Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » danny gokey

Danny Gokey welcomes baby boy

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:12:58 +0000

Congratulations to Danny Gokey and his wife Layicet! The pair welcomed their first baby, son Daniel Emanuel Gokey, on Sunday, January 20th. Daniel weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz. and arrived at 9:52 pm, Danny confirms to PEOPLE magazine.

In the interview with People magazine, Danny said:

“Leyicet and I are overjoyed to welcome the new member of our family. I’m ecstatic to be a first time dad and to have a new little buddy to hang out with.

“Thankfully, because of what I do, it will also allow me the flexibility to spend a lot of quality time with him. I have so many exciting projects ahead this year but a brand new baby is an amazing way to get the new year started. We feel really blessed!”

The couple wed a year ago in Florida. It’s the second marriage for Danny, who lost his first wife to heart disease in 2008.

Danny Gokey Announces 3rd Annual Cruise for Sophia’s Heart

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:04:08 +0000

Season 8 American Idol finalist Danny Gokey will be bringing some of his biggest fans on a cruise in support of his charity, Sophia’s Heart. It’s the third annual Cruise For Sophia’s Heart Foundation, and those guests that book their cabins by October 31st will be able to attend a special VIP cocktail reception on embarkation day! The special VIP reception will include a private meet-and-greet with Danny, Kris Allen, and Jamar Rogers, and an intimate performance by all three guests. The Cruise will leave Port Canaveral, Florida on February 24th for a four-day cruise in the Bahamas.

Danny is pretty excited about 2013′s edition of the fundraiser. He shares:

“I’m excited that we get to do this benefit cruise again for the third year. Last year’s cruise raised over $23,000 to help fund our programming, which was a tremendous blessing to the families who have come through Sophia’s Heart this year. Everyone that knows me knows Sophia’s Heart is a huge part of my life and I’m so thankful for all the support over the past few years.”

Since moving to Nashville following American Idol, Danny has been busy helping homeless children and families in a 77,000 square foot facility donated to Sophia’s Heart in late 2010. The proceeds from the cruise will allow Sophia’s Heart to support compassion programs in Nashville including homeless children, families and efforts to assist victims rescued from human trafficking.

To book a cabin on the 3rd Annual Cruise for Sophia’s Heart, please visit www.sophiasheart.org or contact Sophia’s Heart Cruise Hotline at 1-888-644-4349.

Country Cast For “The Big Bang Theory”

Ted Efron — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:14:08 +0000

March Madness is making me a little, well, a little mad. It’s now been two straight weeks that basketball has bounced The Big Bang Theory from CBS’ Thursday night lineup.

Along with being a huge fan of country music, I (along with millions of others) am also a big fan of the show. The cast may be perfect down to the last micro-particle, but I’m going to mess with it anyway with this little “waiting for a new episode” time killer.

I’ve decided to replace the show’s regular stars with country stars who might be good at getting their geek on. (For those who are old enough to remember it, insert the Folgers Crystals reference here.) Please know that I’m in no way calling out the coolness of any of the singers included in the casting. If anything, it should be seen as an honor to be picked for a place in the ultimate geek squad.

Some of the cast members were picked because they kind of look like the originals. Others were picked because of the attitude they would bring to the role. One choice is simply for the comedy of forcing this person to play the part. Will you are agree or disagree with the casting? Or will you have some ideas of your own?

Continue reading to see the country cast of The Big Bang Theory:

Scotty McCreery as Sheldon Cooper:

Who better to play the winner of the prestigious Stevenson Award than the winner of American Idol? In this role, Scotty could take his “The Trouble With Girls” to a whole new level. The teen may not sound like Emmy award-winning actor Jim Parsons, so a baritone “Bazinga!” might be a bit bizarre. We know Scotty had the talent to win Idol, but does he have what it takes to win at rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock? (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click HERE.)

Danny Gokey as Leonard Hofstadter:

Once again, I dip into the world of American Idol for our casting. What is it about Danny Gokey that makes him a lock to play Leonard (played by Johnny Galecki)? Is it because he has the smarts to pull off playing an experimental physicist? Or is it because he has the charm to capture the heart of the girl next door (or across the hall)? Truth be told, it’s because of his glasses. Who says looks don’t matter?

Kellie Pickler as Penny:

This makes three straight trips into the Idol pool. I’m not saying there’s something geeky about the show…or am I? Only this time the replacement could actually give the original a run for her money! Kellie Pickler, with her comedic timing, presence and charm, is a natural pick to play Penny (portrayed by Kaley Couco). Aside from the physical similarities, Kellie also closely mirrors the character’s back story: Penny is from Nebraska, while Kellie is from North Carolina. Penny works as a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory, while Kellie was a server at Sonic. Penny longs to be an actress, while Kellie longed to be (and became) a successful singer. Speaking of singing, who wouldn’t want to hear Kellie’s version of “Soft Kitty”? (Learn the song here, but be warned: there’s Vicks VapoRub action!)

