Newbie singer is a self-made man

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-businessman Erard has an inspiring story to tell about how he managed to push himself to enter the music industry.

One day, his friends invited him to sing in a videoke bar. He went up the stage and, shaking with nervousness, sang Basil Valdez’s inspirational song Lift Up Your Hands. The then inexperienced performer didn’t know what voice to use —  bass or tenor — to interpret the song.

After all, his only exposure to a live audience back then was limited.

To Erard’s surprise, his so-called friends broke into gales of laughter. But somehow, he managed to finish the song. 

Erard gritted his teeth and made a promise to himself.

“From that day on, that’s the last time people will laugh at you,” he said.

Today, the Star Music recording artist has not only kept that promise. Members of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) have also noticed his talent and nominated Erard in the New Male Recording Artist of 2018 category.

Erard is overwhelmed. The nomination is most unexpected. This early, he’s congratulating fellow nominees. Competition doesn’t faze this 40-something crooner.

After all, he didn’t become a professional singer to earn money. The single father has stable equipment fabrication and construction businesses. These, he put up to feed and send his three children to school.

Now that he has attained financial stability, he thinks it’s about time he fulfills his his original dream — becoming a professional singer. He has released his first album Walang Forever, which contains five tracks of mellow music.

Erard knows he’s up against millennial singers who are also visible on teleseryes and therefore have more platforms to showcase their talent. But the fighter at heart refuses to be cowed.

“I bare my heart whenever I sing. And I offer my success to God, for I won’t be here if not for Him.”

Erard traces his God-centered views to his childhood. At 12, he joined the church choir and sang at Masses and other religious functions thrice a week.

“I got into everything — the Cursillo, Bible studies, etc. I learned all about religion ad understood it even more,” he relates.

Erard’s faith sustained him during tough times when the family hardly had enough. To help his hardworking parents provide for him and his six siblings, Erard scrounged for garbage and sold recyclable items in the neighborhood junk shop. He didn’t care if his parents couldn’t buy him fancy things. All he wanted was to help them and his siblings.

Erard worked part-time to finance his studies and graduated with a Marketing Management degree. He got into sales, where he used his gift of gab to win clients.

Now, it’s time to pay it forward. Erard plans to hold a concert for his chosen charity next year. Given the chance to write songs, he wants to come up with inspirational ones that will lift people up.

Freely he has received. Now, Erard thinks it’s about time he gives — just as freely.