Short Biography

Since coming to national attention on the second season of American Idol in 2003 — where he was the unexpected runner up, only to become the biggest selling male artist the show has ever featured — Clay Aiken has evolved into a versatile and beloved popular entertainer.

He has toured nine times, written a New York Times bestselling memoir, sold more than six million albums, produced and hosted television programs, starred on Broadway, and devoted considerable energy and resources to improving the lives of children all over the world. He has done all of this while maintaining an enviable humility and down-home charm. Appealing to both kids and parents, Aiken is that rare find — a celebrity with integrity.

Aiken`s clear and unshakable value system was formed during his often challenging childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, where, in church and in his southern home, he learned the importance of hard work, self respect, and good manners. Early on, he also embraced the merit of a sense of humor, especially about oneself. Because of this, Aiken remains unfailingly modest and at ease; "You should never take yourself too seriously," he says. "Believe me, not a day goes by that I don`t laugh at myself."

This accessible, genuine personality, along with his powerhouse voice, has given Aiken a legendarily loyal fanbase. In 2005, TV Guide readers voted Aiken "the most-loved reality star of all time." In February 2006, People magazine readers chose Aiken as their favorite American Idol. While slightly embarrassed by the attention and unbridled devotion of his so-called Claymates, Aiken remains gracious and appreciative of their continued, unwavering support — even the ones who throw their panties onstage. ("Especially them!" jokes Aiken.)

In just a few short years in the public eye, Aiken has released five well-received albums. In October 2003, he launched his first solo album Measure of a Man. The record, which featured the hits "Invisible" and "This is the Night," sold 3 million copies and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. With 613,000 copies sold in the first week, it was the highest selling first album for a solo artist in ten years, going double-platinum and netting Aiken an American Music Award. In addition, he won Billboard`s best-selling single of 2003 for "This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water."

In 2004, Aiken released Merry Christmas with Love (2004), the fastest selling Christmas album in Nielsen Soundscan history. He followed that success with A Thousand Different Ways (2006), All is Well (2006), and the just released On My Way Here (2008). Notably, Aiken earned the distinction of being only the eighth artist to ever have his first four albums debut in the Billboard Top 5.

For his current album, On My Way Here, Aiken selected songs that he believes will resonate with anyone who has endured the trials of growing older and growing up. He chose songs that not only spoke to him, but mirrored his own experiences of learning who he is as an adult and where he belongs in the world at large. As he sings on the stirring title track, "I`ve seen the best, I`ve seen the worst, I wouldn`t change what I`ve been through. I`ve touched the sky, I`ve hit the wall, but I did what I had to do."

With On My Way Here, Aiken is hopeful that listeners will identify with the message and the singer. "I would like to have signature songs," he explains. Of how he selects which tunes to sing, Aiken say

Miscellaneous Information

Friends and Family

Tyra Banks [Friend]

Nick Leisey [Friend] (Childhood friend, right-hand man)

Angela Fischer [Friend] (Backup Singer and Friend)

Fran Skinner Lewis [Friend] (Knowledgeable in non-profit, Clay trusted her to run his charity)

Diane Bubel [Friend] (Mother of autistic child, Mike, Clay helped, encouraged him to tryout for AI, foundation named after them)

Quiana Parler [Friend] (Backup Singer and Friend)

Jeff Flake [Associate] (YMCA director, mentor to Clay)

Kristy Hall [Friend] (Longtime friend and project director for Bubel/Aiken Foundation)

Erin Cates [Friend] (According to Clay "most desireable girl in high school", Clay lied to mom in order to take her on date to masquerade ball)

Audra Brown [Friend] (Best friend, Clay had crush on from childhood to college, took to Prom)

Jessye [Friend] (School friend Clay hung out with and "borrowed" dad`s car without permission to impress)

Brian Hutchinson [Friend] (Co-worker at Winn-Dixie, Popular kid at Clay`s school who never made fun of him)

Natalie [Friend] (Childhood friend Clay used to walk home & play with)

Chinh [Friend] (Best Friend from childhood, Vietnamese)

Donna & Joan [Associate] (Daughters of Amaryllis (Nanny), considered Aunts to Clay, although no relation)

Yvonne & Yvette [Associate] (Granddaughters of Amaryllis (Nanny), childhood friends of Clay)

Kim, Beverly, Kevin & Tamara [Associate] (Step Cousins, Kids of Lois & James)

James [Associate] (Step Uncle in law, husband of Lois)

Lois [Associate] (Step Aunt, youngest Sister of Ray)

Gerald [Associate] (Step Uncle, 2nd youngest Brother of Ray, Married to Mamie)

Randy, Gary, Keith, Alan & Chris [Associate] (Step Cousins, Sons of Wilton & Shirley)

Wilton [Associate] (Step Uncle, 2nd oldest Brother of Ray, married to another Shirley)

Vernon, Sharon, Terry & Marty [Associate] (Step Cousins, Kids of Christine)

Christine Parker [Associate] (Step Aunt, oldest Sister of Ray, matriarch of family)

Ricky, Felix & Karen [Associate] (Step Cousins, Kids of Willie Earl & Shirley)

Shirley Parker [Associate] (Step Aunt, Wife of Willie Earl)

Willie Earl Parker [Associate] (Step Uncle, oldest Brother of Ray, died when Clay was 12)

Jimmy & Bobby [Associate] (Cousins, Kids of Aunt Mer Helen)

Jeffrey & Casey [Associate] (Cousins, Kids of Deb, Jeffrey 1 month older & Casey 2 years younger than Clay)

Deb [Sister] (Half sister, daughter of Vernon & 1st wife, 22 yrs older than Clay, shot herself Feb 2001)

Mary Helen Grissom [Associate] (Aunt, younger Sister of Vernon, called Mer Helen)

Jessica & Lee [Associate] (Cousins, Kids of Jerry & Dianne)

Dianne Taylor [Associate] (Aunt, 2nd Wife of Jerry)

Jerry Aiken [Associate] (Uncle, Brother of Faye, 7 years younger than Faye)

Cyndi & Danny [Associate] (Cousins, Kids of Lelia from 1st marriage)

Lelia Aiken [Associate] (Aunt, 2nd Wife of Don, Best Friend of Faye from HS)

Donald Aiken, Jr. [Associate] (Cousin, Son of Don & 1st wife)

Don Aiken [Associate] (Uncle, Brother of Faye, 2 years younger than Faye)

Roscoe McGhee [Grandfather] (Pop, No relation, husband of Amaryllis, like grandfather to Clay)

Amaryllis McGhee [Grandmother] (Nanny, Mom`s friend from work, no relation, but like 2nd grandmother)

Romie Aiken [Associate] (Great Grand Uncle, brother of Joseph Aiken, musician)

Joseph Aiken [Grandfather] (Great Grandfather, master fiddler, in Library of Congress folk culture archive)

Catherine Clayton [Grandmother] (Grandmother on Mother`s Side)

Alvis Aiken [Grandfather] (Grandfather on Mother`s Side)

Jeff Parker [Step Brother] (Son of Ray)

Brett Parker [Brother] (Half brother, son of Faye and Ray, In the Marines)

Ray Parker [Step Father] (Raised Clay, Considered "Dad" to Clay, Died July 4, 2002)

Vernon Grissom [Father] (Birth Father, Did not raise Clay, Died February 2, 2004)

Faye Parker [Mother]

Pets

Durham Dog

Raleigh Dog

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