Danny Gokey – “Second Hand Heart” – First Listen!

I love the song already. Danny sang the heck out of it. I think it could be a hit for him.

tweet from one of the songwriters

@stevens_shane: Excited @dannygokey debuted new single Second Hand Heart on radio! Amazing to hear such a great voice singing one of your songs! thanks man!

@stevens_shane: Yay!!! To my cowriters @carybarlowe @joshkear!! Think we got is one with @dannygokey come on Second Hand Heart!! Thank you country radio!!

Wow! I love the soaring vocals at the end….Danny’s voice really shines on this song!

Thank you MJ for recording it….loved the interview too! Danny sounds so excited and happy…his positive energy is infectious :)

Sounds really good, should be a hit

I listened to the song twice. I like it! It’s a really good interview too. Sounds like things are going great for him which is nice to hear.

Here is a tweet with a picture of Danny today:

Becca just met (Heart Throbbing) @dannygokey and he is wearing the same shirt that he is wearing in his avatar. #sohappy http://t.co/kUz9eOM

I can see why the DJ said he was looking “buff” these days in that interview ;)

Boo, I’m at work and can’t listen :(

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like it.

Ditto. I can’t listen yet because I’m at work too. But I really like the picture of Danny at the Opry that is paired with the post. Thanks, MJ!

The chorus is catchy, but I always worry about songs that people put out to the country market that don’t include specific details in the lyrics. Like “Need You Now” talked about calling someone on the phone late at night for instance or the many story type songs on country radio. I also wonder if once again his voice sounds country enough.

I’m not sure what qualifies as “country enough” anymore, because a lot of what I hear on country radio doesn’t sound especially country to me, or at least what I thought of as country from years ago. I think the boundaries have genuinely expanded. But country music gatekeepers aren’t exactly consistent, either. I suspect it’s a Catch-22: if you are big enough, you can get away with not sounding “country enough.” Taylor Swift doesn’t sound country to me. Neither does Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good on My Lips” or Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” — which racked up a lot of country music awards for them. So who knows? Only time will tell.

but I always worry about songs that people put out to the country market that don’t include specific details in the lyrics.

I also wonder if once again his voice sounds country enough.

This song was written by country songwriters for country radio. Danny music is country/pop not traditional country. I think there is room in country music for more than one song type. Listening to my two country radio stations (which I listen to everyday) would be quite boring if they all sounded the same. A lot of Carrie’s songs don’t have specific lyrics with a long drawn out story to the song nor do most of Lady A’s. I wouldn’t call Need You Now (a booty call song) a story-telling song. Danny’s voice doesn’t have a twang nor has he decided to affect one as some other atists have done, can we say Josh Thompson, Josh Gracin, Taylor Swift, etc. all born in Northern states with no southern drawl. Some of the country artists I like have definate twangs, Miranda Lambert, Lauren Alaina (hopefully she’ll be an artist someday) and Jennifer Nettles but it is not a requirement for me. I’m more into the song than whether they pass a country sounding voice test. Also some would say it is the phrasing that makes a song country and I think Danny’s phrasing is better in this song than some of his earlier songs.

Wow, this has been a long time coming but glad to hear it.

Danny’s vocals have evolved some on this, which was one of his goals, but I definitely like it.

Well, I’ve listened to it 3 times in a row, so far. I think I love it. Danny has a very lovely voice and with just enough pain in it. The lyrics are good. Not any where near a country music expert but I do enjoy a lot of it and I really like this.

eta, 5 listens. :)

I’m really liking this song, way to go Danny! Hope it’s a hit for him. While I didn’t like him during S8 show he changed my mind at the tour concert. I like his vocals on this a lot.

The Colorado Springs station has posted a photo gallery from Danny’s visit there today

http://www.y969.com/cc-common/gallery/photos.html?album_id=284620&p=17125048#/0/17125048

eta, 5 listens :)

Lol, that’s great :)

Well, I arrived home and listened to it; thanks to MJs :)

It definitely sounds more country and a fit for country radio. Not sure if it is my favorite Danny song, since I can’t hear his vocals really well, but I know this is a recording of a recording.

The songwriters do seem to have written well for him, both in showing off his range, vocal abilities and the lyrics suit him. I don’t hear “edgy” though Danny lol-maybe that is coming in other songs off the album :)

He’s using the raspier side of his voice vs. the soft side, which does suit the country sound. It is kind of a different sound for him. And no one can claim it is a CCM song, lol.

YEESSS!!! This sounds very much like a song I would hear on my local country radio station. Way to go Danny and RCA Nashville! Will country radio play it? I have no idea. But I am optimistic. The song is very radio-friendly, and Danny sounds confident and convincing.

Casey James fans, take heart! If Danny and RCA taking their time with Danny’s new single produced this, then I think Casey & his label taking their time to find out what will work for Casey may yield similar tortoise-beats-the-hare results. I realize it is early days yet and we don’t know how Danny’s new single will fare, but I am optimistic.

Thanks for the chance to listen, MJ and the nice photos, Steph!

I really like the song!

Does anyone think that DJ was trying to start up a bromance with Danny? He seems to have the effect on a lot of guys, LOL!

This is basically a pop/rock song sung like a pop/rock dressed up in a little bit of country instruments. Definitely a better melody than his previous 2 singles so that’s an improvement. But Danny’s still not much of a storyteller and his phrasing is kind of uptight so you don’t get a build in the song. I’d bet $$ you guys will hear him loosen it up when he sings it live. Thanks MJ for the cap.

