Conversations with Phil Oliveira

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Oliveira.

Phil, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi!

Our 501 C3 Non-Profit Acoustic Guitar Program started 12 years ago in New Mexico. We are RiseN Music Ministry and The Freedom in Music Project. The Freedom in Music Project is a 100% “Secular” Program because of the separation of Church and State! We’ve delivered 268 primarily Acoustic Guitars (30 have been Classical Guitars) to Youth Detention Centers, Recovery Academies, and recently the last two plus years of Title 1 School and after-school programs. 72 Acoustic Guitars in 2022 and 12 so far in 2023 “ALL” for FREE!!! RiseN Music Ministry goes out with our Christian Rockin’ Blues Band with a message of Recovery and Jesus Christ as the Healer. Unfortunately, this has NOT been possible with the Covid Pandemic!

What we did is go to the world-famous Church Studio in Tulsa, OK and Record a “LIVE” 13 Song CD that we’re mass producing and handing out for FREE!!! It’s a LONG Story about how this started but I’ll try and walk you through it. I suffered a freak injury to my Ulna and Median Nerves that affects my left arm and hand, my Fret Hand as a Blues Guitar Player from a routine Blood Test. I couldn’t really Play Professionally anymore so I wanted to stay involved with Guitar so my wife, Linda, had the idea of The Freedom in Music Project! The rest is HISTORY!!! We have delivered 10 Guitars to after-school programs in Pueblo CO. That’s our tie to Colorado.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The major struggle is raising money to purchase guitars, etc.

I won’t give a KID a piece of crap Guitar so they are in the $300.00 range!!! We just received 3 Ggants in 2022 and we didn’t even apply for them. They came to us after researching the internet for Music Non-Profits! You’re constantly trying to get known and raise Money. It hasn’t been easy but well worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, I’ve recorded over 150 CDs and have been involved with Music for the last almost 20 years. I’ve been disabled due to my nerve injuries and live in constant chronic pain.

I didn’t want to sit around doing anything so hence The Freedom in Music Project. I’m proud of getting 268 Acoustic Guitars out to “Challenged” Youth since moving to New Mexico 12 years ago. I also Paint and have several “Pandemic Paintings of Rock Stars hanging in REVEL in Albuquerque a fantastic Music Venue!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Art and music make me HAPPY. I also enjoy Mediterranean food and cooking.

I enjoy painting, playing music in our Band, and making others HAPPY with Music and Food! I LOVE to see the faces on the KIDS when we give them Guitars to Play and keep! I’m happiest traveling with my Wife, Linda, and exploring cities’ food and music.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thefreedominmusicproject.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedominmusicproject/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCpeaXGBtjg