Danny Gokey - 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville Country Artist - Danny Gokey Fan Site - video, news, photos, pictures, forum, gallery, twitter » Interview

Daily Herald: ‘Idol’ finalist Danny Gokey leads off grandstand lineup

Steph — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:04:34 +0000

If you think about it, there might be no better crowd pleaser at this week’s DuPage County Fair than “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey.
We caught up with Gokey last week to find out about life after “Idol,” a less glamorous summer fair experience, and what’s in store for the Wheaton audience.
Q. You recently released a new single, “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” which is a very personal song. (Gokey’s wife and high school sweetheart, Sophia, died during routine surgery for congenital heart disease just before he auditioned for “Idol,” a show she loved.) What has the reception been so far?
A. It’s been really great. It’s a real song and I think a lot of people are responding to it, since it debuted at 53 and jumped the next week to 42 on the Billboard Country Music Charts. To move 11 spots, that’s huge. I sing the song from my situation, but I think it also tells other people’s stories of experiencing loss and not understanding why. The song gives someone permission to cry, it gives someone permission to grieve. It says “Yes, I’ll move on in life and do what I have to do, but I am never going to say goodbye to that memory.”
Q. Before your music career launched, you worked as a truck driver for two years while living in Milwaukee. Did that job ever take you to county fairs like this?
A. As a matter of fact, I just played Summerfest in Milwaukee and I was thinking “Wow, I made a delivery here once and I never thought I’d play on this stage.” It’s funny how things work out.

Enjoy the full interview at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=395221

Videos: Danny Gokey interview, exclusive to IHeartDannyGokey.com

Owlki — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:05:43 +0000

The interview recorded at Old Settlers Days (Rockton, IL) on July 15, 2010! Finally!

I apologize for the noise in the background, the tour bus’ air conditioner was strong and noisy but there was no way to turn it off (day was waaaay too hot).

You may also have problems understanding me (with all my mumbling, stuttering, accent going over the top and downright forgetting how to speak English when I’m near Danny!)… but I’m sure you’ll be able to understand Danny’s answers.

Also, I didn’t read the questions the exact way they were asked because I combined/modified some and, to be honest, I was so nervous that I was having problems reading my printed notes! Letters looked as if they were dancing on the page!

And I apologize if I didn’t ask your question as I had selected just a pageful, what I thought would be more than enough for a 15 minutes interview. Maybe next time! :wishful thinking:

The interview was supposed to last 15 minutes but Mike is so sweet that he let us talk to Danny for more than 25 min! It was the coolest thing ever!

Thank you Pam for recording it! Thanks Danny and Mike for being so sweet!

PS: Before the camera started rolling, I told Danny that people from several countries were sending their hello, from Finland, UK, China, Philippines, Portugal, Denmark, etc. He was surprise by Portugal and was very pleased with all the support!

Questions:
Josie: Talking about songwriting, are you writing songs? Which themes do you like to write about?
Cherie/Jan/Kathy/Cheryl/Val: Any plans for a Christmas album? / SHF choir participation? / DVD of a show/behind-the-scenes? / Movie soundtrack/voice over?
Gokeyguy: Name 5 things you can’t live without.
Josie: Does he knows how to cook?
VickieCarol: When Danny was a child, and he was singing in the car with his mom and dad and his dad first told him that he could sing, what song was he singing?
Lizzy: Winter tour or fall tour?

Cheryl: Are you into cars? What kind of car do you drive or what kind would you like to own?
milgokey fan: If you had time for a pet, what kind of pet would you get and what would you name them?
Cheryl: Did he practice writing his autograph before going on idol?
Cheryl: Everyone imagines what it would like to be a celebrity, has his experience matched up to what he imagined it would be like?
Cori: Are you usually early, late, or always on time?
Cori: What do you value most in other people?

Billie: Out of all the songs he’s performed; which one is the most technically difficult and why. Also, he chooses very “wordy” (lots of lyrics) songs; why, and what is his formula for memorizing them. And finally, what is his favorite vocal warm up exercise.
Stephfoo/Cheryl: Before, you said you found it surprising that people would call you “hot.” Is that still something you’re coming to terms with, or are you totally use to it now? Because you are constantly getting praise, is there any one person in your life who keeps you grounded and keeps your ego in check?
Cherie: Do you ever read the comments on iheart?
Cori: What would be the hardest thing for you to give up?
mine: How long he was in Puerto Rico and did he get to go to the beach?

