Rickey Minor to announce his departure as 'Idol' band leader tomorrow

If anyone noticed, Rickey Minor got a shout out in the final seconds of tonight's episode as Ryan was looking for ways to kill time since they seemed to have wrapped up about one minute ahead of schedule (and what did he expect? The show was like a lighting round with skimpy feedback sessions from the judges).

But he hadn't received too much screen time this season compared to previous seasons, so it was interesting to see him mentioned tonight. The news that he will be departing at the end of the season, however, helps put this into perspective. It was reported by TMZ earlier today that Rickey will be taking over for Kevin Eubanks as band leader over on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno beginning in June. According to "Ministry of Gossip" over at LATimes.com:

Eubanks told Leno during the taping of Monday night's show that, after 18 years, he was definitely moving on. Conan O'Brien compadre Max Weinberg's name had come up in speculation about who'd get the gig, but Team Leno and Team Coco won't mix that way after all. TMZ says the announcement will be made Wednesday on "Idol."

Now the question remains, who will replace Rickey on Idol? Hopefully no one, since that will mean the show will be over and done with. But in all seriousness, I'm willing to bet that former member of Daughtry could give anyone a run for their money.