In LEARNING TO SING, Clay Aiken tells the story of the people who taught him valuable life lessons during his meteoric rise from life as an aspiring educator in Raleigh, North Carolina to instant stardom on "American Idol." Clay Aiken auditioned for the national singing competition by chance at the urging of a parent of a special needs student with whom he was working. In a matter of months, Aiken made the leap from unknown singer to national sensation, with more than 33 million viewers watching him compete with Ruben Studdard for the title in May 2003. Aiken's RCA debut CD, "Measure of a Man," made its debut at #1 and has sold over three million copies. LEARNING TO SING is an account of Clay Aiken's extraordinary faith and will and perseverance, and an inspiring memoir by someone who became - against all odds - one of the biggest pop stars of his time.