I have been a huge music fan all my life. I cut my teeth on Elvis,came of age with Motown,the Beatles and Rolling Stones and moved into adulthood with the classic rock of Led Zeppelin, the Who, the Moody Blues and Elton John. But a funny thing happened on the way beyond my twenties. My love of and appreciation for good rock music never changed and I embraced the Grunge and Alt-Rock bands of the 90s and beyond. Believe it or not, Incubus, STP, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown and Nickelback are currently on my ipod. Which brings me to Chris Daughtry. Although I had watched American idol from time to time, I never got too involved with it, as it didn't really appeal to my taste in music. BUT something happened during season 5. I received a phone call from a good friend who said these words: "You have GOT to see and hear this guy." The guy was Chris Daughtry and what I saw, thanks to Tivo, was the audition scene. Needless to say, I was hooked. Every week was an event for me. And I began to see Chris as the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel", a reward waiting beyond the group songs and theme nights. There are times in life that are cemented in your memory as pivotal moments that represent the beginning of something phenomenal. For me, Chris singing Hemmorhage was one of those moments. I realized that no matter what happened on that TV show, Chris was destined for success. Too much talent, too much integrity, too much heart and soul to ever be anything less. The creation of Daughtry, the band, can be considered a perfect ending to the story. But it's really just beginning.
Daughtry has given me so much more than just great music. The list would also include: 1..Respect....As a woman, I can listen to every song without being offended. As a fan, I really feel appreciated by their acknowlegements and gratitude. And my respect for them, personally and professionally, continues to grow.
2..New friends...The absolute BEST fan base ever has allowed me to meet so many good people and enjoy a shared passion for anything and everything Daughtry!
3..Good health and a better body....Obviously, the music of Daughtry lifts my spirits, soothes my frazzled nerves when I need it the most, and keeps the endorphins high. But when I'm working out at the gym and I'm approaching the challenge of those last few reps (those of you who weight train know exactly what I mean!), there's nothing like the pump and energy of What I Want and There and Back Again to help push you past the wall of fatigue. Powerful feeling, believe me. So you can fire the personal trainer. Just make sure Daughtry is on your gym playlist!
4..A reaffirmation that good guys CAN finish first and remain good guys!
5..A live show that is more fun than a barrel full of Rainbow Butt Monkeys! Thanks to Chris for that visual!
Listen to the music of Daughtry and, better still, try your damnedest to see them live in concert. Adrenaline rush with a capital A! I guarantee that the CD will never leave your player and before long you will know every word to every song. And I can say "I told you so. See what happens when you listen to an old rock chick!"