When Danny Gokey was in Nashville this past Tuesday, he met not only with Sony Nashville but with Word Entertainment. But Danny has yet to make a decision about his recording career. “Basically, they were preliminary talks — where we could go and what we could do.”
The meeting with Word put Danny in touch with Mark Bright. He's Word's president and CEO, but he's better known as a producer who has worked with Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. “He's someone I'm very interested in working with,” Danny says.
The only problem — Bright runs a Christian record label. “I told him, 'I don't want to be signed to a Christian label, because I don't want to exclude anyone,'” Danny says. “I am who I am and I have my beliefs, but I don't want to exclude anyone. I want my music and my message and my foundation to get out and touch as many people as they can.
“He was completely okay with that. He was like, 'We can think in alternate routes.' It was really cool.”
Wherever Danny lands, his first CD likely will consist of largely outside material, since Danny has chosen to dedicate time to his Sophia's Heart Foundation and leave most of the songwriting to the professionals. “I'm not fully there yet in my writing skills. There's a level of writing that just are hits. I'm not there yet.
“I want to be a hit. This ain't about the money. I know I can make more money writing, but it's not about that yet. That'll come. I'm looking for longevity. I'm looking to get my foot all the way through the door.”
Whether or not Danny ultimately signs with either of the companies that met with him Tuesday, there's a good chance his recording career will take him to Nashville. “I hope so,” he says. “I love Nashville. I hope it works out of Nashville.”
via More on Danny Gokey’s Nashville visit – Idol Chatter – USATODAY.com.
the only singer i know that sign word entertainment is rachael lampa…
I’m hoping Danny goes with Sony Nashville. He probably will. I think he mentioned that he would like living in Nashville too.
i agree with you Vickie~
and i do hope he goes to Sony Nashiville~
I also hope he goes to Sony! Either way I can’t wait for him to sign!
Britt —yes he can’t lose no matter what, he is awesome!
haha, i started to imagine seeing Danny on chart!
I actually think he might be better if he signs with Word Entertainment. 19E and Sony Nashville have a history with the Idols (other than top 2) of rushing their albums, providing little promotion and dumping them when they don’t sell well. I think that Mark Bright and Word Entertainment might possibly care more about Danny as an artist and invest in him. Sure it is not as big of label Mark Bright seems like he would be someone good for Danny to work with.
Mark Bright, the Nashville producer whose credits include multi-platinum albums by Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood, has accepted a position as president and CEO of Word Entertainment, a Christian music company based in Nashville. Bright has also produced Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Whitney Duncan and Mark Schultz. He began his production career in 1993 with BlackHawk. Bright was previously the vice president of EMI Music Publishing and co-founded the publishing company, Teracel Music. He will replace Word CEO Jim Van Hook, who is retiring after 30 years in the music industry. Bright will be responsible for Word’s record label group, publishing, distribution and church resource divisions.
Music to my ears! Either one will be lucky to have him and he’ll be cranking out a #1 in no time! My sis lives in Nashville & I love it. And SHF has location in Nashville..win/win<3
Joanne, Seeing Danny on the charts, we are all ready for that.
Lizzy, I can see why it is taking Danny a while to make up his mind about which record label to go with. What a difficult decision for Danny.
Mary, You are right either one would be lucky to have Danny sign with them. You are so lucky to have a sister who lives in Nashville. You could probably run into Danny one day on the street.
this is totally off topic..but i realized danny doesnt have a concert on july 9th. thats good. <3 its been a year already….:'[
WOW lizzy you seem to know a quite a bit about the record labels. I hope he signes with the one that is going to help him with his vision and gives him the greatest reach.
Well put Latrece. And I totally agree.
Mary,
You are very knowledgeable. I hope you continue to give us great info. like that. We would like to keep you around.
MJ’s just posted the spoiler list for tonight’s concert. drumroll please…. and Danny’s 4th song is Maria Maria by Santana.
PYT, Maria Maria, What Hurts the Most and My Wish.
