something that really happened

"Something About Us" by Clay Aiken (lyrics)

2008-05-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Something About Us
written by Michael O'Brien, Scotty Wilbanks, and Regie Hamm

Stop the music
Play the song
And we'll dance together
all night long
The spotlight glows
Somehow it knows
That there's something about us

People smile
When they walk by
There's too much magic to deny
A Fool can see
We're meant to be
There's something about us
Something about us

The words on every poet's tongue
Every love song ever sung's
About us
It's about us
From Romeo to Juliet
To plays they haven't written yet
It's old and new
It's a classic tale of two
In a perfectly perfect love

You can see it in our way
And how we spend our nights and days
A crazy laugh
A photograph
There's just something about us
Something about us

The words on every poet's tongue
Every love song ever sung's
About us
It's about us
From Romeo and Juliet
To plays they haven't written yet
It's old and new
It's a classic tale of two
In a perfectly perfect love

Stop the music
Play the song
And we'll dance together all night long
We'll reminisce of moments like this
'Cause there's something about us
Yes there's something about us
Oh there's something about us

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Something About Us, lyrics, Michael O'Brien, Scotty Wilbanks, Regie Hamm

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 5/9/08

2008-05-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here are the new Radio & Records chart rankings for the American Idol alumni:

CHR/Top 40
02 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)
23 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (-9)

Rhythmic
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)

Hot AC
01 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (+1)
17 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (+2)

AC
07 Daughtry - Home (=)
09 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (=)
15 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (+2)
19 Kimberley Locke - Fall (=)
29 Paula Abdul & Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (=)

Urban
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (+4)

Country
10 Carrie Underwood - Last Name (-1)
22 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy (-2)
28 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me (+1)
56 Bucky Covington - I'll Walk (+4)

Christian AC
18 Chris Sligh - Empty Me (=)

Christian CHR
23 Chris Sligh - Empty Me (=)

Gospel
12 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do (+2)

Canada AC
19 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (+2)
37 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You (+3)

Canada Hot AC
07 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (-1)
08 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (-1)
39 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (-6)

Canada Country
07 Carrie Underwood - Last Name (+2)
37 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl (-1)
46 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind (-8)

Canada CHR
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)
41 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (+2)

Technorati Tags: American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, Daughtry, Kimberley Locke, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Bucky Covington, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Elliott Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Radio & Records, chart

"The Real Me" by Clay Aiken (lyrics)

2008-05-08T18:12:00.001-07:00

The Real Me
written by Natalie Grant

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache
Will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show?
Does anybody know?

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Reveal me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
No need to hold back my frailty
'Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade
Always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

That you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Reveal me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
No need to hold back my frailty
'Cause you see the real me

Shadows of shattered dreams
They've followed me,
they've haunted me
But you've taken the broken pieces of my life
And helped me to believe

You see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Reveal me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
No need to hold back my frailty
'Cause you see the real me

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, The Real Me, lyrics, Natalie Grant

Listen to "On My Way Here" on AOL's Full CD Listening Party

2008-05-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

You can now listen to the whole album "On My Way Here" on AOL's Full Listening Party site. I urge you to go and listen.

After reading some of the rather dismissive and snide reviews out there and then listening to this album... I am having a huge disconnect. What I am hearing in no way resembles what is being described by some of these critics. I am rather flummoxed by it, but I guess I am not really surprised. Music is definitely subjective, but some comments seem to come from a dislike of Clay Aiken himself and not really about his music... which is too bad since a music review should really be about... I don't know... music? Not the artist's personality, rumors or the fans. How much credence can you give a reviewer who gives somebody like Ashley Simpson (no disrespect to Ashley, but still) or Paris Hilton high marks for their albums, but trashes Clay's music. It does not compute.

