Janesville connection to Idol contender
Photo 
Danny Gokey
The owners of a Janesville hair salon have good reason to tune into the American Idol television show: they style the hair of one of the remaining contestants, Danny Gokey.
On Wednesday night, Gokey, 28, Milwaukee, advanced to the top 10 on the popular program.
Simon Cowell didn’t like what Gokey was wearing, but loved his voice.
Paula Abdul thought he was “brilliant.”
And Kara Dioguardi said he had “hit his stride.”
Gokey is the praise and worship leader for Faith Builders International in Beloit and its sister congregation in Milwaukee.
His hairstyle—that swooping, spiky cut that sets off his face—comes from Vivid Hair & Skin Co., 2900 Deerfield Drive, Janesville.
Terry and Rachel Morehouse of Roscoe, Ill., own the salon, and it’s Rachel who styles his hair before tryouts.
“We’ve known him for years,” Terry said.
Terry is the business administrator and music director at Faith Builders International in Beloit.
“He is the most talented person I know,” Terry said. “And he’s absolutely like you see him on television—he’s a very fun loving and social person.”
Initially, Gokey didn’t want to go to the tryouts in Kansas City. His wife, Sophia, had recently died during surgery for a heart defect.
“He was just too grieved,” Terry said. “But our pastor encouraged him to get out and just do it.”
A modified Wednesday service at Faith Builders International includes tuning into “Idol” after prayer.
Gokey’s pastor, the Rev. Jeff Pruitt, said Gokey’s faith—as much as his talent—has propelled him to succeed in the competition after his wife died four weeks before auditions.
Pruitt also said how far the husky voiced singer goes in the competition isn’t really up to the viewers.
“Honestly, we believe it’s in God’s hands, and that God is in control of all of our lives,” Pruitt says. “Danny is in a place in his life that he is trusting the Lord with everything that’s placed in front of him because he never dreamed any of these things—good or bad—would happen.”
Apr 15, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
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i watched the show last night and he is doing really well he is one of the best that is left
Apr 2, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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Nice story. Love watching him on tv.... he rocks.
Mar 25, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.
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Congrats for Danny :)
Not so much for Faith Builders....JMO :)
Mar 24, 2009 at 3:59 p.m.
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I can see Danny running his own Christian faith organization after all this is through. Could you imagine the sing-a-longs at the revivals? What a blast that would be:)
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.
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i hope danny wins. with all the terrible news about drugs and horrible accidents this is one thing that could bring some sunshine to the area
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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Yeah for Danny Gokey. Not so much for Vivid.
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:11 a.m.
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gmretirednow, American Idol is not on tonight. The performance show is tomorrow night, and the results show is Thursday. The schedule change was announced at the end of last week's show.
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.
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Danny rocks. watch tonight 8ct. Obama is on first at 7pm...
Mar 21, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.
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maybe people are just so unhappy in their own lives that if something good finally happens and is being praised they have to find a way to bash that as well
Mar 21, 2009 at 1:49 p.m.
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Every thing is all right isn't it? American Idol, then perhaps the "game", there just isn't anything more important than that, is there?
Mar 21, 2009 at 1:37 p.m.
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i remember seeing him in the auditions and thought he was great then, just the fact that he came on the show after losing his wife and he still is doing great shows he is a strong person and does have a lot of faith and it appears a lot of support from the church and all the people who know him and to be honest out of all the people left on the show i am glad he is the one that is the local talent.
Mar 21, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.
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good luck danny. and plurky you are very negative finally a story that does not involve anything bad and you are being nasty about it. what a jerk u r
Mar 21, 2009 at 8:17 a.m.
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I love Danny!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
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God cares about us and chooses to act in our lives because He is good. If I praise God while fishing, he cares about fishing. If I praise Him while riding my bicycle, God cares about cycling. I have to believe that some of the contestants on the show perform as one of the ways they choose to praise God. Therefore, Newsflash: God is an American Idol fan.
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:12 p.m.
Mar 20, 2009 at 7:01 p.m.
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thekid3477
what is this american idol show you speak of??
