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LehighValleyMusic: Allentown Fair goes gaga for Lady Antebellum
The 80-minute, 15-song set of tireless energy and robust vocals from Lady A was played in front of an estimated 7,600 fans and followed a solid opening act by American Idol alum and country newcomer Danny Gokey. His spirited hour-long performance included “My Best Days are Ahead of Me,” the lead single from his RCA Nashville/19 Recordings debut, and current Country Top 40 hit “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” The latter was dedicated to fallen military personnel and was one of the few ballads Gokey threw into the mix.
With impressive vocals from the outset, the original material in his 13-song repertoire worked well. He opened with the rocker “Like That’s a Bad Thing,” and moved right into another up-tempo number, “(Gotta Get a Little) Life on Ya.” But the covers he chose to include were a mixed bag. The Rascal Flatts’ ballad “What Hurts the Most” was well-received (and sung by the crowd with enthusiasm). But Gokey’s rendition of the decades-old Travis Tritt hit “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” came across like a karaoke version that briefly lost the audience. He recovered with “Life is a Highway,” prompting another sing-along, then closed with the Bon Jovi staple “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
Read the full concert report at http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2010/09/allentown-fair-goes-gaga-for-lady-antebellum.html
Countrys Chatter: Danny Gokey opens the 2010 Appalachian Fair with an incredible performance
Country music blogger Country of countryschatter.com attended Danny Gokey’s concert last evening in Gray TN, and has written about her thoughts on Danny and his show. You can follow Country on twitter at @countryschatter. (Great to meet you there, Country!)
Last night, at the Appalachian Fair, I saw Danny Gokey. We all know Danny. We saw him on American Idol, a lot of us (myself included) thought he should have won. This was my first opportunity to see one of his shows. But I had heard a lot about him from his fans, and I was really looking forward to going.
He has powerful vocals, a great stage presence, and a real connection with his audience – anyone could honestly say that Danny is a well-balanced performer. I once heard that a really good entertainer is someone who always leaves the audience wanting more. I believe Danny accomplished that last night. He could have gone on forever, and no one would have gotten up to leave.
Don’t miss the rest of Country’s review and enjoy her photos of Danny Gokey at the Appalachian Fair at http://www.countryschatter.com/2010/08/danny-gokey-opens-the-2010-appalachian-fair-with-an-incredible-performance/ .
Idol finalist Gokey inspires big fair crowd in upbeat wine country debut
Third place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol, 30-year-old Danny Gokey made a lot of new fans during his thoroughly entertaining wine country debut last week at the Napa Town and Country Fair.Although he’s signed to RCA Nashville/19 Recordings and billed as a country artist, his niche may well be adult contemporary, judging from the 17-song repertoire he shared with fairgoers the other night.No matter how we label the personable young singer, no one can dispute the fact that his first single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” and the album’s next single, “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” have made Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs list.His first album, “My Best Days,” debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 for the chart week of March 9, selling 65,000 copies in its first week. “My Best Days” is the best debut for a male country solo artist since Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” album debuted with 90,000 copies in June 1992. “My Best Days” sold 19,000 digital albums its first week, giving it the highest first week digital album sales ever for a new country artist, the folks at Billboard point out.
Don’t miss the full-length concert report via Idol finalist Gokey inspires big fair crowd in upbeat wine country debut.
The Hollywood Reporter | Music Review: Danny Gokey – I Will Not Say Goodbye
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“American Idol” viewers became familiar with Danny Gokey’s story last year: The young artist’s wife, Sophia, died in 2008, shortly before his audition for the show. Gokey now channels that pain and grief into an emotionally riveting performance on this poignant single and the second offering from his debut album, “My Best Days.” He sings, “I don’t want to feel better/I don’t want to not remember/I will always see your face in the shadows of this haunted place/I will laugh, I will cry/Shake my fist at the sky, but I will not say goodbye.” Gokey knows the meaning of those words all too well, but he delivers a performance that is heartfelt and personal without being maudlin. This beautifully crafted song gives him the chance to share his soulful voice in an especially moving way.—Deborah Evans Price
via: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/music-reviews/i-will-not-say-goodbye-1004107940.story
Arizona Republic: Danny Gokey’s ‘Best Days’ and not-so-good ones
August 7, 2010 by Steph
Filed under American Idol, Danny Gokey, Review
The Arizona Republic has posted an article about Danny Gokey’s American Idol performances, in anticipation of Danny’s upcoming headlining concert in Queen Creek AZ, August 14th.