It’s kind of hard to tell what the mix is from a cap off a radio stream so I won’t judge the production yet. The 2nd verse especially isn’t very well written. Somehow the song doesn’t get the continuity and momentum it really needs.

Lucy1234: Listening to my two country radio stations (which I listen to everyday) would be quite boring if they all sounded the same.

Nobody’s saying diversity’s a bad thing but there should be something country in the singing in the 1st place which in Danny’s case there really isn’t. Otherwise Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Usher should also be played on country radio out of some misguided quest for diversity at expense of the genre’s integrity.

Lucy1234: A lot of Carrie’s songs don’t have specific lyrics with a long drawn out story to the song nor to most of Lady A’s.

At the most, 4 out of Carrie’s 13 singles aren’t story based with specific lyrics. That doesn’t add up to “a lot”. Even if you expand out to her albums, a conservative estimate is no fewer than 8 out of 13 tracks per album have had stories and specific lyrics.

Lucy1234: Danny’s voice doesn’t have a twang nor has he decided to affect one as some other atists have done, can we say Josh Thompson, Josh Gracin, Taylor Swift, etc. all born in Northern states with no southern drawl.

Twang is only one signature stylization associated with country singing, nor is it the same thing as a Southern drawl. And speaking accents or the lack thereof don’t necessarily translate into singing accents so it’s erroneous basing some idea of affectation based on that. Josh Thompson sings that way because that’s how he learned to sing.

Also I know that Josh Thompson is for some reason a favorite punching bag of Gokey fans but have you heard A Man Don’t Have To Die from Brad Paisley’s new album and Church Pew Or Bar Stool from Jason Aldean’s current album? Both are amazing songs which Josh Thompson cowrote and they’re examples of why he’s had no problem being accepted as a genuine country act and not some poser. I’m not even a fan of his but there’s no doubt based on his writing style that he’s a country guy.

Josh Thompson sings that way because that’s how he learned to sing

What??? In Wisconsin?

I have no problem if he wants to use that as a style of singing, but that’s how he “learned to sing”?

Yeah, the DJ was certainly crushing on Danny:) For me, it’s all about the music and being entertained. Danny has a great voice, a larger than life personality and knows how to put on one heck of a live show. And he certainly has a passion x 7 for what he’s doing.

And in as far as Danny and Country music, well, RCA Nashville has no problem with it. They are investing in a second album – and taking their time and having him write. Sony Nashville went through a reorganization earlier this year and parted ways with artists who were way more traditional, yet they held on to Danny. The songwriters of Second Hand Heart are certainly well known in Country music. And highly respected producer Mark Bright had no problem guiding Danny’s debut. And Danny was hand picked to work with Taylor Swift – and she obviously has no problem that Danny doesn’t sing with a twang. And I’ve already lost count of the many times Danny has been invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Danny’s recording his second album on a major country label and on a country radio tour with a really appealing new single. Works for me. I love it! I hoped that I would.

I think those lyrics are going to resonate so strongly with people, I love the second verse where he tells the girl basically that he is so glad that her last man was too blind to see what he had. I think that to have a man like Danny singing those words the way he does is going to have very strong appeal. I remember writing once that I hoped his next single would be something that people would want to listen to over and over, and I feel like I got my wish. I am happy. :)

lucysfave: What??? In Wisconsin?

I have no problem if he wants to use that as a style of singing, but that’s how he “learned to sing”?

From what I’ve read and heard from Josh Thompson in interviews it was old Merle Haggard records that really sparked him to get into singing and writing. It’s possible that’s posturing but I hear the influence. So yes that appears to be how he learned to sing.

Otherwise Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Usher should also be played on country radio out of some misguided quest for diversity at expense of the genre’s integrity.

Lol. Yes, I would so easily confuse Lady Gaga with Danny on my country radio station :lol: They are pretty much interchangeable after all in their tastes, musical styles, values, and interests for having an affinity for country songs and the Nashville environment.

Also I know that Josh Thompson is for some reason a favorite punching bag of Gokey fans .. Both are amazing songs which Josh Thompson cowrote and they’re examples of why he’s had no problem being accepted as a genuine country act and not some poser.

As one of the “Gokey” fans, I’m fairly neutral on Josh T as a rule. I can certainly find plenty of beer and backwoods songs by other artists if I want them, though Josh T’s are ~fine as those things go. And I don’t know anything bad about him personally. In fact, for this context as far as I know he and Danny are quite cordial; they have done several events together.

But to the degree Danny is the object of opinions from some about the supposed inauthenticity in his sound and what he is trying to do, it’s just quite entertaining to contemplate these two artists out of Wisconsin, and associated irony and logical inconsistency. Danny recording and performing live sounding like himself is to be castigated as “poser-like” yet Josh sporting a faux twang is the epitome of “authentic.”

From what I’ve read and heard from Josh Thompson in interviews it was old Merle Haggard records that really sparked him to get into singing and writing. It’s possible that’s posturing but I hear the influence. So yes that appears to be how he learned to sing.

I think it’s quite possible it’s posturing or, to be kinder, putting on a certain performance style when he is pursuing his music. It does not appear to be a natural result from his origins, whatever else it is.

