7 News Features: Chris Rocks

WSVN -- An offer to front for the rock band Fuel, his own record deal and now his first CD. Life after Idol's been good for last season's Chris Daughtry and these days -- it's only getting better.

Chris Daughtry, American Idol Finalist, singing: "Take your time/For the hands of time/To second guess/And change your mind."

It's Chris where he's most comfortable -- rocking out in the studio.

Chris Daughtry: "I couldn't be happier. I feel like everybody involved has let me express myself creatively."

Chris came ready to rock American Idol. Randy, Paula and Simon saw his talent from the first headbanging note.

The brash, bald rocker was an immediate hit with voters.

Viewers thought he was going to take it all until -- the boot!

Everyone -- and I mean everyone was stunned!

But the end of Idol was just the beginning.

He turned down a chance to be the new front man for the rock band Fuel, and that decision is paying off.

Chris signed with a major label and hit the studio.

Chris Daughtry: "I hope they don't can me after the first album. They put a lot of faith in me, so I have a lot to live up to."

Producer Howard Benson has a lot of faith in him.

Howard Benson, record producer: "One thing we found that was interesting is we didn't expect him to be a good writer. He's a great writer."

Chris Daughtry: "There's three or four songs on the album that I wrote completely, 100 percent, music and lyrics, and I was really happy about that."

One of those songs is "Home."

Chris Daughtry: "I wrote it right before I went to Hollywood to do the show."

And the fans love it. Chris rocked his way to the top of the Billboard charts with his first single "I'm Broken."

And that means smooth-headed Chris may soon have something in common with his producer.

Howard Benson: "I probably shouldn't have made the bet, but I said if he went platinum I'd shave my head. I'll probably have to."

American Idol footage courtesy Fremantlemedia North America, Inc./19TV LTD./FOX Broadcasting.