and real.

The crowd was unbelievable when Clay sang Baby that's a Fact. He looked so funny after he did it and heard our response. He seemed pleased with himself at his power to bring us to our knees. and when he came out at the top of the stairs for WAYDNYE, the crowd could not be contained. It was so exciting. I could barely see him. If he had come down my side I would have been right there on the isle, but that's ok, It was still so exciting, just hearing how crazy everyone was for him , that made me feel so good. He was phenomenal.

I have pictures. I will post soon.

WALLINGFORD: Local Actors Share JNT Experience

A group of actors from the Southington Community Theatre posted this photo taken with Clay earlier this month. Clay hired the group to be part of his JNT concert in Wallingford, CT Dec. 10. Read a news article about this here.

Clearwater Day 1 Recaps

From the CB's andee1960:

Am I the first one back with a report? Wow! I've never written a recap before, but here goes.

I can now die a happy woman. I got to hear Good News live. That song is just incredible and Clay is beautiful singing it. :lubdub

I must first thank claysauntmarlowe! I had never met her before tonight. I only found out I would be able to attend this show just a few days ago and had a ticket way back in the B section. I was sitting in the back by my lonesome when she came up and asked if I would like a ticket closer to the stage! (She had upgraded her tickets, I believe) I was a bit stunned at first, but it did not take me long to accept her offer. So, claysauntmarlowe, let me thank you again for your wonderful gift. :hug2 I've never seen Clay this close before. What a kind and generous thing to do for someone you have never met before! Clay fans are wonderful.

First of all, the venue was awesome. It is a very classy place and the staff was extremely helpful. Flash patrol was diligent. Overall about a dozen flashes that occurred throughout the entire show. The staff was pretty vigilant about it. While we were waiting for the doors to open at 7 p.m., someone from security came out and made a brief announcement: "He's pretty particular about the flashes. He will walk off the stage if it's bad..." Oooh. That was enough for me to hear. I worried throughout the show about excessive flashing. I did not even take my camera since I had thought I was going to be in the back section.

Ok...the show. Clay's hair looked wonderful tonight. Not too spiky. He seemed happy and in very good spirits. It was fun watching him as the vignettes took place--such cute expressions on his face. Socks appeared to be multi-striped--very colorful.

Outstanding moments: Merry Christmas With Love, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (so tender and elegantly sung) and Celebrate Me Home (did a mini growl here). Loved the Jingle Bells leg shake thing he does!

Second half: Blew me away. I just am in awe of this voice and this man. He got standing O's on The First Noel, HTHAS, and MDYK as well as Emmanuel. These songs were beautifully sung. MDYK was just perfection. So was Emmanuel.

Quiana got a standing ovation as well.

Banter was cute! Angela did the hip thing again. Clay got tongue tied and made those cute clucking noises to get himself straightened out. He mentioned several times that there was another show tomorrow night, but we would have to buy a ticket to get in! LOL

He told us to kiss the person next to us instead of hugging them, and then made a face and said: Ewww. So cute!

During Good News, there was not a single flash. This one will probably be a good download. :thumbup

Overall a great appreciate audience. Tampa Bay showed Clay the love tonight. The venue was very full. Only a few rows in the very back were empty. This was a great venue for Clay.

I simply loved this show. My Christmas is now complete. I got the ornament. It's Clay with the Christmas tree. It says Tampa Bay on it and has both nights listed.

Can I just say again how simply beautiful this man is? He is a work of art. He looks so good up on that stage.

Thank you Clay for writing this show and working so hard to make this an incredible experience for your fans.

Now must get to bed as I have to drive back to Georgia tomorrow. Sure wish I could see the last one.

Just remembered: During Sleigh Ride and Christmas Serenade, he interacted with the audience somewhat by pointing to several folks in the first few rows.

During DSIAFCD, when he sang "Oh Baby, that's a fact" he did the lower register (kind of like Elvis) and the crowd simply loved it.

During the glory note, he bent way down and then did the little "hop" thing at the end.

I'm sure I will remember more later. Just trying to capture it while fresh in my mind.

ETA: Just quickly skimmed the cellcert. To to let you know: there was some calling out by a few audience members...happened about three times. One lady yelled "Have my baby Clay" right before Quiana sang MGUCL. That was annoying. But overall not a big thing. I don't even think Clay heard it.

From the CB's angelcat4jc:

Wow!! Just wow!!

I loved it!!

