Danny Gokey has reportedly joined fellow American Idol Top 4 eighth-season finalists Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta as a 19 Recordings artist.
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Gokey's signing represents the first time in Idol's history that the show's 19 Recordings production arm has inked the entire Top 4 -- as eighth-season winner Allen, runner-up Lambert, and fourth-place finisher Iraheta all signed earlier this summer.
Last month, Gokey teased that there was "good news on the horizon" concerning a record contract after he had reportedly been in talks with 19 Recordings and RCA Nashville.
However it was also reported that Gokey met with Christian music label Word -- the president of which previously produced Idol fourth-season winner Carrie Underwood.
"I was so wet behind the ears, I didn't know where I wanted to go," he told USA Today. "But I most related to the message and the music of country."
Sony Music Nashville chairman Joe Galante praised Gokey's "soulful edge" and expressed excitement about cutting the 29-year-old singer's first post-Idol album.
"We absolutely love Danny," Galante told USA Today. "We haven't had anybody like that (in country) since Ronnie Milsap or T. Graham Brown."
Gokey is currently participating in Idol's annual summer concert tour, and -- while he is still without a producer -- he is expected to begin recording the album once the tour ends September 15.
Galante told USA Today he expects Gokey's first single to drop this fall before the album is released early next year, most likely in March.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
