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Bring this over in case MJ and RB have not seen a report from a M&G last night. (found on the Street)

Somewhat of a recap last night's M&G. I've always wondered just what those of you who have had M&G's meant about him looking 'freshly scrubbed'....well, now I know. There is definitely an aura around him when he first walks into a room. It's almost like a cleansing moment. I had been pretty excited about meeting the 'man' but as soon as he opened the door and said "Hi Guys!!, I was at ease. He came in, kinda looked around and commented on how amazing the room looked (and it did). He sat down and we all began to chat. Jerome had told us to be sure and keep him talking because if he got bored, he would just leave the room. I don't think he got bored at all. The conversation was free and easy. It was clear to me that he was ready to GET 'ER DONE. The show was ready for us to see and feel. Clay commented that it was going to be really different. He said he would only stop twice to talk....but it wasn't scripted. There would not be any 'farting' jokes at this concert...it was going to be "reverant".

There was a question about Spamalot and would he wear a wig. He giggled a litle and said YES, he probably would wear a wig. He doesn't like to bother about his hair. Someone said he should bring Jamie to NY with him...they both agreed that would NOT be a good idea. I asked about taking dancing lessons for the show and he said NO he hadn't taken any and wasn't going to. I asked him how was he going to do the Russian dance and he came back with why did I ASSUME he was going to do a Russian dance. He didn't HAVE to do one. I really think they (directors and producers) have given him the green light to make the part his own. Just because it has been done a certain way doesn't mean he has to do that same way.

Someone asked about the new CD and whether or not he had been doing an song writing for it. His response was probably not...maybe...he'll write when/if he gets the urge. He did say he hoped it might be ready sometime in the first half of the year. I got the feeling that he isn't ready to talk much about the album. Right now his entire focus is on the Christmas tour and Spamalot.

WICHITA, KS M&G

If anyone wants to read this, here's my recap:

My friend Robyn told me Sunday to go check my email just in case I might have won a meet and greet, I told her there's no way I won one, but ran to my other email addy like an obedient little girl, anyway. When I saw that I had exactly one message in there titled "You Have Won a Meet and Greet for Wichita, KS" I was sure Robyn had sent it for a joke!! When I realized it was the real deal I forwarded to her with various and sundry EEEEEEEEEE's attached, and she answered back with, "See? Ya gotta believe!!"

So, anyway, we were told to be at the M&G by 5:30 or so Monday, but we got there quite a bit earlier, since it was cold, but not BITTERLY cold, and knew we wouldn't freeze if we had to wait outside for awhile.. The thing is, because of a certain security issue, they set the M&G back to 6:30 or until they could get enough security personnel in the bldg. before letting people in. They said they never lock their doors to concert goers, but Clay's security was adamant that they do it this time.

After standing outside for nearly 90 minutes, the five us were finally ushered inside, and Jerome led us to a very pretty room to wait for Clay. Jerome was an absolute darling, and he said that he loved every last one of Clay's fans that he'd met, that we were a great bunch! He was looking very trim and fly, too. He's a snarky li'l devil himself - he picked up the offering plate that was sitting on a table in the little room and handed it to one of the ladies to pass around the circle, joking that he'd always wanted to do that (take up an offering! LOL).

He told us Clay would be in shortly, during which time we ladies got to know one another a little bit (we had already been talking outside some, though two of them had stayed in the car until they saw us being let in. They were lucky enough to be parked in view of the door). He also told us not to ask dumb, boring questions like, "what's your favorite color," or let the conversation lag, or Clay would get bored and leave!

When Clay came in I could hear myself take in a huge breath of air - because he was absolutely BREATHTAKING!!! He wore a white Canada hoodie and gray sweat pants, and his hair was soft and natural and parted on the side, I think. Or was it the middle? Whatever, you could see his amazingly handsome face, and his skin was FLAWLESS!! I've never seen anyone as beautiful and gorgeous as him in my entire life and I barely took my eyes off his face the whole time he was with us, maybe 20 minutes or so.

He came around and shook hands with each of us, asking us our names and saying nice to meet you, etc. Then he sat down in a chair we had left open for him, with two of us to his right and three to his left. He then asked us where we were from, and made some kind of a comment about all of our hometowns. Like, he knew that Independence is "Harry Truman country."

