Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) is no stranger to love. Dubbed by friends as a romantic who can’t get enough of a good love story, the award-nominated performer has recently announced that he will be giving away his very own ‘reclaimed’ engagement ring and set of wedding bands. To win, couples must simply submit their story via treasureislandrecs.com and enlist the support of their friends via social media. In addition to the bands themselves, MBF has confirmed that he will hand deliver the prize and is willing perform live at the winning couple’s ceremony.
With more than 3000 submissions, the contest entries have proven that love comes in all shapes and sizes. “Through this initiative we have the ability to find and, in the spirit of community, support a couple,” explained Fitzgerald. “The love stories we’ve received so far are incredible and on June 17th we get to read through them all and pick a couple. It won’t be easy, this we know for sure.”
Those who have not yet entered are encouraged to visit treasureislandrecs.com before June 17th.
The summer of 2014 had me almost getting married — preparations were in place, rings were purchased and the date was set. But love is hard sometimes, and life doesn’t always play along, even with the best intentions.
The date was postponed, and ultimately became less of a reality day by day. I’m not sure my former partner loves reading about our story online, but I’d never claim it was a negative experience. We ultimately learned a lot, and I’m thankful for the time we spent together. She taught me many things, and I appreciate that greatly.
We drifted, separated and I took to spending more time writing in Los Angeles. There is an amazing group of LA collaborators that I have the fortune of working with numerous other great writers and musicians. LA is certainly a second home and family.
Between LA and Calgary we wrote, tracked and mixed a record called “I Wanna Make It With You“. The first single (I Wanna Make It With You) is still on the Canadian alternative charts after 21 weeks. Writing the record was tough at times – I tried describing the process to a friend and the best way I could make it relatable was to describe the space one exists in when pining after someone or the idea of someone. Time spent hyper-analyzing, waiting on phone calls/texts and justifying anything that feels like it will get that person or feeling back. Until the record was finished there was no way to get out of that head-space.
I’ve been thinking about the rings and what to do with them for a long time. The concept of pawning them seemed like a nightmare. I felt it would cheapen the entire time we spent together. Walking out of a pawnshop after haggling for some cash would have felt horrible. I can remember a late night writing session with Brian West and Ash Koley where we first joked about giving away the rings. The more I think about it, the better the idea seems.
That brings us to present day!
I had a chance today to have a nice chat with Michael about this contest, and about how he came to the decision. Enjoy!
SM: This is such a unique contest that you’ve created. Can you tell me a bit about it?
MBF: Myself, the people I work with as well as my band mulled it over for a long time, and we arrived to the decision that we should give these rings away!
SM: What initiated the desire to just simply give the rings away as opposed to selling them, or going another way?
MBF: I figured if I went and sold them at a pawn shop, or something it would cheapen the whole experience. I just wouldn’t feel right by just pawning these rings just for some cash.
SM: With the contest, it must give you a nice feeling of a fresh, new start in life.
MBF: Yea, I feel like I can wrap up my story around them, and by giving them I think the beauty of giving them away sort of resets the rings, and allows me to be a part of another couple’s life, and kind of support them and play at their wedding, if they want me to. Towards the end of June, myself, along with my friends and some family are all going to sit down and read these amazing stories of the couples who have entered and hopefully bring them some happiness through the rings.
SM: So you will be planning to hand deliver the rings to the winning couple?
MBF: Yeah, I never intended to just put them in the mail and be done with it. That’s the beauty of this is that I will go and get to meet them, and got to dinner with them. Depending on where they are in Canada, when we come and are on the road, we will always have them out for the show and hopefully out for dinner every show. I think it’s really a wonderful excuse to broaden your circle, and be part of a community.
SM: With all that you were going through, you were also in the process of making your latest album. Did you find writing and recording during that time to be therapeutic?
MBF: Oh yes. That was how I really came to terms with all of it. Then we had the rings left, so I thought, what is something positive I can do with these now?!
SM: I gotta say, I really love this whole idea. You really don’t see things like this. When situations like these happen, it can tend to turn someone very bitter, and you chose to take the high road! It’s awesome!
MBF: That’s why I am so thankful that you want to talk about it, too. People like you will help to get the word out to the right couple. You can reach out to people and have them read the story. Maybe someone who is a wedding planner will also read the story and want to be involved. Hopefully we can turn what was my bad situation into a positive domino affect.
** At the present time, the “Put a Ring On It” contest presently has over 300 entries. Again, you can tell your story to Michael, at treasureislandrecs.com before June 17th.
**Michael’s album, I Wanna Make It With You is presently available for download on iTunes, and SoundCloud
**Ring photo credit to Allison Seto