Sunday, April 17, 2016

Andy Sneak Peeks: Media Corp Toggle: 'Not The 5 Show' Episode 19.

Andy Young with Silver Strings 



                         Chua En Lai, Jack Neo, Ailen Tan
                   Suhaimi Yusof, Moses Lim, Simone Heng

Nick, John, Michael, Andy, En Lai (Show Host), Audie and Rickie.

BACKSTAGE @ MEDIA CORPS CHANNEL 5:

Behind the huge video cameras at Caldecott Hills last Wednesday, 13th April 2016, when the afternoon was at its hottest in Singapore at 36.7 degree C , a group of us were happily huddled in the cool comfort of one of Media Corp's colourful sound stages. 

It was a busy bee situation as the camera crew was preparing to shoot our performance on a slightly raised platform.  The floor manager was simultaneously taking and giving instructions to both the band and production crew. There was the usual sound check and dry run for a show The Silver Strings were invited to participate in.
Band members who were scattered on stage, were checking the amps and cables to make sure each piece of equipment was properly connected to their solid guitar. The sound check took some time and the rehearsals some effort.

There was keyboardist, Lobo Nick Stravens (far left) checking his electronic piano, towering dude rhythm guitarist Michael Bangar (with sun-glasses), leader and bassist Audie Ng (in checkered red) and the cool one, lead guitarist Ricky (far right), strumming to balance the volume. 
This blog's contributing writer, John Cher was lost earlier somewhere between the drums, looking for his giant chopsticks to  rock the joint but was sitting satisfied later waiting to roll. I was holding the heavy and powerful Media Corp Shure microphone and snapping some pictures. On stand-by near me was the little bottle of water. Throats parched easily under such a condition.

We're not supposed to reveal anything yet but if you had been following this blog in the last few days, you would have noticed that the Silver Strings were involved in another programme that had been recorded live for prime time on Channel Five. The last time the band was featured on TV was in Rolling Good Times with Dick Lee and Rick Astley in May, 2015.
Some of the popular stars on television and radio would be in this show which highlighted pop music from the 60's and 70's. The personalities included host Chua En Lai, actor and movie producer Jack Neo, TV host and Malay comedian Suhaimi Yusof. There were other stars.  


The sound check I described lasted for a bit. When we had left, the stage crew welcomed the studio audience in. Performers were ushered backstage for a simple dinner and a rest before proceeding to the make-up room. 

We met more TV and movie personalities as we waited backstage. They were appearing with us on the show. There was also another pop guitar and vocal group. Hot, hot, hot. The band.

So as we leave John (left), his face heavily powdered by our pretty lady at Caldecott Hill, we say farewell until Wednesday evening 20th April, 2016, when the programme will be on air at 7.30 pm. 

Many media savvy Singaporeans know that the broadcasting studio at Caldecott Hill would move out of its present location soon. The Silver Strings and I are glad to have participated in two of the shows before its closure.

Following the teaser on Media Corp's Channel 5 Program for this week, Jack Neo, Mark Lee and the cast of the new movie Long Long Time Ago join us for a nostalgic look back at Singapore and their own lives in the 1960's and 70's. Other young celebrity guests experience the challenges of yesteryear in Singapore's last remaining kampong.

Don't miss it. Lots of surprises. And by the way, it is not The 5 Show. Don't let the logo fool you.

NB: Posted After Telecast on 20th April, 2016.

The two songs performed by SS that evening were: Walking My Baby Back Home (Dean Martin) and Mean Woman Blues (Elvis Presley). Each song lasted about two minutes as there were time constraints.


As it was the procedure we waited behind the soundstage where there was ample room for relaxation and a meeting up with the other participants Moses Lim, Jack Neo and Ailen Tan. They were friendly, warm. Picture taking, especially with Moses Lim, was done with ease and a natural calm. Mr Lim had no airs about him.

Chua En Lai (left) was just as polite backstage but kept a low profile because he was the host and had his hands full holding the show together, having had to open chat on camera with Simone Heng and Suhaimi Yusof who were co-hosting. Sweet and charming TV host Bharathi Rani, whom we met in the elevator, told the audience her kampong tales.

