American Idol's Danny Gokey Makes Me Smile
My mom and I were fans of Danny Gokey on American Idol this year and we cheered him on until his third place finish, so I was really eager to attend a showcase last night (Dec. 14) at the RCA label offices in Nashville. Dressed in a blue shirt and vest, with his stylish trademark glasses, he belted out songs from his upcoming album including "Tiny Life," written by Jeffrey Steele. A smile appeared across my face while he performed his debut single, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," which he reminded us will be available at iTunes later this month. I can't wait to get it. And I couldn't help but feel happy and wanting to dance while listening to "I Believe." Through all the personal tragedies Gokey has faced, including the sudden death of his wife, he exuded a positive attitude and message of hope throughout his brief show. I left the performance a happier person with a smile that didn't leave my face all night.
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Mary says:
Whether it’s good PR machine around Danny or not, even Jimmy Carter (entertainer reporter) had to say some praise for him. He said big voice (not too many in Nashville). JC even mentioned #1 for his lead in single. I think Danny got good press, good PR and good environment in country music business and better survival than other top 3 finishers of AI 8. I’d say just good luck and best wishes. Just don’t don’t don’t overaward and overpraise him. There are definitely other better performers than him. it looks like good PR is what you need than good capability these days.
Jennifer says:
Gee Mary you seem a bit bitter, dunno why…
As for Danny he puts a smile on my face every time I hear one of songs. Dunno why people have to be so negative and hateful. Perhaps it isn’t good PR, maybe its that he connects with his fans and we love him for it..
Adel says:
Sure, there are other good performers out there, but Danny is unique. His is a music of inspiration and hope. He also projects a wholesome character, a clean personality.
Randy says:
Mary, you puzzle me. Good PR? I don’t think bloggers or critics are beholden to RCA. I’ve certainly seen less than enthusiastic reviews also. Not everyone is going to like a performer. But never understand non fans going out of their way to be negative- I just avoid the ones I don’t like. And there you go, your post proves everyone doesn’t “over praise” him.
Ever just thought that a lot of people like the guy because he DESERVES it? Great, unique voice and beautiful audience connection from what I’ve heard.
I really like all the new music from him and I hope he’s around singing for us for a long time.
Jean says:
Danny Gokey makes me smile too!
Wasn’t sure about him going country, but boy do I love what he’s put out so far! Twangless country with great message, instrumentals and that awesome voice.
My Best days is a great song to smile and dance to.
Mary says:
Publicity helps you a lot. They got more recognition than others.
I have nothing against Danny. Jimmy Carter was very impressed. He performed 5 songs. I said all the best things except the last “bitter part”. Danny will do well. He seems to have a good team around him, to promote him to be a next big star. Jimmy was saying Tim McGraw didn’t get the recognition he deserved: third best selling artist of the decade, #2 highest gross touring artists and said you don’t hear that. He said Tim’s PR team is not good and compared them to Danny.
Swilly says:
Hey? My grandma has a pair of glasses just like those! i ain’t kiddin’ either, she really does. but she has a chain on them so she can leave them hanging around her neck sometimes.
Darla Reynolds says:
Danny has that same effect on a lot of people…including me. He is a positive soul with a great voice.
Sherry says:
Danny Gokey is one heck of a singer, in my opinion there are not too many out there better than him. He was brilliant on American Idol and it has nothing to do with PR. The only one getting all the PR is Adam Lambert. He sings with passion and has a beautiful voice. He songs have a positive message and we need alot more of that.
CarolinaGirl says:
What is nice about Danny is that here is music I can play around my children and not worry about the message that is being delivered. I truly believe that Country is the best fit for Danny. Country has changed so much since Tammy and Loretta. Bluesy country is just the next step. All of these types of music come from feelings deep in the soul. We are glad to have Danny on our neck of the musical woods.
Brad says:
Danny was always a favorite mine. I have always loved his big, rich, bluesy, smokey voice. Really looking forward to his album. The guy is a showman. And he always stay true to who he is.
mkeforyou says:
I was a huge fan of Danny on American Idol. Not an idol regular, I was captivated by his talent and his story! This man can sing! And when he sings you feel like he is singing only to you! His stage prescence and performance skils improved dramatically on tour. I hope the country music fans accept and love him as much as his idol fans! In a world with terrible headlines everyday, is it so bad to want to feel good and smile after a song? I should hope not! Danny is the real deal, a real person, and in inspiration to us all!
As far as PR goes, I think Danny is well supported by his record label and let’s put in this way - not overexposed!