I got row 8 seats and some people didn't show up in my row, so I got to spread out.

Ethel was there two rows behind me. During intermission, she came and sat in the empty seats next to me. She's a hoot!! She stood up and waved and pointed after the songs.

Lots of standing ovations tonight.

This was my second JNT2005 show. I went to the San Diego concert too.

I brought my mom and my sister. This was my sister's first Clay concert. She loved it, especially the second half. She brought her awesome camera and took pix without her flash. She'll see how those come out tomorrow.

Clay was really on tonight. He looked so happy. I was worried about his voice during the first song. He sounded like he was straining his voice and maybe a tiny bit off pitch or he was struggling to hit some notes. But the rest of the songs were great. I think he toned down some high notes and didn't hold out a note on one of the songs. He didn't do too much of a growl on CMH.

I had my binoculars and watched him a little through those. On Season for Romance towards the end, he looks out and points at the audience-I swear he looked straight at me!!

Loved Angela's song-it got me teary-eyed.

The First Noel was the best I had ever heard it. He got a standing ovation for that as well as many other standing ovations, especially during the second half.

This was the first time I got to see and hear Clay sing Emmanuel in person. He was just awesome!! Very emotional.

DSIAFCD was again spectacular. I loved how he bent down while holding out that note and then doing the little jump afterwards.

At the end of Good News, he walked back behind the curtain right before the last Good..............News. He sang that behind the curtain.

I sure wish I could go to the last show, but I have to head back to Texas. I start school back on Tuesday.

Had a wonderful time tonight.

Oh, my mom got a kick out of the "second-place" references during the vignettes. She was laughing out loud. I was worried that she wasn't going to enjoy herself, but she really ]was impressed and liked how he made the songs into a play. It made it more enjoyable to her. I had given her an mp3 recording of the songs from the show and she wasn't impressed. Then I got to thinking, well, she hasn't seen the show yet, so she couldn't visualize the songs. She loves them now.

Can't wait til the next tour next year!!

Now back to waiting and waiting and waiting......the drought is starting soon

From the CB's annie2053:

Well, I'm back. I read the cellcert (red reports only thread...thank you Starrgirl01 for doing that this evening! You did an awesome job!)

These are my rambling thoughts. I'm just writing as I remember.

First thing's first. Clay sang Good News! I'm so happy about that!
The socks colors that I saw were red, green, brown, and white horizontal stripes.

Clay looked so handsome. Sometimes he looked very young and sometimes he looked more mature. He's such a chameleon.

Everything that happened seems to have been reported correctly in the cellcert. And Andee1966 and angelcat4jc, your reviews are right on. You covered just about everything, and you remembered the details, which I attempted to do. But, as soon as the concert was over, I couldn't remember a lot! But your reviews are excellent reminders for me!

This is my one and only JNT2 concert and I loved it! It was a wonderful show, and I love the story. I think Clay made a good move in writing a storyline for this concert..

I have only downloaded the very first venue's vignettes, and all of the songs, but I've kept up with the banter and DSIAFCD downloads for most venues. I've also seen many of the special, exceptional songs or happenings from various venues. And, of course, I've read every cellcert and member review, so I'm not a virgin, but I haven't heard much of the other songs as the tour progressed.

The vignettes have improved sooooo much. The flow is smooth and tight, and nothing distracts from the message getting told. Believe it or not, I was so wrapped up in the story, that I had to keep reminding myself to look at Clay's reactions to what was going on on stage.
Clay is in total, 'in the zone', character throughout the show while he is the guardian angel. You can tell that he just absolutely loves doing this type of thing.

Some cracks in his voice were reported, and yes, I do agree, there were several, especially throughout act one. I could tell that he is fighting something. I don't know if it's all the talking he has to do during his usual daily routine of teaching, rehearsing, meet and greets, or what.
Or maybe a cold? However, considering all that he puts his voice through during the day, I think he sounded fabulous! Also, when you consider that many vocalists do not speak at all the day of a performance, I am just amazed at how well Clay's voice has sustained for this tour.

The good news is that it is evident that he has learned to recognize when he's fighting vocal strain or sludge or, whatever the case may be, and he works around it for a wonderful result.

In the bulk of this show, Clay's voice is naked. It is fully exposed for the audience to hear every single sound that comes from his throat. The instruments do not hide or cover up anything. I'd say it takes a very confident performer to do this night after night.

