Clay's Timeline: Wrote as if Clay is talking in the first person

• October 26, 2002 : Today was my first attempt in trying out for the American Idol season 2 auditions in Charlotte, NC, where I sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and was promptly cut. Shortly after I did not give up and traveled to Atlanta to audition again. After announcing "I'm the next American Idol", I sang "Always and Forever"... The judges stared, Simon Cowell said "You don't look like a Pop Star," and then I heard: "Clayton, see you in Hollywood!"
• February 11, 2003: After making the final 32 cut, my look started to change and I sang "Open Arms." I did not make the next cut to guarantee myself a spot in the final 12 after being in a group with Ruben Studdard and Kim Locke where only 2 from each group was aloud to move on.
• March 4, 2003 : I was then called back to perform on the Wildcard show which I was very excited about. I decided to sing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." I was then chosen as America's choice to continue in the competition.
• March 11, 2003 : Tonight was Mowtown Night and I sang "I Can't Help Myself."
• March 18, 2003 : Tonight was Movie Themes and I sang was "Somewhere Out There."
• March 25, 2003 : Country Rock was the theme for tonight and I picked the song "Someone Else's Star."
• April 1, 2003 : For Disco Night I sang "Everlasting Love."
• April 8, 2003 : For Top Hits Night I sang, "At This Moment."
• April 15, 2003 : Tonight was Billy Joel Night and I sang "Tell Her About It."
• April 22, 2003 : The Dianne Warren theme was tonight and I sang " I Could Not Ask For More."
• April 29, 2003 : From this point on in the competition every contestant was to choose two songs to perform. Tonight the themes were 60's music and Neil Sedaka. My first song choice was "Build Me Up Buttercup" and the second was "Solitaire."
• May 6, 2003 : For Bee Gees Night I decided to mix things up and see how the crowd and judges would react to a little hip shake. My first song was "To Love Somebody" and my second song was "Grease" in which Simon didn't like my little routine at all, but I had fun!
• May 8, 2003 : American Idol sent the final 3 contestants back to our home towns where I got to go back home to Raleigh and got to see the overwhelming support in my home state.
• May 13, 2003 : The contestants were now going to sing 3 songs tonight. The first was one that we got to choose. I picked "Vincent." The next song was the judges choice of "Mack The Knife." My third song was another choice of mine where I sang "Unchained Melody" because it was one of the favorite songs my mom likes for me to sing.
  • On this day was also my first appearance on Oprah on for her American Idol show.
• May 17, 2003 : Myself and the other Idols performed in LA at the Wango Tango concert.
• May 20, 2003 : Tonight was the Season 2 American Idol Finale - Ruben and I each sang 3 songs. My first song was an orginal song "This Is The Night." My second song was "Here, There And Everywhere." And my final song was "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The next day we found out the winner of American Idol Season 2 was Ruben! He stole my crown! :)
  
• May 23, 2003 : I made my first appearance on The Early Show.
• May 24, 2003 : I appeared on Nickelodeon's U Pick Live.
• May 25, 2003 : I made my first appearance on the Larry King Show with Ruben.
• May 26, 2003 : I made my first appearance on the Today and the TRL Show with Ruben.
• May 28, 2003 : I made my first appearance on Good Morning America. On this same day I also appeared on the Regis and Kelly show.
• June 1, 2003 : I performed in New York at "Zootopia" with Ruben Studdard.
• June 10, 2003 : I made my second appearance on Oprah and my first single "This Is The Night" was released.
• June 12, 2003 : I appeared at the AFI Awards.
• June 30, 2003 : Myself and the other Idols appeared on Canadian Idol.
• July 8, 2003 - August 31, 2005 : I set out on my first tour with the rest of the American Idols.
• July 29, 2003 : I was off to DC on to lobby on behalf of the AFI Screen Education Center.
• July 30, 2003 : I appeared on The View with Ruben Studdard.
• Summer Months 2003 : The Bubel Aiken Foundation was formed after many gracious fans kept sending in donations for a charity that was originally "make believe." "The Bubel/Aiken Foundation envisions a world where young people with developmental disabilities are totally immersed in all life has to offer. The desegregation of programs, jobs, services, and educational opportunities will benefit children with and without special needs. We will build our legacy by breaking down the barriers that prevent families from obtaining the services and financial assistance they need and serving as a watch dog to make sure the public continues to keep those barriers down." - www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org.