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kid no more wacky-tabacky-for-you
Mar 20, 2009 at 5:07 p.m.
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Maybe someone should start a show for all the senseless comments left on The Janesville Gazette blog LOL
Mar 20, 2009 at 4:37 p.m.
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Hate the show... love watching all of you beat each other up over stupid crap! Priceless...
Mar 20, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
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You are right! I can't stand the show I think it is one of the dumbest things on tv, I also don't remember directing any comments towards you personally. So calm down funny how excited you get over this. What I was saying is NOBODY has the right to judge anyone, people who do are obviously jealous and insecure.
Mar 20, 2009 at 4:21 p.m.
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ya jealous the way i look, hit nail on the head. Not once did I say anything bad about him. Go back and look. I commented on the kids, is he 16-22 yrs old. Open you eyes and read. By the way we were poking fun at the dumbest show to ever grace the airwaves.
Mar 20, 2009 at 4:08 p.m.
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I cannot believe the ignorance of some people. The way I look at it, anyone who has to make stupid comments about the way someone looks is a VERY insecure person themselves, and is EXTREMELY jealous. You must be absolutely miserable in your pathetic life. By the way God is a higher power however you see him, it could be a tree in your backyard. IDIOTS!!!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
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WOW- nothing like getting a little local support..Some people are just snide idiots!
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU MR.GOKEY- also my sincere sypmathies on the loss of your wife...
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:54 p.m.
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rockstar- kids pay ridiculous amount of money to look like that. Its like them paying 100 bucks for jeans with holes in them already. stupid kids
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.
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How about instead of us finding every negative part of this story to point out-we just wish the local guy good luck!?!?! and No, I don't watch the show so I am not a fan.
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
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Is it wrong to think his hair looks ridiculous in that picture? My hair looks like that when I roll out of bed in the morning.
Mar 20, 2009 at 2:35 p.m.
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Vivid has Danny's photo on a Lamar billboard over by Hardee's on Highway 14.
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
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I believe that is the show that makes all 16-22 yr olds dye their hair black then add some blonde to look like a skunk and then wear clothes they wore in 2nd grade. Good Story gazette, I love hearing about a salon not the actual news!!!!!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
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what is this american idol show you speak of??
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:23 a.m.
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i prefer the gong show.
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
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Too bad these posts went from something fun and entertainment newsworthy to criticism about ones' personal beliefs. To stay on subject, thanks Gazette for this story. Danny has been my favorite since I first saw him on Idol in January. Good Luck Danny! Who knows, I may even run into him someday here in town!
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.
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I looooove Danny!! I hope he wins!!!! :)
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
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I don't know how you can presume to speak for God since you don't believe in Him to begin with. Fortunatly Danny hasn't checked his brain at the door and is leaving his future in the one who created him. I'm sad for you with no hope for the future. Did you know there is a Saviour who died even for you? It breaks his heart to see you fall for the lies of satan,consider giving God a chance, what have you got to lose?
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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Go, Danny!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:53 a.m.
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whoanellie, umm, God didn't create the universe. It happened naturally. Just like dinosaurs and their extinction. Also, that's unfair to other organisms that might be floating around in space thinking that their God(s) created the universe. Ugh. So egocentric.
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:14 a.m.
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local: how do you know God isn't a fan?? You got a direct line to the One who created the universe and Danny? Good Luck Danny and may God be with you!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
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By the way great story. good luck to Danny gokey!
Mar 20, 2009 at 8:52 a.m.
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loco* Faith is part of life it did not say God was an Idol fan it said he put his faith in Gods hand. Honestly, we believe it’s in God’s hands, and that God is in control of all of our lives,” Pruitt says. “Danny is in a place in his life that he is trusting the Lord with everything that’s placed in front of him because he never dreamed any of these things—good or bad—would happen. To have faith is not a bad thing.
Mar 20, 2009 at 8:18 a.m.
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Thanks for the story!
Mar 20, 2009 at 8:11 a.m.
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I want a golden cow, and I want it now
Mar 20, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.
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News Flash: God isn't a American Idol fan. Come on.
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