Idol' Rocker Chris Daughtry to Begin Recording Debut Album
Chris Daughtry, whose sturdy rock presence and distinctive vocal style won the hearts and minds of "American Idol Season 5" fans across the globe, has begun working on his much anticipated debut album. Expected to hit stores on November 21, the new disc, released by 19 Recordings/RCA Records, is purportedly drenched with the same cutting-edge attitude and startling rock immediacy that made Daughtry a household name. Noted rock producer Howard Benson (All American Rejects, Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, Hoobastank) will helm the CD, with Daughtry writing his own songs, as well as being joined by a slew of high profile artists in fertile writing sessions for the album, including Brad Arnold (Three Doors Down), Carl Bell (Fuel), Mitch Allan (SR-71), and Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), among others. The popular vocalist is also putting together a band, to be called Daughtry, with a brand new website in the works http://www.daughtryofficial.com/. (<-- we were right! hahahaha)

It was Daughtry's stirring live versions of Fuel's "Hemorrhage In My Hands," and Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive," that were cited as highlights of the show's past season, with the latter song, culled from the American Idol Season 5 compilation, scoring big on Billboard's singles and digital chart. The multi-talented singer/songwriter promises to mine the rock vein even more on his debut release. "I'm writing on my own, as well as getting together with some great artists and songwriters who I've always respected and who have expressed an interest in collaborating with me," says the North Carolina native. "It's been thrilling to approach this album as a new canvas, with the experience of the show and such an incredible year to draw on."

Daughtry's reign as one of American Idol's most popular non-winners (his controversial 4th place finish in season 5 was one of the most hotly contested 'Idol' votes in the show's history) has not waned. He's fast become the most acclaimed figure on the current "American Idols Live! Tour 2006", drawing raves from E!Online: 'Chris Daughtry has received near-universal praise. One of the trek's biggest attractions ... ', as well as EW.com: 'Daughtry may be poised for the biggest post-Idol career ... '. The hectic grind of the season 5 juggernaut, scheduled to run through September, has left little room for R&R for the tireless singer, as he fills his off-days with both writing and pre-production sessions.

With full-blown recording sessions lined up for the end of August, Daughtry has had to put his combustible talent into overdrive: "It's been crazy but rewarding," says the charismatic artist. The first single, still under-wraps by the record label, is slated to hit radio in late September.

Five Quick Questions with Howard Benson
By Jeff Anderson | August 2006

EQ: How do you pick the band that you want to work with? What’s your first step?

HB: I usually look for two things: “Star quality” and vocals. As long as the songs are mostly there, I can deal with them — but the thing that I cannot fix is the “star.”

EQ: How much time do you spend on a rough mix?

HB: Tons. I do most of the rough mixes in the box — which I consider the most important part of the record. I sometimes spend days working on them.

EQ: You work a lot with Pro Tools. When using it, are you making verses and choruses to put together, or are you taking the traditional approach?

HB: It varies. Sometimes it’s very traditional — I use it like a tape machine. But then some songs have to be moved around a lot. Most people don’t understand why their mixes don’t sound good, why things don’t match up when they come back to record at another time, why things are out of phase. Pro Tools is a very deceiving piece of equipment; unless you really understand what’s going on there, in a very fundamental way, you’re screwed.

EQ: When you’re producing, how much psychology are you using to get the take you need?

HB: A lot. For example, people always ask what was going on during that vocal performance on Hoobastank’s “The Reason.” Honestly, the Lakers were in the playoffs, and Doug is a huge sports fan. Every time we would stop the tape I would tell him the score. That’s what we were talking about; we weren’t talking about the song at all. In some ways, that’s the thing to do. When you’re so focused on the song, you can make it melodramatic. It’s not like “The Reason,” all this kind of like goopy stuff where if he starts overstating it, it sounds really bad. I use this a lot on my singers: “hey, just sound bored.” Sometimes that will keep the edge off of the vocals.

EQ: How do you get that perfect take?

