As the runner-up to Fox TV's second American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition vocalist, I wowed television audiences in 2003. Originally, I planned to try out for the reality TV series The American Race, but I went ahead and auditioned for the talent contest to please an encouraging friend. Out of 7,000 hopefuls, the Charlotte, NC, native won the hearts of the judges as well as millions of fans across the globe.I was Born November 30, 1978, I was singing at an early age. Unlike most young kids, I was confident and ready to impress a crowd. I was already singing the Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers classic "Islands in the Stream" at a local high school dance by age five. Two year later, I was buying albums through a mail-order catalog, eager to get my hands on any kind of music. My vocal talent was blossoming and by the time I reached my teenage years, I was a regular member of the Raleigh Boys Choir. Countless roles in various musicals, (The Music Man, Oklahoma!), stage plays, and playhouse shows allowed me to hone his gift.When it came time to go to college, music wasn't my calling per se. I studied special education instead and had dreams of attending William & Mary for a master's degree in administration. Before i could further my education, I ended up wooing 21 million television viewers each week from February to May. MY rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" sewed Me a spot among America's hearts. Although I finished second to Ruben Studdard, My loss was not taken lightly. I landed a deal with RCA through Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited within weeks of the show's finale.That same month, My debut single, "This Is the Night," made history by going number one on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It sold more than 392,000 copies during its first week, beating Elton John's record for "Candle in the Wind 1997." "Once again, the little guy with the big voice made a big splash" meaning me. The Measure of a Man sold 613,000 copies and went to number one on Billboard's Top 200 during its first week of release. My first holiday effort Merry Christmas With Love followed in November 2004. The album debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums chart, giving Merry Christmas With Love the biggest debut week sales figures for a Christmas album in SoundScan history.I have spent much of My time since then on the road, performing at sold out concerts across the country. Between the American Idol tour in the summer of 2003 and I released My debut solo CD, Measure of a Man, which sold over 612,000 units the first week and over 2.6 million overall, earning it a Double Platinum sales certification from the RIAA.A successful solo tour, sponsored by Disney, took Me and company to thirty states for fifty shows during the summer of 2004. In December, I performed in intimate performance halls across the country with his Joyful Noise Tour in support of My holiday CD, Merry Christmas With Love, which sold over one million copies in six weeks.Two weeks before My 26th birthday, in November 2004, My inspirational memoir entitled “Learning to Sing – Hearing the Music in Your Life†was released. It spent several weeks on the NY Times Nonfiction Best Seller list thank goodness.In the summer of 2003, I founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, whose mission is to encourage and facilitate programs that enable the inclusion of children with disabilities into the environment of those without. Visit the website at http://thebubelaikenfoundation.com/ it is really greatUNICEF has named Me an Ambassador of Education for All Children, and I served as a national spokesperson for the 2004 Marine Toys for Tots campaign, their most successful year ever.I was born November 30, 1978 in Raleigh, NC, which is proud to call him their own. I graduated from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte with a Special Education degree in December 2003. “To me, singing is the single most joyous thing a person can do.†-Clay Aiken, from his book “Learning to Sing – Hearing the Music in Your Lifeâ€Well that is all about me
I created my own profile using nUCLEArcENTURy.COM and you should too!Upcoming Shows
Dec 2 2006 8:00P
Star Plaza Theater Merrillville, IN
Dec 4 2006 8:00P
Turning Stone Resort & Casino Verona, NY
Dec 5 2006 8:00P
Bergen PAC Center Englewood, NJ
Dec 6 2006 8:00P
Lyric Opera House Baltimore, MD
Dec 7 2006 8:00P
Scope Arena Norfolk, VA
Dec 9 2006 8:00P
Community Arts Center Williamsport, PA
Dec 10 2006 8:00P
Kirby Center Wilkes Barre, PA
Dec 11 2006 8:00P
State Theater Easton, PA
Dec 11 2006 8:00P
State Theater Easton, PA
Dec 12 2006 8:00P
Connecticut Convention Center Hartford, CT
Dec 14 2006 8:00P
Tilles Center for the Arts Greenvale, NY
Dec 15 2006 8:00P
Eisenhower Hall West Point, NY
Dec 16 2006 8:00P
Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ
Dec 18 2006 8:00P
Orchestra Hall at Max Fisher Detroit, MI
Dec 19 2006 8:00P
Devos Hall Grand Rapids, MI
Dec 21 2006 8:00P
Moran Theater Jacksonville, FL
Dec 22 2006 8:00P
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Charlotte, NC
Dec 23 2006 8:00P
War Memorial Auditorium Greensboro, NC