He let us all ask him at least one question, and said there would be no banter this tour and that he knew many on the boards would be disappointed by that. He said it would be very regimented and non-changing from show to show. I said, "Oh, really? A banter-less concert? Won't you get bored and want to change it up sometimes?" And he promised me that this time around there would be no changing it up because while he'd had fun being silly and goofy during the SRHP tour, he wanted the focus this time to be on the real reason for the Christmas season - the birth of Christ. Pretty much what he said in his blog. I loved that, and admire him so much for the stands that he makes.

My question was, "will you grow your hair for Spamalot, or wear a wig?" He said he wasn't sure, maybe he'd wear a wig. I said, "but you have such pretty hair, I wish you just grow it out!" He said, "but then I'd have to fix it every night!" Bwah, as IF. Hey Clay, you have a personal hairdresser, what's that mess about having to do your own hair!

I really can't remember the other questions that were asked of him, except that someone asked him about the new CD, which he said he hasn't even started recording yet (in reply to the question "do you have a single picked out yet?") I said that I'd read several times that it would be out early next year but that sounded entirely impossible in light of what he'd just told us. He looked me straight in the eye and said he'd certainly like for it to be out sometime in the first half of 2008. I hope he really thinks that's feasible, as that would so rock. But I have my doubts!!

He teased the woman sitting between himself and me - a LOT. She had small binocs hanging around her neck and he asked her in a stern voice, "What row are YOU sitting in?" We all laughed knowingly. The little stinker!!

All too quickly he told us it was time to sign our items, but said we could keep asking questions if we could think of any. I asked him if he would sign my AIW CD from "the REAL Clay Aiken" and he said he'd be glad to. I wish I had been looking him in the eye instead of pulling the insert from my CD, so I could have seen the expression on his face. I told him that some fans from my home board would get a real kick out of it.

He told us that Durham was with him, but not Raleigh. One of the ladies said, "I'm sure you were quoted in an interview as saying that BOTH dogs were with you."

Clay pretended to be perturbed (he really wasn't), but assured us that 85% of everything written about him (EVEN IN INTERVIEWS) was inaccurate. I said, "Uh, yeah, we've figured that out by now, Clay."

All too soon it was time for pictures, and I was last in line for that, but it was all over in less than a minute as Jamie (or was it Mary - they were both there but I only had eyes for Clay) is very professional and knows how to get'er done. I'm sure I had the goofiest grin you've ever seen on my face - who could help it with their arm around Clay Aiken's waist and his arm around their shoulder???!!! He really did smell just fresh and nice and lovely. We even sniffed the back of his chair after he left! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

Jamie (or was it Mary?) said we could receive our pictures via email as soon as that very night, but 50-odd hours later, we still haven't, or at least I haven't. A friend told me she didn't get hers for over three weeks last summer, so I guess I'll just have to be patient!

The concert from 8th row (my best seats by far in the mere 4 shows I've been able to attend in 5 years) was amazing - Clay was standing almost directly in front of me - just a tich to the right - and he sounded absolutely phenomenal, as always. I enjoyed every song and it seemed like a 20 minute concert instead of almost two hours - it flew by so fast! As gorgeous as he looked (and he really, really did) I think I almost prefer his fresh-faced, casual look for the M&G. He doesn't know a stranger, really (except of course when he's being interviewed by someone rude, in which case he will clam up and be unreceptive) - he breezes into the room with his "Hi, hi are ya? Nice to meet ya!" friendly manner and puts everyone immediately at ease, and it's like talking to a friend or relative that you actually love (only a much hotter version! )

After it was over I was able to find 11 people I knew from either the boards or my past three concerts or both, and spend hours visiting with them in the bus line, IHOP, and the Marriott lobby. The bus line was especially merry as we all tried to keep our feet from going numb. I actually thought it felt a bit warmer in the busline that it had before my meet and greet 6 or 7hours earlier, probably because I was out of the wind and sheltered by a bunch of bodies. I was still in the Aiken fog as well, and could feel no pain! No, he never did come out. I think he was probably blogging at that time, but it was still a blast to chat with all the like-minded people who EEEEEE at the very thought of Clay Aiken!

He really is the finest man I've ever laid eyes on. Bar none.

This is from what Jen said right when she came out of the Meet and Greet - we we're over on the back up board but it's fun to reread...

