February 29, 2004

My husband, Doug, and I went to the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida last night to see Clay Aiken in concert. WOW! As I expected, the show was spectacular and Clay's performance was inspiring to say the least. But, I felt like something more was happening than just a concert…

There was an amazing mix of people there, and they were all at the concert to enjoy an artist who clearly cannot be "measured" by the music industry standards. The audience was made up young couples, teenagers, parents with small children, older couples, college kids, and every other group you can think of. We sat next to a woman in her late 60s or early 70s who was at the show with her husband, and they absolutely had the time of their lives.

I have been going to concerts of one kind or another for my entire life, and I have never before seen anyone who made so many different types of people feel so good. Truly fantastic! And much needed for me…

I constantly call into question the world we live in today. All you have to do is turn on the TV and watch a few seconds of the local news to see what I mean. It is filled with sensationalism, violence, hatred…things that aren't viable "news" stories, but rather just an attempt to garner ratings. The local news rarely tells you about the good in the world. You rarely hear about people who are making a difference in a positive way. I am always left instead with the feeling of despair - is the world really so horrible?

Yet to see the reaction that Clay has had on so many people is so refreshing and so encouraging. It proves to me that there are people out there who long for the "good." They appreciate his message, and aspire to what he represents.

Clay Aiken has risen to amazing heights despite the fact that he refuses to conform to the degradingly low standards being set by today's pop culture and society as a whole. He gives us all encouragement that there is hope for the future, and perhaps that is the true measure of this man.

I admire him for standing out there on a limb - virtually alone in his actions in today's music industry. I admire him for using his new-found position of influence, wealth and fame to stand up for decency. I admire him for his tremendous work with the Bubel-Aiken foundation, his charity which helps young people with developmental disabilities. Pretty amazing work in such a short period of time.

And he certainly signifies a change in the pop music industry.

Not only does Clay not try to conform, he refuses to conform. The music industry doesn't know what to do with him because he does not fit into any of their molds. Unlike the great majority of the artists you see at the top of the charts, Clay sells CDs and concert tickets in amazing numbers because he is what the public really wants. It is not because he has been over-promoted and over-hyped by some record company attempting to convince us all how great he is. Clay's natural appeal shines through, and the unstoppable groundswell caused by his fans has established Clay in a way that could not be matched by any amount of industry hype.

Clay Aiken is the real deal. What you see is what you get, and in today's world, we could use a lot more people like him. People who not only "think" about doing good, but actually act upon it. The more successful Clay gets, the more he tries to be a positive influence and a role model. He teaches us all a valuable lesson… be yourself… be proud of who you are, and be comfortable with who you are. And most importantly, do everything you can to help others and improve the world in which we all live.

1 year, 5 months, and 1 day ago, I lost a family member in a terrible tragedy. She was a teenager, a 16-year-old child who died of a drug overdose. I had the privilege of living with her for three months during the summer before she died, and I became very familiar with the music she listened to. Honestly, it was awful. The lyrics were filled with swearing, rage, and hatred… the anger in the music was overwhelming. I know that my mood would change drastically whenever I would listen, and I know she had to be negatively effected by it too.

I only wish Clay could have emerged earlier, and maybe he could have had a positive impact on her life like he is having for so many people today. I think her tragic death is the main reason why I have such an intense appreciation for "all things Clay."

Millions of people admire Clay, but there are also those who criticize and make derogatory remarks about him. Many do because Clay came from television's American Idol and not through normal record company promotion. The fact is that maybe, just maybe, the record companies don't know what the American people really want. If it was up to the record company executives, someone like Clay Aiken would never have had a chance to make it. But, we were all winners with American Idol because we were able to choose what we really wanted. We were able to choose him.

Clay Aiken has a fantastic voice and he is a great entertainer, but that is not what makes him special. The fact that he has come from out of nowhere to sell over 2 million copies of his debut album is unbelievable, as is the fact that his concerts are selling arenas across the country. These are great statistics, and maybe they would qualify as a way to measure success for most people, but Clay is different.

Clay Aiken not only makes people feel good, but more importantly, he makes people want to be good. That is what sets Clay apart. That is the true "measure" of this man.

Jennifer Bonoff
http://www.ZeroToSixFigures.com

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P.S. - During the concert, in the middle of singing a song, Clay went into the audience and grabbed the cell phone of a girl who was holding it up. He held the phone to his mouth while singing into the microphone at the same time, and he finished the song that way. When the song was finished, Clay said into the phone, "This is Clay Aiken. Who's this?" The lady on the phone was the mother of the girl in the audience. The girl had her cell phone connected the entire time so her Mom could hear the show at home. I had to laugh out loud because just a few sections behind her, I also had my cell phone connected to my Mom the entire time so she could listen to the show as well! After Clay did this, I took a picture of my own connected cell phone. It didn't come out great because of the lighting, but here's the pic I took anyway…

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There have been many others who have said it and thought it before me… so I would like to quote a few article clips that particularly stand out in my mind:

from "Is Clay Pushing Pop Music Over the "Edge"? by Candace Golden:

"What is "edge" anyway? If "edge" is going against the norm, taking risks, and shocking people or shaking them up, then I say Clay has plenty of "edge." Clay, by wanting to keep his first CD family-friendly pop and refusing to go against his beliefs and ideals, is doing all those things.

When "edge" becomes the norm, it loses that essence which defined it as "edge" in the first place. It is a very natural progression. When a swear word ceases to shock, it loses its power and is replaced by a word that does shock. Where does it end?

So goes the trend in today's pop music and music videos. In an attempt to be fresh and retain "edge," today's music and the videos that accompany it constantly barrage us with "in-your-face" sex and raunchiness. What happens when that gets old, when it loses its power to shock - actual sex in the videos? What comes after that? When does it go over the edge?

Wanting to return to decent music/lyrics/melodies shouldn't be ridiculed or vilified. Maybe it is all not earth shattering stuff but perhaps, just perhaps, the earth has been shattered enough in recent times. What is so terrible about getting music that crosses generations and that cross-sections of the music loving population can enjoy together?

Why are people so threatened by a truly nice guy? Why is that so "un-cool"? Maybe this is where the new "edge" lies.

Standing up for what you believe in, not selling yourself short to fit in musically or otherwise, keeping promises - THOSE things measure a man - or a person. If Clay did not sell a single CD doing it "his" way, he would still have his integrity. Taking that risk in today's musical climate - now that's "edge."

from "Here he comes, Mr. American Idol" in the Miami Herald by HOWARD COHEN:

''I have no problem saying I want to be a role model,'' Aiken says during rehearsals… ``Anybody in the business has a responsibility. When you get in a position where people are watching you on TV or listening to you on the radio, you have a responsibility not just to entertain them but to society, too. Artists set the tone. . . . Is American society about ripping people's bras off? Or is it about caring about one another? I have no problem saying I take it seriously, and I'm proud to say it.''

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