Chilam Cheung’s Music Company Spending Millions to Please His Whims
Chilam Cheung will be holding his first concert at Hong Kong Coliseum on March 26th and 27th. Due to positive pre-concert sales and ratings for recent TVB series, The Rippling Blossom <魚躍在花見>, his current music company, Neway Star Music, was willing to renew his music contract for an eight figure sum. Also, Chilam will be releasing a new music album in March 2011.
In his new music album, Chilam wrote lyrics for a song temporarily titled, “Toy Story.” Since Chilam’s son, Morton, was a dedicated Toy Story fan, Chilam suggested to add Buzz Lightyear’s voice clips to the song. Neway Music applied for copyright use, but unfortunately Hong Kong Disneyland rejected the proposal. Not giving up, Chilam proposed to name the song “Toy Story.” Neway appealed their case and agreed to pay royalties to buy the expensive song name. Hong Kong Disneyland reportedly has to transfer the application to the American Disney operations for the copyright approval. The case will have closure this weekend. Hopefully, the matter will settle soon, otherwise this may delay the release of Chilam’s new album in March.
The tickets for Chilam’s March concert have almost sold out. The Rippling Blossom peaked at thirty-three points in ratings and allegedly, there were two or three music companies interested in signing Chilam. As a result, Neway’s founder, Sit Chai Kit, offered to renew Chilam’s contract for another three years with an eight figure sum. Mr. Sit also proposed to arrange another concert performance at the Hong Kong Coliseum in 2012 and arrange for a twenty-session world concert tour, along with other tempting terms.
When reporters contacted Chilam, who was currently in Vietnam , he acknowledged that Neway was seeking copyright usage from Disney. As for his contract renewal with Neway, Chilam indicated that he will negotiate the contract terms after his March concert.
Neway Star Music’s Chief Executive, Kevin Wong, said, “Our company is willing to spend lots of money to buy the ‘Toy Story’ to use for Chilam’s song. The most important thing is to match Chilam’s needs. We have worked very well with Chilam over the last two years. We have confidence in successfully renewing our contract with him.”
Source: the Sun
Jayne: Sounds like Neway Star Music is very eager to please Chilam! Obviously, Chilam wants the “Toy Story” song title to please his son. And this little application exercise to use Disney’s title is perhaps a good way to test Neway’s sincerity and how accommodating they are to please Chilam.
Since Neway is a smaller music company, they have a small roster of singers and may work with them more intimately. Chilam is their biggest star right now, so they are eager to renew his contract with them.
Neway Star Music is founded by Fala Chen’s boyfriend, Sit Sai Hang’s father. Neway will also release Fala’s album in 2011.
That really shows Neway’s sincerity. Chilam deserves it! I don’t understand why he was so underrated and underpromoted as a singer all these years! He has a great voice and he is also good looking. Isn’t that enough to get promoted? LOL! Can’t believe he’s holding his first concert at the HK Coliseum after all these years whereas people like Raymond Lam got to hold it his first year entering the music scene. I’m glad the ticket sales have confirmed Chilam’s popularity and fan base. It’s good timing that TVB is airing “Rippling Blossoms” during this time to promote Chilam and he has a likeable role to boost his popularity again. At least TVB did something right this time! I’ve liked Chilam ever since he first came out and sang the duet “Modern Love Story” with Maple Hui. Love that song!
One of the reasons might he’s not good at shoe polishing. He said so in his interview in Eve Maria with Anna Yau last time. He’s a nice guy and easy going, but, he couldn’t do things like shoe polishing. He’s not looking down on people who has still skill. He said it’s a very useful skill and can get people far. But, he just couldn’t do it.
Time also changes. Julian started out at the time where singers usually take 10 years to reach HK Coliseum. Being able to hold concert in HK Coliseum means a big success. Time has changed now. HK Coliseum is now easy access. Justin already performed in HK Coliseum just after 1 album, and according to Paco, he has already booked the Coliseum for Justin even before his album was released. It’s part of his promotion strategy for Justin.
Sometimes I wonder can these new stars fill out the coliseｅｍ？ Ｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｔｉｃｋｅｔｓ ｗｅｒｅ ｇｉｖｅｎ ｏｕｔ ｆｏｒ ｆｒｅｅ？
Hmm, sound like Chilam’s concert ticket is selling good. However, I read in Face last time that only HK$100 tickets for 27th is sold out, the rest are still available. So which info is more accurate?
a twenty-session world concert tour,
I wonder where he’ll go. 20 places? It’s a lot.
BTW, I think Chilam’s Mando songs are better than his new Canto songs. An illustration for it is the themesong of his series with Kenix Kwok and the themesong of his concert. The themesong of his concert is just plain.
I read that sales on Joyce Cheng’s album has been good.
From the look of it, Neway seems to be doing well. Hope other artists under this label will be successful too.
*Joyce Cheng is also under Neway.
Too bad, her album is not available in M’sia. Only route in yesasia now for me.
Forget to ask, is Fala under Neway? She dates Sit Sai Hang but I rmb she isn’t under Neway. Neway has Chilam, Myolie and Joyce who are TVB’s, but not Fala, rite? I rmb Linda’s company Star is sister of Neway, tat’s why Linda was in Neway’s party.
Yes, she’s under Neway.
Earlier, there’s news of Joyce, Jade Kwan and Fala signing with Neway. Of course, plain reporting is boring. So, the reporter has to add in that because Fala is Sit Sai Hang’s girlfriend, she will be big sister over Jade Kwan. :rolleyes:
It’s from that article that I got to know that Joyce has signed with Neway.
I asked a Fala fan and her music company is Star Shine International. Is it sister with Neway, or not :)?
P.S: Joyce is also signed with Star Shine International.
Ok, sorry. I got my info wrong. Jade Kwan, Fala and Joyce signed with “Star Entertainment Ltd” not Neway. It’s a new music company started by Sit Sai Hang and his trusted assistant Herman after Neway was taken over by SSH’s brother.
http://asianuniverse.net/forums/Fala_Chen_becomes_singer_Jade_Kwan_implies_she_s_crying_to_t234435.html
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/725907-fala-chen-to-become-a-singer-with-the-help-of-her-neway-boyfriend/
I wonder if Star Entertainment = Neway Star
I also hear that Joyce and Fala are under the same company, but didn’t Fala say taht she wanted to keep work and private life away from each other? So why would she join her BF’s company?
Congrats to Chilam, a well deserved concert after so many years in the industry and props to him for keeping it true to himself rather than shoe polishing. Granted he might not reach stardom as fast as some, but he still have a huge fan base doing it his way.
The pic of him and his son is so cute, hope that they will have more soon.
You really found a way to make this whole procses easier.