Quote:

I just talked to Jen -

The Meet and Greet was wonderful - bad stuff first -

The whole place has been very tense - Jerome talked to the Meet and Greeters about it all so I'm sure Jen will report more but it was that lady that has caused all the tight security - she is or was there - I'm not sure which - they have guards all around the buses... so things were tense and rushed...

Clay had on the Canada sweat shirt he wears - and sweats - his hair is longer then it's been but not anywhere as long as last year at Christmas -

Quote from: clz4clay on November 26, 2007, 05:16:02 PM

Before Clay came Jerome started passing aound a collection plate - he said he always wanted to do that.. ;D

Clay came in and sat next to Jen -

He talked about how huge the church was and asked Jen to guess how many pastors there were - she guessed 4 - wrong - he asked everyone else - finally said there were 18

Some one asked if they were all coming to the concert - Clay said nope - that's too many pastors to have in one room - I thought that was really funny - ;D

Clay was NOT at his high school reunion -

he said most of the speculation on the boards or "facts" on the boards about what he does and where he goes is WRONG and he thinks it's pretty funny

Quote from: clz4clay on November 26, 2007, 05:20:46 PM

Clay said that by 10 tonight there is going to be real unrest in the fandom because he's not doing much banter - so the boards will erupt...

its more like JNT05 - the stories and then his songs

Jen cracked a joke some where along the lines - and she can explain that - but Clay thought it was funny

He's brought one of his dogs -

the question Jen asked was for Jon -

She told Clay her brother who was in third grade looks up to Clay as his role model -

Clay protested and started talking about how he wasn't a good one -

Jen said - you are too a good one - she can tell you about that better too

so the question was what was Clay's favorite subject in third grade

SOCIAL STUDIES

but it was lame because in third grade they learned about Raleigh and 4 the grade about North Carolina

Clay was very talkative and snarky

making fun of a lady who had binoculars -

she thinks her picture will be great...

St. Louis M&G

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Hi all! I was lucky enough to win a m&g in St. Louis Tuesday night and thought I'd post a recap. I think Stargazer *waves* did an excellent job, though!

First of all, I have to say that Clay has some pretty wonderful people as fans. It seems like every time I attend a show or a party I end up gaining new friends that never would have met if it wasn't for him. This m&g was no different!

We weren't quite sure where to go when we arrived at the venue, but found that the box office was open and it happened to be the right place. We all stood around and chatted while we waited for Jerome to come for us. When Jerome arrived he was all smiles and cracking jokes on us- what a nice guy! He made sure we all got our passes and then we were off to a screening room in the basement of the Fox. The passes had a little boy on them and someone asked Jerome who it was. He kidded and said to ask Clay- Jerome couldn't tell us if he still wanted a job tomorrow. We said we would, but apparently in our excitement we forgot, lol!

Soon after we were seated Clay came bounding in with a smile and and a friendly, 'Hey guys!' He was just adorable in his hoodie and unstyled hair. I've never gotten to meet Clay before and I'll admit I was kinda nervous, but he has this way about him.... He's just so friendly that within 2.5 seconds he makes you feel like you've known him forever. He's charming, gracious, handsome and just plain down to earth. And TALL! Geez, I don't think I've ever felt so short, lol.

He shook our hands and asked our names, then sat down with us. The conversation was light, funny and carefree- he made us feel like he had nothing better to do that day than chat with us, lol. Stargazer covered many of the questions so I'll try not to repeat her too much. I remember someone asked about Tears Run Dry and he said that he did like the song but he didn't expect it to be on the next album. He joked about the skating thing with Sasha, saying that they had told him to pretend he couldn't skate but he hoped we knew better, lol. Accoustic Christmas shows had crossed his mind but he didn't think we'd like to hear just him like that for 2 hours. We disagreed, lol. Someone asked him if he'd had to learn sign language in college and he said he did. He talked about the Christmas show and said that he thinks this year's will be his favorite. He said that he usually likes to change things up but doesn't feel like he will want to this time- it's classy and reverant and he loves the fan stories. I could tell how proud he is of the new show- as he should be! It is beautiful and shouldn't be missed!!!!

All in all I just have to say that the thing I was most struck with is the fact that Clay's just a regular guy. When I sat down and talked with him that superstar factor in my mind just sort of fell away and I was left with this kind man with an amazing talent. He was incredibly easy to talk to and I can't say enough about how happy I am to have finally met him! He's everything I had hoped he would be and more. I'm so proud to be his fan! Thanks Clay!