I loved doing this recap project. Thanks to the fans who took the time to share their experiences with all of us and to Clay for generously giving us this gift.

SOME important points

SPAMALOT * He truly does not want for us to TAKE ANY PICTURES or YELL OUT HIS NAME

• NO Spamalot clack on the boards or YOUTUBE

• He really wants us to go and enjoy the entire show, NOT JUST HIM

• Don't assume he will play the part of Sir Robin as others have played it.

• He will be wearing a wig

• He will use an English accent

• He was asked to do the show about a year ago

• He has done some Promotion But it will depend on the writers strike

• He will NOT be riding the subways in NY

INFORMATION ABOUT HIM * 85% of everything written about him (EVEN IN INTERVIEWS) was inaccurate.

• Most of the speculation on the boards or "facts" on the boards about what he does and where he goes is WRONG example: He was NOT at his HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

• He says it doesn't matter what he wears, How he wears his hair, what songs he sings, set etc.. someone always criticizes and picks it apart..

• He is finished with trying to please everyone, he is who he is and that's what the world is going to get.

• Children: He will send them to public schools, he wants them to be independent thinkers

• He learned sign language in college

• "Clay, since Idol so much has happened in your life. If you could go back and make a change would you do it?" He liked that question and said "So much good came out of that but there was bad too"(he furrowed his brow for 3 seconds as if remembering something unpleasant.) "but I wouldn't change a thing because the bad did make me who I am along with the good."

Merry Christmas With Love * He told us he did not like his Christmas album, "Merry Christmas with Love." He wants to re-do, or re-package the original album by changing (production) and adding to the new one.

• He did not want “Joy to the World” or “Silent Night” on MCWL,

• He thought the tempos of “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride” were too slow,

• the phrasing of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was too straightforward and stilted

• He would add all the songs from “All is Well” and his new song, “Welcome to My World” to the new album.

• He has all of the songs for his new Christmas album on his computer “ready to go.” Many other people have it too.

• He said that he likes Walter Afanasieff, and wants him to produce his next Christmas album.

• Clay’s concern is that the song changes don’t warrant a new album, and the public might think he’s looking for a fast buck by re-packaging the album.

• Note that the songs he memtions that he doesn't like were produced by Phil Ramone.

Business/CD information * Don't put shows on YouTube that are NOT his, he doesn't own shows like HOI, Spamolot.

• If he makes a mistake, Please don't put it on YouTube.

• In addition to not using flash, he's asking that we cover the RED or BLUE flashing camera light with tape. He says that little light is VERY distracting to everyone on stage.

• Hopeful that the Album will be out the first half of 2008

• New producer listens to him and is flexible.

• Label always changes their mind on him.

• Is not expecting a single to radio but will be ready with one just incase.

• Label always changes their mind on him.

• He really didn't have any say where he performs- promoters buy a tour/concert.

• If he were to do another Christmas Special it would be a live format.

• He would like to play a villain on a TV show especially if he gets to go to an awards show,

• no immediate plans for a new male back up singer

• Jason Gangi the lighting tech. "With this show, he has to use what the venue has. That's why he can do spectacular things at one venue that he can't do at another. He said the Warner didn't have as much to work with as Kalamazoo, but he was going to use it to the max". If the budget allows, it's better to have/bring his own equipment

• Jesse is a perfectionist.

• About the new arrangements: they stole one(OCOCE medley) and Jessie did the other two.

BAF/UNICEF * He will be spending Christmas in Mexico for UNICEF

• little boy was on the M&G pass Clay met in Afghanistan and he took his picture

• Clay said he wants to change the name of TBAF, the name is too difficult to pronounce and he’s tired of explaining how that name came about.

• He also wants to get rid of the celebrity attachment to the foundation.

• He would like to see foundation-run camps and more after-school involvement.

• his foundation is about more than autism, it's about all disabilities.

• He won't be golfing at the tournament on 1/07/08

Raleigh and Durham and their personalities * Border Terrier: He knew he was going to take the dog on tour. He didn't want a tiny foo-foo dog. The Border Terrier is "scrappy" and was a good fit for him.

• He brought Durham this time because the dogs get too wired when they're together. They get along pretty well but they wear themselves out, they wear HIm out, they needed a break.

• Durham is the doninant dog over Raleigh but Raleigh is smart.

• Durham barks a lot, he barks at strangers but around people he knows he's very good and very well behaved.

• Jerome says Durham will bite strangers so they like to keep him away from the fans

• Durham is the dominant dog over Raleigh, Raleigh is dominant over Clay, "We have an interesting little triangle going there."

My own observations from doing this thread * The venue itself can add or detract from a M&G experience. Some of them had great places to meet, nice rooms with comfortable furniture. Others not so great, meeting in bare, too hot or too cold, basement rooms with metel chairs. Some of the reader M&G's were in a 'hall way', one on a loading dock.