http://www.billboard.com/...3389.story


Clay Aiken Parts Ways With RCA
Clay Aiken

February 20, 2009 11:28 AM ET

Shirley Halperin, N.Y.
Season two "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken has parted ways with RCA. A source tells Billboard Aiken left the label a couple of months ago, on the heels of his 2008 album, "On My Way Here."

That set sold just 159,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Aiken's 2003 debut, "Measure of a Man," sold 2.78 million.

The artist joins a slew of second place finishers -- Katharine McPhee, Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis and Bo Bice, among them -- let go from their major-label deals post-"Idol."

Aiken is not currently on the road but will make a guest appearance on the April 8 episode of "America's Next Top Model," where he will serve as a guest judge.

Clay seems more fit to be in Broadway now than he does as a pop singer.

Clay lost to Rueben, and Rueben got dropped as well. AI is not a guarantee of success. The fact that Justin got as far as number 2 on the first season says much about the integrity of AI. I grew up with Justin and he was an actor, NOT a singer. I think the voting is rigged and a scam to make money.

I vote with my remote and watch something else.

WillieDynamite said:

Yeah that show's been rigged.

Clay should part ways with music.

Y am I not suprised?