Hello and Happy New Year!  I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful holiday and that you are looking forward to another exciting year.  With any luck, many of us will get to enjoy seeing Clay Aiken perform live in 2024!

For me, this is a bitter sweet post.  Let me explain:  

Today is Clay Aiken News Network’s 15th year anniversary!  Wow!!  A huge chapter of my life has been dedicated to this wonderful community.  I have made such great friends and had so many incredible opportunities.  When I first started this blog, I was a new grandmother of twins.  Today, those same twins are Juniors in high school getting ready to apply for college.  What were you doing 15 years ago?  What has changed in your life since 2009?  During this period of time, I have loved traveling the country to meet with so many of you, to see Clay Aiken sing, and to support one another in our goals and challenges.  I will always treasure the friendships that blossomed from CANN.

Today I am also saying a fond farewell.  As many of you know, I have been less able to maintain CANN with the same daily energy as I once did.  My enthusiasm for this community (including our wonderful Clay) is as strong as ever!  But with the passage of time, I (very reluctantly) have to acknowledge that I cannot manage the evolving technology required of a blog, or travel as frequently as I once did.  BLEH to this whole ‘getting old’ thing.

I want to express my sincerest thanks to Clay Aiken, Nick Leisey, Diane Bubel and the entire team at the National Inclusion Project.  15 years ago, we did not know each other, and today I am fortunate to consider you friends.  And just as important, I express a huge thank you to each and every one of you who reached out, said hello, introduced yourself, supported CANN, and joined this beautiful community.  What a joy to look back and remember all the concerts, dinners, galas, and late-night hangouts in homes and hotels around the country.  I am forever grateful.

I wish you all the best and hope to see many of you later this year at some fun events.  You may not be hearing from me on CANN, but know that my heart is with you.  Always feel free to drop me a line:  MarthaEllis101@gmail.com.

See you soon.

With love,

Martha Ellis (Musicfan123)  

       

Comments

• Thank you for all you have given us over the years. It's sad to ... by Francie
• Thanks Martha! You did a great job ❣️ by Paula
• Martha, Thanks for all you do and have done. You have brought ... by Carol Cooke
• I’ve always known you as Music Fan & have never met you as I ... by Margaret
• It's funny how we take things for granted. I've always felt ... by Jen
• Plus 4 more...

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The third elimination night was one of those surprising times. Just as everyone had settled down to hear Disco Music, the theme for the night was changed. “Country-Rock…..what is Country-Rock? Wearing a cowboy hat, Ryan Seacrest said : “the theme for tonight is the intricate fusion between country and rock.

The guest judge for this night was Olivia Newton-John.

Singing Brian White’s hit, Someone Else’s Star, Clay Aiken was the highlight of the evening.

Randy, Paula, and Olivia gave Clay a short standing ovation.

Simon thought it was sweet, but just like his last performance.

Do You Remember This Song?

Someone Else’s Star

Alone again tonight

Without someone to love

Do you remember this picture from American Idol!

       

Comments

• I remember that night, his voice was perfect. I saw Ruben and ... by Jan Leone
• Thank you for the info;. I do remember this night. I like the ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• I remember that night very well – I thought Clay sounded very ... by Marlene Michener

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Clay started the promotion for A Thousand Different Ways with an appearance on the Tonight Show. Sometimes you just remember certain Clay Aiken performances more than others. Clay’s visit with Jay Leno on September 15,2006 is one that is remembered and popular with many fans.

Howie Mandel was the first guest on the show. He was very funny and his comedy relaxed Jay and the audience. But the audience was waiting for Clay and he didn’t let them down. He seemed relaxed and chatted about many different topics. All three of the men seemed have a good time together and kept the audience entertained.

It’s fun to go back and find these great pictures. I hope you enjoyed them!

I hope that Clay will visit some fun places. He is really good talking to the audience!