I’ve listened to Second Hand Heart –quite a few times—and I think Danny’s voice sounds really great on it. Plus, he will definitely have fun singing this live. You notice Danny doesn’t often rest between verses, the man just has to fill in with a well placed “Whoa”, LOL!

Thank God he was blind, I thank God he let you down

I like how it talks about how disappointments in love can be a “blessing” later on down the road. Very easy to relate to.

I am interested in how the casual fan or non-fan rates it.

I like how it talks about how disappointments in love can be a “blessing” later on down the road. Very easy to relate to.

Yes, when I listened to that verse, I thought “omg, women are just going to eat this up”.

steph6449: It does not appear to be a natural result from his origins, whatever else it is.

It appears to be the natural result of Josh’s musical origins. His musical origins are country, those musical origins are reflected in his music, and therefore his music is authentically country. Danny’s musical origins and style are not country which is also reflected in his music therefore him marketing himself as country is inauthentic. No irony or logical inconsistency there.

Seriously. Check out A Man Don’t Have To Die and Church Pew Or Bar Stool. Really good country songs.

A Man Don’t Have To Die
Church Pew Or Bar Stool

I like this song. The “plot” of the song kinda reminds me of Garth Brooks Thank God for Unanswered Prayers.

The new single has a modern country sound to it, it also has the unmistakeable Danny vocals, I like it.

A friend had a blind winetasting party using one wine type, but wines that ran the gamut of prices from really cheap to super-expensive. What wines people liked (and these were mostly experienced wine drinkers) had little or no correlation to price. I feel the same way about music. I really could care less about someone’s musical pedigree as long as I like the music, the song, and the voice. I don’t care whether Danny has twang or drawl or any roots in country music beyond listening to it growing up, which apparently is what Josh Thompson did as well. Only Danny listened to Tim McGraw and Wynonna Judd, while Josh apparently listened to Merle Haggard. And that makes a difference why? I actually like Josh T’s “Way Out There,” BTW, whether or not he affected the country accent.

No irony or logical inconsistency there.

Well, as I said earlier, he’s on his second album with a major country label and on a country radio tour, getting ready to release his 3rd single. To say he is “not country” seems like a logical inconsistency to me. To say he is not your kind of country does not result in inconsistency. But to state that categorically, considering the diversity of offerings in the country music industry today, does not to me appear to be consistent with what I know to be true, considering that he is in fact building a career in country music. It’s ok with me if you wish he wasn’t in country music, because that doesn’t change the fact that he is. The market will decide if the music he is offering is what meets the needs of country music consumers today. That is the test that counts.

I love the song and hope it does well. Hard to say, there are some I like very much that do well (e.g. Miranda’s “House That Built Me”), some I can’t stand that are smash hits (e.g. “If I Die Young”), and all shades in between. I’ll just have to wait and see, but I like the lyrics and melody and Danny’s voice of course. Very appreciative of the track record of these song writers, seems like that will be another point in Danny’s favor for the song to get attention.

the man just has to fill in with a well placed “Whoa”, LOL!

“Whoa” must be Danny’s new thing. It’s pretty prominent in Gimme a Kiss, too, isn’t it?

No irony or logical inconsistency there.

Opinions may vary on that. It happens :)

Idk. I’ve listened to country music for quite a while, almost exclusively the past 10-15 years as far as current music goes. I must have missed a lot of the essentials. Country music is so unappetizing apparently that it is impossible for Danny to actually like it and relate to the songs. Or else a license of some sort is required to ensure that someone has the correct (corrected? ;) ) pedigree to like the songs, much less God forbid wish to perform them.

And Danny is such an amazing actor (*), that despite being such a big ol’ phony, he can perform in front of country audiences of all types and be well-accepted — quite enthusiastically accepted, in fact. Which makes country audiences pretty dumb, I guess; unless I have to write that part off to the beer ;)

(*) Not that his performance wasn’t fun, but on the strength of Truth Be Told I have some factual issue with this one. Lol.

Josh Thompson sings that way because that’s how he learned to sing.

Nah; Josh is from my hometown. Cedarburg is an upper middle class yuppie Milwaukee bedroom community and people don’t learn to sing with a twang around here.

Twang makes you sound like you are Southern. And I find that inauthentic if you are not and affect one. Not calling singers who do inauthentic themselves, just the affected twang.

I don’t know about “Gokey fans using Josh as a punching bag”, lol-some of us like him. I find him to have a very nice voice, talented, but a cliche singer. He is brought up only because many of us consider that inauthentic when Danny is portrayed as inauthentic, and we are very thankful he has not affected one and stayed true to what he likes-heartfelt music, story telling, faith based lyrics at time-all consistent with country music. He also likes vocally challenging songs with wide ranges and a soulful sound-not always consistent with country music, but a welcome addition for many (like Randy Travis who said on film that “country radio needs your sound Danny”). I agree :)

But enough of the tired old “Danny is/isn’t country” argument-back to the song! I can’t wait to hear a better recording. I like it, and it shows how versatile Danny is, IMO.

Chearts77, thanks for that idea! I will have to listen to that song by Garth. Wasn’t that another guy that was tagged not country by many ;) I bet I will like it.

Since the subject of production has come up, it may behoove one to look at several recent #1 country hits. The most recent would be DYWS which was a straight up HAC song, and no Jason Aldeen didn’t make it anymore country. Then we have Lover Lover, If I die young,nope not country. Nothing from Keith U lately has been country. Rascall Flatts, Lady A, Taylor Swift, so what does all of this mean, basically that some can talk all they want about what country music is and they will continue to be wrong.

