On the heels of an album launch and a world tour, Arnel Pineda and Journey were heavily featured in American media starting late last month up to the present. And two of these features were the six page spread in GQ's June 2008 issue and the CBS interview. While both dealt with almost the same issues - Arnel's journey from the streets of Manila to his YouTube discovery - the GQ piece was more extensive as it details more than what we have read lately about the comebacking band and its new front man.

"My life is a fairy tale. But I'm awake, and I'm dreaming it." It's true, he's living a dream - my dream, everybody's dream. Haven't we all dreamt of success and glory in the face of life's continuing struggles and adversity? Haven't we hoped for a break so that we can ensure a better future for ourselves and our family? Arnel Pineda made it through life's trials. But what makes his story
more special is the fact that he never gave up, he never stopped believing that life would turn out better. And that's what is inspiring to a lot of people, specially Pinoy dreamers like me.

But Arnel Pineda's entry in Journey has not been received with open arms by everyone. The GQ feature also details negative fan reactions, with some die-hard Steve Perry loyalists referring to him as a mere sound-alike and calling the band a "second-class rendition of Journey." Maybe. But members of the band are one in saying their new front man is different. he may sound like Perry but he's got better range, more energy. Moreover, they acknowledge the fact that Arnel has taught them a thing or two about family, compassion and to never stop believing. (Read more of the GQ feature here.)

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Arnel Pineda & Journey's CBS Interview

The CBS interview, on the other hand, is more of a synopsis of the whole Arnel Pineda and Journey story. However, this feature touched me more for I saw and heard from Arnel himself what he went through before making it as Journey's lead. See for yourself.

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Postscript: I was reluctant to do another Arnel Pineda post as I didn't want my blog to look like an Arnel fansite. However, I couldn't resist, especially after reading the GQ article.

Arnel Pineda's US Embassy Visa Interview

As a followup, here's a full account by "Ben", the US Embassy staffer who interviewed Arnel Pineda for his US visa before auditioning for Journey.

Months ago a band showed up at my window. It was Lemons and Oranges, or something fruity. I asked about their music; looked at their posters, CDs, etc. At the end of the interview, they were saying, “Come out and see our show tonight.” I said, “I can’t take any free tickets yada yada yada but maybe I’ll pop in.”

It was a Friday. I went with two LES. We got a table, ordered some beer, fried chicken and so on. The opening band came on. They were called “Zoo” — this I’m sure of, since I’m from Kalamazoo, the name stuck.

The Zoo started rocking out to 70/80s tunes. But the coup de grace was indisputably when they busted out Journey. I mean, the singer was not just goo — 95 percent of all Filipinos are good singers — he was really darn good. I couldn’t shut up about it. I was telling anyone who would listen, “Dude, not only does this guy have pipes, and range, he’s got perfect pitch. He has only missed a few notes on some of the hardest power ballads in schlock n roll history.”

The LES grudgingly agreed, but they’ve been desensitized to the regular displays of amazing karaoke you get in Manila, so maybe they were just humoring me.

The next week I was sitting at an NIV window next to an officer named Singer. Singer and I were doing FMJs and so we would trade off regular NIV applicants occasionally so that we got fair share of student visas.

I heard Singer say, “Journey? The band Journey?” He flipped through papers. He sounded unhappy.

I butted in: “What’s that all about?” He turned off his mic and looked over at me. “I don’t know. This guys says he’s going to try out for Journey.”

I was puzzled. “Journey? The band Journey?” Singer went, “That’s what I just said, [EXPLETIVE]!”

“Great, another nutjob. I’ll take it.” Singer took my student, I took the nutjob.

I looked over his stuff and said, “Purpose of travel?” and all that. I started to scrutinize more carefully and realized it was the guy I saw from the night before.

“Hey, does your band play at Bagaberde?” He confirmed and he went on to tell me the story of how he uploaded some clips of his band that he recorded to YouTube and contacted Journey’s manager, having heard they were looking for a new singer.

He said they called him up and invited him to the US to try out. Given the malarkey you get at a Manila NIV window, this story only got points for being original.

He produced some flimsy e-mails and letters, etc. So I went, in my best dubious voice, “Yeah? let’s hear Wheels in the Sky!”

He belted it out for the whole waiting room and for the staff to hear (I made sure to take off my headset and let the speaker play it because what I was really doing was covering my butt).

I said, “Look sir, there isn’t a person in this Embassy who would believe that story — going to try out for Journey! — not a soul would believe that. Except for me. I saw you sing last Friday and I couldn’t shut up about how your vocals were perfect Steve Perry. So I tell you what. I’m giving you that visa. You’re going to try out. And you’re going to make it....”

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Arnel Pineda & Journey Song Lyrics

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