As with the Silver Strings camaraderie was strong with the Media Corp cast and crew. The video and sound recordings that evening ran without a hitch and the Floor Manager was a perfect gentleman, cuing us most times and helping us with stage positioning, sound check, the usual stand-by procedures in front of the floor cams.
        
Topics discussed during the actual shoot:
Kampong, Ponggol, Chua Chu Kang, Yeo Chu Kang, Tea Dances, Discos, Zoey Tay, attap houses, Long long ago
                           Toggle: Episode 19 with The Silver Strings

Disclaimer:
This article is a personal experience of my time in the studios and it has no intention of promoting any person, place or thing.

Images: A Personal Collection; Google; Media Corp.
An Original Article from Andy Lim (Young).
                                            Moses Lim with Silver Strings

Not The 5 Show with Suhaimi Yusof, Simone Heng, Jack Neo, Bharathi Rani, Ailen Tan.


51 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Andy. Your eye for details never fail to amaze me. You have created a story from out of nothing! NOTHING beats playing music with a bunch of friends, no bloody ego and absolutely nothing to prove to one another. We just have good clean fun! period! It is my privilege to be one of the guys to back Andy Young. For those who do not know, Andy won the Paul Anka contest in Singapore way back in 1959 and has the distinction of being the first singer for The Silver Strings. If you are trying to figure out his age, its ok. Jack Neo was doing his arithmetic as well and was pleasantly surprised and suitable impressed to learn that Andy is 76 this age!If I can be what you are today, if and when I reach 76, I would be more than thankful to God for his blessings!

Keep up the good work and of course keep on singing brother Andy!

God bless!

HH Tang said...

Oh wow! You went on the Not 5 show?

LARRY LAI said...

Thanks. Audie sent them too.

anon said...

Thanks for all the photos, very clear and nice, especially the coloured ones.

It is good to be humble. The satisfaction to play good music to a live audience gives me a sense of achievement and that in itself is good enough. We should not be bothered with whatever so-called star status...

JAMES KWOK said...

Good morning to Andy from James. Thanks. Hope to be back in time to catch the show. Cheers and Blessings.

JK said...

Wow congrats! You're in the rich and famous league.

DR. A.K. said...

Oh nice! Definitely must watch!

V. KOO said...

Thanks for the heads-up, Andy. Have set reminder.

P. E. said...

Wow!! you are big time now.

S. W. said...

Great man... a gathering of LAP. Can't wait to watch. Thks.

JIMMY CHNG (THE DECIBALS GUITAR GROUP) said...

Gr8! Am looking forward to the airing. Cheers.

Unknown said...

Hi Andy thanks for the sneak preview of your upcoming show on ch5 with Silver Strings.Will be watching the prog.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Because of the group's versatility I was asked if SILVER STRINGS could be invited to perform at the show Mediacorp Channel 5 was currently working on. The theme is a Blast From The Past.

Thanks again to everyone who wrote in. Let's hope for the best and that all will go well. It's fun and games.

Anonymous said...

I m gonna catch it on air this time!

FACEBOOK said...

Thanks for FACEBOOK support:
DAVID CHEN
ADELINE PANG
YEN CHOW
YIP DICK
RANDY LEE KENG
ALFRED NG
CHEN HUI SI
LINDA TAN
JOYCELYN LEONG
KOO VICTOR
SIMIN LAI
JOHN CHER
MALVIN CHUA

SIMIN LAI said...

Looking great!

YEN CHOW said...

Noted. Will stay tuned.

MALVIN CHUA said...

I saw the pictures. AWESOME stuff Andy!! :-)

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

(1) This note is in reply to a comment by 'anonymous':

I must sympathise with you when you wrote in to comment about a certain individual who is in the media industry but who is not an artiste. Please excuse me because I cannot publish it since this blog is not the right platform to do so. I hope you will appreciate and understand why I need to close the matter here. Thank you.

(2) To the others who wrote directly on this posting and from FACEBOOK:

Thanks very much for the support and comments on the article. Truly appreciate it.

FACEBOOK said...

