Listen to “Sunshine” HERE
Tongi Will Make His CMA Fest Debut on June 5 and
His Grand Ole Opry Debut on June 11
Fans Can Also Catch Him on the Road All Summer and Fall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “American Idol” Season 21 winner and Hawaii native, Iam Tongi, releases new track, “Sunshine,” today via 19 Recordings ahead of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Written by Tongi along with Tyler Cain and Johnny Reid, the song finds Tongi basking in positivity and feel-good warmth with a fusion of country and reggae sounds offering a dose of sonic Vitamin D to match his Hawaiian home. Listen to “Sunshine” HERE.
Recorded in Nashville at Soultrain Sound Studios, Tongi says of the song, “Even though I just turned 20, I’ve had to face some pretty difficult times in my life. When I lost my dad a few years ago, it made me realize how short life is. It also made me take stock of what really matters. My mom is my biggest hero and inspiration, and she has always pushed me to be kind, work hard and be a better version of myself, no matter what.”
Tongi continues, “I wrote ‘Sunshine’ because I wanted to spread love, light and positivity to the world. Even when times are tough, you can find goodness around you.”
Let your sunshine shine
Let the music play
Don’t you let no fool
Rain on your parade
Let your spirit rise
Chase them clouds away
Let your sunshine shine
Today
At just 18-years old when he auditioned, the Hawaiian born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist won hearts around the world and brought Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, to tears with his emotional performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” dedicated to his father Rodney who had recently passed away – watch it HERE. The audition went on to become the most watched on the show’s YouTube with 36 million views. Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win the series and went on to earn his first Billboard No. 1 on the Rock Digital Songs Sales Chart after releasing his debut single, “I’ll Be Seeing You”
Tongi is set to make his CMA Fest debut June 5 on the Dr Pepper Amp Stage as well as his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 11. He is currently on the road with dates across the U.S. through the summer and fall with more to be announced soon. For the latest news including tour dates and new music visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Upcoming Tour Dates
May 10 Nashville, TN Nashville Soccer Club Halftime, Geodis Park
June 5 Nashville, TN CMA Fest, Dr Pepper Amp Stage
June 11 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry House
June 21 Del Mar, CA Corona Grand Stage / Toyota Concert Series
Sept 1 Puyallup, WA Washington State Fair
Sept 5 Concord, CA Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sept 10 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
“Sunshine” Cover Artwork by Sam Mangakahia. Sam is a cultural artist from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, he now calls the island of O’ahu home. (@hamiora.art)