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olsonpl wrote:

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Hi all

Well, I've just been home a short time after attending the Council Bluffs and KC concerts. Boy...it has been quite an emotional roller coaster ride the past two days! I've given much thought to what I wanted to post regarding my M&G experience. It was an occasion I was looking forward to with great excitement, an occasion after which left me with some mixed feelings. I will recap in as much detail as I can, but this is going to be lengthy so please bear with me. After I give the details, I will give my impressions so you will understand why I stated I had some mixed feelings afterward.

As everyone probably may know by now, the Stub HUB M&Gs take place now during the intermission after William Joseph's opening act. Myself, my 4-yr-old daughter, and the other two people were led back to the M&G area where we waited quite a long time for Clay. Nick came and went a couple of times and I joked with him at one point that "the joke was on us because Clay wasn't really going to be coming." Of course, he said Clay would be along soon. Well, I knew from reading previous concert and Stub Hub M&G reviews that Clay's show typically starts around 8:50-8:55. I remember looking at my watch at one point to see that it said 8:45 and wondered if we were going to get the enjoyment of spending 10-15 minutes with Clay as other Stub Hub winners have reported having.

Shortly thereafter I hear a voice from behind me say "Hey there, how are ya?" as Clay and Co. come walking in from a door at the other end of the room. The four of us are sitting on stools at a high table. Clay comes and stands right next to me (it was all I could do not to ) and pats me on the shoulder. He said that he was very sorry for running late, that it was his fault. He went on to say that he wanted to meet with us but didn't want to keep the rest of the audience waiting and asked if we would mind coming back in during the intermission. Of course we said that would be NO problem (heck, seeing and talking to him personally TWICE in one night...who wouldn't want to do that!). Anyway, before he left to take the stage, he asked our names and shook our hands. He started with me, then went to my daughter. She just turned four in August and was so excited to meet Clay. She's been traveling with me on little road trips to his concerts since she was 2 1/2. Anyway, he asks her name and she quietly and shyly mumbles "Katie Clay". He asked again, and after she mumbled it again, I repeated to Clay that her name is Katie Clay. He said "Clay?" I said, "Yes, that's her last name." He said, "Well, hello Katie Clay!" and shook her little hand. It was cute because from then on when he spoke to her, he called her Katie Clay, not just Katie. He left then to start the show and we left as well to return to our seats. While walking backstage, I saw Angela and Quianna walking toward the stage and said "have a great show ladies" and waved. They waved back and said "thank you."

PART 2:

At the start of intermission, the 4 of us went backstage again. Jerome (who is VERY NICE, by the way) had told us previously to just come on back when the intermission started. Shortly after we entered the room, Clay, Jerome, and Nick entered as well. Clay again apologized for the change of plans and thanked us for waiting (like we really minded! ) At this point, my daughter Katie came up to him and touched his arm. He looked down and said "hello" and asked her how old she was, to which she replied "four." He asked her where she was from, which she didn't know. So I leaned down and whispered "Springfield, Missouri" to her and she repeated it to Clay. He says to her "Oh, how far away is that?" Again I leaned down and said "six hours" which she repeated. He replied to her "Wow, that's a long ways. Did you fly or drive?" At that question she just stared at him, so he asked again. Still she didn't know what he meant. Then he rephrased and asked "Did you come on an airplane or in a car?" That she understood and replied "a car." Again, he said to her what a long way that was to drive. I said "Yes, but we made a stopover." He then looked at me and asked "Are you coming to the Kansas City show?" and I said that, yes I was, but she (Katie) wouldn't be there. He looked at Katie then and said in a slightly exaggerated manner something to the effect that "well, that's not fair now is it?" Anyway, he went on then to visit with the other two ladies.

Oh, I did forget to mention one kind of funny thing. After we had gone back to our seats the first time for the start of the show, one of the other Stub Hub winners took a picture on the first song and the flash went off . She and her niece (the other winner) looked at each other like "oh my gosh", and the niece said to me that there was tape on the flash but it still shone through. Her aunt didn't use the camera anymore.

OK...now back to the 2nd intermission. When Clay walked in the first thing he said was "Someone's in trouble here...used a flash..." and looked right at the ladies with the camera, and then he said it again. He said it in the kind of way that you knew he was both teasing and serious at the same time. Anyway, she felt so bad and explained about the tape. He told her it was OK and kind of studied the tape on her camera flash. I think someone in the room must have fixed the setting at some point because I saw her using the camera later in the show without the flash.