In any case, what really matters is what you think of the music. Listen for yourself, and if you like it, buy the album! Personally, if my opinion counts for anything, it is well worth it. The album is meaningful and beautiful to listen to. It is lyrically driven and is not composed entirely of ballads. It is a well balanced album that has great hooks and very interesting production. Everytime I listen to it I hear something new.

If you plan on buying from iTunes, I think you only have a few hours left to take advantage of procuring the bonus track with your pre-order. Hurry and order it now!

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, AOL, Listening Party, iTunes, reviews

Send a Mother's Day E-Card from Clay Aiken

2008-05-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

You can send a special Mother's Day e-card from Clay Aiken. There is a video of Clay wishing you a happy Mother's Day and singing "On My Way Here" in the studio.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, Mother's Day, On My Way Here

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 5/2/08

2008-05-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

Here are the new Radio & Records chart rankings for the American Idol alumni:

CHR/Top 40
02 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)
14 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (-1)

Rhythmic
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (+2)

Hot AC
02 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (=)
19 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (+6)

AC
07 Daughtry - Home (-1)
09 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (+2)
17 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (-1)
19 Kimberley Lock - Fall (-2)
29 Paula Abdul & Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (=)

Urban
08 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)

Country
09 Carrie Underwood - Last Name (+1)
20 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy (+3)
29 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me (+1)
60 Bucky Covington - I'll Walk (New)

Christian AC
18 Chris Sligh - Empty Me (+1)

Christian CHR
23 Chris Sligh - Empty Me (+1)

Gospel
14 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do (=)

Canada AC
19 Kalan Porter - Down In Heaven (-1)
21 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (=)
40 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You (+6)

Canada Hot AC
06 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (+1)
09 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)
33 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (+4)

Canada Country
09 Carrie Underwood - Last Name (+4)
36 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl (-10)
38 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind (-2)

Canada CHR
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air (=)
43 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight (-4)
49 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (re-entry)

Technorati Tags:
Jordin Sparks, Daughtry, Kimberley Locke, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Chris Brown, Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Bucky Covington, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Kalan Porter, Elliott Yamin, Kellie Pickler, American Idol, Radio & Records, chart

Clay Aiken on QVC

2008-04-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder to watch Clay Aiken on QVC tomorrow, April 28 at 7:00 pm ET (that will be 6PM Central, 5PM Mountain, and 4PM Pacific time). Go here to see Clay's promo video for the QVC appearance. Just click on the "Show Details" link.

If for some reason you don't have access to the TV at the time or don't get QVC, you can watch a live stream. Just go to the QVC home page and click on the "Watch Live TV" in the menu bar to the left.

Also, you do not have to call in your order. Just set up an account with QVC here and you can do your ordering online at the time of the show.

In any case, you don't want to miss this show since Clay will be performing songs from his new CD On My Way Here.

Technorati Tags:
Clay Aiken, QVC, On My Way Here

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 4/25/08

2008-04-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here are the new Radio & Records chart rankings for the American Idol alumni:

CHR/Top 40
02 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
13 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Rhythmic
06 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Hot AC
02 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
25 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

AC
06 Daughtry - Home
11 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
16 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
17 Kimberley Locke - Fall
29 Paula Abdul & Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow

Going for Adds:
Clay Aiken - On My Way Here

Urban
08 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Country
10 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
23 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy
30 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me

Christian AC
19 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Christian CHR
24 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Gospel
14 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do

Canada AC
18 Kalan Porter - Down In Heaven
21 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
46 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You

Canada Hot AC
07 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
09 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
37 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Canada Country
13 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
26 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
26 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind
39 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us

Canada CHR
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
39 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Technorati Tags:
American Idol, Radio & Records, radio, chart, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, Daughtry, Kimberley Locke, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Kalan Porter, Elliott Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington

Clay Aiken News Tidbits

2008-04-19T09:27:00.001-07:00

There are a bunch of news items about Clay Aiken to catch up on:

Clay on TV! May 15, 2008, Clay will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live. RockOnTv lists him as a panel guest and performance. Can't wait!