HB: You have to let it come to you. You’ve got to be open to let it hit you. Sitting there trying to change things constantly sort of defeats the purpose. Look, you need to put in the work, but there’s some magic that has to happen in the studio. Sometimes people listen to “Helena” from My Chemical Romance or the Rejects’ “Move Along” and ask me “how did you do it?” I don’t really know — I just do it.

Chris Daughtry Finds Time For Debut
American Idol Season 5 Finalist Writing Songs While On Tour

(CBS) Even though "American Idol Season 5" finalist Chris Daughtry is out on tour with other members of the show's Top 12, he's already begun work on his debut album. The good-looking rocker, who finished in fourth place, is spending his free moments in writing and pre-production sessions.

Daughtry is writing songs on his own and with other songwriters, including Brad Arnold of Three Doors Down, Carl Bell of Fuel and Rob Thomas. "I'm writing on my own as well as getting together with some great artists and songwriters who I've always respected and who have expressed an interest in collaborating with me," the North Carolina native said in a statement Wednesday.

The album is being produced by Howard Benson, known for his work with All American Rejects, Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance and Hoobastank. It's expected to hit stores on Nov. 21.

Like the "American Idol" winners and several other finalists, Daughtry is signed to 19 Recordings, which is owned by the show's producers, 19 Entertainment.

Daughtry will be on the "American Idols Live! Tour 2006" until September. He'll be putting together a band titled, simply, "Daughtry" and is working on a new Web site to be launched at a later date.

Oh Karen!!!! Thanks for posting such great news!!!!!!!! I'm in Chrisheaven

Hope you get a M & G for your concert!!!!

Once again, Karen, you are keeping us up to date with the latest Chris news. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!

Chris Daughtry Drafts Fuel Guitarist, My Chemical Romance Producer For LP

08.16.2006 5:00 PM EDT

'Idol' finalist forming Daughtry band to back him up onstage.

Chris Daughtry turned down an offer to front Fuel, but that's not stopping him from drafting the band's guitarist to work on his major-label debut.

Fuel's Carl Bell is on a list of rockers that includes Rob Thomas, Three Doors Down singer Brad Arnold and SR-7 singer — and Bo Bice collaborator — Mitch Allan, who are writing tunes with the "American Idol" finalist for his forthcoming LP (see " 'American Idol' Rocker Chris Daughtry Signs Record Deal").

"I'm writing on my own, as well as getting together with some great artists and songwriters who I've always respected and who have expressed an interest in collaborating with me," Daughtry said in a statement. "It's been thrilling to approach this album as a new canvas, with the experience of the show and such an incredible year to draw on."

Unlike the albums from other "Idol" finalists, Daughtry's debut will be helmed by one producer — in this case Howard Benson, whose credits include All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance and Papa Roach.

Chris is also forming a band to play on the album and back him onstage. The group will take on his surname (à la Bon Jovi) and be called Daughtry. The as-yet-untitled album is due November 21, with the first single hitting radio in late September.

Daughtry is on the American Idols Live tour through September 24 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, but is writing and recording on off-days.

"It's been crazy but rewarding," he said.

So far, the only track Daughtry has recorded — a rendition of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" for the "Idol" compilation (see "Forget The Competition — 'Idol' Top 12 Unite For 'Encore' Comp") — debuted at #43 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #16 on Billboard's Hot Digital Tracks.

Get "Idol"-ized on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

— Corey Moss

i just heard the news on the radio, but they said that he is dropping his band absent element n starting a new band, Daughtry. i personally think that's f*#ked up, i think he should have stayed with the band. it just kinda looks like he's forgetting the lil' people now that he's becoming a big star, i mean dont get me wrong i cant wait for the CD, but i just thought he was going to stay with his band, oh well........

maybe they're just talking about dropping the name "absent element" (not necessarily the band members) and creating a new (name) one called "daughtry"? either way, i don't think any of these is in Chris' hands. if he can make his own choice, it would've been AE but its the management who gets to decide who the band members are (through an "audition"). so, they can even have Timbaland or R. Kelly on his band and Chris can't do anything about it.