Rumor has it that Clay Aiken has been dropped by his record label Decca, and speculation is due to poor album sales. Decca and officials for Clay Aiken have not made any comments as of yet. Clay did make a statement recently, that he has no immediate plans to record a new album, and that he was going to put all of his energy and focus on his current Tried and True Tour. Clay made this statement a few days before word hit the street about Decca dropping Clay from the label.
So let’s look at what happened. Tried and True was released in June 2010; the album is a great album full of classic songs, and songs everyone knows, including songs that Clay had sung on American idol (Season 2). Tried and True is a solid album from start to finish, music is spot on, and the songs Clay sings showcases his talent as a singer. In theory this was a well made and well planned album, which should have sold extremely well. One thing I will say though, it did not seem that marketing was high priority on Decca’s part.
Tried and True album sales to date 63,000 copies sold.
Did you see that? Let me repeat that statement, 63,000 copies sold. There is something wrong with this picture. If Tried and True was an album with original material, or songs written by songwriters for him, and the songs were not strong, then I would think, yes 63,000 sounds right. But that is not the case here, Tried and True is an album of classic cover songs, songs like the album title states are tried and true songs.
Where are Clay Aiken’s Fans?
This is where I have a problem comprehending, that Tried and True sold only 63,000 copies. Clay Aiken has legions of fans worldwide, and very loyal fans. “Hypothetically I am going to say Clay has 10 million fans worldwide.” (Please feel free to correct me on my figures, by making a comment). So if out of 10 million fans only 20 percent like the new album, this would be 2 million fans. Now let’s say that from 2 million fans, only 30 percent bought the album. By simple arithmetic, that would mean the album should have sold 600,000 copies.
My estimate would have been that Tried and True should have sold between: 750,000 to 1.5 million copies worldwide within 1 year. By the calculation above 600,000 copies should have been sold, to date only 63,000 copies have been sold. Did I miss something here?
How many fans does Clay Aiken have? I will guess again and say 10 million fans worldwide, and I am going to make an assumption, and I bet that at least 2 to 3 million die hard Clay Aiken fans have a copy of Tried and True on their iPhones and laptops, but only 63,000 copies were sold.
How did this happen? Illegal file sharing could be the culprit, downloading songs and albums for free destroys an artist, and the recording industry. Clay Aiken’s Tried and True album is classic example.
Maybe now fans will realize why Clay was dropped from his record label, and he was dropped purely from a business standpoint, which was the album had poor sales. This is sad, because Tried and True is a great album, and from this point on, will be known as a turning point, and or the continued decline of legal album sales, due to piracy.
This is a commentary and this view is my own personal opinion, and does not reflect the views of Decca, or Clay Aiken.
I am very passionate about my music, and always buy my music to support the artists and bands that I like. I became a fan of Clay Aiken, when I bought his Tried and True album to write a review for this blog, and it’s a CD I play quite often.
There is a link here to Amazon, where you can purchase the album, now would be a good time to show some support to Clay, and hopefully he will record a new album in the future.
Clay is currently on tour to support his album Tried and True.
By George Luker (C) Copyright 2011 Krule Music
52 comments:
March 4, 2011 at 7:01 AM
Mr.Luker:
Very interesting article. I realize most people know CD sales as we know them are all but gone, due to downloads from the Internet. But you didn't mention radio play at all. The station I listen to most never even received his last CD, Tried and True. Unless a Clay fan spends alot of time on message boards they wouldn't even know he has a new CD out.
I agree with you about Tried and True being a great CD. Clay is touring with right now and if you think the CD is great, seeing Clay live in concert is fantastic!
March 4, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Thank you for your comment Anonymous, Yes you are correct, I did not mention radio play. I did mention in my article, that Decca did not do a great job at marketing "Tried and True".
Did the street people (Not Clay fans) did not do they're job?
My point is, why is it Clay has millions of fans, yet only 63,000 copies were sold, and yet everyone says they have the album and listen to it.
I must say, this is not an attack on Clay Aiken fans. I am just stressing a point, on how the record sales, did damage to Clay.