The accoustics were awesome in this venue. Last year, the sound was not quite right and any high, louder notes blasted our ears. Tonight was perfect. I've read many comments about the sound in the first act not sounding as good while the vocalists use the ear micrphones. Boy, do I agree with that! It was very noticeable. There was a slight buzzing sound on Clays ear/mic that you could hear when he was not singing. And even my husband said right away, that the ear/mics are making everyone sound pitchy.

As soon as ACT TWO started, he and I both noticed how much better everyone's voices sounded!

The second act was wonderful. This is where Clay's voice shines. He still was working around whatever was going on with his voice, but it was beautiful. I thought he did especially well on EMANUEL, MDYK, and DSIAFCD,

You should have seen the electrical tape assistance in the concert house! Ethel was there tonight, and she and others were yelling toward the back of the house asking if anyone needed electrical tape. My husband thought that was funny 'cause he had no idea about that, so I had to fill him in on it. There was a woman in the bathroom who had a disposable camera and I informed her about the 'no flash' restriction. She had no idea about it! So, I think it's the clueless that do a lot of the flashing.

I think the first flash happened during Jingle Bells. Then there were some sporadically throughout the the first half, but really not many. Then there were 2 or 3 during the banter and 3 or 4 during DSIAFCD. I thought, uh oh! But we did get Good News! No flashes during good news that I could tell.

It's really neat the way Clay exits right before the last line of "Good" "News". The way they did the lighting for that exit was very effective. The white light is off of Clay, but now on Angela and Quianna, while they are singing. Then, when Clay's last "Good News" happens the light goes back on to center stage where he WAS, but this time it is not a white light, but a pinkish/red light, and all that you see is the curtains coming back together and you hear Clay sing "Good....... News". I just thought that was very, very effective. I loved it.

I'm sorry, that this is very disconnected and that I'm skipping around, but this is how I'm remembering things.

The first intermission was long. About 30 to 35 mins. After 20 minutes people started showing their restlessness and started clapping.

I did hear the "Clay, have my baby!" after MDYK. At least that's what I thought I heard. It came from the center back of the house. The audience immediately groaned their dissaproval and disgust to that outburst!

CMH did have nice shortened growl. I love that song! I enjoyed hearing Clay singing the softer songs in the first half. Christmas Serenade was lovely. He connects to the audience on this song.

"Baby that's a fact" was done to the audience. And it was a very Elvisy one (in my opinion)!
Ooo-la-la! It's the best I've heard! It seemed like the whole house swooned after he did it, then immediately I heard laughter...people laughing at the swooning! Ha ha!

During MGUCL, Quiana sang "heal all hearts" lower just like Clay did on GMA. It sounded wonderful! She has a beautiful voice.

This concert was my husband's first time seeing Clay live. He would be one of the people that Clay would have brought up on stage for the JBT. But he respects my love of Clay's voice. He's only heard him sing on the finale of AI2 and his appearances on AI3. So he only got to hear him sing and talk from AI3. He is clueless to Clay's progression as a performer and knows nothing of his banter personality appeal. That is, until tonight.

Here are his thoughts that he shared with me:

* The first half mics made the songs sound pitchy in some places.

* The second half was great while they used the regular mics.

* Quiana has a good voice.

* Clay has confidence.

* Clay has confidence in his voice.

* I love this story. It's so touching, and creative that he did this!

* Wow, he really does have a powerful voice!

* AFTER THE BANTER:

* He's a ham!

* You can tell he loves doing this.

* He seems like a genuinely nice guy.

* This show should be on as a Christmas Special on TV. It would be perfect!

* I can see now why you like him so much. I think it's not only his voice, but his personality on stage that you like.

BINGO! He gets it!

Okay, so he's not a Clay Dawg, but my point is, it only took this one performance and a small amount of banter to enlighten my husband!

And this is the comment that surprised me:
I appreciate that he has a good voice and everything, but I think I'd prefer to hear him sing more contemporary songs.

It's been a year since I've heard Clay live, and he did not disappoint. He gets better and better. I loved experiencing Clay making a Joyful Noise for me! Thank you Clay!

CLEARWATER 1: St. Petersburg Times Review

A review of last night's concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL.

'Claymates' cheer Aiken show
By MARTY CLEAR
Published December 30, 2005

CLEARWATER - It was late in the year for a Christmas concert. But for the Claymates - the oddly fanatical followers of engaging young singer Clay Aiken - the timing and the topic couldn't have mattered less. They would probably have hooted, hollered and swooned just as enthusiastically if their idol had sung a list of area codes.
All but the back few rows of Ruth Eckerd Hall were filled Thursday night for Clay Aiken: Joyful Noise 2005, a bizarre combination of a concert and a play.

