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Set List - Frisco TX:

Here You Come Again
IWKWLI (Angela & Quiana)
When I See You Smile

TV theme songs to salute American music...
Laverne and Shirley/Different Strokes/Thank You for Being a Friend(Golden Girls)/Welcome Back Kotter/Movin' On Up(Jefferson's)/All in the Family

These Open Arms (Q or A)
When the Lights Go Down
Without You

"Energetic Songs" Medley..... Like A Virgin/Baby's Got Back/1999/Ooops, I Did It Again/YEAH!
Achy Breaky heart/Sexy back/Beat It

Lover All Alone
Because You Loved Me
God Bless The USA


Houston, Tulsa, Philly, Syracuse:

1. Here You Come Again
2. Everything I Have
3. I Want To Know What Love Is (with Quiana)
4. When I See You Smile
5. Every Time You Go Away (mostly audience singing!!)
6. TV Themes Medley: West Wing Theme(Orchestra) Nothin's Gonna Stop Me Now(Perfect Strangers)/ Everywhere You Look (Full House)/Making Our Dreams Come True (Laverne and Shirley)/Growing Pains theme/Different Strokes/Charles In Charge theme/WKRP in Cincinnati theme/Who's the Boss? theme/Thank You for Being a Friend(Golden Girls)/Gimme A Break theme/Welcome Back Kotter/Movin' On Up(Jefferson's)/Those Were the Days(All in the Family)/Matlock theme(piano only)
7. These Open Arms
8. When The Lights Go Down (Quiana)

Intermission

9. Without You
10. Measure of a Man
13. A Thousand Days
14. The Way You Make Me Feel
15."Classic Songs" Medley: Like A Virgin/Baby Got Back/1999/She Thinks My tractor's Sexy/Ooops, I Did It Again/YEAH!/Achy Breaky Heart/Sexy Back/Opposites Attract/Beat It
16. Listen (Angela)
17.Lover All Alone
18.Because You Loved Me

Canandaigua, Chautauqua, Columbus, Sterling Heights:

First set - no changes
Second Set:
1. A Thousand Days
2. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
3. Measure of a Man
4. Without You
5. The Way You Make Me Feel
6. "Classic Songs Medley"
7. Listen - Angela
8. Lover All Alone
9. Because You Loved Me

Meadowbrook, Newark, San Diego, Pala, Los Angeles, Indio:

First Set - no changes
Second Set:
1. Right Here Waiting
2. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
3. Measure of a Man
4. Without You
5. The Way You Make Me Feel
6. "Classic Song Medley"
7. Listen - Angela
8. Lover All Alone
9. Because You Loved Me

Cary, Asheville, Knoxville, Atlanta, Ft. Myers, Tampa, WPB, Orlando:

1. Here You Come Again
2. Everything I Have
3. I Want To Know What Love Is (with Quiana/Angela)
4. When I See You Smile
5. Right Here Waiting
6. TV Themes Medley: West Wing Theme(Orchestra) Nothin's Gonna Stop Me Now(Perfect Strangers)/ Everywhere You Look (Full House)/Making Our Dreams Come True (Laverne and Shirley)/Growing Pains theme/Different Strokes/Charles In Charge theme/WKRP in Cincinnati theme/Who's the Boss? theme/Thank You for Being a Friend(Golden Girls)/Gimme A Break theme/Welcome Back Kotter/Movin' On Up(Jefferson's)/Those Were the Days(All in the Family)/Matlock theme(piano only)
7. These Open Arms
8. When The Lights Go Down (Quiana)

Intermission

9. A Thousand Days
10. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
11. Measure of a Man
12. Without You
13. The Way You Make Me Feel
14."Classic Songs" Medley: Like A Virgin/Baby Got Back/1999/She Thinks My tractor's Sexy/Ooops, I Did It Again/OPP/YEAH!/Achy Breaky Heart/Sexy Back/Opposites Attract/Beat It
15. Listen (Angela)
16.Lover All Alone
17.Because You Loved Me



Musicians - Band members:

Quiana Parler - Vocalist
Angela Fisher - Vocalist
Jesse Vargas - Conductor/Arranger/Piano
Sean McDaniel - Drummer

Staff:

Mary Brennan - Tour Manager
Fernando "Fern" Alvarez - Sound
Jamie Braswell - Hair & Clothes
Jerome Bell - Security
Tracy - Bus Driver

July 4, 2007...Wednesday..approx. 8:00pm CDT.. Pizza Hut Park, Frisco TX 75056
(with the Philharmonic Orchestra)

Address: 6000 Main Street
Box Office: (972) 731-6524
Web Site: Pizza Hut Park
Frisco Freedom Fest Site
Capacity: 28,000
Tix Information: $21 - $50

Fan Reviews:

Incredible as always. I am still at Pizza Hut Park watching fireworks. I have video of all of it close up. LAA was the show stopper. Everyone was loud all night until LAA started. You could have heard a pin drop. He was better than the recording and not a dry eye around me! Like a Virgin was a riot and Sexyback and Babys Got Back hilarious. Definitely worth driving 750 miles.
LauraQ

He sang some songs from ATDW which he did wonderfully. Came out singing HYCA. My fave was Without You and also LAA. I only wish he would have done that with not only the piano but with violins and oboe. But he was absolutely amazing with it and that he wrote it was special to hear him sing it.
The funny part is that he did some TV theme songs in a set. And then in another long set he did "classic" radio songs. I wonder if he was making fun of songs that get on the radio when he is not. He was creative and hilarious. Imagine Clay doing some hip hop, madonna, prince, Michael Jackson(think of Kieth lol), and Justin Timberlake(lolsexy back) He did it all tongue and cheek and it went fast and he was just too funny. He was ripping it up having fun. It was such a whirlwind I can' remember it all but he was amazing. Lot's of growling and deep tones and wow movement. And OMG dancing with Angela wowza. He is filled out and looking good real good
kmammam

It was a MAGICAL night! Clay was so, so on, and really feeding off the energy of the crowd. There were a lot of young fans right next to me on the field right in front of Clay, and he was really playing to them. He was completely animated and even when he wasn't actually singing. I thought his voice was spot on, but the acoustics were not good in that cavernous stadium. However, with Clay only 4-15' in front of me, was there a symphony playing?!?!?
hanapepe

Just got home from Frisco.......man oh man......what can I say.....what an amazing show......wow wow wow and what a performer.......he held us in the palm of his hand from the first note of Here You Come Again until the very end.....
The energy was palpable and all around us were faces of young and old, all completely enthralled by this gorgeous, funny, snarky and mad talented man!
We will write more tomorrow but the field was packed tonight....at least 3-4000 all loving, moving and having a blast.
Okclayhoman

Well I never thought I would hear Clay rapping and singing Justin Timberlake's Sexxy back. He did!
It was fun to see him do those songs. He has to keep reinventing himself, cannot stay with the same old same old.
Quianna and Angela were beautiful. Angela forgot some words, and Clay covered for her. Quianna sang beautifully
claynewbie123

What was the best part of the concert? I can't even decide. Coming in singing one of my favorites, Here You Come Again; the full-version songs--though there wasn't time for a lot of them; the hilarious 'classics' with Clay at his funniest (I cannot stop watching the whole Sexyback sequence);Lover All Alone; God Bless the USA.
It's easy to say now that because it was Clay and it was his opening concert, I never doubted that it would be fine, because of course it was. He appears each time I see him to be more comfortable on stage. He's on stage, he has the mic in his hand, he's in control. I like the idea of people who remember him from American Idol seeing THIS Clay. I always thought there was a chance it would not be miserably hot as everyone feared when we lost the Nokia concert. It was glorious for July 4, with even a breeze that kicked up every once in a while. There was never even the threat of rain, even though there was 60-80% chance. No rain on our Clay. Not this time.
The couple behind us asked if we were Claymates. I said I was a Clay fan, and they pointed above us in a sweeping gesture and said, "These are all Claymates up there" in a sort of fascinated way. They were a very attractive couple, who were there for the soccer game. The young man told us these were great seats for the concert. He had season tickets for the soccer game at the middle of the field, but had traded them for these because they could see the concert better. They even sat through the whole soccer game with inferior seats so they could have closer seats to the concert. He also said Clay should have won. This was a NJU. couple
laCy

I nicknamed Clay in Frisco - Frisky Clay!! LAA was amazing!! I heard a lady weeping in the front row when LAA was on. If you want to see a Taste of Frisky Clay in Frisco, check out my few pics I've posted in the picture thread.
zippy888

**********************************************************
July 6, 2007...Friday..7:30pm CDT.....Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Houston TX 77002
(with the Houston Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 615 Louisiana
Box Office: 713-224-7575 Fax: 713-315-4830
Web Site: Web Site
Capacity: 2911
Tix Information: $29 - $105

Fan Reviews:

He was looking good tonight, too ladies. Nice jeans, pink shirt & tan-striped jacket. He had a shorter cut in back, nicely normal style (no spikes) and it looked lighter, like it had been highlighted. Quiana & Angela wore matching skirts (different colors though) that they said was from their "sugar daddy" (and implied Clay! Hahaha!). He sang many songs from ATDW, sang the tv medley, those "other songs," which he intro'ed as the "top 40" songs, MOAM, LAA, and ended with BYLM. BYLM was SOOOO awesome. The sound people turned Clay & company down a little bit at times to hear that WE were singing it w/ Clay. I LOVE it when they do that!! The sound was so good at Jones Hall & Clay & company were on fire tonight. There were some funny stuff going on tonight, too. He talked on someone's cell phone as he sang, someone had her grandaughter on the line. Also there was a girl who drew his picture (very well I might add!!) because she was not allowed to take pictures. Clay took her notepad from her & told her he graded it a C--ROFLOL. I believe he autographed it & gave it back. I love that man!! There was also a group of ladies in the front row, I think I heard from Louisiana?? They all had boas on & Clay was making fun of 1 lady's boa that was short. He joked with her that she must have forgotten hers & so someone else cut theirs in half (because all the others were longer). Also there was another person with a boa not sitting with them & Clay made fun that she was not in on the sharing sitting farther from them. Haha The show was supposed to start at 7:30pm, well it didn't start 'til 8pm. So Clay said sorry, nobody told them & that we would have to pee (yes he actually said that!!) faster because the intermission would be short. Quiana & Angela said they couldn't believe he said that. Then later he made some sort of joke about bowels and Quiana/Angela shook their heads again. LOL He also joked about the Houston Symphony needed 3,000 people to buy tickets to all of their shows so that they could fake selling out each show. He asked how many people had been to their first show. One person who said they had had their camera, cell phone out, etc. & he was like, "uh huh, yeah, your first show, sure...."
Before the show started, Mary put out sheets of paper & duct taped them to the stage where Clay, Quiana & Angela were singing. It turns out that during the show, they were using those as words to sing a song. Clay stopped right in the middle & threw the sheet because he didn't know the words. It was funny. But that's when he said they did that for us, so we would participate. And then we all got up & started dancing, etc.
At the end of the show, BYLM...Clay sang the 2nd verse first & 2nd. LOL That's right, he forgot the first verse!! And he admitted it to us, saying, "I just realized I've already sang the 2nd verse first & now I'm singing it again." So then he emphasized "for all the wrongs that you've made right," etc. He was very personable to the audience, even highlighting when a venue person was trying to take a little girl's camera. I think that stopped the camera from being taken, so that was very sweet of Clay.
Madelyn802

But the jewel of the night was Lover All Alone. The hall was dead silent and the ovation given at the end of the song was so moving and at that moment, I said to myself that Clay and I connected in the same physical space. Even though many feet apart, that song on this particular night was so heart-felt and genuine. If you can imagine, BETTER than the recorded version. Jesse may have changed a few things from the frisco concert, but boy it sounded divine.
cstinia

have to tell you what happened yesterday. My family and I arrived in Houston and checked into the hotel. While my sis and I were checking at the hotel counter, we noticed a lady beside us, checking in. It was Mary!! OMG!! My sis and I looked at each other and our eyes grew bgi!! Clay and his entourage are here!!! At our hotel!!! Sure enough, one by one came into the lobby and finally Clay came in!! I saw and heard Clay laugh in the corner where he sat on the sofa. OMG!! He's here!! In our hotel!!! We didn't want to appear all fangirly, so we let Clay have his space and privacy. We did approach Jamie before she went up to her room as we had a gift for Clay and she took it to Clay for us. Later on, we bumped into Jerome and he was so nice and greeted us. We told him to pass a message to Clay that we loved the Frisco concert.
zippy888


I smiled for 2 straight hours...loved the songs from the albums (especially These Open Arms, EIH, LAA, MOAM, WISYS)...the medleys were so entertaining & fun (the audience really got into the Top 40 medley w/dancing & singing along...the Texans especially liked the Tractor Song & Achy Breaky Heart ).
Clay was his own cute self...funny, self-deprecating...sang like an angel...forgot a few lyrics (HEY, it IS a Clay concert, you know! ). FUN, FUN, FUN!!
Quiana & Angela KILLED on their solos...great audience reaction.
Jesse's arrangements were excellent, Sean is a GREAT DRUMMER, & got to see Mary. The Houston Symphony is excellent!!
dardar1126

It was a spectacular night in Houston. I agree with all of the above, especially that LAA was divine. BUT, the jewel of the night for me was BYLM. Be sure to see video of that. It was very emotional on this first night back in an indoor venue, and he sang it right to the fans there. All of the lines applied right to the fan relationship with Clay, and he appeared to be feeling that and directing the meaning to us. Don't miss seeing this. I'll be interested to know if it's that emotional at the other shows. Even though his random lyric generator was turned on, the facial ex-pressions and gestures said it all. Lots of love in the room last night.
cyftlt

I was just sitting there minding my own business, and then he started singing this song OBVIOUSLY to us, and I started unexpectedly CRYING! I was sitting in Row O, behind the "break," not where most of the other Claymates were sitting. So I felt a little self-conscious about the tears and tried to be hide them. But we really could feel the love in the room. It was precious.
Georgia Girl

Did I mention how handsome he is???? The stubble was PERFECTION!!!! Oh, I did bring a small set of binoculars and hubby encouraged me to use them so I could see the stubble up close. Actually, the jumbotrons did a good enough job that I didn't need them.
ldb51