I know the majority of Clay's fan who do read my blog, did buy the album, and I remember one lady who said she bought it three times.
So my question remains, why did the album not sell? It is a great album.
March 4, 2011 at 9:31 AM
I love Tried & True great album. Some fans don't like it so not everyone bought it. They want original music but they still love his voice and the man. If he puts out an album with original music I'm sure his sales will be fine. I'm sure that all of us including Clay would have liked it if he had sold more but 63,000 with no radio play at all & no single released no PR is not such a bad number. He has said he did not sign on long term with Decca so I don't believe he got dropped. Decca sent a email to some fans saying Clay moved on to another label and a few blogs picked it up and for headlines decided to change it to he got dropped. I see others from that label have sold less and they are still with Decca. I guess time will tell. Thanks for the article glad you like the CD. I agree with the other poster that Clay is fantastic live!!
Just thought of something else Clay had the PBS special and lots of fans bought the album through the special and we were told that those albums did not count towards his sales that is another reason the sales were low.
March 4, 2011 at 9:40 AM
If the general public doesn't know the album exists outside of one special on PBS there is no way it will sell. Unless the public can HEAR this cd through radio or tv, sales will be slim. Sad but true...and let's face it, you get radio and tv exposure by paying for it. Decca decided not to pay. Judging from the number of PBS people at concerts in support of this CD, PBS sold a lot of tickets -- they also gave CDs away as thank you gifts -- am guessing these are not considered as sales either.
March 4, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Agree with the comments. Something else is the fact that even at 63.000, Clay has outsold over half of Decca's roster. So why drop him for poor sales? Base on that, Decca would need to get rid of half of their artists.
March 4, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Did Decca say he was dropped? Did Clay say he was dropped? Clay said it was a one record deal for the PBS special. I really wish people would not print things as fact without any sources.
March 4, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Thank you Anonymous for your comment.
There is no such thing as a 1 album deal, all record companies sign artists with an option of 1 to 3 albums, that a record company can exercise.
I do have a credible source..Otherwise I would not have written this article. Your comment sways away from my initial comment.
March 4, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Clay has NEVER had 10 million fans, even when he was at his height on American Idol. His highest selling CD (his debut) was 2 million units sold.
March 4, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Thank you for your comment Anonymous.
Bingo! his first album did sell 2 million units.
Please re read my article, I did not say Clay has 10 million fans, I made an assumption (a guess) and it was hypothetical for a calculation and point I was trying to make.
Everyone seems to make comments and disregard the issue.
I wonder why I feel the animosity towards me? Please re read the article.
Thanks again for your insightful comment.
March 5, 2011 at 6:57 AM
Sorry, no animosity here. Sometimes Clay fans can be very protective of him.
In answer to your question as to why the CD didn't sell, we simply don't know. It's probably his best music so far.
It's probably one of two reasons:
Unless people follow Clay, many people didn't know he's even recording.
Some former fans are fickle....they seem to be attached to American Idol and the current crop of singers. American Idol has been both a blessing and a curse for someone like Clay.
March 5, 2011 at 7:06 AM
Thank you for the interesting article regarding file sharing. I don't see how any of these sites on the internet are legal. How are they continuing? Can there not be a way to close them down? I have been a fan of Clay Aiken's from the start and every time one of his new CDs is released, there will be many sites pop up with it free for download.
I posted a blog regarding this very subject on Feb. 10, 2009 -http://allthatisclayaiken.blogspot.com/2009/02/p2p-file-sharing-hurt-artists.html
I really think this album should have sold much more than it did. As you said - street people had no clue that it was available
March 5, 2011 at 7:17 AM
I love "Tried & True. I think it's Clay's best CD ever. His interpretive skills are amazing. Is it possible that it sold a good deal more than the stats show?
Thanks for this lovely article. I very much appreciate your support of Clay.
March 5, 2011 at 8:25 AM
I love Tried and True...and I know it has sold more than 63,000 copies. You could tell after his concerts by going on Amazon and checking on the numbers there. Also, a lot of the stuff sold through PBS did not count. I guess BB doesn't keep track of it anymore?
