APIFS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with BERT DE LEON (AP's Manager)

[mdaemon]

from Arnel Pineda International Fans Site

APIFS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with BERT DE LEON
Arnel Pineda's Manager and Sundance Big Boss
June 8, 2008 by emma

It is a pleasure for APIFS to interview the person who handles Arnel's singing career as his manager. TV royalty, Director and owner of Sundance Corporation where Arnel is in contract, Bert is among those credited with the success of programs like Iskul Bukol and Eat Bulaga. Not many are aware that Bert plays the guitar and regularly jams with his band, Area One. It's a small world indeed as an acquaintance of mine, Cesar Quiason, is a very close friend of Bert and is also a member of Area One Band with John Lesaca, Cash Manalang, Roy Marinduque, Carlo Gaa, Benjie Santos. They have recently played at Merks Bar in Greenblet 3, Makati and more schedules throughout the year. Bert de Leon has been put on the spot when he performed in his first-ever solo concert on Valentine's Day at the Hard Rock Café in Makati, same place where Arnel has been singing regularly when he was still with Zoo Band. He admits that the butterflies in his stomach have tripled in number from the time he agreed to do the show. Well, his solo concert, at age 60, came out to be a successful one.

After six months of rehabilitation to regain his voice caused by a personal problem, Arnel continued singing and touring until he was signed up as a solo artist by a major record label but luck was still elusive until he crossed paths with TV director Bert de Leon in Hong Kong.

Arnel and Monet Cajipe return to Manila. A new band called Zoo was formed and was immediately signed up by MCA Records. Zoo released their debut album "Zoology", with "Pain in My Heart" as its carrier single, late last year. The music video of this song premiered on MYX last January 13 is Zoo guitarist Monet Cajipe's original composition.

APIFS: When did you first meet Arnel and where? Have you been following his singing career since then?

BDL: I've heard of Arnel even way before we met in Hongkong, he was still with the AMO band and musicians were already talking about him and his fantastic vocal range but I never had a chance to meet him then. I was managing a band at that time called SECOND WIND and one of the songs in their CD was Monet Cajipe's Pain in my Heart so Monet and I have had a previous working relationship prior to putting up the band ZOO. Year 2006, I was in Hongkong with the Eat Bulaga group for a holiday and like I always do when I'm in another country, I go out at night to check out the local music scene. I went to Lang Kwai Fong with some friends (Allan K, Gladys Guevarra, Paolo Ballesteros, Ruby Rodriguez and Ciara Sotto whose birthday it was that day) and went inside The Cavern, a club where a band called Most Wanted was playing…on stage, singing and jumping around like a true rock star was this Pinoy guy, with dozens of foreigners watching in awe and screaming his name…Arnel!!! That was the first time I met him because after their set, Monet came to me to say hello and introduced Arnel. It turned out that Gladys, who's from Olongapo, and Arnel have been friends for years and so that first meeting between Arnel and me was a really nice and warm gathering of friends, old and new. Yes, I've been following his career since then because we agreed to work together and see what comes out of it.

APIFS: What influenced you to ask Arnel to move back to the Philippines and in what year? What was your plan for his singing career back then?

BDL: The idea to move back to the Philippines actually came from Arnel. He told me he wanted to come home because he had a new born baby and he no longer wanted to be away from his family. He and Monet gave me a CD copy of some original songs they've done and recorded in Hongkong and I said I'll see what I can do when I get back to Manila. I presented their CD to my friend Ricky Ilacad, President of Universal MCA Music and he liked it…then, I talked to another friend who's the General Manager of Hard Rock Café Makati, Mr. Ceso Calison and asked for a slot for this band I had yet to put together. When he learned that Arnel Pineda was the band's lead singer, he had no second thoughts about giving us the Sunday night slot because he said that Arnel occupied that same slot for years when he was still with his band 9mm and that he's a big Arnel fan. So I relayed this news to Arnel and asked if a record deal with Universal MCA and a regular slot at Hard Rock Café were good enough reasons for him and Monet to come home and they both said Yes. So they said goodbye to their bandmates and friends in Hongkong and flew back to Manila to start anew…a big leap of faith as far as I'm concerned. It took us just a little more than 2 weeks to put the new band together, go into rehearsals and get ready for their first gig at HRC. Arnel and I spent some time going through a list of possible band names until I finally chose ZOO and in November 2006, this new band called ZOO took the stage at Hard Rock Café and thus, started Arnel's march into music history.

