The fervor over “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey hit its apex in early May, when the program hosted a day of Gokey appearances and parades throughout Milwaukee, including a free concert at the Summerfest grounds that drew a crowd of 25,000. An early favorite to win FOX’s top-rated singing contest, Gokey was cut the following week—he finished third—but he’d already cemented his status as a hometown hero. Regardless of whether Gokey’s brand of smooth, blue-eyed soul got your mojo workin’ or your eyes rolling, it’s hard not to admire a guy who gives tens of thousands of dollars in free publicity back to his home city. 

 

 

Runners-up:Mayor Tom Barrett, Les Paul