I went back to my hotel across the street after the concert, and saw that everyone was lining up outside waiting for Clay. I threw on my sloppy clothes and went down to watch from the front of the hotel. The valet asked me what they were doing and said that he had never seen anyone do that for other performers. Mary crossed the street and entered the hotel, and then Angela and Quiana came over, so I realized they were staying in the same hotel. I decided it was way too hot and humid to watch the "greeting line" so I went back in the hotel. I went to the front desk to ask a question and turned to go up the elevator. Just as the elevator door opened and I started to get on, Jerome, Clay and a couple of security guards came rushing through and stole my elevator
As the door was closing, being the smart-aleck that I am, I said something like, "Don't worry. I'll get the next one." (If it had been anyone else, it probably would have made me mad, but of course I couldn't be mad at Clay and Jerome.) Someone (I'm pretty sure it was Clay) said "Sorry...excuse us...sorry" as they were pushing toward the elevator. It was kind of a blur, I think Clay had on a dark blue button-up shirt with sleeves pushed up. Then I looked behind me and there was a pack of women rushing in the door. Actually, I kind of panicked seeing them coming toward me at the elevator so I decided to take the stairs to the 4th floor. I think the other recaps and clack probably capture the rest.
Sun and Shield

I have to admit that I have never liked "Because You Loved Me". But once again Clay has changed my mind - it was incredibly touching to see him sing that song to his fans.
Madison228
**********************************************************
July 7, 2007..Saturday...8:00pm CDT.. The Brady Theater, Tulsa OK 74103
(with the Brady Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 105 W. Brady
Box Office: M - F 10:00am - 5:00pm CDT
918-582-2353 Fax: 918-512-4214
Web Site: Brady Theater
Capacity: 2697
Tix Information: $42, $52, $62

Email:
It was a great show. It didn’t sell out, but like I told Clay on the phone yesterday – every person there had the time of their lives.

Normally it isn’t that hot in the Brady, but I think the combination of a hot summer stretch and 2000 screaming, ecstatic women may have raised the temperature a bit.

I can honestly say that, in the hundreds on concerts I’ve done, I have never seen so many fans wait (and wait so patiently) for a quick handshake after a show. That was a pretty cool sight to see.

We get along really well with Clay’s agency and management team (whom we work with on other artists as well) and I am sure we will bring Clay back in the future.

Johnny Buschardt
Road Work Entertainment LLC
The Historic Brady Theater

Fan Reviews:

Well we just got back from the Tulsa concert. I am on cloud nine because I just got to shake Clay's hand for the first time. That is one hot man. Jerome had us line up single file, about half the people were still there so we made this huge circle that filled up the whole parking lot. Then Clay came out and shook everyone's hand. What a sweetheart. I just fell in love all over again. About the concert, first hair of perfection, blue jeans, blue shirt and jacket. He looked great and so happy. The venue was small about 3000 but was only about 3/4 full. The concert was fantastic. Clay was really funny and he talked alot. Great audience interaction and he was feeding of the crowd. The classics were so funny but also so sexy. Clay really can sing some of these types of songs. He should give himself more credit. It was great to see the girls again. Everyone should try to go because it is so worth it. Lover all alone was so great and he got a standing O. Met a nice lady from Texas(Alicia) sitting next to me. Well its late and if I think of anything else I will post tomarrow.
THUDDING IN KC

WOW is all I can say....from the minute he walked out on that stage he was totally amazing......and so chatty tonight.....Clay looked absolutely gorgeous and was just "on"...
His voice sounded amazing, especially on TOA and WY and LAA....the most moving experience ever..such a beautiful and poignant song and for one he actually let the crowd applaud and scream to their hearts content.....
Okclayhoman

Walking into the Brady was like walking back in time. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but it turned out to be a sign of things to come. Clay was the funniest and most loose I've ever seen him. He threw caution to the wind and let the cards fall where they may. He snarked on pretty much everything from the in flight whipping, to the atention-seeking fans, to the venue, as I'm sure you've seen and heard. I had a great view from the balcony even if I had to extend my neck like a dingdang ostrich to look over the seemingly useless bars that extended from the barrier. WTH?! But we also had great sound up there, really nice and crisp. His singing was rich and powerful, and I could pick up all the banter. Of the three, I especially loved his performance of the "Classics" in Tulsa. He really ripped into the rap songs and the crowd went nuts. GAH, I love when he does that.

Clay was just too quick for me. Before I could finish laughing about one thing, he'd gone on to the next. The crowd was row.dy. Who knew? But he handled them like a pro: Payday, consider ourselves met...Well you can wait a little longer...It doesn't matter what I say, ten people done flashed me, and my personal favorite It's like spirit week in high school! Hysterical comebacks, and he got away with everything because well, he's Clay and he fit in, and it was that kind of crowd. They may have been rowdy, but during LAA, the entire place went perfectly still until the very last note. That’s the power of Lover All Alone.

