Huayu 1992: Starting with the CCTV Young Singers Competition

Chapter 96 Goodbye, Beijing

Lin Hanjiang quickly shook hands with her, his touch gentle: "Hello, Miss Yang, you're too kind. Just call me Hanjiang. Your songs are truly household names."

He wasn't just being polite.

Yang Yuying's "I Don't Want to Say" is the theme song for the TV series "Outsider Girl".

With the soaring ratings of "The Outsider Girl," it is now played very frequently in street music stores, making it a true pop hit.

"We're about the same age, so I'll call you Hanjiang, and you can call me Yuying from now on."

"Hey, you young people shouldn't flatter each other."

Wang Zhongxiang interrupted with a smile.

"Hanjiang, you've come at the right time today. The lineup for our first episode of 'Golden Melody Echoes' is something the station really put a lot of effort into. Come on, let me introduce you two to the people. Many senior teachers are here."

Lin Hanjiang and Yang Yuying followed Wang Zhongxiang out of the dressing room.

I went to visit the dressing room next door.

The first person you see is a middle-aged singer with a refined demeanor, dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, who is talking quietly with a staff member.

Jiang Dawei, an artist renowned throughout the country for songs such as "Where the Peach Blossoms Bloom" and "Where is the Road Ahead?", is one of the leading figures in folk songs in the hearts of countless people.

He is going to record these two representative works today.

"Teacher Jiang, do you think this way of handling the opening emotions is acceptable?" The staff member asked politely.

Jiang Dawei nodded gently: "Yes, you can tone down the emotions a bit more. After all, it's an echo, so focus on the aftertaste and the richness."

After they finished talking, Wang Zhongxiang introduced Lin Hanjiang and Yang Yu to Professor Jiang Dawei.

Beside him, Su Xiaoming, dressed smartly and with neat short hair, was singing.

She rose to fame with "Night at the Military Port," a song that caused a huge sensation and even controversy in the early 1980s, but has undoubtedly become a musical memory of an era.

She saw Wang Zhongxiang and Lin Hanjiang, and nodded with a smile.

We also got to know each other a bit.

Next to her was Cheng Lin, dressed in a fashionable manner.

This singer became a sensation in the 1980s with songs such as "Little Conch Shell" and "Through Wind and Rain".

Although she hasn't had as much exposure as she did in recent years, she still has a large fan base.

Today she's going to sing the upbeat and lively song "Little Conch Shell".

After Wang Zhongxiang finished introducing everything, he went to the next room, number 1, which was a large dressing room.

Liu Huan strode in, carrying a large black bag.

They were right behind me.

Liu Huan was wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, his hair was a little messy, but his eyes were bright and he had a strong presence.

By this time, Liu Huan was already an undisputed leading figure in the mainland pop music scene, capable of handling hit songs like "Young Ambition Knows No Sorrow" and art songs like "The Crescent Moon," wielding immense influence.

Especially the song "Asian Heroic Spirit" that he sang with Wei Wei for the Beijing Asian Games.

"Brother Huan, we've been waiting for you."

Wang Zhongxiang went to greet them.

"Are you recording 'Young Ambition' and 'The Crescent Moon' today?"

"Yes, hurry up and get it done, we have things to do this afternoon."

Liu Huan spoke bluntly, his gaze sweeping over Lin Hanjiang as he extended his hand, "You're Lin Hanjiang? I've heard your song, it's good, you have ideas."

His tone was direct, carrying the approval of a senior.

"Hello, Teacher Liu, thank you."

Lin Hanjiang quickly shook hands, and could feel that Liu Huan's hand was very strong.

Yang Yuying also came forward and introduced herself.

Liu Huan also smiled and offered a couple of compliments.

In the corner, Zhu Zheqin, with her ethereal and unique temperament, was quietly looking at the sheet music.

With her works such as "A True Story," which are full of humanistic concern and experimental elements, she has set a unique mark in the music scene.

