Danny Gokey Inspires Big Dreams From Chicago's Littlest Singers
Danny Gokey knows what it's like to have a mentor. He had Randy Travis mentor him on season eight of American Idol. "Randy was the key to guiding me. He planted that seed in me to go country, and from that, a tree grew," Gokey told me Wednesday morning (May 19) in the cafeteria of a little elementary school in Bannockburn, Ill. And it was then Gokey's turn to be the mentor.
He was there because the 188 kids in this school had won the "I Don't Want to Miss" video contest from the Clorox Company. The grand prize was this visit from Gokey. So first they played his video for "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me." Then he came out into the school gym and sang Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most" with piano backing from the school's music teacher. Then it was time for the older kids to sing, and they did a harmony-rich "Don't Stop Believin'," which Gokey had a tough time critiquing. Then it was time for the Q&A. The kids wanted to know the famous people he knew (Julianne Hough and Ashley Tisdale), his favorite singers (Lady Antebellum and India.Arie), who influenced him (the Gaithers and Tim McGraw), his favorite football team (Green Bay Packers) and how he knew he wanted to be a singer. "When I was 11, my dad told me I had a good voice. That's when I knew. You just don't know until somebody tells you," he said.
He told me before the class that kids don't even need to be inspired because they haven't been hurt by life enough to have their dreams beaten down. But whether he meant to or not, he did inspire them. To think big, no matter how many "dream stealers" get in your way.
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Wanda says:
Love this guy
GM says:
Great guy - warm heart and great voice!!
Jackie Moore says:
Danny Gokey, is the real thing. Loved him since first time I saw him on American Idol!! When you see a person like Danny Gokey go on a show after losing his wife and accomplish what he has? Wow, what an inspirtion!! He has to be very driven!! It is very obvious that his success is because of his Faith in God!! His testimony alone shows you who he is. I can see where Randy Travis, another man of faith could inspire him. We all need mentors such as Randy! I hope that Danny knows that he is also a mentor, Just want him to know there are alot of people that love him not only because of his Awsome voice but also because of what we saw in him in the beginning on American Idol. Love You Danny, God Bless<3