Daughtry
Biography
Bo Bice proved that American Idol could have a rocker as a finalist, but Chris Daughtry proved that the show could generate a successful rocker outside the context of the show. Of course, it helped that he was the polar opposite of Bice, a shaggy retro-rocker soaked in the South. Bold and bald, Daughtry was the picture of a modern rocker, living by the rulebook written by Live and Fuel. These were the qualities that helped make Chris Daughtry the most successful new rock & roll singer of 2006, as well as one of the most successful Idol graduates in the show's history.
Like many American Idol finalists, Daughtry had a long run as an amateur musician. The North Carolina native -- born in Roanoke Rapids, he lived in Charlottesville, VA, before establishing himself in the Greensboro area -- began singing in local rock bands when he was 16 years old. He continued to play local shows after his high-school graduation in 1998, marrying his girlfriend Deanna several months after the January 2000 birth of their son Griffin (he also adopted Deanna's daughter from a previous marriage). Family man he may have been, but Daughtry didn't let his rock & roll dream die, as he continued to play guitar and sing in a band called Absent Element. He also auditioned for Rock Star: INXS in 2005 but was rejected -- a rejection that turned out to be rather fortunate, as it freed him to audition for the far more popular televised singing competition American Idol.
Daughtry was featured heavily during the show's seemingly never-ending audition rounds for two reasons: he was telegenic, and he capitalized on the rocker promise of Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis from the previous season. Moreover, he was bald and handsome, had a terrific smile, and his devotion to family made for great TV. Daughtry sailed through to Hollywood and made it into the final 12, where he was hailed as a standout and soon seemed to be a favorite to win. Daughtry mania began to peak in March when his rendition of Fuel's "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" caused such a sensation that rumors began to fly that Fuel wanted to hire him as their lead singer -- something that proved to be no rumor, as the modern rock group, savoring the new press, practically pleaded for his presence after he was voted off the show. But this was still two long months away -- two months in which he continued to be one of the top draws in the season, even courting some controversy when he sang Live's arrangement for Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line." This moody reinterpretation was misinterpreted as a Daughtry original, and on the results show he had to clarify where he had learned this version. Still, this controversy paled to his exit from the show in May: Daughtry was one of the final four and Katharine McPhee just narrowly beat him, a result that visibly shocked the rocker. Daughtry would soon have the last laugh.
After he was kicked off of Idol, he turned down Fuel's standing offer of replacing their lead singer and set off on his own career, signing with Idol's 19 Entertainment group and RCA Records in July 2006. By the time his album materialized in November, it had turned into a project by a band called DAUGHTRY (spelled all in capital letters), whose lineup featured guitarist Jeremy Brady, guitarist Josh Steely, bassist Josh Paul, and drummer Joey Barnes. They did not play as a band on the finished album, though, as Brady was replaced after the album's release by Brian Craddock -- a matter of semantics overlooked by most, especially in light of the album's blockbuster success. Like many hotly anticipated albums of the SoundScan era, it debuted high on the charts, but it surprisingly remaining in the Top Ten for months. Leadoff single "It's Not Over" proved to be equally popular. This meant that DAUGHTRY was not only a huge hit by Idol standards, it was one of the few hit rock albums -- period -- in 2006.
By February, it was evident that Chris Daughtry's popularity eclipsed his American Idol rivals Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, as DAUGHTRY was certified the fastest-selling debut album in SoundScan history. Five hits charted in the Top 40 before the singer set to work on a sophomore album, Leave This Town. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
i hate American Idol, but i have to admit, this guy has some good stuff
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i like Daughtry but i would have to disagree with jjlk2008 i think Kelly Clarkson is the best of all the American Idol contestant's . b u t he's definitely one of the best.i like there new song No Surprise.
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he is truly the BEST of ALL the American Idol contestants- - he probably had to 'sing' a contract for a while, but I'm sure in time, he'll be able to do what he wants-
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while it's true songs like 'home' is very, very commercial, daughtry is one of the most original bands today. i've never heard ANY music like 'there and back again' and 'what i want' and 'crashed'. those songs are distinctly daughtry. now saliva's lack of originality would put me to sleep...zzz. . .
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Hey guys, good news! I discovered a cure if I am ever stricken with insomnia! Daughtry's lack of originality would put me to sleep faster than any prescription sleep medicine (without having to allow for eight hours of sleep!)
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~GoNnA BaSh YoUr BaNd ReAl BaD~! The fat kid from south park? Explains a lot.
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I usually don't like "poppy" stuff- but he does have a good sound- a decent voice DOES make a difference- hopefully he will be able to expand in the near future & not be a "puppet".... . & yeah, he IS kinda hot!!!....
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He has an amazing voice! Hope the label doesnt make him more POPPY in the future. Is the record label still MILKING his Debut album. If I were the label, I would've had him back in the studio to start a followup album.
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His voice is the best I ever heard. I thought the singer of Linkin Park was very good but he is soooo much better!
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they have a new song out.... its called No Surprise... its AMAZING!! i saw him in concert... he rocked!!
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awasme... what a voice! what a HUNK..the real American Handsome young MAN!!!!
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This man is beyonnnnnnnn d the hottest thing smokin. And his talent is absolutely amazing. He is so soulful and "real" with his lyrics.I am loving him and wishing him more major success with the second album.
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Saw him last night for the first time on American Idol, OMG is ever so fine, hot and awesome, he really rocks, and appears to be a nice guy, down to Earth type.
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I have no F**ckin clue what to say about him!
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I adore the lyrics and the melody and I just can't hear this song without singing I wish I was the angel that he wrote about
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I love listening to Chris Daughtry any time of the day. Whether I am happy or sad. I love listening to the amazing lyrics and he has such an amazing vocal voice. This whole band is just simply amazing.
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Daughtry continues to shine as one the best solo vocalists. You see, you don't have to be #1 in everything to get what you want, and Chris Daughtry proved that when he made his album. My aunt thinks his voice is so sexy! HA! Anyways, Daughtry will be one of those bands that come together to show audience what a band is truly made of, even if it means you come in second. BTW, love his song FEELS LIKE TONIGHT. Excellent lyrics with a good smooth rhythm. - BLUEBOY
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nice take on pop/rock fusion; it's more like the rock at the pop than the other way around, which is what you usually hear from a fusion like that.
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...No...not really my thing...has one good song that i really like but i cant remember the name of it.
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never herd of them bot like them there music has a meaning
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Daughtry's a pretty good band. Sounds like I've heard them before, but they're pretty good. Their debut album has some recycled songs that sound like everything else on the radio, but I'm sure given time, Daughtry will emerge with a sound that's their own.
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