MILWAUKEE—Danny Gokey was so shocked by his young wife's sudden death last summer that he couldn't cry during her funeral at Faith Builders International Ministries. On Friday, the 29-year-old "American Idol" finalist returned to the church for a joyful event, singing gospel songs to 1,000 or more people, including friends, family and fans.
"To see him from where he was, because I was here for the funeral, this room packed out for a funeral and now: joy," said his friend, Ruben Burgos, 26.
(SNIP)
He started his day early Friday morning at the local Fox affiliate, WITI-TV, where hundreds of people, many young girls, screamed his name and held signs that read "Ga Ga Gokey, ur our idol" and "We love you Danny."
After the visit, Gokey said he's struggled with song selection on "Idol."
"I've always done gospel music and I don't know much about the music outside of that realm," he said. "Literally every song I pick, I'm learning. I don't know what to pick and song choice has been the most difficult thing for me, and it only gets harder as it goes."
Allen, 23, is one of three left on the show and Friday Idol cameras are in Little Rock and Conway to document his hometown visit. The footage will air during Tuesday night's show.
Allen, a UCA student and business major, is spoke to several local radio show hosts Friday morning, performed in the River Market in Little Rock. People flocked to Little Rock to catch his performance, holding signs of support and screaming his name.
Friday evening, he's performing at Simon Park in Conway after a parade held in his honor there as well.
Jennifer Ragsdill, a close friend and fellow worship leader with Allen at New Life Church in Conway, appeared on "Today's THV This Morning" and said, "I hope people realize what you see on TV - the humble Kris, is really what he's like."
Go Danny (from a fellow Wisconsinite).