Clay Aiken
was found on the hit reality series, American Idol, and
his music career has never been the same since. Oddly enough,
Aiken did not win the title of American Idol but he is definitely
one of the most successful artists to emerge from the show.
Immediately after his debut, he landed a recording contract
with RCA Records and his first album, Measure of a Man,
sold 612,000 units the first week and went on to earn double
platinum status with sales of over 2.6 million albums.
Since his astounding
debut, Clay Aiken has spent most of his time touring, performing
to sold-out venues across the US. His tours with the finalists
of American Idol and with first season winner, Kelly Clarkson,
boosted his popularity so much that in 2004 he was the headliner
for his Disney sponsored 30-state tour. Clay Aiken concert
tickets for his solo tour sold out within hours and he has
developed a very strong fan base. His fans are so devoted
that he sold over one million copies of his Christmas album,
Merry Christmas with Love, in December of 2004. In support
of his Christmas album, Aiken went on a smaller, more intimate
tour that again sold-out and packed small concert halls
to capacity.
Clay Aiken was
born on November 30, 1978 and raised primarily by his mother.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Special Education
from the University of North Carolina and is extremely involved
with several non-profit organizations, including one he
co-founded to assist children with autism and disabilities.
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation has been extremely successful
with the devoted support of Aiken and his fans. Clay Aiken
was also named an Ambassador of Education for All Children
by UNICEF and he continues to serve in that position as
well.
With a start
in the music industry that has such accolades as platinum
records, number one hits and sold-out tours; it is very
evident that Clay Aiken has carved a niche in the American
public. His continued success looks bright as Clay Aiken
continues to shine even though he was never chosen as the
next American Idol, truly he has surpassed that title more
than any “Idol” that has ever won the competition.
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