Daughtry's Coming 'Home'

On a lighter note, how about that Chris Daughtry? At last check, his debut CD had gone double-dog platinum, a mean feat for anybody these days - let alone some dude who was scribbling service orders at the local Honda dealership a year or so ago. But that was before American Idol made him a household name - a not always pleasant process we documented in sardonic detail last year here at Lenslinger Central. I have many memories of Chris from that twisted ordeal, but my favorite involves this picture I snapped in Hollywood last May. Some spastic lounge singer by the name of Hicks had just been coronated 2006's American Idol and young Mr. Turbo-Throat couldn't have been giddier. At the time I thought he was just super-stoked to be done with the Great American Cheesefest, but I realize now he was already plotting his world domination - or at least one hell of a run on VH-1's Top Twenty Countdown.

So, why am I bringing all this up now? Other than the fact that any mention of Chris Daughtry sends my site meter spinning? Simple - he'll be here in a week! In a most ambitious attempt to raise its Tourney Town profile, Chris' alleged hometown is hosting one mother of a free concert, smack-dab in downtown Greensboro. Having stolen a peek at the set-up and the plans, I hereby predict incredible success or ab-so-lute bedlam. Either way, it'll be a Friday night to remember as South Elm Street explodes with Soccer Moms, crackpipe owners and a host of poseurs in black sequined peacocks t-shirts. Best(?) of all, I'll be there - shooting Chris, the crowd and avoiding any impromptu beer-showers that might come my way. Who knows how much of the show I'll actually see, but I do hope to witness the mob's reaction to a video I'm putting together for the montage intro on the JumboTron. But don't feel left out if you choose not to attend (trust me - choose not to attend!), I hope to post clear photos and blurry impressions of the inevitable melee.

Until then, I'll be practicing my Metal God falsetto, should the recalcitrant rocker decide to skip town at the last moment. Can't say I'd blame him...

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