Thursday, September 30, 2004
"What is "IT" About Clay Aiken?" The "IT" Factor
by Jan Casey Dillberg
In the past year and a half since a young man by the name of Clay Aiken surprised his way into the hearts of millions of people all around the world, there have been many things written about him and his mystique; Newspapers and internet articles on various websites and posts on the numerous message boards dedicated to him. The question that is constantly posed is, "What IS IT about Clay Aiken?" Here is an attempt to answer that question about this young man who calls himself a "dork". What makes people of all ages, races and walks of life clamor for tickets to his concerts and flood online message boards with ravings about him?
-------
"IT" is in the way that he he has said time and again that what he really wants out of life and even from his fame is to "make a difference".
IT" is in the way that he stops during a "meet and greet" before his concert to talk one-on-one with a young autistic boy and, according to the child's mother, connects with the child in a way that no stranger has ever connected with him, and in fact, elicits a hug from the child- something to which an autistic child rarely consents.
"IT" is in the way that he brings a tiny special needs child on stage with him to join him in singing his own signature song in front of a packed audience.
"IT" is in the way that he always kneels when speaking to a child- whether on stage or off- so that he can communicate with them at eye level.
"IT" is in the way that he brings a small girl on stage who has asked to sing with him- and when he senses she is frightened, he holds her hand tightly and, with his earnest and caring eye-contact, guides her through her song.
"IT" is in the way that he brings a 16 year old girl onto the stage who has held up a sign that reads "Clay- Give me my first kiss!". He takes her hand in his and sings a few lines from his song 'Invisible" to her while holding her hand against his chest, and then kisses her cheek tenderly before sending her to float off the stage with her hand covering that cheek.
"IT" is in the way that he brings people of all ages, shapes and sizes- and of both genders -on stage from the audience to sing a duet with him, and treats each as if she or he were the only person in the room and the most talented person in the world.
"IT" is in the way that he invites audience members on stage to dance- knowing that there is no way of controlling what unexpected things they might do. He then proceeds to efficiently maneuver the situation with humor and kindness... making sure that each will take home a happy memory that will last forever.
"IT" is in the way that he walks up to the ardent throngs of fans gathered outside of the venue after each 2 hour concert, and with a look of sheer joy and appreciation on his face, touches as many of their outstretched hands as he is able to before boarding his tour bus.
"IT" is in the way that he moves to the front of the bus with the interior light on and smiles and waves at his admirers as the bus drives away.
"IT" is in the way that he defends his fans in interviews when put on the spot by the interviewer (as to whether the fans annoy him or he gets tired of them) and says that he is grateful to them and knows that he wouldn't be where he is today without their "amazing support".
IT" is in the way that he tells his fans at a Kansas concert that he would "fight anyone" if they ever doubted he has the best fans in the world!
"IT" is in the way that he seems to seek out public figures who have made fun of him- and with good humor and grace, forces them to take it upon themselves to apologize for their previous comments and to actually admit that they like and respect him.
"IT" is in that glorious voice that is at simultaneously "angelic and seductive."
"IT" is in the way that (people say) his voice touches a chord deep within the listener which releases feelings of pleasure and excitement.
"IT" is in the way he lives his faith.
"IT" is in the way that young girls feel he is their knight in shining armor; a man of a kind that they can dream of belonging with in their future.
"IT" is in the way that the mothers of those young girls feel they can trust him to not betray the innocence of their daughters the way so many popular heartthrobs might.
"IT" is in the way that young, single women can dream that there is actually a chance for them to become "The One" in his life. After all, he was once just an ordinary guy... and they feel "it could happen"!
"IT" is in the way that women who have been mistreated or abused in a relationship see him as a man who would never mistreat or abuse them, but would treat them with tenderness and respect.
"IT" is in the way that a married woman's long- dormant passions are awakened by his voice and manner- and allowed to be unleashed upon unsuspecting and grateful husbands.
"IT" is in the way that vast numbers of older women say that he makes them feel young again- to feel excitement and a thrill they haven't felt in many years.
"IT" is in the way that women of any age know that if they were to walk with him, he would act as a protector, open doors for them and place his hand gently on their back as he guided them into a room, or take their arm as they crossed a street.
