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2007-01-01
12:07 a.m.
New Year's Day 2007!
Happy New Year from Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken!
Here I come again, continuing our tradition of having a Main Page commemorating the year just ended at LBFCA, and extending New Year's wishes to Clay.
Given that Clay was out of the public eye for most of the year, I figured this page would be a bit of a breeze. Apparently, the Clack gatherers were busy when they could be, so there are a LOT of photos and links herein. I suggest you might want to brew some tea while the pix load, make a sandwich, and get comfy, click on the links down memory lane and savor the flavor. Or come back and enjoy the page in segments. Or just scroll on through to hurry up with getting this year off to a fresh start.
Here's to 2006, the year Clay Aiken grew old and fat!
BWAH!
The past year has come full circle. Way back in January, LBFCA featured a soap opera fantasy,
Then in December Clay showed up on Days of Our Lives.
The year started with some ridiculous shh...stuff in the tabloid media about Clay's supposed private life, so the Lecherous Broads created a page disclosing his puppy love.
While fear sometimes intruded into the joy of being a fan of Clay Aiken in 2006, his Lecherous Broads persevered with hope.
But, in many ways, 2006 was like something from another universe at times.
In spite of some mess, LBFCA still celebrated important holidays, and other special occasions, including:
We took Clay's blogging communication very seriously. Like decoding his meaning to Talk About Something That REALLY Happened, and writing songs about "things" he shared.
We were even stooped to whining a bit when we hadn't heard from him:
Heh, some of us even read The Kite Runner.
We needed something to do, because a lot of 2006 was just a long, long wait, rife with controversy.
Then, Clay showed up on ai5, and got more media attention than most of the contestants and other so-called superstar guests. For his voice, for his gracious ability to treat an unexpected duet partner with respect, and, of course, for his hair!
*sigh*
It was so great to finally see Clay again! And to hear Clay SING!
That appearance confirmed for the masses what the Lecherous Broads had been contending for over three years: Clay Aiken gives good bangs. Good, long bangs!
Happily, that hair brought Danielle back to the MP
Then, it seemed the wait was back...
Meanwhile, amongst all the waiting of 2006, the Main Page Broads entered into intense negotiations (and some puddin' wrasslin') about the problems of our original home of the Purple Pages at signmyguestbook.com. (yea, I've included a link there to our old PPs...it's a crapshoot whether or not the link will work...that's why we left.)
We launched the LBFCA Purple Pages Forum in August, and got busy working out the bugs in our registration system.
Broads tried to pass the time by imagining Clay's possible career in the summer movies.
Finally, the long-awaited album news cycle began. But, when the album press release announced the tracklist, it definitely received mixed reaction among fans, including Clay's own Lecherous Broads. Embraced by many, and disliked by others. But, keeping things in perspective, LBFCA pondered the possibility that it could've been worse, and most continued to look forward to the album in excited anticipation.
The Lecherous Broads kept the home fires burning at The Double-O Wild BEVR Ranch throughout this long year, and good thing, too...as we were needed when the photographer of Clay's album photo shoot succumbed to his many charms.
But, that was quite understandable, given what she had seen through that viewfinder.
With news that Clay's album would drop on September 19, a traditional holiday at LBFCA, we celebrated, or pre-celebrated, an early Talk Like a Pirate Day.
LBFCA celebrated with the rest of Clay Nation, when we were surprised and proud to learn Clay had been appointed to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Plus, he changed his hair. Again!
Clay went into album promo mode, and we happily got to hear and see him, and not so happily got to hear, and read about, him describe some painful experiences of this year, from the tabloids to his treatment for panic attacks. In Broadly fashion, we talked things over, and enjoyed a Broadpile, and continued to extend to Clay our warmest wishes.
Clay appeared at the David Foster Foundation Star Search and Gala, to a warm and enthusiastic welcome, from fans and everyone else, both on stage and in the audience.
Clay was back! Clay was hilarious! Clay was confident! Clay was caring! Clay was handsome!
Clay SANG!!!!
At last, our long long wait of 2006 was over!
That same weekend, Clear Channel previewed ATDW, and Broads joined Clay Nation in enjoying, or fretting over, each and every song, and in just a wink of an eye, the CD was finally in our hands, and the celebration of new music from Clay began in full. We cheered for Clay having writing credits on Lonely No More and Lover All Alone.
While not writing a separate Main Page about every album promo appearance and interview, Lecherous Broads relished reading about and seeing Clay, either in person or on tv or via fan-gathered Clack, at every possible occasion.
Including:
Leno
Good Morning America
The View
People Magazine
Virgin Megastore
Kimmel, including giving Jimmy Kimmel special LBFCA honors.
KTLA Morning News
Larry King Live
Walmart Soundcheck
CD USA Direct TV
Multiple mentions on the entertainment news shows, including a multi-part interview on The Insider
The Martha Stewart Show brought Kelly back to the Main Page.
Then, except for a badly edited rehash of Clay's history as a singing sensation on the TV Guide Channel CloseUp, and tantalizing fan reports about the the Tyra Banks Show taping, it seemed Clay disappeared yet again in October.
Sadly, it still seemed we truly could not get enough Clay Aiken, and there was a palpable unrest throughout Clay Nation. Faced with some of the most blistering reviews and disappointing numbers ever for a Clay Aiken album, fans seemed to look for targets for their frustration. Some turned against RCA, Clay's management, and eventually each other, leading to a splintering of parts of the fandom into finger pointing factions.
