Published: September 03, 2007 11:35 pm      

Bice makes special appearance

He may have only gotten a few nibbles while fishing Monday in the upper Bonita Lake but when he took the stage that night at the Rock at the Lake, American Idol runner-up Bo Bice landed a boatload of fans.

Bice, who was a surprise addition to the free concert, took the Jagermeister stage for one number, but it was a big one as he belted out “Sweet Home Alabama” for the fans waiting eagerly for Molly Hatchet.

“Life’s been good,” Bice said moments earlier before taking the stage. “I can’t complain one bit. Since American Idol, I’ve been living the dream.”

Bice said he will go back to the kind of music that is in his heart, Southern Rock, on his next album due for a Oct. 23 release. With members of Molly Hatchet standing nearby, he said he wasn’t inventing the wheel but rather he’s borrowing music Molly Hatchet, Lynard Skynard and the Allman Brothers have been doing for decades and calling it his own.

“I’m a part of the alumni called Southern Rock,” Bice said proudly. “The last album was mostly pop but on this one I’m going back. Southern Rock is who I am.”

Bice was in Meridian on the invitation of Hartley Peavey who Bice said is helping him to design a guitar.

“When Mr. Peavey invites you to come,



you just can’t say no,” Bice said. “It is an honor.”

When he arrived in Meridian, Bice said he didn’t know there was a lake so close by. He went to Wal-Mart to buy fishing equipment and spent the day on the lake. As the concert was cranking along, Bice rode in on a Harley Davidson motorcycle from Chunky River Harley Davidson of Meridian.

“I have to admit I had to reacquaint myself with a street bike,” said Bice. “I’m more of a dirt biker and there are little differences. I sure didn’t want to wreck it.”

If Bice had his way, a Harley and a bass boat is the way to go.

“If I had those two things, you’d probably never see me,” he said laughing.