"IT" is in (let's be honest here) the way that he stands with his feet planted apart, his hips tilted forward, his shoulders back, chest out and arms thrown wide as he sings the powerful, "glory notes" of his passionate songs.
"IT" is in the way that he caresses the microphone with elegant, graceful hands as if it were a lover to be cherished.
"IT" is in the way that his head leans back and his eyes close as he sings, and in the way he opens his sultry, heavy- lidded eyes slowly, and looks at female viewers (they say) as if he wants to make love to them.
"IT" is in the way that he knows what his fans want him to do-- how they want him to sing, how they want him to stand, and how they want him to use his hands- and he gives that to them as a lover would, because he knows it will please them.
"IT" is in the way that he maintains the aura of innocence and vulnerability- in spite of the showmanship that shouts the opposite.
"IT" is in the way that innocence makes some women want to give him his vitamin, a glass of milk and some cookies and tuck him into bed.
"IT" is in the way that his demeanor causes many women to want to be The One who will make him want to lose that perceived innocence.
And, finally, "IT" is in the way that so many women can't decide which they want to do most-- take care of him or make love to him- and that causes them to feel a little guilty and confused, while at the same time feeling passionate, tender, joyful, and ultimately and always breathless!
Many would proclaim that these things are what "IT" IS.... and that Clay Aiken has "IT".
. . .
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
bicycles are like transversites. but bicycles are more problematic a problem.
they don't belong on the pavements, but they don't belong on the roads either. they are endangering lives wherever they are. on the pavements they speed everywhere and threaten the safety of the pedestrians. children, elderly, actually just about anybody. on the roads they slow down traffic, they don't follow the direction of traffic flow, they don't follow the traffic lights.
i hate bicycles.
. . .
Friday, September 24, 2004
i'm twisting and writhing here.... burning and yearning to go to clay's concert! such great reviews everywhere, by all sorts of people.... i can't help myself, i wanna go!!!
just take a look at this!!!!
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2249&dept_id=450607&newsid=12969414&PAG=461&rfi=9
Aiken wows his 'Claymates' at York Fair performance
By Jade Kelly Solovey , Special to the Chronicle
09/23/2004
Reality television did not make Clay Aiken a singer, but it sure did make him a star. Unlike some of his American Idol finalist counter parts, he has the talent to back it up.
The flawless, sweet sounds of Clay carried through the balmy air when Aiken performed for a near-capacity crowd of 8,755 at the York Fair last Thursday night.
Even the singer's mom, Faye Parker, was on-hand for the show. Parker was put to work when, prior to the show, she selected a lucky, talented young lady to sing on stage with Aiken.
The evening started with a nod to the singer's sponsors via a video sneak peak at the new song Aiken has lent his voice to. The soon-to-be released Disney's Aladdin Special Edition DVD features a resurrected song from the infamous "vault" titled "Proud of Your Boy."
Aiken emerged from beneath a staircase met with the roar of the predominantly middle-aged and female crowd of Claymates. He broke into "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2, then transitioned into his own bouncy "Perfect Day."
The singer greeted his audience with a mix of humor and Southern charm.
"You look good, you sound good, York Pennsylvania," Aiken said. "I gotta be honest with ya ...you got 'em all whooped right here."
He then offered the crowd an opportunity to prove it, inviting two fans to dance onstage during "When You Say You Love Me," and to earn a Hawaiian lei now coveted by Claymates everywhere.
"You've got some people who can move," Aiken said, "some people who had a little too much sugar at the fair."
As the evening progressed, it was evident that Parker's boy has grown during the past several months on the road. Aiken is starting to overcome his reputation for being clumsy, tripping and occasionally dropping the microphone - certainly part of his Southern, boyish charm that keeps the ladies reeling. This powerful performance was even more solid and confident than some previous ones, and it was seriously rocking at times.
The evening's highlights included a video montage of Aiken's television appearances, accomplishments and experiences since the end of season two of American Idol. The crowd roared with approval at the sight of the Rolling Stone cover featuring Aiken - particularly a panning shot of the WWJD bracelet that he refused to remove for the photo shoot.
