By: Christina Luna
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards returned to its home on February 2, 2025, at the Peacock Theater and Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, California. While the sun shined over the city, a lingering heaviness remained as the region had been battling devastating wildfires for weeks.
Yet amidst the somber atmosphere, an air of resilience was emerging as new milestones for several music artists and creatives shone through. For the Filipino American community, a milestone hit center stage - Jesse Barrera, Jeff Bernat, and Tim Atlas earned their first-ever Grammy nomination.
Jesse Barrera, Jeff Bernat, Tim Atlas (Left to right) on the red carpet at the 67th Grammy Awards. Photo credit: Jeff Bernat.
The trio was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song for their work on Holy Hands, a track by contemporary gospel artist DOE. While they didn’t take home the award, the song is part of DOE’s album Heart of a Human that won Best Contemporary Christian Album - a victory that still felt personal and speaks volumes.
For three independent artists who built their careers from the ground up, a nomination was surreal. Jesse reflects, “So many emotions... it’s the kind of thing you dream about. It feels like a fever dream where you think, ‘One day, I’ll be nominated for a Grammy.’” When he first received the email confirming the nomination, he thought it was spam. “I went on Google. I typed ‘Jesse Barrera Grammys 2025’ and there it was.”
The journey to this moment began in 2018, when Jeff, Jesse, and Tim got in the studio and created the song, Wrong About Forever, which was released on Valentine’s Day in 2019. “That’s probably my most successful record ever,” Jeff shared. “And five years later, DOE’s team sampled it for Holy Hands. That’s why we’re here. It’s crazy how things work.”
Tim Atlas, Jeff Bernat, Jesse Barrera (Left to right) in 2018. Photo credit: Jesse Barrera.
As they stepped into the Peacock Theater for the Premiere Ceremony – where the majority of the Grammy Awards are presented – the nerves were real. Still riding on a high from walking the red carpet, they sat down just as their nominated song Holy Hands started playing in the background. Jeff smiled and proclaimed it, “Sunday blessings.”
Recalling the moment they first got the news, Tim shared “We were still in disbelief, Jesse FaceTimed Jeff first, then me. We were all like, ‘What?!” The moment hit differently knowing they were experiencing it together. Jesse added, “It was like a “stars aligning” moment. We’ve been trying to manifest things together for a while. I felt like if I was ever going to be nominated for a Grammy, it would be with these two guys.”
On the red carpet and the nominee reception, the gratitude was evident. Jeff reflects, “It’s still a trip to be here right now, we just walked the red carpet and we’ve been watching that since we were kids. Just to be a part of it is a blessing for sure. We already won.” Tim said, “I think you just have to practice gratitude,” I’m so glad and happy to be here, especially doing it with guys I’ve known for 10 years. Seeing them grind it out for this long, it means so much more.”
For Jesse, this was a moment nearly two decades in the making. “I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years,” he said. “To experience something for the first time – it’s always going to be magical. I’m incredibly humbled and just happy to be here. And it means so much more to do it with Tim and Jeff. These guys have been grinding with me for so long.”
Tim Atlas, Jeff Bernat, Jesse Barrera (Front left to right) with musicians Joel Cowell (keys) and Amir Oosman (drums) at The Echo in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Andrew Rose.
Each artist has carved out a unique space in music. Jesse Barrera, a prolific producer and songwriter, has helped shape the sounds of many rising artists while working on his own solo material, with a new project coming this summer. Jeff Bernat, known for his smooth vocals and global fanbase, is currently working on a full-length album. Tim Atlas, who blends indie and alternative influences, recently released his latest project, Enchanté. Their paths may differ, but their shared Filipino American identity and dedication to music unite them.
Jesse Barrera, Jeff Bernat, and Tim Atlas (left to right) at the Grammy Nominee Reception at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Timothy Norris.
Jesse, Jeff, and Tim now join a long list of Filipino American artists who have left their mark on the Grammys, dating back to Larry Ramos, the first Filipino American and Asian American Grammy winner in 1963. They follow in the footsteps of those who paved the way and stand alongside today’s Filipino artists making waves in mainstream music.
The Recording Academy’s recent diversity initiatives signal a shift toward more inclusive recognition and this nomination proves that Filipino American artists are helping shape the future of music.
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Christina Luna is a music executive, an advocate for the Global Asian music industry, and author of forthcoming book, The Movement, a narrative on 1990s Filipino American music. She is a Governor on the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board.
