The New Minstrels reunite in Valentine shows

Music groups do not stay together forever and ever. They quarrel among themselves or they get bored with what they do or some members might think they would be better off going solo. If these things do not happen first then they will surely start thinking of other things once the albums stop selling and the gigs become few and far between. And take note, all of these things can happen to even the best, the brightest and the closest of friends.

But there is really no need anymore for fans to despair that their favorite band has broken up. Ever since the music business discovered that there are suckers for nostalgia among us, reunion concerts have also become big business. It never happened to the Beatles, but it did to Simon and Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The Juan dela Cruz Band did get to play together again. So did the Hot Dog and the Circus Band. And on the evening of Feb. 12, The New Minstrels will be reunited at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila for a special concert.

For those who have forgotten or who were not born yet at the time, The New Minstrels was the hottest show band in the country 25 years ago. The group easily rose to the top because of the superior singing and performing abilities of its members. Proof of this was the fact that The New Minstrels made its hugely successful solo concert debut a no less than the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

But the event that would make the group a household name happened not on a concert stage but at a recording studio. During a time when all the local bands were covering American top 40 tunes, the New Minstrels dared to be different and scored points not only for themselves but for Philippine pop music as well with its recording of the Mike Velarde classic Buhat with a modern, pop arrangement.

Back then only old fogeys and balikbayans from abroad were considered appreciative of Filipino kundimans. The New Minstrels changed that perception and the success of Buhat coupled with the innovative Pers Lab by Hot Dog sowed the seeds for what would become the Manila Sound. This led to more recordings of old tunes like Balut, Lahat ng Araw and Dahil Sa'yo for the New Minstrels. At the same time, other singers learned to recognize the old songs for the gold mines that they are and followed suit. Suddenly young kids were singing the music Velarde, De Guzman, Celerio and others of their ilk and they weren't baduy anymore.

Buhat became the foundation of a long and successful career for the New Minstrels. By the time it was deemed best to retire the group, there were seven hit albums, countless performances both here and abroad and the bright prospect of solo careers for Eugene Villaluz, Louie Reyes, Ding Mercado and Ray-An Fuentes.

Eugene and Louie, either as soloists or a duet went full blast into singing solo. Ding became one of Hong Kong's top singers and TV hosts. Ray-An also established himself as a solo performer and songwriter. Now these names can hold an entire show on their own. Truth to tell, they are even better performers these days than when they were part of the New Minstrels. Time does that, you know, especially to people who deeply appreciate what God has given them.

So can you imagine what a New Minstrels reunion would be like with these names performing together? Not only that, the other members are joining in the fun. So there will also be Cesar de la Fuente, who has been married to Louie for more than 20 years, Meiling Gozun, who is Ray-An's wife, plus Eileen Dolina and Aida Balmaceda the semi retirees can't resist joining in the fun. Arranger Babes Conde will also be back in town for the shows.

The New Minstrels Grand Reunion Concert, will have a special invitational performance on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day at the Metropolitan Museum for the Balikatan Sa Kaunlaran National Foundation headed by Ms. Guia Gomez.

The show is directed by Tats Manahan who also wrote the script. Musical direction is by Emy Munji. Costumes are by Barge Ramos, Frederick Peralta, Edgar San Diego, Raul Ramirez and Bambee Ramos. Lights and set by Lambert de Jesus, sound design by Willy Munji of High Moon Sounds. Major sponsors are SK Entertainment, Inc., and Philippine Airlines. Others are Goto King, QP Designs, Wings Photography, Almon Marina Restaurant and Motorola Philippines. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Miriam College Adult Education Program.