His show of faith did not stop there, as Aiken, adorned in choirboy white covered "You Were There," a spiritual ballad recognizing God's omnipresence. He received a resounding "amen" from the crowd upon singing the lyrics "You would rather die than leave us in the dark." It was a very poignant, powerfully-moving point in his performance.
Aiken and his band filled the show with covers like "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister, a rocking rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Signed Sealed Delivered," and a mesmerizing version of Toto's "Rosanna" that, in the words of Paula Abdul, Aiken "took and made his own."
The evening's performance also included a salute to James Taylor featuring back-up singers Angela Fisher, Quiana Parler and Jacob Litrell on lead for "Sweet Baby James," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," "Yesterday Morning," and "You Got a Friend."
Aiken and company have taken to vocally challenging each other by seeing who can hold a note the longest. (It was Aiken, by the way.) The singer's talent, confidence and experienced showmanship emerged each time he stepped out of his comfort zone with a howl or a growl integrated into his phenomenal, standard performance.
Aiken also wowed 'em with his current single, "I Will Carry You," a particular favorite with the audience; "Measure of a Man"; "I Survived You"; and his first hit, "This Is The Night."
"That song means a lot for obvious reasons. It was a pivotal point in my life," he said.
"If you had asked me two years ago where I would be tonight, I would not have said York, Pennsylvania. [I'm] glad I'm here. I feel blessed to have the opportunity."
The singer dedicated "Invisible" to the crowd and sang the words "I am nothing without you" with particular emphasis as he pointed to his fans. He then disappeared under the stair, only to emerge atop the stage for an encore that featured "Solitaire."
Aiken provides a night of outstanding vocals and powerful simplicity - no lasers or five-second delays required.
. . .
Thursday, September 23, 2004
it's the last day of the break already, and i am only squeezing out my precious time to blog here.
i don't blog regularly, that's for one. but when i've got something unusual in my day, i'll think of blogging. too bad, i am such a busy bee, i can't afford to type em when i remember.
anyway there are two things i definitely remember. the egg incident and the lizard incident.
that morning i wanted to fry an egg for breakfast before going to school.yes, singapore is in short supply of chicken eggs, but we had plenty cos daddy brought many telor kampung since we didn't know it's actually now allowed. anyway, there were many in the refrigerator. i just took one that was at the end. it did seem a little bit bigger, but a blur soul who just got out of bed less than 3 minutes ago didn't register anything unusual. not that i would do anything even if i did though. i took out the plastic bowl and broke the egg into it to prepare to cook it. and then. the filling was red. FREAK OUT! freak out freak out freak out freak out freak out...... it was a fertilized egg for heaven's sake! this is so disgusting... it was bloody inside, and looked like something that should be on a sanitary pad rather than in a plastic bowl. it was so nauseating... i couldn't bear to look at it. it turned out mom never saw anything like that before either. she felt like puking too, just like me. but at least she didn't have to eat her breakfast that soon. i couldn't really swallow my food after that. ack.
the other incident, again was in the morning when i'm still all blur. i've only stepped out of the room when mom asked me if i could see. huh? yah i can see... but she meant if i could see clearly, since i didn't have my specs on. that's right, no specs so everything is a blur. good, she said. she made a cup of honey water the previous night for sugarpie, and left it on the table for her. apparently overnight, a lizard climbed into the cup and drowned itself in there. the lizard wasn't very big, and it was about the same colour as the rest of the water. oh man. gross.... imagine..... ok, better not imagine anything. things could have been sop much worse. anyway, mom was hoping since i couldn't see properly and haven't seen it yet, that i would dare to pour the stuff away into the toilet bowl and flush it away. she's right on that. i can't see it nor feel it, so i'm fine with it. but the whole idea was just gross...
i've got 2507 test tmr. hope it'll be fine... i think it's not gonna be easy, but i still think there will be plenty of people who will do very well for it. i've put it as S/U. hope i can pass it nevertheless...
ok, better get back to work. gotta print my lecture notes, study for the test and clear some of my readings.
busy busy busy
. . .
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
from WINXP newsletter
Share Your Files and Go Directly to Jail?
