Brian Mansfield of Idol Chatter reports a little more on Danny Gokey’s meetings with record labels last week. Not only did he meet with Sony Nashville, but also with Word, a Christan Label:
When Danny Gokey was in Nashville this past Tuesday, he met not only with Sony Nashville but with Word Entertainment. But Danny has yet to make a decision about his recording career. “Basically, they were preliminary talks — where we could go and what we could do.”
The meeting with Word put Danny in touch with Mark Bright. He’s Word’s president and CEO, but he’s better known as a producer who has worked with Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. “He’s someone I’m very interested in working with, ” Danny says.
The only problem — Bright runs a Christian record label. “I told him, ‘I don’t want to be signed to a Christian label, because I don’t want to exclude anyone, ‘” Danny says. “I am who I am and I have my beliefs, but I don’t want to exclude anyone. I want my music and my message and my foundation to get out and touch as many people as they can.
“He was completely okay with that. He was like, ‘We can think in alternate routes.’ It was really cool.”
So, Danny could wind up on a Christian label, but not singing Christian music? Hm. Maybe an album of vaguely Christian “inspirational” music? In any event, the music Danny records will likely depend on what label signs him.
Although Danny has expressed interest in songwriting in the past, he’ll be singing mostly outside material on this first CD. “I’m not fully there yet in my writing skills, ” says Danny. “There’s a level of writing that are just hits. I’m not there yet.”
Danny continues, “I want to be a hit. This ain’t about the money. I know I can make more money writing, but it’s not about that yet. That’ll come. I’m looking for longevity. I’m looking to get my foot all the way through the door.”
ETA: I think he’ll be better off with Word doing Christian music. He’s admitted to a) Not having a “twang” in his voice and b) Not knowing about the Grand Ole’ Opry before Idol. Country fans can smell a poser from a mile away. Danny, an experienced gospel singer, should stick to what he knows.