Walmart has "On My Way Here" with an exclusive bonus track of the song "Forget I Ever Knew You".

Clay will be on QVC! Be sure to watch him on Monday, April 28, 2008. Go here to check the schedule for when he will be on in your area. He will be performing select songs from the album and the offer includes a special 5-track bonus CD created just for QVC.

Amazon.com has video of Clay singing "On My Way Here". This is great. Be sure to watch it!

And, shhh!, if you go here, you can hear snippets from the album!

Technorati Tags:
Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, Jimmy Kimmel, QVC, Walmart, bonus track, video

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 4/18/08

2008-04-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here are the new Radio & Records chart rankings for the American Idol alumni:

CHR/Top 40
02 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
13 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Going for Adds:
Ace Young - Addicted

Rhythmic
08 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Hot AC
02 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
29 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Going for Adds:
Katharine McPhee & Elliott Yamin - Real Love

AC
06 Daughtry - Home
10 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You
12 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
17 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
18 Kimberley Locke - Fall
19 Daughtry - Over You

Urban
11 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Country
12 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
18 Carrie Underwood - All American Girl
25 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy
31 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me

Christian AC
19 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Christian CHR
30 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Gospel
13 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do

Canada AC
15 Kalan Porter - Down In Heaven
18 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
50 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You

Canada Hot AC
06 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
12 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
25 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Canada Country
18 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
19 Carrie Underwood - All American Girl
36 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us
37 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind

Canada CHR
06 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
38 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
50 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Technorati Tags: Jordin Sparks, Daughtry, Ace Young, Chris Brown, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Kimberley Locke, Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Kalan Porter, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, American Idol, Radio & Records, radio, chart

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 4/11/08

2008-04-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the new Radio & Records chart rankings for the American Idol alumni:

CHR/Top 40
03 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
12 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Rhythmic
10 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Hot AC
02 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
30 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

AC
06 Daughtry - Home
10 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You
12 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
17 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
18 Kimberley Locke - Fall
19 Daughtry - Over You

Urban
18 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Country
11 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us
12 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
17 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
18 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind
26 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy
34 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me

Christian AC
19 Chris Sligh - Empty Me
26 Carrie Underwood - So Small

Christian CHR
27 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Gospel
14 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do

Canada AC
14 Kalan Porter - Down In Heaven
23 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Canada Hot AC
08 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
14 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
21 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Canada Country
14 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
26 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
33 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind
34 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us

Canada CHR
07 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
38 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
41 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Technorati Tags:
American Idol, Radio & Records, chart, Jordin Sparks, Daughtry, Chris Brown, Elliott Yamin, Kimberley Locke, Bucky Covington, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Kalan Porter

On My Way Here (lyrics)

2008-04-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

On My Way Here

I took my first step
On the black and white kitchen floor
I sometimes wonder if that house
Is even there, anymore
I had my first glimpse of love
When I was five
I watched two people split apart
But still the three of us survived

I’ve seen the best
I’ve seen the worst
I wouldn’t change what I’ve been through
I’ve touched the sky
I’ve hit the wall
But I did what I had to

CHORUS:
On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I’ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.

My address has changed
Almost every year
I've found that standing still
Can quickly make a lifetime disappear
I'd rather try and fail
A thousand times denied
At least whenever you feel pain
It lets you know that you’re alive

I’ve been a fool
I’ve been afraid
I’ve been loved
I've been lied to
I've been wrong
I've been right
I stood up when I had to

On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I’ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.

No guarantees
I believed that I would find
An open door or a light
To lead me to the other side
I guess that is why

On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I‘ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
where I am now
I've learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here

Technorati Tags:
Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, lyrics

American Idol on the Radio - Issue Date: 4/4/08

2008-04-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't worked up the radio charts in a while. Let's see how it's going:

Here are the American Idol alumni Radio & Records chart rankings for the week ending 4/4/08.

