Hansen: ‘Idol’ hopeful might be an idol to diabetics

All it took was one week on “American Idol” for Adam Lasher to win over the judges, become a role model for diabetes and be spoofed by Jimmy Fallon.

No pressure or anything for an encore.

The 27-year-old singer, songwriter and musician plays regularly in Laguna Beach and is competing on the popular music show, where judge Jennifer Lopez tagged him as a Fallon lookalike. Fallon turned the situation into a gag on his show by donning a fake beard and baby-blue headband, like that worn by Lasher during the audition.

“I was driving home, and my phone starting blowing up,” said Lasher, who was almost more excited about the Fallon skit than his work on “Idol.” “People were like, ‘You’re on Jimmy Fallon!’”

Lasher pulled into a gas station that had a TV, but it was difficult convincing the worker to change the channel.

“I think he thought I was drunk or something because I’m like, ‘Man, I’m on TV. Change the channel,’” Lasher said, laughing.

Affable and down to earth, Lasher is not putting too much value in this sudden exposure. He has some experience with fame and knows its limitations.

He’s the nephew of guitar legend Carlos Santana.

“I’m not getting caught up in it,” he said. “A lot of people say they want fame, but what is fame? You’re really saying, ‘I want to be loved. I want to be accepted. I want to be validated.’ But I’ve learned that the only person who can really validate your feelings is yourself.”

Lasher is trying to downplay his link to Santana, preferring to be judged on his own talents.

He started playing piano at age 5 and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in professional music. The Northern California native moved to Los Angeles after graduation and started performing.

But he grew weary of the L.A. scene and started coming to Laguna Beach to play.

“I’d rather play a Thursday night in Laguna and get wine and seafood and look at the beach and get fresh air than go play at the Whisky a Go Go,” he said. “For the weekly stuff, Laguna Beach is the spot for me. They support the arts. Everybody loves music. Everyone is pretty chill and mellow but appreciative. It just has a good following for music.”

So why “American Idol”? Why now?

“I just felt like, why not? It’s good exposure,” he said.

So if you’re wondering if he has any backstage gossip about J.Lo, no — or at least not any he is willing to share. The judges have been what you would expect, Lasher said, but he does have a favorite.

“The person whose opinion I value most is Harry Connick Jr.,” Lasher said. “Harry is more of a musician’s musician guy. I probably get the most constructive criticism from Harry just because I went to a music college and am a music nerd enthusiast. A lot of the stuff that Harry’s saying, whether it’s to another singer or myself, it’s something I can relate to.”

Whatever happens with the show, Lasher is grateful for the ride, hoping to listen, learn, have fun and maybe sell a few more songs. His audition song, “These Shoes,” is an original and available on iTunes.

“I think the only mistake you can make is looking like a sore loser or messing up on stage and forgetting the lyrics,” he said. “Just accept what the show is and have fun with it. I think that’s the most important thing.”

Lasher wants to stay authentic. It’s his artistry that has brought him this far, so it’s the only thing he believes he can rely on.

“They like you for who you are. The moment you try to be someone else — should I not be too rock or too this or that? — whatever it is you are, you should be yourself.

“You just have to accept and enjoy what’s happening, but it’s not an end all, be all. Enjoy it as it comes and not dwell on it or think that you are some greater person because this happened.”

Instead, Lasher finds more meaning in helping others. When he auditioned he was wearing a diabetic device on his guitar strap. Keith Urban asked if it was a phone. Lasher explained that it was a “robotic pancreas” of sorts to help with his chronic condition, Type 1 diabetes.

After the show, Lasher immediately received a flood of inquiries and requests from the diabetic community.

“I got way more responses from the diabetic community than I did from Santana fans,” he said, humbled by his new role. “I’m having a chance to give back to diabetic people. I feel really fortunate that not only have I been able to pursue my music but help other people, to get involved with people’s health and actually be a positive role model — which is kind of weird to see myself as a role model.”

Lasher said it’s the little things that have surprised him.

“Something as simple as posting my blood sugar on Instagram. Little kids, they love that, because it’s embarrassing for them, but if they see someone older, it helps. That was a surprise to me. Just being myself might help another kid be more upfront that he might need help with something or he can’t do something. That’s been really cool.”

For more information on when Lasher is playing in Laguna, visit https://www.adamlasherband.com.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at [email protected].