I believe Clay in saying that he had a l album deal. The labels are different now...you don't have to get stuck for years on a dead-end like he was with RCA. I think he is smart in not being committed for years. Enjoying all of his concerts...he is the best. Really enjoyed my Orlando Concert..if I could, would have gone to all of them.
March 5, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Thank you for your comment. I am glad to see some people realize this is not an Anti-Clay article, and indeed I am a fan.
I admit the article is quite brute and too the point, but that was also intended, for people to sit back and think about it...
For those of you who sent me messages concerning my 10 million fans fact... please... it was an assumption, hypothetical and for the calculation.
Regardless, the point is... the album should have sold more than 63,000 units, based on Clay Aiken's actual fan base.
Thank you all, and please do comment.
March 5, 2011 at 9:17 PM
First - I realize you are a fan, and you have clearly listened to the album and enjoyed it. I think the marketing was put into the PBS show, but, in my opinion, the execution was botched. The album was released in June, the special began airing late in August, but the tour was not until the following February and March (now!). Nothing connected, so the strategy was pretty ineffective. As you pointed out, there wasn't much marketing on Decca's part.
As to Clay's only being signed for the one record, as much as that may not be the industry norm, it does explain why Decca never issued a press release announcing his signing. That always seemed strange to the fans.
I also don't believe the CD's sent out as pledge thank-yous count as sales, and there is no way to know how many were sent out.
Clay's fans don't tend to download illegally. They buy copies to give to those they think might enjoy hearing Clay sing, as well as copies for their own use, including paying for different versions that contain bonus tracks. Perhaps some casual fans did obtain illegal downloads, but not the more die-hard types.
Bottom line: I completely agree that this lovely album should have sold way more than it did. Many people who have enjoyed Clay's music in the past and have a continued fondness for him would have bought the album but simply didn't know it existed (this per comments fans have posted about talking to these people).
March 6, 2011 at 5:59 AM
Mr.Luker:
I reread your article again to see if I was missing something between the lines. Are you perhaps suggesting there was some forces at work that could hinder Clay's record sales?
You are greatly exaggerating his fan base. I agree after American Idol he had millions of fans, but for various reasons that's no longer true. Since Clay's never toured or been promoted in other countries we have no idea of his popularity worldwide.
Many of his loyal fans buy multiple copies of his CD's, for family, friends,etc. Please don't think they download them free. Yes, we tape/video him during concert with his blessing.) They are the downloads we play on our phones, Mp3 players, computers and DVD players, not the free downloads you refer to. We support him by going to multiple concerts as well. We practically beg radio stations to play his music across the country, with little success.
Please don't blame Clay Aiken fans for his low CD sales. Look elsewhere.
March 6, 2011 at 11:37 AM
TRIED & TRUE is indeed Clay's most well-sung, best-produced, highest quality album of all. He certainly deserved a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Album more than croaky-voiced Rod Stewart or way-past-his-prime Barry Manilow for their 5th or 6th go rounds on classic standards. The music industry & the recording academy have never given him his due as a truly unique & stunning vocalist, but for some reason I really thought this time (with Vince Gill, David Sanborn & Linda Eder collaborating) they'd at least give him a little notice. Critics loved the CD, the few music fans who heard it loved the CD, his diehard internet fans loved the CD...... but lousy promotion could have killed even Susan Boyle. You can't buy something you don't know exists.
March 8, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Sadly, I think you have been hiding under a rock. Where have you been the last few years? It was obvious that Clay's fan base has dropped precipitously even if it was as high as you speculated, over the years. Many of these fans left because of the bad boy rumors and because they realized, finally, that Clay is gay. Those Christians who were enamoured with him in the beginning were wrongly turned off by all of the stories. Downloading has little or nothing to do with Clay's flagging popularity.
March 8, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Interesting point Anonymous.
March 8, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Thank you everyone for your comments, looking at some of your comments, I understand how Decca's marketing team messed this up totally. I though it was just me, but I see some of you pointed this out... at first, when the album was released in June, Clay did the Timeless tour with Ruben. At the time I thought it was the actual Tried and True tour, but was not...
