Meet Danny Gokey

Some of you may recognize Danny Gokey as third-place finalist from season 8 of American Idol. Since Idol, Gokey has gone on to sign a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and released his debut album, My Best Days earlier this month. With current single, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me" climbing the country charts and a summer tour with Sugarland and Jake Owen in the works, he is well on his way.

Gokey recently sat down with Walmart Soundcheck and filled them in on his first single, dealing with his wife's death and his love of music.

"I think music, whether I write it or not, always makes a connection. Music is a universal language that everyone speaks. Music has formed humanity. In every culture there is music. Music can make you feel different emotions at different times and I think that's the power and connection of music. Whether I write it or not, I connect with the music and I try to make people feel what I feel when I'm singing," he said.

Learn about Gokey's debut album below and for the complete interview where he talks of stage fright, American Idol and why he sees his music as a movement click here.



Currently one of my favorite country music videos, watch "My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me" below. Pay close attention the quotes.

Poll of the Week: Which Festival Are You Looking Forward To?

It's that time of year again: festival season is upon us. SXSW just started and those that aren't making the trek to Texas have many additional options to choose from. While 2009 brought plenty of festival coverage for You Sing, I Write, this year I'll be watching from the sidelines. Although I won't be attending, I have quite a few interviews lined up in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check back often!

Just because I'm not headed to any festivals doesn't mean you won't be. My poll question for this week is: Which Festival Are You Looking Forward To? Feel free to leave your answer in the poll and be sure to let me know which you're attending as I'd love to hear all about it!

SXSW
Coachella
CMA Festival
Bonnaroo
Other

Song of the Week: "More"

Earlier this week, Tyrone Wells debuted the music video for single, "More" off his album, Remain. Named one of You Sing, I Write's top five concerts of 2009, I was lucky enough to chat with Wells last year right before one of his showcases at SXSW. A powerful performer, he filled me in on his songwriting process, whether he'd rather someone witness him live first or hear his record and the inspiration behind some of his songs, including "More."

A track that almost didn't make the record, of "More," Wells said, "It’s really the age old search of mankind to find more meaning, whether it be faith in God or faith in humanity or hope for a better day and hope that we can see people loving each other in this world and coming together instead of always separating. Less selfishness and more togetherness.

"I think everybody who hears that song plugs their own life into it and whatever is more for that person is what they draw from it. I met a girl who really wants to write screenplays and she adopted the song as her mantra. For me, it was the age old search for God and connecting to him and finding more meaning in that."

For more of my interview with Tyrone Wells, click here and watch the music video for "More" below. Currently on tour with Tony Lucca and Roy Jay, be sure to visit his MySpace for dates. I'll be catching his show this Wednesday in NYC, so be sure to follow me on Twitter for live concert updates!

Related Links:
• Q&A with Tyrone Wells
• Better Than Ezra, Tyrone Wells Bring Surprises At Sold-Out New York Show
• SXSW: Day Two Recap
• Jason Reeves and Tyrone Wells Entertain Crowd with Intimate Tales and Stellar Performances in Hoboken

You Sing, I Write on Last.fm!

I'm excited to announce that you can now follow You Sing, I Write on Last.fm! Having covered 400+ bands, you can listen to all the bands I've written about over the past two years on Last.fm while reading about them on the blog at the same time. How cool is that?

In addition to listening to some of the bands I've featured, check out the journal section for my SXSW interviews and coverage from last year as well as all the artists I've interviewed this year for Spinner.com.

To visit You Sing, I Write's page click here. Special thanks to Shelley Tibbetts for setting everything up!

Q&A with Intimate Stranger

A few weeks ago I interviewed Tessie S-Woodgate from Chile-based band Intimate Stranger. She filled me in on her writing process, how the band formed and plans for SXSW.

"SXSW is really important to us since it's the chance to play to a bunch of new people who haven't seen us live, in a place where we are relatively unknown. It's new terrain for us, so the prospects are very exciting," she said.

Having experienced the 8.8 earthquake in Chile, Tessie recently wrote her firsthand account for austin360.com. Despite the devastation her hometown has faced, Intimate Stranger will perform several showcases next week at SXSW and will play a benefit for the people of Chile at the Parish in Austin.

For Tessie's account of the earthquake, click here.

To read my complete interview with her on Spinner.com, click here.

Band to Watch: Avi Buffalo

Photo Credit: Jon Klemm courtesy of Bumpershine.com

Whether it was their heart-thumping experimental bass and drum beats or shared vocals between frontman Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg and keyboardist Rebecca Coleman, Avi Buffalo impressed concertgoers. While many of their songs can be easily pictured being heard in indie films, it was their stage presence and interaction with the audience left the greatest impact.

For my complete live review and photos, visit Bumpershine.com.

Thank YOU For Your Votes!

I can't express in words how appreciative I am of your support and votes for the SoundCtrl and Pepsico FlashFwd contest. Unfortunately, I didn't win the trip to SXSW but I did reach over 50 votes and was even featured on their blog as one of their top contenders.

While a free trip to Austin, Texas, and interviewing tons of bands while there would have been amazing, I'm truly grateful for the response, emails, comments, retweets I've received from everyone. It made me realize this little music blog of mine has had a much greater impact than I ever could have imagined. From a friend who works at a national magazine telling me she based their magazine's blog after mine to a former colleague from college who informs her students of my blog, I couldn't be more humbled.

I may not be attending SXSW, but that doesn't mean I won't keep on interviewing and discovering talented musicians for you. With a site redesign in the works and interviews lined up with some amazingly talented bands, You Sing, I Write will keep me busy. Thanks for coming along for the ride!

For a complete list of the winners, click here.