Clay Moves On From RCA (Confirmation Post #165)

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Okclayhoman		#401	[-]
Posts: 5957 (02/22/09 1:15 PM) Clay Aiken, courage class and dignity Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I honestly have not one single worry about Clay's future.....think of all that he has been through and overcome....he is a survivor and now that he is finally free from the awful RCA label, I have no doubt but that he will always, always be here and knocking our and everyone else's socks off. He has a plan....and now that RCA is no longer in the mix he is free to pursue those plans. Clay loves this career and he loves and is so appreciative of us.....I am so excited for the future....I got on this train six years ago and I am not getting off.....I can hardly wait for us to find out what 2009 will bring........
gloriousrose		#402	[-]
Posts: 3537 (02/22/09 1:19 PM) Clay Love in Bloom Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Oh, oh. Claikendee is now posting septuplets.
claikendee		#403	[-]
Posts: 7164 (02/22/09 2:14 PM) Finally, I'm first at something!! Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	the Aiken triplets are so excited about the news too, they are spam-a-slappin'!! they are celebratin' with Angela! Happy Free-from-RCA New Year !! Clay: ''Here's to you, RCA.... I love you this much!! ''...... Clay: "RCA: kiss mah......grits!" Last Edited By: claikendee 02/22/09 2:32 PM. Edited 1 times.
LosAngelesDawn		#404	[-]
Posts: 1505 (02/22/09 2:28 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This wasn't even news to us. Clay and his people have worked on this a long time so he's not now suddenly trying to decide what to do. Please don't compare Clay to Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin..... they are good working singers in the industry. Clay is a star. I'm not sure if that means he will be independent or sign with a major label. But the good news is Clay is free now to work with David Foster. With or without a label, he will be able to sing real music, quality music. David knows how to work with extraordinary talents. RCA's strategy is nos. of artists not quality. They didn't know what to do with Clay and priority on release dates and how much promotion etc. was always given to newly emerging idols. Can't have an existing star like Clay or Kelly cannibalize sales nos. for someone new just coming out of idol. RCA was just the wrong label for Clay, strategies that just didn't fit someone with an amazing and unique talent. ATDW - like your teacher gives you an assignment you really don't want to do and you agonize over it. Then in the end you have a spectacular masterpiece! OMWH - had 10 days of promotion from its release date. Promotion ended May 16, my birthday so I remember, we were at Kimmel and that was the last promo Clay did. He canceled what was planned from that time on, and we all know why (baby story, tabloids). Can't help wondering, total speculation.... wouldn't surprise me if Clay and his people had this break in mind that far back or even further. So would he and Jaymes have put their best song selections on the last album for RCA? Maybe they have a little stash of great songs reserved for the next album. OMWH was just that.... the journey and the end of the journey with RCA. Now we turn the corner.... Fans - let's not stress too much over this. Fanbases change, that's very normal. Especially in Clay's case because of 3 albums with very different sounds/styles. Clay can easily grow his fanbase now he's free to do that. Especially if he does something on TV, if people can see and hear him. Last year was pretty much a write-off because all he did was Spamalot which was one place, one thing, targeted only those fans who could go. The fans on the Internet and OFC, that's just a very small core of anyone's fanbase. What really matters is how many fans there are total, meaning how many people will and can buy a CD. If they buy a CD, they are in the count. They don't have to sit here 24/7 on the internet. So I wouldn't get too alarmed even if OFC renewals are down. And if they want to get those nos. up, it's very easy - promotion, special offers, reduced pricing, offer it free for a while, get people interested and in there. Getting people to the fanclub is probably the easiest part of everything that is on his plate right now.
Lynnie171		#405	[-]
Posts: 2270 (02/22/09 2:41 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LAdawn....Thank you for that post. Its what I've been trying to say, but didn't say it nearly as well as you.
gloriousrose		#406	[-]
Posts: 3537 (02/22/09 3:01 PM) Clay Love in Bloom Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LAdawn, I agree with all you said. Most of the angst is that we love Clay so much we tend to worry whenever something happens-which seems to be frequently with this megatalented man. And claikendee.
Clayitagain		#407	[-]
Posts: 3148 (02/22/09 3:06 PM) I LOVE CLAY AIKEN Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Clay will be just fine....He knows what his fans like...He knows we loved the JBT...He knows we absolutely loved the entrance of Kyrie....that still gives me shivers!!!! Every entertainer goes through different phases...the difference with Clay is...that he has trememdous talent....That cannot be denied. Heck, I remember when Justin T. left the nsync (Sorry..I had the wrong group..so I just fixed it)...showed up in Toronto for a Rolling Stones concert..and all these acts were performing, Justin got booed off the stage. People did not want to hear him.....Wow...what a few years will do huh. (I still wouldn't pay a nickle to see him by the way) The thing is..if some fans have left...they have left for the wrong reasons...To me...if Clay couldn't sing and had no talent...I can see moving on...But someone with a voice like his..... gosh...there is just so much talent there...... I have no worries about him at all....People just need to see him...and hear him...to know that when he steps out onto a stage... HE OWNS IT.....PERIOD... When he first appears on stage...he takes your breath away..he really does...I still get that feeling every time I go to see Clay...even in Spamalot. His presence is just felt....it's strange...but it's true.... You go Clay...Here is one fan that is definately here for you always!!! Hugs, Judy Last Edited By: Clayitagain 02/22/09 7:54 PM. Edited 1 times.
