 Danny Gokey was the third place finalist on the
eighth season of American Idol. After his placing on the show, Gokey signed to
RCA Records Nashville as the beginning of a career in country music, releasing
the singles "You Are So Beautiful" and "It's Only."
Danny Gokey rose to national fame with his participation in the eighth season of
American Idol. On August 8, 2008, he auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri, along
with his friend Jamar Rogers, who is also from Milwaukee. Both made it through
to Hollywood, but Rogers was eliminated from the competition prior to the
semifinals. Gokey's American Idol audition occurred only four weeks after his
wife's death in July 2008.
Gokey, along with runner-up Adam Lambert, were judge favorites throughout the
season, consistently earning high praise from all four judges. Approximately a
month before the finale judge Simon Cowell said that he expected Gokey would
make the finale, going head to head with Lambert, but Kris Allen went on to win
the season.
During Rock Week (Top 4 week), Gokey's take on Aerosmith's "Dream On" was panned
due to the extended scream with which he finished the song.Danny Gokey was
eliminated during Top 3 week, after his performance of Joe Cocker's "You Are So
Beautiful."
During the season 8 finale on May 20, 2009, Gokey performed a duet with R&B
superstar Lionel Richie. The performance opened with Gokey singing a
true-to-the-original solo of Richie's "Hello," which season 7 winner David Cook
also covered during his season as a rock power ballad,and then Richie joined
Gokey for a duet of his hits "Just Go" and "All Night Long.
Gokey was nominated in his state of Wisconsin for a WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music
Industry) Award for Best Christian/Gospel Artist of the Year. However, he lost
to Chad James, a local Christian artist in April 2009 during his run on Idol.
As of September 2009, Danny Gokey has finished his tour with the other idols on
the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2009, and he is also working on his foundation,
Sophia's Heart, which was set up to help disadvantaged children.
Gokey is known for his many pairs of eyeglasses that he often wore on the show,
and has stated he may start an eyewear line to help raise funds for his
foundation.
On September 1, 2009, Gokey announced he had signed with 19 Recordings/RCA
Nashville and his country single will be released in November 2009 followed by
his debut album in March 2010. The single will be called "It's Only." The single
was written by Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and produced
by Mark Bright.
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