Singer and producer Tony Matt was not in the recording studio January 16th. Instead, this success story was out at Morehead Middle School on the westside to spread the word about going strong toward your dream and never giving up.

Matt has the "steet cred" to be able to deliver this message. He grew up in East Los Angeles, California and he had a difficult life even before his parents separated when he was just eight years old.

He could have said "Life is too hard" or "I'll never get what I want"; but he didn't waste time on feeling sorry for himself. Tony Matt had a calling. Even at a young age he knew that music, while being his escape from lifes difficulties, was also his destiny.

At the age of 13, Tony Matt wrote and performed his first gospel song and while learning to play both the guitar and electric organ; he realized that his dream was coming true.

It is for this reason that Tony Matt wants to help the youth of the world and his inspirational blend of "cumbia, hip-hop and reggeaton" he calls to the world to keep dreaming... and more importantly, expect and deal with the roadblocks to those dreams... for they will come.

(Tony Matt seen here wiht models in photo at right, during a photo shoot with photographer Brax during the filming of one of his music videos in El Paso in 2007.)

Tony Matt never waivered from his path and never, ever gave into the problems that he found in his path. "You have to stick to you vision", says Tony Matt; believing that the difficulties will evaporate if you will just face them.

Psychologists agree. Even though it is only one day it may be the one day that makes a difference in the life of a child. And it isn't always obvious that someone has made an impact on a child.

Jason Marquez, on the left, said that he liked the message of hope. When asked what he gained from the discussion, Marquez said that "... you need to respect yourself and others". 'So, if someone disrespects you... what do you do?' Marquez answered "Still respect them".

Just then, as if on cue... his friend jumped him and poked him in the arm. What did Marquez do. He hit him back... of course. But, since there was no harm... there was no foul. In a way... they might have been being respectful to eachother and that is how they show it... mutually respectful. Although someone might suggest that the message that Tony Matt was sharing didn't take.

But, Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytic theory, insisted that insight is often easy to come by... but, behavior is hard to change. When asked about this possible contradiction... Marquez just smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if to say... 'I got it... but, old habits die hard'.

One of the keys to Tony Matt's success was to find the right kind of friends and to make sure that they support your dreams. He teamed up with Daniel O. Gutierrez aka "Dadadi" and formed the musical group Kalimen. Together they created success. A few years later they got the record deal that they were looking for and signed with Univision Music Group. The result was the CD "Nuerva Era" or New Era.

By the same token, Tony Matt likes to speak to the Middle School student because he knows how easy it is for them to make the wrong decision or take up with the wrong friends. And for some, just one bad mistake can ruin their life and end thier dream.

By reaching the children when they might need a helping hand or a strong voice of reason and hope; Tony Matt hopes to compensate for some of the failings of society... their parents... their siblings... and/or their schools. Matt hopes that he can nudge these students just enough so that they stay on the path to success... no matter what their definiton of success is... or where their dream will lead them.

Tony Matt realizes that at some point the children will be less pliable and thier mold will be cast. If they don't get the support now when they are young they will have to take on life as it comes... and it will come in bunches.

Psychologists often warn that it will not only be the individual who will deal with the choices they have made... but all of society will be faced with them as well. The options are success, loss of potential or possibly breaking of the mold... "breaking the cycle of dysfunction" says Tony Matt; so that they can get thier life back on schedule.

Regardless, we should remember what James Joyce, the famous Irish author, wrote in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ... "This race and this country and this life produced me, he said. I shall express myself as I am." As will most people... but, no always with that level of confidence.

We all stand to gain if our children end up expressing themselves after a good life has 'created' them... than the reverse. Those things... and extra things that we can do for our children now will pay off in huge rewards for all of us in the future. We must support our good teachers for their is not a more important change agent for our children.

If you would like to have Tony Matt speak at your school please contact the editor at the link below.

  (Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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