Daughtry
Daughtry performing in Nokia Theatre Times Square in NYC 12-5-07
Background information
Origin	McLeansville, North Carolina, United States
Genre(s)	Alternative rock[1] Post-grunge[2] Hard rock[1][3] Pop rock[4][5]
Years active	2006 - present
Label(s)	Sony BMG/19 Recordings/RCA
Associated acts	Cinder Road, Day of Fire, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Seether, Sevendust, Shinedown, Slash, Theory of a Deadman, 12 Stones, 3 Doors Down
Website	Official site
Members
Chris Daughtry Josh Steely Josh "JP" Paul Joey Barnes Brian Craddock
Former members
Jeremy Brady

Daughtry (IPA: /„do-tri“/^[6]) is a rock band from North Carolina, formed by former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry in 2006. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2006. The disc reached number one for two non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, outsold Idol winner Taylor Hicks' debut effort, sold more than four million copies and was named the number one selling album of 2007 by Billboard. Their album is also the fastest-selling debut rock album in Soundscan history.^[7] The first single from the album, "It's Not Over", was the eighth most played song across all formats on U.S. radio in 2007, and their second single from the album, "Home", was the tenth most played song in the U.S. of 2007.^[8]

History

2006: American Idol and Debut

Former American Idol season 5 fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry stated that he would form a new band after turning down Fuel's offer to make him their lead singer.^[9] On July 10, 2006 it was announced that Chris had signed with 19 Entertainment and RCA Records, which holds contracts with fellow American Idol finalists Kelly Clarkson and Kellie Pickler.

Chris is a singer-songwriter himself and has collaborated with several other songwriters, such as Live's Ed Kowalczyk, Fuel's Carl Bell, 3 Doors Down's Brad Arnold, Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas, SR-71's Mitch Allan,^[10] Shinedown's Brent Smith, and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger.

Chris and members of his label held auditions for the band DAUGHTRY and chose 5 members for the band: Jeremy Brady, 21, a guitarist and at this point no longer in the band; Josh Steely, 36, as lead guitarist; Josh Paul, 29, as bassist who also played for Suicidal Tendencies; Joey Barnes, 30, as drummer, who also sang for Suicide Darlings. Two of the band members hail from North Carolina - Joey, whom Chris had known for some time, and Jeremy, who was introduced to him a month before the audition. Steely and Paul are both from California.^[11] The decision was made to name the band "Daughtry" in order to keep name recognition. In an interview, Chris said, "We could have came out with a really obscure name, but coming from a TV show and having name recognition, it was easier just to go with my last name."

The band's self-titled debut album was produced by Howard Benson and was released by 19 Entertainment and RCA Records on November 21, 2006. Chris played a big part in the album, particularly in songwriting. He had a part in writing/cowriting all but two songs on the album (Feels Like Tonight and What About Now). Chris fully wrote Home, Breakdown and Gone. ^[10] Hit writers Dr. Luke and Max Martin contributed to the album. Session drummer Josh Freese played drums on all the tracks for the album. The album's first single, "It's Not Over", debuted on the radio on December 6, 2006, after being delayed from a planned September release.^[10] The song was an instant success, shooting up the Billboard Hot 100 reaching #4 and hitting the top 3 in several other charts.

2007 - 2008: Continued Success

Jeremy Brady's departure from Daughtry was announced on January 26, 2007. Soon after, Brian Craddock, 31, from Virginia, became the band's rythym guitarist. In interviews, Chris and Brian have discussed having known each other when Chris was still a member of Absent Element.^[12]

The second single from the album, "Home" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, after debuting at #83 weeks ahead of its official release to radio. The song was also the official "kick off" song on sixth season of American Idol, played after a contestant was voted off the show, also the case during season 5 of Australian Idol. The Brazilian version of Idol, called Ídolos Brazil, used this song as well in its second season.

The album's third single, "What I Want", was released to rock radio on April 23, 2007. The song features Slash on lead guitars. It has peaked at number 6 on the rock charts. The song was announced to be a playable song on Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS.

Their song "There and Back Again" is the official theme song for WWE Backlash 2007.

On MySpace, Daughtry is on page 8 on the most played artists with plays over 29 Million

Their debut album was certified Triple Platinum on June 21, 2007. It has since reached Quadruple Platinum.

The band's fourth single "Over You" was released July 24, 2007. The band performed this single live on Good Morning America on June 1, 2007.^[13]

"Crashed", the album's fifth single, was released to rock stations on September 10, 2007. It has also been used in a commercial for LEGO Bionicles. The song was also performed on the Pre-Race show on ABC for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Chevy Rock and Roll 400.

DAUGHTRY has appeared on Now that's what I call music 4 times, with the songs It's Not Over, Home, Over You & Feels Like Tonight.

The band were nominated for 4 Grammy Awards in 2008, in these categories: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

The album's sixth single, "Feels Like Tonight", was released on January 8, 2008. The video debuted in January and the song was used for the 2007 WWE Tribute to the Troops.

It took Daughtry 81 weeks to get out of the top 50 on the billboard 200.

According to billboard.com, Daughtry has had 20 #1 hits around the world.

