It's been a few days since my concert experience, so some details may be a little hazy, I'll try to state everything as clearly and concisely as I remember it though.
I arrived at the Jacksonville State Fair around 6:00, the concert was slated to begin at 8:00 so I had plenty of time to spare. My mom, sister (Jordan), and I got our entrace tickets and made our way to where we were supposed to enter. When we arrived I noticed the people in front of us getting their Meet & Greets, so I followed suit. When it was our turn I said, "We are getting the Danny Gokey M&G's" to which he responded, "Ohh yeah that sounds familiar, I think someone else named that picked some up earlier."
I stood there for a moment a little confused, then I realized he thought I was saying my name was Danny Gokey (because I totally look like someone named Danny right? ;)) so I quickly responded, "Danny Gokey is the artist we came to see." He looked a little embarrassed but responded with, "Oh that must be why it sounded familiar...so what's your name?" I told him and we were able to get our M&G's and walk into the fair. During this brief exchange I was finally able to meet a longtime friend through the Gokey Gang, Megan, or I call her Meggs, and her friend Haley. I think we clicked right away and I am so beyond glad I got to meet them, they will appear more later in the story, let me continue.
Armed with our M&G's, my mom, Jordan, me (I?), Meggs, Haley, and Megan's mom, set out to find the stage. It was fairly simple to find, pretty much if you kept walking strait once you entered the fair you ran right into it. Meggs and Haley knew where it was though so we let them lead the way since they had been inside for about an hour.
Once we arrived at the stage we spotted the VIP section. The tickets to get into it were $10 and my mom and sister opted out of getting them, but I knew I had to get as close as possible so I had purchased one months before. So while I wandered into the VIP section my mom and sister went off to ride some rides while waiting for the M&G to start. Luckily some other Gokey Gang friends that I was meeting for the first time (Georgette and Olivia) had saved me a seat in the front row. I think Georgette saved it actually, but I digress. Regardless I was going to see Danny Gokey from the FRONT ROW, which made me beyond excited because the closest I had been last time, while still fairly close, was nowhere near as good as this!
After about 40 minutes of talking and laughing (Olivia, Georgette, and I got along really well from the word go, I am so glad I got to meet them and cannot wait to go to a concert again in the near future!) we realized that time had come for us to begin getting in line for the M&G. We made our way to the left of the stage where we were to wait for security to escort us backstage to meet Danny (or meet Danny again, as the case may be). I found Jordan then we met up with Olivia and we saw Meggs and after about 10 stints of deciding where in line we wanted to be we finally shuffled in behind a few people and were on our way backstage.
The waiting area was this space between the stage and a giant van, that honestly looked a little sketchy, but I surmise it was safe since it was in the middle of the fair. We waited in line for about 10 or so minutes, getting a little bit closer each time. I was excited to see Meggs and Jordan's reactions since it was both of their first M&G's. When it was finally Meggs turn she was so excited she turned around and said "Is this real life?" proceeded by, "It's Danny THE Gokey," and sometime afterward she remarked, "OMG he's a real person." ALL of which I will try my very hardest to remember for the rest of my life because they were so incredibly hilarious at the time. But Meggs went up and hugged him twice, even got her face signed and I think had a great experience. Jordan was next and she smiled and even talked to him a little, which is pretty awesome for her, she's so shy. She loved getting her picture with him and still claims "It must have been a dream." lol
After both of them it was my turn. I walked up there (and can I just say it is a little awkward when you have to walk like 20 feet with someone looking at you lol) to where he was and he seemed happy and said, "Hey, TeeFly." (which is my twitter name) and I was pleasantly surprised that he remembered. I assume he must just have a killer memory because he seems to remember almost every fan, which is such a ridiculous amount, it's really quite impressive. Anyway, I told him that was right and I am pretty sure he asked me what I was holding (it was a picture of us from last time) so I took it out and handed it to him to sign, and he tried his hardest to remember my real name, but instead of making him strain, I just told him it was Carmen. He signed my name, and took the picture with me (which I like even better than last time) and there was an awkward moment where I asked him what his bracelet said and I am pretty sure he didn't hear me because he didn't answer (lol) and then he smiled and I left. I am pretty sure I forgot my hug and everything, and it was a bit more awkward than meeting him last time (I don't know why I made it that way), but it was still fun. Maybe next time (whenever that is) it won't be as weird.
After that I left the tented in area and walked outside to where Ivan, Matt, Justin, and Brandon were. I said hey to Ivan and we talked a little bit about college and math and randomness such as that. It was good to see Ivan again and actually get to talk to him for a bit, he's a very funny guy and I enjoy chatting with him. He introduced me to Matt and Justin, whom I had not met prior to then, and while there was yet another awkward moment when I wasn't sure whether or not to shake Justin's hand (my life is clearly defined by awkward moments) it was mostly just funny. I also met Brandon for the first time and he was very nice and funny as well. It is just a great band, and very talented...like crazy talented, if I could play an instrument like that I wouldn't need to be in college right now! Olivia and I left shortly afterward though, and Jordan went to find Mama.
