Danny Gokey Premiered "I Will Not Say Goodbye"

"Idol" alum turned country star Danny Gokey is keeping busy these days opening for Sugarland and has a new music video out for his second single, "I Will Not Say Goodbye." The heartfelt ballad, with its compelling portrait of coping with the loss of a loved one, has been one of the most acclaimed tracks from Gokey's debut album, "My Best Days," while the poignant music video made its official premiere this past weekend as part of CMT's Big New Music Weekend. He said the video would be very compelling, and indeed it is. "I'm telling a story from personal experience, but we tell other peoples' stories at the same time."
Featuring a slightly haunting intro, Gokey sings the first verse of this Lari White, Chuck Cannon and Vicky McGehee collaboration like he's wringing out every ounce of emotion in his soul. "I Will Not Say Goodbye" is a song for anyone who lost somebody unexpectedly and doesn't want or care to 'say goodbye' to the one they loved. The lyrics are stronger than the average song of this type and Gokey's vocal performance, which is all in, is a definite show stopper. While completely a contemporary country production, producer Mark Bright's production never gets to be too much or overtakes Gokey’s strong, passionate performance.
His profound loss now acts as the impetus to create a beautiful piece of art in his new single "I Will Not Say Goodbye." The follow-up to "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," the ballad focuses on the grief and anger that follow such a tragic loss. While many other ballads that tackle the same somber subject matter frequently come across as overly dramatic or theatrical, Gokey's single is laden with an honesty and sincerity that is inherently poignant.
The track starts out simply and organically, allowing Gokey's signature raspy and powerful vocals to create the emotion behind the haunting lyrics. He acts as a storyteller, sharing how life can suddenly change and be taken away within an instant. "I Will Not Say Goodbye" is a stand-out performance for Gokey that allows him to make the transition from being a mere singer to an artist, while also providing a sense of comfort to the countless others in the world who are also dealing with such unimaginable challenges and losses in their own lives.