Keeping up with Chris Sligh

Chis Sligh, the 10th-place finalist on Season 6, drops his debut disc tomorrow, titled Running Back to You. The curly-haired, opinionated Christian rocker tries his hand at contemporary inspirational music on Running, which is produced by Brown Bannister ( Amy Grant, Third Day). The lead single, "Empty Me," sounds like it could be a crossover hit on adult contemporary radio. "Empty" is currently sitting at #18 on the Christian AC chart, giving Chris his first Top 20 hit. It can be listened to in full at Chris's MySpace.

Aside from releasing an album since wrapping up his stint on Idol, Chris has performed at the 2008 Dove Awards with fellow alums Phil Stacey and Season 5's Mandisa.

Chris has also been known to stir the pot, as he created a controversy in late 2007 by posting about the breakup between eighth-place finalist Haley Scarnato and her fiance, Bobby, on votefortheworst.com. Although he said he was doing it to stick up for Haley, it came across to many as airing their dirty laundry, especially considering it was coming from someone close to her. The following is a sampling of the post:

"Breaking up with Bobby was the incredibly best thing that Haley could've done and knowing what I know, I'm telling you, there was no other option. And just so there's no confusion, Haley paid for the engagement ring...the ring Bobby bought her was a small, less expensive ring and after she got off the show, she bought a more expensive ring (I know that sounds bad, but I'm putting it into perspective - she bought it with her money).

Bobby was a jerk, and I'm being incredibly, incredibly kind by saying that"

Running Back to You will be available everywhere, and at Target for $9.99 beginning tomorrow.