**Don/Kel, this is a long one. It’s 4:27AM in the morning and I’ve spent the last hour writing this up. I can no longer suppress it or let it burrow under my chest. I know it’s pretty long, but I think its something you guys would enjoy reading, and others would enjoy too.**

Hafa Adai, the following post is very long, I wasn’t sure whether or not to post this or not. I hope you do decide to read this for all it’s worth, and that when you do finish reading it, you can understand the devotion and determination I have to further my own personal dreams, and that you as a reader can also find inspiration to bring your own dreams and goals into fruition.

Was there ever a time in your life where you had a dream, a goal, an objective – one that you wanted to see come true and come to fruition more than anything else?

Well for me, it’s to fight for what I believe in… and that’s in GMI – the Guam Musicians Initiative.
This dream, this path I’ve set myself upon for the last year, isn’t one that I’ve had for very long.

I never imagined myself doing what it is I currently do – never did I see myself standing where I am now.

Through my endeavors with GMI, I‘ve been able to make connections with others, connections I never wish to be severed. These same connections are bonds I never thought could’ve occurred. It’s truly been a blessing to be where I am in life at such a young age.

For those who aren’t familiar with GMI and what exactly GMI is… GMI handles musical promotion and small concert and event coordination. Founded, owned, and operated by me, GMI works with various local teen and young adult musicians and bands from the rock, alternative, hard rock, and hip-hop scenes. GMI works to give them the means to perform and express themselves in a safe and fun environment. GMI also does community outreach handling musical awareness and appreciation. This is only an abstract which represents just a portion of what I try to do with the Initiative.

So what separates GMI from other companies, organizations, or clubs? GMI takes the initiative to take matters into our own hands as artists to help one another and those that will come next… to help each other to take our art and spread it as far as it can reach – to inspire, to change, to invoke emotion.

This dream of mine to take GMI to the heights it wishes to reach – to help all these musicians and other artists to be heard and seen, to share and inspire others – is a dream I’ve only felt passionate for since last summer.

Flashback to 2005 – it was fall and I was in Tumon at the Acanta Mall. 105.1FM, “The Rock” (now known as The Kat), hosted its annual YouthRock Battle of the Bands. A lineup of various rock bands took to the stage. It was my first rock concert, and it has left an everlasting impression on me since then.

It was at this event where I witnessed musicians, no more than a few years older than me, share their music. It inspired me and has changed my life. I witnessed bands such as Core (now known as Matala), Shinjo, End Result, Munkie Nut, and others give their all on this small stage in front of several dozen fans. The feelings I felt that night because of the music are difficult to put into words, even to this day.

I got to see so many bands that night – but sadly, it was months until I’d seen any of these bands again. There were so many bands – yet so few opportunities to see them, to feel that energy and inspiration again. These bands would play small school functions, birthday parties, and backyard shows… but these events weren’t a true public forum. If you didn’t go to that school, didn’t know the birthday celebrant, didn’t know the bands personally… you were basically out of luck in catching these musicians.

I couldn’t stand this. I was addicted to the music. I could easily go buy a CD or download a song – but nothing could compare to watching a local rock band perform at a small show. It was these few events I had attended that I was able to bond with others, to make connections, and to find unity in diversity. It didn’t matter how old you were, what ethnic group you belonged to, what village you were from, what clothes you wore. It was about enjoying music – raw, live, unadulterated music; music performed by high school students with ideas and thoughts waiting to be heard by anyone who would listen. I was one of those eager to listen, to embrace, and to love.

These shows changed my life – but sadly from 2005-2007 I had attended only about 5 events. That was 3 years… a whole 36 months… 36 opportunities to have one show each month. Sadly, this didn’t occur. I was stuck with 5. YouthRock 2005, YouthRock 2006, GHS BandFest, HafaTel Battle of the Bands, and a show called Toothstock. I was lucky in the summer of 2007 to be in a band called Axs Denied, and a close friend of mine who was in the band Tom Vomit and the Pukes had asked me to help him and his band with their end of school year show in June 2007.

