Clay Aiken Welcomes a Son

Clay Aiken is a daddy!

The former American Idol contestant and music producer Jaymes Foster welcomed a baby boy Friday morning, the singer said in a statement on his Web site.

“HE’S HERE!” Aiken, 29, writes. “My dear friend, Jaymes, and I are so excited to announce the birth of Parker Foster Aiken (No hyphens. One first name. One middle name. One last name.)”

Parker, whose name comes from Aiken’s stepfather Ray Parker, weighed 6 lbs., 2 oz. and was 19 inches long. He was born at 8:08 a.m.

“Wow … 8:08 … 08/08/08,” added Aiken. “The little man is healthy, happy, and as loud as his daddy. Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also.”

Aiken’s mother, Faye, first broke the news by telling Lynda Loveland of Raleigh, N.C., TV station WRAL about the birth. According to Faye, Foster gave birth at a North Carolina hospital.

Clay’s mom also said that baby Parker has “dark hair” and that Clay is “smiling from ear-to-ear” about the news.

In May, it was confirmed that Foster, 50, became pregnant via in vitro fertilization.

Though they are not romantically linked, Clay and Jaymes plan to raise the child together. The two met when Aiken competed on Idol, and Foster – who is the sister of legendary music producer David Foster – has produced several of his albums.

• Reporting by DAVID CAPLAN