THE DAY EL DUO CAME TO TOWN
(This article was published July 23, 2010.
I republish this as a tribute to my friend D.K. Valdez.)
It had all the makings of a fairy tale. Once upon a time, not many months ago, two Filipino
boys wandered into the town of Pattaya Thailand
Soon
the news spread about these two handsome, young singers, and the name El Duo
became a popular name around town. They
performed well and the audience grew.
The management of Café Royale was pleased with the singing sensation,
and soon El Duo was offered an extended contract.
The two young singers brought with them a
level of talent and professionalism that is rarely found in a city the size of
Pattaya. Their singing ability was
exceptional, but it was the way they used their talents that put them in a
class above other entertainers. They had
developed perfect harmonies and had acquired a timing that, as a singing duo, was
faultless.
The
secret to their success was a combination of talent and stage presence. Their on-stage performance was a delight to
see and a pleasure to hear. They not
only had the talent to sing well, they also had the unique ability to make each
person in the audience feel important. Both
young and old could relate to their music. However, they specialized in familiar classic
songs that appealed to an adult audience.
They
were gracious performers and were always willing to share the spot light. Not only could they sing “The Green Grass of
Home” and “Unchained Melody,” but they could perform contemporary music for the
delight of a younger group. As an example, minus the glitz and glitter,
they could perform Lady GAGA’s “Better Man,” as well as the lady herself.
Then one
day a stranger came to town. He was riding
in a big, black, limousine, wearing an expensive pinstripe suit, and smoking a
big cigar. He causally wandered into
Café Royale for a night cap and was impressed by the performance of El Duo. He happened to be the right man, and El Duo
happened to be in the right place at the right time. Soon all of Pattaya knew that the singing
sensation of El Duo had been offered a big contract for a European Tour.
The
management of Café Royale rightfully decided to promote a going-away party to
celebrate El Duo’s upcoming tour. The
boys performed to a sold out, standing room only crowd. There were other entertainers, but the night
belonged to El Duo.
During a break between sets, many of the
regulars took the opportunity to speak personally to Richard and DK. They offered
congratulations and best wishes for the tour and hoped that Pattaya had been as
good for El Duo as El Duo has been for Pattaya.
It was no surprise that their last set was a
five-star performance. With maturity
and intelligence, they used the occasion to speak to their audience with
musical lyrics. It was no accident that
DK and Richard chose the songs whose messages said, “When you walk through a storm
hold your head up high” and “If birds can fly over a rainbow, then why can’t I,”
both as a tribute to an audience that had supported them well.
Even though they were excited about their
tour, there was a bit of sadness in their voices as they sang the last two songs.
They chose “I Can’t Live If Living Is Without
You.” Then, for the last song of the evening, they sang the blockbuster hit
from the 1997 movie Titanic, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” Richard and
DK will go on, and soon the world will come to recognize the talents of these
two outstanding young men.
Make no mistake about it, El Duo will return
to Pattaya. Their families are in the Philippines
(EL DUO did return and performed to the
delight of their many fans. It is with great sadness that we announce the loss
of my friend D.K. Valdez. Make no
mistake about it, DK, your heart will go on.)
