TCU alumnus and former “American Idol” contestant Tim Halperin is thanking his Fort Worth fan base on Friday with a free concert.

“After ‘American Idol’ I realized I need to capitalize on the momentum I have right now, so we planned this acoustic tour,” Halperin said.

Halperin made Fort Worth his first tour stop because he wanted to thank the community for their continued support of his career, he said. At the concert, fans can expect to hear new music, songs performed on “American Idol” and stories of his time on the show, he said.

Ann Louden, the chancellor’s associate for external relations, said the tour is planned for the Midwest and Southern regions of the U.S. with many stops in Texas this week. Louden said she has worked closely with Halperin since he helped with Frogs for the Cure, a project Louden is closely involved with.

So far, this Friday’s concert is the first free event on the schedule, she said.

Ally Vierling, a senior communications studies major, said she thought Tim has a lot going for him. Vierling said she planned to make the time to attend the concert on Friday, even though she had a really busy week.

“He is the only Idol contestant to ever get a song on the charts without the backing of a major record label,” Vierling said.

Vierling is a member of the on-campus group ‘Team Tim,’ which supported Halperin through his journey on “American Idol” and continues to support him through social media and marketing. She is part of a sub-group of six students who are working on getting Halperin’s single on radio stations playing the Top 40 and Hot AC charts.

“We are reaching out to the major markets right now,” she said. “And we have seen a lot of success so far.”

Contracts with “American Idol” make an album release impossible until September, but Halperin said he has numerous additional projects he is working on.

Halperin said he is working on some acoustic sessions, and videos of the sessions should hit the Internet in the next few days.

He will also sell these acoustic tracks, along some other merchandise at the concert on Friday night. The tracks will be available for sale exclusively at shows on this acoustic tour.

“If there is one place for TCU students to go to see what I’m up to, it’s my Twitter,” Halperin said. “I’m doing a lot to keep the momentum from [American] Idol, besides just this tour.”

Louden, who Halperin said helped launched his career, said she is trying to keep his fan base very involved in his career. She said the use of social media and being accessible to fans is very important to Tim.

“There are new venues booked and new tour dates coming in constantly,” she said. “We want to get the word out there so we can get more fan support.”

Louden said it was important to launch the tour in Fort Worth in order to show the fans here that Tim appreciates them. She added it was important for Fort Worth fans stay involved as Halperin makes a name for himself.

Tim Halperin Concert

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Embargo, 210 E. Eighth St., Fort Worth

Admission is free.

Twitter: @timhalperin