The crowd was about 95 percent female, but it was chronologically diverse. Preteens, baby boomers and retirees were about equally represented.

Before Aiken took to the stage, many looked lovingly through the souvenir programs they had bought in the lobby. Others Continue reading -- 'Claymates' cheer Aiken show

Article copyright 2005 Martin Clear. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

BOSTON: Friends Gets Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Best friends perform with Clay Aiken from 'American Idol'
Friday, December 30, 2005

Michael Hammond and Paula Markowicz have been best friends since the age of five, and their 34 year friendship has led them to share many experiences

They first performed together in the musical "Gypsy" at Holbrook Junior/Senior High School, and after graduating in 1984, they continued performing.

"Our favorite show that we played opposite each other in was 'Ragtime' at the Company Theatre. We love to perform, but it is extra special when we get to perform together," Michael said.

The biggest opportunity came when they were both asked to perform on Dec. 6 at the Orpheum Theatre with Clay Aiken from the hit "American Idol" TV show.

"We watched 'American Idol' on television, and then I was on stage with one," Michael said

"It was a bit surreal to be in Boston on the Orpheum stage in the 'falling snow' singing Christmas songs, surrounded with the familiar voices of your friends, who are each remarkably talented individually. Then let's add the audience of 2,700 looking on, and as you look across the stage, you see that you are sharing it with someone you looked forward to watching and rooted for week after week on 'American Idol.' What a kick!" Paula said.

Walking into the Orpheum Theatre was amazing just knowing that my brother, who has performed all of his life, was given such a great opportunity.

The anticipation was overwhelming. As I handed the ticket to the usher and she found our seats, I saw my brother in the doorway waving. I couldn't stop smiling. I was so proud of him.

Her face described it all when Paula's daughter Deliah came running down the aisle, waving to us with a big smile. She was so excited to see her mom perform with Clay.

As I sat in the audience holding my son's hand, talking to my brother Neil, and looking at my ecstatic parents, I tried to sit still in my seat waiting for the show to start.

A young woman in front of me asked, "Are you related to someone in the show?" I answered proudly, "Yes, my brother. Michael Hammond."

Right away, the young woman started saying, "Michael is going to be directing 'Peter Pan,' my daughter is trying out on Friday, and he is also a great video photographer."

You want to talk about a proud moment: listening to someone talk so highly of your brother.

What a nice woman, but when she started to talk about her daughter, I could see something in her eye.

The woman said, "My daughter Sara is in the show also. She is 10, and she called me on the phone when she first met Clay. She said, 'I just shook Clay Aiken's hand, and I'm never washing my hand again.'"

I could see Sara's mother's eyes fill up, and I saw how proud she was of her daughter. It was such a beautiful moment.

The lights went down, and there dressed in white was Clay Aiken. The crowd cheered, but all I saw was my brother Michael smiling.

The show was amazing. Clay lit up the room with his outstanding voice, but it only got better at the end when Clay came out to talk to the audience and introduce all the people in the show.

He even joked about buying Clay Aiken merchandise in the lobby. His show has such a personal touch.

Clay let Andrew and Sara say hello, announced what their ages were, and told the audience what a great job they did.

Clay, dressed in black with a red tie, began to walk back and forth across the stage, saying how wonderful it was to work with such a great bunch of people when a woman from the audience decided to interrupt him.

"Excuse me," Clay said. "What is so important that you have to interrupt my show?"

The audience laughed, and Clay walked over to the woman and said, "Stand up. What is it you wanted to say?"

The woman stood up and couldn't say anything. I think she was in shock.

She sat down, and Clay said, "Are you sure you have nothing to say?"

She was still stunned and just said, "Ahh."

Clay asked her to stand up again, but this time he gave her a big hug.

The audience cheered and yelled "Clay."

Clay commented, "Some of the most talented people that we have in this country started out in community theatre."

After the show I was still overwhelmed with excitement, and so was my Uncle Robert and my Auntie Arlene.

In fact, my auntie couldn't wait to purchase the Clay Aiken Christmas ornament that they were selling in the lobby. She even took the time to joke with the sales clerk.

