Clay's Blog

• Reminiscing My Year with Clay...

  02/08/06 16 Comments

  I thought that this might be a good time to reminisce a bit about all of the joys and excitement that I have had seeing Clay in concert this past year. I have reworked my essay about seeing Clay in New York City for the JNT2 as my first installment. I hope you enjoy it….

  

  Christmas in New York…..

  What better place to see Clay at Christmastime than in New York City! The fact that Clay would be performing three nights in a row was a treat too yummy to pass up. It was like an answer to a dream that hadn’t been imagined.
  

  My NYC 3-fer began with the excitement and planning of sharing an apartment with some wonderful Clay fans for a glorious weekend. We were able to get fantastic seats and a wonderful apartment thanks to two very special fans who have the skills and thoughtfulness to make it happen. We were going to see Clay 3 nights in a row and I was ecstatic!
  

  Then a cloud descended for me in ‘real life’ that I thought would jeopardize what I was so looking forward to. With the death of my brother-in-law just before Thanksgiving, followed the next day by my doctor saying that the cold I had been dealing with was now pneumonia, and having two long-time friends diagnosed with terminal and advancing cancer had me in a downward spiral and I was felling guilty planning a pleasurable weekend for myself. The day I was to head to NY, I had to go back to the doctor for more antibiotics, and was told to have plenty of rest… little did she know where I was headed. I only share this because of its contrast of extremes. Quite often, the lows and highs help you appreciate the good things in life. I was able to make it to New York City to have the most wonderful time seeing a man I love and spending time with some amazing ladies.

  Being in NYC: When I decided to stay in NYC for all 3 shows, it was going to be a new thing for me….to be somewhere for a weekend without family to lean on…a first that was a bit scary for me. When the opportunity came to share an apartment with a special group of ladies, I couldn’t miss this perfect scenario.
  

  Actually, it is quite difficult to articulate my feelings for our little group of seven….most I had met before and knew they were wonderful people. I found that we were a group who were crazy in love with Clay, quite humorous, loved a good time, clack-talented, did I say WILD about Clay yet?, resourceful, moaned in unison, and very caring. These are all women I admire tremendously and, if you read this, I give you a hug.

  We planned and planned some more just so that everything would be perfect. We stocked the fridge and cabinets with goodies and we turned the big dining room table into 'Clack Central'...there were 3 or 4 laptops, an ipod with a docking station, large TV with a DVD player and we had clack 24/7. Pure heaven!

  Pre-Party: What began as a small group, grew in numbers to result in having nearly 50 fans from our message board, Clayversity. I think I was as excited to meet so many from our ‘family’ as I was to see Clay. The diner we chose to hold the dinner had a long very narrow room on the side. When I was planning the arrangements, they had assured me that we would be able to sit at one long table. This was important to me, since I wanted the feeling of unity. But, when I arrived, I found tables of 4 or 5. That was a disappointment because it was difficult to get around to visit each others’ tables. While I tried to keep one group of tables for myself and my apartment-mates, that didn’t happen either as fans poured in eagerly looking forward to meeting each other. There were warm hugs and squeals of delight in the excitement of seeing each other and anticipating seeing Clay soon. Even though it was cozy, I think we all had fun regardless.
  

  I was so fortunate to have the help of so many wonderful Clayversity friends to make this party exciting. A very talented woman generously offered one of her photomosaics as a raffle prize. Her work is usually donated for much larger parties or events so to have her make this offer was truly special for our little group. When a raffle was announced, I was lucky to have two other friends offer additional prizes to tantalize us all…. beautifully hand-painted penguin ornaments stuffed into little Christmas stockings and brightly painted gift boxes with goodies inside, concert dvds, Clay pins and framed photos of Clay. Each fan attending also received beautiful Clay photos and a beautiful angel lapel pin to remind us of this wonderful holiday. Their generosity truly touched my heart.

  All of the raffle donations totaled $505 and was sent to The Bubel-Aiken Foundation in honor of Clay’s visit to NYC and as a Christmas gift to him. We passed around a card for all of us to sign and included it with the donation. At Christmas I imagined Clay seeing the card and knowing that his fans have been doing things to aid his foundation. We also had a couple of our group bring ‘Beads of Life’ necklaces and bracelets for us to purchase and it was a huge success. We ‘used our voice’ on behalf of Clay and feel honored to have been able to give at holiday time.

  Regrets or disappointment….how could I possibly have any? But my one regret was that, while I met everyone, the time was too short.
  

  Now….on to the object of our affection…... I can’t give a recap of the show itself because it is all one big moment for me and I know others have done it for you….and you have heard of the ‘Aiken-fog’, right? But, suffice it to say, Clay was outstanding. The first night, when he came on stage in his silky soft white suit, I immediately felt the pull and began to tear up. He had this aura around him that cannot be denied.

  You knew who the star was. Sure, there were many people in the ensemble, actors, musicians, community theater players and backups, but it was Clay you are instantly riveted to. He commands you to see him, helpless although you may not have been. Clay is a man! He has a confidence on stage that belies all that has been part of his life growing up. He has transcended into a person of quiet power with an allure that is undeniable. I could not take my eyes off of him.
  

  In the first half, I beamed with pride as the nuances of his script came to me and I tried to fathom the talents of this man. To be able to process the power of this gift to us was impossible. Then he knocked me over with the second half. The beauty of his performances had me breathless and misty, particularly at ‘Emmanuel’ and ‘Oh Holy Night.’
  

  When he reappeared at the end, running in wearing his closely-fitted black suit and yelling “Merry Christmas, New York City!”, I wanted to grab him tight…..how adorable can he be when he is the man I described above? How can he show both sides of himself so truthfully and have us not respond to it. He is multi-facetted and we may never know the true extent of this.
  

  On Sunday night, I knew it would be my last show of the tour and I was saddened it was going to be over. I was lucky to be sitting in the first row to the left due to the generosity of our ticket-buying maven. As soon as he came on stage, I was struck with the fact that there was nothing….nothing….between Clay and myself. Nothing except air and the knowledge that that is how it must be. Unbeknownst to me, I became quite emotional. He still grabbed me when he entered the stage, but this time I had to physically try to contain myself to keep from moaning and I started to tremble. I didn’t think it would be so profound but there it was…Clay did this to me. He sang beautifully and moved me more than I can say. It was truly an experience. I have swooned before, and I have screamed quite a bit in the past, clapped until my hands stung and felt like each tour was the best ever. But this night was the most profound for me. I left feeling like he showed me his love.
  

  Regrets…..only one. That is the one I have been looking for all of these past three years. That is Clay coming back out on stage and taking a bow. I want to see him stand up there, alone on the stage and soak in the appreciation we have for him…..to gaze out into the audience and drink us up, to bow and smile out at us. I want him to let us clap for him for as long as we can do it and know that we love him….and for us to see his face when he has realized its depth.
  

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