Out of the Blue ~ Clay It Forward

Once upon a time in Raleigh, North Carolina, there lived a geeky little momma's boy with curly hair, thick glasses, and a voice that could bring the angels to tears. He didn't fit the mold of an American Idol, but when he opened his mouth and poured his soul into a microphone, Clay Aiken literally rewrote the rules on Idol-hood. In the short time since he took second place in the television competition (and we all know he wuz robbed!), Clay has risen far beyond mere American Idol status, to be idolized and adored by fans worldwide. OUT OF THE BLUE is not just another story of this remarkable talent's unlikely rise to international fame. That story is in these pages, but Jeannie Holleman wanted this book to be much more than that. So it is also the story of the profound effect Clay has had on his fans, how he has inspired them to acts of kindness and compassion, and how everyone he touches - with his voice, his demeanor, and his actions - is inspired to spread his gentle message. OUT OF THE BLUE is a hometown Raleigh girl's tribute to Clay Aiken, a superstar who seemed to burst from nowhere. But it is also a tribute to the amazing power of friendship, for "out of the blue," Jeannie Holleman has met hundreds of new "Clay friends" from all over the US and the world. She has spent nearly three years collecting their stories of how Clay - and being a Clay fan - has changed their lives for the better. Many of these fans, having seen their personal worlds transformed, are now working to help change the world at large. Like their idol, Clay Aiken, it is their fondest wish to "make a difference." OUT OF THE BLUE is, as its author says, "a long love letter to a sweet hometown boy." But it is also a love letter - humorous, touching, and utterly sincere - to his remarkable fans. This book is 564 pages long, and includes over 160 personal photos.