“Idol”s Music Man

Rickey Minor Shares Lessons in Life and Music in New Book

In his new book There's No Traffic on the Extra Mile, Rickey Minor describes the amazing, only-in-Hollywood journey that led him from South Central Los Angeles to success as the Emmy-nominated music director of the world's most popular television show, American Idol. It is an inspiring tale and a must read for anyone aspiring to a career in the music industry…or any other avenue in life.

Although less well known than his colleagues Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest, Minor, who maintains his production offices at Hollywood Center Studios, has had an immense impact on American Idol's phenomenal success. Before he joined the show in 2005, contestants sang to taped music, karaoke-style. Minor introduced a live and incredibly versatile band, giving singers a better opportunity to show their chops and making their performances much more rewarding for the audience. He has also been instrumental in bringing superstar guests to the Idol stage, including Prince, Mary J. Blige and Al Jarreau.

Discussing Idol's move to live music with the Associated Press, Minor said, "It gives (contestants) what the top professionals in the world not only expect but get when they work with me. They're getting what Stevie Wonder gets. They're getting what Whitney and Beyoncé get. This is what Aretha Franklin sings to."

Minor's personal story reads like the rags-to-riches biography of an Idol winner. Growing up in a tough, Los Angeles neighborhood he developed a passion for music and a prodigious talent for playing bass. He turned down a scholarship to UCLA in favor of a chance to tour with Gladys Knight and the Pips. He also worked with the great jazz singer Lou Rawls. His big break came when he was asked to build a band for the then unknown singer Whitney Houston.

Since then, Minor has filled out a resume with the biggest names in popular music: Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Ray Charles, Beyoncé Knowles to name just a few. In addition to Idol, he has produced music for the Grammy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards and the TV Land Awards. He also directed former Idol winner Jennifer Hudson in her unforgettable performance of the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl.

Minor offers simple, but powerful advice for those who'd like to follow in his footsteps. "Give people more than they expect, but remember you can't please everyone all the time." "Learn from your mentors." (His own mentor was Quincy Jones.) "Know that every action moves you either closer to or farther from your aspirations—and know how to tell the difference." "If you can't get what you want, you may not be ready. When the time comes, you'll know."

"I've seen a lot over the past three decades on the front lines of this dream factory called the entertainment business," writes Minor.  "Behind each story are little clues to the puzzle, some very serious and others more lighthearted.  But every one of these elements I describe has the power to thrust you forward in the pursuit of your dreams or stop you dead into the tracks."