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Clay Aiken's National Inclusion Project Working to Benefit Children With Disabilities

11/10/2009
THE NATIONAL INCLUSION PROJECT GALA HONORING 2009 CHAMPIONS RAISES OVER $465,000 TO BENEFIT THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

On October 17, the National Inclusion Project, formerly the Bubel Aiken Foundation, held a gala in Raleigh, NC to honor champions of inclusion. The evening festivities, which included a live auction and performance from Clay Aiken, also succeeded in raising over $465,000 to help continue the National Inclusion Project's work. Quite admirable in today's tough economy. To learn more about The National Inclusion Project, it's honorees, and it's mission, visit the website linked above.

Clay Aiken is Hot!

Glitter Text @ Glitterfy.com



It's no secret to those who read this blog that I love Clay Aiken. I think he is a megatalented entertainer whose integrity and heart of gold hooked me long ago. I've always found Clay attractive, never more so than now after a new picture of him was posted on the social networking site Twitter a few days ago, looking tan, trim, and fit. Much of Clay Nation is salivating over this picture.
http://twitpic.com/fhr6u
The other person in the picture is David Novik, Head of A&R @deccalabelgroup. David and Clay should be working closely together as Clay prepares for his next album, tentatively due out in early to mid 2010.

http://www.deccarecords-us.com/artists/

Read more about Clay Aiken at Clay Aiken News Network, or visit his official fan club.
Clay Aiken Fan Club

The National Inclusion Project

Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel have proudly announced a name change for the Bubel Aiken Foundation. It is now the National Inclusion Project.

NIP was founded in 2003 and arose out of the relationship between Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, and their work with Diane's son Michael, a boy with autism. For six years the foundation has worked to provide opportunities of inclusion for all children, regardless of ability.

An excerpt of an open letter from Diane Bubel and Clay Aiken.

As we realized the impact the Foundation has already made, it became apparent that even bigger accomplishments could be on the horizon. To that end, we along with the rest of the Board decided that a new name for the Foundation would establish long-term credibility and stability. We sought a name that would signify the Foundation’s position as a national leader on inclusion as well as recognize the Foundation’s start and the efforts of its faithful supporters. After much thought and deliberation, we are proud to introduce the organization we co-founded as the National Inclusion Project.

To read the entire letter, click here.

Great job to Clay, Diane, the entire board and staff of NIP, and all the countless supporters of this very worthy cause.

To read more about NIP, formerly known as the Bubel Aiken Foundation, and the name change, visit :

Clay Aiken News Network

clayaikenjourney

(NIP logo used with permission)

Clay Aiken Fascinates

It is probably no secret to those who know me, and maybe to those who don't but who read this blog, that I find Clay Aiken a fascinating human being.






His combination of talent, humour, smarts, and caring have me truly and completely hooked. He is also absolutely gorgeous to me. Enjoy some of my favorite pictures of Clay below.































































Ok, I admit it. I find Clay's hands the most gorgeous part of him. And his neck. And his lips. And his eyes. God help me. I think I've lost my heart.


*Thanks to all the photographers that made this blog possible.

For more gorgeous Clay, visit these blogs.
Clays News Network


Ashes

All That Is Clay Aiken

Shyeyewitness

The Life and Times (past, present and future) of a Clay Aiken Fan - the Music & The Man

A Few More Words From Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken responds. Here is his latest blog in it's entirety.

Clay's Blog

*

Wow! Such influence! ha ha
05/22/09

Who knew I had so much influence and that my words and opinion mattered so much to so many people!?!?! HA HA HA I'll be the first to admit that my opinion is just that, only my opinion, but for as much as some of the bloggers seem to dislike me and care so little about my thoughts, they sure can waste a lot of their space on what I say! If only many of them took the time to pay attention to important things like the US economy and the welfare of the world's children. But... nah... I could blog about that type of stuff anytime and most wouldn't think twice, but let me say something that they can pick and choose quotes and misinterpret me... and it's showtime! I never assumed my opinion mattered so much! I guess I may have been wrong.

That said, since my previous blog got dissected like a biology lab frog, i suppose I should clarify and even retract some of what I wrote.

