Another 'Idol' goes country

Danny Gokey knows his way around the Mall of America.

The Milwaukee singer, who finished third on "American Idol" last year, lived in Brooklyn Center for six months in 2000 and used to visit the megamall all the time. On Friday, he will perform there and sign autographs to promote his debut disc, "My Best Days."

"The best part is the amusement park in the middle," said Gokey, who quit his job at a Twin Cities machine shop and moved back to Milwaukee because he got lonely without family around.

His album, released Tuesday, does not exactly have the gospel bent that one might expect from a former church music director. Gokey, 29, has gone country. Well, it's not Toby Keith country. Or even Brad Paisley. Working with producer Mark Bright, Gokey has made a twang-free album that's more akin to a one-man Rascal Flatts. That's not surprising considering Gokey's taste and Bright's experience working with Flatts and Carrie Underwood.

"It's a soulful country album," said Gokey, who moved to Nashville in September. "I put entertaining songs on the album, I put spiritual songs on the album, I put inspiring songs on the album, I put love songs on the album, emotional songs on the album. I really put a lot into it."

Gokey didn't really think seriously about country until he had an off-camera chat with Randy Travis, the country veteran who served as a mentor on "Idol" one week.

"He asked me: 'Have you ever considered doing country music? The amount of soul that you bring to our format, the fans would embrace you.'

Gokey actually was raised on country and Motown as well as gospel. "I know it's a weird combination," said Gokey, who was a truck driver by day and a church music director by night in Milwaukee. "As a child, I listened to Wynonna Judd, Blackhawk, Tim McGraw. Actually, the first piece I ever bought was from Tim McGraw -- 'Don't Take the Girl.'"

After his current promotional tour, Gokey will hit the road opening for Sugarland, starting in late April.