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131)"THE BOOK" used by the readers. I took a few minutes just to look at it. It's a very nice leather album. It's embossed on the front and back covers, which for those of you with sweaty hands, it helps give you something to "grip" onto instead of just smooth, black leather. Inside were the 81/2 x 11 sleeves that held the pages of stories to be read.

130)Jamie’s backstage pass is a picture of Raleigh wearing a halo. I wondered if Durham was on the other side wearing little horns, but forgot to ask.

129)We knew all along that for the last show we were going to pick our 4 favorites (stories) of the tour".

128)Clay said they had been having a lot of problems lately with the fan club sight and that even they were having trouble getting in and getting their emails, etc., and that it made getting the stories set for the last week difficult; He made it a point of saying the difficulties they were having weren't all the OFC's fault. Ever the diplomat!

127)Canal Street, NYC but made her promise not to go alone; that it wasn't in the safest neighborhood. He said that's where you get the knock offs and then he sort of lowered his voice and slumped down like he was revealing some big secret that he didn't want anyone outside the conversation to hear, and this "news"was that sometimes these items were stolen and that Q & A love that kind of stuff but it scares him

126)“Did you ever put together the model that your mom got you for Christmas?” At first he said yes, then he said no, but he did open the box so she couldn’t regift it to him.

125)Amazing Race, I always wondered what you would do if you had a water challenge. How would you have managed?”

Clay looked at Jamie. “We were just talking about this last night. When I wanted to try out, the challenges weren’t as tough as they are now. There weren’t as many water challenges. And if there was anything I wouldn’t do, I’d just have my roommate do it! That show stressed me out. I’d be watching and yelling “Run, run, run”.” I asked him if he watches it now and he said no, it’s too stressful."

124)about education. He said what really upsets him is when the parents always sided with the kids and not with the teachers.

123) He said TV shows on DVD were the best invention ever! You can watch a whole show in 45 minutes and go back to any episode whenever you want to.

122)Uganda, he said it was hard to talk about; that it was so depressing, etc.

121)He then talked about India and the resiliance of the people who lost everything in the tsunami, and how impressed he was by these people.

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120)Favorite Unicef trip , he said by far Afghanistan - that it was just so beautiful there and the people are so very nice, he couldn't express enough how nice they were and how much he wanted to go back there.

119)two places he would really like to visit are New Zealand and the Pyramids in Egypt.

118)Omaha..Jerome told us that the piano tuner didn't show for either of the two appointments they had made for the day and they were waiting on a different piano tuner to show up. They were practicing the lighting for the evening and even practiced the special All Is Well lighting even though at the concert we didn't get All Is Well. (Sounds like time was the reason AIW wasn't done in Omaha.)

117)Rule #1 - The only person who can take pictures is Jamie.

Rule #2 - Please have whatever you want autographed ready. If it's a book, please turn it to the page you want signed.

Rule #3 - No inappropriate touching of Clay

116)He was adorable, cute, funny, snarky, animated and so down to earth. I loved sitting and watching him talk. He would scrunch up his nose sometimes, bit his lip, make cute little faces and wave his arms around! He looked us right in the eye when he talked and was charming and funny and yea a bit snarkly all rolled into one! He is quite a charmer!!

115)He also started signing our items while he was still answering questions and talking, he sure has it down pretty much to science.

114)At one point he must of seen KSChristian4Clay and I (toni7babe) talking to each other so he starts very cutely in teacher Clay mode interrogating us.

Do y'all know each other?? How do you know each other? Do you go to concerts togther? Did you know each other before? And you both know each other and won a M&G? How did you tell each other you won? Do you really know each other?? Do you have each others phone numbers? Tell me you do otherwise it would be sorta scarey. It was really funny and sorta rapid fire with us answering back at him and went on for a bit. Very cute and funny. He had us all laughing!

