It’s been one year since a tsunami devastated the two Samoas. I’m reminded of the closeness that we all felt in the days, weeks, and months that followed, and how tragedies sometimes seem to bookend each other, with the Haiti earthquake that followed so soon afterwards. Life is short, sometimes bitter, and sometimes sweet. In between, we’re lucky if we get to make some music, share some food, laughs, and time together.

Thank you to all the artists, friends, and family who gave in large and small ways, to the creation of Teardrop from God. It meant and continues to mean the world to me and many others.

Soifua,
Gary

Well, here it is at long last: the Teardrop from God charity single. Actually, now that we say that out loud, make it: The song, the website, AND the music video—all at once. The song premiered yesterday, Tuesday, April 6, on KSBS Radio (thank you Tune!). For those of you who have waited, thank you for your patience. For those of you who were involved, thank you for your time and energy, love and support. For those of you making your way here for the first time, thank you for taking a break, listening, spreading the word, and for showing your support in a real way by purchasing the single. Soifua.

A big shout out and heaps of faafetais—thank yous!—to the following people who contributed their energy, compassion, patience, grace, and time to this project, in no particular order.

Chyll, Mix Engineer
Glenn Glancy, Mastering Engineer
Peter Tang, Music Video Editor
Paul Smith (and crew), Capitol Records Recording Engineer
Tune Vaouli, Radio Promotion/DJ
Andy Meixner, Guitar
Trevor Jennings, Bass
Kennedy Mailo, Studio Owner
Chong Nee, Remixer, Vocalist
Danny Naha Veevalu, Cameraman
Teresa Tuimaseve, Organizer
Mark Taylor, Organizer
Guillaume Eyango, Backgrounds
JT Niumata, Vocalist/Organizer/Vocal Arrangements

We desperately need your help!We need money to rebuild the Taputapu Elementary School Parent Center in the village of Poloa in American Samoa.

The most immediate and obvious way that you can help contribute financially to the rebuilding of the Taputapu Elementary Parent Center is to:

1) Buy the song on Itunes

2) Buy the t-shirt

3) Donate directly via Paypal. Click here to donate this way.

4) Send a check or money order directly to:
Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development
P.O. Box 5770
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799