Daniel J. Gokey was born on April 24, 1980 in Milwaukee, WI. Growing up in a large family with four sisters and one brother there was always music in their household. The Gokey family began attending a church where they would all sing together before the congregation. His father would play the guitar while his he, his mother and 5 siblings sang. This is where it all started.

Although Danny started singing in church when he was young, he didn’t become serious about singing until later when he became a music director in his local church at the age of 20. This moment would be pivotal to the evolvement of his music career.

On May 15, 2004, after being together since 1997, Danny married the love of his life Sophia Martinez. Their union together would be short lived when Sophia unexpectedly passed away on July 9, 2008 from complications of heart surgery. Sophia was born with a heart condition that she previously had corrective surgeries for as a child. Danny was devastated. He admits to not wanting to live anymore after she passed but his faith in God brought him through.

Four weeks after his wife passed Danny touched the hearts of many when he auditioned for American Idol. He says it was his wife’s favorite show and that she had encouraged him to try out prior to her passing. Pushing through his grief Danny would go on to finish in the top 3 American Idol’s season 8. He toured on the American Idols Live! Tour 2009 and signed a contract with 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville.  His debut album is expected to be released in early 2010.

Since losing his wife abruptly in 2008, the one thing that has brought Danny hope was creating a non-profit organization for children in his wife’s name called Sophia’s Heart Foundation (www.sophiasheart.org). In addition to his passion for music, Danny has always had a heart for non-profit charity and community involvement.  Through his organization, he hopes to carry on her legacy by showing the love and passion that he and her both shared for children.

Healing with Music & Arts

  • Inspiring Minds
  • Helping Families
  • Restoring Hope