'American Idol' contender Daughtry is on top now

The biggest-selling rock act in recent memory is about to hit town, and it's not even Nickelback, Kings of Leon or Green Day.

Daughtry, fronted by "American Idol" Season 5 competitor Chris Daughtry, holds that distinction thanks to its self-titled 2006 CD, which includes the hits "It's Not Over" and "Home." It was the top rock release two years in a row and the fastest-selling rock debut since Soundscan began tracking sales.

"That was never a thought in my mind," Daughtry says of his album's success. "I just wanted to put out the best thing I could."

Quite the feat for someone who placed after Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin on "Idol."

Daughtry says he had no idea he was creating a blockbuster when he hurriedly recorded "Daughtry" after getting voted off the show and touring with that season's finalists.

Its success might be even more surprising because, because of time constraints, Daughtry had to record it not with his band, but with studio musicians who could get the job done quickly.

"We had deadlines to meet," he says. "Bam bam bam, we had to get it done, and it was what it was."

He says his show is fuller now that the band has two CDs under its belt, including the new "Leave This Town."

"It's been awesome," Daughtry says. "We're playing to packed houses every night, and it's been a lot of fun. It's definitely a rock show."

Daughtry says he and the band considered more than 70 songs before picking the ones that made it onto "Leave This Town."

"We weren't really sure what we wanted to say or do," he says. "We just wrote and wrote and kind of figured out where the songs were going and what they were saying."

The track "September" most influenced the rest of the CD, he says.

"That song is very personal for me," Daughtry says.

"It's about growing up in a small town, basically from then to now. It just brings up a lot of memories, and it was a standout in the writing process."

Though "Leave This Town" is the first Daughtry album recorded with Daughtry's band, he says the two albums aren't markedly different.

"The first album was my vision as well," he says. "It wasn't like a sound was being created for me. I knew what I wanted."

But having his band backing him added extra flavor to the record.

"It's got some different sounds that the first record didn't have, and a lot of that is (because ) everybody in the band did some writing, so different influences came into play," he says.

"It's more well-rounded, but it's still Daughtry."

Daughtry tour dates

l 7:30 p.m. April 23, Idaho Center, Nampa

l 7:30 p.m. May 9, Wamu Theater, Qwest Field Event Center, Seattle

l 7:30 p.m. May 10, Yakima Valley Sundome

Ticket information: www.daughtrytour.net.