Click Here For Clay News From The First Half of 1998 Click Here For Clay News From The Second Half of 1998 Click Here For Clay News From 1999 Click Here For Clay News From 2000 CLAY NEWS 1997!12-31-97: As you have probably read, Clay will end 1997 with a boom! For the 5th straight year, Clay had one of the top 10 singles of the year, with "Rumor Has It". (Goto my Did you Know section for the details of the other top 10 hits of the year). Clay also ended the year with the 10th grossing tour in Country Music!!! Clay's tours grossed $2,408,618 in 1997 and he had around 152,351 people in attendance for his concerts! Way to go Clay!!! Clay also had 3 sold out shows this year! Also, as a note to you and yours, Clay is currently planning to restart his touring schedule back up in February of 1998! And finally on a sadder note, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Amie Comeaux. Amie died on December 21 at the age of 21 when she lost control of her car. Two others were with her that survived the crash. She had previously released one album before she lost her record contract and was currently working on her next album and planning a come-back. The Country Music world, her family and friends will greatly miss her. 11-17-97: Clay was really busy this past weekend in Florida. Not only did he perform three concerts (Crystal River, Pensacola and Sunrise), prepare to shoot his latest video, and do some maxing and relaxing with his family, he also had time to squeeze in a little golf. So with Clay there, even the Winter "in Florida is sunny". But moving on. Clay golfed at The Black Diamonds which is elite and has high security. The green fee is around $299. Neal McCoy was also there this weekend, but I'm not sure if the two played their rounds together. But one thing's for sure, Neal's swing definitely had his ball doing the Shake and with Clay's scores lately, his stroke was "right on the money". 11-14-97: Clay picked out a few new tunes during a couple of concerts I recently caught. They may or may not make it on his greatest hits album, but I wanted to let you in on a couple of the titles. One is a song that Clay co-wrote and was formerly recorded by Jeff Moore. It's called "She's Over You". Wow!!! The second is kinda funny, but it's not real fast. I'm not sure of the exact title, but it says...."If You Only Hurt The Ones You Love (You Must Be Crazy About Me)". That song is awesome. Clay also picked out a couple of more tunes, but I was so star-struck that I just can't remember. I believe one may be called "I Couldn't Love Anything More", but don't quote me. Let's hope that Clay brings these treasure our way soon!!! 11-14-97: Clay will be in Florida for a three day concert stopover (Pensacola, Sunrise and Crystal River), while he's down in Florida, Clay will be vacationing with Lori & MaClay and filming the video for "Then What". We can't wait!! Y'all have a great time in Florida!! 10-30-97: Clay is coming out with his first Greatest Hits Album in early 1998. Look for this AWESOME treasure to include some of Clay's past hits as well as a couple new ones, hits that is!! Along with Clay, Dean Dillon & Kim Williams have come together to write this new material. Set your calendars!!! This will be one album you don't want to miss!! 10-29-97: Sources tell me that Clay is to appear on the Statler Brother Show on November 8th. So, set your VCR's and plan to watch the Clayman & The Stats! 10-23-97: Rumor Has It, the title cut off Clay's 4th album, took the number one position in Country Airplay Monitor's "Top Country Airplay Titles" for the first half of 1997!!! 10-02-97: Clay's next single is to be "Then What". This was the most popular song voted by the fans from Clay's site. Therefore, Clay & his Record People decided it should be a single. Look for the video soon, which is to be taped from Key West, Florida! Can't wait Clay! 10-01-97: Clay Was In Cyberspace!!! Clay had a live chat with country.com with fans around the world!!! If you missed it, just click HERE for the complete transcript!! Thanks for talking to the fans Clay! 09-24-97: Clay & Billy Ray Cyrus were presenters during the 1997 31st Annual CMA Awards Show. Both gents introduced the new Vocal Group of the Year which was Diamond Rio. Hope you call the little tongue roll Clay gave when announcing the band. Hope you get one of those awards next year Clay!! Earlier I had told you that James Stroud was leaving Giant Records as President. Well, here's where he's going. James is heading to Dreamworks as their new Prez. Dreamworks is a label formed by mega-movie man Steven Speilberg. In the current article in Country Weekly, Clay talks about how he's building a firm foundation for his new house, and daughter MaClay. Clay talks about how the 1/2 mile road leading up to the new place is being put in, and how the foundation is about to be laid for the house after that. Clay also knows how important a firm foundation is with MaClay. Clay says, "I want MaClay to have a good foundation, because I believe life is like a house. If you have a solid foundation, even if the wind blows down the house or brings turmoil into your life, you still have something to build on. Lori and I are building the best foundation we can for MaClay". In Country Weekly (and on the CMT Showcase) Clay mentions how in highschool he didn't go by "Clay". He went thru the name-calling phase, "Clay-Dough" and all. So, then he went by "Ernest". Clay says both names fit him quite well. CLAY is a household name if you ask me (well, ask my mom, she knows all too well). Clay's working on his next album already! He's already got a couple songs on hold for his next release. His next album is due to be released in early 1998, depending on the success of "Rumor Has It" and how well it keeps on doing. Can't Wait Clay! Clay will be among other country