You don’t like the music that is being put out or the artist that is putting it out, too bad because someone will. Better it good non traditional than to be crap that is acceptable just cause it follows some rule book of country music.

happyhexer – I completely agree with your 11:56 post. I was going to say the same thing (well, I didn’t have a wine story, lol)…but you said it so much better. ;)

I’ve been listening to mainly country radio for more than a decade. I like some twang but gravitate more towards the Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, LBT, Zac Brown kind of country. I would be delighted to hear Danny’s new single on my country radio station.

Oh, and I’m one who likes an occasional Josh T. song. But it really doesn’t matter to me if he was raised on Merle or not. I either like the song, or I don’t. I really like Danny’s Second Hand Heart…the song ;)

Listened to this song a few times but I don’t like it much. While it is a decent song, it does not impress me in terms of vocal or tune.

Generally, I don’t see see it as radio hit.

1) I file the tired old “Danny isn’t Country argument” – with the tired old argument of who should have won Season 8 Kris or Adam. Danny has never claimed to be a good ole boy of Country music. There is room for different artists and different sounds. 2) Second Hand Heart does show off Danny’s versatility and his distinctive sound. I love the soaring chorus.

Which makes country audiences pretty dumb, I guess; unless I have to write that part off to the beer

They do like their beer; this is OT, but I lol at that article describing all the arrests due to drunkenness at the Kenney Chesney Concert at Lambeau field last week. Hope Casey J was safe from any marauding fans-he played in the parking lot and that is where all proper WI fans come hours before events to do all their partying! :lol:

From what I’ve read and heard from Josh Thompson in interviews it was old Merle Haggard records that really sparked him to get into singing and writing. It’s possible that’s posturing but I hear the influence. So yes that appears to be how he learned to sing.

I have heard Danny recount in many interviews how he was influenced by Wynonna’s soulful voice when he first heard her as a young teen. To me Danny’s new song, Second Hand Heart, has that soulful sound he has talked about identifying with in Wynonna’s music. I don’t think Danny “learned to sing” like her, but rather he was born with a voice that is able to sing like her, and he recognized that when he was exposed to her music.

Being inspired by your musical heroes is something I would think most aspiring artists point to as an influence in their music, whether they be Wynonna, Merle Haggard, or Lady Gaga ;)

bella331 ~ I like the same artists that you do! But I also like some material by George Strait, Reba, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, etc. (And I love, love, love LBT.)

At the end of the day, song + voice = musical nirvana!

At the end of the day, this is all about different people’s preferences for different styles of country music. I listened to Brad Paisley’s “A Man Don’t Have to Die,” and it bored me to tears. Now I do like some of Brad’s material. I love his fishing song, for example. “Church Pew or Bar Stool” is a little better. But then, I generally like Jason Aldean. But this would not be my favorite track. I much prefer “My Kinda Party,” which sounds like a rollicking country/pop song. (And just goes to show that the same artist can cover different styles of country music.) YMMV, and all that. I think it all comes down to personal taste. To plagiarize Jason a bit, Danny is “my kinda” country! Any yep, I “party” to his music every chance I get.

I have no clue how well this will do on country radio nor with the public. It’s ok…I didn’t really have much of a reaction to it either positive or negative. I wish him luck with it.

It’s got going for adds until the beginning of August, is that right? When is it being released for sales?

I’m very much in the Danny is a “carpetbagger” camp…and nothing will dissuade me from that. My memory is still good enough to remember the AI interviews with Danny about his wish to be a soulful singer with a bit of a Latin twist in honor of his deceased wife. No where, that I can remember, did Danny talk about singing country..his favorite artists were Michael Jackson and Lauren Hill, he wanted to perform salsa with Marc Anthony his musical influences were Brian McKnight, Kirk Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, DLG (Dark Latin Groove)…not a country one in the bunch.

I find Danny a great opportunist and now that he has associated himself with country music he has come up with all sorts of “country” influenced memories from his past life….they may be true but they weren’t the people who he talked about before (see above).

If Danny finds success in country music (outside the AI influenced bubble) then kudos to him. But for me he would be the last name I would include on a list of current, good country artists. And I, too, think that outside of his music’s production there is nothing in his style, his voice, his presentation, or his attitude that even hints country. If he sang his songs acapella no one would have a clue his genre was country.

And I don’t think his touring with Taylor is a major coupe. The tour is virtually sold out on her name recognition. Her (third) openers are pretty much just filler…and I would say that even if I had a horse in that race.

So good luck to Danny…but he still hasn’t proven to me that he is “real”….and his new song just doesn’t rock my boat.

And I, too, think that outside of his music’s production there is nothing in his style, his voice, his presentation, or his attitude that even hints country. If he sang his songs acapella no one would have a clue his genre was country.

I would agree with this. But heck, add some slide geetar in the production and it’ll be ‘country’ enough to be included in the genre.

I like Danny. Like his voice too. He really had very few options other than country – he’s not HAC or AAA and I don’t know if there’s a really big call for a Latin soul artist from WI. I suppose he could have gone the Taylor Hicks way and started his own Soul Patrol, but he didn’t. Meh. His choice and I don’t begrudge him the chance to make it work in country.

That’s really the key. We can all rumble around here and disagree about whether he’s country or not, but the test will be if country radio plays him. That’s the bottom line.