CHR/Top 40
04 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
12 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Rhythmic
15 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Hot AC
02 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
37 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

AC
04 Daughtry - Home
09 Elliott Yamin - Wait For You
13 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
18 Daughtry - Over You
20 Kimberley Locke - Fall
24 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

Urban
25 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Country
09 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
13 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us
16 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind
21 Carrie Underwood - Last Name
28 Josh Gracin - We Weren't Crazy
37 Phil Stacey - If You Didn't Love Me

Christian AC
20 Chris Sligh - Empty Me
28 Carrie Underwood - So Small

Christian CHR
30 Chris Sligh - Empty Me

Gospel
09 Ruben Studdard/Deitrick Haddon/Mary Mary - Love Him Like I Do

Canada AC
16 Kalan Porter - Down In Heaven
24 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Canada Hot AC
05 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
15 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
17 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air

Canada Country
07 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
32 Bucky Covington - It's Good To Be Us
36 Kellie Pickler - Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind
45 Carrie Underwood - Last Name

Canada CHR
06 Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
35 Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight
38 Jordin Sparks - Tattoo

Technorati Tags: American Idol, radio, Radio & Records, chart, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Kimberley Locke, Carrie Underwood, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh, Ruben Studdard, Deitrick Haddon, Mary Mary, Kalan Porter

Clay Aiken-Creating the Album Webisode

2008-04-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

The second webisode about Clay's new album "On My Way Here" has been posted. This is really cool as we get some more video of Clay working in the recording studio. Here it is!

Technorati Tags:
Clay Aiken, webisode, On My Way Here, album, studio

Hear "On My Way Here" on AOL!

2008-04-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you go to AOL you can hear the song premiere for the title track "On My Way Here." This song is the one written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and you can hear it here. It sounds great! I love it.

Technorati Tags:Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, song premiere

"On My Way Here" Press Release

2008-04-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

RCA has posted a press release for Clay Aiken's new album "On My Way Here." Lots of good stuff here. Have a read!

Clay Aiken to Release Brand-New Album, On My Way Here, on May 6th 2008
Friday April 4, 12:30 pm ET
EAGERLY AWAITED COLLECTION IS THE POP SUPERSTAR'S FIRST ALBUM OF ORIGINAL SONGS SINCE 2003

NEW YORK, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum selling pop singer Clay Aiken will release his fourth album, On My Way Here, on RCA Records/19 Entertainment on May 6th, 2008. The collection is the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC, native's first album of original songs since his 2003 chart-topping, double- platinum debut Measure of a Man.

On My Way Here chronicles Aiken's experiences over the past five years, ascending from popular contestant on the second season of American Idol to pop superstar. The album's theme came to Aiken when he and his executive producer Jaymes Foster fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics -- how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults -- struck a very deep chord with the artist. The title track "On My Way Here" will be the first radio single from the album to be released later this month. Additionally the single, "On My Way Here" will premiere as an "AOL First Listen" on Monday, April 7th.

"I thought if we could find songs that relate to what's gone on in my life over the past five years and address what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for my album," Aiken says. "Since I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself. I think this album covers how far I've come, personally and professionally."

The chance to record new material was an opportunity Aiken didn't want to miss. His previous two albums, 2004's Merry Christmas with Love (which went platinum within six weeks of its release) and 2006's gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways, featured 10 cover versions of well-known songs popularized by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. Aiken's vocal performances on songs like "As Long as We're Here," about not waiting until it's too late to tell someone you love them, and "The Real Me," about being in the public eye, resonate with the kind of emotion that can only come from someone who's experienced this firsthand. "Although," Aiken says, "it was important to me that the songs be interpretable in all kinds of ways. People should be able to find their own meaning in the lyrics."

On My Way Here will be released just as Aiken finishes up his Broadway run playing Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's Spamalot. Since January, Aiken has spent his days in the recording studio with On My Way Here's Grammy Award-winning British producer Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti), and his nights onstage in Spamalot. "I guess I'm a glutton for punishment," he says with a laugh.

