|
Gary V: The Total
Entertainer
By Kathy Llamas
|
 We
arrived at the concert venue in time for pre-show
rehearsals. The main star was totally in control
working with the band, the back-up singers, the
lighting and sound crew. He was not just the star
of the show but the director and the producer as
well. Seeing Gary V. before a concert, I could not
help but think how much more real he was... no
costumes, no make-up -just the boy next
door.
During the break,
the assistant, gave us our cue and said that we
could do the interview. The dressing room was only
big enough for one person but we managed to squeeze
four people in there - myself, Gary, our
photographer and the ever-present "alalay"
(helper). Sitting across the most-awarded Filipino
entertainer, I tried to carry on a normal
conversation as best as I could in the sixteen
minutes I had. I wanted to know who Gary V. really
was underneath that aura of stardom. He was, as
expected, a very simple individual displaying no
airs.
At exactly 8 P.M.
the house lights in the main theater had been
turned off and the announcer's introduction of Gary
V. was drowned by the thunderous screams of the
fans.The stage lights suddenly came on and the
pulsating music began, signalling Gary's entry
onstage with a couple of male dancers. The crowd
went wild. I could not help but think, "This is the
guy I just interviewed". My, he IS popular!
I saw Gary perform
in 1994 and he was good then. Watching him now
strut across the stage, singing, playing the drums,
bongos and the piano, it was like watching a new,
young peformer do his thing. This could not be the
36 year old idol who had been doing this for the
past 17 years and a 22-year diabetic at that. His
enery level was so high. He is as he claims, a
walking, living miracle.
I have seen many
internationally-famous artists in concert. But I
must admit there has never been anyone as talented
as our own Gary V. I remember the last one I was
impressed with was Mick Jagger of the Rolling
Stones and we all know Gary is a lot better looking
than Mick Jagger!
Two and a half
hours of non-stop total entertainment and the
curtain comes down to the dismay of a crowd wanting
more. Unbelievable!
At the post-concert
V.I.P. reception, the same simple man reappears,
sans the make-up, the costumes and the superstar
image. He is back to Gary, the gracious, humble
regular guy that he is.And then you know why he is
loved by so many fans.
Yes, Gary V. has
truly mastered his art and has, through the years,
embodied what true entertainment is. If you have
not experienced a Gary V. performance, be sure to
catch the next one.
----------------------------------------------
The
Writer:
 Kathy Llamas is President/CEO of KL
Comm, a communications and marketing company based
in Orlando, Florida, and the talent behind, the
pioneering project, PhilRadio International, an
internet station broadcasting Filipino music
worldwide. She is also a free-lance writer,
photographer and broadcast journalist.
|