Cori: What are some of your pet peeves?
mine: Have you ever had any experience, like a crazy fan that made you think ‘OMG, how did that happen?’ Something that shocked you?

Fox39/WTVO Interview: American Idol Finalist Danny Gokey Kick Starts Rockton Old Settler’s Days

Steph — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:18:46 +0000

Watch the extended interview with American Idol season 8 finalist Danny Gokey, who performed for the opening of Rockton’s Old Settler’s Days on Thursday night.

See the video interview here – http://mystateline.com/fulltext-news/?nxd_id=179705

CMIL: Danny Gokey – In His Own Words

Owlki — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:32:51 +0000

The CMA recently caught up with Danny Gokey and had him answer some fun questions for their “In Your Own Words” segment…

BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculee Ilibagiza.

DREAM DUET PARTNER
Gary LeVox or Brian McKnight.

FAVORITE FOOD ON THE ROAD
Whole Foods Market. I love eating healthy.

MOMENT YOU’D LOVE TO RELIVE
My wedding day.

TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Never Give Up.

OCCUPATION YOU’D HAVE IF NOT AN ARTIST
A business man and a philanthropist.

PERSONAL TIME CAPSULE CONTENTS
A diary of important lessons I learned about life and my CD.

GREATEST PERFORMANCE TO DATE
My home visit on ‘American Idol!’ Around 26,000 people came out to see me perform.

via: http://www.countrymusicislove.com/2010/07/danny-gokey-in-his-own-words.html

MusicRow.com: Artists Step Up and Speak Out

Steph — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:05:21 +0000

With the summer touring season in full swing and seasonal singles lighting up country radio, MusicRow checked in with some busy country artists to find out what’s on their minds and what’s motivating their music and their life on the road. Check out the audio clips below to hear their responses.

Danny Gokey
Danny Gokey talks about the feelings behind his powerful new single, “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” the power of faith and how it can reach out and affect the people in your life.

Listen to Danny’s audio interview at http://www.musicrow.com/2010/07/artists-step-up-and-speak-out/ .

AOL The Boot: Danny Gokey Is Sponging Off Sugarland’s ‘Incredible Machine’

Owlki — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:11:03 +0000

Danny Gokey has been opening shows for Sugarland’s Incredible Machine tour, and he says he’s soaking up everything he can while on the road with the award-winning duo.

“At this point in my career, I’ve become a sponge, because I understand the only way to get better is to learn from the people who are the best,” says the Wisconsin native. “And Sugarland, they’re the best of the best out there. To see their set design, to see their interaction with the crowd, to see how their movements sparks energy; when you get on a stage, you first have to get a thermometer and kind of gauge the atmosphere and watch how they’re doing that. Because each city is different. Each city, not everyone is going to be up on their feet shouting or dancing. Sometimes they’re going to be sitting down. You have to learn how to manipulate and control a show at that point. I’m learning from them and from everyone I can get my hands on and watch.”

Read the full article: AOL The Boot: Danny Gokey Is Sponging Off Sugarland’s ‘Incredible Machine’

Country Music is Love: CMT Music Awards Blue Carpet Interviews

Steph — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:09:01 +0000

Check out our interviews from the 2010 CMT Music Awards Blue Carpet!

Part 2 includes interviews with Danny Gokey, The Trailer Choir, Kate & Kacey with Rossi Morreale, The Band Perry, and Chuck Wicks.

CountryMusicIsLove – 2010 CMT Awards Blue Carpet – Part 2

via http://www.countrymusicislove.com/2010/06/countrymusicislove-on-the-2010-cmt-music-awards-blue-carpet.html

JSOnline: ‘Idol’ spotlights shines on Milwaukee

Owlki — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:53:21 +0000

Gokey advises Brew City contestants to be original

by Jan Uebelherr of the Journal Sentinel

Brewtown singers and big dreamers, take note: Mark July 21 on your calendar because, Milwaukee, this is your swing at “American Idol.”

The Fox reality show that brought fame to Milwaukee’s own Danny Gokey is coming here July 21 for auditions at the Bradley Center.

