Clay Aiken Says He Isn't a Musician

1. Just for future reference, his charity helps children with all kinds of disabilities, not just autism.
I really loved the sessions!

Eileen at 5:52PM on May 27th 2008

2. Wow, with comments like that it is no wonder that he doesn't get respect in the music industry or radio play.

Emma at 6:00PM on May 27th 2008

3. I admire him for having the courage to be a singer and not do what many others do by posing and pretending to be more than what they are. He is an incredible singer and that is enough. Too many singers today take credit for writing songs they didn't write and pretending to be musicians by holding a guitar or plunking a few notes on a keyboard. He can play piano but doesn't pretend to compete with the professionals. He wrote a few songs but doesn't claim to be a songwriter.

He is brutally honest in a time when few people are,. Kudos!

Matt at 6:16PM on May 27th 2008

4. Clay is too modest. When he says he isn't a "musician," he means he does not compose music. He has, however, written some excellent lyrics. Clay is an artist with his voice, a song stylist, an interpreter of music and words. I disagree with the comment above that Clay does not have "respect" in the music industry. He has the respect of many heavy-hitters in the entertainment business. David Foster, Neil Sedaka, Mike Nichols, and Eric Idle are only a few who come to mind -- not to mention the members of the Broadway community.
The AOL sessions are wonderful.

Margaret at 7:14PM on May 27th 2008

5. The man simply takes no credit for his talent or success. He's apt to credit others who work with him--that's our Clay. And it's not an act, it's just how he is. He's so modest and self deprecating. Clay has the voice of an angel--he's an accomplished actor, dancer, comedian, and is just a smart funny intelligent man. He wrote a best seller. He wrote "Lover All Alone," a hauntingly sad beautiful song. His heart is his charity work. He's almost too good to be true. Can't wait to hear all these songs in concert. To see Clay live is a mystical experience and total lovefest. Can't wait.

Carol at 9:39PM on May 27th 2008

6. Here's the actual quote from AOL:

CA: No, because I still don't consider myself ... gosh, I'll probably get in trouble for saying this, but I don't really consider myself a musician so much as I consider myself just an entertainer, and one of the things I do is sing. And I know that's probably the thing I'm most known for and that's perfectly fine because I love to do it. It's interesting: I surround myself with the people who I work with in the band and they're constantly in rehearsals saying, "Oh, let's try it with this sound" or "I want an A-minor-7th" or whatever -- I don't know what that means! So I'm constantly baffled and feel a little humbled by the fact that they're musicians to me, and I'm a singer -- I think there's a big difference.

I think that pretty much explains what he meant.

Ann at 10:27PM on May 27th 2008

7. Clay is an entertainer so his definition is quite accurate. He easily fit in with the Spamalot ensemble, acting, dancing and singing with great comic timing so to suggest entertainer isn't an appropriate word for him would be dishonest. He knows exactly who he is and what he is good at. This new CD highlights his wonderful voice. His run in Spamalot highlighted his acting ability. He is a great funny man on stage and it comes across in his acting as well as his concert schtick. He is unique in a world where everyone is compartmentalized. There are few like Aiken left on the planet. We are fortunate he has found his voice and is using it in his artistry as well as for the children of the planet. Let's not forget his work as a UNICEF ambassador for kids. There really is something for everyone to like about Clay. I like it all!

andie at 11:37PM on May 27th 2008

8. Well if Aiken calls himself a singer, I think he is one of the best singers in the world. Love his amazing voice.

susan at 2:10AM on May 28th 2008

9. I think Clay is too modest and too self deprecating for his own good. Its not a good thing in the world of entertainment. A few of these people such as J.T. and even M.Buble think they are cool and can sing and dance, even though they can't they have everyone convinced they can. You can convince the American public of anything. Clay could do the same if he chose too. He certainly can sing better,move better and he's definitely better looking. I just wish he'd blow his own horn,no one else will. I'm sure before Timberlake sings a slow song, he doesn't state "I'm no Clay Aiken", he should.

cOOKIE at 3:07AM on May 28th 2008

10. My mother just got in on this one. She has a good point. She reminded me that we would have to say that F.Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, Elvis Presley, etc. aren't musicians either. I think she has it right. Thats not such bad company to be in. In fact he's pretty much a Deano as far as all around entertainer. Its just that Clay can really sing.

cOOKIE at 4:43AM on May 28th 2008

11. Not a Claymate and still love, love, love the 5 songs Clay performed on AOL Session. And really cute guys in the band with Clay!!! Reminds me again of the great singer from American Idol that he was and still is. Least favorite is 'On My Way Here' -it grows on on ya and I like it more each time I hear it. As for the other 4 - they are each so different from the next and I can not pick a favorite. Seriously. I am surprised I like the songs so much after reading the reviews, which, BTW, all sounded the same - "the boy can sing, the lyrics lacked orginality, he hasn't quite found himself yet, only the Claymate will like this CD" - blah blah blah - they all quote each other and are so WRONG. Very, very good Mr. Aiken! I ordered 2 copies for me - home and car! Can't wait to hear the rest of the songs. I am really impressed!

Annie at 11:12AM on May 28th 2008

12. While I do agree that Clay Aiken is humble and self deprecating and it's completely sincere - I also
COMPLETELY disagree with his statement. Unfortunately I think way too many people have told him he's not a musician or artist and he's repeating what others have said. Well those people are wrong.

Clay Aiken is UNQUESIONABLY a musician in every sense of the word. He not only writes great lyrics, he fits the sound and the rhythm of those words perfectly to the melody. A skill many professional songwriters lack these days. As a singer I can bear witness to that first hand. Clay Aiken understands music structure and how it works. He has incredible pitch. He can improvise melody and harmony. Which means he clearly knows how chords and scales and intervals work and how they fit together. I'd bet dollars to donuts he could compose music, if he chose to attempt it.

To me this statement means Clay Aiken does NOT know his place in the industry. If Clay knew his place in the industry he'd KNOW that he is one of the best, musicians and artists to ever come our way.

The reason Clay can capture an audience and connect so well emotionally is because he has both qualities you need. He has the musicianship express any feelings and emotions in music. And he has the soul to feel those incredible emotions. It doesn't get better than that.

Rita at 1:13PM on May 28th 2008

13. Rita: I just wish I was as articulate as you are because you hit the nail on the head. No one could have said it better. Even when he stops or forgets a word,which isn't often, he knows exactly how and where to jump in. I noticed that most people are unable to do even that. I wish he would become aware of the gifts that he has and realize that a lot of musicians wish they had the talents he has. I'm still waiting for him to wake up. I think maybe he's just been put down too much and now he's starting to believe it.

cOOKIE at 6:35PM on May 28th 2008

14. Clay has an incredibly beautiful singing voice - have loved it and him from the first time I heard him sing. This young man can sing anything!! So in my book, he is a musician - anyone who sings songs in the music industry is a musician!

Win Wilson at 9:01PM on May 29th 2008