Clay was on Good Morning America TWICE in the last 4 week period!!!
>I just scratch my head in wonder at how this "2nd place" winner is
>being so greatly promo'd. Read on... Today, I see another article about
>Clay
>Aiken (who came in second place in this year's American Idol
>competition) and how his album, which debuted this week, is number one
>on the Billboard charts. Don't get me wrong, Clay has a nice voice.
>But Clay DID NOT WIN the competition. Ruben Studdard did.
>
>Several things amaze me about this situation:
>
>1. From what I can gather, both Ruben and Clay are signed with RCA
>records. Last year, only the first place winner (don't care to
>remember her name) was signed to a label and marketed. Next, RCA will
>have them touring together;
>
>2. Clay is being promoted as the next Boy Wonder, the best thing next
>to sliced white bread. Truth is, he came in second. Not first place,
>but second;
>
>3. The chick that won last year is still being promoted by her record
>label, as evidenced by the fact that her debut CD is still on the
>Billboard charts;
>
>4. Don't think America was (or ever will be) ready for an African
>American winner on American Idol, no matter how talented, cute and
>cuddly he is.. If this wasn't the case, then Ruben would be on a
>whirlwind tour of the planet promoting his upcoming album;
>
>5. In regards to the record label, they are seriously pushing the heck
>out of Clay and probably expect Ruben's album to sell by word of mouth.
>And reviews of Clay's album were not flattering in the least bit.
>
>Which is why I propose this. Surely no one I know bought Clay's album.
>We did not help to put him "on the map". But we can do it for Ruben,
>who by far has the better voice. Aiken's "Measure of a Man" sold
>612,859 copies in its first week, giving him the third-highest debut
>of the year, (50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Trying" is number one for this
>year).
>
>On Tuesday, December 9, Ruben Studdard's CD "Soulful" hits stores
>nationwide. PLEASE go out and buy one or two copies and make sure your
>friends buy a copy also. With our dollars, we can surpass Clay's first
>week's numbers and remind RCA who they should have been promoting all
>along. And also remind America who won their competition.Put December
>9th on your calendar and if you can - please purchase Ruben's CD and
>send this email to people you know. We've got to get the word out.
>
>
>