Martin marks ‘23rd’ with SM show

Twenty-three years and Martin Nievera is still on top of his game. Since he first burst into national prominence in the early ’80s via his long-running TV show, Penthouse Live, with Pops Fernandez, the Hawaii-raised singer has managed to change the face of the local industry not only with his music, but by his wit, charm and humor.

His public persona as much celebrated as his private life, Martin has become a constant presence in the lives of those touched by his music. If there was such a thing as music royalty, Martin would certainly be on top of the list.

This year, Martin looks back on his 23 years in show business with an intimate concert series at the city’s newest venue SM Live. Kicking off Maxi-Media’s new programming of top caliber concerts called On Centerstage, Martin sets the tone for excellent entertainment in various SM supermalls in and around Metro Manila. Intimate, engaging, nostalgic – these words best describe Martin’s new series at SM Live which he titled I Sing For You – obviously a tribute to his fans who have been unwavering in their support of the Concert King. Expect Martin to take you on a musical journey throughout a 23-year, 25-album career that has taken him not only around the Philippines but also throughout the world.

Aside from this concert, Martin is busy promoting his latest album aptly titled When Love Is Gone under EMI Music Philippines. The album contains songs for the broken-hearted such as Hanggang Langit, Nasaan Ka Man, Minsan Lang, Naghihintay, Never Said Goodbye, Before You Said Goodbye, There’s No Easy Way, Let Me Be The One, Sorry Song, a duet with his friend Brian McKnight, Separate Lives, a duet with Zsa Zsa Padilla, I Don’t Want You to Go as another duet with Ima Castro, Barry Manilow’s Somewhere Down the Road, James Ingram’s Just Once, and the title cut. This album is the unlikely offshot of his last CD outing Best Wishes, a wedding album made up of songs celebrating love.

Highlights of the album include a song by John Farnham, Please Don’t Ask Me, a heartbreaking song. Another is a classic composition of Louie Ocampo, Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin and Kahit Isang Saglit. Then there is the first single release entitled Goodbye, another Ocampo song with Martin as collaborator, which he sang with Pops Fernandez.

I Sing For You Martin Nievera Live on Centerstage is set next month at the SM Live (on Aug. 5 at SM Megamall Cinema 10 and on Aug. 6 at SM North Edsa Cinema 1).

The event is presented by Sustagen, Farlin Baby Care, Alberto’s and media partners The Philippine STAR, Manila Standard, 91.5 Energy FM, 105.1 Crossover, 94.7 Mellow Touch, 92.3 Joey, 97.9 Home Radio and 100.3 RJ. Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets in major National Bookstore branches with tel. nos. 891-5610 or 891-9999 and Tower Records (in Makati and Alabang).