Veteran performer Martin Nievera was candid about his feelings regarding his big anniversary concert during a recent press conference at Solaire North’s Skybar.
Known for being one of the wittiest and funniest local artists, Martin is marking his 42nd year in the industry with “The King 4Ever” at the Araneta Coliseum. He began by clarifying that it wasn’t his idea to stage such a big show.
“Ogie (Alcasid) and Cacai (Velasquez-Mitra) got together, and they said Martin has to have a big show. They are the ones who masterminded it all; it’s not even me,” he explained.
“I didn’t think I had to go back to the big venues. Nakakatakot,” he added. “Wala ng soloist. Ikaw lang. There was a time when all you needed was my name, and people would be there, right? So let’s see if, firstly, if they are all still alive,” he joked.
Ogie revealed Martin’s humility and reluctance to embrace the title of “Concert King,” which has only fueled Ogie’s determination to ensure Martin receives the recognition he deserves.
“You need to have a big show,” Ogie insisted.
Several other artists, including Regine Velasquez and Gary Valenciano, have promised to join Martin’s anniversary show. His ex-wife, Pops Fernandez, will also be joining the concert with their son, Robin, who recently gave the ex-couple their first grandchild, Phineas.
“This is the first time I’ve had a concert where the guests volunteered to participate,” Martin noted. “Every single one,” he emphasized, “I didn’t have to call. If you know me, I don’t like to announce the guest names because I don’t want my friends to think I’m using them to sell tickets.
“I just said, ‘Do you wanna come up? It’s my show. If you wanna watch me, you watch me, and I have surprises for you.’ But I never reveal the names. But these people wanted to be known. They wanted the world to know that they support me, that they’re there for me, and that they’re volunteering to be in the show.”
“The King 4Ever,” set for September 27 at the Araneta Coliseum, will be directed by Paolo Valenciano and have Louie Ocampo as musical director. Frank Lloyd Mamaril is the TV director.
