Reality TV Star Bio on Danny Gokey from American Idol-Season 8

American Idol has now been on for eight seasons. In January 2010 will begin its ninth season. This show is without a doubt the most popular reality TV show since it first showed up as a summer replacement in 2002. What would be more appropriate than to focus on one of the finalists from this past season? He came so incredibly close to be in The Final 2, but was denied and came in third instead. The contestant I refer to is Daniel Jay Gokey or better known on American Idol as Danny Gokey.

He may not be receiving the enormous media coverage like the runner-up, Adam Lambert, or the winner of American Idol Season 8, Kris Allen, however; his biography is worth writing about since I covered two of his performances in review articles for Associated Content back in April and May of this year during Season 8. It was the Top 8 "The Year They Were Born" and the Top 4 "Classic Rock" themed shows. There is only one other contestant I have been interested in when I started watching American Idol during Season 5. I was very impressed with the show then. Before that, I had seen American Idol during Season 2 for one show and thought it was the cheesiest talent show on earth.

After the dismal array of contestants from Season 6 and 7 I vowed I would not watch this show ever again. One night in January when they were showing the auditions in Kansas City the host, Ryan Seacrest, focused on a contestant who was about to audition. I really wasn't paying too much attention, but I heard Ryan mention his very tragic story about his late wife. Immediately I looked up and saw who I thought was Robert Downey, Jr. My first impression was "what's Robert Downey, Jr. doing on American Idol?" Obviously as it turned out it was Danny Gokey. There was something rather intriguing about him, perhaps it had to do with his singing voice, but I was definitely deeply moved by his backstory.

This biography will briefly touch upon the most reported items you may have heard about Danny Gokey. I don't want to come across as repeating a lot of the same information you've heard on American Idol. Instead I will focus on the things that have been reported once. I've not read everything under the sun about him, but the sources I have are indeed interesting. Like Danny's lookalike, Robert Downey, Jr., their birthdays are in the month of April. Outside of that, Danny and Robert don't have much else in common. Quite frankly they are polar opposites.

The Early Years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

His family and friends refer to him as "Dan". Danny is a definite people-person who loves giving hugs to anyone. He attended Vincent High School in Milwaukee with about 1,600 students. Considering his high profile career starting on American Idol Danny Gokey was a very shy person growing up. While in high school he was an average student who excelled in art. Once he considered joining the golf team, because his friends were on it and the coach encouraged him, but he decided not to pursue being the next Tiger Woods. As a child Danny gave his first performance singing "Tutti Fruitti" by Little Richard. Besides singing with his large family while growing up he can play the piano and trumpet. He does not drink or smoke, nor does he sport any tattoos or body piercing, but has been wearing glasses since he was in the fifth grade. This has resulted in his trademark of wearing many different pairs of glasses each week on American Idol and currently while on tour. Danny stated he wears different glasses in the same way people nowadays have body art (tattoos & piercing). His vision is 20/200, which is considered legally blind.

Sophia & Danny - July 9, 2008

In 2000 and up until 2008 Danny worked as a Music Director for the Faith Builders International Ministry during the evenings. His day job was driving a semi truck and delivering to warehouses locally in Milwaukee. On May 15, 2004 Danny married the love of his life, Sophia Linnette Martinez, his girlfriend of seven years. In February 2008 he told his wife he would finally audition for American Idol since she wanted him to go out for it. Sophia was a huge fan of American Idol. Danny never watched the show due to his evening job as a Music Director. It was during Season 7 of American Idol Danny watched it for the first time by way of DVR. In the summer of 2008 Sophia went into surgery for a minor procedure regarding her heart condition, she had since her childhood. and passed away on July 9th.

American Idol Audition & Competition

This had become a severe bone of contention for some viewers of American Idol when it was reported Danny Gokey auditioned for American Idol only four weeks after his wife's death. The age limit for auditioning is 28 years old. Danny was 28 years old at the time and it was his last and only opportunity. Not only that, he made a promise to her earlier in the year he would audition. This was her favorite show. During the Top 36 semi-final show as Danny was singing the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey as a result of being selected into the Top 13 a relative of his in the audience held up to the camera a wedding photo of Danny and Sophia. It caused some controversy and his story was never mentioned again until his post interview after being voted off during the Top 3. Danny had been scrutinized, criticized, and ridiculed for trying to get sympathy votes. Many considered Danny to be polarizing, because of his strong religious beliefs. It was also speculated Danny and Adam Lambert were not the best of friends due to Adam's sexuality and Danny's views on religion. They are not close friends, but were extremely amicable during the entire time on the show.

Post American Idol, the Tour, and the Future

In December 2008 Danny established a foundation in his late wife's name, Sophia's Heart Foundation. In his post Idol career path he has been juggling the tour rehearsals along with side bar business trips to Milwaukee and Nashville related to the foundation. On Danny's Twitter Profile page he states "My two passions in life are music and helping people." He is truly committed to Sophia's Heart Foundation as well as getting his music out any way he can. Prior to the start of the American Idols Live Tour on July 5th it was reported Danny was in Nashville for talks with some of the record labels there. It may be his music identity will be in the country music genre since he is singing two of Rascal Flatts songs on tour. While on tour Danny is receiving superb reviews for his performances of four songs. I've see the Youtube clips and he is incredible out there, especially his little Latin dance number during his set of "Maria, Maria". One thing's for certain, I don't think Danny Gokey will be one of those Idol finalists you never hear from again. Quite the contrary, we are going to hear a lot more from him.

SOURCES:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/.../chi-ap-wi-dannygokey-glance

www.usatoday.com/life/.../2009-03-30-gokey-glasses_N.htm

http://mjsbigblog.com/danny-gokey-morning-show-with-mike-and-juliet.htm May 31, 2009

http://mjsbigblog.com/danny-gokey-live-with-regis-and-kelly-video.htm May 28, 2009

More on Danny Gokey's Nashville visit - Idol Chatter - USATODAY.com

http://blogs.usatoday.com/.../07/number-three-danny-gokey.html

http://twitter.com/dannygokey

www.americanidol.com