Clay can read a room like nobody's business. His schtick, banter, and the connections he makes were unique and appropriate for the audience each time. It seemed that he was totally himself in all of them, but in Tulsa he let loose because it was that kind of day.
topcat50

The part I enjoyed the most was the young lady sitting next to me. She's been a fan since American Idol, but had never been to a concert and didn't even know how Clay has been doing for the past 3 years. She has 3 small children and is a stay at home mom and as you might imagine, said she didn't have much time to keep up. I filled her in on as much as I could and answered all of her questions. She told me her 2 young daughters wanted to come, but she couldn't afford to bring them (I wish we had known that), but Mom was coming (she said rarely gets to the "adult" things" no matter what because Clay was in town!

The concert started right on time. She started to cry and cried through at least the first 15 minutes (I had to get her a tissue). These were tears of sheer joy for seeing someone she loved so much in person for the first time. It made my concert!!! I smile and tear up at the same time just thinking about her. She doesn't get on the boards and sad to say that I didn't get her email address, but maybe someday our paths will cross again. I certainly won't forget her.
Beckster4Clay

Clay was even friskier in Tulsa. Man, those hip thrusts!
zippy888

Tulsa was soooo much fun!!!
Clay was very entertaining, witty, funny, snarky, on top of great singing. What else can a fan ask for? I love, love when he pulled up his jeans while singing about his sexy tractor lol. He was really dancing and having fun.
WildCard24

July 21, 2007..Saturday..8:15pm EDT......Picnic With The Pops @ Chemical Abstract, Columbus OH 43210
(with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 2450 Olentangy River Road
Box Office: 614-228-8600
Web Site: Picnic With The Pops

Capacity: 8000+ Lawn & Table seating
Tix Information: $73 - $20

COLUMBUS DISPATCH MUSIC R
PICNIC WITH THE POPS
Aiken's appearance thrills female crowd
Sunday, July 22, 2007 3:59 AM
By Lynn Green
EDITED COLUMBUS REVIEW

“You don’t even care what you’re screaming at, do you?” Clay Aiken teasingly asked the squealing women scattered across the lawn of Chemical Abstracts Service last night.
“I could say anything.” He paused. “Carburetor.” Women whistled and cheered excitedly.
Aiken, the American Idol runner-up turned adult-pop star, headlined the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic with the Pops program last night.
His audience is mostly women; his singing is polished, and his attitude is upbeat. Every moment of his performance is safe and stylized. He exudes sincerity and earnestness, but, like so many pop singers, he lacks compelling originality.
Aiken specializes in adult-contemporary ballads as well as covers of hit soft-rock songs from the 1980s.
His current tour also features medleys of 1970s and ’80s television themes and of “ fast songs you can do with an orchestra,” the latter of which included such silly gems as Sir Mix-A-Lot’s Baby Got Back, Usher’s Yeah, and Kenny Chesney’s She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.
He also led a singalong of Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel, winding among the tables and asking for help with the words (which were handed out in advance).
One of Aiken’s endearing traits is his gently self-depreciating humor.
“We have more gentlemen in the audience than we usually have,” he observed. “Either the women in Columbus are strong-willed, or the alcohol tab is very high for the men here.”
Backup singers Angela Fisher and Quiana Parler, both accomplished musicians in their own right, made strong impressions with solo numbers. Fisher got a huge cheer for Listen from the movie Dreamgirls, while Parler ended the first half of the program with a stirring performance of Faith Hill’s When the Lights Go Down.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, unfortunately, seemed to be a minor player. The orchestral arrangements might or might not have been good, but they were drowned out in the front section of seating. Occasionally the brass or violins would cut through Aiken’s band for a few moments, only to be obscured by the next crescendo.
Aiken’s strongest moment was his performance of Lover All Alone, for which he wrote the lyrics. In spite of jarring intonation problems from his guitarist, he loosened his grip on the polished, practiced stage manner and truly connected with his own soul.
And for those few minutes, the squealing fans, the strong-willed women, the devoted husbands and the rest of the audience fell absolutely silent in appreciation.

Fan Reviews:

I enjoyed this show more than any other tour.
Clay made the concert really fun and I think he gained some new fans tonight!
Clay went from having the whole crowd up on thier feet and laughing to all sitting silently (some crying) while listening to him sing Lover All Alone.
It was a beautiful day and a beautiful concert with a certainly BEAUTIFUL man inside and out.
iLoVecLaYaIkEn220

Show was awesome, awesome, awesome tonight! I'll post a more detailed report later, but one of the guys that works there estimated the crowd at 12-14,000!!!!! He said that just in the table area, they had never set up more than 150 tables, and tonight they set up 300 - plus all the lawn seating behind the tables and on both sides - it was huge! As we were walking in we made note of the crowd - lots of families, guys with their coolers and beer, couples spread out lounging on blankets - just like a big party - people of all ages! And the lawn - my goodness, I've never seen grass like that - it was like walking on carpet!
NYmom4Clay

