Danny Gokey photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
Danny Gokey and Easton Corbin are very different kinds of singers, but they find themselves on very similar paths.
Easton is a traditional-country vocalist in the vein of George Strait and Alan Jackson, while Danny is a pop-country singer who built an audience on last year’s “American Idol.” Now they’re both competing for attention as new artists with their first albums in release — and those two albums came out on the exact same day.
As it turns out, Danny and Easton each celebrated the same way: They went to the store to buy their own CDs.
“I wasn’t sure if that was somethin’ you should do,” Danny says. “Anyways, I was on a radio show, and someone was tellin’ me, they’re like, ‘So, are you gonna do it?’ I was like, ‘Is that allowed?’ I said, ’Is that gonna look cocky if I go and buy my own album?’ And she goes, ‘No! They go on at midnight. On the night it comes out, you need to be in that store buyin’ your own album.’ I [said], ‘Okay. I can do that.’”
And he did. So did Easton, though he discovered it was just a bit awkward.
“I was there at 12 a.m. Tuesday morning, and it was kind of funny,” he remembers. “We got there, and they hadn’t actually gotten the CDs out there on the shelf yet, so I went up to the lady and was like, ‘Hey, do you have a CD by a guy named Easton Corbin?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, I got it right here.’ So she handed it to me, and we were actually filming just to get footage of me buying my first CD in the store, and I asked her, ‘Hey, have you ever heard of this guy Easton Corbin?’ And she [said], ‘Yeah, it’s you.’ And I was like, ‘Well, act a little more excited. We’ve got you on camera here.’ And she was just like, ‘Woo-hoo.’ I’ll never forget that night. That was pretty funny.”
Neither Easton nor Danny will forget the results, either. Easton’s self-titled CD sold 43,000 copies to debut at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and at No. 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Danny’s My Best Days sold 65,000 copies to land at No. 3 country and No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
One more way they’re travelling similar paths: Both Easton and Danny have performances slated this weekend. Easton’s playing an acoustic show in Northampton, Mass., on Friday with Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington and Steel Magnolia. The date benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Danny’s appearing on Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry, where the lineup also features Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Joe Diffie and David Nail.
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i wish all the luck in the world to both of you and the guy named tyler also. a friend
I'm going to see both of them on Sunday in Hampton, VA. The radio station's 'Winterblast' was snowed out (how appropriate) and they added Danny when they rescheduled. I'm looking forward to seeing them both!!!
Easton Corbin is the best new country singer out there. You, Easton, truly belong in the country music genre!
Hey guys, this website is really great if you are interested in Danny Gokey's new album! It has songs and a personal video! http://www.hearsomethingcountry.com/rca/dannygoke...
Madison
I like Danny Gokey's new song. I wish him the best. I wish him best of luck on new adventure
I love Easton Corbin!I’m glad Tom pointed out how they are different singers cuz Easton sure is country!
hey, they are both talented guys, and i would celebrate by buying my own album too.
This country GAL is LOVIN Mr Gokey's new album !
My friends and I are putting together a line dance for
"Life On Ya".
If you ever get to Tennessee Mr. Gokey, y'all come on over.
Coffee is on, and there's a whole group of us, born and bred, country fans that would just love to embrace ya !
Bravo CountryGirl! Couldn't have said it better!
Danny does have the advantage of American Idol. I have been following him since, he is sincere and earnest as they come. This man is willing to work hard and win the confidence of others. He has enormous talent and he is as country as the next guy. His story is his story….he has no control over the events of his life. Because of Danny I'm going to take a closer look at people like Easton Corbin (btw-cool name) My husband is more traditional, loves Alan Jackson, I like more middle of road – to each his own). I wish them both success.
Danny Gokey is a person who want's to be come a fan so let it be. It don't matter if he's not a country artist. Yes he has a sad story but that could happen to any one of us. Ya so he get's it handed to him on a sliver platter witch I think he should get a gold platter. I think he is a great guy and a good singer. If American idol didn't think so he would have not be there right now. Thank God for that.
Danny's start was only magnified because of his appearing on American idol and his sad story by the fans who supported him on the show. He is NOT a country artist, he is a guy with a sad story who wanted desperately to have a career in music and figured country music fans would be silly enough to embrace him by posing as a country artist. Makes me angry that REAL country artists have to struggle and work their rears off to make it and this guy Gokey gets it handed to him on a silver platter! He had no serious country ambitions prior to his run on Idol.
Danny is 'pop', NOT country. Singing on the same stage as Connie Smith and Joe Diffie will prove that! On the other hand, Easton Corbin IS country and a great singer. He's going to go far in country music.
That would be cool if they bumped into each other at the St. Jude's event today. I'm not sure if they've met? They are different styles, but I've been enjoying both of their music this year quite a bit.
I can't wait! Bama Jam is one of the best times I have ever had. It is going to be great!! Even Kenny Chesney will be there!!!
Danny will also perform at BamaJam this year (June 3, 4, & 5) in Enterprise, Alabama. What a fun event! Biggest field party on earth!
Check out this line up…
http://www.bamajammusicfestival.com/
I can't wait! Bama Jam is one of the best times ever. I can't believe tickets are only $99 today for a 3-day pass! Even Kenny Chesney will be there!!!
I think it would be great for these two emerging artists to become friends. I know nothing about Corbin other than what was posted in thos article, however I have met Danny several times and can say he is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He is so positive that I am sure he would support Corbin’s music career also. It sounds like they both are willing to help with charities also, which is very special to Danny. I wish the best of luck to both of them!
Hopefully Danny and Easton can hook up at St Judes! Both are great guys.
I run more country-pop myself so am loving Danny's new album
Danny is performing at the same St. Jude event as Easton, on Friday afternoon! The parallel lives are about to collide in MA!