Three years after 'Idol,' Clark Beckham's career starts at 'Year One'

The fan base Clark Beckham built during Season 14 of "American Idol" may have been wondering where he's been in the three years since coming in runner-up on that reality show. Did not winning dim his chances of a career? Was the national spotlight not the launching pad everyone believes it to be?

As the old saying goes, "Hindsight is 20/20," and that's certainly proven to be the case for him. A lot has been happening behind the scenes.

He was signed last year by Quincy Jones Productions - after a sit-down with the great man himself - who sent Beckham to Dubai for a six-week residency at Q's Bar and Lounge (Jones' own jazz club in the Palazzo Versace hotel). Beckham recorded a new EP, "Year One," produced by Steve Jordan (Yes, that Steve Jordan - John Mayer's producer and drummer who also played with The Who) with Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino playing bass on the record.

"Management is telling me that Steve Jordan wants to produce it and they are going to bring in Pino Palladino to play base, which almost made me fall to the ground! Pino is one of the greatest bass players in the world and he is John Mayer's bass player. They play in the John Mayer trio, and now they are telling me I'm going to play guitar with Pino and Steve," Beckham exclaims - still sounding as though he's in disbelief even though the album's been out since May.

"Isaiah Sharkey also played guitar on it. They were kind, gracious, wonderful people."

Now Quincy Jones Productions has launched Beckham's first headlining tour in support of the album and the "Year One" tour stops in Chattanooga on Wednesday night at Songbirds.

He'll sing all of "Year One," plus a couple of originals he hasn't released yet. The highlight of the show is sure to be his single "Must be Hard Being You," a funky, soulful, uptempo, horn-packed jam that would make Beckham's influences Stevie Wonder and Michael McDonald proud to claim him. Another favorite, soul ballad "I Need," is one Beckham says he's performed so often, he knew it had to be on the EP and tour.

The singer says he'll have a set list, but doesn't rule out an occasional crowd request.

"I like vibing with the crowd. In my opinion, every show should be different in some way. As the performer, it's my job to understand the difference with every crowd and cater the show to them."

Beckham reveals a teaser that the tour features a new element he's been working on for months.

"I've added what's called a loop pedal and a harmonizer pedal, and I'm using those pedals to make a sound. My goal is to make something that's never been done before. There are so many unbelievably talented loop artists - Ed Sheeran is one - but I'm trying to do something different," he says.

While this album and tour has been a long time coming, Beckham believes he's moved at exactly the right pace "where God's in control and it's his plan.

"I waited two years, where I had opportunities to sign with different labels, management and agents. I was patient and wasn't jumping in and waited for the right one. While I was waiting, I was doing all my own managing, booking and funding. I actually enjoyed it, and I still sometimes jump into the negotiating and the hustle of the business side."

The artist says he doesn't want this tour to just be good, "I want to make a show that leaves people with their jaws on the ground. I've been to shows where I leave and that's all I can think about or talk about for the next week. That's what I have to do for this tour."

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.