artists when Garth Brooks hosts the 15th Annual Bill Boyd/ACM Golf Classic. The event will be held on October 20th in Burbank CA. Other confirmed participants are John Anderson, Chris LeDoux, Patty Loveless and Chely Wright. Get a hole-in-one Clay!!! (Thanks Amy for the info). In the CMA issue of Country Weekly, Clay mentions how special Radio has been to him. Clay says that after the career hits its peak, that his friends at Radio will remain long after his career is out of the spotlight. Of course, we all know Clay will be under that spotlight for a long time to come. Clay's hit video, One, Two I Love You charted at #6 on CMT's Top 100 Labor Countdown. Congratulations Clay. Other Clay videos also made the countdown; Rumor Has It, which charted at #53 on the top 100, This Woman And This Man, which came in at #59 (Charted at #50 last year); Hypnotize The Moon, which came in at #82, and Live Until I Die, which came in at #83! (Charted at #31 last year). That's 5 Clay videos in the Top 100!!! And 2 that made their second appearance on the countdown! Way to go Clay. Thanks to everyone that voted! Check out the current Country Weekly for the entire list. IFICUDMAKEALIVIN, Clay and Lori's Palomino has qualified!! Keep your fingers crossed as their horse is headed to the World Show with 17 Open Halter points and 25 points in ROM (Register of Merit) in Lunge Line. Lori also has another champion, Mark Me Conclusive, which is Lori's newest World Champion. Congratulations Clay and Lori!! Thanks from Clay - Look for Clay's "Thank You" Note in the August 26th issue of Country Weekly under the Your Letters section on page 4. It's short and sweet; and I believe, a first for the magazine. I've never seen an artist write in and actually be printed to Country Weekly. Clay's so sweet! New Prez For Giant? Yes it's true. James Stroud is stepping down as the acting President of Giant Records and he's heading to another label (not known at this time). Doug Johnson, formerly of Sony Music is taking on the new role. What does Clay say about it? "I hated to see James Stroud leave, but it's great to see someone else who is creative come in." Doug has worked with such artists as James Bonamy and Ty Herndon. For more on the story, check out the link to the article in Music City News on Clay this month. (CLAY MAKES THE COVER). Don't forget to keep checking back and soon I'll have the lyrics up for each of Clay's songs (I'm about 1/3 of the way done). Thanks for supporting the Clayman. Keep requesting his songs!!! Just a tid-bit of info, you may already know, but it's worth repeating if you ask me...Clay is wearing an AWESOME tux in his new video. Want to see the Clayman in this awesome video? Click HERE and enter Clay's name in the Performer spot. Then you can find out when Clay's videos are playing!!! Enjoy!! CLAY MAKES THE COVER! Clay is on the September 1997 issue of Music City News (The Magazine). There is a great article inside with several pictures. In this article Clay discusses the secrets to his success. Clay's current tour, Primestar Presents Clay Walker's Four Star Blowout has been more than successful this year. It is one of country music's five highest-grossing tours of 1997 and one of country music's ten highest-grossing tours ever. Clay will continue headlining the tour through December which features other artists Terri Clark, James Bonamy and Emilio. Clay will be the September Showcase Artist On CMT!!! (Clay was also the Showcase Artist on CMT back in January 1995). Clay will talk about how his 1996 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has changed his life, his current album Rumor Has It, His Four Star Blowout Tour and other things. The setting for CMT Showcase will be at Clay's Brenham, Texas ranch throughout September. Chris Parr, Director, Programming, CMT, said Walker's videos consistently break into the weekly Top 12 on CMT. "Ten of Clay's 11 videos have charted on CMT, which is an outstanding track record," Parr said. "These accomplishments speak well of the quality of Clay's videos, his vocal performance and song selection, as well as favorable response from CMT viewers." Clay said, "Without CMT, country music would not have made such tremendous strides over the past few years. I am honored to be named CMT Showcase Artist." Clay also added, "I have been blessed by many things in my career, including the fact that my music videos can be seen by millions of people around the world because of CMT." CMT will feature Clay's videos throughout September, including "What's It To You", "Live Until I Die", "Dreaming With My Eyes Open", "If I Could Make A Living", "This Woman And This Man", "Who Needs You Baby", "Hypnotize The Moon", and "Rumor Has It." The CMT Showcase premiers at 10pm EST, September 2nd; with different episodes telecast at 11:30pm EST on September 5, 12 and 26. Set your VCR's and don't miss these exclusive interviews with the Clayman! The video Watch This debuted on CMT's Delivery Room Wednesday, July 30th. Check in to CMT's section under Country.com to find out when that video and some of Clay's past videos will air again. Also, write or fax your requests to CMT so they will play more of the Clayman. Here's were to write or fax:
It's GOLD!! It's GOLDFort Bragg NC at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds on July 25th. He was presented with the Iron Mike Award. This award is normally only given to Troops of the 82nd Airborne, but was presented to Clay for all he's done for Country Music and the base at Fort Bragg. In response, Clay mentioned that the award was better than any CMA nomination!! Clay won his third consecutive third place ribbon at this year's Fan Fair with his Rumor Has It booth. Way to go Clay!! (Pam Tillis won first place again for the 2nd straight year). For more information on Fan Fair, click HERE. |
