Clay Aiken Album 'A Thousand Different Ways' Debuts at Number 2 on Billboard Album Chart With Sales Over 205,000

LOS ANGELES, CA. (RCA Records) - Clay Aiken's third album, A Thousand Different Ways, sold over 205,000 copies in its first week of release, securing a No. 2 debut on the Billboard album chart. It is Clay's third consecutive debut inside the top five. Measure of a Man entered at No. 1 and Merry Christmas With Love bowed at No. 4. Clay is the 4th artist ever to have his first 3 albums debut Top 5 and scan over 200,000 in the first week.

Fan support for Aiken is stronger than ever. His fans organized CD release parties in over 80 cities in the United States alone, with some parties attracting hundreds of fans.

Hundreds of fans turned up at the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood yesterday (Sept. 26) for an in-store signing by Clay. The signing began at 1pm and did not end until after 4pm.

Clay is making multiple television appearances to support A Thousand Different Ways, including "Tonight Show With Jay Leno", 3 Days on "Good Morning America", "The View", "Jimmy Kimmel Live", and upcoming "Larry King Live", "The Martha Stewart Show", and "The Tyra Banks Show".

A Thousand Different Ways combines 10 cover versions of classic songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s with four brand-new songs. Aiken has put his own spin on some of the well-known songs he has recorded for his new album. "These are songs I heard growing up. I loved them then and I still love them today, but I sing them a little differently. They have new arrangements and I put my own singing style on some of them."