I'm gonna try to wrap this up soon...I promise! Clay proceeded to sign things for us. When it was my turn to have something signed, I told him I didn't know what his thoughts were about signing multiple items but asked if it would be OK to have more than one thing signed. He said "Sure." So I had him sign my tour book, my LTS book, and my MCWL CD. For each thing he asked me who to make it out to, and when it came to the last item (the CD), I felt rather foolish saying my name again, but I did with the joke that I guessed I was being greedy. Well, when I said my name again, he looked at Katie and jokingly said to her "what? nothing for you, Katie Clay??" Well, then I really felt bad, but I didn't think that signing the CD would have meaning for her. (I had stopped by the merchandise table before the concert to see if there was a child's shirt I could get her for him to sign, but they didn't have any.) Anyway, I said "of couse, make it out to Katie." Then he said "I'm just kidding" with a little chuckle. And I said "no really, it's fine...let's do it for her." He said "how about this...I'll make it out to Katie and to you." So that's what he did.

After signing our items, he took pictures with the other two ladies first. When it was our turn, he picked Katie up, took a picture with her, called me over and put his arm around me and I put mine around him ) and took a picture with the three of us. Then he said, "Here, Katie Clay, let me give you to Jerome for a minute," and he handed her over to Jerome to hold. He put his arm around me again, leaned in close, and the third picture was taken. He then gave me a hug and thanked me for helping BAF. He gave us our gifts, hugged us all again, and thanked us one more time. When I hugged him I told him his program was wonderful. He said "thank you very much...everybody better be crying the second half" and then started to head out. As he was walking away, my Katie called out "goodbye Clay", and he turned around, smiled and waved to her, and said "bye Katie Clay", and was gone.

(Just thought I'd add...as we were walking out, I saw Jacob backstage talking on his cellphone. It was rather dark so I couldn't see him with great clarity, but I waved and he gave a little wave back. Ten minutes later the second half started and, as you all know, he was not there.)

Now...on to my impressions. (This won't be nearly as lengthy, I promise! ) Clay was sweet, gracious, and gentlemanly in every way. However, he appeared tired to me and seemed kind of distracted; his eyes--as beautiful as they are--especially looked tired. He was rather low-key, as if maybe his mind was elsewhere. He didn't connect the way I expected with my daughter, based on how we've seen him with children before. And I was really looking forward, as any momma would be, to seeing that interaction. So, a little disappointment there. I got the feeling that perhaps this wasn't a good night for him, but he was doing his best anyway to express his appreciation and to give us the experience with him as promised for being Stub Hub winners. He also seemed a bit in a hurry/rushed, probably because of running behind and then not having much time at intermission to get ready for the second half. Even so, I think we had about eight to ten minutes with him.

I had the feeling from the very first time I saw/talked to him at the original meeting time (after William Joseph) that something wasn't quite right. But, I thought it was either because he was tired or that it was just my imagination. But after spending more time with him the second time around, I had that sense even more. And, of course, now I know why. Clearly the Jacob issue was the reason for any distraction on his part. I certainly don't hold any blame at all against Clay. I am so very thankful and appreciative for the opportunity for my daughter and I to meet him, even under the circumstances at the time. And for him to be as gracious and accommodating as he was, with all that we now know was going on, was absolutely wonderful. Just like our guy...a class act concerned about the happiness of others. I guess I was just hoping to meet and talk with the happy, relaxed, funny Clay that I've come to know from all that I've read and seen in the clack. And I'd really hoped to see that special interaction with my daughter. But these feelings are my own fault, really, for going into it with expectations...a lesson now learned. In the midst of what must have been an extremely trying time, Clay gave his all for us and for that I'll be forever grateful. I think I've decided, though, that I'm going to save up my money and maybe in a year or two, when Katie's a little older, I'll bid on a Stub Hub again for another opportunity to talk to him, at a time that will hopefully be a happier one for him. Thanks for your patience in reading this "book"-LOL.

By the way, it was great meeting and talking to several Clay fans that I've met here on the Clayboard. The KC concert was beyond description; I've been weepy all day as a result. There's nothing more I can add to that concert description than what has already been reported. It was just AWESOME and AMAZINGLY TOUCHING! I'd recommend getting all the clack you can of the KC show...you won't regret it.

KCUDawg wrote:

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O.K. here goes before I totally forget everything or lose my nerve to write. I have not done one of these before so please let me know if I oops on anything. First of all my M&G went very smoothly for me. When I first got to the venue they were still working on getting the information for us but the lady at the KC box office was very nice. She said just keep checking back so I did. She took my name and a copy of the e-mail confirmation at one point so she had all the info that she could. I got my packet right before the doors opened and a wonderful couple saved my place in line while I checked with the box office so I could make it in to get my ornament for the special night.