       

Comments

• Thank you for all the pictures. Great memories. Great pictures. ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Stayed up (even though I had to get into work the next morning) ... by Shirley T
• I'm glad Clay got a new hair style & cut after that photo was ... by Emily Patrick
• Remember all of these shows – so much fun! Love all of the ... by Marlene Michener

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Clay and Ruben started their tour this week.

It was great to see the audience enjoying the talent on the stage.

Ruben and Clay – What great talents they are !

On Monday, it was announced that there is a new Concert Date.

The program is in Lynchburg, VA. at the Academy Center of the Arts.

I hope it is a great program.

       

Comments

• Thanks for keeping us informed since this concert isn't coming ... by Emily Patrick
• Thank you for the info and the pictures. Thank you CANN. by Phyllis Solotoff
• They are doing quite a few shows – it's good to see all of ... by Marlene Michener

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They say…”No News is Good News!”

Well that may be true, but

I want to hear about Clay and Ruben and the opening tour!

SO………They are great pictures of Clay and Ruben…..BUT.…. I hope we hear about the concert…SOON!!!

       

Comments

• Thank you for all the pictures. The pictures are great. Thank ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Will wait patiently – news should come soon! Thank you for ... by Marlene Michener

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The falling leaves drift in my window.

The falling leaves of red and gold

I see your lips,

summer kisses

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

Fall…. it’s here….. The first touch of Autumn. Yes, today is the Autumnal Equinox, meaning that the sun will be directly on the Equator of the Earth and the hours of day and night will be equal.

Today is September 23, 2023 – Does the date mean anything?

It Sure Does!!

This is the opening of —–

ruben-clay Twenty years – Tour!!!!!

They are in Arcadia, California. I hope some of you will be there. I wish I was there!

If you are lucky enough to attend this performance, I hope you will tell us your favorite song!

So….have fun!

       

Comments

• Thank you for all the pictures. The tour out west looks great. ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Clay's tour won't be within 50 miles of my home. Boo hoo. I ... by Emily Patrick
• This will be exciting for the people out West – they will ... by Marlene Michener

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Hurry, Hurry! Grab your morning coffee, orange juice, or tea!

There is more fun this week!

Are you ready for great music and fun too?

Clay Aiken – Ruben Studdard…..they are two of the most famous names in American Idol history. Thank goodness both the two men became good friends.

This week, Ruben and Clay are starting a wonderful tour. Isn’t it fun to see and hear these talented men.

Jim Romo is the chairman of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation Board . He said:

“Ruben and Clay’s performance promises to be a triumphant celebration…”

I thought it might be fun to remember some of the great times the two have had together.

There are so many pictures of Clay an Ruben!

I can’t wait to see both of them on the stage this week!

I hope you will be having fun as you see and hear Clay and Ruben….then, will you share your feelings about the show?

       

Comments

• Thank you for all the pictures. They are great. The memories ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• It will be great to see more pics and exciting experiences from ... by Marlene Michener

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Since Clay is about to start on another tour, I thought it would be fun to see if we remember some fun pictures of Clay on tour.

Isn’t it fun to see all the wonderful artistic songs that we have seen Clay on stage and heard the beautiful music!

AND!!! I can’t wait to see and hear this wonderful music!

Are you going to a tour?

       

Comments

• Since the American Idol Tour in 2003, I have been to a total of ... by Diania Baum
• In reply to Emily Patrick. The show will be in Akron in ... by Marlene Michener
• If Clay & Ruben come anywhere close to Columbus, OH I'll be ... by Emily Patrick
• Thank you for all the pictures. I love them all. Great ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Yes . We’re looking forward to seeing them again in ... by Angie
• I went to the show in Newark, Columbus, Ohio and had such a ... by Marlene Michener

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Sometimes it’s fun to get lost in your computer!

YEP….It’s A Great Day!

       

Comments

• Thank you for all the pictures. I love them all. Great ... by Phyllis Solotoff
• Love all of the Clay photos – not a bad one in the bunch! by Marlene Michener

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