Monday night, Kevin Eubanks announced to Jay Leno during The Tonight Show that after eighteen years as the show’s music director, he would be moving on. Wow! What will become of The Tonight Show? Well, Rickey Minor, who was the music director for American Idol for three years, will be stepping in to fill Eubanks shoes.

Hollywood Reporter announced that Minor will make his big Tonight Show debut on June 7, 2010.

Minor has a long resume of professional music direction, having worked with stars like Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston and Beyonce, as well as overseeing music production for major events like the People’s Choice and Grammy Awards.

Minor has been the music director on American Idol since 2007, and at this time it is assumed he will be leaving his position as music director on Idol permanently. Who will take his place? It’s hard to tell, but with Simon Cowell also leaving the show at the end of the season, I can only fret that American Idol will not be the iconic reality series it is at present.

As for Eubanks, no word yet on what he’ll be doing after The Tonight Show. I’m not worried about him. Conan O’Brien proved months ago there is life after NBC.