WITI-TV, NASHVILLE -
He's the local guy who made it big on American Idol Season 8. Danny Gokey took Milwaukee by storm this spring during his hometown visit. Brew City went bonkers for Gokey. So what's he up to now? FOX 6 catches up with him in Nashville, TN.
Nashville is a country music metropolis, and only about 500 miles from Milwaukee. It's a world away, and gives Danny Gokey a fresh start. We caught up with Gokey at Star Struck Studios, where he is working on his debut album.
Gokey's got a record deal with RCA Nashville. "It's Only" is the first single off his debut album. The song has already aired on FOX Wakeup and Milwaukee's FM 106. The full album is set for release next year.
Gokey is in good hands at Stark Studios. Producer Mark bright works with big names like Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flats. These days Gokey's got to nail every not, making American Idol seem like a lifetime ago. Gokey says, "I'm completely glad it's over. Although, great experience, great memories, but I'm so glad to be working on my own things. On my album, where my passion and my heart is now."
That passion is what keeps Gokey going. He says, "There's so many things surrounding the process of cutting an album. The promo. I mean this week alone, I've probably hit about 75 radio stations and 20 or 30 TV stations." That's on tops of so much studio time. Laying a single track can take several hours.
Still surprised Gokey's going country? He knows some fans didn't see it coming. Gokey explains, "County is a music genre that is so close to gospel. It's influenced directly by gospel."
Gokey calls it a natural next step. One Randy Travis pointed out while mentoring the idol contestants. Gokey says, "The mentor shoot was over and I was walking past and he came and said 'Danny come here' okay, so I walk up to him. He said 'Danny have you ever considered doing country?' I said year, I've considered it. You know? He said 'no you need to do country. They would love you.'" That's what he's hoping for.
A hit record and a national fan base. So we had to ask about staying real. How's Gokey going to stay that great midwestern guy on American Idol we all fell for? Gokey answers, "You have people praising you and tell you ow much they adore you and love you. I think the key part of staying grounded is with my faith that was the number one thing being raise in a great church. Being raised my great parents really helps keep me grounded, and I have a few people who I tell them to punch me if I ever become a diva or divo, which one is it?
Music with a message always has, and will inspire Gokey. He says, "I'm just not a person who fits in the pop personality, or the pop culture. I'm a very real person and I have to talk about real things, things from the heart...You can always do that with country music. Which excites me. I love it here and I plan on being here for the rest of my career."
Despite his busy schedule, Danny is still very involved with Sophia's Heart Foundation. Thanks to a generous donation from a contributor in California, Sophia's Heart Youth Center will soon open in LA.
Gokey is looking for a building in Milwaukee too, hoping to start running programs here as well.
Nashville is a country music metropolis, and only about 500 miles from Milwaukee. It's a world away, and gives Danny Gokey a fresh start. We caught up with Gokey at Star Struck Studios, where he is working on his debut album.
Gokey's got a record deal with RCA Nashville. "It's Only" is the first single off his debut album. The song has already aired on FOX Wakeup and Milwaukee's FM 106. The full album is set for release next year.
Gokey is in good hands at Stark Studios. Producer Mark bright works with big names like Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flats. These days Gokey's got to nail every not, making American Idol seem like a lifetime ago. Gokey says, "I'm completely glad it's over. Although, great experience, great memories, but I'm so glad to be working on my own things. On my album, where my passion and my heart is now."
That passion is what keeps Gokey going. He says, "There's so many things surrounding the process of cutting an album. The promo. I mean this week alone, I've probably hit about 75 radio stations and 20 or 30 TV stations." That's on tops of so much studio time. Laying a single track can take several hours.
Still surprised Gokey's going country? He knows some fans didn't see it coming. Gokey explains, "County is a music genre that is so close to gospel. It's influenced directly by gospel."
Gokey calls it a natural next step. One Randy Travis pointed out while mentoring the idol contestants. Gokey says, "The mentor shoot was over and I was walking past and he came and said 'Danny come here' okay, so I walk up to him. He said 'Danny have you ever considered doing country?' I said year, I've considered it. You know? He said 'no you need to do country. They would love you.'" That's what he's hoping for.
A hit record and a national fan base. So we had to ask about staying real. How's Gokey going to stay that great midwestern guy on American Idol we all fell for? Gokey answers, "You have people praising you and tell you ow much they adore you and love you. I think the key part of staying grounded is with my faith that was the number one thing being raise in a great church. Being raised my great parents really helps keep me grounded, and I have a few people who I tell them to punch me if I ever become a diva or divo, which one is it?
Music with a message always has, and will inspire Gokey. He says, "I'm just not a person who fits in the pop personality, or the pop culture. I'm a very real person and I have to talk about real things, things from the heart...You can always do that with country music. Which excites me. I love it here and I plan on being here for the rest of my career."
Despite his busy schedule, Danny is still very involved with Sophia's Heart Foundation. Thanks to a generous donation from a contributor in California, Sophia's Heart Youth Center will soon open in LA.
Gokey is looking for a building in Milwaukee too, hoping to start running programs here as well.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
