"Idol" Finalist Daughtry's Free Concert

"American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry will perform a free concert in downtown Greensboro on March 23.

Greensboro Coliseum officials organized the show as a prelude to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games on March 24 and 26. They hope the concert helps the city's bid to host the 2012 Women's Final Four.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 people are expected to attend the concert.

Over the past year, Daughtry, 27, has gone from a local musician based in nearby McLeansville to a fourth-place "Idol" finish and a top-selling album.

Daughtry's band, called Daughtry, released its self-titled debut album on Nov. 21. "Daughtry," released on Sony BMG's RCA label, has sold nearly 1.3 million copies and hit No. 1 this week on the strength of its first single, "It's Not Over."

While many observers billed Daughtry as the favorite to win "Idol" last year, he was voted off the Fox network talent show a few weeks before its finale. Southern soul singer Taylor Hicks took the competition's top award — a $1 million recording contract.

The cost for the concert wasn't released, and organizers said it's in flux. They expect to recoup most of the cost through concession sales and sponsorships.