Rickey Minor

Rickey Minor is the Emmy-nominated music director of American Idol, which ends its season May 19-20, and his Rickey's Review segment airs on "American Idol Extra" each Thursday on Fox Reality Channel. The author of "There's No Traffic on the Extra Mile" has traveled extensively to collaborate with recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Ray Charles and Beyoncé Knowles.

April 13, 2010, NBC announced that Minor would replace Kevin Eubanks as the musical director of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" beginning June 4, 2010.

Minor, a producer and composer whose TV credits include the 2008 Grammy Awards and 2010 People's Choice Awards, will join his new band on the air June 7.

In 2005, Idol ditched the cheesy karaoke-style pre-recorded tunes and brought in a live band to play behind the contestants. And Minor was the guy brought in to oversee the staff of 45 musicians, arrangers and copyists. I think it makes a huge difference having a live band. And this year, I thought the band sounded especially hot during Latin and Country weeks.

Minor was also responsible for getting some big-name stars to appear on American Idol, including Prince, Mary J. Blige and Al Jarreau.

Minor began his career on tour with Gladys Knight and the Pips. Later he worked with Lou Rawls and then Whitney Houston before she was famous. In the last 30 years, Minor has worked with a plethora of big- name artists, including Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Sting.

He has produced music for several special events, including the Grammys, MTV Movie Awards, and Superbowl XXXVI with the Boston Pops. And besides his gig on Idol, Minor is the musical director for America's Got Talent, and Celebrity Duets.

Rickey Minor is, for all intents and purposes, a 21st century heir to. Quincy Jones, a sort of guru to the artists in the very echelon of music, leaves his egovout side the door. It's all about the music.

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