Clay Aiken talks music, acting and talk
Posted by Lorrie Lynch
I have some disappointing news for all the true Clay Aiken followers out there — the man is going to take some time off. His run in Spamalot comes to an end May 4 and his new album, On My Way Here, comes out May 6. He'll do some album promotion and, yes, he will eventually tour in support of it, but not anytime soon. Because my time with him was limited I did not take all the specific questions I got from you (we got more than 350 posts). So I organized the relevant ones by topics. Here's what he said on:
ACTING: "I enjoy being myself more than I enjoy being somebody else." In other words, he has enjoyed working in Spamalot but he's not looking for another Broadway role, nor is he looking to do movies, as some of you wanted to know. Clay always leaves the door open — so he says that if the right opportunity came along he would look at it — but made clear he is not actively pursuing acting.
TOURING OTHER COUNTRIES: Those of you who want him to come to Australia, Norway, Singapore and more are out of luck. Why? Clay says his record label doesn't release his albums in those places. He is actually surprised he has fans in some the places he does. He laughed and said folks can call the Sony-BMG offices in their region to tell them they want Clay's records released there. Or, "They can spam them like they spam you," he said in a nod to the internet following he has.
TOURING IN GENERAL: "I'm taking a break," Clay said. He knows that you all want to see him again, and acknowledged that there were some press reports that he would tour this summer but "we never said we were planning on touring this summer. Do we plan on touring for this (new) album? Yes. But not this summer." Clay says he hates to be "a bubble-burster" for those of you looking forward to it but, for one thing, "there hasn't been enough time to put (a tour) together."
PRODUCING OTHERS: He knows that those even younger than he have produced the work of other talented people and he admires that but "it's not necessarily a plan."
TALK SHOW: Now, here is something he clearly would like to do. "We put feelers out for this, that or the other...we make known what we think we're interested in doing," Clay says, using We meaning He. And he says they've made it known that talk is something he's interested in doing. But, like Spamalot, he says, sometimes it's a matter of ideas and opportunities coming together at the right time. Bottom line: nothing in the works right now.
NYC vs. N.C.: "NO," he says, when I ask if he would like to relocate to New York permanently. "I prefer New York to a lot of other places. But living here, I don't think I could do. Living here for short spurts of time is fine." He says, "I need my back yard," and then we got into how he had to send his two dogs back to Raleigh because "New York is not a place to be a dog," and how it's never quiet in NYC and rents and mortgages are outrageous and...you get the picture.
THE NEW ALBUM: "I know a lot (of the fans) like to like everything I do," Clay says, but on the new album there will be something everyone won't like, but also something everyone WILL like. A lot of you want Clay to rock out, or as he calls it "do rockin' songs" — and he says on the new album he does — but it's hard for him to find such songs. "I can't find one I'm comfortable with." He was reluctant to pick a favorite or signature song from this album but eventually said the song Something About Us could be it.
MUSIC VS. LYRICS: For Clay, it's all about the words. He says 90 percent of the songs on the new album were chosen for the lyrics: "In some way, on all of those, I connect." But he's not going to tell us how or why he connects to each specific song. Why? "Because you want people to connect for their own reasons." In other words, he doesn't want us reading into each song the possible applications to his life when we should be finding meaning in them for ourselves.
Look for my shorter print piece on Clay in the May 11 issue of the magazine, and you can read about my previous interview with Clay here.
(photo courtesy clayaiken.com)
Comments (86)
I really enjoyed it. You have done a great job.
I am from Japan and learning to read in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Light touch exploring humor in drawing exhibit of the article how to draw an angel in drawing."
THX :(, Kort.
Pravitelstvo Rossii Rulit Vovka i Dimka Maladzi
Pendosbi oleni sosite chlen
Funny how some interpret things. I sure don't see cranky, uncaring, unfeeling etc coming from the interview. One thing to remember is that Lorrie wrote the article, NOT Clay. HER way of saying things may not be the way HE would have said them. Plus anyone who knows him knows that he is very sarcastic in his humor, which comes across fine in person cause you see him, but it doesn't always come across right on paper, especially if the person writing doesn't point it out -- such as the other article done recently where he totally punked the author over her attitude and she was too dumb to realize it.
He has every right at this point to say he is taking a break and tired. How many of us have worked 7 days a week for the last several months, day and night between recording during the day and doing Broadway by night, and weekends. And immediately before that a tour, Unicef, another tour right before that. Gee, ya think he MIGHT be tired?
Saying he prefers to be himself instead of a "character" doesn't seem a problem to me either. He never intended to be an actor per se. So not saying that is his goal from this point on means nothing -- he is a singer first and foremost.
ACtually I much prefer "live interviews" showing Clay himself talking -- but even then you have to worry with how they edit it. So take with a grain of salt ANYTHING a reporter puts out.
I believe that people who aren't fans of Clay's have a right to post here and express their opinions. The comments here just prove again how reactionary many of Clay's fans are. Calling people haters, telling them to go somewhere else, that is typical and it is why claymates have a bad name.
I'm disappointed that Clay doesn't like acting, and won't be seeking out more Broadway roles. Very disappointed. I was hoping he would do more musical theater.
It boggles the mind how anyone could see this interview as negative, yet that's exactly what Clay's fans are calling it on their boards. I am a fan but not one of those fans, I must say.
Thanks for the interview and for taking questions.
