Chris will have a multi-plantium record before any of the remaining contestants, if any of them even reach that level.
Chris is a star and I think you are right about him outselling the remainder. Taylor seems to have a huge fan base and depending on how he gets marketed he could do very well. I don't really see him singing country but that may be the best choice. But what do I know--I am stuck in the music from the 70's.
Possibly. But not as a soloist, only as the front-man for an established band.
Chris has already been offered the job as lead singer for Fuel...he sang their song Hemmorage in an earlier performance. Regardless of what he does after his contractual obligation to AI, he will be a household name in the music world within 5 years IMHO.
I think Chris is better off not being in an American Idol contract. I heard it was for 5 years, you are tied to them. This way he does his summer tour and then can get a contract with someone other than Idol.