Learning to Sing

Hearing the Music in Your Life

De: Clay Aiken, Allison Glock

Narrado por: Kirby Heyborne

“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.

©2004 Clay Aiken (P)2004 Books on Tape

Beautifully Inspiring

I didn't think a personal memoir would hit me this hard. I was born the same year that Clay Aiken rose to fame on American Idol with his smooth, velvet voice. His album 'Measure of a Man' went multi-platinum a couple weeks before I was born. I'm now 21 years old. The way this book was written felt like Clay was actually talking to me about his life. I wanted to cry every time he talked about his strained relationship with his birth father and stepfather. I was in awe when Clay and his stepfather shared sweet, vulnerable moments together when he was sick. They never had moments like this when he wasn't ill. When he talked about his older stepsister dying from suicide, I felt like I wanted to fly to Raleigh just to hug him. I wanted to tell him this, "I'm sorry about what you went through, I will be praying for you." I admire the passion that Clay has for special needs kids. I think the National Inclusion Project is a perfect way to keep these kids included in activities with normal ones. He wanted Diane Buble's son to be accepted for who he is. I also have autism, and I always imagined what my life would be like if I was one of the autistic kids Clay worked with. I wasn't able to speak, I stuttered random things, and I flapped my hands like no other. There were certain noises that hurt my ears, and I still panic every time people sing "Happy Birthday." My mom fought really hard with my elementary school on how to deal with me. I thought I was a disruptive kid, but it was my autism that was bogging me down. They never accepted me for who I was. They didn't know how to handle autistic people. I could've gone to a Special Ed school, but I didn't. My mom and dad were faithful and did everything they could for me, and God answered their prayer. I progressed as a person. What really stood out to me about this book is the fact that Clay mentions his humility and faith in God in the end. It's literally the most humble and selfless thing I've ever heard from a celebrity. He doesn't even call himself a celebrity. He always thought there were singers that were better than him, and yet he's the best male singer to come from Idol. I learned that you don't have to be like someone else in order to be successful. God has a plan for you. Clay had no idea that the Lord wanted him to be a singer. He believed that he had to use his voice to the glory of God. God calls us to do certain things in life to glorify Him. The doctors thought that I was never gonna be able to talk, but God improved my life. I'm now a full-time musician and music teacher. I have my own business teaching music, and I perform in choir concerts and solo guitar gigs. My life really is that good, just like God made Clay's life special. God turned him from a dorky geek to a handsome, pop sensation. He's the real American Idol of season 2. He's one of the best contestants along with Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. This book did not waste my time. If you feel like you're not enough because you don't have something certain, then this is the perfect example of how God plans someone's life. He really works in mysterious ways.