Music, movies and similar artistic products have long been protected by the federal copyright laws. Under these laws, if you use or distribute such materials without permission of the copyright owner, you can be sued - as many file sharers discovered when they found themselves named by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in mass lawsuits, most of which resulted in settlements for several thousand dollars each.
Now our legislators want to take it further and criminalize such activities rather than leaving them (solely) under the jurisdiction of the civil system. The House Judiciary Committee recently approved a law that will make unauthorized sharing of music, movie and software files not just a tort, but a crime. That means you can go to jail for it.
Now, distributing pirated files commercially has been prosecutable for a long time, but those who gave away their files for free have generally fallen under the civil system. If the bills coming up before Congress pass, not only the file sharers but the companies - such as Kazaa - that distribute peer-to-peer file sharing software may find themselves facing lose of liberty as well as monetary penalties. These laws are, of course, heavily supported by many big players in the music, movie and software industries and, just as predictably, are opposed by advocates of the "information wants to be free" philosophy and would-be Robin Hoods who see file sharing as a modern day form of stealing from the rich to give to the poor.
Many of us, however, see danger at both ends of the spectrum. Intellectual property rights are important in an era when millions of people make a living through the production of creative non-tangible material such as songs, books, screenplays and computer programs. Insisting that anyone should have access to their material without paying for it makes no more sense than insisting that car manufacturers be forced to give away the vehicles they make to those who can't afford them or just don't want to pay.
On the other hand, a song is not the same as a car or other physical property. When you copy it, you don't deprive the original owner of its use (which has traditionally been a required legal element of the offense of theft). Assuming you aren't repackaging and selling the copied song for profit, there is no demonstrable provable loss to the original owner. Much as the industry might proclaim otherwise, there is no evidence that all, or even some, of the people who download "illegal" songs would have bought the music if the downloads weren't available.
And there are real problems that arise from criminalizing everything that we believe is morally or ethically wrong. Taking this trend to its natural conclusion would result in putting people in jail for telling lies or hanging them for committing adultery. Laws are necessary to prevent chaos and preserve an orderly society. But an overabundance of criminal laws creates an oppressive society in which the government controls our every move. The civil court system was designed to deal with those disputes between entities and individuals (for example, between the RIAA and file sharers) in which one party believes itself to have been "wronged" by the actions of another. It's served that purpose well in the past.
The Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2004 is one of the most prominent of several Internet-related bills that have been voted on in Congressional committees over the past few weeks . Other measures passed by the same committee would target the placement of spyware on users' computers without their knowledge. And of course, the CAN SPAM act led the way.
Let us know what you think about the move to criminalize everything from sharing a file to sending unwanted advertising. Are there differences between placing spyware, sending spam and sharing files? Is there a difference between putting your music "out there" for everyone on a P2P network and making a single copy for a friend? Should any, all or none of these be criminalized? Send your comments to feedback@winxpnews.com.
. . .
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
long time since i blogged.
last time i did? i can't remember... but i do know that i log in to post some articles. =) *ding*
went for wanyu and zihui's bday celebration on saturday. that's why i didn't have time to do my work. and i'm feeling the strain of the worklaod on me now... anyway, it was relatively enjoyable fine... with the exception that we were all so tired... couldn't really pay attention... mervyn was entertaining the rest of us, as usual... everybody reached quite late, but it seemed that we had quite a lot of time there. sat in a circle in the open, and simply chit chat.the food was fine, but there was no table so i couldn't eat and drink at the same time, so it was rather dry for my mouth. the weather was pretty fine too... but i was sitting right beside the barbeque pit, which really wasn't the best spot around... made me smell of roast and perspire all over... felt so dirty. the chalet wasn't very clean either. that's the problem when you have people walking barefooted inside and outside the house. it was black and sticky everywhere... urgh.
