In the bottom of the ninth of 2023, Pearl Jam’s frontman stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park for one of the sweetest stories of the year. Daniel Casler of mykailua shared a recent story where Eddie Vedder surprised three aspiring musicians in Hawaii by gifting them a brand new guitar.
Man Of The Hour
How this act of giving came to be is equally as touching. It starts at Coconut Grove Music, which is in Kailua, on the island of Oahu. In addition to offering a wide range of beautiful guitars and ukuleles, Coconut Grove Music also has music lessons. The private studio space offers the opportunity for private guitar lessons. Upon visiting the store, Vedder asked to speak with their guitar teacher, Harry Koizumi. “He (Vedder) asked if I could help him choose some electric guitars that would be good for younger players,” mykailua explained. Vedder then purchased the guitars they picked out. Furthermore, he requested they be given to three students in need, to inspire their musical journeys.
Coconut Grove took it from there. Three students were selected and their mothers were called and told of the incredibly kind gesture by Vedder. The students were then surprised with their new guitars upon arriving for their next lesson.
Koizumi had the students write thank you notes to Vedder. “Later in the week, Eddie brought some personal notes for me to give to them,” Koizumi explained via mykailua.
Don’t It Make You Smile
A recent Instagram post by mykailua shares the story with six accompanying photos. The three happy students show off their shiny guitar gifts from the rocker in photos. They appear to be two Telecaster style axes (one yellow, one light blue), and one Vintage V100.
Giving back has been part of the Pearl Jam DNA for over 30 years now. Their Vitalogy Foundation, “elevates the voices of overlooked groups and seeks opportunities to support approaches that value people’s minds, bodies, and souls.” A small example of their incredible work includes raising over 11 million dollars to combat homelessness in Seattle back in 2018. In addition, Vedder and his wife Jill are co-founders behind EBRP. This is “is the largest global organization dedicated to funding research to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa.”
As for the three happy guitar students at Coconut Grove Music in Hawaii, when Koizumi called the selected families to inform them of this holiday gesture by Eddie Vedder, he suggested they play Pearl Jam’s music to get their kids familiar. By gifting them each a new guitar, I’m sure Pearl Jam’s music and Vedder’s kindness will stay with them forever.
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