Chris Daughtry releases his sophomore album and makes American Idol history

On July 14, Chris Daughtry and his band “Daughtry” (real original, right?) released their second album titled Leave This Town. The album skyrocketed up the charts, debuting in the number one position on the Billboard Top 200. Daughtry is the first American Idol contestants to ever have two albums debut at number one back to back. Kelly Clarkson has also released two albums debuting at number one, but they weren’t back to back. Her second and third album released both skyrocketed to the top of the charts (and stayed there for a while) but her first and third album were unable to do so. The funny part about it all? Chris Daughtry didn’t even win. He wasn’t even the runner up contestant... Chris Daughtry finished his American Idol journey at number five in the spring of 2006.

But don’t count Chris Daughtry as the only successful non-American Idol winner (or even runner up for that matter) from their season. In season five alone, four other contestants that didn’t make it past the top three have gone on to become major successes in different genres. Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington (both current Nashville residents) have had several hit singles in the country music industry, while Elliot Yamin released his second album in February of this year. Coming in at eleveth place didn’t stop Kevin Covais, Chicken Little, from pursing his career. Kevin is now working as an actor in California, staring alongside Drake Bell in College and Labor Pains with Lindsay Lohan. With such a talented group of contestants, one would think that the winner would be having huge success right about now. So who is it? Kelly Clarkson? Carrie Underwood? No. The winner of season five of American Idol is none other than... Taylor Hicks. So where is he now? On March 10, 2009, Hicks released his second solo album. It debuted at number 58 (it’s highest position to date) on the Billboard 200 and sold a total of 37,000 albums to date. Ouch.