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The fervor over“American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey hit its apex in early May, when theprogram hosted a day of Gokey appearances and parades throughout Milwaukee, including afree concert at the Summerfest grounds that drew a crowd of 25,000. An earlyfavorite to win FOX’s top-rated singing contest, Gokey was cut the followingweekhe finished thirdbut he’d already cemented his status as a hometown hero.Regardless of whether Gokey’s brand of smooth, blue-eyed soul got your mojoworkin’ or your eyes rolling, it’s hard not to admire a guy who gives tens ofthousands of dollars in free publicity back to his home city.
Runners-up:Mayor Tom Barrett, Les Paul
