From one balladeer to another

Close your eyes and listen closely. One voice sings of love everlasting in a soothing, deep baritone. Another promises the moon and the stars, this time in his suave tenor style. The first singer is Christian Bautista; the second, Erik Santos.

Signs of a brewing rivalry in the grand tradition of Martin (Nievera) and Gary (Valenciano)? You can say that again.

If not, why has ABS-CBN decided to sign them up to a contract for which they will make one album and hold a back-to-back concert together?

Isn’t it intriguing how two balladeers will topbill a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 21? That’s not all.

Christian and Erik’s recording outfits, Warner Music and Star Records, respectively have agreed to set aside competition and allow their artists to join hands for the first time in one album.

Christian and Erik have no quarrel about that. After all, come from the same talent search roots: Star in a Million, where Erik was named champion; Christian, the runner-up. What the two feel queasy about is the Martin-Gary comparison.

“There will only be one Martin and Gary,” Christian observes as Erik nods.

In fact, like Christian, Erik regards fellow A.S.A.P. host Gary Valenciano as a mentor.

“Gary once told us he doesn’t want other singers to copy him because he wants us to grow and even be better than he is,” adds Erik. So secure is Gary he even gives his fellow A.S.A.P. hosts tips on how to perform better.

“He is a Kapamilya in the truest sense of the word,” gushes Erik.

Whether they like it or not, though, Erik and Christian are headed for a showdown. Their back-to-back concert marks a first. It’s the first time two male singers are sharing the stage in a grand show of musical prowess.

“It’s healthy competition,” they relate.

And it’s been going on for years.

Erik and Christian have always vied head-to-head in awards rites — be it for MYX or other competitions. Thus, their fans troop to awards venues, ready to cheer for their idol and downplay his rival’s chances of winning.

The rivalry spills over to the airwaves. Christian and Erik’s songs compete neck-to-neck at the charts.

But if there are similarities, so, too, are there differences, albeit hardly audible to untrained ears. Christian’s pop songs are lighter, more easy-listening. Erik’s also border on pop. But he resorts to the more intense birit style that jolts one’s senses instead of taking them away to Dreamland.

One style complements the other. And together, Christian and Erik can gather ballad-loving fans like no other.

That’s what concert producers are banking on. That, too, is exactly what Star Records and Warner Music executives have in mind in bringing their two prized talents together in one album.

Thus, the Christian-Erik combination is an alliance, not a case of dog-eat-dog competition.

Way before their respective recording studios decided to forge the alliance, Erik and Christian have already been helping each other the way artists who respect each other do.

Christian consults Erik on what the second single of his (Christian’s) album, Captured, should be. Erik, on the other hand, vows to consult Christian about songs in his next album, due next year.

Let’s hope that in these hard times when the recording industry is reeling from a piracy-driven crisis, the Christian-Erik match will bring new life to an industry in search of something new and exciting.