For more on Clay Aiken, please visit his official website http://www.clayaiken.com.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, press release, album, Jaymes Foster, Ryan Tedder, Kipper, Spamalot, American Idol

Upcoming American Idol Alumni CDs

2008-04-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

Clay is not the only one dropping a new CD this spring. A few others worth taking note of are Josh Gracin, Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey.

Josh's CD, We Weren't Crazy, dropped this week and I think this is one worth picking up. This is the Billboard review:

Before Carrie Underwood and other "American Idol" alumni came to Nashville, season-two finalist Josh Gracin helped prove reality show stars could find a home in country music. But after scoring three top five singles, including 2005 No. 1 "Nothin' to Lose," Gracin struggled to reconnect at radio, and his second album has been long in coming. Now on the strength of a coming-of-age title cut, fans will be happy to know this solid follow-up is at hand. "Favorite State of Mind" stands out for its sheer energy, while "Livin' It Up," which includes the much-used line "I can sleep when I die," has an '80s rock feel. And the simply written "Unbelievable (Ann Marie)," which Gracin penned for his wife, might be this decade's "Amazed." —Ken Tucker

I have been listening to Chris Sligh's first single Empty Me (which you can hear here) and I really like it. I am looking forward to getting his album, Running Back to You, on May 6. If you go to his official site you can pre-order an autographed copy of the album.

Phil Stacey has a country album dropping April 29. You can see the video for his first single, If You Didn't Love Me below.

Technorati Tags: Josh Gracin, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, American Idol

"On My Way Here" Tracklist

2008-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Amazon is now showing the tracklist for Clay Aiken's new album "On My Way Here". I am so happy that "Lover All Alone" is on the album. It is a beautiful song. Can the sample clips and AOL Listening Party be far behind? I can't wait to hear this album!

On My Way Here

On My Way Here
Ashes
Everything I Don't Need
Something About Us
Falling
Where I Draw The Line
The Real Me
Weight Of The World
As Long As We're Here
Sacrificial Love
Grace Of God
Lover All Alone

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, tracklist

"On My Way Here": Official Album Bio

2008-03-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

RCA has posted the new bio for Clay Aiken's new album "On My Way Here":

Clay Aiken
On My Way Here

When Clay Aiken and his executive producer Jaymes Foster began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man, they both fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.” The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection.

“I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I’ve learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album,” Aiken says. “Since I got into this business, I’ve learned so much about myself and about life and the world. I’m nowhere near an expert, but this album has taken on the form of addressing how far I’ve come in those five years and how I feel like I’ve found myself.”

As Aiken’s millions of devoted fans around the world already know, it’s been a whirlwind journey. Since shooting to stardom on the second season of American Idol, the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC native with the powerhouse voice has become an international pop phenomenon who has sold six million copies of his three best-selling albums: the double-platinum Measure of A Man, 2004’s holiday CD Merry Christmas With Love (which went platinum within six weeks of its release), and the gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways — a 2006 collection of 10 covers and four originals that earned Aiken the distinction of being the fourth artist ever to have his first three albums debut in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In addition, Aiken has launched eight live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, executive produced and starred in his first TV special, A Clay Aiken Christmas, and won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards. In January 2008, Aiken made his Broadway debut in the role of Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.

If that weren’t enough, Aiken also donated much of his time to charity, performing at dozens of concert benefits for causes he cares about. The creator of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which promotes and funds educational and recreational programs for children with special needs, the singer has traveled the world as a National Ambassador for UNICEF. On its behalf, Aiken has visited tsunami victims in Indonesia, villages in Uganda, classrooms and health centers in Afghanistan, and spent this past Christmas in Mexico with children affected by recent floods.