Zhu Zheqin merely glanced up and nodded slightly in their direction before immersing herself back in her own world.

We've gotten to know each other.

On the other side, Hang Tianqi, dressed in a traditional ethnic-style long dress, was talking with the sound engineer.

She rose to fame with songs like "Qianmen Nostalgia and Big Bowl Tea" and "Loess Plateau," which have a strong ethnic flavor. Her voice is high-pitched, loud, and very distinctive.

Wang Zhongxiang introduced the items to Lin Hanjiang as if they were his own treasures, his tone brimming with pride.

This truly made Lin Hanjiang realize that Wang Zhongxiang was no ordinary person.

Teacher Jiang and Teacher Su represent the classic voices of the cultural revival in the early days of reform and opening up.

Cheng Lin and Liu Huan were the backbone and pioneers of the pop music scene in the 1980s.

Zhu Zheqin and Hang Tianqi represent different directions of exploration in combining ethnic and popular culture.

Yang Yuying is one of the most popular rising stars in the current Southern pop music scene.

Adding Lin Hanjiang, who broke records at the CCTV Young Singers Competition and whose original patriotic works sparked nationwide discussion, he can be considered the latest representative of the powerful voice of our time.

It seems that the first episode of "Golden Melody Echoes" is going to use these different periods and styles.

However, these are all highly representative hit songs and singers, connecting the development of the Chinese mainland music scene and the voice of the times over the past ten years.

It seems that Beijing TV has really gone all out and is serious about this.

Seeing and interacting with so many star-level singers, Lin Hanjiang couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

I'd never met them in my past life, but I've seen quite a few this time.

This lineup is indeed impressive, covering almost all the most influential key figures and representatives in the Chinese music scene from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.

The ambition and vision of Beijing TV in creating this program are evident.

Being able to be among them, to be listed alongside these names, is itself a very high form of recognition and status.

Especially considering these are just the singers who came to record the first episode.

There are still several more episodes to come!

Lin Hanjiang, Wang Zhongxiang, and Yang Yuying returned to their dressing room.

Wang Zhongxiang told the two, "There are many other teachers, such as Li Guyi and Mao Amin, whose schedules are simply too tight, so they can only perform in the next episode. Singing well on this stage is no less meaningful than the CCTV Young Singers Competition. The people gathered here are all industry leaders."

Before long, they finished their makeup.

An assistant director wearing a baseball cap and holding a walkie-talkie rushed over: "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to start the rehearsal—please remember your order and proceed to the entrance when your number is called."

The singers and performers all checked their costumes and makeup.

Some people also warm up their voices to get into the right state.

Before long, the recording began.

Everyone is waiting for their turn.

Even in the dressing room, they could hear the prelude to the music coming from the studio.

Listening to Mr. Jiang Dawei's deep and expansive singing voice is a pleasure in itself.

"In that place where peach blossoms bloom, lies my beloved hometown —"

People waiting backstage, regardless of their seniority, subconsciously quieted down and listened attentively.

Lin Hanjiang let out a soft breath and closed his eyes.

I went over the melodies and lyrics of the two songs in my mind.

"Teacher Lin, it's your turn to appear."

And so Lin Hanjiang finished recording "Echoes of Golden Melodies" and said goodbye to all the big names before leaving.

Yang Yuying has other programs to record, so she should only return to Guangzhou at the beginning of the month.

Zhou Tao, on the other hand, sought him out and treated him to lunch.

Thank you for recording the program; I hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with you again next time.

I also know he's going to Guangzhou to participate in a pop song competition. I hope he achieves success no matter which path he chooses.

After saying goodbye to Zhou Tao, Lin Hanjiang wandered around Beijing for a while.

I'm leaving tonight, and I probably won't be back for several months.

He just didn't get to say goodbye properly to Zhang Ye, after all, Zhang Ye had done a lot for him when he participated in the CCTV Young Singers Competition.

Goodbye, capital city.