| The Clay Train Connection.com |
| WELCOME TO THE CLAY TRAIN CLUB CAR Where Clay Trainers get together to talk about Clay in the Media and to celebrate all of OMC's success with a look back at 2003 and 2004 and what has been happening so far in 2005! |
| And the Winner of the 2004 Relly Award is...... CLAY AIKEN!!!!! |
| 2nd Annual Relly Awards!!! Congratulations Clay! We knew you would get that stool! |
| Clayton, this Birthday Book was delivered to your home in Raleigh. It was made by us with love in our hearts. Happy Birthday! |
| The American Music Awards, November Fan's Choice Award |
| The Billboard Award For Best Selling Single |
| Graduation UNC Charlotte December 2003 |
| Clay Announces his nomination as Education Ambassador for UNICEF |
| There are so many things I admire about Clay and there is no way to pick just one. How could you not want a voice like that to touch people's souls and change their lives, or his ability to instantly relate and interact with children at their level, his quick wit that makes all of us laugh and I'm sure gets him through some tough times in his own life, his ability to speak honestly but has such a way with words that even when he's saying something negative he somehow manages to not hurt people's feelings, patience (of which I have none) in dealing with all this chaos, his willingness to dream and go after that dream, and then there's his humility. No, I can't pick just one. I have much to learn from this young man and he continues to amaze me. Barb |
| “CLAY ‘THAT VOICE’ AIKEN” Coordinates: RA19h13m3.54x D-8 degrees 45'46.98" A STAR IS BORN On March 25, 2003 while watching American Idol, I heard Clay sing “Someone Else’s Star”. I had known from the beginning that this young man had been blessed with a gift from God. He sang with passion, spoke with compassion and the power, range and clarity of his voice came from his soul and in a way that I am still unable to explain, he touched mine. A few weeks later, while talking about his major at UNC in Special Education, Clay made the now famous statement “it’s not necessarily how I make a difference, but I want to make sure that I do”. As a volunteer teaching assistant in Sign Language, I knew at that point that I needed to do something to honor this young man and his desire to help children with special needs. While reviewing my tapes I once again heard “Someone Else’s Star” and the idea for naming a star for Clay was born. I had named stars for family members before through the International Star Registry but never had I thought about naming one for a “celebrity”. At this point, Clay and his voice were not much more than talk around the water cooler so I did not share my idea with others…after all I must be crazy to be thinking of doing this. Two days later, crazy or not, I placed the order. Originally the name was to be “Clay ‘Make A Difference’ Aiken” but that was too many letters so I opted for “Clay ‘That Voice’ Aiken”. Upon receiving the certificate, I contacted the North Carolina Autism Society knowing they were one of Clay’s favorite charities to see if they might be interested in having a copy for display. They graciously accepted the offer and a framed copy surrounded by pictures of Clay was sent to them. They had occasion to meet with Faye Parker and decided to present the certificate to her on my behalf. Faye felt it was a special gift and requested that Kaitlin (withholding her last name) a 10 year-old girl with autism publicly present it to her. Kaitlin has since been sent her own copy of the certificate. At approximately this same time I became involved with the claytonaiken.com Guest Book and met now fellow Clay Trainers Jean and Francine. After exchanging emails, including discussions about the star, the three of us began to pray on the star each night. Gradually that number grew and now many Clay Trainers pray on it. We pray for Clay and his family, for our own families and for what seems to be too many Clay Train passengers in need of our prayers. In addition to creating the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, virtual strangers a year ago are now praying together. Has Clay made a difference? You bet he has. Tonight on “American Idol Life On The Road” a segment aired with Faye taking the viewers into a room known as “The Shrine” and Faye held up the Star Certificate. I had already received confirmation from Dianna through her conversation with Clay at the Jimmy Kimmel show and through Jean and her conversations with Faye that Clay was aware of the star and had actually looked for it, but seeing Faye holding that certificate was a very special moment that filled me with much joy this evening. The “Clay That Voice Aiken” star will forever shine as a symbol that Clay Aiken has made a difference and along with him it now shines for all Clay Trainers. Barb Thompson |
| On Behalf Of The Clay Train aka The Clay Train Connection, I would like to congratulate Clay on a tremendous year! We admire you so and will continue to spread your love and your joy through charities and through music today and everyday! DeesBees |
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