113)I asked him: If you were asked to perform at a concert that was being televised worldwide and could only sing one song what would you sing and why??answer: He cracked me up...he looked at me all animated and said: Only one song??? I said yes......he said I wouldn't do it ( joking of course) I said Clay its Worldwide Televised he says like where are they going to see it?? I said for a lack of a better place: China. Clay says well in China they like sappy songs so lets see....I think either Solitaire or BOTW. Then he asks Faye (who had slipped into the room quietly in the beginning) what she thought. She said well to best show his abilities or something to that sort yes...either Solitaire or BOTW. Clay looked at me sorta moved his head up and down as if to say there you go that's your anwser!!

112)How close is BAF to reaching its goal of a million dollars for camps? answer: Still not real close but they never really expected that they sat higher goals than they thought they would make..... but they are very pleased with what they have so far and he mentioned they had a board meeting recently and Faye said a few things about the goals etc.

111)What is your fav Christmas movie? answer: Home Alone, Is that a Christmas movie??? he asks

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110)What was one thing we wanted most for Christmas as a child? Clay told us Brett was into Power Rangers as a child, but he couldn't remember what he wanted. Faye told him he wanted a Teddy Ruxpin. He said, "Oh yeah! You all remember those?"

109)what was his favorite Christmas memory? He said he had many Christmas memories, but nothing that stood out.

108)What is your favorite board game? He said he doesn't play a lot of board games, but Faye said he used to like to play Concentration. One M & G'er asked if he liked the game Apples to Apples. Jamie said they had played it not to long ago. That apparently was the M & G'er's gift to Clay and he said he'd give it to Jamie and said not to tell her.

107))Jerome: talked about his daughters. His older daughter and two grandkids were there for the Cleveland show and he said they had a great time. He also joked about how his youngest daughter knows how to work on her daddy to get what she wants. Presently for Christmas she wants a Macbook. Jerome joked that even Clay couldn't afford his daughter. :lol He also apologized several times for us having to be moved around so much and the M & G being delayed.

106)I asked what he thinks about when he performs. He goes “What I’m having for dinner, what I have to do the next day, stuff like that. Because when you sing the same things three weeks in a row you jut memorize them. So it’s more like I use 25% of my brain on the song and 75% on other stuff. Now when the 75% goes to 76% is when I mess up and forget the words. So now you know my secret.”

105)Sean's Mother read her own story about her "miracle baby" who was born to be a drummer. It was good. We "awwwww"ed. Everybody lived.

104)asked if he will ever have another male backup singer? He said no immediate plans for one. If he had one, it would mean one more necessary solo during the concert. Apparently, he had considered someone from Idol right after Jacob left, but that did not pan out.

103)Asked about celebrities in causes. Sometimes celebrities work to get their name attached to a cause - like Darfur, but they are more concerned about getting name attached than working to change things.

102)Someone asked wonderful question about autism and got long detailed answer. Autism is in the media now has it improved dealing with autism. He did an interview today and people asked about autism and he said no his foundation is about more than autism, it's about all disabilities.

101)asked him if Barry Manilow was his mentor.he said no, he only met Manilow once, when they taped Clay's special.

There is more to this. It was mentioned that a print interview with Berry said that he had been a mentor to Clay. Clay said this is one of the MANY times the media doesn't get it right. ======================================================

100)asked about the rumor that he had adopted a child from another country. Clay said he has not heard of this rumor but he had heard a rumor that he fathered a child. He has NOT fathered a child.

99)asked if he will be promoting Spamalot on TV either on Dave's Late Show or Tyra's. He said it's unlikely because of the writers' strike but GMA is a possibility.

98)"We'll be seeing you on Broadway soon. Is there a chance we'll see you in the movies someday? "He said he's not ruling it out

97)What do you want to ask the fans? He didn't have an answer, kept thinking and then said "Let's let Jerome answer that one!" Then he repeated it to Jerome. Jerome said "Why don't you listen to me when I say no flashes.".

96)He was asked if he visits a lot of the other websites. He mostly stays on the official one because of time. One woman mentioned "The Ideal Idol" website and he described it to her so he did know it. He just mentioned that he has to scroll a lot through it and sometimes just doesn't have the time so again he mostly uses this site

95)Then he was asked about what he was looking forward to in Spamalot. He said being in one place for 5 months and that he didn't have to travel. He wasn't sure how he would handle doing the exact same thing every night. He stood in a couple different positions over and over and said "I don't know if I'll like have to stand here, then here, then here, for 8 shows a week. In my shows I only do 5-6 shows a week and I can cut out a song if I don't feel like doing it." He said again it will be interesting to see how he feels about it when the time comes

94)Question about whether Clay was going to do promotions for Spamalot. He said he had done some promotion work(he implied more than just one thing)...maybe he was in NYC earlier in the day that very same day (yesterday....Thursday). I think that is iinteresting!

