Enka singer Hikawa Kiyoshi says fans are more important than marriage
September 7, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Japantoday.com reported, “Enka singer Kiyoshi Hiakawa, 30, this week started a series of concerts in Tokyo to introduce his latest song “Aishu no Mizuumi” which will be released on Oct 1. He said fans are more important than marriage, ahead of his 31st birthday on Saturday.”
JERO returns to America to pay respects and give thank you’s to his grandmother
August 25, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Enka singer Jero (24) returned back to America on the 17th for vacation but most of all, to pay his respects to his grandmother on the 24th.
The half Japanese and half African-American enka star has won the hearts of Japanese for singing classic enka songs and always thanking his grandmother who would play and teach Jero to sing enka when he was a young boy and where Jero eventually would be inspired by his grandmother to pursue a career as an enka singer.
Jero’s grandmother passed away three years ago and at the graveyard on Sunday (accompanied by his mother), Jero praised his grandmother and talking to her grave and letting her know that he has accomplished his goal of becoming an enka singer in Japan and said many thank you’s to his grandmother.
Jero’s return to America is his first time in a year. During his stay in Pittsburgh, Jero will be visiting his alma mater at Pittsburgh University where he will perform songs from his album “Covers” and show his city his passion for enka music.
Image courtesy of Sankei Sports
[JAPAN] American enka singer smashes Oricon Chart records with debut single
February 26, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Mainichi Daily News reported, “American “enka” singer Jero set records on Oricon’s weekly music charts, coming in fourth with his runaway hit debut single “Umiyuki,” according to results released on Tuesday.”"The 26-year-old Jero, born in Pittsburgh in the United States, grew up listening to enka (traditional Japanese ballads) as a child, inspired by his Japanese grandmother. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003, he moved to Japan to become an enka singer. He was scouted by a record label after doing well at several amateur singing contests, and made a sensational debut with the single “Umiyuki,” created by charismatic songwriter Yasushi Akimoto and famous musician Ryudo Uzaki.”
