I have not seen this article yet...Did we know that he used to sell vacuum cleaners door to door!? I didn't


http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/20389


With chart-topping album, Daughtry looks like a winner
people and celebrities

By SCOTT MERVIS
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Along with validating the obvious _ people love a talent show _ "American Idol" has proven that your mom was right: Winning isn't everything.

Last month, Jennifer Hudson, who didn't make the Top 5 on the show in 2004, walked to the podium to collect a supporting actress Oscar for "Dreamgirls."

Over in pop land, Chris Daughtry, the first one booted from the final four last year, hit the top of the charts with "Daughtry," which just became the fastest-selling debut in Soundscan history.

There was shock and controversy upon Daughtry's early exit from "American Idol," but none of that seems to matter now. The North Carolina rocker, a reject from "Rock Star: INXS" as well, was signed to RCA Records last July and now is on a sold-out tour with a smash album.

Rather than going the singer-songwriter route, he chose to form the band Daughtry _ as in Van Halen, Van Zant, Bon Jovi and Winger _ and cut a self-titled record that's been categorized as alternative rock but is really slickly produced mainstream rock in the same vein as Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Fuel and all the bands he really likes.

The album's success starts with the lead-off single, "It's Not Over," a tortured love song with muscular guitars and a forceful vocal from Daughtry, a guy with strong pipes and plenty of range. But it's not going to end there. "Daughtry" _ not one of those records that has an obligatory stringy ballad, a country song, an R&B tune, etc. _ is well-stocked with singles that could keep it hot all year.

He talks about his evolution and current tour:

Q: What size venues are you playing?

A: Anywhere from 300 to 800 people. We've done a couple shows that have had 1,500 to 2,500, but most of them are anywhere between. We wanted to have a small club tour and keep it up close and personal, more intimate on our first tour and just kind of get to see everyone in the crowd and hear them when they're yelling the songs back to us _ just a great vibe.

Q: Do you think you grew as a performer doing "Idol" in terms of knowing how to play to a crowd?

A: I think it definitely forced me to tighten up a little, because I was used to having four, five guys behind me on the stage, and we were just kind of feeding off each other. Then, when I was on the show I was up there by myself, so I had to force myself to try to be more entertaining.

Q: You were a guy playing in rock bands. What made you want to do "American Idol" in the first place?

A: Like I said before, I was playing small clubs here and there, just didn't have the audience. We had our set people that came to see us, and it just never expanded. And two of us had families, including myself, and we had jobs, so we just couldn't afford to get in the van and go out and tour and get our name out there, so I figured I'd take a chance, go on a big TV show and see what happens.

Q: When you were voted off, did you feel like dream was sort of over, at least for the time being?

A: Well, I was doing it for almost 10 years. And you get to a point where you feel like you're spinning wheels, and it's a little discouraging. You never know if it's actually going to happen for you and you just have to keep persevering if you feel that's what you're supposed to be doing in life _ just try to do anything to make it happen.

Q: When you started writing this record, how much creative freedom did you have?

A: They gave me so much creative control over this. There were definitely a lot of conversations with A&R and (producer) Howard Benson about what kind of songs we wanted on the record, but it was a really cool process.

Q: Unlike some of the "Idol" releases, this record seems like it knows what it wants to be. How did you make it this cohesive?

A: That was definitely the idea. We had a lot of songs we wrote for it that didn't make it because they weren't cohesive with the rest of the songs, so hopefully they will go on the next one. We just tried to come up with the best group of songs that go together, and I think we accomplished that.

Q: You're put in a company of groups like Nickelback and 3 Doors Down. Is that where you want to be?

A: Absolutely. I think it's quite an accomplishment and a compliment having that affiliation with successful groups. I think it's awesome.

Q: What made you call this Daughtry, as opposed to using your full name?

A: Well, I've never wanted to be a solo artist. I've always been in bands and coming off the show and having name recognition, I didn't want to call it something people wouldn't recognize. And so, I decided to pull a Bon Jovi and call it my last name and see if it caught on, and so far it has.

Q: People talk of "Idol" as instant stardom. Do you see it that way?

A: I don't see it as instant .... You definitely have to put your work in. And it doesn't matter how much you're on TV. If people don't want to hear you or don't like what you do, it's going to be tough. So you definitely have to make it happen for yourself, but it doesn't hurt to have that platform to use to get you there.

Q: What's been the best part of this for you?

A: Gosh, getting to do what I wanted to do and make a living at it. That's really all I can ask for.

Q: What had you been doing before this? Did you have regular jobs?

A: Oh, absolutely. I worked at a Honda dealership. Before that I worked at Rent-a-Center. Before that I sold vacuum cleaners door to door.

Q: Now, you're a family guy. How has this affected your family?

A: So far, it's still great. I talk to them every day, and I got to see my wife for the first time in three weeks last week. And I got to hang out with her and go skiing in Vail, Colo. We're just crazy about each other. This whole thing has gotten us closer together. My kids miss me; I miss them. Sometimes I call and try to get in touch with them before they go to bed so I can tuck them in over the phone. It's a determination to make it work.

(Scott Mervis can be reached at smervis(at)post-gazette.com)

ahhhhh thanks for posting this for us.

Thanks for sharing this article.

That was awesome---he's such an amazing husband, father & artist! Makes me love him more & more!
Can you imagine Chris showing up at your door to sell a vacuum??? WOW!