Christian Show featuring Danny Gokey returns to fairgrounds this year
This year’s Christian Family Show at the Chase County Fair Wednesday, Aug. 16, will return to the fairgrounds again.
Last year, the show was moved to the CCS gym to fulfill contract obligations for one of the performers.
Fair Entertainment Chair Alex McNair said last year’s change of venue was a one-time experiment that solidified the fairboard’s decision to keep the show on the grounds going forward.
McNair said people will be in for a real treat with rising Christian music star Danny Gokey.
Gokey, a 2009 American Idol finalist, has transformed a career that began in country music to become one of the top performers in Christian music today.
McNair said the fairboard wants to keep raising the bar for the level of entertainment they book for the Christian night.
McNair said each year the attendance continues to grow, right along with the talent they book each year.
Gokey brings a unique story with him. Just prior to the American Idol gig, he lost his wife to a surgery gone bad.
He said people who watched the show connected with his story, finding hope in it.
That changed Gokey’s direction from country to the praise of Christian music.
His experience led to his memoir in 2013, “Hope in Front of Me: Find Purpose in Your Darkest Moments.”
He released his second album, “Hope in Front of Me,” in June 2014. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.
The title song earned him accolades in the Christian music sphere. These included nominations for Song of the Year at K-LOVE Fan Awards 2015 and was one of award-winning songs at 2015 BMI Christian Awards.
He earned nominations for New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Hope in Front of Me” at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.
In June 2016, Gokey won Male Artist of the Year and Breakout Single for “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” his third single from “Hope in Front of Me,” at the 4th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.
After releasing a Top 10 Christmas album, Gokey released his next album, “Rise,” in January 2017. The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.
Gokey co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on “Rise,” including the title-track lead single, which went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian airplay chart.
Gokey will also tour this summer as one of the supporting artists on Casting Crowns’ tour.
Tickets for Gokey’s 7 p.m. grandstand performance are already on sale at the fair’s website, www.chasecountyfair.com.
The event is coordinated in cooperation with the Southwest Nebraska Ministerial Association.