Then the actual tour started last month, 8 months after the release.
The PBS special, is another one I did not understand, why they did that... it jeopardizes the album release and the tour.
So the Decca marketing team was a little off timing, and I did not go into actual marketing of the album its self. that's a whole other issue.
I did over estimated Clay's fan base, but still believe, if all the marketing was in place, and everything done as a normal record launch; Tried and True could have at least sold over 100k in units.
Its a shame, Tried and True is a great album, all covers, but well done...
March 8, 2011 at 5:28 PM
I am silently involved with three indie record labels. I am involved in the marketing of 2 bands. They are not known nationally or worldwide. with a marketing budget of $5000.00 each band. We moved respectively 23k units for one band and 49k units for the other. These are underground bands. A marketing plan was strategic for each band.
This Clay Aiken / Decca thing is a joke, and I say this with respect. What was the marketing plan? To get to the point. No marketing, No Sales.
March 8, 2011 at 8:56 PM
"but still believe, if all the marketing was in place, and everything done as a normal record launch; Tried and True could have at least sold over 100k in units. "
You're funny. There is no such thing as a "normal record launch". And he got a whole freaking PBS special to support behind and market his CD, and the response was tepid. Mostly because Clay as a talent is about as exciting and interesting as room temperature tap water.
Of course, that's why all those old ladies love him. He makes it easier for them to swallow their metamucil.
March 9, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Interesting comments from everyone.
March 10, 2011 at 9:38 AM
You don't know Clay Aiken's fans at all. You're article is based on lies.
March 11, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Thank you Anonymous for your comment, I do know Clay Aiken facts.
March 12, 2011 at 7:38 AM
I am a big Clay Aiken fan, but I did not care for the cd, It was a little to old fashioned. Some of the songs showed off his voice, but it was boring. And I still love his voice and will buy other cd's he puts out...I liked The Clay and Ruben concert better then the Tried and True concert...and I do like Clay way better then Ruben..but together they were great..but Clay is always great....
March 23, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Glad you liked the CD and agree that it should have sold better.
Agree about the poor marketing too. For instance why did they wait so long between the CD release and the showing of the PBS special which was done to help sell the CD and then of course the tour which just finished which was months apart from them. Normally all three are in conjunction with the other so that someone will see the special, buy the CD, then see the person is playing live in a town near them and go the show.
March 23, 2011 at 6:39 PM
Clay's Tried and True CD is one of his best, IMO. So sad that so many people do not know of it's existence. Decca let him down in the worst possible way with very little promo and the lack of cohesiveness between the CD, PBS Special, and the tour (which I, personally, don't think Decca was involved at all). Clay and his team were just amazing on this latest (too short) tour. He sang so beautifully and with so much joy and tenderness and then made us laugh till our sides hurt with his humor. This man is an entertainer extraordinaire!
By the way, have you listened to Clay's 2008 CD On My Way Here? A favorite of mine and did sell more than Tried and True but promo by RCA was also sadly lacking. Almost no one, even today, know about this wonderful CD, with new songs (or songs rarely heard) even an original one, Lover All Alone, lyrics by Clay, and music by David Foster. Give it a listen when you can, it's such a beautiful haunting song. The songs Ashes or Everything I Don't Need would have been hits on the radio had RCA only given them a push. So sad to me that the songs on that CD are not heard, or rarely heard.
If you ever get a chance to see a Clay Aiken Concert, I hope you will go. I think you would really enjoy the experience.
March 23, 2011 at 6:49 PM
Thank you for your comments, finally some comments with some common sense, I apologize if that sounds a little sarcastic, not meant to be... If you read the first few comments, you would understand.
I agree Decca just muffed up the whole marketing of Tried and True. Timing was bad, with the PBS special, the tour a year later, and NO marketing.
Thank you for your comments, and yes I do have Clay's CD On My Way Here, a great album as well.