Rick D, you should stop calling people "haters." It's very easy, and popular among many of Clay's fans, to blame all criticism or dissenting opinion on haters. So very very convenient.
Lorrie, thank you for interviewing Clay, you did a very good job.
I do wish, however, that you would include more direct quotes in general and not say, "In other words..." and then paraphrase what the artist said.
Thank you for accepting questions from fans, it's very appreciated!
I am sad that there won't be a summer tour but I can't wait for the album to come out. Thanks for the information. I am also surprised that RCA doesn't sell his records in other countries because he has fans from all over. What's THAT about? Can you interview somebody from RCA to explain? LOL.
{Also, I had no idea there were so many people with my same first name. Who knew?)
Beth (waves to all the other ones)
hello Lorrie
thank you for shareing your interview with us and yes I am a claymate and you have clay in your heart,and thats a good thing
Thanks for working your way through all those questions and getting some answers for us.
With the number of countries that American Idol 2 screened in, I am shocked that RCA doesn't release Clay's albums overseas. With the state that the record companies are in at the moment, you would think that they would be interested in making money.
Clay was phenomenally popular here in New Zealand. His first single and album went platinum and gold here, and I'm sure his other albums would have sold well here too. People here still remember Clay - they wouldn't have to spend huge dollars promoting him. The name recognition would still be there.
Disappointing news that there will be no summer tour this year, but I hope he tours later this year. A Fall tour would be nice.
Great to finally hear answers about relevant questions. When someone bothers to interview Clay in-depth about all his philanthropic endeavours, now that will be one terrific article! Fans ask all kinds of questions about every aspect of Clay's life respectfully. Haters put a negative spin on everything they post about the guy. He can never do or say anything to please them. That is the difference & the troublemakers are very easy to spot, no matter whether they call themselves a "concerned citizen," an "ex-fan" or "not a crazy Claymate." Thanks for your efforts, both now & in the past, Lorrie! Looking forward to the next time you get to talk to Clay because he is one talented, generous & fascinating guy.
Looks like I won't be expecting Clay Aiken to tour here in the Philippines any time soon.... Darn it.
But I still love him anyway.
YaY for May 6!!!
Thanks so much for a great interview!! I have seen Clay in concert many times and if you have never seen him live in concert, you're missing a wonderful show!! It's sorta like watching a tennis match on TV or actually playing tennis yourself--there is no comparison to the real sense of "being there in person". Clay sounds even better in person (didn't think that was possible) and is so personable that you can't help but smile, laugh, and enjoy the all-too-short time at the concert but it is worth the wait until Fall to see one of the greatest singers/entertainers to come along in a long time. When Clay nails a glory note and holds it for what seems like forever, it gives me and many other fans goosebumps
We fans are used to the petty jealousy from people who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket so we just laugh at them and keep on with our own business ignoring the ones with negative attitudes. Bet you they're a real prize to live with or be around. We just enjoy our lives and have learned to separate the wheat from the chaf. There's always going to be chaf in this world!!
Lorrie, I enjoyed the blog as well, but I do want to suggest that you include a more up-to-date picture of Clay in the print edition. There are some really good ones out there. The one in the ad in the April Playbill is exceptional. And there were some great photos in a recent AP photo shoot. The album cover picture would be good also. The hair is blond now, and a more current photo would serve him well. Thanks.
Hi from Venezuela! He's got a fan here too :)
Thanks for the interview. It's great to read an interview from someone polite and honest. Bye!
Nice little piece.
Thankyou Lorrie.
Lorrie, thanks for the interview. I appreciate that you were trying to get some of the more pertinent questions asked. As for the negative comments by some of his fans in here, you didn't tell them what they wanted to hear, so in their mind it's got to be your fault. Don't take it personally and please don't hold it against his more rational fans. Thanks.
Thanks, Lorrie for your excellent article! You did a wonderful job wading through all the 350 posts and narrowing down the major topics of concern to Clay's fans. I also like how succintly you organized Clays's answers as bullets. Nice reading.
Although I would have loved to see Clay tour this summer, I'm happy that he is able to take time off to recharge. Can't wait for the cd in May, and for my first chance to see him in Spamalot in 2 weeks!
I still would love to see Clay in a movie or television show ~ hopefully one day!
Thank you Lorrie for a very informative interview. I saw Clay Aiken in Spamalot and found him to be a fantastic stage performer. I look forward to the new CD and to the tour whenever he chooses to schedule it.
Thanks again!!
Very nice piece - thank you!
I was hoping for a summer tour, but I choose to look on the bright side - at least I won't have to endure the sweltering heat to enjoy a couple hours of Clay's voice. An autumn tour would work just fine for me!
Can't wait to hear the new album.
When I started to see questions about making movies and more Broadway plays I knew some would be disappointed. Clay is a cautious guy and he is not going to tell people what he has up his sleeve until it is a done deal.
Thanks for the article. I liked it and I'm glad he is going to go home for a while and take some time for himself. He certainly deserves it.
Strange to read that Clay's cds are not released in Singapore. The fact is, all of Clay's cds have been and will continue to be released in Singapore. And I am so looking forward to his latest album!
I'm actually relieved to hear the tour will not be happening for awhile yet. More time to save up for tickets! I'm sure Clay can use a break too. But don't count on him resting for long because he gets bored quickly and will be working on his next project before you know it!
Thanks Lorrie for the interesting interview! =)
I must make a correction to my previous post. The new album name is "On My Way Here." My sincere apologies.