Learning to Sing, Clay Aiken
Learning to Sing, Clay Aiken
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Learning to Sing
Hearing the Music in Your Life

Author: Clay Aiken, Allison Glock

Narrator: Clay Aiken

Abridged: 2 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/16/2004


Synopsis

“My mother prophesied years ago that my voice would take me places. She was certain that there was a reason I was able to sing. I am still discovering what that reason is, what it is that God wants to happen.”
–CLAY AIKEN, from Learning to Sing

When he was a kid singing in his church choir, Clay Aiken never dreamed of becoming a pop music star. His ambition was to be a teacher, maybe even a high school principal. But Clay’s mother was right, and the music that was Clay’s joy in life was destined to lead him to unexpected triumphs.

In Learning to Sing, Clay details what his astonishing success has meant to him. He writes from the heart about his life before and since his instant stardom on American Idol, how he has changed, and how he struggles to adapt to life in the public eye. He speaks candidly about his lonely childhood: the father who abandoned him, the school bullies who tormented him, the mother who taught him to be strong, and the friends and teachers who–more than they ever knew–kept him going. He describes his new high-profile life in Los Angeles– the awards shows, the free clothes, the unfortunate presence of avocado on all the food. More significant, he reveals what he has discovered from diving into the white-hot center of pop culture: what it takes for him to stay true to himself and remember the lessons he learned growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Clay shares his struggle to remain a man his mother can be proud of, and writes about the faith that sustains him today just as it did when he was an awkward, unpopular outsider. “I believe God has a direction for me. He did not give me this life just so I could buy a big house and an SUV. My job is to give back and to be a decent human being no matter how many people cheer my name.”

Clay’s friends–the old ones from North Carolina and the millions of new ones who love his voice–will hold this inspiring memoir as close to their hearts as they do his music. Learning to Sing reminds you that anything is possible. Like a perfect song, it will send your spirit soaring.

About The Author

Clay Aiken was one of the two finalists in the 2003 American Idol season, and is undoubtedly the biggest star to emerge from that hit show. Aiken’s debut album, Measure of a Man, hit number 1 on the Billboard 200 in October 2003, selling 612,000 copies during its first week. Aiken’s single “This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water” won the 2003 Billboard Music Award for Bestselling Single. He was honored as the Fan’s Choice winner at the 2003 American Music Awards. Also in 2003, People magazine named the North Carolina crooner one of its Top Entertainers of the Year and one of its Sexiest Men Alive, and he became TV Guide’ s Fan’s Favorite Reality Star. For more information on Clay Aiken, go to www.clayaiken.com.Allison Glock is the author of Beauty Before Comfort, an acclaimed memoir about life in West Virginia, now available from Random House Trade Paperbacks. She has written articles for many magazines, including GQ and The New York Times Magazine. She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee


Reviews

Goodreads review by To Read on June 17, 2020

"Then there is a chapter where he lists all of his family members." - Episode 38 LEARNING TEETH [URL not allowed]......more

Goodreads review by Ellen on March 20, 2013

Okay, this book should put the naysayers of Clay Aiken at rest unless that is, they have no soul because to read this book is to read the life of a man who has been through hard times (the teasing I can relate to, I too was a "geek"), has had anything and everything thrown at him and perservered des......more

Goodreads review by Greg on January 12, 2012

We all know Clay Aiken from Season 2 of the American Idol. That was the first season of American Idol that I had the pleasure of watching, I was a fan and was rooting for him to win. Though he didn't, I was glad to know he would release an album (I loved Measure of A Man) and so when I saw this book......more

Goodreads review by Richard on January 14, 2015

Although I would have liked many more details about the American Idol experience, I enjoyed this inspirational memoir. I appreciate Clay's passion for teaching and everything he essays to do. This book was published in 2004 so I'm looking forward to his account of the last 10 years and his entry int......more

Goodreads review by Vicki on July 16, 2018

Im glad I read this book but was somewhat disappointed in it. I love Clay’s voice. He was my choice on Idol. But I think Clay was and maybe still is a confused young man. He grew up being bullied and lived a childhood where the males in his life were poor examples for fathers. It had to leave him fe......more