February 18, 2009 10:09 AM
American Idol - Danny, Alexis, Anoop
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The stand-out of the night - and my favorite from the beginning episodes - was Danny Gokey, an understated, somewhat rumpled guy from Milwaukee who lost his wife four weeks before his first audition. I was holding my breath when he took the mike because of so many disappointing performances preceding him, but lo and behold, he nailed Mariah Carey's Hero and brought the judges to their feet. (It's no big feat to bring everyone else in the small theater they start in to their feet - they seem to think that anytime someone holds a note for more than 20 seconds, no matter the pitch, it's time to applaud. Many of the contestants have raw talent but no training.)
Anyway, it turns out that Danny is a music minister. From Beliefnet:
More on American Idol contestant Danny Gokey and wife Sophia
Thursday January 15, 2009
Categories: American Idol, Christian music in mainstream
I know it's still early in the competition, but last night's auditions in Kansas City showcased Danny Gokey, a singer from Milwaukee who lost his wife just four weeks before that audition.
The show's producers milked that story, didn't they? I don't think any of the contestants whose tragedies were highlighted - from the blind pianist Scott MacIntyre to Lil Rounds, who lost her home in a tornado - intended those stories to be exploited that way. But it is TV, and the producers will do anything to keep viewers interested.
Gokey got well-deserved high praises from the judges, and his story clearly touched viewers. I told you in today's American Idol post that he's part of Faith Builders International Ministry in Wisconsin. Here's a little more info on Danny Gokey.
According to a contact at the church, Gokey was the praise and worship leader at both Faith Builders International Ministry locations, in Beloit, WI for the morning service and then he headed to Milwaukee for the afternoon service, as well as doing mid-week services. While Faith Builders is Gokey's home church, he travels back and forth to Nashville where he's been recording and working on the foundation that he set up in his wife Sophia's name, Sophia's Heart Foundation.
The foundation's goal is to unite people, organizations, and companies to "reach out and touch the hearts of children from ages 0 through 18. The uniting factor among these children will be the need for restoration in various areas of their lives." Part of the foundation's long term vision is to establish an orphanage in the Milwaukee area.
That we get to see Gokey sing is great. That he gets to use his exposure on the show to promote foundation and, in the long run, help children is even better. That we hopefully get to hear about his faith in future shows is the icing on the cake.
Exploiting the celebrity goes both ways, and in this case, that's a good thing.
For more about Sophia's Heart Foundation, set up by Danny Gokey for in honor of his wife Sophia, visit the foundation website. There are several charities with the words "Sophia" and "heart" so make sure you've got the right one. The url is www.sophiasheart.org.
I've said before that the show is always full of Christians - I think because we grow up singing in church. In additon to Danny, last night's show included Michael Sarver - a praise team leader from Harvest Church in Texas - and Ricky Braddy, formerly of Christian college Belmont University, who sang with the gospel group Step of Faith.
Other people who should be in the finals:
Alexis Grace, one of those itty-bitty white chicks who can sing soul. I think there's room for development, but on a show like Idol, she will be stretched. And she's already shown that she is teachable - a quality that time and again results in success for contestants (one of the lessons my kids have learned from watching the show).
I liked Brent Keith, who sang Hicktown - and know he will probably be my son Josh's favorite. He is marred, father of two, a roughneck by trade and a genuinely nice guy. But this show is unpredictable when it comes to country singers. Carrie Underwood showed a more facets than country before she won. But don't forget, her first hit was country through and through: Jesus, Take the Wheel though it crossed over to pop. He is a long shot though as the third person most likely to place is
Anoop Desai - a relaxed guy who sings well, heeds the advice of the judges and did not take the fatal path of overkill on his song. Another of those truly likeable people that you want to do well.
Please, dear God, let this be the last we see of Tatiana. She really needs to go home and rethink her approach.
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Comments
Danny is my favorite as well. I like his approachable look and his good natured personality. I loved his song pick last night.
I even tried to vote for him (which I have never done in any of the preceding AI competitions), but alas AT&T was having phone line problems.
Posted by: Kelly | February 18, 2009 11:59 AM
I like Danny and Anoop too. I really hope they both make it.
Posted by: Debra | February 18, 2009 4:20 PM
Danny Gokey is undeniably talented; i would put my money on him to win the whole thing
Posted by: coffee | February 22, 2009 11:07 PM
Just curious if you're still rooting for Danny? I'm from Central Arkansas as is Kris Allen. There was lots of excitement around here when he came home last weekend. I really like Kris, but I really like Danny too. I think Adam is very talented, but his screeching is like finger nails on a chalkboard to me. I can't take it anymore. My husband and I generally DVR AI and watch it later. We usually watch the first 30 seconds or so of Adam and then FF to the other contestants. I didn't like the heavy metal band sound in the 80's and I for sure don't like it now. Anyway... just curious!
Posted by: Joani | May 13, 2009 10:53 AM