[...] In announcing the Season 10 auditions, Fox’s “Idol” publicity machine pointed out that previous winners and contenders have included a paint store clerk (this year’s winner, Lee DeWyze), a farm girl (Carrie Underwood) and a cruise ship performer (Jennifer Hudson).

And there’s Danny Gokey – a truck driver and church music director before an audition changed all that. Gokey came in third in Season 8 and headed to Nashville. His debut CD, “My Best Days,” has been a chart-topper on country charts.

His advice to “Idol” hopefuls heading to the auditions:

“Whoever’s been on the show – they don’t need another one of those. They don’t need another Danny Gokey, they don’t need another David Cook, they don’t need another Adam Lambert,” Gokey said in a telephone interview from Nashville.

“You have to be something special. That’s what’s going to stand out. Don’t change who you are. Be yourself. Be unique. You have to figure that out for yourself.”

For those who characterize the auditions as “brutal,” well, Gokey finds that odd.

“What’s brutal? I think we have to re-evaluate what brutal is. Brutal is a holocaust,” he says. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime. There’s a lot of pressure, there’s no doubt about it. The pressure takes place in your mind. You create it.”

He adds, “I’ll tell you what – the reward definitely outweighed the risk for me. I walk away, I have no scars,” said Gokey, who says he’s been urging producers to hold auditions in Milwaukee.

[...] Gokey will be in town to perform July 4 at Summerfest’s Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard. The “American Idol” tour, with last season’s top 10, plays at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 2.

Read the full article: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/96845879.html

Video: USA Today ‘Country goes uptown for CMA Music Festival’

Steph — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:29:08 +0000

Nashville puts on a post-flood party, drawing thousands of fans and dozens of country artists for the four-day CMA Music Festival. USA TODAY surveys the action. [..]

Speechless:American Idol’s Danny Gokey got his first taste of the fest as an artist and was left a little floored by the immensity and pace of the week. “I mean, really, wow. It’s such an honor to be here, and I know that’s such a cliché answer, but what else can you say?” Gokey says. “I thought (country fans) wouldn’t accept me because I’m a pretty soulful singer, but (Randy Travis) said it was the thing that the fans would love, and he was right.”

via http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-06-14-cmafest14_ST_N.htm

Don’t miss Danny Gokey also in USA Today’s portrait series of the “big stars” from CMA Fest 2010. Click on his thumbnail photo to see a larger version of the photo accompanied by a quote from Danny.

Audio: 102.5 KNIX (Phoenix, AZ): Danny Gokey at the CMA Music Fest

Owlki — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 08:07:12 +0000

Danny was on a roll on these CMA Music Fest interviews. LOL!

Click HERE to listen to the 102.5 KNIX radio interview.

Danny Gokey, still pissed after Ben accidentally excused him from his set at Toby Keith’s two songs early.

Audio: 99.5 WQYK (Tampa Bay, FL): Danny Gokey at CMA Music Fest

Owlki — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:40:05 +0000

Steve talked to Danny Gokey at the CMA Music Fest in Nashville

Click HERE to go to the 99.5 WQYK website and listen.

Video: CMT’s Cody Alan interviews Danny Gokey

Steph — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:25:34 +0000

CMT’s Cody Alan interviewed Danny behind the scenes at the recent CMT Music Awards show. Danny talks about the unexpected pitfalls of being an official tweeter, and chatting with Keith Urban about Danny’s first single My Best Days are Ahead of Me.

Btw, we agree, Danny really did look like a million bucks

Enjoy the full set of interviews with Carrie Underwood and other artists involved with the CMT Music Awards here.

Scan: American Idol Magazine update on Danny Gokey

Steph — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:23:38 +0000

The June 2010 print edition of American Idol Magazine includes a feature on Danny Gokey.

(click image then click again in new window to enlarge)

Thanks Connie!

Interview: 94.1 KMPS: Danny Gokey at CMA Music Festival

Owlki — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:03:47 +0000

Click HERE to listen to the 94.1 KMPS (Seattle, WA) interview.

Interview: K-FROG 95.1 interviews Danny Gokey at CMA Fest

Steph — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:54:55 +0000

California country K-FROG radio has posted an interview with Danny Gokey from CMA Fest.

Listen here!