MANCHESTER – A little good karma would go a long way for Josh Logan right about now.

He's come so far -- and been so close to making it. Twice.

LOGAN

More than a year after appearing on a televised reality show, "Rockstar: Supernova," Logan, 27, has regrouped. He's been playing at local clubs and writing new material and even recorded a demo with his new band mates, Nate Comp, Matt Reignkin and Ryan Barrett.

Everything was on target for a CD release party in the fall for the nine-song album, "Gone Tomorrow, Here Today."

Logan placed ads in the local papers, thanking his fans and announcing the new project. All his MySpace friends -- including a sizable TV-induced following in Iceland -- were wondering when the album was going to drop.

And after a while, so was Logan.

That's when he heard the news.

"I had no idea. I read it in the paper, just like everyone else," Logan said.

The CPA who was financing the CD project, a Manchester accountant by the name of Edward J. Baroody, was sentenced Dec. 11 for laundering $100,000 in drug money three years ago, and selling cocaine in 2003 and 2004 -- information that was kept secret until the day he was sentenced.

"I can't quite figure out how he was still allowed to be working. I wish I'd known what was going on with the guy," Logan said. "I really have no idea what this all means. In fact, I'm almost afraid to think about it."

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He ponders the situation anyway, briefly, over a sip of coffee before sharing a knowing look with Comp.

"Well, I do, actually. It means we have no money to make this CD. We're back to square one," Logan said.

On the upside, he's learned a lot through it all.

While he didn't land the ultimate gig, as lead singer for former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee's new supergroup, he did learn there are worse things than weeks of exposure on national television.

Sure, Logan was eliminated about halfway through the show. But that's OK. The guy who won isn't touring with Tommy Lee anymore, either.

And Logan remains permanently bonded with many of his fellow contestants, with indelible lessons learned, about compromise and conviction.

"I realize I should've made some different choices along the way. This CD has been a blessing, though. Figuring all this out and rising above," Logan said.

"The most frustrating part is that we've got this fantastic product, and as it stands right now, no one is ever going to hear it," Comp said.

The nine-track CD features plenty of local talent, including vocals by Lisa Guyer of Mama Kicks, rhythms by Overdrive Horns and a guest appearance by his old TV pal, Tommy Lee, on drums.

As starving artists go, Logan and Comp admit to being pretty hungry these days. They have scored some regular gigs locally at The Shaskeen and The Black Brimmer. In between they've played several charity events in the past year, something Logan says helps lift his community spirit.

"I'm ready to get paid, though," Logan said, anticipating an upcoming gig tonight at J.W. Hill's on Elm Street, billed as the only party in town without a cover charge.

However, Logan has come up with a holiday hook to help get his CD project off the presses sometime in the new year.

"We're selling Josh Logan Shwag Bags for five dollars a bag at the party," said Logan.

Each bag will contain gift certificates to local eateries, such as the Red Arrow or Manchester Diner, party hats, key chains, gum balls and goodies.

But a select number of bag holders will find tickets to local and national sporting events, a winning raffle ticket for a guitar signed by the band and "anything else we come up with," says Logan.

"Yeah, it's gimmicky," he says. But that's OK.

Because he's also learned that really living the good life, for him, means doing whatever it takes to finally get his show on the road.

"My dream is just to make a comfortable living doing what I love, to sustain a lifestyle playing my music and touring," Logan said. "Maybe opening for a national act, like John Mayer. Yeah -- that would work."