On the way back to our seats, however, I realized that I was supposed to tell Ivan hey for Becky, and I wanted pictures so I went back and got my camera and Olivia and I headed back to the M&G area. When we got there we saw that Georgette had just finished her M&G and she was nice enough to take a few pics of us, since my camera decided to hate me at that moment. And then we hung out with Ivan and Matt for a bit. Matt is pretty funny too. And then Brandon came back so we got a picture with him. After a little while of chatting with them Danny walked out of the tent with all his presents, which signaled it was time for us to go and find our seats. We said goodbye to the band and went back to our seats smiling.
Not long after we got back in our seats the people announced that Danny was coming out. We all screamed and got very excited. Once he came out and the concert started everyone rushed the stage, so we moved as close as we could, which was like on top of the stage, and stayed there the rest of the concert. Meggs and Haley had gone out and gotten seats in the VIP section so they stood next to me the rest of the time. Haley held her hand up for like an hour, but Danny finally came and reached down to touch her hand while he was singing and probably made her night/life, it was hard to tell...either way it was pretty amazing.
Now I can't remember the order he sang these songs in, and I'm not even sure how many songs he sang, but it was INCREDIBLE! I've been to a lot of concerts and the only one that even comes close to being as entertaining and just a well put on show by the performer was a Bon Jovi concert I went to in Tampa a few years ago. Danny and his band are just that good at putting on a show. You would think he had been doing it his entire life, because of how comfortable he is on the stage.
I will tell you what I remember, though. I remember he literally had me in tears, with "I Will Not Say Goodbye." it just completely broke me down. I've lost people in my life that meant a lot to me, but just imagining what that must have been like for him and all the people close to Sophia completely shattered my heart. It does every time I think about it. I am just so happy that her legacy can live on through all the lives that he has touched and will touch in the future.
I was beyond stoked when he sang, "Hard to Handle," because it is one of my all time favorite songs and he is definitely the type of singer that can sing that song the way it deserves to be sung. "Livin' on a Prayer," was also amazing and I was thrilled because it is my absolute favorite Bon Jovi song and (shhh don't tell) I think he may have sung it even better ;)
When he sang, "Tiny Life" you could just tell the audience was thrilled that he decided to sing that one and most people sang along with all the words. I could hear everyone around me singing proudly just as I was. "It's Only," and "I Still Believe" were also both incredible. You could hear a lot of people singing along with them both and he told a little antidote with ISB, about giving his preacher the stankface, that made everyone laugh.
Now the songs that I could tell made ALL the girls in the audience die just a little bit (in a good way) were "T.R.O.U.B.L.E" and "Crazy Not To" you could definitely hear all the girls in the audience screaming and cheering for "T.R.O.U.B.L.E" and you could almost hear the sigh of every girl Jacksonville when he pulled the stool out and sang "Crazy Not To." He sang it very beautifully and when he pointed to Meggs and Haley at some point in the song I am pretty sure whatever was keeping them sane at the moment completely LEFT the building, and they sighed, "Seriously, I'm in love with him."
"What Hurts the Most," was also a pretty big crowd pleaser, and everyone went crazy when he danced and "Took us to the Caribbean." It was pretty amazing when he sang "My Best Days" too, especially for me, since they played it the night I graduated and I thought, you know what? These lyrics could not be more accurate.
Brandon also sang a song, "Raining on Sunday" and it was very beautiful. That guy can sing his face off, I was very happy to hear him and hope to hear him again in the future.
Now, I know I didn't remember every detail or song and include it in here (though it kind of seems like I did! lol) but I hope that this blog at least lets you live a little bit of the Danny Gokey concert experience with me, and I hope it challenges you to make that little extra effort to go and see him live, because every aspect of it is worth it. From his killer vocals and dance moves (I don't care what anyone says, he can dance!) to his very kind and generous ways with fans, and his pretty stellar bandmates, every single thing about going to a concert where Danny Gokey is the main attraction will be an amazing experience for you. And that is %100 guaranteed. I promise you, you would never regret it. In fact, if you do regret it I will do something crazy like go swimming at St. George Island in January! So what are you waiting for? Go grab his CD, "My Best Days" and wait patiently for another tour, or more dates near you. As for me, I'm off to do my Lit paper, with a little Danny Gokey playing in the background, you know, for luck ;)
*I don't have all the pictures uploaded yet, but once I do, I will add more to this article*
