charity
Danny Gokey: It’s a boy!
People magazine is reporting that the American Idol season eight alum Danny Gokey and wife Leyicet welcomed their first child Sunday night.
Daniel Emanuel Gokey weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces.
Gokey released the following statement:
“Leyicet and I are overjoyed to welcome the new member of our family. I’m ecstatic to be a first time dad and to have a new little buddy to hang out with. Thankfully, because of what I do, it will also allow me the flexibility to spend a lot of quality time with him. I have so many exciting projects ahead this year but a brand new baby is an amazing way to get the new year started. We feel really blessed!”
The 32-year-old Gokey, whose first wife died in 2008 following an operation for congenital heart disease, married Leyicet, a 26-year-old model, in January 2012. Their engagement and marriage were announced on his charity website, Sophia’s Heart.
The site was created in honor of Gokey’s late wife Sophia. As some of you may recall, in Idol season eight, Gokey shared the tragic story of losing his wife to routine heart surgery. Since then he has dedicated himself to raising money for Sophia’s Heart, reaching out to children and helping them through difficult times, at various stages of their lives.
Questions/comments? Email me at randy@sacandbeyond.com or visit SacAndBeyond.com
Officer Needs Assistance at Thunder Valley Casino
Chris Gardner Band – Click for more images
The Placer County 10-35 Foundation’s Thunder in November charity drive took over Thunder Valley Casino’s Pano Hall on Saturday as the Chris Gardner Band, Road 88 and special guest Jeff Keith performed to a charitable crowd.
Jim Hudson with Placer County 10-35 Foundation
The Placer County 10-35 Foundation was created in 2011 as a non-profit charity designed to assist the men & women of Placer County law enforcement. The Foundation is a fraternal & benevolent association chartered to assist Placer County peace officers in times of great personal and organizational tragedy.
10-35 is part of law enforcement’s 10-code which means officer needs assistance.
Road 88 opened the show with lead singer Rachel Steele belting out Gretchen Wilson’s “All Jacked Up” and Emmylou Harris’ “One More Bottle of Wine.”
Road 88 – Click for more images
Joining founding members Rachel Steele (vocals) and Scott Prentice (guitar/vocals) were Billy Haggard (guitar), Charlie McGimsey (drums), Todd Prout (bass), Paul Southerland (lap/pedal steel, dobro) and Maggie Keith (backup vocals).
Road 88 was flawless in their delivery as one would expect from a band that was voted #1 in the Best Local Band category for the second year in a row on KCRA’s A-List.
Towards the end of their set Steele brought Tesla’s lead singer Jeff Keith on stage to sing a country song.
What!?
Jeff Keith goes to the dark side
Yes pardner you heard right! Jeff Keith comes strutting out looking cuter than a junebug in a jumpsuit, donning, of all things, a cowboy hat. Y’all wouldn’t have believe it.
After some wild applause and a collective gasp from the audience, Keith went on to explain that he was still with Tesla and all was good with the band, but he was pursuing a lifelong dream of singing country music. His new CD Jeff Keith and Country Music Friends, is due out on November 9th, featuring Kent Goodson and Pat Boone from The George Jones band.
With his best country voice, Keith went on to sing George Jones’ “Grand Tour,” as the crowd cheered him on.
As one would have expected, Keith’s chops were flawless and, surprisingly, he sounded like a genuine country star. Who’d have thunk it!
Scott Prentice and Jeff Keith – Click for more images
Stay tuned for a complete review of his new album.
In between sets Jim Hudson with the Placer County 10-35 foundation announced the winners of their silent auction for an autographed guitar signed by REO Speedwagon (Katie was the winner), and an autographed guitar signed by Road 88 and Jeff Keith(Diana was the winner). Katie insisted that she get a picture after the show with Chris Gardner and her newly acquired guitar.
The Chris Gardner Band kicked their set off with Alabama’s “Mountain Music” and Luke Bryan’s “Rain is a Good Thing,” as droves of people made their way to the dance floor.
Lead singer Chris Gardner was joined by Dwight Hogan (bass), Aaron Shively (lead guitar), Joey Gonzales (drums), Nikko Vargas (rhythm guitar), and Shawn Holiday (keyboard).
