Rumors have been floating around that TVB intends to compensate Raymond Lam (林峯) for his loss of TV King with the Most Popular Male Singer Award at the Jade Solid Gold Awards, to be held on January 13. In the past 4 years, the Most Popular Male Singer Award has been dominated by Leo Ku (古巨基). Leo had expressed late last year that he would pass up on the ceremony, and instead go on an overdue vacation with his family. In addition, because of TVB’s dispute with the “Big Four” record companies (Warner Music, Universal Music, EMI and Sony Music) over copyright payments, the ceremony will see the absence of singers such as Hacken Lee (李克勤) and Eason Chan (陳奕迅). Thus, Raymond has a great chance at winning this award for the first time. Asia Pacific Most Popular Awards Expanded In an attempt to quell rumors of unfairness, TVB executives have allegedly decided to change the “Asia Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Artist Awards” to “Asia Pacific Most Popular Artist Awards” to include singers from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia for the awards this year. After Raymond Lam and Ivana Wong (王菀之) clinched the “Asia Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Artists Awards” last year, netizens created an uproar claiming the awards ceremony was a hoax. Without the presence of singers from the “Big Four” record companies last year, Raymond and Ivana were apparent shoo-ins for the awards. On that account, Raymond Lam may face stiff competition from Taiwan’s Show Luo (羅志祥) and May Day (五月天). The top female singer awards will probably be a clash between Joey Yung (容祖兒) and Taiwanese singing sensation, Elva Hsiao (蕭亞軒). However, TVB has yet to respond over the reported qualification changes for the Asia Pacific region awards. Dismal Line-Up Without the presence of many singers from the “Big Four”, TVB has limited choices for the performance segment of the awards ceremony. As of now, Fiona Sit (薛凱琪), Shirley Kwan (關淑怡), Kay Tse (謝安琪) and G.E.M. (鄧紫棋) will perform. Singers from The Voice <超級巨聲> – Hubert Wu (胡鴻鈞) and Jay Fung (馮允謙) will make guest appearances too. Creds: Oriental Daily
