2007 JSG awards (first round)

The 2007 first round JSG awards were held in the Tseung Kwun Ou studio. Apart from the "top ten song" awards there was also a "most popular Chinese song" award. George Lam and Teresa Carpio are soon to be holding concerts, and they were invited as guest performers. The night's winners included Hacken Lee's "Prince Princess", Twins' "Loving for 6 Years", Kenny B's "Everyday is a Good Day", Stephy Tang's "Lightbulb", Alex Fong's "Big Little Heart", Ivana Wong's "Picture Meaning", Grasshoppers' "forever", AT17's "Same Soung Same Air", Kay Tse's "New Problems Arising", Eason Chan's "Under Mount Fuji", Denise Ho's and Juno's "The 3rd Person (love triangle)", and Stefanie Sun's "What I Miss" took home the most popular Chinese song award. Earlier there were reports that Hacken's wife was pregnant and that he was taking half a year off work to be with his wife. When asked if he was expecting a baby soon he joked that the baby would be born in June or July. Of course he was calling his new album his baby, as making an album was comparable to giving birth. The pregnant Kay Tse attended to accept her award, but did not perform. Kay was very happy about being a mum soon. And because after her album, she has been promoting a lot less due to the baby, she thanked everyone for their support in giving her the award.

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IFPI highest album sales 2006 award ceremony

The IFPI Hong Kong sales award 2006 was held tonight at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The sales awards were already publicly announced and of them, two of the highest HK sales (male and female) were won by Hacken Lee and Joey Yung. Of the top ten artists, apart from Hacken and Joey there was also Leo Koo, Denise Ho, Grasshoppers, Justin Lo, Kelly Chan, Fiona Sit and Eason Chan. For the highest Cantonese albums sales, Eason's "Get a Life" won. The other in top ten included, Leo's "Human", Hacken's "Live in Concert 2006", Hacken's "Concert Hall", Hacken's "Concert Hall 2", Joey's "Reflection of Joey Life 2005", Joey's "One Life One Love Concert", Grasshopper's "Our Grasshopper 2005 Live Concert", Justin's "One Good Show", Eason's "Get a Life" and Sammi's "Ultimate Collection". Of the top ten highest selling Cantonese albums, Hacken has a total of 3 albums, definately living up to his name of "album sales king". He is sale's best guarantee. Last night, there was also the high selling Mandarin albums being awarded. The highest selling was Jay's "Still Fantasy". Japan's famous Hideki Saijo was the night's guest performer and award presenter. He performed splendidly and also let the ceremony reach a high.

Guests also included the Legislative Councillor, Timothy Fok and international pianist, Li Yundi. Other singers present were George Lam, Teresa Carpio, Fen Nei, Alec Su, etc. Japan's big star Hideki Saijo was also invited and received two awards: Japan's popular music cultural exchange contribution award and Japan's popular music cultural exchange award. During the ceremony, Hacken was the biggest winner with 5 awards: 3 Cantonese high selling awards, a HK high selling award, and a highest selling male singer award. Hacken was surprised by the nights results. He laughed "Tonight was really a bumper crop!"

As for the girls, Joey took the lead with 4 awards: 2 Cantonese high selling awards, a HK high selling award, and a highest selling female singer award. Joey was satisfied with her results for the year but said that she will continuing working so that each year will be better than the last. Joey also praised the Music Fair exhibition for giving the music world a new chance at revival. Unlike a few years ago, fans are no longer chasing after idol singers, Joey is pleased to see that in these few years, the music world is being filled with more singers with talent. Twins didn't go home empty handed either. Of the ten high selling Mandarin albums, Twin's "" was the only HK album. When Twins were backstage to accept an interview, something happened that alarmed the entire backstage. While Gillian was answering questions, Ah Sa suddenly slid off her chair sacring Gillian and causing her to scream. Ah Sa was close to crying and the entire scene was awkward.

Japan star Hideki Saijo is close to 60 but still charismatic. By raising a hand or taking a step, he fulfils his great star status. Hideki Saijo also noticed that Hong Kong's music world has had an increase in talent in new singers. They have definately improved since the last time he saw them. He also praised Eason and when Eason heard he was so happy he couldn't speak. He would have never thought that a senior would praise him so. The hopefuls Vincy and Hins were the winning newcomers. The two newcomers may save Hong Kong's music industry. Their beautiful voices and musical talent has already moved many of Hong Kong's hearts. Watching them on stage singing "wind blows a while" in Chinese and Japanese, the audience were captived completely. They definately earned their award. Alec has had a change of image, deciding to present with a mature look. He said "I'm no longer that young, I have to dress a little more maturely."

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Music Fair opening ceremony, the industry finds opportunity

The 2nd "Hong Kong Music Fair" held its opening ceremony yesterday. Honoured guests included the Home Affairs Bureau chief, Patrick Ho, the People's Republic of China cultural market vice director, Cheung Sun Kin, the Legislative Councillor, Timothy Fok, the Hong Kong trade development council assistant president, Raymond Yip, the RTHK broadcasting assistant director, Tai Kin Man, the IFPI (HK) president, Hong Dy and the HK Music Fair committee president Ng Yu. Singers included Hacken Lee, Leo Koo, Joey Yung, Eason Chan, Fiona Sit, Hins Cheung and Twins.

For 3 consecutive days, the Hong Kong Music Fair will help the industry develop opportunity and the "Hong Kong film and arts creativity and power exhibition" is open to the public, displaying a large number of memorable exhibits.

The exhibition focuses on popular music, television, film, Cantonese opera and theatre. In the exhibition, costumes from Anita Mui', Sam Hui's and other singer's performances are on display. There's also Wong Ka Kui's guitar, Yam Pak's classic records and Danny Chan's "these tears flow for you" music sheets.

After attending the opening ceremony, Eason also took time to look through the exhibition. However, he did not give anything to be placed in the exhibition. He said "The things I say are pointless, my clothes are wrinkled, and I really don't know what I could give. Perhaps I can take out my liver and let everyone examine why I've got such a voice. (Apart from organs, anything else?) My face isn't handsome, only the insides are the best looking."

Over 10 singers were invited to record for the Music Fair's "Classic songs and great stars together" limited AVCD. Songs include memorable productions of great singers of Hong Kong's past. It pays tribute to the musical world, and these old classics are rebroadcasted. Some of the singers that have taken part have taken to the stage to express their feelings and everyone felt honoured. Hacken sang Anita's "these years like water" and felt that resinging someone else's song isn't easy. Like they say, the real thing is already there (referring to past singers already making the classics their own song, showing it's hard to replicate). He believed the other singers would feel the same way. Everyone wished to put something of themselves into each song but each of these classic songs have already left an impression on everyone. There was no way to not have Anita's shadow and so Hacken, along with Anita's shadow, sang the song.

Leo sang Danny's "picking stars" and felt very excited. That song was one of the first songs back then to advocate quitting drugs. And coincidentally, Leo has been recently given the responsibility of being an anti-drug spokesperson. The feeling was very special. After the opening ceremony, Leo had to rush to Guangzhou to make real money. He didn't have time to view the exhibition.


http://paper.wenweipo.com/2007/03/22/EN0703220001.htm