Clay Aiken, age 71, coming to State Theatre

Is it just us, or did Clay Aiken age about 40 years between his last album and his current release, "Tried and True?" The new CD itself is an old- and crusty-sounding collection of standards such as "Mack the Knife," "Unchained Melody," "Moon River" and other songs they play at senior care centers to keep the residents from waking up. Now that Aiken is making TV appearances to promote the record -- including a special on the ever-gray PBS instead of the youthful FOX -- the "American Idol" contestant who lost out to Ruben Studdard looks paunchy and pale, as if he has been hanging around with undertakers. And now comes word that his "Tried and True Tour" is coming to the State Theatre in Minneapolis -- but not until March 5, 2011. Tickets go on sale Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. for $53-$63. That's the kind of long lead time given out to Broadway shows and other events for folks who like their calendars very planned out.