faybelady		#408	[-]
Posts: 1714 (02/22/09 3:07 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LADawn - .....................................
shirljan		#409	[-]
Posts: 2478 (02/22/09 3:35 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LAdawn......very sensible and well written post. I agree with most everything you said. I have to admit that I sometimes find change hard but I AM learning to take a deep breath when it comes to Clay ...and actually THINK about the talent that the man has and the many possibilities open to him. He's got a good head on his shoulders and a team to support him......he's free to do what he likes right now...it's been a long time coming. As for those who have left the fandom, I feel badly that they felt his talent wasn't enough ...but they are entitled to their decision and I wish them well with whomever they are following now. I belong to several boards and I have to say that not a lot of names are missing and I'm seeing a lot of new names. So only time will tell. I wish him all the best and I'll be there rooting him on.
ImsweetonClay		#410	[-]
Posts: 39 (02/22/09 4:45 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'd love it if Clay started his own production company. He's so intelligent, has learned the biz from his start on AI, sometimes took hard knocks & always came out brilliantly. I think he's ready for anything that comes his way. It'd be nice for him to have creative control, even have the opportunity to produce other artists, surround himself with ppl who share his vision. I'd also love for him to be able to write more. It's very telling to me that RCA didn't appreciate him. Nobody goes from 3 million (MOAM) to 156K (OMWH) unless there's some underhanded back-door dealings going on, unfortunately at Clay's expense. Clay continually made beautiful music, that hasn't changed. Everyone knew that Clay's contract would expire this yr & perhaps RCA was going to try & use low CD sales as leverage to convince him to sign again. To me, Clay walks away a winner, always has, always will.
DigginClay		#411	[-]
Posts: 3731 (02/22/09 4:47 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LosAngelesDawn wrote: This wasn't even news to us. Clay and his people have worked on this a long time so he's not now suddenly trying to decide what to do. Please don't compare Clay to Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin..... they are good working singers in the industry. Clay is a star. I'm not sure if that means he will be independent or sign with a major label. But the good news is Clay is free now to work with David Foster. With or without a label, he will be able to sing real music, quality music. David knows how to work with extraordinary talents. RCA's strategy is nos. of artists not quality. They didn't know what to do with Clay and priority on release dates and how much promotion etc. was always given to newly emerging idols. Can't have an existing star like Clay or Kelly cannibalize sales nos. for someone new just coming out of idol. RCA was just the wrong label for Clay, strategies that just didn't fit someone with an amazing and unique talent. ATDW - like your teacher gives you an assignment you really don't want to do and you agonize over it. Then in the end you have a spectacular masterpiece! OMWH - had 10 days of promotion from its release date. Promotion ended May 16, my birthday so I remember, we were at Kimmel and that was the last promo Clay did. He canceled what was planned from that time on, and we all know why (baby story, tabloids). Can't help wondering, total speculation.... wouldn't surprise me if Clay and his people had this break in mind that far back or even further. So would he and Jaymes have put their best song selections on the last album for RCA? Maybe they have a little stash of great songs reserved for the next album. OMWH was just that.... the journey and the end of the journey with RCA. Now we turn the corner.... Fans - let's not stress too much over this. Fanbases change, that's very normal. Especially in Clay's case because of 3 albums with very different sounds/styles. Clay can easily grow his fanbase now he's free to do that. Especially if he does something on TV, if people can see and hear him. Last year was pretty much a write-off because all he did was Spamalot which was one place, one thing, targeted only those fans who could go. The fans on the Internet and OFC, that's just a very small core of anyone's fanbase. What really matters is how many fans there are total, meaning how many people will and can buy a CD. If they buy a CD, they are in the count. They don't have to sit here 24/7 on the internet. So I wouldn't get too alarmed even if OFC renewals are down. And if they want to get those nos. up, it's very easy - promotion, special offers, reduced pricing, offer it free for a while, get people interested and in there. Getting people to the fanclub is probably the easiest part of everything that is on his plate right now. GREAT POST!!