• September 2, 2003 : I appeared on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
• Sepetmber 10, 2003 : I traveled to UNC Charlotte campus to film an interview with Diane Sawyer.
• September 5, 2003 : I was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.
• September 20, 2003 : I appeared on the Miss America Pageant performing his "This Is The Night."
• September 24, 2003 : I appeared at the American Australian Association Benefit.
• October 4, 2003 : I appeared on Nickelodeons Let's Just Play.
• October 9, 2003 : Diane Sawyer featured myself on Primetime Live, which was my first in depth interview.
• October 11, 2003 : I'm getting tired now, but I still began filming my video for "Invisible."
• October 14, 2003 : My first CD, "Measure of a Man" was released. I then appeared on TRL and did an interview on E to promote my album.
• October 15, 2003 : I appeared on Good Morning America.
• October 17, 2003 : I appeared on The View and The Early Show where I sang "Invisible."
• October 18, 2003 : I opened up the World Series with the National Anthem.
• October 22, 2003 : I was asked to Good Morning America where Clive Davis surprised me with a commemorative disk celebrating my certified double platinum CD Measure of A Man.
• November 6 2003 : I appeared on Ellen where I performed "Invisible."
• November 11, 2003 : My video for Invisible debuted.
• November 13, 2003 : I appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
• November 16, 2003 : I appeared on the American Music Awards. I performed "Invisible" and "Jesus Is Love" - a duet with Ruben Studdard. To my surprise I walked a way with the Fan's Choice Award.
• November 20, 2003 : I donated my time to help with World Children's Day charity event at McDonalds.
• November 22, 2003 : I went home to Raleigh and was the Grand Marshall in the Raleigh Christmas Parade. On this day an issue of TV Guide featured myself and my dog Raleigh on the cover.
• November 24, 2003 : I appeared on Letterman for a performance.
• November 25, 2003 : I was on TRL to perform "Invisible" live. Also on this day myself and the other Idols had our own special on Fox. It was called "An American Idol Christmas" and I was the "host." I performed "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" and "The First Noel."
• On November 27, 2003 : I rode the Hershey float in the Macys Thanksgiving Parade and sang "Silver Bells."
• On November 28, 2003 : Nickelodeon's Nick at Nite Christmas special aired. I sang a duet with Bing Crosby - "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth."
• December 7 - 16, 2003 : I began a short Christmas tour sponsored by several radio stations.
• December 8, 2003 : People magazine named me one of the Sexiest People in their Sexiest People Issue. (I don't know what they are looking at! :))
• December 10, 2003 : I performed "Invisible" on the Billboard Music Awards and received the award for the Top Selling Single.
• December 17, 2003 : The National League of Junior Cotillions named me as 2003's best-mannered person.
• December 20, 2003 : I managed to finish my studies and graduated from UNC Charlotte.
• December 21, 2003 : While back home in Raleigh, as part of a partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Bubel Aiken Foundation, I helped with the "Kids 'N Community" Foundation by appearing at "Skate With Clay". 100 children, including 50 with disabilities shared the ice with me and then I sang the National Anthem at the Hurricanes hockey game.
• December 25, 2003 : Good Morning America showed a taped performance of me singing "The First Noel" for thier Christmas show. Also I appeared on Disney's Christmas Parade.
• December 31, 2003 : I appeared on MTV's New Years Eve special... performing "The Way" and "Invisible."
• January 10, 2004 : I sang at the Charlotte 49er's Basketball game.
• January 15, 2004 : I appeared on the Ryan Seacrest show.
• January 21, 2004 : I was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
• January 23, 2004 : I made my acting debut on the show "Ed" Where I sang "This Magic Moment" and had a few short lines.
• February 7, 2004 : I appeared on Saturday Night Live. I was featured in skits and he performed 2 songs.
• February 9, 2004 : I appeared on Regis and Kelly.
• February 16, 2004 : I appeared on the Ryan Seacrest show.
• February 24 - April 16, 2004 : I began the Independent Tour, with Kelly Clarkson. The tour hit 30 cities.
• February 26, 2004 : It was announced that the clothes that I wore during Mowtown night on American Idol would be displayed at the North Carolina Museum of History.
