Chris Daughtry Enlists Fuel Guitarist, Rob Thomas And Others For Debut Album

Losing in the latest American Idol competition hasn't stopped 26-year-old Chris Daughtry in his quest for stardom.

The North Carolina-bred singer's as-yet-untitled debut album is scheduled to hit stores on November 21. Daughtry recently passed up an opportunity to become the new lead singer of Fuel and instead signed with 19 Recordings/RCA Records, which will release his disc. Though he turned down the Fuel gig, Daughtry was able to snag the band's guitarist, Carl Bell, to play on the album.

Other guest collaborators include Three Doors Down singer Brad Arnold, SR-7 singer Mitch Allan and Rob Thomas, who Daughtry cites as his favourite male artist (Idol winner Kelly Clarkson being his favourite female). The album is being produced by Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All-American Rejects).

"I'm writing on my own, as well as getting together with some great artists and songwriters who I've always respected and who have expressed an interest in collaborating with me," Daughtry said in a statement. "It's been thrilling to approach this album as a new canvas, with the experience of the show and such an incredible year to draw on."

Daughtry is forming a band to play on the album and to back him onstage. The group will be named Daughtry.

Various conspiracy theories floated around the internet when Daughtry finished fourth in American Idol. While numerous hypotheses revolved around phone problems, one common explanation was that fans were so sure of his safety that they didn't bother voting for him. Several fans even started a petition protesting Daughtry's elimination and asking that he be reinstated in the competition.

Daughtry is currently on the American Idols Live tour.