What a GREAT set!!
Think we will all celebrate big time once Danny signs; I am just anxious for him to make a CD soon. I believe once he gets that CD out, he is going to BLOW UP!
Yes, it is a great set. The Gokey Gals and everyone are in for a treat!!!
yay! MariaMaria– I have been listening to MariaMaria all morning superb for his voice!
Man, I can’t wait to hear him sing that song MariaMaria. When I listened to it on youtube with Santana I tried to imagine how Danny would change it up and make it his own. I wonder if they will let him record it on his record, if it is allowed.
Well if danny records that song on his own record, he would have to get permission to avoid copy rights. Well his sexy voice is going to carry that tune well ( MariMaria), I think he is going to stay on chord and just give it more passion and thrust! the guys singing MariaMaria did good but they still need more power and thrust and that is where danny is going to come in!
I see mj gave away all the songs that he idols are doing! oh well
well I see lil rounds is going to sing All the singles ladies by byonce that should interesting!
Oh, yeah, You are definitely right. Danny has the power with his singing to re~invent that song. People will see that song in a totally different light, when Danny does his thing with it.
Great for danny – i hope whatever he chooses is in God’s will.
By his thing, I mean, *his soulful, melt your heart*, way he has when he sings.
ooh yeh VickieCarol– he is going to bring it, he doesn’t know no other but to bring it all the way to the finish line!
JennJenn,
Love your new picture….I know Danny will make the best
decision concerning his future.. He’s thought and prayed
about it….He knows what his vision is and will go for it..
LUV LUV Danny….
Once Danny has his album, we’ll be seeing his name on the
charts immediately…All the way to the top of the charts….
That would be so awesome……
I know this is off topic but they let some fans in to watch dress rehearsal yesterday and this Kris/Adam fan posted this about Danny.
Danny – Very affectionate and huggy with fans. Accidentally elbowed me in the boob, creating a funny slash awkward moment. Holds you really tight for pictures. Total sweetheart. Another one I’ve really come around with as far as liking them.
She also said he was surprisingly good (to her maybe but not us) on his solo set.
Here’s more ladies:
“A lot of the Idols did a lot of shirt unbuttoning and shirt removing…Lil took off a long blinged-out trench coat to reveal a form-fitting pantsuit before Single Ladies, Anoop took off his jacket before My Prerogative, Danny took off his coat before Maria Maria and then unbuttoned his shirt several times (he was sweating like crazy, lol), Adam took off his AMAZING SkinGraft jacket before the Bowie Medley, for which he was only wearing a black tank top”
Lizzy~
thanks for sharing!
Danny must be really hot!
and Mark Bright said that they would do in alternative routes,so there’s more to be hope for~
cool sounds like we are getting spoilers for the concert!! danny taking something off wow!! this will be good and Maria Maria sounds like a great song for him!!!!
A lot of the Idols did a lot of shirt unbuttoning and shirt removing…Lil took off a long blinged-out trench coat to reveal a form-fitting pantsuit before Single Ladies, Anoop took off his jacket before My Prerogative, Danny took off his coat before Maria Maria and then unbuttoned his shirt several times (he was sweating like crazy, lol), Adam took off his AMAZING SkinGraft jacket before the Bowie Medley, for which he was only wearing a black tank top
whoever is going to the tour are probably getting to see Danny shirtless!
lucky!
(jealous)
DANNY SHIRTLESS OMG!
danny shirtless!!!wow I cant wait we probably will see some pics tonight!!!maybe some video too!!! Maria Maria is such a beautiful song for him=)
YEAH DEB CAN YOU IMAGINE DANNY BEING SHIRTLESS!? OOH YEH MARIA MARIA IS BLAZZING HOT FOR DANNY!
Latrece- Boy he sure knows how to pick em doesnt he?
YES FOR SURE DEB!
Fan me quick…Danny shirtless?? I’m hyperventilating…
Deb,
Did you see what Latrece said about you??? I’ve missed you..