Former 'Idol' Contestant Nixes Fuel Gig

By Associated Press

type=text/javascript>document.write(getElapsed("20060603T232503Z"));</SCRIPT> Sat Jun 3, 7:25 PM<NOSCRIPT>UPDATED 12 HOURS 29 MINUTES AGO</NOSCRIPT>

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Former "American Idol" contestant Chris Daughtry said Saturday he has turned down an offer to be lead singer for the band Fuel.

Daughtry, in Greensboro for a day of welcome-home appearances, said he expects to announce his next career move in few months, probably after he finishes with an "American Idol" summer concert tour.

"I'm going to be doing my own thing," Daughtry told The Charlotte Observer.

The band offered Daughtry a job hours after viewers voted him off the Fox television talent show last month. Bass player Jeff Abercrombie and guitarist Carl Bell made their pitch on the TV show "Extra."

He would have replaced Brett Scallions, who quit the multi-platinum rock band in February.