Where does Milwaukee's Danny Gokey go from here?
Although no one seemed all that shocked that the hometown boy didn't make the final two on "American Idol" -- although a lot of people held out hope -- Brew City's love for Gokey didn't seem to have waned with his elimination.
In fact, his Summerfest grounds appearance was huge and an event at the Riverside last night was much anticipated. Next, Gokey joins nearly a dozen "AI" veterans for a summer tour that stops at the Bradley Center on Aug. 28.
While some former "Idol" contestants have made careers for themselves, most have gone on to relative obscurity.
Gokey's certainly a likeable guy and a talented singer, but what does his future hold? Will he ink a deal with a label and prove himself to have what it takes to maintain a career? Will that career make a lasting mark?
It's interesting to note that Gokey's event last night was covered on local television only by the Fox affiliate. Is this a sign his ride even at home is slowing?
Really, only time will tell. Like you, I've heard him sing other people's songs on "American Idol" and I'll venture to say that while being a good songwriter isn't always the key to success, it may make the difference for Gokey.
When he digs deep into his heart and sings what he finds there, we'll likely all know the answer.
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Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