foreveryoung4clay		#412	[-]
Posts: 3048 (02/22/09 5:03 PM) Love is a Many Splendored Thing Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	What really matters is how many fans there are total, meaning how many people will and can buy a CD. If they buy a CD, they are in the count. And how many people bought OMWH? ah, and don't forget all the multiples buying
AngelWing		#413	[-]
Posts: 21722 (02/22/09 5:19 PM) Love is how we cross that bridge to the light Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Clayitagain wrote: Clay will be just fine....He knows what his fans like...He knows we loved the JBT...He knows we absolutely loved the entrance of Kyrie....that still gives me shivers!!!! Every entertainer goes through different phases...the difference with Clay is...that he has trememdous talent....That cannot be denied. Heck, I remember when Justin T. left the Backstreet Boys...showed up in Toronto for a Rolling Stones concert..and all these acts were performing, Justin got booed off the stage. People did not want to hear him.....Wow...what a few years will do huh. (I still wouldn't pay a nickle to see him by the way) The thing is..if some fans have left...they have left for the wrong reasons...To me...if Clay couldn't sing and had no talent...I can see moving on...But someone with a voice like his..... gosh...there is just so much talent there...... I have no worries about him at all....People just need to see him...and hear him...to know that when he steps out onto a stage... HE OWNS IT.....PERIOD... When he first appears on stage...he takes your breath away..he really does...I still get that feeling every time I go to see Clay...even in Spamalot. His presence is just felt....it's strange...but it's true.... You go Clay...Here is one fan that is definately here for you always!!! Hugs, Judy Justin Timberlake was with NSync not The Backstreet Boys. Shannon
chrispycreme		#414	[-]
Posts: 1278 (02/22/09 5:23 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	A few weeks ago, I recall Clay saying, I think in an interview, that his next album would be covers again and some people weren't going to like it. Was that a predictive statement of what has come to pass this week and a clue his future plans??
polag		#415	[-]
Posts: 796 (02/22/09 5:24 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LosAngelesDawn and Clayitagain- great posts! I also remember when JT was booed off the stage at that Rollingstones event. Yes, he wasn't in with the "cool crowd" so much then. Times have changed. I don't want Clay to go the JT route but I want him to be appreciated for HIS own talent and I want him to be recording and touring for many years to come. I agree that Clay has not been sitting around without a plan in place for his career and I think a press release and publicity will start with the Tyra show appearence.
Hattie54		#416	[-]
Posts: 7597 (02/22/09 5:30 PM) Clayboard Member Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	chrispycreme wrote: A few weeks ago, I recall Clay saying, I think in an interview, that his next album would be covers again and some people weren't going to like it. Was that a predictive statement of what has come to pass this week and a clue his future plans?? You would think Clay saw that a " covers " CD didn't sell as well as MOAM??Yes,I liked about four songs on his last CD.The only " upbeat " one I did love was Grace of God.
claybeclay		#417	[-]
Posts: 999 (02/22/09 5:31 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Clay is tremendously blessed. I'm sure he is enjoying every moment along the way in his life and has lots more to experience. I don't believe he bases his happiness or success on a rigid sales and fan number and music industry approval. I believe he's not greedy for money and knows the true values of life not based on popularity and material things he can acquire. Whatever happens, I will always be his fan. However, there is still room for growth and I do wish he would take some lessons in inflection of his voice (so he never screams a note). Re: JT: I still wouldn't pay a nickle to see him by the way) agree. You would have to pay me lots of money to sit through his concert as well as many other so-called entertainers, plus I would make sure I took my ear plugs so my ears wouldn't bleed.
snarkystripes		#418	[-]
Posts: 1234 (02/22/09 5:38 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	LADawn, great post. As far as comments made about the declining number of fans online....obviously there are some fans who moved on, but there are many others, I'm sure, who don't post simply because there hasn't been too much to talk about. If there's something new and interesting and exciting that happens in Clay's career, people will post. I'm excited about this exit from RCA and glad Clay has a new beginning.
AngelWing		#419	[-]
Posts: 21722 (02/22/09 5:39 PM) Love is how we cross that bridge to the light Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	chrispycreme wrote: A few weeks ago, I recall Clay saying, I think in an interview, that his next album would be covers again and some people weren't going to like it. Was that a predictive statement of what has come to pass this week and a clue his future plans?? I love Covers of songs. If a singer can make it their own and make me like it as much as the original or possibly like it better i say bring it on. Go Clay!! Eta: I would love a cd of new stuff also. How about a double cd Shannon Last Edited By: AngelWing 02/22/09 5:44 PM. Edited 1 times.
clayshines		#420	[-]
Posts: 18814 (02/22/09 5:40 PM) A song is like a smile Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	chrispycreme wrote: A few weeks ago, I recall Clay saying, I think in an interview, that his next album would be covers again and some people weren't going to like it. Was that a predictive statement of what has come to pass this week and a clue his future plans?? They may still have been in negotiations with RCA at that time and that is what RCA was planning. Hard to know what is happening now or when the timeline was when all this was going down. Clay has also been known to change his mind!