93)He mentioned that TPTB approached him for Spamalot, they had been trying to get him for about a year

92)asked if he was going to dance in Spamalot. He said that was to be seen, not sure

91) Was there going to be a single off the album for radio. the label may not want a single released, but he doesn't know. They always change their mind when it comes to him. They (Clay & Co.) don't expect radio play, but they will have a single ready to go when the time comes

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 90)several mentions that he is editing stories if they are too long.

89)How does he feel about all the new freindships among ClayNation? He said it was sweet, and he hoped the friendships would continue long after he was gone.

88)My question was about riding the subways... He will NEVER ride them. He'll be proud to say 30 yeara from now, that he's never done it. He said that when he and Ruben were in NY right after Idol, they were mobbed everywhere, and he didn't want to be stuck in a car with a bunch of people..

87)Was "Welcome to our World" a new song? No, it was written by Chris Rice, and he's wanted to use it for some time, but was "too cheap" to have the music orchestrated! he finally decided to include it this year.

86)What was he "forcing" the bus to watch on TV,? they're watching The Riches!

85)SPAMOLOT...He truly does not want for us to "TAKE ANY PICTURES or YELL OUT HIS NAME" This is not a concert and is a group effort , He really wants us to go and enjoy the entire show not just him

84)said flat out he'd be "embarrassed" if clack of Spamalot started floating around because it's just not appropriate Broadway ettiquette

83)I asked was about his preparation for his Broadway debut - mental prep, has he looked or memorized any lines, etc. Clay said he has done nothing for it at all and is not even thinking about it. He said that it is just work it's the same routine every day. He said, there ya go! These shows are routine to him, it's what he does every day.

82) what do you want to impart to your children as they grow up? Clay joked, you're all giving me children tonight (if only...g) and said, he'd want them to be independent thinkers, that so many people cannot even think their way out of a paper bag.

81)when he has kids, as a teacher, would he home school them all or part of the time (like when he's on the road?) He said no, he'll use public school. He has socialization concerns. I told him that I've done both and had good experiences with both

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80)I asked was about his preparation for his Broadway debut - mental prep, has he looked at or memorized any lines, etc. Clay said he has done nothing for it at all and is not even thinking about it. He said that it is just work it's the same routine every day. He said, there ya go! These shows are routine to him, it's what he does every day.

79)she'd just graduated with a degree in the industry (entertainment?) and asked Clay what advice did he have. He said he'd defer to Mary, and she jokingly said,"don't do it".

MCWL 78)Clay reiterated again and again how much he disliked the production of some of the MCWL songs. But, he is very insistent that he wants to record a new Christmas album and is very definite about how he wants to record the songs

77) Clay’s concern is that the song changes don’t warrant a new album at all, and the public might think he’s looking for a fast buck by re-packaging the album. Also at issue is that there are too many songs to put on one CD and not enough for a dual-disc set.

76)He said that he likes the Walter Afanasieff, and wants him to produce his next Christmas album. He also said that other producers don’t want to do this album because the songs would not be performed in the traditional manner; the producers are afraid of change and fear they will be struck down.

75)He said he has all of the songs for his new Christmas album on his computer and are “ready to go.” He also said that those songs are “all over the place.”

74)He wants to add all the songs from the “All is Well” album and his new song, “Welcome to My World.” He did say there are no other Christmas songs left for him to record, some were too religious, others too secular.

73)He thought the tempos of “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride” were too slow, and the phrasing of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was too straightforward and stilted. He sang HYAMLC by singing it in a straight, box-like manner, using his hands to demonstrate the rigid tempo and phrasing that were recorded. He wants to re-do those songs and is very, very definite about the styles and tempos he wants to use.

