Tracy’s Recap: Danny Gokey at Best Buy (Orland Park, IL)
March 9, 2010 by Owlki
Filed under 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
pjgvet
Twitter: pjgvet
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 8:10 am
Awwww, Tracy; thanks so much for sharing!
I am so sorry you didn’t get into Turner Hall.
I was one who waited since early am; but still feel guilty because I have met him before.
Although I never had my hand held!
steph6449
Twitter: steph6449
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 8:13 am
Glad you had a great time, and sounds like quite an amazing turnout for Danny in Chicago!
MrBing
Twitter: MrBingForDannyG
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 10:14 am
So glad you get the adorable apology
Brandon
Twitter: indigo_15
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 1:47 pm
Great recap, Tracy! I was there, at the Best Buy in Orland Park, too! That’s really cool that he was so apologetic about you not getting into the Turner Hall event. The show was amazing, and Danny is the coolest celebrity ever. Glad you had fun!
Tracy on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 7:27 pm
Thanks, guys! I just can’t stop thinking about him.
My poor husband had to listen to my detailed story on the way home as I called each of my friends. My husband was a good sport and witnessed the whole exchange. I honestly cannot remember what I said after he let go of my hand – but at least I didn’t faint. 
It just caught me so off-guard. He is such a great guy.
marilyn on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 8:37 pm
Thanks for the recap. I really enjoyed reading about how he was so sad that you didn’t get in. Great job writing.
amber on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 8:58 pm
OMG. I was at Orland Park too. I was amazed that he signed all the cd’s! And yes he was really nice and amazing!
tonicNY
Twitter: tonicNY
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 9:19 pm
Tracy great recap and Thank you for sharing your story, isn’t he just such an amazing guy. Like Pam I too was in line at Turner Hall from about 8:30am that morning and I flew in from NY and I am sorry that you did not get in and being that this was my fear that I would not get in and so that day we stood in line for over 9 hours. So happy for you that you went for it and made sure that you had another opportunity to see him live, what a great supportive husband you must have!. Although you know that once you meet him once you want to keep meeting him again and again because he is just that great of a person he has that special talent to connect with fans for that instant that you are in front of him and treat you like he has known you forever. His shows get better and better each time. Danny is our Idol. Toni
tonicNY
Twitter: tonicNY
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 9:21 pm
One more thing be sure to rate and post comments where ever you can especially on Itunes and Amazon so that we can raise My Best Days to a 5 star rating.
Tracy on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 9:57 pm
Toni – that is how I feel!! That I met him once and now am really hoping for the chance to meet him again – and would LOVE to get that famous hug everyone is talking about. Although him holding my hand was almost too much to handle! LOL!
That is awesome that you flew in from NY. Were you at the Grafton parade/concert also? For some reason I recall reading and hearing about someone who came in from NY. I was also at the parade and concert at the high school – we waited in line early for that. So cool that you traveled all that way!
Growing up in the same area he did I feel like I almost “know” him, which is crazy. He actually worked with my husband’s cousin a few years ago, but I didn’t actually get a chance to mention that to him when I met him. When he was holding my hand the last person I was thinking about was my husband’s cousin.
But, his cousin did say that Danny was such a great guy back then and would always just be singing something while he worked. It seems like he is truly the same person he always was.
I am anxiously awaiting for the Summerfest date to be announced and am excited that he is coming to a festival in northern IL in July. Seems so far away!
tonicNY
Twitter: tonicNY
on Tue, 9th Mar 2010 11:43 pm
Tracy yes I was at the Grafton Parade and the high school gym concert with the ihearts group. That was my first Danny event after my local AI concert. I might return there for the Summerfest maybe!
He is also coming to upstate NY with Sugarland on 6/11 which is my area. I have had the opportunity to meet Danny three times now and you should find our recap of the concert on 2/2/10 on this site at Nola’s in Rochester. Jan and I had such a great time. He has such a beautiful voice and I cannot stop listening to his CD. Hope that one day the two of us will meet, the Danny fans are just as awesome as Danny. Goodnight!
Nicole on Wed, 10th Mar 2010 2:11 pm
I was at Turner Hall and afterwards when it was my turn to get my CD signed I thanked him and told him I loved the show. He then looked up at me and said “Awww thank you sweetie.” And just like you said it felt like he truly meant it. He is an amzing singer, but more importantly, an amazing man all around.
Tracy on Thu, 18th Mar 2010 6:59 pm
tonicNY -
Summerfest on July 4th!!!
Tracy