What I am really interested in: Does this song work for you? And why or why not?
I love Danny’s voice, so I’m biased as heck. I would like to know if the general public is going to like/support this song. Thanks for your feedback on that.

they may be true but they weren’t the people who he talked about before (see above).

I know people who don’t like Danny don’t keep current with him but that isn’t true-he has always said he wants to incorporate soul with country-does not want to be a traditional country artist.
He just said this past week he wants to be the Brian McKnight of country music, so I guess that is just one very current example ;)

Bottom line; he is received well by country audiences, artists. And I disagree Tess- being hand picked by Taylor Swift IS a coup. Yes, he’ll have a short set but he still headlines his own concerts and opens for others (Sara Evans and Joe Nichols recently).
That has some pull when a power house like Taylor picks you out of the many that she could.

I’m proud and happy with what Danny has accomplished-he continues what he wants to do, goes after it despite opinions.

The song is good, his label is invested-we will see if he survives in this music country business!

I know people who don’t like Danny don’t keep current with him but that isn’t true-he has always said he wants to incorporate soul with country-does not want to be a traditional country artist.

I’m not saying that Danny is still talking about his soul/salsa roots but his pre-signing days rarely if ever mentioned an affinity with country music. And I still contend that most of Danny’s fandom is made up of the fans he garnered from AI and that he hasn’t made great inroads into the “country” fanbase….I don’t see him being highlighted or getting prime performance spots on shows that are all about country.

And as far as the touring with Taylor…it is a proven fact that many artists have no idea who their opening acts are…nor do they associate with them or have a relationship with them. Danny is filling a “spot”, I think. I don’t think “the spot” was created for him….but then I’m not privy to all the ins and outs of celebrity touring.

Danny was my favourite from season 8 and still is.
I see him as country/soul/pop – no different then many of the artists that are doing “country” these days.

And as far as the touring with Taylor…it is a proven fact that many artists have no idea who their opening acts are…nor do they associate with them or have a relationship with them. Danny is filling a “spot”, I think. I don’t think “the spot” was created for him….but then I’m not privy to all the ins and outs of celebrity touring.

That is an incorrect statement. I have read several articles about how Taylor hand picked the artists opening for her from reading about them on facebook, myspace, etc and she met with them for a photo shoot. Danny talked about meeting her in his interview. There was a picture and article about it in Country Weekly which MJ posted here.

I love Danny’s voice, so I’m biased as heck.

I fall into this group as well, but I also appreciate hearing from people that don’t…even if I disagree with them I like to hear feedback (given respectfully of course :) )

I know people who don’t like Danny don’t keep current with him but that isn’t true-he has always said he wants to incorporate soul with country-does not want to be a traditional country artist.
He just said this past week he wants to be the Brian McKnight of country music, so I guess that is just one very current example

Yes, keeping it current can make feedback offered relevant and helpful :)

modern country soul is what Danny said he wanted his music to sound like post AI and that is what I hear in this song so Danny is being true to himself and that is all that matters along with whether one likes the song.

JosieX: But to state that categorically, considering the diversity of offerings in the country music industry today, does not to me appear to be consistent with what I know to be true, considering that he is in fact building a career in country music

No, Danny is trying to build a career in the country market which encompasses more than country music. Danny’s sound/music is basically blue eyed soul/pop..

certain1: The most recent would be DYWS which was a straight up HAC song, and no Jason Aldeen didn’t make it anymore country. Then we have Lover Lover, If I die young,nope not country.

If I Die Young is a rootsy folk/country/pop blend. Lover, Lover and Don’t You Wanna Stay are examples of country singers bending non country songs so that the performances fit the genre – a long tradition in country music. It’s the opposite of somebody like Jennifer Hudson or Danny covering a country song and singing it R&B/gospel style (Jennifer) or blue eyed soul/pop style (Danny).

car3278sweet: We can all rumble around here and disagree about whether he’s country or not, but the test will be if country radio plays him. That’s the bottom line.

That’ll be the test for the country market. Apparently Danny’s faced resistance in the market (for example from radio) for not being country enough. This single won’t help with that but I also don’t think that’s the only reason he’s faced resistance from country radio.

happyhexer: Only Danny listened to Tim McGraw and Wynonna Judd, while Josh apparently listened to Merle Haggard. And that makes a difference why?

Because Danny’s singing and music reflects the influence of people like Brian McKnight and doesn’t reflect the country tendencies of Wynonna and Tim. That’s for you too steph6449 – you were probably trying to be funny but I have to assume you understand the concept that liking/relating to certain songs doesn’t mean your music is going to sound like them.

One last word about Josh Thompson: his singing is tied up in his writing, his writing is legitimately inspired by Merle and other old school country guys, and the kind of melodies and cadences that come out of that influence naturally lend themselves to his singing style. You can’t separate Josh’s writing from his singing and that’s why he doesn’t have an inauthenticity problem. His debut album did have a mediocrity problem (so did Danny’s IMO but it also had other issues) but that’s a separate discussion.

K, I’ve explained all I can. Moving on now. You’re welcome! ;)

I have read several articles about how Taylor hand picked the artists opening for her from reading about them on facebook, myspace, etc

I think I would be a heck of a lot more impressed if Taylor had seen these guys perform and was blown out of her seat and couldn’t wait to get them on her stage to help her sell out the venue…rather than her team sending her to the internet to choose her openers.

