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Artist Sings Message Of Hope

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: February 18, 2009

During a time when so many are facing hardship, Land O' Lakes artist Leonardo Villanueva just released a CD he is anticipating will bring the light of "hope" into people's hearts.

"My music is meant to bring a message of hope into people's lives in a non-threatening and non-religious way," Villanueva said. "Most of the songs on the album I wrote when I was on recent mission trips to places like the Dominican Republic. I saw helplessness, destruction and despair and yet in the middle of all the poverty, people were still happy. I wanted to share with people that even in the middle of struggles, people can still have hope."

He will have a free concert for his new CD "Hope" Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Idlewild Baptist Church,18371 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, where he works as ministry associate to student music.

Even though Villanueva wants to help people experience real hope, which he said comes from God, he said he will not preach to the audience. Instead, he thinks the music will speak for itself.

"I want to tell them about my experiences in life and what has worked for me," Villanueva said. "I have been in rough times when I felt like I wanted to give up. I have been through bad health times. I have been out of work and I know what it feels like to lose a friend. While I was in my deepest valley, I had to write these messages of hope. I believed in the message in those songs and they really helped. I am hoping people will leave my concert feeling strengthened and inspired."

Ever since he was a child growing up in Puerto Rico, Villanueva said he has wanted to make music. He said his musical style was inspired by both his mother, Luz Alba, who liked to listen to American music like "Chicago," and Barry Manilow and his father, Milton Villanueva, who listened to Spanish, Christian music.

"I was 16 when I came to the United States and I already had some Americanized tastes, but the music I have always liked most has been contemporary Christian music," Villanueva said. "About a year after moving here, my parents got divorced and the thing that comforted me was music. There was always a Christian song on the radio that would encourage me, which is part of the reason why I record Christian songs today."

Not all of Villanueva's songs are about hardships, his song "Masterpiece" was written for his daughter Melody. That tune is a favorite for Dennis Rowan of Land O' Lakes.

"His track about his daughter is one of the most refreshing songs I have ever heard," Rowan said. "I loved his whole CD, from start to finish. It is one of the most refreshing things I have heard in Christian music in a long time."

Villanueva previously released the all-Spanish album "Leonardo" in 2004, which won the Dove Award for best Spanish Language CD in 2006. For more information, visit LeonardoOnline.com or call (813) 382-4398. Leonardo's CD's are available through his Web site, iTunes, Amazon mp3, Napster, Wal-Mart mp3, CDBaby and at Tampa Christian Supply bookstore.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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