My original plan for Arnel back then was for his band to make some hit records and hope that the rest of the region here in Southeast Asia would take notice and that ZOO would have at least an Asian following so that we could tour the region and maybe crash into the international market. A big part of this plan was hatched with the help of Ceso Calison who wanted ZOO to tour the Hard Rock Café circuit in Asia. In fact, even now that ZOO no longer has Arnel, this plan is still in the works and ZOO, with 2 new members, is poised to make the rounds of HRC outlets in the region.

APIFS: How was your first meeting with Journey manager, John Baruck of Azoffmusic Management?

BDL: John and I first talked on the phone last July when he called to invite Arnel to San Francisco and sing with Journey as some sort of audition. They wanted to see and hear him "live" because they couldn't believe what they viewed on YouTube. When I came to SF and met him for the first time, he was cordial and warm but he made it clear that singing and recording with Journey was not the ultimate test…it is always the tour where all Journey vocalists are put to the test. As Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon told us, their songs are the hardest rock songs to sing because of the vocal range required and quite a few singers have failed to stand up to the rigors of singing these songs on the road for an extended period of time. My first meeting with John and the rest of the band was generally pleasant and everybody made us feel welcome.

APIFS: Can you tell us about Arnel's first meeting with Journey? Was he excited, nervous or relaxed? Did he act like a fan or really going for an audition?

BDL: Arnel flew a day ahead of me because I got sick a few days before our departure date so I wasn't there when they first met but it was basically a Hi and Hello and then it was all business because they were excited to hear him sing. Arnel told me when I got in after their first day that he didn't do too well because he hardly got any sleep and was still tired from the flight but I'm certain it was mainly nerves, excitement, awe and a sense of disbelief that caused his subpar performance on that first encounter. The realization that he was right there, in the presence of his idols and he was expected to sing with them understandably unnerved him…I'm sure anybody in his shoes would have come unglued too.

APIFS: As his manager, what is your role in his present career? What's different with your handling AP now with Journey when he was then with Zoo Band.

BDL: Arnel is now pretty much in the hands of Journey and the team…they've embraced him as one of the guys and they really take good care of him. My role is to see to it that Arnel is protected legally and contractually which is why we hired the services of an entertainment lawyer in LA to represent us in our dealing with Journey's management team and business firm. On the personal level, nothing much has changed between Arnel and myself…inspite of the distance, since I cannot be with him all the time now that he's on the road, we continue to communicate and I still give him advice on how to handle certain situations that he's not familiar with. A lot of things are new to him, in fact, even to me…so we make it a point to discuss and iron out any potential problems and we talk a lot about the future and how this great opportunity will change his and his family's lives in a positive way. We are not just the typical artist-manager relationship, we're more like brother to brother or even father and son in the way we deal with and feel for each other.

APIFS: Do you have any observations on how the Journey band works that's different from the way our local bands/singers? For example, being punctual on their schedules (we call Filipino time), work ethic etc.

BDL: I've been fortunate to witness how Journey works in rehearsals and in the recording studio and it was a real learning experience for me. They are just so professional and talented that it's amazing how easy and relaxed they all are when they're working. I must say there isn't that much of a difference from the way we do things around here, our musicians are just as equally talented and professional as they are. It's just that they do what they do on a global stage and the knowledge that their music will be heard all around the world somehow makes it all awesome and inspiring at the same time. Kevin Shirley is the total record producer…he does it all. From guiding the band through the first phase of the recording, to making suggestions on how to improve the songs, to giving directions on how to play and approach parts of a song, to actually sitting at the controls and manning the board himself…and then of course, mastering and mixing the final cuts for the CD. But boys will be boys and everybody engages in some kind of horsing around and tomfoolery once in a while and everybody just enjoys the camaraderie and a good laugh in between takes…just like the way it is here and I suppose, anywhere in the global music scene.

APIFS: How do you describe Arnel as a person?

BDL: Arnel is such a kind hearted and humble person. He is devoted and loyal to his family and friends. He is also sensitive and vulnerable, just like most artists are and so willing to give of himself that's why we all look out for him and try to shield him from unnecessary troubles and hassles. He is grounded and down to earth and this whole wonderful fairy tale couldn't have happened to nicer and more deserving guy.

APIFS: How is his work ethic?

BDL: Arnel is one of the most hard working musicians I've ever encountered and worked with. When he was called on the report for work on the new CD, he had to learn most of the songs overnight and he would stay holed up in his hotel room the whole night just listening and learning those new songs. In fact, he was sick for most of the time that the new CD was being recorded but he never whined nor complained…he just reported every day to the recording studio and did what he had to do. He almost didn't make it home in time for Christmas last year because he wanted to finish all the recordings in spite of a bad cold and fever. And during rehearsals for shows, he would always give his 100% and sing at performance level. I believe that is also the true mark of a professional, always willing and ready to deliver the goods when he is called upon…and Arnel is solid and reliable all the time.