He just said this past week he wants to be the Brian McKnight of country music

Dream on, though he has a decent voice.

It was the July 2011 People Country Special that had the article on “Taylor and her Men.” She said, “My fans and I are really alike in our musical tastes, so I went by gut feeling when choosing the acts. They’re all different from each other, but have songs about relationships and love that pulled me in.”

LOL at the idea that Taylor has the time to attend dozens of concerts to find her opening acts, or that her “team” tells her what to do in that regard. Taylor doesn’t need help selling out her venues; most were sold out when the openers were announced. Instead, she has indicated that she’s “paying it forward,” by helping up-and-comers the way she was helped in the past.

It may be that many artists don’t pick their opening acts, but that is not the case with Taylor.

BTW, I have heard all of her openers except for Charlie Worsham, and I like them all. So maybe Taylor is right about being able to choose acts her fans will like. (Randy Montana is one of her openers, so somebody here should be happy.)

Danny never disappoints.
Perfect timing on this new single, and hopefully a new album.
After two years of playing nothing but Danny’s AI songs, and My Best Days in my car, I have to admit I was ready for a change.
I do hope that when they release this song they clean up the mix on it. One thing that impressed me, when Danny was on AI, was that fact that you didn’t have to strain to understand even one word that he was singing. I can’t tell you how annoying it is to have to look up the lyrics to a song to know what was said.
This song, on ‘this’ site, however, has the vocals so enmeshed with the music, it was a tad hard to hear what he was singing.
Knowing that Danny, rightfully, places a lot of concern in singing songs with positive messages, I am even more concerned that I can’t make out the lyrics easily. Otherwise KUDOS !

So is the country music industry (or one of our esteemed posters ;-) ) going to reimburse me for all the money I’ve spent purchasing country music by artists I heard on radio stations identifying themselves as country, and whose CDs I found in the country music section of my local store? I’ve obviously been fraudulently induced to make purchases that aren’t truly “country!” Bye bye, Reba, George, Chris, etc.

LOL at the idea that Taylor has the time to attend dozens of concerts to find her opening acts, or that her “team” tells her what to do in that regard. Taylor doesn’t need help selling out her venues; most were sold out when the openers were announced. Instead, she has indicated that she’s “paying it forward,” by helping up-and-comers the way she was helped in the past.

It may be that many artists don’t pick their opening acts, but that is not the case with Taylor.

Exactly :)

No one is saying Taylor picking Danny is the sign of a superstar, or that Danny has even made it to the point of being a staple in country music- he hasn’t.
But it can’t be spun into anything other than a positive that she picked him as one she liked and wanted to “pay it forward for”. There are a heck of a lot of up and coming country artists who would love that spot.

Danny never disappoints.

Yes. Danny has all kinds of fans- country, soul, christian, rock, pop. He lost quite a few AI fans when he went country, but the ones he kept have been pretty happy with his choices, recordings, performances.

This song, on ‘this’ site, however, has the vocals so enmeshed with the music, it was a tad hard to hear what he was singing.

I agree; the music is a little loud; it is difficult to fully enjoy his beautiful voice. Looking forward to hearing the final version, and also the live acoustic version.

Dannys problem imo is not whether it is country enough. His problem is he doesnt have a unique enough voice and for me i dont feel the emotion of his voice when he sings. He doesnt emote well enough to make song special.

See, IMO, those “problems” don’t exist! Danny’s voice sounds totally unique to me — love that whisky smooth tone with the gravelly edge. I would never mistake Danny’s voice for any other on the radio (as I have done for other artists). And it is hard for me to imagine anyone who emotes more. Perhaps Chris Young, who does a decent job. But I will say that I may always prefer Danny in concert . . .

JosieX: But to state that categorically, considering the diversity of offerings in the country music industry today, does not to me appear to be consistent with what I know to be true, considering that he is in fact building a career in country music

windmills: No, Danny is trying to build a career in the country market which encompasses more than country music. Danny’s sound/music is basically blue eyed soul/pop..

I don’t think you have left the land of logical inconsistency there. The country music market is comprised of country music, both “your kind” of country music and “not your kind” of country music. Each person decides their preferences for themselves and the net result of that is market demand, which will either trend toward “Danny’s kind”, or it won’t.

Dannys problem imo is not whether it is country enough. His problem is he doesnt have a unique enough voice and for me i dont feel the emotion of his voice when he sings. He doesnt emote well enough to make song special.

I actually think that those are the exact qualities that got Danny signed in the first place. The uniqueness of his voice and ability to connect are great strengths that were evident even on the show, although of course he has evolved to a great degree since then with his performance skills. I agree that a unique voice is a critical factor in the decision as to why an AI contestant gets picked up, or not. I think that is why, for example, Allison got picked up in S8 but Michael Lynche did not in S9. Both have beautiful voices, one was very unique and one was not. I like both voices. I would know Allison’s in an instant anywhere, Michael’s I don’t think I would. Danny’s I would. I think the other factor for Danny getting signed is that the people in charge of the decision must have assessed that the trends/demographics of the country music market would tend to support opportunities for “his kind” of country music.

We can argue back and forth whether Danny is or isn’t country enough til the sky falls, to me Country Music is a platform where an artist share his/her music with the public, to keep criticizing Danny is not country or saying he is a carpetbagger to me implies he has no right to be in this genre, and that I have a problem with. Like Bo B. or Crystal B. or any aspiring artists, Danny can certainly introduce his music through this genre if he/his label chose to, ultimately it’s the radio and buying public to decide if he can thrive and be successful in this genre.