This was my only concert of this tour and I am so happy I got to be there. As I sat there I thought of all the people and how far some had traveled to hear him. I believe one of the announcers even mentioned how many out-of-staters that were there. He didn't disappoint!! I about fell out of my seat when he appeared on stage. Even from row G, the man is drop dead gorgeous. His jeans, white shirt, and very GQ looking jacket, and that smile and voice are a combination to make one thud. There is so much to tell but I will mention a few things and hope others add theirs too. His voice was great on MOAM and LAA had the audience not moving and listening to every note and nuance. That was serious stuff. Felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest.
bestillmy heart

One funny story I have to tell. One of my traveling buddies talked to the wife of the venue chef during the break. The lady told her that when she asked Clay what he wanted for dinner he replied 'peanut butter and white bread'. She thought he was kidding but he said no, that is what he wanted.
chrispycreme

AWESOME show and my one and only of the year. Holds many special memories, including when he came out into the audience and he was only about 20 feet from me. Then I stayed for my first handshake line. Unbelievalble how many people stayed, but it was worth the wait. When he stopped and said "hey buddy" to the little boy, it was just after he had passed me and that's when it hit me that I'd just seen Clay up close and personal!!!!!!!!!
mlb45459

We talked to a man that works at CAS and he didn't really know much of Clay, but he said he had met him earlier in the day and that he was a really nice guy and for us to take it easy on him when he came through the bus line. He also told us that they had sold ten thousand tickets for this concert but that he estimated the crowd at eight thousand. He also said that boy can sing!! Maybe another Clayversion!! The extreme highlight of the evening for me was finally getting to stand in the bus line and getting to see Clay for that split second up close and touch his hand!!
Sugarpie311

The concert was just great. My favorite part was MOAM wow what they did with that song and Clay's beautiful voice filled the night. The orchestra was so good, I so wish that they had done some more songs from MOAM. After he sang this he couldn't get the people to shut up they just kept cheering and clapping. I loved it.
corkylynn

The medley's are winning many fans, I watched a group of young men in their 20's dancing and moving to the TV medley, and the Classics always goes over well!
And his humor is winning Clay a lot of new male fans. I think men in particular know how hard it is to make someone laugh and they appreciate it when someone can do exactly that, I was amazed at how many men were laughing along to Clay's banter. I thought, "add another to Clay's fandom"!!
clazycarol

Just got home from Columbus and wanted to add my comments.
LAA - WOWIE, WOW, WOW, WOW You could hear a pin drop! What a beautiful song.
kildeerclaygal

In front of us was a table filled with non-Clay fans who as Columbus Symphony subscribers said they attended all of the Picnic With the Pops concerts. One guy who did most of the talking, said he had never seen anything like the crowd last night for Clay. He estimated it at 15,000 and said that the only concert receiving similar attendance is when the Ohio State Marching Band plays. He and his table buddies, who looked to be young professionals in their early 30's were amazed at our devotion to Clay. They couldn't get over the fact that so many had traveled so far to see him. They compared us to the followers of Jimmy Buffet, the Grateful Dead and Phish. We told them that they were in for quite a treat. I was happy to hear them chatting among themselves at intermission saying "He has a tremendous voice." and "Yes, isn't he awesome." One of them (a male) even joined us in giving Clay a standing ovation after MOAM and LAA. After the concert ended, the guy who did most of the talking turned around and said "You all were right, he is very good."
Buckeye4Clay

When I first learned about Clay doing the concert at CAS, I asked #3 son who happens to work at CAS if he could get decent tickets for me and his dad. He found out that CAS has a corporate table which they rotate weekly among the different departments "and Clay's week is not my dept.'s turn, mom". He found out later that the tickets for this concert were requested internally very early on.
clayneil

Just back from Columbus..and even though it was my 25th concert,,NEVER have i seen anything like this before!
There was literally a "sea" of people..the biggest crowd I have ever seen for Clay by far..it was just absolutely awesome to be a part of this.
Very Very different crowd.."not just us" and sooo many men and young men and families..
mammat53

Clay is so far beyond a singer or a performer... he is an Entertainer. Of course LAA was *my* highlight. How do you get 9000+ people on a lawn outdoors to sit silenced and mesmerized by a song... his masterpiece?
ClassAkt MK

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July 23, 2007...Monday..7:30pm EDT.....Freedom Hill Amphitheater, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
(with the Johnny Trudell Orchestra)

Address: 14900 Metropolitan Parkway
Box Office: M - F...10 - 6 Sat...10 - 4
(586) 268-5100
Web Site:Freedom Hill Web Site
Capacity: 4000 covered.....4400 lawn
Tix Information: uses Ticketmaster
$59.50, $39.50, $14.50 (lawn) incl. $3 fee....

