'Idol' finalist Danny Gokey leads off grandstand lineup
If you think about it, there might be no better crowd pleaser at this week's DuPage County Fair than "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey.
Fair patrons in recent years have shown an appetite for pop acts, artists with all-ages appeal, and - of course - singers who specialize in country music. As one of the finalists in "Idol's" eighth season, and with his new country album "My Best Days," Gokey might prove he fits the bill perfectly during his show at 8 p.m. today in the Wheaton fairgrounds grandstand.
We caught up with Gokey last week to find out about life after "Idol," a less glamorous summer fair experience, and what's in store for the Wheaton audience.
Q. You recently released a new single, "I Will Not Say Goodbye," which is a very personal song. (Gokey's wife and high school sweetheart, Sophia, died during routine surgery for congenital heart disease just before he auditioned for "Idol," a show she loved.) What has the reception been so far?A. It's been really great. It's a real song and I think a lot of people are responding to it, since it debuted at 53 and jumped the next week to 42 on the Billboard Country Music Charts. To move 11 spots, that's huge. I sing the song from my situation, but I think it also tells other people's stories of experiencing loss and not understanding why. The song gives someone permission to cry, it gives someone permission to grieve. It says "Yes, I'll move on in life and do what I have to do, but I am never going to say goodbye to that memory."Q. You just finished performing with Tim McGraw. What's it like being on the bill with country royalty?A. It kind of shows that things are a revolving door, since the first single I ever bought was (McGraw's) "Don't Take the Girl." I'm so excited to open for him, not only because he's a great performer but a phenomenal actor, too. Around him I tend to become a little speechless, act like a star-struck fan and tend to babble. But then I try to remind myself he's just a person like me.Q. Before your music career launched, you worked as a truck driver for two years while living in Milwaukee. Did that job ever take you to county fairs like this? A. As a matter of fact, I just played Summerfest in Milwaukee and I was thinking "Wow, I made a delivery here once and I never thought I'd play on this stage." It's funny how things work out.Q. Be honest: Was Adam Lambert robbed? A. I said on "Larry King Live" I knew Kris (Allen) was going to win because he had a big fan base. But now the numbers tell me Adam outsold Kris and that means he has a strong fan base, too. With "Idol" it doesn't matter who the winner is. What matters is who you're going to hear on the radio two years from now. Of the 90 or so contestants who have been in the final 13 over the years, you can probably count on two hands whose music is being played. If I'm still being played on the radio next year, I'll be pleased.Q. "American Idol" is skipping Chicago and heading to Milwaukee for upcoming auditions. Since it's your hometown, do you think you inspired that decision?A. Absolutely. I asked them last year to go and at the time they said it wasn't possible. But Milwaukee has plenty of untapped talent, because Chicago is right there and people always bypass Milwaukee. But Milwaukee is one of the top 20 cities in America.Q. What is your favorite fan moment so far?A. There's no good story behind this, but my favorite memories with fans are always times with children, because I love kids. They come up to me and they can't talk, but they'll just be so excited. Or some just give me a kiss on my cheek and just hug me like they already know me. It's adorable.Q. What can fans expect at next weekend's show? Will it be an intimate, low-key performance? Or will you rock-out?A. They can expect all of that. When I started on "American Idol," I didn't know how to perform. I've done tons of shows since and have learned how to connect with an audience and where to take them. Even a friend told me I used to be kind of awkward on "Idol" but said I've really blossomed as a performer. And that's because I love doing it and we're always looking at ways we can make the show better and better.If you goWhat: Danny Gokey performsWhen: 8 p.m. todayWhere: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, WheatonCost: $10 (does not include fair admission)Info: dupagecountyfair.orgFalse13332000Danny Gokey, who was one of the finalists in the eighth season of "American Idol," performs tonight to help open the DuPage County Fair in Wheaton.Associated PressFalse