8charlotte says:
I am glad Danny chose country music.Afterall it is the greatest music in the world.I loved Danny on AI and am so glad I will be hearing from him on the country stations.Danny will do great in country music.
jagers says:
I love to hear Danny sing. I’ll buy his CD.He was always one of my favorites as Carrie Underwood is also!
Redmaz says:
First, where does it say this person is a country act? Who made that statement? Second, to “CarolinaGirl” you must be new to music, because Blues and Country have been intertwined since the beginning. If you are interested “CarolinaGirl” I can list you dozens of Country/Blues artists past and present for you to check out. Thanks.
Peacock Queen says:
I understand what Mary is saying. There are some real non-vocalist out there getting way ahead of great vocalists because of the PR machine. I like Danny very much, too, so don’t eveyone go and get all upset. He’s great!
But PR can do wonders, even for people who can’t sing a lick, can it not? Have you guys forgotten Milli Vanilli? Those guys had a hit record, and even received several Grammys! They were all over the news, and shall we say, overexposed to the point it was sickening!!!! They couldn’t sing at all. Really. They couldn’t, and they didn’t! They were put on stage by their PR manager because they “looked” a certain way, and made to lipsinc the songs, even though one of them didn’t even speak English (but the entire album was in English)! The real singers were left out! A good spin doctor can work wonders, and I think that is what Mary is saying, but not necessarily about Danny, I don’t think. Most likely about someone else. If I am wrong, Mary, then I apologize to you.
stephanie says:
I attended Danny’s performance last week at the country-western club Coyote Joe’s in NC. He sounded great, and looked completely comfortable on stage in that environment. The crowd gave him a very warm reception, seemed to love his music, and really responded to him personally. There were a lot of people queuing up to talk to him or get pics/autographs after he finished. The billing also included three other artists, David Nail, Mallory Hope, and Phil Vassar (didn’t see Phil, too late for me). Although they all are very talented and did well that night, Danny got a bigger reception than the other two that I saw–more cheers/applause, bigger crowd around the stage, more people taking pics and videos, more people trying to meet him, more enthusiastic singing along with his songs. He really has a nice way of connecting with live audiences and getting them on his side and into his music.
ellie says:
Danny Gokey Makes me SMILE and SMILE and SMILE!!!
His big beautiful voice just reaches into my soul and transports me to a better place. I love that he is not only a beautiful singer, but a beautiful person who cares deeply and works intensely to make a better world. Ever checked out his foundation, named for his dear Sophia (Sophia Heart’s Foundation)? Just amazing.
Like so many others, I am really tired of turning on the radio and mostly hearing trashy songs with empty lyrics. I know that Danny will continue to make gorgeous songs that inspire people to be their best, to do their best and to live their best life. Oh…did I get that from Oprah???? Well, anyway, I DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY LOVE DANNY GOKEY and can’t wait to get his cd and see him in concert!
Cheers, all!
StephieG says:
I love Danny Gokey. I hope his songs and album do well.
I hope the other country stars really support him.
I went to the Idol concert in KC and Danny was the best on stage. Matt and Lil did really well too. The rest were okay or less than okay.
After idol ended I intended to buy the top 3 finishers albums and I did buy several of the itune songs and made my own CD of the top 3. On that CD Danny and Kris stand out. Adam just didn’t come thru without the visual performance. I hate that Adam has become so weird and “in your face” He has no respect for anyone. - (well I guess he was always into shock but was just “fooling” us as necessary during idol)… I just can’t relate. But look at the attention it gets him… like me even mentioning him.
ANYWAY, I now have HIGH hopes for Danny and if only Kris would get the jobs he should be getting as the WINNER instead of those jobs going to Adam. I sure liked Adam’s Elvis look more than his transvestite female look.
I am staying away from Idol in 2010. I don’t want to get hooked on it again!!!
kim reese says:
i was 4 danny all the way,i was shocked when he got booted.i saw him at coyote joes also and hands down he was the best and probably the reason everybody came.he is an outstanding singer and person,danny relates 2 his fans he truely luvs them.he is an inspiration 2 many and has helped a lot of people by shareing his life with us,considering the tragedy he had just gone thru and is still going thru,it takes a lot of courage 2 do what he has done and is still doing.he puts a smile on my face and makes my heart flutter with every note he sings.he is a genuine person with a big heart who wants 2 help people,he is one of a kind,u do not c people like him much anymore.lots of love danny,keep doing what ur doing,ur great,i mean hey u can’t please everybody.