Comment about Clay Aiken talks music, acting and talk - article by Lorrie Lynch:

I appreciate Lorrie Lynch getting some information out about Clay's new CD, especially to everyone who reads her blog who might not be aware of what he's been up to.

That said, it's hard for me to have a very strong impression of anything Clay is thinking or feeling, based on the 775 word article that came from her 20 minute interview --- especially as compared to Lynda Loveland's 16 minute (after editing) video interview where I got to see and hear Clay's answers to the questions.

Something about Lorrie's tone struck me: the article starts off by saying she has "disappointing news for all the true Clay Aiken followers out there," and I think that phrase might color the reading of the entire article.

Think instead of how the piece would read if it began, "I have exciting news for people who are interested in new music: Clay Aiken's latest CD will be released on May 6, followed by a tour later this year after he takes a brief break from his four month run on Broadway in 'Spamalot'."

Of the 775 words in the article, only 169 (less than one-quarter) are direct quotes from Clay. (He says just 23 words about the new album and 40 words about touring in general, fewer than he says about living in NYC!) Between indirect quotes, the writer's opinions, information that is left out in the editing process and things that were never asked at all in the short interview window, I personally am disinclined to feel bad about anything.

I already knew that Clay is not a priority artist for his label. I'm not happy about it, but it is what it is. I'm in line with those who suspect that Clay/TC/SAM negotiated to be able to control the promo budget, whatever it might be, and I see signs that they are making the most of it. I think Clay will have pretty good television presence when the CD drops, and I hope that there will be a few good press interviews as well, at least one that is detailed and music-oriented. I also hope that, absent radio, there will be an innovative way to get some of Clay's music before the public. We shall see.

I already knew, per Jerome, not to expect a summer tour. Now of course that isn't good news for everyone who can get to tours more easily in the summer months (my sister is one of them), especially if one doesn't have the opportunity to see "Spamalot". Still, having Clay confirm that he won't tour right away doesn't surprise me, since he went from Christmas tour to UNICEF field trip to "Spamalot" without a break, meaning he will have been busy for six straight months by the time three or so weeks of CD promotion ends. (That might explain why no one has been able to find anything out from their venue sources.)

I'm choosing to concentrate on the music I'll have in my hands in a month. When I think of the excitement Clay has shown about "On My Way Here", how engaged Kipper is in this process, and how Jaymes has always been absolutely supportive of Clay, I just can't believe that any of the three will allow a project that reflects Clay's journey to fade away.

I can wait to see what's next to come. 

~berkeley