• March 3, 2004 : I appeared on TRL and the Today show with Kelly Clarkson. My second video "The Way" was premiered on TRL.
• March 4, 2004 : I appeared on The View.
• March 5 - 6 2004 : The First Annual Clayvention was held in Raleigh NC. Over 400 fans showed up for a weekend of celebrating ME.
• March 15, 2004 : I made an appearance at the Krispy Kreme in Winston Salem, NC.
• March 16, 2004 : My single "The Way" with "Solitaire" was released.
• March 17, 2004 : I made an appearance on American Idol 3 to perform "Solitaire."
• April 14, 2004 : The Bubel Aiken Foundation held a benefit dinner in Kansas City.
• April 18, 2004 : I was in London and appeared at the Royal Albert Hall.
• April 21, 2004 : I performed at Pleasure Island at DisneyWorld.
• May 1, 2004 : I was a guest at the White House Correspondent Dinner and attended the after party.
• May 11, 2004 : I made another appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
• May 12, 2004 : I performed "Fantasy" on American Idol 3.
• May 15, 2004 : I performed at the Wango Tango concert held in Los Angeles.
• May 20, 2004 : I performed at a special Fox Presentation Event.
• May 24, 2004 : I performed "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" on Broadway with Heather Headley to benefit AIDS.
• May 26, 2004 : I hosted an American Idol party for Fantasia in North Carolina.
• June 5, 2004 : I performed at a concert benefiting The Bubel Aiken Foundation and the Autisim Society in Dover.
• June 6, 2004 : I sang the National Anthem at Dover Speedway during their Salute To Heroes.
• June 15, 2004 : I performed at the Rosalynn Carter Institute Gala.
• June 16, 2004 : I appeared at the America's Promise Gala in Washington DC.
• June 28, 2004 : I made my second appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
• July 2, 2004 : I performed on Good Morning America's Summer Concert.
• July 3, 2004 : A taped performance was shown on The Early Show.
• July 4, 2004 : I performed at the Capitol Fourth Celebration.
• July 8, 2004 - September 19, 2004 : I began my 3rd tour.
• July 25, 2004 : I took time out from my tour to attend the Disney Hand Teacher Awards.
• September 18, 2004 : I again performed on the Miss America Pageant.
• September 24, 2004 : I was given the "Relly" award for Favorite Musical Guest on Regis and Kelly.
• September 30, 2004 : I appeared at the Aladdin DVD Premeire, where I sang "Proud Of Your Boy."
• October 5 2004 : Aladdin DVD is released including the video and making of my "Proud of Your Boy."
• October 16, 2004 : After a couple of weeks "off" from touring, I returned to North Carolina to perform in Charlotte.
• October 18, 2004 : I played 2 sold out shows at the Dorton Arena in Raleigh.
• November 9, 2004 : I lent my hands to the Ronald McDonald Charities during World Childrens Day. My cement "hands" later sold for $15,099 on Ebay with all proceeds going towards Ronald McDonald Charities.
• November 14, 2004 : I appeared on the cover of TV Guide and was a presenter at the American Music Awards.
• November 15, 2004 : I appeared on Larry King Live and it was announced that I was appointed an UNICEF Amabassador.
• November 16, 2004 : The release of my Christmas CD "Merry Christmas With Love" along with my first book, "Learning to Sing."
• November 17, 2004 : I appeared on the Today Show.
• November 18, 2004 : I appeared on Regis and Kelly.
• November 19, 2004 : I attended the Bubel Aiken Foundation "Voices for Change" Gala.
• November 22, 2004 : A taped segment of an Early Show interview was shown.
• November 20, 2004 - December 30, 2004 : My Joyful Noise Tour was scheduled to begin, however I had to postpone the first shows due to an illness. The Joyful Noise Tour officially began on November 26, 2004 in Costa Mesa California.
• November 30, 2004 : Today is my 26th birthday and I had an appearance on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Special.
• December 6, 2004 : I appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
• December 8, 2004 : I again appeared on the Today Show and "A Clay Aiken Christmas" was aired. My musical guests included Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams and Megan Mullally.
• December 9, 2004 : I appeared on the View, where I performed "Mary Did You Know."
• December 13, 2004 : My first book signing event in Raleigh NC.
• December 16, 2004 : My book signing continues in Orlando.
• December 20, 2004 : Another book signing in Chicago.