We don’t agree with all the comments in this (we love “I Hope You Dance” and really hope to see Danny cover it again someday!). But it’s interesting reading, and does recognize many of Danny’s best moments while offering a few criticisms. Check out their thoughts below on Danny’s audition and final competitive performance for American Idol, and read more at their site.
As the “Idol” veteran and his glasses make their way to Queen Creek for a Saturday, Aug. 14, concert, here’s a look back at key moments on the road to Gokey’s “Best Days.” [..]
Read the full article at http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2010/08/06/20100806danny-gokey-american-idol-phoenix-concert.html
Uinta County Herald: ‘How the West Was Fun:’ Uinta County Fair kicks off this week
Country star Sara Evans, along with American Idol finalist-turned country sensation Danny Gokey, performed at the Uinta County Fairgrounds on Saturday night, officially kicking off the 2010 Uinta County Fair.
The high-energy show began with Gokey taking the stage at 7 p.m. Gokey performed several tracks from his new album including, “I Still Believe” and “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” Gokey also performed a cover of the Black Crows’ “Hard to Handle”
Gokey’s performance was unfortunately cut short, as the stormy weather, with considerable lightning that had loomed in the distance, began to approach the fairgrounds.
“This stage acts as a lightning rod,” Uinta County Fair Board chairman Lynn Nelson as he closed down the show for the rain.
via: http://www.uintacountyherald.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=3538
Review: The CML Chart on “I Will Not Say Goodbye”
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Country music blogger “The CML Chart” has posted their review of Danny Gokey’s second single, “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” We love it!
After downloading Danny’s album, there was one song on the album that I absolutely loved from the first listen. I wanted it to be a single for Danny and I thought that it would give him some serious consideration as an artist. The song, if promoted well, would at the worse cause people to be emotionally attached to the lyric of the song. The song I am talking about just happens to be this song.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when this song was released. Then, I watched the video. If you have not seen the video, go to cmt.com and search for it. It is the best 6 minutes you will spend on something today. [......]
Read the full review and CML Chart’s Billboard chart prediction for IWNSG here!
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AllAccess.com Country Cool New Music on Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye”
I have heard a few radio programmers say this about the new Danny Gokey: “I really love it– it’s a great song– but it’s SO sad.” I am not sure if anyone has checked the lists of the greatest songs of all time, any genre, any chart–but most of them are sad– especially Country songs! Life is sad sometimes – okay, most of the time. And these are the kinds of songs that can stop you in your tracks and make you think, maybe even cry. I heard Vince Gill say once that a great Country song has the ability to break your heart. And that’s still true today. People love great songs, whether they are happy or sad. I just saw Danny do this song last week, when he performed during the CRB meetings. He sang the hell out of this, just like he does on the record. So, play it. Impacting now.
By: Jim Asker
via http://www.allaccess.com/country/cool-new-music
CMT Blog: Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye” Inspires
Throughout my life, I’ve found many songs I can relate to, but rarely do they resonate with me as much as Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” The lyrics, about not letting go of a loved one’s memory, are touching and emotionally hard-hitting, while the music video tells the stories of people who have lost a husband, a mother and a son. Having lost my father when I was 15, I’ve personally experienced the emotions in this ballad, written by Chuck Cannon, Lari White and Vicky McGehee after the funeral of the 13-year-old son of Nashville songwriter Jeffrey Steele. And I respect Gokey greatly for having the strength to sing it, especially considering he lost his 27-year-old wife, Sophie, in 2008. However, having a close friend or family member pass away doesn’t mean you can’t think about them anymore. “I Will Not Say Goodbye” inspires me to do just the opposite.
via Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye” Inspires | CMT Blog.
JSOnline: Side stage snapshots: Sunday, July 4
It’s not what you might have predicted a year ago, but it appears that Danny Gokey is out to show what would have happened had Montgomery Gentry been better about staying in Sunday school.
Gokey’s show Sunday at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard was built from his debut album, “My Best Days.” The biggest surprise about the CD, aside from the fact that it’s a country disc, is that it’s dotted with aggressive country-rock tunes such as “Get Away” and “Like That’s a Bad Thing.”