Billboard single reviews editor Chuck Taylor wrote about single "What About Now" in June 2008: "Boy, this guy means business. Chris Daughtry has scored five top 10 hits at top 40, rock and adult top 40 since 2006, including two among the five biggest "American Idol" finalist hits ever (both Grammy Award-nominated): "Home," with 11 No. 1 weeks at AC, and "It's Not Over," with nine atop adult top 40. "What About Now" is yet another overachieving rock ballad with a savvy lyric about saving a troubled relationship, co-written by Ben Moody. Daughtry's dexterous voice is ever recognizable, while production from rock hero Howard Benson masterfully blends a blast of guitars and percussion with a slick, runaway hook. "Idol" aligned Daughtry with the industry's best, but it's hard to imagine he wouldn't have found notoriety on his own. If this keeps up, the association with "AI" will be a mere footnote."

On the 95th week, DAUGHTRY returned to the Top 40.

2008 - 2009: Second Album

Entertainment Weekly announced Chris Daughtry is set to release his second album in Spring 2009, and announced that it's going to be a very big rock album. Chris has also stated that the band has been writing and recording.

Chris Daughtry has annouced he has written over 30 new songs for his album, and is working with Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic^[14]

According to his official site, A Deluxe edition of Daughtry's self-titled album will be released on September 9th.

Along with the original CD, this expanded CD/DVD package will feature four bonus tracks, including acoustic versions of "What About Now," "It's Not Over," and "Home," plus a cover of Foreigner's "Feels Like the First Time". The DVD will contain all five of Daughtry's music videos, two rarely seen live clips, and exclusive on the road footage.

Tour

The band has been touring non-stop since January 2007. They have performed across the U.S. and Canada, along with shows in the UK, Germany, and Singapore. They opened for Nickelback for a brief stint, Puddle of Mudd, and Finger Eleven and have featured 12 Stones, Cinder Road and Eve To Adam as opening acts. On May 27, 2007, the band performed during the Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race show on ABC, and headlined the 2007 Summerfest at the Marcus amphitheater in Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of more than 15,000 on July 6.

Their upcoming fall dates include performing in Rockford, Illinois after a brief stint at Carthage College of Kenosha, Wisconsin. They also played shows in Australia, England and across Europe for the first time and opened for Bon Jovi for several shows in November. They were featured as the opening act during Bon Jovi's "Lost Highway" Tour. The band began a sold out tour with Bon Jovi on February 18, 2008 all the way through the end of April. Chris even joined Bon Jovi on stage to share lead vocals with Jon during the song "Blaze of Glory". Some of the biggest purses for the Bon Jovi/Daughtry shows have made over 4 million dollars. Daughtry's tour alone in 2007 raked in some 10 million dollars in the shows they headlined.

Currently, the band has started performing new songs that Chris has written with big names such as Rob Thomas ("You're In My Hands"). Some of these songs are "Where You're Standing", "Back to Me","You Don't Belong" and "Long Way". These songs may or may not be on the second album.

They were guests at the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

Band members

Current members

• Chris Daughtry - lead vocals, guitar (2006-present)
• Josh Steely - lead guitar (2006-present)
• Brian Craddock - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2007-present)
• Josh "JP" Paul - bass guitar, backing vocals (2006-present)
• Joey Barnes - drums, percussion, backing vocals, keyboard (2006-present)

Former members

• Jeremy Brady - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2006-2007)

Session musicians

• Phil X - lead & rhythm guitars on Daughtry
• Slash - lead & rhythm guitars on Daughtry ["What I Want"]
• Howard Benson - keyboards on Daughtry
• Paul Bushnell - bass on Daughtry
• Chris Chaney - bass on Daughtry
• Josh Freese - drums, percussion on Daughtry

Discography

Main article: Daughtry discography

Albums

Singles

• ^* Still active on the charts.
• ^{^} Future single, not yet released.
• ¹ "It's Not Over" also peaked at number 17 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart.
• ² "Home" also peaked at number 12 on the Hot Christian Songs Chart.
• ³ Was only released to rock radio formats, not as a physical or mainstream single.

Miscellaneous

Album appearances

Awards

50th Annual Grammy Awards (Nominations)

• Best Rock Album (Album: Daughtry)
• Best Rock Song (Song: It's Not Over)
• Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal (Song: Home)
• Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (Song: It's Not Over)

2007 American Music Awards (winner)

• Breakthrough Artist
• Best Adult Contemporary Artist*
• Best Pop/Rock Album

People Choice Awards (winner)

• Best Rock Song for "Home"

2007 Billboard Music Awards (winner)

• Top Billboard 200 Album
• Top Artists - Duo/Group (Pop)
• Top New Artist
• Top Comprehensive Artist
• Hot 100 Artists - Duo/Group
• Hot Adult Top 40 Artist

2007 World Music Awards (winner)

• Worlds Best Selling Rock Group Of 2007
• Worlds Best Selling New Artist Of 2007

External links

• DaughtryOfficial.com - Official site
• DaughtryVIPExperience.com - Official VIP Site
• Daughtry @ 19 Entertainment
• Daughtry live set at Spanking New Sessions
• Daughtry Interview 2007 on ilikemusic.com
• Over You Performance on GMA
• Home Performance on GMA
• Soundfires.com review of 'Home'
• Daughtry at MySpace
• Daughtry on LyricWiki

References