Interesting article on Chris Daughtry: Daughtry to use ‘Idol’ as launchpad May 11, 2006 By STEVE HARTSOE / Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C.  Chris Daughtry plans to parlay “American Idol’s” boot off the show into a launch pad for the music career he’s dreamed about his entire life. “There’s gonna be a flooding of opportunities, I can’t really talk about them,” the 26-year-old told reporters Thursday, one day after viewers shocked just about everyone and voted him off the TV talent show. “I’m going to use this to launch my career.” Daughtry, who dreamed of becoming a rock star while working in the service department at a Greensboro car dealership, said he’s considering whether to pursue fronting an established rock band or launching a solo career. “I’m a songwriter myself,” he said. “To be able to launch my own career would be a dream” come true. The buzz around Daughtry for weeks has been that he could end up as lead singer with the band Fuel. He performed the band’s song “Hemorrhage” on a recent “Idol” show, and the Web site for the TV show “Extra” said its show Thursday night will have a famous band offering Daughtry a job. Daughtry was coy with reporters when asked during a conference call about a possible big-name offer. “Does it start with an F?” he asked a reporter who said she knows which band is behind the offer. His wife, Deanna Daughtry, said she’s not sure which option he should pursue, but either way music is all he’s ever wanted to do. “He’s got a lot on him and hopefully he’ll have a lot of wisdom there,” she said. “The public forgets so fast about those idols once they get off the show. I just hope they don’t forget about Chris.” Daughtry, who said he still planned to make North Carolina his home, shunned “American Idol’s” standard pop tunes for his own energetic style. Many observers thought the shaved-head rocker from McLeansville would win this year’s competition. Instead, the night after performing two Elvis Presley songs, Daughtry and fellow contestant Katharine McPhee, 21, had the next-lowest vote total out of four contestants. McPhee forgot some of the lyrics in her “Hound Dog/All Shook Up” medley on Tuesday’s program. Daughtry performed “Suspicious Minds” and drew strong reviews from judges. Paula Abdul said, “See ya in the finals.” Judge Simon Cowell said his second song – a rendition of “A Little Less Conversation” – was “flat” and not as good as the first performance. Daughtry, who said he doesn’t regret anything he did on the show, said he was shocked to get voted off because so many people had picked him to win – which may have kept his fans from casting votes. “They didn’t have to vote as hard, and I think that was the downfall, in my opinion,” he said, refusing to critique the other three finalists. “It was definitely a gut-wrenching moment and I was not expecting it, even a little bit.” Some fans around his hometown fear their votes were mistakenly credited to one of the other contestants because they’d get the other hopeful’s voice thanking them for the call instead of Daughtry’s, family friend Tracey Adams said. “I just feel like something went wrong,” said Adams, who has helped sell Daughtry T-shirts. “We are getting calls from all over the country. People saying, ‘I’m never going to watch it again, it’s rigged.’ ” One music industry expert said it definitely shouldn’t be the end for Daughtry, who has a great opportunity to cash in as a solo artist because of the equity he’s built on the show. “I think he should definitely pursue that at this point,” said Jeff Walker, president of AristoMedia, a Nashville-based company that develops and promotes music artists. “He’s got a lot of people that like him.”
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Chris should have won. Just like Simon says, if you want to see a Taylor Hicks go watch some drunk on kareoke night at your local tavern.
Let’s look at this logically. Katherine is beautiful, no doubt, but after her horrendous last 2 week performances why in the world is she still there? Is this American Idol or Miss America? On the other side there is Elliott. Why would someone who wants to be an American Idol not do something about his looks. Elliott please get your rat teeth fixed, and maybe you won’t lisp when you sing. I think the judges are feeling sorry for him. He butchered Elvis’ bad boy classic “Trouble” yet they still praised him?
Then there’s Taylor. Why is he still there? Could we please take a poll to find out if anyone voting for him has ever watched drunken kareoke? Obviously since they think he’s so great they have not witnessed scores of Taylors at the local bars. If he wins there’s hope for all those kareoking their hearts out and dancing in an alcoholic spasm. I think Taylor is embarassing. Another poll–would anyone voting for him truly buy any album he put out? No, his voice is honestly not that good.
So why was the person with the looks and the voice voted off?
It makes no sense, and watching American Idol the rest of the season makes no sense either. Who cares.
I truly believe Taylor has an awesome voice, an awesome love of music and all it offers, and he’s genuinely entertaining. I voted for him and I’ll vote for him again!
I agree with Steve!! Goodbye to you American Idol! You will not get any of my attention the next 3 weeks! American Idol really dissapointed me! Not sure whether I will watch it next year either! I havent heard anyone say that Chris should have been voted off! American Idol judges I think maybe you should start lookin in the classifieds for a new job.
Steve has no idea beyond his interest in Chris and what a versatile performer is. Teeth is a very minor consideration if you want to sell records to a variety of record buyers. That can probably be done in a day. I agree it may not have been Chris’s time but Elliott has appeal to a wider audience.
It’s been four days since the shock and disbelief of Chris Daughtry being bumped off of American Idol and I’m still having trouble accepting how it happened. It is a flawed process that results in such an obvious talent as Chris being dropped from the contest. He is clearly the best talent American Idol has had recently and his dismissal was unfair and unjust. My interest in this American Idol and all future contests came to an end last Wedneday. I will no longer waste my time following a show that is so flawed. Chris is already a winner with me and I can hardly wait to buy his first CD.
Why r u all being soo mean to elliot?? atleast he’s better than u lot! fine i agree that he doesnt quite have the looks but that doesnt mean u can make fun of him!!!! lay of him!!
Elliot looks like the goat boy from narnia…. definately not and American Idol…….
I personally like goat boys from Narnia. They’re pretty hot.
HOLY CRAP!!! I kept wondering why Elliott looked familar!!! You are soooooo right. He’s is the goat boy from narnia!!!!!!
But, I have to agree with kat. . they are kinda hot. . in a dirty sort of way
i try to find something at google.com and take it on your site…thanks
I can’t wait until the cd’s come out!!! I’m so gonna buy Kat’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!