March 23, 2011 at 7:31 PM
Addendum: I wanted to also say that I don't believe there would be illegal downloading done by Clay fans. They want so badly to see him place high on the charts and know that method of getting Clay's music would be detrimental.
Fans were constantly checking out the stores in their areas to find the CDs ( and often found none were there to be bought -- why was that I wonder?). If CDs were located, the store was posted on the message boards so fans could find them. I can't tell you how often I read that this Walmart or that Target or Best Buy didn't even have the Tried and True CD. Sometimes, there would only be 2 or 3 available for purchase. Often a fan would find and buy a couple or so CDs to help others who could not locate them.
It would be interesting to know how many Decca actually printed.
Glad you liked On My Way Here, also.
March 24, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Thanks for your comment, I did hear many people mention, they could not find Tried and True at Wal-mart and Target.
This is Decca's fault, 100 percent. I don't know, but who is the distribution channel for Decca in the US? because that would be the key link, why did the sales staff of the distributor not provide Wal-Mart with Tried and True?
Was there enough CD's manufactured for the distributor? That's another question.
Either way, something did not happen...
March 24, 2011 at 9:19 PM
Indirectly, one other detractor from the album sales was the editing of the PBS Special. I know they like to concentrate on the music, but Clay is one of those unique entertainers who is both a singer and a comedian, yet able to bring tears to your eyes as well.
During the PBS filming, there was an entire segment that Clay did talking about how he was bullied in 6th grade, but his 6th grade teacher "saved his life" that year by letting him eat lunch in her classroom each day. He then had all the teachers, professors and principals who were present rise and thanked them. That led into his singing of "In My Life," which he sings beautifully. Sadly, the edited version took out all the info about the 6th grade situation, and simply had his teacher standing and his thanking her. The PBS audience never knows why he's thanking her. All the emotion leading up to the song was removed.
This also happened with several humorous bits scattered throughout the concert, but all were removed for the Special. As someone who has attended almost one concert for each of his tours, I know that Clay the humorist is missed by the audience if he doesn't get to speak. And the PBS audience missed that comedian completely. I was very disappointed when I saw the Special.
Anyway, thank you for this article. It would be so interesting to know more about what labels provide these days for marketing; I'm guessing that they're spending as little as possible with the exception of their "superstars." And of course, they're going for more deals with artists where they share in touring and merchandise money as well(360 deals). My guess is that Clay and Decca did not have a 360 deal. I think they may have had a one CD deal with an option for another.
Oh, also, the A & R man that Clay really raved about at Decca (Dave Novik) is no longer at Decca. Something else to follow in the future.
March 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM
Thank you for your comment, interesting information there. Yeah I agree, its unfortunate with the PBS editing of critical segments, that add to the class and intrigue, that makes Clay who he is as a person. This is where artists versus businesses have always clashed.
On Decca it seems, they just didn't care to push, promote and market Tried and True. Why? Opportunity missed there big time!
With just the minimal low budget allocation of funds for marketing, would have done wonders. Just to have the albums in the store, more radio play and street buzz would have have at least tripled his sales.
Regardless if your a clay fan or not. Tried and True is an album of classic songs. Radio stations alone should have put the album on at least minimal rotation, and not just all the major stations, all the smaller ones, colleges, universities, indie and so on. There are over 5000 radio stations in the US.
It's sad, because it is a really great album. I am sure Clay will rest, look at options and make a move in the future to a new label.
March 29, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Something else that bothers me is the fact that
Clay seems to have been blackballed from American Idol. He hasn't appeared on that show for years, while many if not all the previous winners and runners-up have. What's up with that?
It's a travesty that many people who followed Clay on Idol, have no idea that he's still performing. You have to be able to find the CD's in the stores. You have to be able to know when he's appearing in concert. Unless people follow one of Clay's message boards, they won't know if there's a new CD, or tour...they don't hear him on the radio either.
It's true about the PBS special and the best of the show being left on the cutting room floor. The televised version was very sterile and dry and I thought the editing was terrible.
