Clay Aiken is back. After 18 years away from recording, the American Idol Season 2 fan favorite has released “Rewind,” a high-energy comeback single that proves every year of the wait was worth it.
In this conversation, Clay pulls back the curtain on what it was really like to be on Idol before anyone knew how massive it was going to become, shares the behind-the-scenes stories behind his most iconic performances, and talks about navigating a music industry that has changed completely since he last released an album. From Broadway to Sharknado to SNL, this is a career that has never stopped being interesting.
Show Highlights:
- Find out why Clay Aiken cold-called his 9th grade choir teacher from the American Idol set to pull off one of the most iconic performances in the show’s history.
- Clay reveals what really happened the night he performed on Saturday Night Live, including a story involving Lorne Michaels that he has never quite lived down.
- Clay made his Broadway debut in Spamalot on the exact same day as Hannah Waddingham, and says he knew she was going to be a Dame before the rest of the world caught on.
- Discover the one very practical reason Clay Aiken signed on for Sharknado 5.
- The new single “Rewind” is Clay’s first uptempo release in 18 years, and the full album is coming before anyone needs a sweater.
You’re going to love my conversation with Clay Aiken
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Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.
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I'm a tech entrepreneur, podcaster, and professional stand-up comedian. I started my journey in the tech industry back in 1997 when I founded my own website development company, which was one of the pioneering companies in the country at the time. While working in technology, my comedic talents couldn't be contained, and I eventually took to the stage as a stand-up comedian.
My passion for comedy led me to create Hashtag Roundup (@hashtagroundup on Twitter), a platform that has contributed to over 8000 top 10 USA trends on Twitter. With the growth of social media, particularly Instagram, I founded Stampede Social, a company aimed at helping creators drive traffic to their content without relying solely on a link in their bio.
