• 'American Idol' bans songs from performance due to rights and overuse concerns

  September 5, 2003
  Don't look for the next Bruce Springsteen on the next American Idol. The Associated Press reports that Idol has banned certain songs, including ones by Springsteen, Mariah Carey, James Taylor and Carly Simon, from being performed during auditions or on the show.

• Clay Aiken single spends 12 straight weeks as Canadian #1, 11th week as U.S. #1

  September 4, 2003
  Clay Aiken's single just won't fade away. The American Idol 2 runner-up's debut, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," celebrates its 12th straight week at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Singles Sales chart, holding off the challenge from Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the third straight week. In addition, Clay's single reclaimed first place from Hilary's single on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart, its 11th week at #1 in its 13th week on the chart.

• Clay Aiken single spends 11th week at #1 in Canada but remains #2 in U.S.

  August 29, 2003
  Despite the ongoing battle in Canadian Idol, an American Idol still rules the singles charts north of the border. According to the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Single Sales chart, American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken holds the #1 spot for the week ending August 24, the 11th straight week, with his single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night."

• 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard announces free concerts backing Alabama tax hike

  August 25, 2003
  Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only Rebublican wrestling with state tax hike issues. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is in the same situation -- but the Associated Press reports that Riley's Sept. 9 "Believe in Alabama" referendum to raise Alabama's tax rates has received backing from another well-known entertainer: American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

• Release dates set for CDs from 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

  August 21, 2003
  In the wake of Clay Aiken's single falling from the #1 slot in the U.S. after 10 weeks on top, the Associated Press reports that release dates have finally been set for the full-length CDs from Clay and his fellow American Idol 2 finalist Ruben Studdard. Both CDs were delayed from their original August 19 release date, probably because the success of Clay and Ruben's singles made album quality more important.

• Clay Aiken's single continues to hold #1 in Canada for 10th week

  August 21, 2003
  Nielsen SoundScan reports that, although American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" dropped to second in the U.S. for the week ended August 17, it continues to hold the top spot north of the border for the 10th straight week. On the Canadian Singles Sales chart. Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday," reversing this week's U.S. chart positions.

• Clay Aiken to perform at Miss America pageant

  August 21, 2003
  Clay Aiken's single may no longer be number one, but he's still got what it takes to make the pageant stage. The Associated Press reports that Aiken will be performing his hit "This Is The Night" as one of the opening acts for the Miss America Pageant on September 20 in Atlantic City.

• 'American Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single drops to #2 after 10 straight weeks at #1

  August 21, 2003
  All good things must come to an end, and that includes American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's streak with the #1 single on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart. E! Online reports that Hilary Duff's single "So Yesterday," which had narrowly been #2 in both of its first two weeks of release, bumped Clay's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" out of the top slot for the week ended August 17, 2003.

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single remains #1 in sales for 10th week in U.S.

  August 14, 2003
  The streak lives. American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken's million-selling RCA single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" remains #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart (presented by Canoe Jam! Showbiz) for the week ended August 10, its 10th straight week on top. For the second week in a row, Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the top slot.

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single hits 9th week as #1 in sales, by 157 copies

  August 7, 2003
  The margin keeps shrinking, but Clay Aiken remains #1. According to E! Online, Clay, who finished second on this spring's edition of Fox's American Idol, registered his 9th straight week atop the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart for the week ended August 3, but by his narrowest margin yet. Aiken's single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," which has already been certified platinum for sales of over 1 million copies, edged Hilary Duff's new release "So Yesterday" for the top spot by a mere 157 copies.

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