The show was called Pukefest. It consisted of a lineup of 7 bands performing on stage at Skinner’s Plaza in Agana. No sponsors, no endorsements, no corporate involvement – a DIY endeavor to the truest sense of doing-it-yourself. Bands donated what gear they could, I even donated a BBQ grill and made hamburgers and ribs all night.

After that, were there any other shows for Summer and Fall 2007? A few school fundraisers, but again, these events catered to only a small demographic, not the entire public.

Because of my involvement with Pukefest, a friend asked me to find bands for her 16^th b-day in March 2008. It was held at Ypao Beach at the large pavilion. 7 bands performed – over 200+ kids came out to watch these bands. Beachgoers, tourists, picnickers and partiers from the smaller pavilions, and even lifeguards and GPD Beach all stopped in to watch these bands perform. It was then and there I knew – this music, this talent, this sense of unity in diversity… all of these great emotions and all this passion shouldn’t go to waste.

I decided to throw more events to allow various bands to share their music and inspire others the way I was inspired at YouthRock 2005. I wanted to allow these bands to get out of the small gigs they’d perform at school fundraisers and birthday parties – playing hard rock in front of manamko isn’t exactly thrilling.

This idea of helping these bands grew into the Guam Musicians Initiative. My heroes became my best friends, people I idolize now have mutual respect and even idolization for me.

Because of GMI, I’ve been able to work with great people such as the Triton’s Society, The Muna Bros., Sinangan-ta, and Reclaim Guahan. With the band Matala, we’ve gone to a few public schools to perform and spread music. With many other bands I created the Weekend Warriors music series. A concert series bringing together established bands and new bands together in one event.

There has never been a group such as GMI, and support has increased so much. Audience sizes have increased from 50 kids in a park, to 300 kids filling up UOG’s Cafeteria. Along with the support there has been criticisms with how I run things and operate. Some think I do what I do for fame, others think I do a shoddy job – the fact remains is that no one else is doing what I do. Because of the support and also because of the criticism, I continue to move forward, with more passion and commitment.

Most of my money I get from Merit Scholarship stipends and paychecks goes into events – whether it be for flier printing, cables and gear, or buying food for the bands – my heart, my mind, and my checking account have been devoted to getting GMI going.

However, it’s become apparent that relying on minimum wage pay checks and balancing personal expenses like cell phone bills and gas prices cannot sustain GMI any longer. The increasing crowd sizes at events are to large that our usual equipment can no longer accommodate our events. We haven’t had a show since February 2009 because of this.

Earlier this month, I finally legalized GMI with a business license in promotions. I also began searching for loans and investors to fund new equipment. GMI needs about $7,000 in startup, and our first attempt at a loan didn’t go smoothly. Today (May 12) I await an answer from another bank to see if we’ll be getting the funding or not.

I cannot sleep because I’m nervous. I cannot wait to find out the result, and I pray that we receive the funds. I am no longer able to wait and put off all the good that GMI can bring to this island. So much good can come from the ideals and dreams GMI is based upon. However, lack of funds is our only hindrance.

I have a dream and a goal, a passion that is unwavering. I am determined to fight for this dream.

I have my objectives, and I can’t wait for them to be completed. I will do anything and go anywhere to see these dreams come true. It’s my dream of seeing GMI grow and allowing musicians and music lovers to connect and to unite. I want to see these bands and music fans enjoy music and to be inspired by it. I want to see them create goals and live their dreams, and I hope that GMI is able to help them get there.

I just wanted to share this with you all, to show that dreams can come true if you’re passionate enough and willing to go those extra miles. I want to show those who have criticized my endeavors with GMI that I don’t do it for profit, nor do I do it for fame or a legacy, but because I love what I do and I want others to love it too. I also hope, those that have read this are inspired by this story, and are able to pass it on to those who may be inspired by it. I also hope those who’ve read this that are willing to help the cause by donating, or share our story with anyone who is willing to donate to this dream and objective.

Remember that dreams can come true, but you must work hard for it.