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 (Ã 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.
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