No stopping Gary V
‘Make sure you know why you are taking the risk of giving your all in an industry that is always fickle about what you can offer’
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‘Make sure you know why you are taking the risk of giving your all in an industry that is always fickle about what you can offer’
Nothing can stop Gary V — not age (he's 58), and not even multiple ailments (he's had diabetes as a kid and underwent open-heart surgery in 2018).
Joining him on the first six shows is Yeng Constantino, while his daughter Kiana Valenciano is on the rest of the tour dates.
Gary sat down for a Q&A with Daily Tribune.
Daily Tribune (DT): How are you preparing for the tour?
Gary V (GV): First, a lot of prayer. It's been a long while since I've done a full-out concert, let alone a seven-city tour. I've also been trying to stay in shape to the best of my abilities. I can't work out every day due to schedules, but when I can, I do.
There was a lot of relearning, not just the songs, but the manner in which my voice is used.
DT: What's different about this tour?
GV: I did go to the US in March for another brand that was celebrating its 25th anniversary. But for a tour, it has been three years! Well, for one thing, I did get older and I think I'm really going to have to pace myself and be careful not to get too carried away with making hataw from start to finish. It isn't the smartest thing to do. I admit my voice has changed, too. It used to be easier to sing certain songs…
The passion however, has not changed one bit. In fact, I think it's gotten deeper.
DT: You've done everything all these years. What else do you want to achieve?
GV: I want to continue ushering others into music — either on stage or through recording songs that will hopefully touch people's hearts. Much has been given to me and I think it's high time I give back by helping out artists the best way I can, through music.
DT: What keeps you going?
GV: People. I know the music can speak to people, and for as long as they listen to my songs, it will keep me going.
DT: You recently collaborated with Julie Anne San Jose? Who else do you want to work with, and what kind of songs?
GV: Oh yes, I have other collabs coming up, which I am truly excited about. Let me name a few: A duet with Gloc9 as he celebrates his 25th anniversary, another one with Chito Miranda for a special project, and one with an amazing,
underrated singer-songwriter, Keiko Necesario. And yet another one with RJ de la Fuente.
DT: Any advice to young artists?
GV: Make sure you know why you are taking the risk of giving your all in an industry that is always fickle about what you can offer. Who is it you want to reach and why? These are thoughts that aspirants should have in mind and heart from the very start of their journey into the world of music. For singers, I've often heard that the power of your voice comes from the proper use of the diaphragm, and that is good.
But allow me to add that the expressions and emotions become authentic only when every lyric is sung from the heart. I know it sounds cliché, but it's what I've been doing for the past 40 years and I'm still around.
I learned this even before I started my career. I was once told in high school in La Salle Green Hills' Kundirana that we must always bring joy to others through music. At that time, all I wanted was to hear the girls scream.
But eventually I realized how real that statement was, to bring joy to others through music. Because it became an objective of mine and it branched out to the desire to inspire others and meet others at the point of their need.
I'm not saying you must sound like me, or speak like me, or sing like me. What I am saying is, try and find the reason God gave you the gift of music. Once you feel you've found the reason or purpose, I can almost guarantee that your rendition of songs won't just be a performance but an expression of excellence. God didn't give you that voice by accident, there is a reason behind it. Go find it, and then shine with it, from the heart.
The rest of the Gary V Reenergized tour dates: 1 October, Cache Creek Casino Resort, Brooks, California; 8 October, Temecula, Pechanga Resort Casino; 9 October, Royce Hall, UCLA; 15 October, Texas Hall, Dallas; 21 October, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage; 23 October, The Town Hall, New York.
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