Eric Church as Howard Wolowitz

At first glance, this might seem like a total mis-cast. But is it really? Howard might have been not so smooth (and often a bit creepy) with all of his lines for the ladies, but they just might work coming from someone as cool and in control as Church. However, it would be hard for even Eric to top the “apology” version of “Bernadette” Simon Helberg’s character sang on the show. Still, it would be fun to see him try. (Experience the original version here.) But there is one great Eric unknown: Does he like brisket?

Blake Shelton as Rajesh Koothrappali:

It’s almost impossible to picture Oklahoma native Blake Shelton in the role of a particle astrophysicist from India (brilliantly portrayed by Kunal Nayyar). Then why Blake for this role? Simply because from what we all know about Blake, it would be hysterical to see him in a role where he has to get drunk just to be able to talk to women. In real life he has the drinking part down, but problems speaking to women? Right! Come to think of it, if Eric isn’t available, maybe Blake would work for the Howard Wolowitz role, too.

(The Big Bang Theory cast photos courtesy CBS.com)

Danny Gokey Announces Engagement

Jeanna D. — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:43:48 +0000

Season 8 American Idol alum and country singer, Danny Gokey, has announced his engagement to girlfriend, Leyicet Peralta. The couple shared the news on sophiasheart.org, a foundation Gokey created in honor of his late wife in order to help children and families touched by poverty, sickness, broken homes, and other hardships.

The couple shared:

“We are thankful for so many of the blessings God has given us. It is our desire to see homeless children and families be kept together and lifted back on their feet through the help of Sophia’s Heart. We love and appreciate you all.”

~ Danny & Leyicet

The couple is planning a wedding for late January 2012, and has requested that all wedding gifts be in the form of donations to Sophia’s Heart Foundation. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

Congratulations to Danny & Leyicet! We wish you all of the best.

How Sony Music's Restructuring Effects Country Music

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:20:08 +0000

Country music fans have been a little worried and confused this week over the announcement of Sony Music’s restructuring of its labels. While no major acts have been dropped, a lot of shuffling has gone on. We have the new artist lists by label here for you to help ease that confusion while the official websites get caught up and switch over. With the removal of Columbia Nashville, Miranda Lambert and the Pistol Annies were one of the acts switched to a different branch of Sony Music Nashville.

For a full list of how it effected country, click the “read more” button.

ARISTA Roster:

Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Ronnie Dunn
Kix Brooks
Jerrod Niemann
Brent Anderson
Adam Brand
Kristen Kelly

COLUMBIA/BNA Roster:

Wade Bowen
Kenny Chesney
Bradley Gaskin
Casey James
The Lunabelles
Kellie Pickler
Jordyn Shellhart
Joanna Smith
Tyler Farr

RCA Roster:

Bush Hawg
Sara Evans
Danny Gokey
Miranda Lambert
Love And Theft
Jake Owen
Pistol Annies
Josh Thompson
Chris Young

How Sony Music’s Restructuring Effects Country Music

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:20:08 +0000

For a full list of how it effected country, click the “read more” button.

ARISTA Roster:

Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Ronnie Dunn
Kix Brooks
Jerrod Niemann
Brent Anderson
Adam Brand
Kristen Kelly

COLUMBIA/BNA Roster:

Wade Bowen
Kenny Chesney
Bradley Gaskin
Casey James
The Lunabelles
Kellie Pickler
Jordyn Shellhart
Joanna Smith
Tyler Farr

RCA Roster:

Bush Hawg
Sara Evans
Danny Gokey
Miranda Lambert
Love And Theft
Jake Owen
Pistol Annies
Josh Thompson
Chris Young

Steel Magnolia joins CW’s Fashion Show Lineup

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:14:34 +0000

Steel Magnolia and Joe Nichols are the latest acts added on to the Country Weekly Fashion Show lineup. The event is part of the Musician’s on Call program, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in America. Both Steel Magnolia and Nichols will perform at the event, while other country stars will walk the catwalk. Hosted by Suzanne Alexander, the full list of participants is below the cut. You can catch this special event in Nashville on June 7th. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com.

On the Runway:
Joey + Rory
Danny Gokey
Bucky Covington
Tiffany
Sarah Darling
Katie Armiger
Carter’s Chord
Ty Herndon
Stealing Angels
Burns & Poe
Joanna Smith
LoCash Cowboys
Ashley Gearing
James Wesley
Danielle Peck
Margaret Durante
EMCEE: Suzanne Alexander

Country Music Marathon starts Saturday

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:59:46 +0000

Over 300,000 runners will be participating in the Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon Sunday in Nashville. This event is in its 12th year and stands out by having over 50 bands and artists playing on 28 different stages during the event. Danny Gokey will be singing the national anthem before the start of the race. Montgomery Gentry are headlining the post-race concert at the Bridgestone Arena. The race starts at 7 am Saturday at Centennial Park. Online registration has ended, but late runners can still sign up in-person at the Health & Fitness Expo today.