I am a fan (and you should be too), because...

There are many reasons why I love Daughtry and you should too. Some of the reasons are practical, and some of them very personal. While I admit to being more obsessive than the typical fan, I think their music has a lot to offer anyone.

I have been a big fan of Chris' voice since the beginning. His tone and aggressive vocal qualities pulled me in while the expressiveness and emotion he imparts locked me up for good. The real question I was awaiting an answer to was: what would his musical direction be? Well, I can happily announce that I am not disappointed. I ran out on the release date to buy the debut DAUGHTRY album, and what I found was a musical masterpiece. Chris managed to resist the temptation of going over the top too hard and heavy but instead laced the album with melody and emotion. With songs like "Home", and "Feels Like Tonight", we are treated to beautiful arrangements with hooks that will keep you singing the songs long after your MP3 player is outdated and needs replaced. Don't be mistaken- in just the right places the album still rocks, and rocks hard! The production quality is fantastic and wraps the album up in a nice tight, consistent package, worthy of being called a "complete work".

When it was announced that DAUGHTRY would be kicking their tour off in Anaheim, I just couldn't resist. Only a six hour drive from where I live in Phoenix, Arizona! After a couple hours wait in line Chris poked his head around the corner to greet a few people who had waited the longest. I barely missed him but caught Jeremy to give something to Chris for me. You can't imagine how I DIED when Chris called my house to thank me- AND I WASN'T HOME!! My mother in law got the call of MY life! (imagine being the woman who called in sick to work the day Elvis Presley's car broke down in front of your office and he came in to use the phone!) I was devastated!! But I still get to see him again in Phoenix. The band is incredible live! Chris did a fantastic job of surrounding himself with musicians that complement his style and sound. The "J-CREW" (Joey, Josh, Jeremy and JPC) are extremely competent musicians who take a cue from Chris and put their egos in their back pockets and play with attention to the SONG rather than an over the top instrumental display. Live, they truly do the album Justice. (And Jeremy, my husband and I had a great time chatting with you in Anaheim, good luck, we'll miss you!)

On a more personal note, I feel a special connection to Chris and his family. Chris is a hero. He is a hero to me and a hero to his family. His story touched me early on. His wife wanted so badly for his dreams to be fulfilled. She must have felt like he gave up a shot at being a star to be a husband and father to her and her children. I know how she feels. I was a young single mother of two young boys looking at a possible future alone. I usually considered myself not really worthy of a quality partner. My husband swooped in and became the man of MY dreams when he looked beyond my past and gave up what I think could have been an easier future to be a family with us. I have my hero, and I KNOW Chris is a hero to his lucky wife.

If you have read this far I don't think you could help but respect Chris Daughtry as a man, a musician and a father. All it will take to make you a full fledged fan- is to pick up a copy of his new album and give it a listen!