It was easy to focus on the concert tonight and stay relatively calm until the end because the performance was amazing from my seat. I ABSOLTELY LOVED every minute, note, smile, expression, growl, socks, everything. I was mesmerized until the house lights came up and I realized it was time.

After the show - very sad that there was no Good News - I don't know what it takes to get folks to listen to the request for no flash but it did not work tonight. We gathered according to our instructions outside the theater, waited a few minutes to make sure that they had everyone and then went back in side the theater. We sat there for a couple of minutes at the most and Jerome came in, apologized that we missed out on good news and confirmed for those of us that know what happens that there had been too many flashes. He then gave us the rules - smiling and very friendly the whole time but wanted to make sure everyone understood. They had us wait there for maybe 15 minutes (at the most) so we could sit instead of stand and then we were lead outside to the green room. We lined up - there were lots of folks - I did not count but it seemed like at least 20. I was about #6 in line. "Tommy" was there with some family and was very cute and nice. Angela, Quiana and their traveling physician came in to meet some folks. They were very friendly and looked great.

It seemed like no time at all and Clay came in. It was wonderful just to watch Clay with everyone in front of me. He is ssooooo nice to everyone and funny as always. When he came in he said something about wow there are a lot of you and that only the first 10 in line were going to make it - teasing of course. The first boy in line was so sweet, his mom was with him and got a hug and Clay teased to the rest of us "Don't get your hopes up". I was holding my book to get signed and all of a sudden someone said I am on pg 101 - it was "Beverly" Allison - she had been in the corner of the room. I did not see her - she said she was hiding. She was also very nice and we talked for a moment. I think all that kept coming out of my mouth was how wonderful the show was and thanks for doing what they do. Mary was not taking the pics tonight - it was the wonderful guy dancer from Australia - mind going blank on name at the moment. The line was moving so quickly - enjoyed watching Clay with the other folks. All of a sudden I was next. I managed to hand my camera over, turned on and everything, even showed him the zoom when he asked. Walked toward the table and time flew by. I of course did not get out anything that I had wanted to say like wishing Clay a wonderful 2006 and thanking him for giving us the M&G opportunities and thanks for all of the wonderful folks and new friends that I have met through the Claymate connection. I was only able to respond with the answers to his questions of how are you tonight, where are you from, my name (Karen) and the spelling. He asked is it with a K or a C and with an E. I had to think a second on the last one. The only other things I managed to get out of my mouth were lots of Thank you so much.

I did make sure to watch him while he signed my book instead of the pen and make eye contact when he spoke which was amazing. It was time for the pic. He put his arm around me very gently and the song even applies to a 1/2 hug - it is warmer with him in it. I look at the picture and it seems too good to be true - feels like someone must have photoshopped me into it but I know better. I will upload as soon as I learn how- after Clearwater. It was over quick but I will never forget it. If you have not won one yet don't give up hope. I never imagined that I would win one either but it happened.

My apologies for any grammatical errors and major run on paragraphs but I figured it was now or never. Off to dream and on to 2 more wonderful concerts before OMC withdrawal sets in for awhile.

To several of my new friends that have a M&G in Clearwater - ENJOY. To all of my new friends that I have met or re-met on this tour I am so glad that I have met you and hope to have much more Clay fun with you in the future.

Thanks for listening.
KCUDAWG

kylovestbaf wrote:

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This is one of my first posts here (maybe the first), but I promised some people that I would post about my meet and greet experience.

I had the thrill of meeting Clay thanks to the Official Fan Club so special thanks to them.

My meet and greet was after the show. I was about halfway through the line. If I ever get the chance to meet him again, I will choose to be at the end of the line because it was so much fun watching Clay interact with the other people. He was joking and teasing with everyone and it really made me feel at ease. Quite a few people in front of me forgot their cameras and he told Mary that she should start keeping the nice ones. He tried to make one woman sing for her signed picture and then when she did, he quickly sent her away!

When it was my turn, I kept telling myself not to say or do anything stupid. He asked me my name and I told him. He asked me how to spell it and I said that the autograph was for my daughter, Kyleigh. I had brought a picture of her, a picture of me with Diane Bubel, and a picture of some GA Claymates holding a poster with my daughter's picture on it. I explained that she was very grateful for the BAF and that it was going to benefit her greatly. (She has cerebral palsy, but I didn't tell him that. He probably got the idea because the picture of her was in her wheelchair). He was very serious when I mentioned the BAF and said something to the effect of "Thank you for supporting the group and I'm glad it helps."

