Chris Daughtry arrives at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009

Credit: AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Daughtry, whose self-titled debut album was the top-selling CD of 2007, is "half-way done" recording its sophomore album, according to the band's namesake, Chris Daughtry.

Hitfix caught up with Daughtry (the man, not the band) at Clive Davis's pre-Grammy party.

The album reunites the band with producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All-American Rejects), who helmed "Daughtry." That album, released in 2006, spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 and spawned hit after hit: "It's Not Over," "Home," "Over You" and "What About Now."

Daughtry has written with a number of high-profile collaborators, including Richard Marx and Nickelback's Chad Kroger. Daughtry and Nickelback toured together in 2007 and performed together at Davis's Grammy party last year.
" I've gotten to write with Richard Marx and Chad Kroeger together," Daughtry says, fairly glowing. His excitement is understandable considering that in less than three years he's gone from unknown to "American Idol" finalist (Taylor Hicks was that season's winner) to writing with artists he used to only hear on the radio.

Daughtry is also writing with his band mates-bassist Josh Paul, drummer Joey Barnes, guitarist Brian Craddock and guitarist Josh Steely. "We're very happy and proud of [the record]," Daughtry says. "Hopefully that translates when it comes out and people will dig it and continue to buy our stuff."

If the debut is any indication, Daughtry will be on the charts for a long, long time. That album celebrates its 116th week on the Billboard 200 this week and has sold a staggering 4.3 million copies. Daughtry expects the album to come out in late summer or fall.

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