One LOVE: Help Mikey Dyke Produce his Life's Work of Music

Introduction to Mikey Dyke

Mikey Dyke- Vermont musician, composer, singer, Jamaican ethno-musicologist, big heart, kind and humorous- had a massive stroke early March 2024. Mikey is alive today due to a series of Divine interventions that made it clear to him and his family that his true purpose on Earth is not yet complete. That purpose includes finalizing, producing, and sharing out his life's work of Jamaican folk music compositions.

PLEASE show your ONE LOVE with a donation to help Mikey and his family to focus on his recovery and completing his compilation of original music and songs.

Mikey plays and teaches a wide variety of instruments such as bass guitar, classical, lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, flute. He is a composer and arranger and music educator who uses his skills to uplift his community with delightful music performances and workshops.

Mikey's family is the Jamaican equivalent of the Von Trapp Family Singers: all of the family are singers and musicians! They immigrated from Jamaica to Vermont in 2017 and have performed together in schools and communities across the state in their band Caribbean Rain- the only Jamaican multi-generational family band in Vermont. The family band presents workshops on Jamaican music and has performed at events such as Illuminate Vermont, Juneteeth celebrations, and the Facing the Sunrise Performing Arts Series produced by Clemmons Family Farm and Catamount Arts in the Northeast Kingdom. They are one of the recipients of Clemmons Family Farm ‘A Sense of Place’ grant for promoting diversity through music in Vermont.

Mikey arranged and engineered an album of inspirational music composed and sung by his talented wife, Judi Emanuel He also became a popular teaching artist with Clemmons Family Farm.

The Dyke Family: Michael Jr, Judi, Lala, and Mikey

In spite of their tremendous talents, the Dyke family's love of music couldn't pay all of the bills. To support their family, Michael worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center as a Welcoming Specialist, and then when that job ended, he worked at Fedex as a package handler and also at a parking garage.

Mikey on the job at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

His lovely wife, Judi, who is a professional singer, worked at the Burlington International Airport and also as a scheduler at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Judi on the job at Burlington International Airport.

Tragedy followed by Inspiration and Hope: Michael Dyke's Stroke Story

The Tragedy: Mikey was home after working his second job, sitting at his music recording console as usual. Most unusually, he decided to take a break, relax, and watch some TV. Amidst his laughter and joy while watching Usain Bolt's 9.58 record-breaking 100m dash, Mike suddenly had a massive stroke.

Thanks to the quick thinking of his daughter Lala, the fantastic Shelburne Rescue team arrived in a matter of minutes and rushed Mikey to the University of Vermont Medical Center in their ambulance. Within two hours of his stroke, Mikey was out of surgery. When he woke up, he could no longer talk or walk.

With the constant support of his wife Judi, his daughter Lala, and his son Mike Junior, Mike began the long road to recovery. The staff at UVMMC was outstanding and will always hold a special place in the heart of the family. Fanny Allen Rehab became home and family during Mike's month long rehab there.

All of the Doctors, nurses, LNAs, Nutrition staff, therapists were so exceedingly kind and did their jobs with joy and love. It was an incredible experience and there are not enough words to thank them. Mike would also like to thank the staff at Burlington Health and Rehab for their care and rehabilitation, and for the training sessions, educating the family on the safe use of Mike's standing assist equipment and transfers.

Mikey was recently discharged and is now back home with his family. He continues his speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy sessions.

The Dyke Family at home

Photo credit: Elodie Reed/Vermont Public

The Inspiration: Mike's sudden loss of the ability to speak, to walk, and to play music made Mike and his family realize the importance of completing his life work of original Jamaican folk music for children.

Mike with his original works, Play Di Music.

Photo by Nani Clemmons courtesy of Clemmons Family Farm

The Hope: ONE LOVE FOR ONE YEAR fundraising campaign

After 7 years of sharing their love for music with the Vermont community they also love, Mike and his family now need your love back. Your financial donations will be used to help cover some of the costs of medical equipment, and one year of Mikey's continuing medical expenses and living expenses while he recovers at home. Your gift will also enable Judi to reduce her work at UVMMC and spend more time at home to take care of Mike while he focuses on completing, producing and distributing the family's treasure trove of original Jamaican music.

The Dyke Family's musical works represent a lifetime of Mike's original writing and compositions and include:

‘Play di Music’ Music textbooks for students in grades 1-9:

‘Play di Music’ Music Teachers’ companion texts for grades 1-9:

BRIM Method:

A Set of Four Reggae-Folk Albums

A Set of Two Children’s Folk Music Albums

A Pop-Reggae Album

'Limitless' : An album of inspirational (faith-based) music

The finished creative works will enable Mike, Judi, and their children to earn income through sales and royalties, and will enable Vermont and the world to experience the beauty and magic of Caribbean Rain.

PLEASE show your ONE LOVE with a donation to Michael Dyke and his family. Our goal is for this beautiful family to have the financial support they need for one year, so that they may finsih their musical compositions and share them with Vermont and the world!

For more information about Caribbean Rain, Michael Dyke and Judi-Emanuel, visit: www.emanuelroadrecords.com

Read the July 5, 2024 Vermont Public story about Mike and his family by Elodie Reed: Vermont Public