We were lucky to catch up with Philip Oliveira recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Philip, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
I would have to say it was said about me by my Micro-Nerve Surgeon, Dr. Eric Williams. His Micro- Nerve Surgery allowed me to get enough strength back to Play the Guitar a little. I suffered a freak injury to my Ulna and Median Nerves during a “routine” Blood Test which left my left arm, upper shoulder and hand very weak. After the surgery I gained 40% of strength back which has allowed me to Play Bass Guitar wearing a protective glove! Anyway, at my Medical Malpractice Trial Dr. Williams said that he could count on one hand out of the thousands of patients that he’s done surgery on who would push themselves through an incredible amount of pain to accomplish a goal that they LOVED! With me it’s getting Acoustic and Classical Guitars to “Challenged” Youth being President of The Freedom in Music Project • 293 Guitars delivered as of today. HALLELUJAH!!!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I always LOVED Art and Music and since my disability I started RiseN Music Ministry and The Freedom in Music Project • The Freedom in Music Project is a 100% “Secular Program due to the separation of Church and State. During the past year we Recorded a Faith Based Recovery ROCKIN’ Blues CD LIVE at the World-Famous Church Studio in Tulsa, OK. Leon Russell was my favorite Musician and this was a Dream come TRUE!!! We massed produced 1,600 that were passing out for FREE. We also had a Documentary filmed about us that will be World-Premiered in September 2023 at our 11th Blues Festival/Annual Fund Raiser for The Freedom in Music Project titled “HALLELUJAH!” We have delivered 293 Acoustic & Classical Guitars for FREE to Youth Detention Centers, Recovery Academies and Title 1 Schools. I have Paintings that hang all over the world and seven that I painted during the Pandemic that hang at REVEL in Albuquerque a GREAT Music Venue! Lots of Musicians have supported us by giving us a Grant like Joe Bonamassa and his keeping the Blues Alive Foundation. Lots of Musicians have “SIGNED” Guitars that we Auction to raise Money such as The White Buffalo, Cody Jasper, Sonny Landreth, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Otis Taylor, Robert Cray, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jimmy Vaughan, Tommy Emmanuel, Jesse Cook, Dave Mason to name a few. I’ve written with my Wife, Linda over 136 Songs and have Recorded quite a bit! It’s all about the Arts • Fine Arts and Music that’s for sure!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I guess I already shared that about how much I LOVE the Arts especially Painting and Music. I still Play Guitar even though my Major Nerve Injury to my left arm and hand has gotten worse over the past twelve years! I won’t give up turning Youth on to the POWER of being Creative! The Freedom in Music Project’s Mission Statement • “Bringing HOPE through Music to Challenged Youth!” I’m 71 now and all this happened because I got Sober 22 years ago July 17th, 2001! After my disability for sure • I just didn’t want to hang around and feel sorry for myself!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Turning “KIDS” and Young Adults on to the POWER of Music. My Faith drives me. “Faith is the substance of things HOPED frond the BELIEF in things not YEY seen.” Hebrews 11.1 Sharing my Experience, Strength and HOPE with my Recovery Journey! Anybody can change at anytime in their LIFE with FAITH! The Mission for me is LOVE!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefreedominmusicproject.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedominmusicproject/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCpeaXGBtjg
- Other: Re: We’re in the process of redoing “ALL” of our Social Media • BIG Job, Hah!
Image Credits
“ALL” are Property of Philip A. Oliveira • Feel FREE to use any of them!!! I have Rights to them “ALL!”