Read the full review: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/97783404.html
Roughstock.com: “Mid-Year Report: My 25 Favorite Singles”
July 4, 2010 by Steph
Filed under Danny Gokey, Review
Country music blogger Matt Bjorke of Roughstock.com has posted his favorite 25 country singles so far in 2010. Among them is Danny Gokey’s new single “I Will Not Say Goodbye.”
“I Will Not Say Goodbye” – Danny Gokey
Wow. Where do I start with this one? It’s a passionate lyric with a passionate vocal by a supremely talented singer who really has connected to the material presented here. It’s a 180 from the ‘workman-like’ vocal of “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” and this one is a strong contender to sit next to Miranda’s “House That Built Me” as the best singles of 2010.
Read Matt’s full list of this and other great country songs at http://www.roughstock.com/blog/mid-year-report-my-25-favorite-singles/ .
CMT Blog: Ten New Music Videos
New videos from 10 different artists, making up CMT Big New Music Weekend, were screened this week by the CMT New Music Video Evaluation team. They saw new works from Lady Antebellum, Reba, Alan Jackson, Danny Gokey, James Otto, Jessie James, LeAnn Rimes, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins and Gary Allan. Ten very different songs and video treatments. Let’s roll ‘em. [..]
Artist: Danny Gokey
Video: “I Will Not Say Goodbye”
Director: Wes EdwardsGokey returns with his second country music video after “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” This is one American Idol graduate who is rising above his third-place finish on that show.
Panelists’ comments: “Would you believe he was a church music director?” “The guy has got one hell of a voice.” “This is a sad, sad song, but I love it.”
Review: Dixie Streams Online Radio: Danny Gokey “I Will Not Say Goodbye”
Dixie Streams is an online radio network, online magazine and blog that focuses on music for country people and reaches over 40,000 listeners each month.
[...] His profound loss now acts as the impetus to create a beautiful piece of art in his new single ‘I Will Not Say Goodbye’. The follow-up to ‘My Best Days Are Ahead of Me’, the ballad focuses on the grief and anger that follow such a tragic loss. While many other ballads that tackle the same somber subject matter frequently come across as overly dramatic or theatrical, Gokey’s single is laden with an honesty and sincerity that is inherently poignant.
The track starts out simply and organically, allowing Danny Gokey’s signature raspy and powerful vocals to create the emotion behind the haunting lyrics. He acts as a storyteller, sharing how life can suddenly change and be taken away within an instant. Instead of pleading for relief and anodyne from his grief and overwhelming pain, he instead proclaims that he will never say goodbye and would rather deal with suffering than risk letting time wash away the memories of a passed loved one’s face.
Even the swelling crescendo and blasting steel guitar near the song’s end are not a match for Gokey’s powerful instrument. ‘I Will Not Say Goodbye’ is a stand-out performance for Danny Gokey that allows him to make the transition from being a mere singer to an artist, while also providing a sense of comfort to the countless others in the world who are also dealing with such unimaginable challenges and losses in their own lives.
Read the full review: http://www.dixiestreams.com/danny-gokey-i-will-not-say-goodbye/
Country Aircheck: BamaJam Draws Crowd, If Not Radio
June 8, 2010 by Steph
Filed under Appearances, Review
WDXB/Birmingham, AL OM/PD Tom Hanrahan was on the grounds of the third annual BamaJam Music & Arts Festival over the weekend, and says the only thing missing was radio.
“It’s always a great lineup [..] “You had Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Hank, Jr., Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert, among others [..]
As for performances that jumped out at him, Hanrahan singles out two: “Chris Young did a stellar version of ‘Rainy Night In Georgia.’ And Danny Gokey covered both a Travis Tritt song and ‘Life Is A Highway.’ He’s definitely an entertainer.” And overall? “From an entertainment standpoint it lived up to everything they promoted it to be.”
via http://countryaircheck.com/pdfs/current0607.pdf
Review: Roughstock.com: Danny Gokey – “I Will Not Say Goodbye”
You’re gonna love this review! Be sure to read it all HERE.
by Matt Bjorke
There are times as a ‘tastemaker’ in country music where my senses are over stimulated with all the new songs that I hear. In fact, sometimes I get so lost in the world of new singles that I forget why I got into this business in the first place, because I genuinely love music. So when a new single crosses the desk that renews my love of music, I’m gonna shout to the rooftops about it. The latest single for Danny Gokey, “I Will Not Say Goodbye” is one of those kinds of songs.
Read the full review: Roughstock.com | Danny Gokey – I Will Not Say Goodbye