I remember the other day Kristen put together a list of 3rd & 4th place AI finishers since Season 1 and most people agreed that the odds are actually against these contestants to even get signed – so far Danny is the only 3rd place finisher to get signed by a major label AND had a album out with some success – in that discussion it seemed most people also agreed any non T2 finishers who could make a decent living out of doing music would get their respect, but somehow this kind of sentiment does not apply when it comes to Danny??

People accusing Danny of being a carpetbagger need to understand record labels do not sign a new artist because that artist keep banging on their doors and begging for a contract – as much as some posters would like to believe in the above scenario for Danny – it just does not work that way in the industry. If a country label wanted to sign him, the management must be convinced that Danny had the potential to be successful in the genre and the label could make money out of investing in him – that’s the bottomline.

So moving on, I am excited that Danny has the release date of his first single from his sophomore album confirmed (and the first from Season 8 BTW), he is opening for Taylor Swift – whether he is a filler is beyond the point (And Taylor Swift could’ve chosen Bo, Crystal, Josh, Bucky or Casey J but she didn’t), it’s the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of 20K or even up to 50K in an arena that matters – I am sure most new artists see this as an opportunity to die for.

he is opening for Taylor Swift – whether he is a filler is beyond the point (And Taylor Swift could’ve chosen Bo, Crystal, Josh, Bucky or James but she didn’t), it’s the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of 20K or even up to 50K in an arena that matters – I am sure most new artists see this as an opportunity to die for.

Amen.

We can argue back and forth whether Danny is or isn’t country enough til the sky falls, to me Country Music is a platform where an artist share his/her music with the public, to keep criticizing Danny is not country or saying he is a carpetbagger to me implies he has no right to be in this genre, and that I have a problem with.

I agree. The problem I have is that there seems to be a different set of standards when it comes to Danny.

It seems perfectly fine when someone like Crystal Bowersox, Bo Bice, Aaron Kelly, Diana DiGarmo, Shiohan Magus, Kelly Clarkson attempt to do Country music, etc. Even though none of these people ever represented themselves in the genre when they were on Idol.

I’d rather let the facts speak for themselves. Major Country label, 2nd album, investing in Danny write. Most of those in the Top 2 never even got a chance at a sophmore album, since they were dropped after their debut. And him commanding $30K+ for an appearance is pretty good considering that he still a newbie in the industry who did not get all the big promotion afforded to the Top 2.

If a country label wanted to sign him, the management must be convinced that Danny had the potential to be successful in the genre and the label could make money out of investing in him – that’s the bottomline.

Yup! Right or wrong, RCA Nashville would not have signed Danny if it did not think Danny could be successful and it could make money. We can argue until the cows come home, but only time will tell how Danny fares in the country world.

On to the single. It sounds very radio-friendly to me, so two thumbs-up!

Kokko, your post sums up perfectly the answer to the debate on whether Danny belongs in country music and why his first two years as a new artist and 3rd place finisher are considered to be a success.

Reading through these comments regarding Danny and his new single I was struck by how passionate (and articulate) Danny supporters are about this man and his music. Tells me he is doing something right ;)

Macy, can I quote you on that? ;-)

I would be honored happyhexer :)

Wow, you have all been busy.

I have been listening to the single again tonight.

I just hope they back off on the music and showcase that voice. I’m thinking it’s just the recording and the released version will be cleaner and more distinct.

Otherwise, it’s a big 2 thumbs up for me, too!

Dannys problem imo is not whether it is country enough. His problem is he doesnt have a unique enough voice and for me i dont feel the emotion of his voice when he sings. He doesnt emote well enough to make song special.

Lol, I bet most new artists wish they had Danny’s “problem”.
You are entitled to your opinion of course. But I think it is a minority one.
Randy Travis said during Idol that most singers spend their whole career trying to get the soul in their voice that he has. And most people who don’t enjoy his singing pretty much agree he has a great voice. But of course that is a subjective preference for all.

Here is a country blogger who changed her tune 100% after seeing him live-she had written a blog how he shouldn’t have gone country. He came to her local TN fair and she is now a pretty good fan-I think he emoted enough to win her over ;)

She says with explanation about her last blog where she said he shouldn’t have gone country:

I’m just having a real problem with country-pop, country-rock, and whatever other terminology is currently being used to describe country music.

Now, ask me if I would ever go see Danny Gokey in concert again. Go ahead, ask me…. my answer to that question would be without hesitation! I would go see him again, I would tell others to go see him, and I would tell them how hard he works on stage to make sure the people in that audience see what they came to see… a great show, by a talented young performer who I believe will be around for very long time.

http://www.countryschatter.com/2010/08/danny-gokey-opens-the-2010-appalachian-fair-with-an-incredible-performance/

Danny has such a great voice and ability to connect with the audience (by emoting, if you will) that this is how he is winning over fans. :)

I would go see him again, I would tell others to go see him, and I would tell them how hard he works on stage to make sure the people in that audience see what they came to see… a great show, by a talented young performer who I believe will be around for very long time.

I’ve chatted with people that were new to Danny (Sugarland or Lady A fans) when he’s played as an opener. They were saying after his sets that he puts on a great show and has a ton of energy. And I’ve glanced their way during his performances and have seen big smiles. Danny emotes just fine….