While Road 88 had a solid set, the Chris Gardner Band was able to pack the dance floor as they continued playing “Something Like That” and “Dixieland Delight.”
This was a fun and successful event. Expect to see Thunder in November II next year!
For more information on Placer County 10-35 please visit them at http://www.placer1035foundation.org
Y’all don’t forget to checkout Jeff Keith’s alter ego at Jeff Keith Country!
Trace Adkins returns to Celebrity Apprentice
Trace Adkins – Click for more images
Country music star Trace Adkins will compete on behalf of the American Red Cross during Donald Trump’s latest round of Celebrity Apprentice.
Not only is Trump bringing back Adkins, but he’s bringing back an “All-Star” cast including actor Stephen Baldwin, magician and illusionist Penn Jillette, DJ artist and rap star Lil Jon, NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, actress and author Marilu Henner, singer La Toya Jackson, TV personality and actress Claudia Jordan, actress and author Lisa Rinna, Playboy Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick, reality star Omarosa, and crazy man Gary Busey.
I know Omarosa really isn’t considered a celebrity. At least according to Piers Morgan who competed with Omarosa and Adkins in season 7’s Celebrity Apprentice. Omarosa and Morgan’s fights were legendary and made for some great reality television. Trace Adkins and Peirs Morgan went head to head in the season finale with Morgan taking top honors.
I attended a conference soon after the airing of season 7 where Omarosa was appearing in one of the vendor booths. Finding it hard to believe that two people could hate each other so much, me and my wife chalked it up to editing. However, when I asked her what she thought of Morgan she went on for at least 3 minutes on the evils of Morgan.
So back to Trace Adkins . . .
Adkins is a recent addition to the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet after his family was helped out by the organization after losing his house in a fire. He’s currently the organization’s spokesperson for the 2012 Holiday Giving Campaign, encouraging people to “give something that means something” this holiday season.
Bret Michaels – Click for more images
“When my home was claimed by fire last year, Red Cross volunteers were among the first on-site,” Adkins said. “They looked after my family when I couldn’t be there and offered help. We were fortunate because we could replace the things we lost but that’s not always the case for every disaster victim. That’s when the Red Cross steps in. I am supporting the mission of the Red Cross and hope to help them reach more people in need,” Adkins said.
Adkins, a long-time supporter of members of the U.S. Armed forces, recently recorded several radio PSAs for the organization’s Holiday Mail for Heroes program with his new song, “Tough People Do,” which will appear on his upcoming album on Show Dog-Universal (release date and title to be announced). People are encouraged to send holiday cards through the program and the Red Cross will distribute them to veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.
“We are excited and very grateful that Trace Adkins’ will be playing ‘All-Star Celebrity Apprentice’ on behalf of the American Red Cross,” said Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern. “We appreciate Trace’s remarkable commitment to the Red Cross and those we serve.”
Trump is currently taping the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, but it will not be airing until March 2013.
I’m pulling for Adkins to win it all this season, but I certainly hope to see the darker side of all the celebs, including Omarosa.
American Idol Finalist Danny Gokey Engaged
Danny Gokey – Click for more images
American Idol finalist and philanthropist Danny Gokey announced on charity website, Sophia’s Heart, that he’s engaged to Leyicet Peralta.
The site was created in honor of Gokey’s late wife Sophia. As some of you may recall, in Idol season 8, Gokey shared the tragic story of losing his wife to routine heart surgery. Since then he has dedicated himself to raising money for Sophia’s Heart, reaching out to children and helping them through difficult times, at various stages of their lives.
Gokey stated:
“He is thrilled to have found Leyicet who also shares his passion and desire to help children and families in need. Accordingly, Danny & Leyicet have requested to their wedding guests that all gifts be in the form of a donation to Sophia’s Heart.
The couple went on to state:
“We are thankful for so many of the blessings God has given us. It is our desire to see homeless children and families be kept together and lifted back on their feet through the help of Sophia’s Heart. We love and appreciate you all.”
If you would like to make a donation to Sophia’s Heart as a wedding gift to Danny & Leyicet, go to https://www.sophiasheart.org/donate.php and enter in your name and wedding message in the comments.
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