After that, it was back to fun. I had made a box on the piece of paper with the pictures showing him where to sign and I had written "Sign here: To Kyleigh". He joked and asked if I wanted him to sign ON the words or in the box beneath it. I told him "in the box because it is for a framed picture and I already measured the size." He then proceeded to tell me that I was very bossy. I probably should have said, "That's because I'm a teacher" but I didn't.

He put his arm around me and had his picture made. While he did he asked how old Kyleigh was. His smile made me melt and I could feel myself trembling when he touched me, but I managed to grin from ear to ear. He was wearing the black suit that he finished the show in without the red cravat. His hair looked fantastic and the whole time I just kept thinking I can't believe I'm here with Clay.

He shook my hand and I made myself remember to get my camera. I walked calmly past the security guards, but when I got to the top of the stairs I literally jumped up and down for joy. I couldn't contain my excitement. I was nearly out the door of the building when I remembered that I had forgotten my purse and my jacket and I had to go back and ask the security guard to get it for me. I don't think Clay noticed, but I was very embarassed.

All in all, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks for letting me share. Also, thanks to all of you who posted about your experiences so I would have a better idea of what to expect. Many of you said the opportunity was very quick, but for me it felt like the few moments he spent with me were spread out to be savored. I will cherish the memory always.
Christine K.

claydb wrote:

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I was so nervous to meet Clay, I did'nt know if I could actually do it. I had to keep reminding myself that I have a son the same age as Clay and to just keep thinking of him as one of my sons buddies. (yeah right, that worked). We all had to take the elevator up to a banquet room and wait for Clay to come in. First Nick came in and made his usual joke about how there was an incident in one of the dressing rooms that he really could not go into detail about, and that the meet and greet would be delayed for about one hour, but in almost the same breath he said "and also, I'm just kidding!" He then asked that we all form a line along one wall. There was a tall skinny table, the type that they have in cocktail lounges that is only large enough around to set a couple of drinks on, and this is where they had things set up for Clay to stand.

Then Clay came walking into the room!!! He looked beautiful!! He had on the "Good News" suit. The first thing I noticed was that his skin looked very tan color. Then I realized that he most probably still had on his stage makeup. He went straigt over to the table that they had set up for him and Jerome seemed to appear out of nowhere and was suddenly against the wall behind the table. He did not walk in with Clay. They got things moving immediately. Each person would walk up to the table and hand Clay the item that they wanted him to sign and he would say a few words while he was signing it, and then he would slightly step to the side of the table and take a picture. Then it was on to the next person. As it got closer to my turn I started to get really nervous. But then something good happened to calm me down a bit, and then something bad happened that just blew it for me.

First the good thing. In line right in front of me were two young girls, probably 8 to 9 years old. The distance from the beginning of the line to the table where Clay was standing was about 10 - 15 feet. When it was the first little girls turn, she was so excited that she threw her arms in the air and literally started to leap over to Clay and she let out a shriek as she was making her way towards him. Leave it to Clay to do something funny. He stood at his table and threw his arms up in the air and started to shriek also! Everyone in the room started laughing. Evern Jerome was laughing on that one!

I thought, okay, that was great, a little humor was just what I needed to loosen up a little bit and get the nerves out. After all, I was next. EEEK!! Well, just then, this big burly biker guy who was in line just behind me says to his buddy "Man, I'm so nervous I'm starting to sweat." Great, that was it for me. My fear returned full force. And it was my turn. So, in short, I blew it! I walked up to Clay. He shook my hand and we said hello (he has smoothe warm hands for the record - size large). I handed him my program from the concert and he said "Is this what you want me to sign?" And I said "Yes please." He asked me how to spell my name and then asked me if it was one word or two. I had brought a gift for him and so while he was signing my program I put the gift bag on the table and said "I brought this gift for you Clay." He said "Thank you very much, that is very thoughtful of you. Then he said, "Let's take a picture together." The next thing I know, he puts the pen down, reaches around the table and sort of brings me over to his side of the table and in close to him and puts his arm around me!!!!! I should'nt have, because I'm old enough to be his mother, but I put my arm around him too!!! He's so skinny! At this point my brain simply checked out. I knew that Nick took the picture, but I did'nt remember looking at Nick or looking at the camera or pretty much anything else that was going on in that room or this planet at that moment. After the picture, Clay picked my program up off the table and handed it to me and said "Thank you for coming tonight Deanne", and I said, " Thank you Clay." I feel like such a bonehead! Here I was waiting and so excited to meet Clay, and I said practically nothing! I think he could tell that I was terrified. He seemed to be being very caring, but then that's just Clay. I will post our picture and also a picture of the gift I got for Clay as soon as I figure out how to do it. Won't be long. It's worth the wait, I have a close up shot of that big beautiful hand and those long lovely fingers!!!!!!