Thanks to the FACEBOOK group:
TRACY NG
YUCHIEN KUO
AUDIE NG
BELINDA POH
JALANI MOHAMED
LOUIS CLAUDINE NATASHA
EDDIE FOO
JON GOH
KRISHNAN SUBBURAJ
KATHLEEN LING
LAWRENCE LIM
HENRY ESTER ANGELINE LEE
ANN ROWENA LIM
BETSY CHER
TOH RICHARD
FOO JONG FOOK
ERWIN MAISCH


chakap chakap said...

'NOT The 5 Show' is a new type of variety show that weaves in relevant social and topical issues into the fabric of the program. It aims to entertain and at the same time stimulate the thinking of our viewers to spark off meaningful conversations.

Hmmm...

FACEBOOK said...

THANKS FOR SUPPORT FROM FACEBOOK LITTLE ONG FOR 'SO HAPPY: 50 YEARS OF SINGAPORE ROCK'

SUFIAN ISKANDAR
JOE NG
MELVIN TEO
BAMBI SANTOS
ROBIN CHUA
PATRICK CHNG
ROGER MAK
YITZE LIEN
GERALD CHIA
FAMIE SINGAPURA
BERNARD HO

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

THANKS FOR FACEBOOK SUPPORT:

PRISCILLA GEORGE
AARON CHOO
LIM KUAN MIN
PHILIP CHEW
TAN SOO KHOON

LITTLE ONG (SO HAPPY 50 YEARS OF SINGAPORE ROCK @ ITE said...

Wah! Looking forward to the show.

EDWIN GOH said...

Watched your performance on tv. Bagus, lawa, sekali! The silver haired singer, 'WALKING MY BABY BACK HOME." Next time must gelek, gelek more.

SPYeo said...

Hi chief, Wow you crooned, MEAN WOMAN BLUES well last night on the NOT THE 5 SHOW. A veteran crooner you are, man! How did you do that? Frankly we enjoyed the two songs performed by Andy Young and The Silver Strings.

DR ANGELINE KHOO said...

Tell me when you're doing a show again, ya?

SAH said...

The 2nd session was good... with everyone dancing along, so proud to tell my girl that my good friend is on TV. Hubby remembers you too...

VICTOR LAM (THE 'BURNS' DRUMMER) said...

Good morning Andy, Good show last night. Have not touched base with you for some time.

MICHAEL HENG said...

I did watch the show last night. Andy can really sing well. Congrats to you all. Have a good day.

IOLEEN CHIA (DRUMMER/SINGER/ RHYTHMIST. FROM THE TEEPEES, GIRLS' BAND) said...

No laugh. Smile.

LAURENCE LIM ('GRANDFATHER' FOR 'YOURE THE BOY' YOUTUBE VIDEO said...

Well done, you chose the right song.

LKM said...

Wife said you can gelek.

AUNTIE R. said...

John, the show was nice and the singer was good. I forgot his name. Anyway take care and keep it up. God Bless, gdnite n hv a good rest.

CYL said...

Tks. Gd program-watch it weekly.

PETER CHAN (PIANIST, BUSINESS PERSON n BASS GUITARIST IN THE 70's said...

Wow wow wee!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you all and fans of SS for the SMS comments and support on What'sApp. Above are only some of the more colorful ones published.

From: Rickie Chng (lead), Michael Bangar (rhythm), Audie Ng (bass), Nick Strevens (keyboard), John Cher (drums) and yours truly, thanks for support during the show and for reading this blog.

FACEBOOK said...

FACEBOOK SUPPORT FROM:

CHARLES DE SILVA
CRIMSON HATCH
DORIS LIM
CHARLES CHAN
NINA CHEWY

MICHAEL LEE (FACEBOOK) said...

FROM AUDIE NG FACEBOOK:

Hi John - Interesting video - Like the MEAN WOMAN BLUES - well played and sung. Congrats and keep on rocking. Cheerio.

FACEBOOK said...