At LBFCA we tried to keep our heads up, and our minds on Clay's libido, with a visit at The Ranch.
Late in October someone online found a walmart.com add for an �Exclusive Album� called All Is Well:
With no cover art, no tracklist, and no idea what the heck this thing was, some of us ordered away like crazy on walmart.com. No one was disappointed when the cover art and track list showed up.
Soon we had a hires version of the cover photo, and Broads were happy with the new mantra, All Is Well.
As Broads began to receive Clay's Package in the mail, we discussed the new OFC Membership Card, and multiple uses for it.
We enjoyed Clay's appearance on The Megan Mullaly Show, and his playful interaction with fans.
We celebrated a stellar week+ that included Clay's visit to his OFC chatroom, his UNC Charlotte Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, his funny radio interview with Ryan Seacrest, Tyra Show teasers, the Regis and Kelly Show co-hosting gig (that was so not a controversy at that moment!), the taping of O Come, O Come Emmanuel for GMA, and culminating in the UNICEF Crystal Snowflake Lighting.
But, controversy continued to follow Clay around, and LBFCA addressed The Feud in Broadly fashion.
Happily, Clay showed he had a good sense of humor about such things, and got a bit of positive press for a change as well.
Oh, did I mention he looked mighty fine at the AMAs, too?
Clay gave a house tour on a local NC news station, and LBFCA focused on the truly important aspect of seeing Clay's LoveSac.
Then, The Double-O Wild BEVR Ranch was featured briefly in our own Open House.
All Is Well was released, and we cheered again over Clay having Executive Producer credits, and thrilled at the new recording.
Clay finally hit the tour stage, and Broads were reminded once again, that tour time really is the best time in Clay Nation, when we come together to share the joy of being in the same room with Clay when he sings and talks and laughs. Friends long apart shared hugs and boisterous community. The Clack flowed and Broads got our fill, either in person, or via the generous sharing of others.
Clay's taped performance aired on The Tyra Banks Show, and Tyra revealed herself, once again, to be quite taken with our singer man.
Broadly hearts swelled when Clay appeared at a school to honor the authors of Our Friend Mikayla, to reward the kids with a personal reading, and to sing to Mikayla.
But, it was The Clay Aiken Blue Christmas Comedy Show with Orchestra and Magnificent Voice Tour that will live long in the memory of many a Lecherous Broad. In which Clay himself showed his quick innuendo laden wit with banter full of double entendres, snarking on himself, on his crazy fans, even the ways we have been known to express love and lechery in his presence.
He was freakin hilarious.
Then, he SANG!
He was mighty gorgeous, too...and wore lots of PURPLE! And lots of TIES!!!
So, whether you watched the clack, or witnessed in person, this tour ended the year with many many highlights.
From the wonders of Waukegan
To the magic of Merrillville
The crotch banter of Verona
To the mania of Baltimore
You can't help but believe Clay Aiken is a man who loves to perform.
Expressing warmth:
Sweetness:
Humor:
Generosity:
Determination:
Strength:
Sensuality:
Not to mention, having great shoulders:
Dreamy eyes:
Mesmerizing fingers:
A delicious collection of TIES:
Sparkly PANTS:
Fascinating hair:
And a voice like no one else on the planet:
Who knows
"us"
so well
On that note, it's a tricky segue into extending my annual greetings to Clay. But, he demonstrated some tricky segues on tour, too, so I'll just charge through...
I'll say it. Clay, sometimes it hurt being your fan in 2006. Not because being your fan hurts, but because of the mess this year seemed to rain down upon you.
It was painful to witness, some of it was shockingly ugly, and it was more painful to imagine what it might be like for you, Clay, as the one whose name and reputation was being maligned. At times I lived on hope, trusting that loving family and friends surrounding you were helping you through. The end of this year told me that was true. But, I have an impression that you got through it mostly through your own efforts, your willingness to seek care, and the foundation of your beliefs. So, I can only imagine what it might be like for you to see 2006 end, and hope for something quite different in 2007.
Don�t get me wrong, a lot from this year was wonderful! I captured a small glimmer of the treasures of 2006 with the photos above. They can't do justice to the treasure I cherish of being your fan. I hope you felt the love of your Lecherous Broads, and all of Clay Nation, this year. Not only when you hit the tv screen and concert stage, but throughout this whole long year. We were there. We're still here. We're waiting for what you have in store for us.
Last year on this date, I said it felt like an especially thrilling time in the life of a fan of Clay Aiken. Today, it's a different kind of thrill. With a hope fueled by perseverance and steeled for whatever the New Year has in store. For you. For your fans. For us together.
Happy New Year, Clay!
May you enjoy a year full of satisfying pleasures, simple delights, success in your chosen endeavors, along with the love and laughter of those who are close, the challenge and learning that bring you growth, music and all those things that you find to enrich your soul and bring you peace. With special wishes for the safe and healthy return of Brett, and all those with whom he serves.
Now, I'm putting away your Christmas music, and I'm putting ATDW back on repeat play. I hope to see you on tour again this year, Clay (and hope this year is not another long long wait to see you), and look forward to lots of new Clay Aiken music for many many years.
~~~
Nelle
Thanks to all of the creators and sharers of Clack, especially those whose efforts have contributed to this page. Out of respect for the wishes of several of those generous individuals, please do not post these photos at the OFC.
~~~
Thanks to Clay Aiken for everything!
