Voted Off: 5-21-03
Age: 24 yrs old
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Favorite Song: Don’t’ Know
Idol: My mother is the strongest person I know
What songs has Clay performed on the show?
"Vincent" - 5/13/03
"Mack The Knife" - 5/13/03
"Unchained Melody" - 5/13/03
"Grease" - 5/6/03
"To Love Somebody" - 5/6/03
"Solitaire" - 4/29/03
"Build Me Up Buttercup" - 4/29/03
"I Could Not Ask For More" - 4/22/03
"Tell Her About It" - 4/15/03
"At This Moment" - 4/8/03
"Everlasting Love" - 4/1/03
"Someone Else's Star" - 3/25/03
"Somewhere Out There" - 3/18/03
"I Can't Help Myself" - 3/11/03
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" - 3/4/03
"Open Arms" - 2/11/03
Do you have a job?
CAP MR/DD worker. I work with a 13-year old young man with autism.
Do you have any formal singing training?
Occasional coaching for auditions.
Where have you performed before?
School functions in high school. Host of the North Carolina Music Connection.
When did you first start to sing?
I've been singing for as long as I can remember. My mother would say I've been singing since 18 months.
What is your favorite song to sing?
"Unchained Melody".
What is the first concert you went to?
I don't really know.
What is the last concert you went to?
James Taylor.
What other talents do you have?
I can turn both of my feet around backwards.
If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?
Prepare for graduation and a career teaching students with special needs.
What are your goals in life?
Success, happiness, stability. I would love to be known as a generous and selfless person.
What album would your friends be surprised you own?
My tastes are pretty eclectic. I can't think much would surprise them.
What is the first CD you ever bought?
Don't know.
What is in your CD player right now?
"This Is Who I Am" by Jody McBrayer.
Who is your AMERICAN IDOL?
My mother is the strongest person I know.
What is your favorite type of music?
I love music with strong melodies where the singer really has to sing. I like jazz, some slow R&B and pop/country ballads.
What is your favorite song?
Don't know.
Favorite male pop artist?
Jon Secada or Peter Cetera.
Favorite female pop artist?
Country crossovers like Shania Twain and Faith Hill.
Favorite album?
I LOVE James Taylor's "Hourglass."
Who in the music world do you think your style is most like?
A little Harry Connick, Jr., a little Elton John, a little Jon Secada.
Most embarrassing moment?
Goodness, I've gotten so used to embarrassing myself that I don't really get embarrassed that often.
If you couldn't sing, which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could draw like my friend Meredith. Even her handwriting is art!
What has been your proudest moment in life so far?
I'm pretty dang proud of being in the final 32 of AMERICAN IDOL.
What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL?
Someone with a talent that leaves a mark on American society and inspires people to think, feel, love, act.
Why do you want to be an AMERICAN IDOL?
American celebrities have an amazing amount of influence on the way America thinks, feels and acts. I think that such influences should be used in the most positive way possible.
Do you think the audition process was fair?
Tough, but fair. I probably would have voted a different way a few times, but the judges' jobs were very tough. VERY.
Who is your favorite judge and why?
Randy. He is probably the best at giving truly constructive criticism.
Who is your least favorite judge and why?
I'm not stupid enough to answer this question.
What advice do you have for other hopefuls?
Believe in yourself and practice, practice, practice.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I don't really hide much. Not many surprises here.
Who did you think was going to win last season?
Probably Tamyra.
If you could be a performer from any era, which would you choose and why?
Big band in the 1940s. Music really brought people together during that era.