I am sure that some were upset by my choice of words describing my opinion of a performance I heard from Adam Lambert. I hope no one actually believed that blood truly poured forth from my ears when I heard him. I obviously meant it as a colorful statement to imply that I did not enjoy what I heard. Any performer hopes that their music will appeal to all people, but no singer realistically expects it to. God knows, I am SURE there are PLENTY of people who can't stand to hear me sing either. I wouldn't dream of assuming that, and I am sure that far worse things have been said about my performances than I would even venture to type here. To me, that's fine. I don't expect unanimous, nor even majority support for my music. But, my guess is Adam doesn't either. I would not venture to make judgements on the personality or demeanor of anyone I don't know, so none of what I said in my previous blog was directed as a "slam" on Adam as a person. At the same time, I wouldn't dream of slamming him as an entertainer. He does what he does, because he enjoys it, and he obviously has many fans who enjoy it as well. If what i said in my previous blog regarding my impression of a single performance from Adam upset or offended any of his fans, I expect that the mature ones will realize that it was simply a poorly worded metaphor describing my personal tastes. The only person I would really dream of apologizing to is Adam. And the irony is, if he's smart he couldn't give a crap what I think of his Ring of Fire performance. As an entertainer, Adam knows that one person's opinion of one performance really matters a little less than zero, in the grand scheme of things. He could not have gotten on Idol (nor made it as far as he did) without an immense amount of talent. He surely doesn't need my approval to know he has a gift. At the same time, he realizes that amazing talent doesn't always equal universal appeal. (I could NEVER have the amount of skill and talent that ballet dancers have! that's talent! But, I don't particularly enjoy it!) I am sure that I will have plenty of opportunities in the coming years to hear Adam sing. I imagine he'll be around for years to come. But in the meantime, I definitely don't want to stoop to the level of so many negative freaks on the internet... so, I do apologize to Adam for my colorful (and negative) choice of words. I hope he can forgive me. I imagine he doesn't give a damn! :-) God knows he shouldn't. :-)

Now, for those of you who are able to comment on this.... lets take bets as to which bits and pieces of this blog will end up mass distributed. Be creative.... they don't seem to care about punctuation or whether or not they use all of the words in a sentence... so, have fun.... ;-)

Clay did not have to do this. He owed no one an apology for his opinion stated on a private board, and then taken and blown up into more than it was. I am proud, however, that he saw fit to do so anyway. Always fair. You rock, Clay.

A Few Words From Clay Aiken

I saw these quotes from Clay posted on a Clay Aiken fan site today....

From his book "Learning to Sing"

"Stop worrying what other people think of you.

Be willing to take risks.

Failing doesn't hurt. Not trying does.

You can make an impression on someone without having to win.

Listen to your heart.

Stand up for what you believe in.

Keep on the sunny side of life.

Use your voice.

Make a joyful noise."

Inspirational words for sure. Clay also in the past has said to say what you gotta say, some will like it, some won't. Here's a funny clip from him in concert saying just that.





So here we have a young man, who advocates free speech, who answers a fan question on a private site in a non-malicious way, with qualifiers, being attacked by those who do not share his opinion. He states an opinion based on his own admittedly limited knowledge, much like most of us do on a daily basis, and the resulting hoopla is unbelievable.

On many sites, Clay's blog has not been posted in it's entirety, and his words have been made to appear much worse than they are. To read his entire blog, go here.

Clay Aiken and Mother Teresa's Words

Clay Aiken has always struck me as an old soul. He is certainly wise beyond his years. Recently he posted on his blog the immortal words of the incomparable Mother Teresa.

5/12/2009

Love this

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

A great philosophy to aspire to.

Clay Aiken to be on America's Next Top Model!!

Be sure to tune in on April 8.

Clay Aiken to be Honored

The Family Equality Council is set to honor Clay Aiken and Terry Bogis at Night at the Tavern, Family Equality Council’s annual New York City event, which will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Tavern on the Green in New York City. What a great honor for both of them.

That Clay is being honored for his influence as a parent is not in the least surprising to me. He and his good friend Jaymes Foster chose a beautiful way to have a family; a family that perhaps, as a gay man, he may have thought he would never have. He has given hope for acceptance and inspiration to many gay and lesbian families nation wide.


Clay Aiken is also well known as an advocate for children. In April of 2007, the Childrens Advocacy Award was bestowed upon him by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

NCLD will bestow its Children's Advocacy Award on multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken, who taught special education before he made his breakthrough on American Idol's second season. Mr. Aiken's musical success has enabled him to focus on charitable work and advocacy for education and children's causes. In 2003, he created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which promotes and funds educational and recreational programs for children with special needs and advocates for their integration into the environments of their non-disabled peers. In 2006, Mr. Aiken was appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which advises the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services on programs and services. Read more

Tyra Banks Gets Excellence GLAAD Award

Tyra Banks Gets "Excellence" GLAAD Award



Click link above to read story.






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Clay Aiken presents good friend Tyra Banks
with prestigious Excellence in Media Award
from GLAAD .

Clay Aiken Free From RCA

Today it was confirmed, Clay Aiken has left RCA.

"We were unable to come to terms in a recent contract negotiation, and decided that it was best to move on," the rep, Cindi Berger, said Friday.

Read all about it at People.com.

Missing Clay Aiken

especially on this Valentine's Day? Here's my fix.