Last is not always least

Larry Joe Naputi, the 2017 Chamolinian Jam Contest winner. “I just do what I do and hope for the best” he said. (BEA CABRERA)

Larry Joe Naputi specifically asked that he be called last during the 2017 Chamolinian Jam Contest at the Flame Tree Festival last April 22.

“I was working the night of the contest. I went to the venue early to tell the emcee I would probably be late so put me last,” said Naputi.

He was also the last to register for the contest.

“I learned about the contest less than a week before it was going to happen. Although I was busy at work, I was game. I didn’t practice and I just wanted to try.”

That worked like a charm. Twenty-three-year-old Naputi bagged all the categories meant for five different individuals: Best Stage Presence, Best Performance, Best Vocals, Best Lyrics, and Best Original Composition.

April 22, 2017, was indeed an unforgettable night for Naputi and for the people who watched and listened to him on stage. Naputi went on to be declared the winner of the inaugural Chamolinian Jam Contest.

“It was the first year of the Chamolinian Jam Contest and we are happy about the turnout in the number of participants. The success of the first one has inspired us to organize another one for the next Flame Tree Arts Festival,” said Marianas Association president John Concepcion. “All the participants were very talented but it was Larry Joe who stood out.”

Naputi, who was the last to perform as he’d requested, sang Could This Be Love, an original song he and his sister had written in English, but he sang in Chamorro that night.

“I had a 15-minute break from work so I rushed to the contest still wearing my work vest, had white dust on my body, and hard hat. They called my name and I went up the stage. I took off my vest, sat down, played my guitar and started to sing. I was in my zone.”

Naputi later went back to work. Twenty minutes after he sang on stage, he received a phone call saying that he won the contest and all the categories.

“I almost dropped the wrench that I was holding after I found out that I won,” he said. “So I went back to the venue to claim my prize.”

Naputi was a grand slam winner, having won all the categories. “It’s never about the trophy. I just took the initiative and set an example. I want to share my talent and give the message to all hidden talents and Saipan has a lot. It is good to let it out. Show what you’ve got. Show what you are passionate about. Sing. Sing your heart out.”

Naputi’s family was his early influence in music and they could not be more happy with what this young man has achieved. “My family is proud of me. I am surrounded by a family that is into music. My cousin Bo Yamada taught me how to play the guitar. They continue to inspire me.”

Naputi defied the odds and his passion for music always pushes him through. “I read this quote that says ‘Success begins at the end of your comfort zone.’ It reminds me that I have a purpose and whatever that is, all I know is that music will always be part of me.”

Last to register for the contest, last to sing on stage, but still ended up as the big winner. For Naputi, that’s just about right.