Elevating raw, truly undiscovered talent such as Clayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and Elliott Yaminà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and Jason Castroà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  is what I think American Idol does best.

Terrie, I share this belief with you. May I add Anthony Fedorov to that wonderful list? It is my hope that more undiscovered talent will reach the TOP 12 in Season 8.

I agree, Colleen about all of us having similar and different tastes, and appreciate that MJ allows me (us) to express it in a polite format.

I got the same chills when I first heard David Archuleta sing, “Imagine” and Catherine Mc Phee sing, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Then David Cook came along and caught me totally off guard with, “Hello” and just kept right on thrilling me every single week.

Thank Goodness we all have similar and different tastes! I appreciate the differences. It would be boring if we all liked the same song and artist only.

More than anything else during Season 7 of AI, I have rediscovered my love of music. Also, because of the finalists choices and websites, I have been introduced to some amazing new artists as well.

Viva la Music!

The sad fact is that, five years after AI made Clay a star, it is still impossible to have a reasonable conversation about him even here at MJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, where everyone and his crazy fans are welcome. ,

Really? I think MJ is pretty quick to moderate excesses here.

Some people do go overboard. But I guess that happens to a lot of other celebrities

Isn’t that the truth! … especially in this era of the Internet, blogs, and unceasing coverage of anything remotely sensationalistic.

I guess I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand that there hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been a reasonable discussion about Clay here. We comment on headlines,and, offer opinions. Some agree, some disagree, but, it is what it is. …This blog posts headlines, good or bad, and, we comment.

Yes, we do.

I hope that someday soon we can get beyond the parsing of every critical word spoken or written about Clay. I’m not talking about tabloid accusations but legitimate news reports or firsthand accounts.

I guess I don’t understand that there hasn’t been a reasonable discussion about Clay here. We comment on headlines,and, offer opinions. Some agree, some disagree, but, it is what it is.

My husband and I have been Clay fans since his audition clip first aired. In 2003, one of the most difficult years of my life, Clay’s very public metamorphosis was a welcome escape for us. Elevating raw, truly undiscovered talent such as Clay’s — and Elliott Yamin’s and Jason Castro’s — is what I think American Idol does best.

More than two years ago, after the “Clay is gay” scandal, I wrote a blog post titled “What I Know about Clay Aiken” that James Shepherd of the now defunct Beavers on Idol site kindly published. I tried to present a case for accepting Clay, warts and all, without forcing him to remain a prisoner of the pristine pedestal where his career is held captive.

Poor James Shepherd got torched. Several Claymates even accused me of lying about my health and family crises. They hunted me down at my blog and sent me vicious emails.

I would like to believe that these obsessive fans, most of whom seem to be adult women, are exceptions to the rank and file. But I see the seeds of Claymania on every message board in every season of AI, including those so zealously devoted to my AI7 favorite, Jason Castro. AI not only encourages but depends upon such rabid idol worship.

The sad fact is that, five years after AI made Clay a star, it is still impossible to have a reasonable conversation about him even here at MJ’s, where everyone and his crazy fans are welcome.

One is a geisha because I love Japan and its culture, and I always thought geishas were beautiful. So I put one on my arm.

That tattoo was a geisha? And here we all were, thinking it was Amy freaking Winehouse since January…

Anyway, I’m looking forward to Carly’s album. I loved her doing the rock stuff, so I’m excited to see what her album will hold.

You merely stated that people have told you things, but, you didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t repeat those things.

Well judging from the reaction to the relatively little that was said, I’m glad she didn’t get into specifics. LOL. I’m about Clay’d out right now myself. Hee.

Anyway, Carly was funny in that interview. I am kinda curious about her album now, should she actually get to make one.

A few years back, Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson performed at Jobbing.com Arena in Glendale, AZ. Same venue as the American Idol Live Tour opens next Tuesday.
(Had to plug it, sorry. I am so blasted excited to see this show, I can’t see straight!!!)

Back to Clay. Kelly opens the show and I can’t remember anything specific about what she sang. Having missed Season 1 of AI, I wasn’t a big Kelly fan yet. After hearing her, “Breakaway” CD, I became a huge fan and love her voice now.
Kelly leaves the stage and there is that long pregnant pause between acts, while we are anxiously awaiting Clay to appear. The curtain remains closed and then out of nowhere you hear him begin to sing. No big entrance, no screaming fans, just his beautiful voice singing a song that sounds vaguely familiar.

His single Acapello voice fills the room, but he is nowhere to be seen.
He is singing a slowed down version of Prince’s, “When Doves Cry.”
(“Dig if u will the picture, Of you and I engaged in a kiss……………”)
For a minute, no one could find him, like he was hiding. Looking around, we finally spot him at the very back of the arena, walking down the aisle towards us.

Surrounded by body guards, he slowly makes his way down the OUR Lucky aisle, moving closer to the stage singing this glorious cover.
It was awesome. My friend and I were sitting in Section 101, Row 1.
It was so close you could reach out and touch him. And My friend did just that…..She reached out and lightly touch Clay on the sleeve as he walked by, just for bragging rights.
I fumbled with my cell phone to take a picture and by the time I snap the shot, he had passed by. I got a picture of the back of his head. Sadly, that cell phone drowned in my purse after it met a leaking water bottle in an unfortunate accident.
For me, I love Clay’s voice and will always fondly remember the chills I got from hearing his concert and that one particular moment.
Whatever else happens in the media, I still count myself a fan and will buy his music and go to his concerts.

Now the BIG question: Can the American Idol Live tour give me the same kind of chills? After watching Season 7 every single week, replaying the episodes and following this wonderful blog for the past few month, I have found something I like in each and every one of the 10 AI performers. They are now all special to me.
Can’t wait to see them all!!

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you planning to attend. If anyone comes up with a good plan to meet before the concert, Please let me know!!

So, what’s the message here? If you are traveling to AZ to see this concert, the temperature is due to hit 111 degrees on Tuesday. Plan to drink lots of water. Just remember to close the lid on that water bottle before you put it in your bag!
Peas,
Colleen

Appreciated the context and balance you brought to the responses today, gelfling and skylight1219.