An ‘Idol’ who enjoys being one of the guys

Elaine Levi says she was in college the last time she went late-night clubbing. This night, she broke her iron-clad rule of getting to bed after the evening news to do exactly that. Levi purchased “American Idol” concert tickets for the entire family but dropped her husband and two daughters off at home before heading to the after-party at Coyote Joe’s, the cavernous smoke-filled country and western bar near the Charlotte airport.

“I came on the chance that I might get a glimpse of Taylor Hicks,” she says excitedly. “I also heard he likes tall, older women!” Coyote Joe’s has billed the show as the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra With Special Guest. It’s not hard to guess who that special guest might be since the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra was the Taylor Hicks Band a year ago and Hicks is in town.

As if writing a book, recording a CD and headlining a 60-city cross-country tour aren’t taxing enough, Hicks came up with the idea to have his band shadow the “Idol” tour and play with them whenever he could.

“It is what I need to do,” he says plowing his fingers through the silver locks that have made him one of the most recognizable people in the country. “It’s very therapeutic because it allows me to get into my own music and the craft I’ve spent so long working on.”

Right after his win, Hicks spoke wistfully about finally getting the chance to hear the echo of the arenas. Midway through the tour, he admits it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. “The arena tour is great, but the music room and the theaters are where I thrive,” he says. “I really like the atmosphere and I’m lucky to have that every now and then after the ‘American Idol’ show.”

Fans who show up at a LMBO event solely to see Hicks may be disappointed. His ‘Idol’ schedule has made him a no-show more often than not. The best advice is to come for some great bluesy music by LMBO and you might get Hicks as a bonus.

It’s well past midnight and the crowd at Coyote Joe’s has reason to be hopeful. Ace Young and Bucky Covington, who competed again Hicks for the title, just showed up and Hicks is rumored to be outside. “Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!” the fans begin to chant.

When the hard-wired soul singer is introduced just before 1 a.m. to deafening screams and applause, he doesn’t just take the stage; he takes it over. “How y’all doing?” he yells in his smooth Southern drawl, grabs a guitar and launches into Susan Tedeschi’s “Gonna Move,” a regular from his live pre-”Idol” shows. For the next hour, he plays and sings a mix of covers and originals until he is soaked.

The entertainer most Americans came to know each week on the show is restrained by comparison. His performance -- replete with his characteristic leaning, spinning, strutting and dancing -- is enough to drive Simon Cowell to distraction and the mostly female audience into a frenzy.

Hicks is the kind of performer who never sings a song the same way twice, yet he and his old band are in sync. Midway through the set, he calls his friend and “Idol” semifinalist Elliott Yamin on stage for a duo of Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” The band doesn’t miss a beat.

“It’s like riding a bike,” says lead guitarist Sam Gunderson. “We take cues from Taylor. You have to have your glove open for whatever he throws you.” In addition to Gunderson, the band comprises keyboard player Brian “Little Memphis” Less, bass player Mitch Jones, drummer Zippy Dietrich and sax player Jeff Lopez.

Hicks spent 10 years playing festivals, bars and weddings throughout the Southeast and putting this group together. Just as they seemed to be making some professional inroads, he auditioned for and won a spot on “American Idol.” The remaining band members suddenly found themselves back at the starting line without a name, a lead singer or a clearly defined musical vision. Taking Less’ nickname, they dubbed themselves the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra. The acronym, LMBO, was also apropos of their situation -- being in limbo.

If his former band members harbor any jealousy or resentment of Hicks’ newfound fame, there is no indication. They support him enthusiastically and acknowledge the good fortune he has brought them. “Taylor has been very gracious, giving us a lot of exposure and support,” says Gunderson. “We have faith in what we’re doing, but this has validated us. We needed a break and Taylor was that break.”

Since the “Idol” tour began in the Northeast in early July, Hicks has altered his set, cutting out several songs. “This isn’t my show. It’s the ‘American Idol’ show,” he says. “I’ve backed off of trying to show people all of what I do. I can give them hints of what my live set is like. It’s a small appetizer.” The “Idol” contract allows him to make impromptu, unpaid musical performances. Hicks has used that provision to play harmonica with the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic and Snoop Dogg, appearances that exposed him to audiences who might never see an “Idol” concert or mistakenly dismiss him as a one-trick karaoke singer.

Performing with LMBO seems to be part of a broader mission to introduce the band to a national audience and possibly give the group a shot at its own record deal. It is perhaps the clearest sign that Hicks has not forgotten his roots or what it means to be a struggling musician. “We hope to be able to play in the national circuit and to show the world that we can back Taylor up and play with him all across the country,” says Less.

That seems to be what Hicks wants, as well. During his recent performance with the band at the WorkPlay theater in Birmingham, Ala., he asked the standing-room only crowd to show its appreciation for the band by contacting J Records, the Sony/BMG imprint to which he is signed.

“Everybody starts out trying to get people to listen to their music,” Hicks says. “It’s hard to find an A&R; rep in Alabama or Georgia. You have to really go out there and get it. Hopefully, there will be fans who like the band and will let the labels know and help get them started.”

Hicks won’t say if LMBO will be playing with him on his upcoming CD, which he says is still in the planning stage. Although he penned all of the original songs on his two independently produced CDs and expects to co-write a few on the new one, he is more concerned with finding songs that speak to him, something he learned from his idol, Ray Charles.

“Ray taught me that it ain’t about whether you write the song, it’s about whether you can get into the lyrics and really connect with it. That’s the way I feel on this album. I just want a good song.” He is hoping for a Christmas release. In the meantime, he is focused on completing the “Idol” tour and playing the occasional gig with LMBO where he can give his fans more than just an appetizer.

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The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra With Special Guest will be performing at the Viper Room tonight at 10:30. Tickets are $35.