Chris Daughtry launches virtual concerts benefiting music venues, talks new music

Gary Dinges, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Nearly 15 years after Chris Daughtry first made a name for himself on "American Idol," the rocker wants you to know he's still going strong.

His group, Daughtry, is back with a new single, "World On Fire," available for download now. A new album is planned soon.

The band has launched the "Live From Home" virtual concert series, which puts a twist on similar efforts by other musicians. A portion of the proceeds from each streamed performance benefits a live music venue around the country. Pennsylvania's Keswick Theatre is tonight's "stop," with Flint, Michigan's Machine Shop (Aug. 30), West Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go (Sept. 20) and Tempe, Arizona's The Marquee (Sept. 24) also on the list. Ticket prices range from $10 general admission to a $75 VIP package that includes a video chat component and personalized screenshot photo with Chris Daughtry, according to the band's website.

"I just want my fans to know I'm so grateful for them, especially right now," Daughtry, 40, says.

Music venues across the country remain closed after the coronavirus forced shutdowns starting in spring. In June, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) released a survey of 2,000 independent venue owners, promoters and bookers that showed 90% feared they would have to close permanently in the coming months without targeted federal funding.

With his latest single, Daughtry says he's "more authentic than I ever was," as he has more control over the tunes he's cranking out. He echos other former "American Idol" contestants, such as Adam Lambert.

"I look back at that 26-year-old guy (from 'Idol') and I'm like, 'Who's that guy?'' he says. "This is the music I've wanted to make for years."

The song features the hard-rock Daughtry sound as well as raw, haunting lyrics, such as: "Going down like a dead man walking // One step from a body in a coffin // Just one, one of the fallen // Waking up to a blood moon, howling // Can't drown it out, even with the medicine // Tearing through me like a bullet of adrenaline."

”The world is not at a lack of issues for us to deal with," he says. "I hope this song inspires people to be aware and treat each other better, eradicate division and hate by spreading kindness. I think that’s the most important thing we can do as a species.”

During the current pandemic, with venues closed, the rocker has been spending time at home with his children. There have been plenty of ups and downs over the past few months, he says.

"This is really (expletive) weird," he says. "There have certainly been times, especially at the beginning, where it was depressing. Times are weird. We're all going through it, but nothing lasts forever."

More: Chris Daughtry 'would welcome' a call from 'American Idol' -- but first, his new album

More: Once the coronavirus pandemic subsides, will music lovers pick streaming over in-person concerts?

'Live From Home' virtual concerts

  • Aug. 25: Glenside, Pennsylvania, Keswick Theatre

  • Aug. 27: Atlanta, Fox Theatre

  • Aug. 30: Flint, Michigan, Machine Shop

  • Sept. 9: Austin, Texas, Emo's

  • Sept. 11: Denver, Levitt Pavilion

  • Sept. 13: Seattle, The Crocodile

  • Sept. 15: San Francisco, Great American Music Hall

  • Sept. 17: Portland, Oregon, Crystal Ballroom

  • Sept. 20: West Hollywood, California, Whisky a Go Go

  • Sept. 22: San Diego, Music Box

  • Sept. 24: Tempe, Arizona, The Marquee

  • Sept. 27: Dallas, Granada Theater

  • Sept. 29: Nashville, Cannery Ballroom

Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daughtry launches virtual concerts that help live music venues