APIFS: Is it true that his contract with Journey is for 3 years based on his working visa and he is being paid per gig.

BDL: I would like to keep these matters confidential, I hope you understand.

APIFS: How is Arnel handling his success?

BDL: Like I said earlier, he is so grounded and down to earth that if you didn't know him or his story, you wouldn't' think he is an international rock star. It speaks volumes about his being so grounded that whenever he is in Manila, he still visits the places where he used to hang out and would still sing a few songs with his old band ZOO and have a good time with the guys. He remains friendly to everybody and is always willing to sign autographs and pose for pictures. His main focus is still his family and their future and he will not let anything distract him from this goal. So when I got in and talked to him, I said just put it behind you and get some rest and let's see what happens on the 2nd day. As I expected, he sang with a lot more confidence this time and he blew them away…the members of Journey kept exchanging approving looks and nodding their heads as Arnel got into a groove and just nailed every song they made him sing.

APIFS: Fans worry about his tour schedules, how are you helping Arnel for his upcoming tours to be physically and mentally prepared?

BDL: Everybody is concerned and worried about the grueling tour schedule and that will be starting this June all the way down to October. Even Arnel himself is concerned about this and he prepares for it by a workout regimen at the gym which includes a lot of cardio-vascular activity to boost his stamina and lung power…he stays on a healthy diet which keeps him from putting on unwanted pounds, and vocally, he does his exercises everyday for at least an hour. Mentally, I think he is more than ready to do this job and he has enough confidence in his talent and singing abilities to pull it off.

APIFS: While back there in the Philippines, does he go to a studio to practice? Does he practice by himself?

BDL: He does his vocal exercises by himself with the use of a CD that his vocal coaches gave him. He also sings everyday and then jams with ZOO to stay in tiptop vocal shape and to keep him performance ready while he is not on the road.

APIFS: On his tours, does Arnel have a personal doctor, a make-up artist and/or a dresser?

BDL: All of these people are part and parcel of the Journey tour team and as I said, I'm happy that they take good care of him.

APIFS: Are you going with him on his Europe tours? US tours? If not, who will be with him?. Or is it Journey management to handle this?

BDL: As much as I would like to, I cannot be with him every step of the way and we've discussed this lengthily

And we understand each other in this regard. Journey and its team will be there to take care of him.

APIFS: Is there a movie or a TV documentary on Arnel being planned?

BDL: There have been offers about a book and a movie or documentary about his life and his fantastic story but all of that are in the exploratory and/or negotiations stage.

APIFS: how about commercials/product endorsements?

BDL: Yes, I am entertaining quite a few offers but still strictly confidential.

APIFS: In the upcoming concert tour in the Philippines, is there a local band to perform with Journey? Zoo Band?, that would be cool. Is Sundance one of the sponsors or promoters?

BDL: No, if and when Journey comes to Manila, I don't believe there will be a front act. Yes, it would be cool if ZOO were to be it but I guess that will depend on the local producer and also if Journey would approve of it. Sundance is not yet in the picture as a producer/promoter but we will wait for further developments in that area.

APIFS: here are some of fans' questions:

Does he have a financial advisor? As in a working visa status, fans would not like to hear in the future he has legal battle with the IRS which had happened on several celebrities.

BDL: Yes, Arnel has our lawyer, a tax expert, and the whole Sundance team behind him to provide advice and support in handling his business affairs.

In between songs in his concerts, Arnel drinks water and sprays his mouth. What is that spray and what is it for?

BDL:The water is to keep his vocal cords lubricated and the spray is a regular throat spray that most singers use to keep their vocal cords in mint condition. I believe these sprays are available at all local pharmacies and drugstores.

APIFS: I want to thank you so very much for this interview. Is there anything you can add to this interview?

BDL: I guess all I can say is that we very grateful and honored that you are all throwing your support behind Arnel and we thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts. We hope that you will never grow tired of showing your love and support for Arnel and other Pinoy artists who are now (and in the future) being recognized as some of the most talented people in the world. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

[StoneCold]

Good read, thanks for the post. He pulled the "no comments" at the right times.

The "payment per gig" makes me wonder if AP's getting a cut of the royalties from Revelation. I know he didn't write any of it but he should be making something from its continuing sales.

BTW, Where is it that is "wet, dark, and cold"?