'American Idol' Rock Sensation Chris Daughtry Signs With 19 Recordings/RCA Records

NEW YORK (RCA Records) - Chris Daughtry, who impressed millions of viewers with his rock prowess week after week during season five of "American Idol" by performing classic songs like "Hemorrhage In My Hands" by Fuel, "Broken" by Seether and "Innuendo" by Queen, has been signed to 19 Recordings/RCA Records.

The North Carolina native will form a band and has already begun to work with A list collaborators to record self and co/written songs. The release is expected in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Daughtry has already scored a hit single on Billboard's Hot 100. His version of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive" was the highest-charting song from a season five contestant when it debuted at No. 43. Daughtry also was the highest-charting season finalist on the Hot Digital Tracks chart when the song debuted at No. 16. The song is still the most downloaded by a finalist from this season's show, with more than 69,000 downloads sold to date.

America was shocked when Daughtry was voted off "American Idol" in fourth place, as many had predicted he would go all the way. Pundits have speculated that fans were so convinced Chris was going to win, they were complacent about voting for him. Whatever the reason, Daughtry's bright future is assured with the forthcoming release of his debut album for 19 Recordings/RCA Records.