Tracy’s Recap: Danny Gokey at Best Buy (Orland Park, IL)

By
Erika
– March 9, 2010Posted in: I Heart Danny Gokey, Recap

I had been planning on attending Danny’s CD release concert at Turner Hall in Milwaukee. I had a prior commitment that day and was not able to get downtown until 5:00 p.m. I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t make it in, but I had faith. My friend and I waited outside – the line was wrapped around several blocks – and we were told at 6:45 that the place was filled to capacity and that we were not going to be able to get in. There were at least 100 people in front of us, and several hundred behind. I was disappointed for myself and all the other fans (lots of little kids who wanted to see him, too!) but of course I was happy that Danny had such an amazing turn out that night (wasn’t at all surprised!). So my friend and I left disappointed, but such was life.

I am from Milwaukee – grew up on the north side like he did! – but now live just outside of Chicago. I had heard that he would be making the Best Buy appearance in Orland Park, which is about 45 minutes south of where we live. I hadn’t planned on going, but when I couldn’t get in to see him Saturday night I rearranged my schedule on Sunday and talked my husband into leaving Milwaukee early that day so I could try to get to the Best Buy appearance. My husband was a great sport and didn’t mind!

We drove down to Orland Park and got there just at 2:00 p.m. I heard Danny singing from outside the store and grabbed my 5-year-old’s hand and started running inside. :) There were hundreds of people there, but still I was able to have a decent view of him on the stage. He was amazing as usual. I had a wristband and knew Danny would be signing the CD after his performance. This was going to be my first moment actually talking to him! I was so nervous leading up to it and didn’t know if I would find the words I wanted to say. I waited in line about 45 minutes – it actually moved pretty fast considering it wrapped around the entire store! I spoke to a guy working there and asked about the turnout and he said they have had artists in the past but that this was the biggest turnout they ever had for a recording artist. Very cool! We were told we could not take any posed photos because they had to move the line along but that we could take photos from the line – just not with him.

So it was my turn. I go up to the table and I told him that it was so nice to meet him. He smiled and said it was nice to meet me, too. Then, I told him that I was in Milwaukee the night before for his concert and that I was turned away. He literally stopped what he was doing and looked at me and said “Are you serious?” in his awesome voice. Then he took my hand, held it with both of his hands, looked me right in the eyes and said, “I am SO sorry about that.” I was speechless. His hands were so warm and he was so genuinely sincere. I think I mumbled out something like “that’s OK.” LOL! I seriously didn’t know what to say and hadn’t been expecting that moment. For those two seconds it was like time stood still and he was so amazingly apologetic. Like he truly meant it.

Someone had posted on here that when he meets you it’s like he truly cares and “sees” you. I felt that!! Even for that brief moment.

Thank you for staying with this crazy long story, but I had to share it with people who appreciate and admire him as much as I do! I keep replaying that moment in my mind over and over! :)

Tracy