Charlie Green, the boy wonder who got the world’s attention for his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind” (and got the audience on their feet as well) in a television talent search in the United Kingdom, celebrated his 15th birthday four days ago at Pearl Farm Beach Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal.
“It’s beautiful there, a great place to celebrate my birthday,” he said during his brief tete-a-tete with the local press prior to his mini-show to promote his latest CD, “Rainbow”, under Viva Records at the Abreeza Mall.
Charlie was born on 16 February 1997 in Droitwich, Worcestershire to English father Roger Green, who accompanied him in his Davao trip, and Filipino-Spanish mother Cecilia Sumargo, who hails from Cebu.
It was not too long ago when Charlie was still a cuddly 10 year old youngster who prompted “Britain’s Got Talent” judges Piers Morgan to comment, “everything about you says you’re a young star,” and Amanda Holden to quip, “You’re such a pro. And you have a wonderful, wonderful voice”.
After 4 years, he is now a teenager who loves to play basketball, tennis and billiards in his hometown England. Charlie is currently on an Oxford home school program. Being an adolescent, he now sings with a more mature voice with a lower register, and performs more pop than Sinatra, and ready to conquer the world anew.
“Aside from the Philippines, my latest CD will also be released in Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, and other cities in Asia. It will also be distributed in Europe, South America, and UK,” he said. The thought of getting the album global has obviously got the Charlie excited.
The new album was produced under the direction of Los Angeles producer Christian De Walden who has worked with a number of international artists including Anne Murray, Brigitte Nielsen, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cheap Trick, Bad English, as well as a couple of Viva recording artists such as Sarah Geronimo.
“Compared to my previous CDs, this one will appeal to a wider audience as there are original pop songs and a couple of covers, such as The Four Tops’ ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’, The Monkees ‘Daydream Believer’, and ‘Kumusta Ka’, which was originally sung by Nonoy Zuniga,” he said. “Kumusta Ka” is the carrier single of the CD’s Philippine release.
Charlie is in the country for two weeks to promote his CD. Aside from mall tours and TV guestings, he was able to squeeze in his hectic schedule a guesting gig in Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera’s “Once in a Lifetime” concert last week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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SEARCHING FOR THE HAPPIEST PINOY. Cebuana Lhuiller Insurance Solutions, Inc. is on the prowl for the Happiest Pinoy for 2012, a search for an optimistic and passionate Filipino who has exhibited resilience amid life’s many challenges and has overcame difficulties without losing his or her positive attitude while giving a positive impact on the lives of people around him or her.
The contest is open to Pinoys aged 18 and above who has the above mentioned character. If you know anyone who fits the title, you can nominate the person and make the person win PhP 250,000 cash prize, tax-free.
Happiest Pinoy, which started in 2009, rekindles the Filipino’s values of optimism, hope and resilience in times of strife, while bringing out their inspiring stories. For more details, check out happiest-pinoy.com
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ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR MUSIKAHAN. Tagum City, the “Music Capital of the South”, is all set for the this year’s Musikahan sa Tagum Festival on February 21-24, 2012. The festival will be participated by thousands of musical revelers from around the country and from countries in the Asia Pacific.
Highlights of the festival include Himig Handog Choral Contest, Rondal-Awit Rondalla & Solo Singing Contest, Festival & Avenida Musika Marching Brass Band Competition, Pasiklaban sa Musikahan, Huni ug Kasikas sa Dalan Drum, Lyre & Bugle Competition, Musikahan sa Barangay, and Musikahan @ I.T., which will make use of new media in creative industry and knowledge production. This year’s Musikahan theme is “Harvest of Creativity, Celebrating Global Harmony.”