• December 21, 2004 : My book signing in Cleveland and my taped performance of "Mary Did You Know" was shown on the Today show.
• December 22, 2004 : My taped performance of "The Christmas Waltz" was shown on the Early Show.
• December 25, 2004 : My taped performance of "Mary Did You Know" was shown on the Early Show.
• January 1, 2005 : I appeared on the Tournament of Roses Parade on the Ronald McDonald House Charities "The House That Love Built" float.
• January 4, 2005 : I appeared on several "entertainment" shows promoting UNICEF and the Tsunami relief efforts.
• January 5, 2005 : I appeared on a special 1 Hour UNICEF Fundraiser. I gave a speech detailing the need for helping the children affected by this Tsunami. This 1 hour special raised over 7 million dollars.
• January 6, 2005 : AOL announced I as the "Artist of the Year" for 2004.
• January 8, 2005 : Lifetime Network's show "Head to Toe" featured 2 best friends and self professed Clay fans who get a makeover.
• January 14, 2005 : I was featured on the cover of HITS magazine.
• February 14, 2005 : I appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel show for the 3rd time.
• February 15 2005 : I appeared on the tv show "Scrubs" where I played a cafeteria worker named Kenny.
• February 25, 2005 : I attended the Hawaii Voices For Change Gala benefit dinner where I made a speech and sang several songs.
• February 28, 2005 : I was the guest speaker at the Pacific Rim Conference in Waikiki.
• March 14, 2005 : I, as UNICEF goodwill Ambassador, traveled to Banda Aceh to visit tsunami refugees.
• March 18, 2005 : I attended the Forces of Nature Concert for Tsunami Aid in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
• March 19, 2005 : I attended the Malaysian King and Queen Royal Palace Tea.
• April 5 2005 : Announcement that my Official Fan Club would be launching soon.
• April 16 2005 : I planted trees in Florida as part of the Best Buddies Program. Later, I was the keynote speaker at the Fearless Caregiver Conference, where he was given the "Robert M. Barg Memorial Achievement Award."
• April 19 2005 : Clay was a guest on the Dr. Phil show where he talked to children who are subjected to bullying on a daily basis. I spoke about my own experiences growing up and being picked on.
• April 2005 : I got a debit card - MyPlash has put out a Clay Aiken pre paid debit card.
• April 26 2005 : I appeared in the audience of American Idol 4.
• April 27 2005 : I again appeared in the audience and posed with the final 5.
• May 5 2005 : I appeared on several news magazine shows discussing his views on the American Idol "scandal."
• May 10 2005 : I appeared on Oprah's Wildest Dreams show to surprise 2 young girls with a trip to see Oprah in Chicago.
• End of May 2005 : As Unicef Ambassador I made a trip to Uganda.
• June 16, 2005 : I made an apperance on Discovery Channel's "Greatest American" commenting on Billy Graham, Walt Disney, Sam Walton, and Thomas Edison.
• June 22 2005 : I attended the premeire of Wicked at the Pantages theater in Los Angeles.
• June 28 2005 : My Official Fan Club finally launches.
• July 11 2005 : I made a surprise personal delivery as part of Amazon.com's Special Delivery Program, celebrating Amazon.com's 10th anniversary.
• July 24, 2005 : I am featured on the July 24-30 issue of TV Guide.
• July 28 2005 : I open my JukeBox Tour in New Jersey
• July 29 2005 : I appeared on Good Morning America and performed 3 songs from the tour.
• September 1, 2005 : I finished the JukeBox Tour in Atlantic City, NJ at Borgata.
• September 9, 2005 : I attended my first ever Kenneth Cole fashion show at Bryant Park in New York.
• September 14, 2005 : I made my Soap debut on ABC's All My Children.
• September 18 2005 : I attended the 2005 Emmy Awards as a special correspondent for ET/Insider.
• September 19, 2005 : I appeared on The Tonight Show to autograph a motorcycle to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
• September 26, 2005 : I was a guest on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
• October 6, 2005 : I appeared at Spago in Beverly Hills, to attend "CNN Celebrates 20 Years with Larry King" Beverly Hills, California United States.
• November 3, 2005 : I kicked of my second Joyful Noise Tour in Vancouver, BC. I know it's a bit early, but like the song says, "Don't save it all for Christmas Day!"