we stayed for the night. actually we were all really tired and wanted to go home. but then nobody else was staying, and we didnt' want to disappoint wanyu and zihui, so we just stayed. btu all we wanted to do was to bathe and sleep. both of which we didn't really do in the end... we didn't bathe because we didn't want to wash our hair, which would inevitably be wet since the shower spray was mounted high up on the wall. so we merely brushed our teeth and washed our face. we had supper (which consisted of leftover food) and wrote in the guestbook. the next morning we just went for a walk and then left. wanyu and justin weren't even awake yet. tsk tsk... the two of them could actually sleep in that cold. it was freezing the entire night. it was fortunate enough that i was wearing jeans, and that i had my thick baleno jacket with me. too bad i forgot to take out my socks. my feet were dirty, no doubt, but then in that cold i was desperate enough to wear my socks. but then my back was nice and warm, and i'm sure that if i got up to get my socks, my back and the bed will be all cold when i get back and lie down. so i just forgot the idea... too bad. i wonder how huiyi and kaili survived the cold in shorts. geez...
better get to work now.
. . .
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Clay Aiken's voice bigger than his self-esteem
By JOEY GUERRA
For the Chronicle
Its OK to be a loser sometimes. Just ask Clay Aiken.
The Raleigh, N.C., native narrowly missed clinching the American Idol 2 title from Ruben Studdard by 130,000 (out of more than 25 million) votes. Since then, Aiken's success has equaled -- or surpassed -- that of Idol alumni Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Tamyra Gray and poor, poor Justin Guarini.
Aiken's first post-Idol release, This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water, was the only platinum-certified single of 2003. It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.
His debut album, Measure of a Man, sold 613,000 right out of the gate, the highest first-week total for a new artist in more than 10 years. (Snoop Dogg matched that figure in 1993). The album has moved more than 2 million copies since its October 2003 release.
On top of that, Aiken was named one of People magazine's sexiest men alive and one of Rolling Stone's People of the Year. He also co-headlined the wildly successful Independent tour with fellow Idol Clarkson earlier this year. Aiken's current solo tour touches down Tuesday at Reliant Arena.
Not bad for a self-professed nerd who doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.
"Lord! I would not get that worked up over me at all. It's all very baffling to me," says Aiken, 25. "I guess that's why it's so hard to wrap my mind around it when people are waiting outside the venue after a concert and cheering. I'm amazed that they're actually doing that because I would never do it. I especially wouldn't do it for some skinny little dork."
Self-esteem issues notwithstanding, Aiken's appeal lies in his ability to offer a little something for everyone. His clean-cut looks make him an ideal pin-up for excitable teens, while his aw-shucks image and soaring voice endear him to mothers and grandmothers.
"Luck. That's all I can figure," Aiken says about his cross-generational appeal.
But much of it has to do with Aiken's effortless genre-switching on Idol, during which he credibly tackled big-band, country and pop classics. He was one of the few contestants who seemed at ease almost every week.
Measure seems designed to make the most of that audience. Hit singles Invisible, I Will Carry You and The Way are poppy enough to attract the TRL set and appropriately breezy for the older, at-work crowd.
Aiken promises more variety next time around. He plans to release a new album next year.
"This last album I like everything on it, really, but a lot of the songs are kind of sappy, heartbreak songs. I don't need to keep oozing heartbreak," Aiken says. "I think I'd like to find some stuff that's a little more upbeat and up-tempo and also a little more positive."
Also on tap is a Christmas album and Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, a book of inspirational thoughts and musings Aiken says have helped him reach a peaceful place in his life. Publishers were initially interested in an autobiography or a behind-the-scenes Idol story, but Aiken balked. He eventually came up with the inspirational book idea.
Aiken sees the project as an extension of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which he founded to help children with developmental disabilities. Aiken has a degree in special education and was a camp counselor/substitute elementary school teacher prior to his musical success.
For now, Claymates (as Aiken's most rabid fans call themselves) will have to make do with seeing their idol up close and personal onstage. Aiken's tour runs through October, and he pads his shows with covers of songs by U2, soft-rock outfit Orleans and Christian-pop phenom Avalon.
You can expect the night to be an all-out squealfest. Has Aiken ever been as star-struck as his fans are about him?
"I guess I got a little star-struck when I met Oprah because she's the media giant. I don't think I could ever get star-struck about anybody else," Aiken says. "I think I was ... You know, I think I ... gosh. I guess that answer is no."
Spoken like a true dork.
. . .
|
. . .
|