When Clay publicly came out in 2008, he did lose a good portion of the fan base. In recent interviews, Clay said it hasn't hurt him, but realistically, it did. Even on his own fan club message board, some of the most loyal fans left because Clay being gay was against their belief system. He went from being able to sell out arenas, to being thought of as "creepy". Just have a look at Twitter sometime at some of the comments.
I loved the Tried and True album. I thought it was his best work to date. Many of the fans didn't like it though. The tour was fabulous!
I hope that someday Clay finally gets the respect he deserves, and finds a place where he's comfortable. Broadway would be wonderful for him, if he could get that perfect role to play.
March 31, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Wrong genre.
His older fans might like the standards, but RCA and Decca both did superb isolation jobs. Really thought back when that Clay could've grabbed that mid-2000's Pop/Alternative market (Nick Lachey, Ashley Parker Angel, Backstreet Boys) that looked on the verge of breaking into Top 40 consistently, but Clive Davis (supposedly) didn't have the same view. I think it was something like two Pop albums both shelved by Clive before Clay's first cover album.....the one with 1000 Days, I can't remember what it was.
Anyway, the gay thing can't help, but his career timing was just off since Top 40 has gone two cycles from Pop/Alternative, to Pop/R&B then to this current Dance/Synth sort of thing. And I think he just gave up on the proper genre direction after that. If anyone looks back, it'll probably just be a matter of "what could've been."
(And, oh, to have a copy of one or both of those shelved albums... I bet the first stuff he did with the Foster woman was really good before he wussed out of the genre.)
April 1, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Ahh yes, the pop album that never came to be. There were some great songs on that album. Most if not all the fans heard several songs from that album during his Jukebox Tour in 2005. Back For More was a great song, as was Tears Run Dry. Now, I really believe THAT album would have shot him into the stratosphere.
April 3, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Thank you for your comments, very interesting indeed. I agree the coming out with the Gay thing did lose him many many fans. Sometimes personal preferences must stay private, especially if it would effect your career, and public perception.
April 6, 2011 at 8:46 PM
I went to his Tried and true concert in MPLS, MN and it was awesome. I absolutely love his voice and his great sense of humor. He seems like he could be your best friend, he seems like he has the greatest personality. I wish him the greatest success. If I had to fault anything in the concert, it would only be that I thought some of his songs were for older fans. Even though I think he has the best voice of anyone, I'm not that fond of Moon River and songs similar to that era. I'm 45 but definately those still seem to be out of my age range alittle though I do realize he has older fans to appeal to as well. I will continue to go to his concerts, but will be looking forward to any new material as well as material from his older albums. You are the best CLAY and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!!!
April 7, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Personally, I'm still mourning the loss of any tour supporting his On My Way Here album. He's sung a few of the songs from it at the Gala for his foundation and in this last tour.
But I wish he could do a tour with all the songs from that album. Sadly, that ship has passed....
April 8, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Mr. Luker,
Tried & True obviously suffered from a lack of promotion by both Clay's management and Decca. Don't know if we'll ever know why. Also, the album was also a bit too old fashioned for most people. Even most of Clay's older fans didn't care for it. Anyway, it's over and done with now and we can't go back and change what happened.
So, instead of retweeting links to this blog over and over, why not focus on the future and write a new one about what, in your opinion, Clay could do to better market his next album?
April 10, 2011 at 5:54 PM
Thank you for your commentary Mr. Luker.
Very very interesting article, although your anticipated guess of Clay's actual fan base is off, but I see you did state it was an estimate, regardless of that, it's the message of your article that intrigues me, so does the many comments on your article.
Lessons learned folks... and there is more than just one lesson here... I recommend any artist indie or major, and other folks as well, to read this article carefully, and if needed a few times.
My Hats off to you Mr. Luker.
April 18, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Can I just say that I have to disagree with anyone who says that Tried and True (or even just Clay himself) is only for "older fans" because this year I will turn 17 and I love T&T (and Clay), it's introduced me to great songs sung by a brilliant voice. As for it not doing well, well I'd say that people need to get over their prejudices, being gay has not affected his voice, has it? It makes me sad that today people aren't accepted for who they are.