Fan Reviews:

I just got back from the concert. It was wonderful. I took a friend who has never been to a Clay concert. she is only familiar with his christmas music(I gave her the albums!) When he started sining HYCA, she was almost jumping up and down saying "Where is he? Where is he?" A few minutes later she gabbed my binoculars, and announced, I'm in love!"
I have never seen Clay up close in person, and all I can say is that pictures and TV cameras do not do him justice. He looked so good!
Deve27

We stayed for the hand shake and I can't tell you how many people were waiting - I would estimate 1,000 or so, but I am not very good at that. He was in shorts and a white golf type shirt and sandals flanked by Jerome and about six security guards! It was a great evening!
SandyCHA

I must say, I didn't think I would enjoy this concert as much as all the others - but I was very pleasantly surprised. I LOVED IT. The venue was fantastic and the sound system was excellent. Clay's voice just soared. The concert had such a great mix of music and "Clay banter".
happysoul50

Clay was absolutely amazing -- I don't even think he missed a single note. His banter was hilarious and I found myself dying of laughter more than once. He came out into the audience twice --- once on the opposite side of me to sit on the patio railing and talk and sing to the people in the sun. And then he came through the audience later. There were many jokes (pants falling down, woman problems, Quiana being herself) and all in all it was a great night for him. Best concert for me yet.
VisionsOfClayInMyHead

My favorite banter was about the group going to Cedar Point the day before. Poor Angie was worn out. Her voice was not 100% but she was a trooper! And the part about Ethel and Shaun. She wanted to him to have BBQ sauce behind his ears so she could put him on a plate and lick him up (or something to that effect!).
starfishy2000

My fave song was of course LISTEN - where he and Quiana LET IT RIP....he is a true master of music.....the harmonies were SPOT ON - impromptu, huh??!!! Can you imagine if that duet was actually PRACTICED?! It's playing in the background right now for the 1,857th time as i'm typing and i think i STILL have chills!!!!!
The 2nd half of the show was incredible....his snark was a hoot from Angie telling him about her "girl problem" and him talking about her losing her VOICE BOX on the rides at Cedarpoint yesterday...haha! Hope Angie gets better soon (like, in 2 days!) but LISTEN was such a wonderful treat and surprise.........I CAN'T STOP SMILING LISTENING TO IT!!!!!
What a true ARTIST this man is......he told us in the M&G that he does NOTHING to warm up before a show. Doesn't gargle with olive oil, doesn't do "mi mi mi mi" - just prays.
LynninNJ

The crowd was warm and appreciative and became much more animated in the second half of the concert. But when Clay sang Lover All Alone you could have heard a pin drop in the audience........everyone was mesmerized. The emotion in the lyrics, the melody wrapped around your heart and wouldn't let go........a few fireflies winked in harmony and a soft breeze carried that gorgeous voice as he captured us all, once again, in a moment we will never forget.
SoliTaire52

I guess the feeling that I went home with was that Clay is in a class all by himself in the entertainment world. He is truly thankful for his fans...."nuts" as they may be. I mean, what other artist moves around the venue so much just to be able to give all of his fans a chance to see him up close? I have never heard of any other artist that takes the time to walk a half mile line touching over a thousand hands just to say "thank you"! My mother and I were amazed that he did this....but HE DID!!
claytonangel
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July 25, 2007....Wednesday..8:00pm EDT....Meadowbrook Farms, Gilford NH 03247
(with the Nashua Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 72 Meadowbrook Lane
Box Office: 603-293-4700 Fax: 603-293-0269
Web Site:Meadowbrook Site
Capacity: 3097
Tix Information: $74, $59, $39 + service charges

Fan Reviews:

Lawd Jesus, the show was wonderful!! He was very upbeat, funny, and voice was right on.
The big joke of the night were the New Hampshire bugs. Hundreds of them in the light on stage surrounding him and the girls. Clay joked that they were in his shirt, up his nose, and he swallowed one. Someone put a can of bug spray on stage and Clay was spraying the girls and everyone.
GGB4U

INCREDIBLE....banter, voice, dance moves...the works!
Clay kept adjusting his shirt down-
the spirit of wheezy was in da house...dance moves to "Movin On Up" were da bomb...you gotta download this one.
Clay said they left the stools and orchestra sheet music at the last venue- so they had a late sound check (that's why the people waiting in line for the Buffett" were able to catch some of the songs). Gave props to the orchestra for learning the songs on such short notice.
PlatinumClay

What a night! The bugs were horrible (actually they were nearly all moths) and there were at least two instances of skanky skunk odor wafting through the amphitheatre. But we didn't care, Clay was still as beautiful, funny, and adorable as always. As usual, I don't remember much from the show, especially the order in which the songs were done. It tends to all blur into a fuzzy lovely memory afterwards, and I walk around in a daze for at least a week. I do remember crying my eyes out at Lover All Alone and having mascara down to my ankles.
And -- Clay carried on a conversation from the stage with my Sweetie... MY Sweetie! (insert bouncing up & down here). After a rousing set of upbeat numbers, Sweetie sat down while everyone else was still standing. Clay noticed immediately and proceeded to tell him "DON'T SIT DOWN!!!" When Sweetie stood up and said "But I'm blocking the view of everyone 7 rows behind me" Clay said "OMG!!! You're like 7 feet tall or something!" (He's 6'5" but in his work boots, which he was wearing -- size 13! -- he's about 6'7" .
heavens2

