The hysteria that is an airport could be heard in the background. Chris Daughtry, lead singer of the rock band Daughtry, had just gotten off a plane in San Diego; he was walking and talking, juggling luggage and trying to conduct an interview while horsing around with bandmates.

The bald rocker who first burst onto the scene on TV’s “American Idol” seems to be everywhere these days. Just last week, it was announced that Daughtry is up for three American Music Awards, including Favorite Album/Pop or Rock, Favorite Artist/Adult Contemporary and Favorite Breakthrough Artist. Close to a month ago, Daughtry performed “Suspicious Minds” for an ABC TV special devoted to one of his musical heroes, Elvis Presley.

Life is good — and hectic.

Last year at this time, Daughtry was able to take his kids trick-or-treating — that won’t happen this year — the band will be on tour in Germany. A few days after that, Daughtry returns to the states for two shows Nov. 3-4 with Bon Jovi at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Being away from home “takes its toll on you but it’s not as bad as you think. We definitely love what we’re doing; it’s what we’ve been working toward for 15 years or so,” Daughtry said. “I think it definitely helps that we’re opening for bands like Bon Jovi.”

Late nights and constant travel are occupational hazards, but Daughtry remains focused, grounded. It still hasn’t sunk in that his name and face are becoming synonymous with rockers he’s admired for so many years, like frontman Jon Bon Jovi.

“It’s kind of hard to wrap my head around it,” he said.

Daughtry has been so busy that he hasn’t had a chance to check out messages from fans on the band’s Web site.

“It’s kind of ‘go, go, go’ for us. There’s not a whole lot of time to take a look at it but we’re glad it’s a place fans can go to leave messages … when we do have a chance to pull it up,” he said.

On the site, there are several messages indicating the song “Home” has been played at funerals of loved ones, weddings and other events.

“I think it’s great people get different things from the song … they’re able to make it their own,” he said.

Daughtry may be a big-time rocker but he sounds much like someone you know. During the interview, he continued to joke around with drummer Joey Barnes, Jr., of Greensboro to the point of shouting “Shut up!”

“Not you,” he said. “People are talking to me when I’m trying to conduct an interview. Geez.”

Although Daughtry is originally from Virginia, the band has a lot of fans in North Carolina. Proof of that popularity was evident at the free concert in downtown Greensboro back in March, a show held in conjunction with the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Daughtry plays Saturday at the North Carolina State Fair; that concert is sold out.

“It’s gonna be awesome,” he said. “We can’t wait to get back home.”