Name: Iam Tongi
Start: 2025-10-17T19:30:00-04:00
Location: Boot Barn Hall - Gainesville

Doors 6:00 PM | Show 7:30 PM
Ages 14+
For Iam Tongi, music has always been about transformation. The Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter and American Idol Season 21 winner first picked up a ukulele in fifth grade and quickly found his voice in the traditional music of his Pacific Island roots. Encouraged by his father, Tongi grew up singing on the porch in Kahuku, Oahu, with family harmonies guiding his journey. After his family moved to Seattle and he tragically lost his father, Tongi nearly gave up music—until his mother secretly signed him up for American Idol. His deeply emotional audition of “Monsters” went viral, capturing the hearts of millions and ultimately making him the first Pacific Islander to win the competition.
Now 20, Tongi is entering a new chapter—blending his island soul, country heart, and laid-back charisma into a sound that’s entirely his own. Working alongside acclaimed producer Johnny Reid, Tongi’s new music radiates growth, gratitude, and the uplifting spirit that first connected him to fans. With heartfelt songs like “Road to Hana,” he leans into his roots while honoring his late father’s legacy—reminding us all to live in the moment, stay positive, and never take life for granted.