Danny Gokey’s gone country.

The bespectacled widower, who rose to acclaim as second runner-up on the last season of American Idol, has inked deal to record his debut country album with 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville — the official home of artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Sara Evans, Andy Griggs, and Martina McBride.

The season 8 Idol winner Kris Allen, runner-up Adam Lambert, and fourth place rocker chick Allison Iraheta will release their debut albums in November. Gokey’s deal marks the first time in show history that the final four contestants have been signed by the Idol-affiliated record label.