That’s a lot of life experience to cover in one album. “It is,” Aiken admits, “that’s why the lyrics really had to matter this time around. It’s the first time I’m singing about things that mean something to me.” Which is not to say that every song is about something that actually happened to the star. “What’s powerful about a lot of the new songs is that they can mean different things to different people,” he says. “It was really important to me that they be interpretable in all kinds of ways, so as not to cloud someone’s ability to find their own meaning in them.” One example of this is the evocative ballad “The Real Me,” written by singer/songwriter Natalie Grant, which is a poignant story about the experience of being in the public eye. “The song really spoke to me about the necessity of having someone in your life who knows you and doesn’t really care about the fact that you’re a celebrity,” Aiken says.

Another track that means a lot to Aiken is “As Long as We’re Here,” a moving ballad that Aiken chose from a selection of demos he had brought with him to listen to on the plane during a UNICEF visit to Indonesia. “Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was flying over a tsunami-stricken country, but the lyrics struck me as very uplifting,” he says. “They’re about not waiting until it’s too late to tell the people you love that you care about them.” Turns out the song had also resonated with Jaymes Foster, who brought it to Aiken not knowing that he had already fallen in love with it. “Out of literally tens of thousands of demos we were sent, she had chosen the same one that I had so strongly identified with, so the song is a great connector between Jaymes and me. We’ve become really great friends, and it’s important that it’s part of the album.”

Though he’s known for his signature ballads, Aiken chose to open On My Way Here with an up-tempo, pop-rock tune, “Ashes,” which begins with the following lyric: “Someone told me what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger / Sets you free from all that held you down.” “That’s a great opening line for an album,” Aiken says. “My mom used to say that if things come easy they’re not worth having; that there can’t be a sunrise with a night. So, to me, that song is about how the most important lessons I’ve learned in my life have come out of less-than-rosy experiences, and that I’m stronger because of them.”

To musically represent the album’s lyrical theme, Aiken and Foster enlisted Grammy-Award winning British songwriter and producer Kipper, who has worked with Sting, Chris Botti, and Julia Fordham, marking the first time Aiken has recorded an entire album with one producer. “It’s made for a very collaborative environment in the studio,” Aiken says. “Every song has been scrutinized by Jaymes, Kipper, and me to make sure it’s exactly what we wanted it to be.”

It’s that commitment that drives everything Aiken does, even if it means recording an album by day and starring in a Broadway show by night. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a lot of work, but I’ve had a great time. Doing both the album and Spamalot at once has kind of been like having two families. I have a family at the theater and we are a family group working on the album in the studio. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, album, On My Way Here, Kipper, Jaymes Foster, RCA, Spamalot

Clay Talks On AOL Webisode

2008-03-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

Oh look! Here is a video from AOL where Clay talks about how he found his new producer, Kipper. Shows them working in the studio on Clay's new album "On My Way Here". Looks like this might be the first in a series.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, album, On My Way Here, Kipper

Clay Aiken's New CD!!

2008-03-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

Clay's new CD, currently slated to drop on May 6, is now available to pre-order on Amazon.com. Order your copy now!

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, album

WRAL Videos of Clay Aiken

2008-02-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

Linda Loveland from WRAL conducted an extensive interview with Clay Aiken about his new album and behind the scenes at SPAMALOT. The videos have been posted on Yahoo! Video and you can watch them here. They are well worth watching! Clay talks a lot about the theme for the album, some of the songs, and you can hear clips of him recording some of the tracks. Fabulous! Especially the song "On My Way Here" by Ryan Tedder which Clay says is central to the theme of the whole album.

You will also meet his new producer, Kipper. He is a well known producer from the U.K. who produced several albums for Sting as well as Mary J. Blige, Chris Botti, Dominic Miller, Joy Rose, Esther Alexander, Thief, and Yasmin Levy.

You have to also watch the video where Clay takes you on a tour behind the scenes at SPAMALOT. Great stuff.

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, WRAL, Linda Loveland, album, SPAMALOT, Kipper, Ryan Tedder