Chris Daughtry wasn't particularly surprised when his band's self-titled debut, "Daughtry," started at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart in November with 304,000 units sold.

Being a popular former "American Idol" contestant all but ensured immediate sales impact.

"When it debuted at No. 2, I thought, 'Wow, what a great start,'" Daughtry said. "'But it's not going to go any higher.'"

Nine weeks later, it did.

Earlier this month, "Daughtry" hit the No. 1 spot with more than 65,000 albums sold in a one-week period. That marked the first time since 1988, when Bon Jovi's "New Jersey" ruled the charts, that a rock band claimed the top spot after debuting below the No.1 position.

Daughtry, who plays a sold-out show at the White Rabbit on Thursday, attributes his band's success to its ability to create music that touches the masses.

"I think these are songs people can relate to," he said. "They're about everyday life and really nothing special, other than singing about stuff that's true to people's lives, especially to my own."

Such relatability made Daughtry a household name long before his band's eponymous debut found success. Instead, Daughtry found initial fame as a finalist on Season 5 of the "American Idol" juggernaut.

He had a different look from his fellow competitors, particularly with his shaved head. He had a different sound, one more influenced by rock music. And he had the support of fans nationwide, many of whom considered him a safe bet to claim the "Idol" title.

Perhaps his fans' overconfidence played to Daughtry's disadvantage.

With only four singers left standing, Daughtry was informed that he had received the fewest number of votes. The look on Daughtry's face told the tale, as his jaw dropped in stunned silence.

Almost a year later, Daughtry said his "Idol" elimination was a blessing in disguise.

"It was the best thing for my career," he said. "I'm not Chris Daughtry, the idol."

Instead, he's Chris Daughtry, the rock star.

Spurred on by the success of the hit single, "It's Not Over," Daughtry's freshman release sold more copies in its first week than any other Season 5 "Idol" contestant. Daughtry has also become the first "Idol" alum to find success on the rock airwaves, as "It's Not Over" reached the No. 12 spot on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, in addition to its No. 4 showing on the Billboard Hot 100.

"It felt like such an accomplishment, to be the first ('Idol' contestant) to be taken seriously by rock radio," the North Carolina native said. "The music speaks for itself. I never wanted to write a record to get on rock radio. It was more about being myself, what was true to me, but it's an honor to be accepted and taken seriously by rock radio."

Then there is the nationwide tour, for which Daughtry prepared by playing Fox's New Year's Eve Special, as well as singing the national anthem prior to the NFC Championship Game. As he concluded the anthem, Daughtry shed a tear on national TV.

Something more than patriotic pride, perhaps, had trigged such emotion.

"We get messages all the time from people telling us about how our music has helped them through a tough time," Daughtry said. "This album is the soundtrack to life."