"It's just Clay's picture on this," she said. "Where is my nephew's picture? He should be on the side. Don't worry. I'm going to put a picture on myself when I get home."

We waited for my brother and Paula to come out from backstage, and when I first saw them they had an indescribable glow in their faces.

I was able to ask Michael and Paula about what were some of their favorite parts of the show and best moments.

"The best moment about singing with Clay Aiken for me was that my four-year-old nephew Jacob thought that he saw me waving to him. I couldn't see him in the crowd of 2,700 people, but I tried to wave in his direction. He didn't seem to care about seeing Clay Aiken, but truly believed that I was waving just to him," Michael smiled.

"When Clay met us and shook hands individually, he started with the kids first and when he got to the end, Clay said that he didn't remember everyone's name, but he remembered Andrew (seven years) because he complimented him. He said he liked his song ("Don't Save It All") when Clay shook his hand," Paula said.

Clay, who brought his elementary music teacher, Allison Lawrence, on tour with him to perform in his show, took great care of the cast backstage.

"Allison was reading an excerpt from Clay's book that was about her as a teacher and how Clay would fool around and got kicked out of class. Ask John about the page (101) in the book for exact verbiage," Paula said.

To end the night, we all took the train home, and the train was full of people. Everyone was reading their books and not talking until one woman noticed my Auntie Arlene's Clay Aiken ornament.

The woman said, "We just saw Clay Aiken tonight."

Now, of course, my beaming Auntie Arlene said, "My nephew was in the show. He's right there."

She pointed across the train.

One by one, you saw people closing their books, smiling, and listening about the night we had watching Michael and Paula perform with Clay Aiken.

Paula and Michael are currently preparing for upcoming roles, but were asked to perform again for Clay in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Michael is directing "Peter Pan" at Bay Colony Productions and performing in a show in Boston with Animus Ensemble called "Promises, Promises." He will be performing in "Ragtime" at the New Rep Theatre in April.

WALLINGFORD: QU Chronicle Review

Sorry, a bit late. We just found this today.

Clay Aiken makes "Joyful Noise" in Wallingford
By: Allison Corneau
Arts&Entertainment

Christmas cheer came to the area early with Clay Aiken's "Joyful Noise" tour, appearing at Wallingford's Chevrolet Theatre for the second year in a row. Last Saturday's performance, attended by approximately 3,500 fans, was part of Aiken's 36-city holiday tour that kicked off in early November and will continue through the end of this month.

Wallingford's first taste of the holiday show came by way of Michael W. Smith's "Christmastime," which featured Aiken crooning, clad in pristine white suit, backed by twelve members of the Southington Community Theatre. As the show progressed, fans witnessed Aiken's interpretation of a Christmas miracle-through a series of vignettes he penned interlaced with selections from his 2004 "Merry Christmas With Love" album.

The story is rather simple: a middle-aged widow who lost the feeling of Christmas with her husband gone and son grown turns to a neighborhood youngster to lift her spirits and offer camaraderie during the winter season. It is certainly not difficult to guess how this story ends, but the true enjoyment in the performance comes from appreciating how Aiken and company succeed in making a traditional premise unique. Although he conceptualized the production, the singer often remains out of the spotlight, assuming a 'guardian angel' role, allowing the widow Beverly (Greenwich native Alison Lawrence, Aiken's high school choir teacher) and precocious young Tommy (North Carolinian Gregory Ellis) to share their Christmas tale.

The theatrics are laid on rather thick during "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," when Australian brother-sister duo Adam and Patricia Kent waltz to a backing of Aiken's vocals, but the requisite schmaltz gives way mid-song to the real reason fans were in attendance that evening: Aiken's powerfully serene and quite impressive range. Yes, that kid's got some pipes, even though he appeared to be slightly hesitant and vocally reserved, as if perhaps nursing a cold. Even so, fans consistently hung on his every note.

Act one's standout was undoubtedly the closing vignette, when Beverly reunites with her family in a scene that culminates with Aiken wowing the crowd with his version of the Kenny Loggins tune "Celebrate Me Home." Again backed by the Southington group, Aiken is joined by the rest of his company - including a too-thin Santa Claus who must have adhered to the Zone diet in his off-time - amid a festive falling snow, for the ballad stressing the importance of family.

The performance's second half was far more religious, set during a church service, and offered Aiken's take on holiday classics including a melody of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The act relied heavily on narration by young Ellis, who often delivered his key lines too quickly, only to be lost on the audience, even just a few rows away. The blasé "O Come O Come Emmanuel" was followed by "Mary Did You Know," which proved to be the set's saving grace, with Aiken tightening up his vocals to perfectly showcase every note of the tune's haunting melody.