He just said this past week he wants to be the Brian McKnight of country music, so I guess that is just one very current example

What does this mean? It’s completely baffling to me!

The Taylor Swift pick, on the other hand, makes perfect sense to me, since she is pop country and that’s what I see Danny aiming at as well. She’s much more likely to pick people with a pop feel rather that a southern-rock-type or more traditional or rootsy country singer, I’d think …. More likely to appeal to her audience

What does this mean? It’s completely baffling to me!

Lol, just that he wants to do some romantic soulful-country songs at the moment. I don’t think SSH is one of them, per se, but that topic / style seems to be part of the focus for the new album.

Danny does Back at One by Brian McKnight in his tour set, leading into Keith Urban’s Raining on Sunday which is as close to a flat-out love song as anything Danny has done to this point since heading to Nashville. Probably he’s thinking something in that vein but of course with new songs of his own.

Listened. Nice enough. It’s sad to me though that it really doesn’t sound like Danny. I don’t follow him, so there’s that… but I remember his voice, which was strong (sans the Scream, of course. ;-)) Here, I have to agree with others that neither the song nor his voice sound unique or particularly strong. Boo on the production. Live, I’m sure he’ll shine.

FWIW, I’m still not buying him as a country artist. I’m not a fan of country though, so ultimately, no one should care what I think. lol

I still like this song. :) Good for Danny. As for not “emoting” well enough…I have to disagree. For me, that’s his strong point. Bringing his soulfulness to the songs he sings through his heart…which to me is emoting.

Live, I’m sure he’ll shine.

Many of Danny’s fans think the music on Secondhand Heart should be a little softer–because a voice like Danny’s should always take center stage. But in listening to it a few times, it really works for me. And yes, he will shine when singing it live.

Oh, and on the shallow side? Can you believe that is the same Milwaukee guy that auditioned almost 3 years ago? Lovin’ Danny’s style these days. And a steady exercise program does a body good……

Love the cover art! He looks good :)

I don’t think the song is designed to show the full range of Danny’s voice and soul (like I Will Not Say Goodbye did).

Its purpose is to be a good radio song, catchy, with good lyrics. I think it does just that. Although the verses do indeed catch his nice soft raspy tone.

If I were not a fan of Danny’s I would still love the song and the cover art. And with Danny, it’s always going to be about his voice that will make him stand out – as well as his ability to put on fun, high energy live shows.

Thanks MJ for the update.

LOL. I knew when I saw there were 70+ comments that the “carpetbagger”/”authenticity” issues must have surfaced.

Congrats to Danny and his fans on his new single. :)

This is a great song! I heard it a couple of times and now I cannot get it out of my head…very catchy. I love the fact that Danny is really belting the vocals out too. The cover art is great but I hope he never looks toward me like that, he looks a little angry, I am used to seeing him smile.

I don’t think the song is designed to show the full range of Danny’s voice * * * Its purpose is to be a good radio song * * *.

Exactly. Danny’s voice is rather restrained from what we know he can do (and will do, in concert). But the level of Danny’s singing, and the song itself, is on a par with what I hear on my local country radio stations. So it should fit right in.

I hope he never looks toward me like that, he looks a little angry * * *

I think Danny looks melancholy, which I don’t quite understand, since the song is about second chances at love. But he looks yummy and a little mysterious, so I’m not going to complain . . .

I think Danny looks melancholy, which I don’t quite understand, since the song is about second chances at love. But he looks yummy and a little mysterious, so I’m not going to complain . . .

I think he doesn’t know if she will accept his second hand heart!

Maybe that is what they are going for?

But whatever, I agree, he looks good :)

haven’t read through the comments but I’m sure they are all positive, right? lol

Bottom Line: Danny has a great voice, looks good in the pic and Second Hand Heart looks to be a solid single IMO to start off his sophomore album. His debut album had solid sales at over 200,000 and I wish him much success with his second.

I’m not a country fan but I’ve always liked Danny and this song is catchy. It looks like life is good for him these days and I’m happy about that. :)

Hey, Gokey looking and sounding good!

Pretty song. Good luck to Danny and his fans. He’s a hard working guy.

Thanks for putting up the HQ version MJ. Now that I can hear the beginning more clearly it makes the difference. I like the song from the start but thaought the beginning was muddy and I figured it would get better and it did. This is a more viable radio song than Danny has recorded before so fingers crossed.

I like the cover art as it seems less posed therefore more natural.

Was never a Danny fan (I liked Allison that year), but even though this is not really my type of music, it’s not bad.

My wife on the other hand, a huge Danny fan, will love it. So good for him.

Was never a Danny fan (I liked Allison that year), but even though this is not really my type of music, it’s not bad.

My wife on the other hand, a huge Danny fan, will love it. So good for him.

Meyers77 ~ Your wife has good taste! LOL! Actually, so do you! I liked Allison too. Now there’s a duet I’d have liked to have heard ~ Dallison! They both have that gritty undertone to their voices. A duet between them would either be spectacularly good or spectacularly bad!

Now there’s a duet I’d have liked to have heard ~ Dallison!

Allison and Danny in a duet? That would have been great!

But we probably have to add that to the list of things we won’t hear–like Danny’s version of “No Boundaries” –I think he would have done great on it.

It’s nice to hear of the reaction to SHH from more than Danny’s super fans. It seems to be getting a favorable response. I hope it does well on radio and/or with the buying public.