Clay Aiken - December 8, 2004

Transcript will be posted shortly.

Tommy: Clay, can you tell us about the line up you put together for your show on NBC?

Clay: I don't even really know where to begin. It has been such a cool experience to have the guests that we have with us for the show. Barry Manilow, Yalanda Adams, you know I was actually in rehearsal with Barray Manilow and Yalanda Adams and they were both singing and I was like 'I can't sing anymore, I cannot sing in front of you two'. Barry Manilow was sitting on the piano playing a song and I was like thats the voice I've heard on the radio growing up and Yalanda Adams has the most powerful presence in general to just have her there.

Tommy: How is this going to be different from your typical Christmas Special?

Clay: Were going to do something a little bit different and something we think hasn't been done before. Were also going to do a Christmas special that people are use to seeing but were also going to take you behind the scenes as were doing the special. Were going to show you what goes on as the tv special is made; the camera, the crew, the mistakes, the discussions, and how it goes on so people can see not only a tv show but how one is made.

Tommy: Barry, so how did you get involved with this project?

Barry: I got a phone call asking if I would be interested in doing Clay Aiken's Christmas special and I said yes immediately because I think he is terrific. I think he is the real deal and I like singing these Christmas songs. So I was available and I am happy to be here.