Aiken's two back-up vocalists performed their own solo holiday tunes during the second half, with Quiana Parler's rendition of "My Grown Up Christmas List" being a clear audience favorite. Indeed, the spotlight was clearly on Aiken, but this South Carolina native deserves a record deal in her own right-and fast.

Following a quick costume change into a dapper black suit and festive red tie, Aiken bounced back onto the stage offering a cheery "Merry Christmas, Connecticut!" before launching into a rousing performance of the Celine Dion original "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day." All was forgiven for Aiken's somewhat subdued performance at that moment, however, when his humorous banter with the audience and intermittent laughter proved he was ready and willing to give Connecticut what they came to see. He seemed to pleasantly surprise even himself during the tune, which showcased his stellar range with an ending glory note that brought the house to its feet. Aiken closed his two-hour performance with an encore of "Good News."

Twenty-five-year-old piano phenom William Joseph opened the show with selections from his debut Warner release "Within." The handsome and charismatic performer treated the crowd to a cover of Led Zepplin's "Kashmir" and an original tune, "Homeward Bound," among others. Joseph's version of elevator music with an edge received a series of hearty standing ovations from the crowd, many of whom strolled in midway through his twenty minute set.

Clay Aiken's "Joyful Noise 2005" tour, with William Joseph and featuring members of the Southington Community Theatre, Dec. 10, 2005. Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford.

CLEARWATER: St. Petersberg Times Mention

Weekend trivia
By Times Staff Writer
Published December 29, 2005

THIS WEEK: Clay Aiken, who was the runner-up on American Idol in its second season, performs in Clearwater tonight and Friday. Other runners-up have not been as successful as Aiken. To enter the random drawing for a Weekend beach bag, tell us the name of the runner-up in American Idol's third season.

Fax entries to Weekend Trivia, 727 892-2327, e-mail weekendtrivia@sptimes.com or mail to: Weekend Trivia, c/o Weekend, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Mailed entries must be postmarked by Friday (the day after we ask the question). Faxes and e-mail must arrive by noon Monday. Include your full name, address and phone number.

Melbourne Recaps

From the CB's Redhairisbeautiful:

I just got home from Clay's show. What a truly remarkable young man he is. What a fanastic show it was. I've watched many videos of JNT2005 and they have been wonderful to watch over and over again. But nothing can compare to actually being there to watch him. Also to hear his voice projecting out into the auditorium is just priceless. I had goosebumps on my arms so many times tonight. The power, the range, and the purity of his voice is indescribable. This was my first show of this tour and I'm so thankful I am blessed to be able to go to his last two also. I can't get enough of his powerful, beautiful voice. Not to mention his great looks too. It has been an evening that I will never forget.

From the CB's Neveda Clayfan:

Naturally, I loved the show. My husband attended with me and he enjoyed the show as well. He just can't understand why all of us are so obsessive about Clay. It was a very appreciative crowd and a full house which we are all very happy to see. I was also impressed with the number of men attending the show. I know there are some who don't care for the vignettes but my husband and I were in agreement that the vignettes worked very well with the music. I attended JN last year and I think this performance was probably even better than last year. Other than a time or two when his voice cracked ever so slightly, he was in very good voice and I did not hear one flat note all night. I had been particularly waiting for Emmanuel which was absolutely fabulous and Don't Save it All for Christmas Day. He sure did give it his all for that glory note!

One note about the flashes. I only saw maybe three flashes the entire night. Perhaps there were many more that I did not see but event security was very rigorous in forcing people to leave or cover their flashes. So, I'm not quite sure why Clay would decide not to do Good News because of flashes. Perhaps he is not doing Good News because when he does this particular song, that is when he gets the worst of the flashes, I don't know. Unfortunately, I don't know that flashes will ever be stopped entirely. Is Clay going to start lopping songs off his program because of this? How will this ever get fixed????

