Gokey, 'Idol' crews visit Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- Hundreds of squealing fans welcomed home "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey on Friday.

Gokey started his day early at the local Fox affiliate, WITI-TV, where hundreds of people, many young girls, screamed his name and held signs that read "Ga Ga Gokey, ur our idol," and "We love you Danny."

He got out of a limo and immediately went to the crowd, signing autographs and posing for photos. Then as Gokey walked into the station, a mob of fans followed him.

After the visit, Gokey told reporters he has struggled with song selection on the show.

"I think one of my weaknesses on the show is I've always done gospel music and I don't know much about the music outside of that realm," he said. "Literally every song I pick, I'm learning. I don't know what to pick and song choice has been the most difficult thing for me, and it only gets harder as it goes."

Gokey got flack Tuesday from Simon Cowell for his performance of "Dream On" by Aerosmith. Cowell said Gokey's final note -- an elongated scream -- "was like watching a horror movie."

But Gokey laughed about it Friday.

"Rock wasn't my thing, and I bit off a song that was bigger than me," he said.

"I loved it," he said. "It was terrible sounding, but it was funny ... The thing is I can hit the note but that was like the 40th time. Finally, you get to a point your voice can only handle (so much). Right now my voice is sore from the rock. It takes a lot for my voice to get sore and that did it."

Later Friday, he was expected to sing at his church, Faith Builders International Ministries, on Milwaukee's south side.

Gokey volunteered there as song director before he tried out for "American Idol."

His audition came four weeks after his wife, Sophia, died of a congenital heart defect. The couple had agreed he would try out for the show, and Gokey has called her his "biggest inspiration."

Friday, Gokey told the morning show hosts at WITI-TV that he doesn't feel his wife but knows she's helping him.

"She has played a big part in my success," he said.

Gokey's schedule on Friday also included visits to Milwaukee landmarks such as a bronze statue of the Fonz from the television show "Happy Days," the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum. The city also was hosting a parade with Green Bay Packers players Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Nick Barnett and Ruvell Martin. It will end at the lakefront festival grounds, where Gokey will sing again.

Gokey will end the day throwing out the first pitch and singing the national anthem before a Brewers-Cubs game at Miller Park.