File this under ‘Strange Compliments’: In an e-mail update to ’The Tyra Banks Show’ mailing list, Tyra was complaining about her bad breath. She then wrote, “Someone that has the freshest clean smelling breath is Clay Aiken. I know cuz he came on my show, and I had one of the most fun interviews with him that I have ever had. I am so in love with him. He is so funny, loving and just darn amazing. He even sang with me. Yes, we did a duet. I was awful. He sounded like an angel. Clay has the most loyal fans in the world. They call themselves ‘Claymates’. I told Clay I am a “Clay-frican American,” meaning that I am an African American that loves Clay Aiken. Get it? You gotta see how much fun we had. The show airs next Wednesday, November 22nd.”
It sounds like Tyra was still a bit ‘Clungover’ from the interview!
From Josh Gracin’s MySpace page:
“Josh Gracin and wife Ann Marie proudly announce the arrival of their third child, Gabriella Ann Gracin born Wednesday, November 15 at 1:29PM and weighing 7 LBS, 12 OZ. Gabriella joins siblings Briana and Landon.”
Congratulations!
Jon Peter Lewis visited FOX 10 in Phoenix last week for an interview and an acoustic performance of ‘Rodeo’ from his new CD Stories From Hollywood. Visit JPL’s site for more music and appearance updates.
Clay Aiken’s appearance on ‘Days of Our Lives’ has been postponed to December 26th. Clay was originally scheduled to appear on December 22nd.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte honored Clay Aiken as one of its most outstanding alumni at the 2006 Alumni Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 11th.
Clay, a 2003 graduate, was recognized for having reached great levels of achievement and have distinguished themselves through public and University service and was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
The university noted Clay’s dedication to children, his successful recording career, and his charity work throught the Bubel-Aiken foundation. In addition, Aiken has served as an Ambassador to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, UNICEF National Ambassador of Education, and in September 2006, President George Bush appointed Clay to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Whew! You wonder when this guy finds the time to sing! Congratulations Clay on a very well-deserved honor.
“Breaking For the Holidays” is a collection of all-new recordings by 10 artists, and will be released Tuesday, November 21, 2006. It is available at www.breakingrecordsmusic.com and many other Internet retail outlets.
American Idol Season Four’s Vonzell Solomon contibutes with ”It’s Gonna Be a Cold Cold Christmas,” and Season Two’s Jon Peter Lewis sings his Beach Boys-flavored original “California Christmas.”
Read the press release here.
Diana DeGarmo will perform “The Pharaoh Strut” on The King Tutenstein float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Contributions to the project include: Juilliard composer Lance Horne, lyrics by Bill Schermerhorn, choreography by Movin’ Out’s Tiger Martina, orchestrated by the legendary Milton DeLugg, and featuring Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Boys Choir.
Taylor Hicks‘ debut album will be released on December 12, not December 5th as originally planned.
Kimberly Caldwell participates in VH1’s Celebrity Paranormal Project. Get her thoughts here and catch repeats all this week on VH1.
Clay Aiken will be lighting the UNICEF Snowflake in New York City on November 18. The UNICEF snowflake is the largest outdoor chandelier and has 16,000 prisms.
The year away from the spotlight has done Clay Aiken a world of good as evidenced by this Singapore interview. He has a new look, a new album, and a new comfort level with media interviews.
His answers to questions ranging from his makeover (’Are you trying to say I was ugly before?’), his new album (We’re selling it with a normal amount of publicity and fanaticism. It’s a true test. But from now, anything I do is successful in my eyes.’), his sexuality (’But at least (during the Diane Sawyer interview), I went to a place where I said I’m done. I’m not talking and not addressing this anymore. I’m tired of fighting the fight. My job is to sing and perform and entertain people.’), and his “happy pills” (’Now, I’m not always so nervous in public, and I’m losing my hat more often.’) were good-natured and confident. Clay seems to have become more comfortable with all sides of fame and the ups and downs of the music business.
I gotta say, I was worried for Clay for a while there. The media pressure and scrutiny was brutal and I am so happy he has come through it in one piece. I love it when good things happen to good people…
Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Clay Aiken are all expected to appear on the American Music Awards broadcast on November 21st.
Carrie Underwood is nominated for Best Female Artist (Country) and Best Newcomer and is scheduled to perform. Kelly Clarkson is nominated for two awards, Favorite Female Artist (Rock/Pop) and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, but no word on whether or not she will be attending. The awards will be broadcast on ABC. For more information, visit www.abc.com
It’s been some time since we’ve heard much from Season Two’s Kimberley Locke. Her 2004 debut album, “One Love” produced the hit “Eighth World Wonder” and she sang a Christmas song with Clay Aiken. So where has she been?
Kimberley has been working on her follow up CD titled “Based on a True Story.” Although Kimberley only had writing credit on one song on her first CD, on her sophomore effort, she has contributed or co-written on all but one or two. “I’m very proud of this project because it has my name all over it,” says Kimberley. “I was there throughout the whole process of putting the album together—from writing and recording to production.” The single, ‘Supawoman’ was test marketed by her label, Curb, over the summer with disappointing results. As a result, the CD release was delayed until early 2007 - after the Idol wave. Kimberley also has a Christmas single due out at the end of 2006 and a Christmas album scheduled for a 2007 winter release.
Read the entire GayWired.com interview here. Kimberley discusses her genre of music, her fans, and her charity work.