'LIKES' FROM AUDIE NG FACEBOOK REGARDING SHOW:

TIN LEONG LIM
GABRIEL CHER
PRINCE MARWIN SAMSON GAMBOA
AMANDO REYES
HAYDEE ABAYA ALIANGAN
OLIVER OLIVEROS
DAVID GOH
ANDY NG
BILLY JIN
HARRY NG
JOAN SUELTO
NESTOR CARANTO MACARANAS JR
COLLETTE FLORES
J-VELLE DELEON
DAVID SHERRY
CHILL DOMINGO
LES-NEIL CABAHUG

anonymous said...

FROM A FAMILY WATCHING ON SCREEN:

We are watching the NOT THE 5 SHOW now.
BC taking photos from screen.
You guys waiting backstage after that song?
Wah now you popular in my family of 3.

MR SULEIMAN said...

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE THE SHOW:

Hi... a very good morning Mr Andy.
Hope all the bet for today's performance.
Jia You for tonight.

VICTOR YEOH ('THE IDOLS' GUITARIST; JERRY FERNANDEZ' FIRST BAND) said...

What's your lead singer's name? He still has a very clear, crisp voice.

JOHN CHER said...

Hi Andy, i was talking to Peter Chua (the singer). He said u did very well.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you all.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Names on Facebook Lists may be repeated because of extra postings. Please excuse. Thanks.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

THANKS TO YEN CHOW AND MACPHERSON GROUP THE ELITE BUNCH:

AARON CHOO
LARRY SEE
HERRY JUSOF
TRACY NG
PRISCILLA GEORGE
TREVOR SAMUELSON
JOYCELYN LEONG
YUCHIEN KUO
HSIANG CHE KAU
CINDY PAU
DORIS TEO
RAYMOND KUA

FACEBOOK said...

95 Likes + 50 Likes + 76 Likes on Audie Ng Facebook to date for the show.

FACEBOOK said...

1. Go go go boss Audie... You can still rock

2. Audie reach twilight years still can perform, don't reach twilight zone is OK.

3. Wow.

4. Woww great performance

5. So good to be able to play what-ever age u might be. Music is 4 all ages.

7. Rock n Roll from the 60's by SILVER STRING!!GOGOGO!!

JOHN CHER (WRITER/ PERCUSSIONIST) said...

Hi Andy. close to 900 views for your performance on Not The 5 Show. Congrats! Have a great weekend. Cheers!

CHIT CHAT said...

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FANS WHO LOVE THE VIDEO
'MEAN WOMAN BLUES' WITH ANDY AND THE SILVER STRINGS

Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Jennie Law
Ivor Lesslar
Rose Khoo
Hiroshi Deguchi
Foo Jong Fook
Rocker Lee
Ann Rowena Lim
Terence Lee
Yip Dick
Andy Young
Davy Chan
Audie Ng
Joe Ranjan
David Koh
Minnie Appudurai-Picoux
Ann Christine Morton
Carol McCoy
Kate Yang
Margaret KiaChing
Jowina Tee
Teddy Oon
Ann Chong
Mitos Mhet May
Molly Catherine
Mike Kyle
Serene Cheong
Elmy Tahir
Ong Lilian
Ellen Rump
Darryl Simpson
Raymond Cho
Gilbert Foo
Fredrerick Png
Billy Loh
John Klass
John Cher
Steven Ho
Monica G Ho
Bayy Maker's
Benjamin Yap
Rahim Sadli Spinal Chords
Teo Lee Choon
Harris Hamzah
Jean Nonis
Romito Mendoza
Shun Ng
Peter Chua
Francis Yuen
Veronica Young
Derick Danker
Addy Ng
Charlie Yap Locomotion
Albert Wong Ong Cheng
Jimmie Ong
Toh Richard
Sharon Liew
Albert Kee
Tan Soo Khoon
John Leung
Tin Leong Lim
Eileen Wee
Wong Hoe Sang
Jon Goh
Bibik Jenny Yeo
Penny Koh
Bert Son
Merlin Lim
Rosz KiNg
Andy Lim
Kong Kim Pah
Spencer Chan
Lange Brunei
Joe Peters
Wang Yu Qing
Chan Wong-on
Yeshi Wong
Richard Danker