DAUGHTRY GOES 2X PLATINUM, UNDERWOOD 5X PLATINUM PROVES IDOL SELLS

The new album by rocker Chris Daughtry has gone double platinum for sales of two million records and the Country darling Carrie Underwood album has gone five-times platinum for five million copies, cementing that Idol can sell format driven music.

Paula Abdul says talked about the success of Daughtry and the success American Idol has brought its contestants.

“Chris Daughtry is a star. He’s a star and you can’t deny it. I’m blessed to be a part of American Idol. I always did know that it was going to be successful. I was the one who did say that it would be huge. Running camps and competitions for dancers and cheerleaders, I knew that families will forego going out to dinner and do anything to help their kids succeed, and so I knew it was going to be big.”

Carrie Underwood was voted Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, and was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Jesus Take The Wheel,” said backstage that she’s a big believer in the power of American Idol.

“Well there’s absolutely no doubt that American Idol is the reason I’m here. You know I grew up in a small town where I really loved to sing, and I thought it would be awesome. I just didn’t know how to go about doing that. I tried to get people to listen to me, and pay attention to me and it just never happened and through American Idol the doors open. So I’d throw out there to everybody seeking advice: Try every avenue. It certainly worked for me. It worked for a lot of other people too, so…”

With every success like Daughtry, Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson, there have been disappontments like Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks. Daughtry is currently on the road until April 19 on this leg of tour dates. He will be touring the country extensively for the rest of 2007 in support of Daughtry.