American Idols tour stops in Knoxville

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Didi Benami performs onstage at Thompson-Boling Arena during the Idols Summer Tour 2010 on Wednesday, July 28, 2010.

Didi Benami talks about returning to Knoxville, her music, and the American Idol Tour.

KNOXVILLE — 'American Idol' contestant Didi Benami was happy to be back home in Knoxville.

Benami was the first act in the 'American Idols Live' tour, which stopped at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday night. Just after performing the song 'Lay It On Me' (one of Benami's two solo songs of the night) at the arena, Benami told the crowd, 'It's so amazing to be home and see all those amazing faces. … I feel blessed to call Knoxville my home.'

She then performed one of her signature numbers from the 'American Idol' contest, 'Terrified.'

Earlier in the day, Benami had more time to talk.

'It's awesome! I love all the orange and white,' she said at a media gathering backstage at the arena on the University of Tennessee campus. 'I remember coming here to see the Lady Vols. I always wanted to sing the national anthem for a Lady Vols game. … I'd still like to.'

Benami, 'American Idol' winner Lee DeWyze, and eight other finalists are all part of the tour.

The Knoxville visit was short: The group rolled into town at 5:30 a.m. from Columbus, Ohio, and

were set to leave immediately after Wednesday's performance for Virginia Beach, Va., for a concert today.

'The (TV) show is a lot more stressful,' said Benami. 'This (tour) is a lot more chill. You're not expecting somebody with a microphone in front of them to tell you how you've done. ... Here, people have paid to come see you!'

She and other performers said that the tour continued on a feeling of camaraderie that began when they were in competition with each other on the show.

The performers seemed to be happy to have the chance to relate to fans after being exposed to America by way of their television performances.

'I'm a genuine person who lives with good intentions,' said Benami.

Benami was chastised somewhat for crying after a performance.

'I'm not a crybaby,' she said. 'When the show was going on, some people really focused on how I cried.'

She said that in addition to being ill for part of the competition, she and the other contestants were under a lot of stress and sleep deprived.

'(And) I'm very in touch with my emotions,' she said. 'I think that makes you a better songwriter.'

Benami said she chose the songs she sings in concert in the same way she chose songs to perform in the competition:

'I always sang something that meant something to me. I want to move or inspire people. ... If I look out into the audience and somebody is crying, in a good way, I've done my job.'

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoew@knoxville.com.

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