I would love to see Clay do another original single/album and I think it would be good if he branched out into the world a little. I live in the UK and in a CD shop (HMV) the guy had never heard of Clay when I asked about him. I think doing that would help his sales because sadly the T&T DVD is not avaliable to me (it wouldn't work on my DVD player if I bought it). Finally I think that if Decca did drop him then it's their loss because he's got a beautiful voice.
May 6, 2011 at 5:02 AM
The reason it's not selling is because it's not the right type of music, not because he's gay.
He had promise; I just think it was a combination of himself and RCA that did his career in. I see similarities in he and David Cook's artistry in relation to RCA. I think it's likely true that Clay fought hard against the second album that RCA wanted (the one that was started before his Christmas album) and by the time he made his Nashville album, it wasn't mainstream enough to Clive and, thus, the cover album. Cook seems to fight it a bit less: You can hear how different and 'poppy' his sound is now compared to Analog Heart, his self-released, pre-Idol album.
I think the less resistance you put up, the more likely you'll be relevant by the time you get to do your own thing (read: on a different label). I think Clay found himself irrelevant by the time he reached the freedom to be signed elsewhere and had few offers, and he was a bit too scared and financially concerned to do the Darren Hayes thing and release his own stuff by himself. I wish he would have. But it's probably just a dream, now. He's probably done.
May 7, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Thanks for your comment, interesting point of view on his album sales. I agree an album of origin material might have been better, but an album of classic covers, such as T&T (especially with signature songs from AI) should have sold far more than it did.
The marketing, timing, tour being botched, along with current fans not supporting the release, contributed to its low sales, and being dropped by Decca.
There is still some hope for Clay Aiken, he can come out with an outstanding original album, with strong songs...
May 7, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Curious as to why you think Clay Aiken has any fans at all never mind 10 million. Clay Aiken became popular for a period because of a reality tv show and no other reason. His problems:
1) His fan base is much too old.
2) His music is much too old. His music is geared to the old timers and it's not very good.
3) He is extremely unattractive so will never draw in a younger fan base.
I think Clay has a handful of batty older women as fans and that's about it. Around the world? Are you serious? Sipping on the Koolaide much?
May 7, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Thanks for your comment Anonymous... I did mention, many times it was an estimate, and then again mentioned in my comments, it was over estimated.
I guess I have not been sipping enough Kool-aide.
May 24, 2011 at 9:45 AM
I wish you'd quit insisting that he was dropped by Decca. Clay said that it was a one CD deal and that the next album he makes will most likely be on Decca again. You can't possibly know better than Clay what his contract was or is.
June 17, 2011 at 1:43 PM
i m a big fan of Clay
i m from the Netherlands and visited 4 of his shows
there are many fans in Europe and we all hope he will visit us in the future
he is the best singer ever
June 21, 2011 at 8:57 PM
Thank you for your comment. There is no news on Clay at the moment, but we all hope he will announce a news on recording a new album soon.
October 19, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Just came across this, Mr. Luker, & thought you might be interested to know that Clay has recorded again recently for Decca with a single to be released in early 2012 to coincide with his casting in CELEBRITY APPRENTICE (filming now for broadcast in February). According to Clay, it's an original song that Decca will be pushing hard to AC radio - now there's a first! If it's true, it will be the first time either RCA or Decca gave him radio promotion since his debut album. He said if all goes well to expect a new CD & tour next year. Thought you might like to know.
October 22, 2011 at 5:55 PM
Thank you for your comment and update, glad to hear Decca will start some actual marketing. Clay needs an original album more than ever...
Can't wait to learn more. If someone has some news, please post an update here.
October 22, 2011 at 10:28 PM
I think the problem for Clay's last 2 albums was identical. The public isn't even aware that the man is still singing. The clerk that helped me in Target when I bought the album grabbed my hand so she could see the album. She said "I love him, I didn't know he was still singing". I think that says it all. And yes Tried and True is flawless. And On My Way Here was an album of wonderful original songs also kept a secret. Can't buy what you aren't aware of.
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