A Wednesday July evening spent at Summerfest that will always be remembered.  What an honor to be seeing a fellow Milwaukeean back home, up on stage giving us an intimate performance. [..]

It was now time for us to go backstage and meet Danny Gokey!   How great to have the chance to go behind the gate and stand right next to the bus that Danny Gokey is traveling on.  We waited a short time and then he came off the bus with a huge smile and open arms giving us both a great big hug.  Danny was very friendly.  It is a neat feeling to come walking out from back stage…the place people are curious about and want to go but rarely are able.

Read the full review / recap at http://www.fm106.com/pages/concert_reviewer.html and check out Jackie’s photo gallery of Danny’s Summerfest concert here.

After ending up in the Top three of American Idol’s season 8 (won by Kris Allen), Danny Gokey moved to Nashville and signed with 19/RCA Nashville where he looked to record songs that would be mainstream but also wouldn’t trample all over his personal faith and belief in recording life-affirming and uplifting songs. He scored a couple Top 40 country chart hits with “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” and one of our favorite singles from 2010, “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” The album which contained both songs, “MY Best Days,” hit the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 200 charts and has sold over 200,000 copies to date. [..]

Written by Cary Barlowe, Josh Kear, and Shane Stevens, “Second Hand Heart” is a song that is about a guy who finds the girl of his dreams and after finding that she’s been hurt and discarded by her last boyfriend, he lets on that he’s been ‘around the block a time or two’ but that his ‘second hand heart’ is there for her ‘second hand heart’ if she wants to accept it.  Perhaps a more uptempo re-write of “Bless The Broken Road,” “Second Hand Heart” has the sound of a song that can and should help re-establish Danny Gokey as a viable country radio star. A star who is ready to connect with modern country fans, like the boatload of fans that Lady Antebellum and the Band Perry have courted the past couple of years.

Read the entire review at http://www.roughstock.com/blog/danny-gokey-second-hand-heart

Preconcert phone interview reveals insight on Idol and country stardom

Season eight “American Idol” contestant, Milwaukee native Danny Gokey, performed Friday, Nov. 19 at Sheboygan’s Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts in Sheboygan.

Many avid “American Idol” fans may recall Gokey’s third place finish in the show. Not only did he capture the hearts of many Wisconsinites, but much of the nation as well. Played out on air was the tragic storey of Gokey’s wife, Sophia, passing away only a few weeks prior to auditioning for the show. He credits Sophia for allowing him to pursue his dreams.

Read the full article: http://www.lakelandmirror.com/arts-entertainment/american-idol-s-danny-gokey-hits-sheboygan-stage-1.1821211

Read HERE a review of the “I Will Not Say Goodbye“ video, posted attending Suzanne Brombacher‘s request (@rowansmom2010). Nothing new for the ones that read the comments on the daily discussion posts as the video has been discussed at length on several occasions since its release in mid June but maybe a different analysis for the ones that don’t. Enjoy.

The production is laid-back, acoustic and down-right perfect giving a natural pocket where Danny ‘s voice is able to shine without ever reaching operatic ‘diva’ moments.  This is the kind of joyful, relaxing holiday music that fits well between the sugary up-tempo classics like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” so as to not bash in our heads wondering why we’re out shopping over and over again.    It’s an expertly made tune and if this is an indication of where Danny Gokey’s country music future is heading, then count me an even bigger fan of his chances of success in country music, even if he lands far closer to the ‘pop’ side of the large country tent than in the traditional side.

Check the full review via http://www.roughstock.com/blog/danny-gokey-tennessee-christmas-/

Cowboy hats, mustaches and NASCAR jackets were all in abundance for the fall acoustic show on Wednesday at the Center for the Arts. The crowd was treated to great performances by some of country music’s biggest talents.

The sold out show was hosted by country station 106.5 WYRK and featured artists Danny Gokey, Steel Magnolia and The Band Perry. The acoustic concert highlighted each band’s twangy vocals and instrumental abilities.

Musician Danny Gokey first garnered attention after being a contestant on American Idol during season eight. Despite gaining national recognition, Gokey’s life has been full of turmoil and heartbreak ever since the sudden death of his wife in 2008, and his songs, such as “I Will Not Say Goodbye” and “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” reflect the experiences he has endured.

After he shared his life experiences, which ranged from his childhood to becoming an American Country Music Award nominee, the audience was able to identify on a personal level with Gokey.

During his set, Gokey and his bandmates performed numerous hits, such as “I Still Believe” and a cover of Rascal Flatts’ smash hit, “What Hurts the Most.” [..]

The liveliness that each performer gave made the show truly electrifying. Regardless of a person’s musical taste, it is hard to deny the passion and soul that came from every performer. If this performance was any indication of what is to come, these musicians have a future of success and greatness on the horizon.

Enjoy the complete concert review here

[...] The center of the attention — and thus occupying the center-stage spot with the help of his bass player, guitarist and keyboardist — was American Idol season 8 finalist Danny Gokey, who poured his heart into his material, and more often than not, steered (just) clear of the melodrama and tendency toward overstatement that plagues many of his contemporaries.

Read the full article: http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/concert-reviews/article226423.ece

Former “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey starts his new CD by singing how he’s old enough to look back on lots of past mistakes, but “young enough to look at the future and like what I see … my best days are ahead of me.”
It’s a striking start to a CD that is startling for not just Gokey’s nice, country-flavored music and honest, heart-tugging lyrics, but also for its hopefulness. [..]

“My Best Days” would be a nice addition to your CD box or iPod. It’s also a nice addition to the world of music, and a very Christian-flavored one at that.

Read the full review here.

Craig Morgan and Danny Gokey closed out a week of live entertainment at The Great Frederick Fair on Saturday night. [..]

Gokey took the stage wearing a red-and-black plaid shirt, jeans and his signature eyeglasses. He performs like a seasoned artist, comfortable on the stage, interacting with the crowd and dancing. The 12-song set featured music from his debut album, opening with the uptempo songs “Like That’s a Bad Thing,” “Life on Ya” and “Be Somebody.”

Read the full concert report via http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=110408

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

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/ .

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.

“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

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.” [..]

First impressions

When they first rolled video on Danny’s story – how his wife had died just four weeks earlier – my first thought was, “Awesome, a sympathy finalist.” Not to diminish his pain. But you know how producers like to jerk those tears for fun and profit. Then, he took that broken heart and poured it into Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” sounding more like Otis Redding than he had a right to.

[..]

‘Beautiful’ Loser

Having somehow made it to the Top 3 after “Dream On,” Danny nailed “You Are So Beautiful,” bringing the soul with real authority until he left you wondering if that’s the way composer Billy Preston planned it, never mind Joe Cocker. Even Al Green’s recent cover didn’t take the song to church and testify like Gokey did.

Read the full article at http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2010/08/06/20100806danny-gokey-american-idol-phoenix-concert.html

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