Hollywood Recaps

From the CB's zippy888:

My family and I went to see Clay last night and it was truly amazing. We had gone to see Clay in the first 4 at the start of the tour and now we are here to see the last 4! :woohoo

First I got to tell you what happened before the concert began. At about 3 p.m., CLAYGAL, clayheaven(my sis) and I ventured to the ticket box office. We met Gregory Ellis and Raleigh outside a store. We said our Hi! and hoped that Gregory was feeling better. We even got our pictures taken with Gregory and Raleigh. We also got to say Hi to Gregory's mom. That was so neat and a thrill for my sister as she's never seen Raleigh up close! :clap

Managed to clayvert a few people in the audience. :7up

No William Joseph! Started right into the show. William Joseph was at the concert. No idea why William didn't open last night. Could be the timing factor.

Met lots of clack gatherers here - no worries there will be clack! Hi to canfly, SLC, Scarlett, Spooky and StaciaLynn! :wave :bow

Clay looked as handsome as ever! What a hunk! He is so devastatingly handsome it's sometimes hard to breathe! Took lots of pictures. :thud

His speaking voice is a little hoarse but his singing is fine. I got to hear Emmanuel live for the first time. It was just stunning! I also got to watch CMH - a much different version from the first leg of the tour. He growled in a few spots. :thud

The crowd was a little raucous - don't know if it's because of the casino crowd or liquour or something. Many of them were non-internet fans with flash and disposable cameras. My sis and I went around and stopped several people from taking flash photography. The ushers were useless and they didn't do their job. So many security guys and ushers but none did anything drastic to haul people away. I saw Clay flinch a few times during Good News. I really felt for him. It took him about 5 mins before he came out to sing Good News. It was almost as if he didn't want to come out. But everyone was coaxing and cheering him to come out. People were starting to leave. :(

The buses was really weird. About 10 of us were waiting for Clay at the buses. Security came and shut the gate and started to chase us away. Kept insisting that security was breached as we were behind the casino. Security said that he was going to call the cops if we weren't going to leave. That was upseting that we couldn't say goodbye to Clay. It seemed like Security was hurrying up Clay's entourage to leave. The red trucks all left within an hour of the show! That is unusual. :huh

Now, it's off to Melbourne.

From the CB's jjung:

My daughter called me after the concert and mentioned that during the pre-party some glow sticks were passed out. She didn't think there were many but she was surprised when she looked back from her seat and saw a sea of glowing lights. The fans swinging them to the music. She said it was amazing. She did video this - hopefully we'll figure out how to post it.

She had gone to the LA concerts but said this one was so much better. She also mentioned that there were a lot of guys in the audience - about one third (probably came to gamble). But they seem like genuine fans yelling, applauding and whistling a lot. I heard that whistling on the cell cert - I was wondering how females could whistle like that. Two men sitting close to her were even waving their glow sticks.

She said Clay looked happier than ever - his voice was stong and that he seemed to interact and look at the fans much more than her previous concert.

Good News was cut short - no fading into the curtain - just walked off quickly - but the fans seem to think that there was some time constraints going on. It didn't seem like he was going to do it all - but the fans kept shouting and screaming "WE WANT CLAY" - I think he was moved by it and returned to give them a least a little of it.

Hollywood showed the love! I could hear the screams and excitement on the cell cert. Thank you!

My daughter also mentioned that she along with about 10 other fans who were waiting for the buses were chased away by some mean security guard. They did see Clay run to the bus and pull down the shade. Gee, again it seemed like they were in a big rush to get out of there. When she called me it was around 12AM their time and Clay was already on the bus. That seemed kinda of early to me.

From the CB's Joy2talktoU:

After a near crisis with transportation to the venue, I made it to my seat at 7:55. Willie Joe did not open. There was some kind of problem with curfew issues, so Clay started at about 8:10.

First the bad news....he has either a cold or another sinus infection, fellow clayfans. Alison also sounded very raspy. He pushed through all the songs but could not hold the notes out as he usually does. In MY OPINION....he had NO plans to sing Good News because of his voice, and some scattered flashes, but the crowd started to scream and they practically had a riot on their hands. Finally, after a good 5 - 6 minutes, they stopped the canned carols and started Good News. Angela and Quiana had to stand out there at the sides of the stage for what seemed forever...waiting for the crowd to settle down. Funny thing....the lights didn't come up for quite a while, then they did come up, but only very briefly, then went down again. Clay did not hit the high notes at the end at all. It was all done in the lower register. Very very cry-inducing. Very interesting to hear it that way.

He got me started with OHN, the tears started to fall, then wiped up the floor with me during Emanuel, then killed me off with MDYK. Even sick, the vox is still golden.

