Chris Daughtry has had the kind of chart-busting immediate success that rarely happens in music these days.

He sold more than a million copies of his 2006 self-titled CD within the first five weeks of its release before racking up nearly 4.5 million copies sold overall.

It was quite a statement for Daughtry, who performs at Trump Taj Mahal's Mark G. Ettes Arena at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6. Despite enjoying early popularity on the 2006 season of "American Idol," the singer finished fourth that season.

Judging by the show's popularity, it's easy to assume the show prepared Daughtry for fame and fortune - as well as paving the path for his first album in gold. But Daughtry claims "American Idol" wasn't as helpful as one might expect in preparing him for fame and recognition.

"When you're on that show you have no clue what's going on outside," Daughtry says. "You're kind of in a bubble ... locked in a glass case. You start to get a sense of that fame once you do that ("American Idols Live") tour. Now, all of a sudden, all the fans are coming out and you're doing meet and greets, and (realizing) woah, this is new.

"It's kind of like getting thrown out to the wolves and just the strong survive. You have to be very strong, mentally, to handle it and not get caught up in believing your own hype."

Daughtry doesn't tote around a rock star attitude like an electric guitar. While he is aware of his popularity and understands the mechanics of rockstardom, he remains down to earth, surrounding himself with people who keep him from getting a big head.

"I have very strong people around me that keep me in check," Daughtry said. "My crew and my family and my band, we're all very honest with each other. We keep each other grounded."

If the initial response to Daughtry's second CD, "Leave This Town," is any indication, the band - which consists of drummer Joey Barnes, guitarists Brian Craddock and Josh Steely and bassist Josh Paul - will have to work hard at keeping egos in check. The group's popularity is unlikely to fade any time soon.

Like its predecessor, "Leave This Town" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, selling 269,000 copies in its first week.

The band is busy riding the wave of that success, filling in the details as it goes along.

"I don't think we've figured out our perfect set list yet," says Daughtry. "There are favorites from the first record, and we certainly have favorites from this (second) one that people haven't heard yet. We've got make sure we're not playing material that's going to put them to sleep."

It's pretty hard to imagine any Daughtry fan snoozing through the group's songs. Daughtry's music fits in comfortably alongside Nickelback, 3 Doors Down or Shinedown. It offers hard-hitting, hook-filled rockers in "Every Time You Turn Around," "What I Meant To Say" and "Supernatural," as well as the occasional power ballad such as "No Surprise" and "Life After You."

Regardless of the song order, Daughtry focuses on what's most important to it's fans, putting on an arena-sized rock show with all the bells and whistles.

"(It's) a lot of fun," Daughtry said. "I think it's going to be a surprise to everybody once they see it. It's going to be a big rock show."

Daughtry

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6

WHERE: Mark G. Etess Arena, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City

HOW MUCH: Tickets, priced at $29.50 and $39.50, are available at Trump Taj Mahal box office or through Ticketmaster by calling 800-736-1420 or ticketmaster.com

WEB SITE: www.daughtryofficial.com

Party like a Rock Star

Chris Daughtry said he originally went on Fox's 'American Idol' to promote his rock band, Daughtry. After finishing fourth on the reality show's fourth season, Daughtry, with it's raw sound and hard driving beats, became one of only three groups this decade to break out with two consecutive No. 1 albums.

But if Daughtry fans are looking for the kind of wild, hotel-room-trashing partying that was prevalent among rock bands of past decades, they'll be disappointed here.

"We just stay out of the party scene," Daughtry said. "That's not really appealing to us. We would much rather hang out together in our hotel room and have a beer together than to be out, to be seen."

The sexy rocker revealed that each of the band members - with drummer Joey Barnes as the sole exception - is married and plans to stay that way.

Sorry groupies, when this show is over, the pipers are going home.