72)He did not want to sing “Joy to the World” or “Silent Night” on MCWL, and those songs would not be on his next Christmas album. He felt that “Silent Night” was too much like a church choir song, and very possibly- I’m not quite sure (Clayfog!)- he might have sung a few bars from “Silent Night” to demonstrate the choir-like sound that he doesn’t like

71)Clay was asked if he would do another Christmas album. He told us he did not like his Christmas album, "Merry Christmas with Love." He continued by saying that he wanted to re-do, or re-package the original album by changing and adding to the new one. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 70)Would he consider doing a TV Christmas show again? He said, if he did, he'd use the format he's using this tour, Another reported, "A live show".

69)What was his family traditions growing up? He said he'd go to his dad's family on Christmas Eve (I'm assuming Ray's since Jamie nodded) and his Grandma's on Christmas Day. He also said his mom had a tradition of putting an orange in the stocking, among other things-the orange was a tradition.

68)asked if Jerome would go with him to NYC. He answered, “It’s none of your business

67)asked what he foresees for the Bubel-Aiken Foundation. Clay said he wants to change the name of the foundation, 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

66)“What have you enjoyed the most about working with your new record producer so far?” Clay said that he and the producer get along really well- they click (I’m not positive that was the word he used; he might have). The producer listens to him and is flexible.

65)*I was wondering what you thought about posting shows like the NBC Special on U-tube. he said if he is taping a tv show like the NBC Skating on Ice. He thinks it is very WRONG to put anything like that on You tube. He said he doesn't own that show and is only a performer and to post it on you tube is VERY RUDE.”

64)He mentioned not wanting left overs in his refrigerator, "cuz they stink!" so he stores them in another refrigerator

63)"Clay, you say you are sloppy and then you talk about being so meticulous about your kitchen, so which one is it?" Clay said, "I just need the kitchen to be neat because I am totally anal like that." Jamie says it's just the Kitchen

62)Clay asked us to spread the word regarding taking pictures at concerts. 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. Please let everyone know of Clay's request as he specifically asked us to pass this information on to you."

61)My second question was whether he would prefer that we wait to show our appreciation for the glory note. He laughed and said he really was so unaware of what the audience is doing that it doesn't make any difference to him. He said to do what you want!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 60))Clay, as I saw it, has a very sarcastic sense of humor, which some will enjoy (I do!) & some will just not "get it".

59)He talked about the AIW from last year and was upset that it was all over the internet

58)someone asked him if he minded video cameras, he said NO, but if he makes a mistake don't put it up on YouTube! .

57)asked about the 'scar'. He said, "You know what? When everyone else in this country tells and explains about all of their scars and bruises and stuff, then I'll explain about mine!"

56)"When you gave David Foster 'Lover All Alone' what was his reaction?" He shrugged and said "David doesn't get excited about anything." I asked if he had to do any rewrites on it after David heard it and he said "No, it is just how it was."

55)Then he went on about how smart Raleigh is (too smart, he said) but that Durham is very well behaved. We pointed out that Durham barks a lot, but Clay said he barks at strangers, but around people he knows he is very good, very behaved. Then he said Durham is the dominant dog over Raleigh, Raleigh is dominant over Clay, "We have an interesting little triangle going there."

54)why he chose a Border Terrier and he said "I know I was going to take the dog on tour so I didn't want a tiny yappy dog/foo-foo dog and I couldn't have some big smushed face so a Border terrier just seemed like the right fit.

53)"Speaking of Spamalot, can you reveal any other Broadway roles that were offered to you but you turned down?" He said "I can not."

52) He also talked about driving up through northern California and how surprised he was to discover the variety of people who live there.

51) Clay, when you appear in Spamalot are you going to use an English accent? He will and ALREADY has the best English accent!!!!! (sorry couldn't help ma self)

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50) "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."

49)"Clay, if you used oil diffusers in your home what would your favorite scent be?" He uses Orange-honey Faye sell them, he buys them from her and gives them as gifts.

48)which would he choose if he was offered both but could only choose one; a supporting role in a good movie or a 3-4 episode story arc on a quality TV drama? answer:OK, then I'd do the TV show for 4 episodes but not 3. Mostly he would want to play a villain & MOSTLY he would do either if it meant he got to go to an awards show.

