Sunday, March 8, 2009

Stay in Your Own Lane

That's something that the judges on AI say alot!

"Be who you are." "Showcase your strengths." "Don't try to be someone you're not."

I guess that works for a lot of the contestants - maybe even most of the contestants. Kelly's talent would be wasted singing lullabyes. Carrie would be ridiculous doing rap. I can't see David Cook doing country.

Maybe, though, just maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the judges are wrong to say that to the contestants. At least they were wrong once. Way back in Season 2 they wanted Clay to stay in his lane. They loved the ballads he did, but didn't give any thought to the fact that maybe he could do more.

Thank goodness for post AI! We now know that Clay can sing anything! We've seen him do rap, we've seen him do disco, we've seen him do country and bluegrass and Broadway! Sure, we're fans and we've said we would pay to hear him sing the phonebook. The truth is, though, that anyone with an appreciative ear can discover that Clay can sing anything.

What we, as fans, always hope for is a larger audience who can learn what we know. My own hope is that, as Clay moves forward in his career, he will not be contolled any longer by a label who wants him to stay in his lane. Whether he signs with 143, a different label or self produces I just want him to be able to sing all kinds of music so that more people will learn what we know.

Just sing, Clay! Sing whatever feels right for you. You don't have a lane anymore.

7 comments:

katy said...

Clay's lane has many paths to follow. He has an eclectic taste in music, and also multi talented. He can sing different genres, act, do comedy, and yes, even dance. Besides being mad talented, he is highly intelligent

Ashes said...

Clay needs the whole road!
He for sure has shown us he can do everything all amazingly well. To me that's the problem with the music 'critics' etc. of today..he doesn't fit in a one-talent box :)

SueReu said...

I swear I posted on this blog (must be old age)

Clay is MAD TALENTED! He can do whatever he puts his mind to (ie dancing - or choreography as he calls it)

stargazer said...

Ha! The only lane Clay needs to be in is on the fastest of freeways with all those cloverleafs. He can go one direction and see how that suits him and then hope off the freeway and head another.

Ummm, Qbbabe, did you mention that Clay’s sings a mean bluegrass?

I am always impressed.

Anonymous said...

as "Ashes" said he doesn't fit in a one-talent box, so the road is quite open!

Anonymous said...

I am always amazed at the variety of song styles that Clay Aiken can sing! I hope the day will come when the general public will hear what the dedicated fans already know! They will be blown away!

Anonymous said...

Clay can sing anything. I pray we get lots of music from Clay in any and all types.
Clay has it all and can do it all!

Annie

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