He did hit THE NOTE in DSIAFCD and managed to hold it out. I am so loving this man. The crowd was good, but not excellent. Very few standing O's, very few standing during the O's. At the end, they stood and cheered so it was a different sort of crowd than we are used to. I think that if he had not come out for Good News, they would have rushed the stage. I am serious here. Everyone was standing and cheering, and saying "Clay, Clay, Clay"...and when that didn't work, they were screaming "We Want Clay!!!!" No One was going anywhere without hearing GN. It was wild.

We had some flashers, but not too many. From my vantage point up on the side, the ushers were seriously playing Gestapo Agent. Several people way back on the floor were dragged out of there kicking and screaming. Not nice to watch. Part of the problem was that liquor was flowing like water. After all, this was a casino and they were selling all sorts of mixed drinks as well as beer and wine. Of course during the process, the "ejectees" had to mouth off loudly.

The box office said 5100 seats sold out of 5500. They may have been sold/comped, but the entire 3rd level was empty except for about 100 people.

All in all, it was a terrific concert. Clay was wonderful and totally spoonable. Only three left.......:bluesniff

HOLLYWOOD: Raleigh Gets A Big Hug

Gregory Ellis, an actor on the tour gave a big hug to Raleigh at last night's concert in Hollywood, FL.

MELBOURNE: Fans Flock To See Clay

Article from FloridaToday.com about tonight's concert in Melbourne, FL.

Clay Aiken spreads 'Joy' in Brevard
Claymates flock to King Center tonight to catch holiday concert
BY BREUSE HICKMAN
FLORIDA TODAY

Christmas with Clay. North Carolina native and "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken returns to the King Center for the Performing Arts for a Christmas concert tonight. "He may not be super good-looking, but his singing makes him beautiful," fan Mary Miracle of Palm Bay said.

Clay Aiken
Birthday: Nov. 30, 1978 Hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Where it started: He was runner-up to 2003 "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard Education: Special education major at University of North Carolina in Charlotte Height: 6 feet, 1 inches Weight: 145 pounds CDs: "Measure of a Man" and "Merry Christmas With Love" Book: "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life"
In concert
What: "The Joyful Noise Tour" When: 8 tonight Where: King Center in Melbourne Tickets: $55 to $62.50 Info: 242-3789

It doesn't matter how often he's asked, Clay Aiken said he still can't figure out why so many women of all ages are so crazy about him.

"I go on to some of the fan sites and I still don't have any idea why they choose me," Aiken recently said by phone. "The only thing I know how to do is to be myself and sing and play the stuff I enjoy doing."

After Ruben Studdard barely beat Aiken on "American Idol" in 2003, some critics mused Aiken could count on a short-lived boy-band stint at best.

Instead, he built an audience of fans, many of whom weren't likely to cover their bedroom walls with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears posters.

Palm Bay nurse Mary Miracle, 52, said his appeal has a lot to do with how he sells the songs in concert.

Two years ago, she and a couple of girlfriends headed to Miami to see his first tour, where self-described Claymates ranging from "teenagers to grandmas were screaming just as loud as I was," she said.

Then she saw his Christmas show last year at the King Center in Melbourne.

"He may not be super good-looking, but his singing makes him beautiful," Miracle said. "He puts on such a fantastic show."

His broad appeal is perhaps because of his song selections.

A summer concert found the 27-year-old crooning songs from the '50s through the '90s.

Aiken said this year's Christmas show is not a repeat of last year's -- though most of the songs are from his "Merry Christmas With Love" CD released in November 2004.

This year, he's added a story line -- one he penned himself.

"This year I wanted to think of a way to connect the songs together, you know, to make it new and fresh," he said. "I got bored one day and sat down to do an outline and just went crazy. It turned out pretty good. I was quite surprised."

Aiken hired two actors -- including his high school music teacher Alison Lawrence -- to play a grumpy old woman and spirited little boy. He said during his "Idol" days he was careful not to get caught up in the drama, and that included not taking snarky "Idol" judge Simon Cowell too seriously.

"I barely heard what he was saying," Aiken said. "I was usually thinking of something else."

After the holidays, Aiken will return to the studio to finish a new CD. Getting it played on radio is not a priority.

"It's not short sighted to say we don't have a plan yet," he said. "But I certainly don't want to get stuck in trying to predict how the industry works.

"I don't really like to play to trends, and I don't know how long I will be doing this. So I want to enjoy what I do."

Contact Hickman at 242-3789 or bhickman@flatoday.net