47)he knew that the Clayboard had donated $11,000 for TBAF

46)asked about the new arrangements-he said they stole one(OCOCE medley) and Jessie did the other two.

45) asked whether he had been taking vocal lessons because she felt his voice this tour was so amazing. He said NO.

44) He said he really didn't have any say where he performs- promoters buy a concert(s) It is all the hands of promoters and of course logistics do play a role

43)Clay said Jesse is a perfectionist

42)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"

41)The girl selling the hats and posters said that all of the scarves were sold out at the last show and that they didn't make anymore Update: they’re back

******************************************************************************* 40) NO bus line this tour

39)asked him about the ear monitors he wears during the shows and if they're molded specially to fit him. He said yes they are, and that it wasn't a pleasant process, that they shove this wax into his ears to make them. And he said they have to keep his molds on file because he loses the earpieces all the time.

38)asked him about AI Rewind and whether he'd be doing any more work on them past the Hollywood episodes. He said yes, but that there wouldn't be as much since once they get to the top 12 episodes they don't need as much explaining/narration

37)he is going to Mexico for Unicef and explained a bit about how he is sent where they need the most, and that is because of us!

36)asked if he was practising his golf swing, NO he wasn't going to be golfing.

35)Asked if he liked broccoli, “Well, I don’t necessarily have an aversion to broccoli. It depends on what’s on it.

34)he may tweek things as the tour goes by, he just wants to have fun with it

33)he is who he is and that is what the world gets.. the real Clay.

32)He said doesn't matter what he wears, hairs, songs, set etc.. someone always criticizes and picks it apart..

31)he could never make them all happy so he is determined to make himself happy and if he is happy with it that is what he is going with..

******************************************************************************* 30)he has tried in the past to please everyone and it just doesn't work..

29)he said he doesn't necessarily plan a tour or set to please anyone but himself..

28) someone suggested using the fans to tell their past Christmas stories.. he liked the idea and they flew with it

27)Why no Christmas concert in NC this year? He said that NC fans seemed to think that because they were from NC that he liked them better.

26)He LOVES the fan stories

25) thinks this year's will be his favorite Christmas show

24)Someone asked him if he'd had to learn sign language in college and he said he did.

23) Someone asked who the little boy was on the M&G pass and Clay said it was a boy he met in Afghanistan

22)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

21)Clay was NOT at his high school reunion -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20)he seemed so pleased and excited about this tour

19)he really is so down to earth and approachable

18) what Clay's favorite subject in school was, third grade it was Social Studies.

17)assured us that 85% of everything written about him (EVEN IN INTERVIEWS) was inaccurate

16)He told us that Durham was with him, but not Raleigh. The dogs get too wired when they're together and need a break. They get along pretty well, maybe too well. They wear themselves out, they wear HIM out. Raleigh is 'on vacation' and will join him later.

15) 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.

14)do you have a single picked out yet? which he said he hasn’t even started recording yet

13)He said there would be no banter this tour and that he knew many on the boards would be disappointed by that

12)Someone asked him what he thought about the Broadway strike and he said, “I don’t follow that mess! I say ‘Get back to work!’”

11) I asked him why Tears Run Dry wasn’t on ATDW and if it would be on the next album. He said that they only put four originals on ATDW and that it probably wouldn’t make it on the next album either

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10)Someone else asked if he would ever do an acoustic Christmas show, and he said that people would get bored with it

9)He mentioned that for the ice skating special he had to act like he couldn’t skate.

8)Then he said that a lot of musicians, especially from LA or New York don’t like impromptu, and a lot of things that look impromptu like stump the band was actually somewhat planned

7)Someone asked if he would jam with an orchestra, and he said that it would be difficult to do that with a large group of musicians, but would love to with a band.

6)song writing for new CD? His response was probably not...maybe...he'll write when/if he gets the urge

5) 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

4)I asked about taking dancing lessons for the show and he said NO he hadn't taken any and wasn't going to.

3)question about Spamalot and would he wear a wig. He giggled a litle and said YES, he probably would wear a wig

2)Clay commented that this tour 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".