Daughtry’s 2nd CD is 1st as a whole band

NEW YORK — The idea of a rock band playing their own instruments on their own album might seem like a given, but when Chris Daughtry made that a condition for the recording of Daughtry’s sophomore CD, producer Howard Benson was wary.

“That was something I was not sure about, to be honest with you,” recalls Benson.

His concerns were understandable. After all, when the multiplatinum “Daughtry” was being crafted in 2006, the only member of Daughtry was Chris Daughtry, fresh off his finalist run on “American Idol.”

The four others who would eventually form the quintet — guitarists Josh Steely and Brian Craddock, drummer and pianist Joey Barnes and bassist Josh Paul, were still in the process of auditioning. Even the cover of that album featured a clear picture of Chris Daughtry, with blurred images of what would be his band in the background.

“The first record, we used session guys that were really, really good, tremendous guys,” says Benson. “[But] I trusted in Chris’ lead on that part [for the new record], and I also put a lot of pressure on those guys to deliver, and they really, really delivered ... they had to make me believe in them, and they had to make a lot of people believe in them.”

With “Leave This Town,” Daughtry finally has the opportunity to silence those who see Daughtry as a one-man band. Besides playing on the record, band members contributed to the writing and arrangements.

“There are a lot of elements that make up what we do,” says Craddock, with Daughtry sitting by his side. “Each member kind of brings something different to the table, too, and each member has a function in the band, they know what they do well, and when it all comes together ... it blends so perfectly together.”