Hot Topics--Band

Clay Aiken ON THE ROAD

STRIKE UP THE BAND

Photo by Hockeydonna -- Clay w/Angela, Jacob an Quiana

I'm in the midst of revamping this page to showcase the talent that is supporting Clay on his solo tour.

AND THE NEW BAND AND BACKUP SINGERS ARE:

Photo by Buzztechie - Clay w/Quiana

QUIANA PARLER - BACK-UP SINGER - Quiana beat out Clay in Charlotte for a shot at stardom on American Idol. He went on to Atlanta to stand in line and hope for his shot at stardom. Quiana was cut before making the final 32 (if there ever was proof that American Idol isn't looking for the best talent they could find, this is it!). This scenario could make for a very touchy situation but Clay and Quiana emerged as friends. In a radio interview last spring, Clay mentioned that she was to be his guest as the American Idol 2 Tour returned to Raleigh. This year, she was a part of his return to Raleigh on stage as a backup singer on the Independent tour. She also gets her moment to shine as she sings a duet with Clay, "Without You," a song that will be featured on Kimberley Locke's album, due out this spring.

During NOT A TOUR, Quiana is featured in the James Taylor tribute. She sings"Whenever I see Your Smiling Face."

Here are some links to articles about Quiana:

Thanks to gman at the Clayboard for this info on the new drummer:

Derek Wyatt (drummer-SOLITOUR) is a very accomplished musician. He has played on numerous records and has toured all over the world with many different artists. He has helped to develop new artists and has worked on projects for films and television. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1993 and has been a full time working musician/producer ever since.
Derek recieved his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee college of music, Boston, MA

CREDITS INCLUDE:
Berklee project -TV music "In the heat of the night" segments
Worked with and played for McDonalds all star Jazz band.
and played for McDonalds all star Jazz band
Pit orchestration - Atlanta, GA
Pit drummer - Athens, GA
Weather channel music
Animated TV movie music
Scored floor routines for The University of Georgia Gymnastics team
Scored floor routines for The University of Missouri Gymnastics team
Various Independant projects

RECORDS INCLUDE:
Pete Oarto - Sony records ***Grammy winning record
Wilshire - Rocket town/Columbia records
Eric Champion - Essential records
Rebecca St. James - Forefront records ***Grammy winning record
Considering Lilly - Forefront records
Abra Moore - Epic
The Thompson Brothers - RCA records
Margaret Becker - Sparrow records
Aaron Benward - Sparror records
Kenna - Interscope records
Darlleen - In house music
David Ruis - Vineyard music
New Song - Benson records
Funkomatic - One records
Kevin Max of D.C Talk - Forefront records
TOURING DRUMMER FOR:
Out of Eden
East to West
Point of Grace
Jennifer Knapp
Little Big Town
David Ruis
Nick Carter -Backstreet Boys
Kenna
Wilshire
New Song
Redmon and Veil
Funkomatic
INDIVIDUAL SHOWS/TOURS INCLUDE;
The ERASE tour (DC Talk/Gods Property/Out of Eden)
Rock Steady tour (NO DOUBT/Kenna)
House of Blues (N.E.R.D/Kenna)

Jingle Ball tour 2002 (Mariah Carey/P.Diddy/Destinys Child/Nick Carter)

Rage Against Destruction

THEY CAME, THEY JAMMED,

THEY FLEW THE COOP

The following musicians are no longer with Clay but we thank them for their contribution to Clay Aiken Live.

Jason Halbert – organ and keyboards/synthesizer http://m-pulse.m-audio.com/december2003/halbert.php Jason was also part of the group Sonic Flood. Riding the current wave of alternative praise and worship music hitting churches world-wide, Nashville natives "SonicFlood" released this stirring collection of high energy praise and introspective worship to a generation hungering for a move of God. In a short amount of time the album went #1 on the charts, as well as two singles, garnering 3 Dove Award nominations. Now the music from this breakthrough project is available for your own worship. Written with note-for-note guitar transcriptions, including tab and lyrics, this compilation will take your relationship with God to a brand new level!

Chris Lukes: Drummer for Independent Tour - has toured with artists such as Ricky Jones, All 4 One, Chante Moore, and Enrique Iglesias. His television appearances include "BET Soundstage," "Disney Concert Series," the "American Music Awards," the "Tonight Show," the "Today Show," and more. Lukes is currently on tour with artist Enrique Iglesias.

Jacob Luttrell: backup singer.

INDEPENDENT: His moment to shine is singing the duet "Timeless" with Kelly Clarkson. He voice is also showcased in Clay's accoustic set on Fields of Gold, a song apparantly suggested by him.

NOT A TOUR: On the solo tour, Jacob plays sax on Measure of a Man, Rosannna and Run to Me. During a set which features the backup singers on a tribute to James Taylor, Jacob sings "Fire and Rain"

Here is an article on Jacob:

Angela Fisher: back-up singer -- has also worked with Missy Elliot and did the background vocals for another American Idol, Ruben Studdard's Flying Without Wings. She was also a regular backup singler for Kelly Clarkson before the Independent Tour. But Kelly fans, I am now willing to fight you over one thing, claim to Angela Fisher. Her "sometimes sexy, sometimes hysterical dance of desire" with Clay Aiken during When Doves Cry is turning into one of the highlights of the Independent tour.

Angela is back with Clay for the NOT A TOUR. This time around we get to hear more of her lovely voice. In the James Taylor tribute she sings . And she also sings "I knew you were waiting (George Michael/Aretha Franklin) " as a duet with Clay.