I don't think I've ever heard Clay's voice sound better than it did tonight. Just amazing and strong right through the entire show to the last song.
Very funny with the ongoing bug banter tonight. I hope there is clack of this. You should have seen the ex-pression on Clay's face when Quianna told him there was one on his back and she was afraid to swat it. She finally got up and hit him with the chair cushion which, of course, he made a big deal out of her beating the crap out of him!
Speaking of the chair cushions....Clay was hilarious when they gave him the cushion and it said "tear here to inflate" so he tears the tag off and expects the cushion to automatically inflate itself. When it didn't, he starts blowing into it and then comments that he hoped no one's butt had just been on it!
One final thing…the audience was incredible. Standing ovations all over the place and loud cheering for every song. NH showed Clay the love tonight. I hope he remembers that, despite the mosquitoes!!!
clayleen

I thought I would die when he was dancing like George Jefferson to "movin on up". OMG, when he was physically trying to blow up his seat cushion, when you were only supposed to lift the tab, and it inflated by itself..........hilarious.
Clayeyes

As for the bus line, the head of security was talking to the paramedics and a couple of the "black shirted" Meadowbrook personnel. He estimated there were 500-600 people in the line. The male paramedic said he has never seen anything like it. The female paramedic was all whiny and complaining, saying she'd never stand in line for this. It made for "interesting" conversation while sitting in the first aid room.
tsunamimommy

As I was logging on to my computer to post this, the word of the day came up (We are dorks in this house and love things like "new vocabulary of the day!"
The word was "REFULGENT" and it means brilliant or radiant. Just cannot think of a better word to describe Clay at Meadowbrook. Think it should be our new Claymate secret word for him. No one will know what it means (unless they also look it up).
He was absolutely brilliant and witty and radiant last night--even the mosquitoes couldn't resist him.
Rhode Island Fan

Lover All Alone was as beautiful as I expected. He made sure to give props to the cellist who did the main accompaniment for the song.
The glow stick display during Because You Loved Me was just beautiful. It didn't detract from the song at all. I'm hoping for clack of this. It was a beautiful sight to see all the lights in the air. Even my daughter got into that moment.
Clayscience21

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July 28, 2007...Saturday..8:00pm EDT.. Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark NJ 07102
(with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra)

Address: One Center Street
Box Office: (888) 466-5722
Web Site: Web Site
Capacity: 2750

Tix Information: $38 - $93

Fan Reviews:




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Newark NJ to San Diego CA: 2794.80 miles....41 hours 39 minutes

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August 10, 2007....Friday..8:30pm EDT....Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary NC 27513
(with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 803 Regency Parkway
Box Office: 919-462-2052 Fax: 919-462-2026
Web Site: Booth Web Site
Capacity: 7000
Tix Information: $50, $27.50

Fan Reviews:




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August 11, 2007....Saturday..8:00pm EDT....Biltmore Estates, Asheville NC 28803
(with the Asheville Symphony)

Address: 1 Approach Road
Box Office: 828-225-1333 Fax: 828-274-6377
Web Site: Biltmore Web Site
Capacity: 2000+
Tix Information: $55, $60, $70 SOLD OUT

Fan Reviews:




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August 12, 2007..Sunday...8:00pm EDT... Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN 37902

Address: 604 S. G a y Street
Box Office: (865) 656-4444
Web Site: Web Site
Capacity: 1630

Tix Information: $49.75 & $69

Fan Reviews:



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August 15, 2007....Wednesday..8:00pm EDT....Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta GA 30327
(with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)

Address: 4519 Powers Ferry Road
Box Office: 404-733-4886 Fax: 404-733-4999
Web Site: Chastain Website
Capacity: 6900
Tix Information: $63.48, $57, $50.52, $27.84

Fan Reviews:



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Thursday August 16...7:30pm EDT.....Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Ft. Myers FL 33919


Address: 13350 Edison Parkway
Box Office: 239-481-4849
Web Site: Mann Web Site
Capacity: 1871

Tix Info: $73, $63, $53, $43

Fan Reviews:

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A-Frisco TX, B-Houston TX, C-Tulsa OK
763 miles......12 hours 6 minutes




A-Philadelphia PA, B-Syracuse NY, C-Canandaigua NY, D-Chautauqua NY, E-Columbus OH, F-Sterling Heights MI, G-Gilford NH, H-Newark NJ

Sept #3

You are so right...thanks!!! Sometimes I post late at night when I should be in bed!!!!