Chinese entertainment, from radio love songs to superstars

Chapter 130: One Album to Win the Hong Kong Music Scene

When I got to the backstage, I saw that 90% of the faces were familiar.

Most people have been attending this awards ceremony since the 1980s and 1990s.

Although Zhang Guorong, Tan Yonglin and Anita Mui no longer accept awards, they will basically appear as award presenters.

This also indirectly shows that there is a lack of young singers in Hong Kong and that the Hong Kong music scene is gradually declining.

Yes, in the early 21st century, there were newcomers such as Eason Chan, Yung Cho-Yeung, Miriam Yeung, Leo Ku, Ting-Fung Ngan, Gillian Chung and Charlene Choi active in the music scene.

But later on, when these singers gradually faded out, the award ceremony became more and more deserted every year, with only some little-known singers and some works that had hardly been heard.

The organizers can no longer be so high-profile and every year they just find a random place and give out a few awards as a routine.

Hong Kong music and Hong Kong films, fifty years of glory, joy and sorrow, ups and downs, have just been submerged in the torrent of history.

Of course, they haven't changed.

By bringing in Chinese singers from the mainland, Taiwan and overseas, we hope to increase attention.

Take this year for example, mainland singer representative Shen Lang, Taiwan singer representative Zhou Jielun and overseas Chinese singer representative Wang Lihong were all shortlisted for many awards.

As soon as Shen Lang arrived, he started chatting and laughing with Anita Mui, Zhang Guorong and Li Wen.

"Being nominated for 15 awards, is this the first time in the history of the Jade Solid Gold Awards?" asked Anita Mui.

"It's the first time. Alan and I didn't have that much combined at that time." Zhang Guorong replied.

"Alang is a singer, lyricist, composer, arranger and producer all in one. We can't compare to him." Li Wen sighed.

"I'm just a finalist, I may not win any awards." Shen Lang lowered his expectations.

"As long as they don't do anything stupid, the minimum you'll get is 10," Zhang Guorong said confidently.

"You have only released Mandarin albums before, so you will suffer a lot in this awards ceremony. When this album 'Same Time, Next Year' came out last year, no Hong Kong singer could compete with you." Anita Mui held the same view.

"Just treat it normally. What's yours will never escape from you." Li Wen told Shen Lang not to feel pressured.

"Sister Mei, Brother, Senior Sister, I will have two concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum this year..."

Before Shen Lang finished speaking, Mei Yanfang interrupted and asked, "If you don't invite a guest, who should we invite?"

Zhang Guorong smiled and said, "If you want two games, I'll do two games."

Li Wen followed up and said, "Just tell me the time. I will definitely come."

Having said that, Shen Lang had no choice but to thank him.

Zhang Guorong changed the subject and asked him, "Are you going to spend the Spring Festival in Yanjing this year, or back home?"

Shen Lang said without hesitation: "In Yanjing."

Zhang Guorong smiled and said, "That's great. We can have a New Year's Eve dinner together and have some fun."

Shen Lang was stunned and asked, "You are coming to Yanjing to celebrate the Spring Festival?"

Anita Mui blurted out, "He bought a courtyard house in Yanjing and plans to move in during the Spring Festival."

No wonder Shen Lang saw that Zhang Guorong looked better today. It turned out that she accepted his suggestion: "Sure, but I have to participate in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, so I will be back late."

Zhang Guorong was not feeling comfortable living in Hong Kong, so it would be good to try a different environment: "It's okay, I'll wait for you."

At about 7:40, Du Ting came over to inform Shen Lang to come in. The award ceremony also began.

The hosts are still the same as before, Zeng Zhiwei and Lam Siu-fung, but the female host is no longer Cheng Yu-ling, but a newcomer, Zhao Xueer, who is Mu Wanqing in the TVB version of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

The opening scene.

Eason Chan's "Shall We Talk", Tse Ting-fung's "Jade Butterfly", Andy Hui's "Mud", Kelly Chen's "Favorite Concert" and Aaron Kwok's "Para Para Sakura" won five of the "Top Ten Golden Songs".

Next, it was Shen Lang’s performance.

"Under the Mount Fuji" won the Best Composition Award, Best Lyrics Award, and Top Ten Golden Songs Award.

15 out of 3 already.

The remaining four top ten hits were won by Miriam Yeung's "Sisters", Andy Lau's "Summer Fiesta", Sammi Cheng's "Lifelong Beauty" and Yung Cho-er's "Painful Love".

Then, the three hosts started a crosstalk.

Lin Xiaofeng: "Please trouble Brother Zhang Guorong to come over and chat with us, because in addition to helping us perform, he is also the award presenter."

Zhao Xueer: "Please come in, brother!"

Zeng Zhiwei: "Brother, your charm is irresistible. It is you who can lead all the fans."

Zhang Guorong took the microphone, smiled and waved to the fans, saying: "Tonight there are many fans of singers, fans of Sammi, fans of Rong Zuer, fans of Andy Lau, and fans of A Lang, all cheering."

The king comes out to take the lead.

Zhao Xueer looked at the cue card and said, "Brother is going to present us the 'Top Ten Golden Songs Tribute Award' today."

"OK." Zhang Guorong took the envelope and said, "I'll say a few words when you open this tribute award. This award should actually be given to those who deserve it and have made contributions to the music industry..."

As he said this, he looked at Zeng Zhiwei and said, "You seem to have made a great contribution to the music industry. In terms of emcee, you are almost always the one who wins the Jade Solid Gold Awards every year. So here, I am very nervous to open this tribute award for my friend. I am opening it!"

"123!"

"At the 2001 Jade Solid Gold Awards, the Jade Solid Gold Tribute Award goes to..."

"Stage superstar, Anita Mui!"

Anita Mui came on stage, took the trophy from Zhang Guorong, and said slowly: "I have already announced that I will not accept the award, so this does not mean anything. I think TVB gave me a chance to meet you all today. I think my mentality has changed in recent years. I am very happy to witness the situation of the entire music industry. There have been many changes. I am even happier that I have opened my own company and trained a group of young singers. I hope that the music industry will continue to flourish and get better. Also, singers should not be unhappy because of those rumors in the newspapers. Thank you!"

After receiving the award, the organizers also arranged for Sammi Cheng, Kelly Chen, Miriam Yeung, Leung Wing Kei, Yung Choo-erh and Hocc to pay tribute to her and sing her classic song "Like Water Flowing Time".

After the ceremony, Zeng Zhiwei invited her to the stage to present the awards.

"I wouldn't dare ask you to present anything other than a big award."

"No, TVB didn't ask me to come here just to do one thing and then let me go."

"Of course. Which award do you want to win the most?"

Mei Yanfang smiled and said, "I see everyone can't wait any longer, so let's just give it out right away."

Zeng Zhiwei helped her open the envelope and said, "This award is the 'Golden Song Gold Award' of the Top Ten Golden Songs."

Anita Mui glanced at the name, a bright smile appeared on her face, and she said, "The winner of the 2001 Jade Solid Gold Songs Gold Award is..."

(End of this chapter)