Showing posts with label Newspaper Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newspaper Articles. Show all posts
Men's Health (Malaysia) 11th Sept 2017
11th September 2017
By Eugene Pua
In Tune With The Rhythm
Alfred Ho has been performing music for more than three decades – yet he’s still chasing success. Find out what keeps this 68-year-old singer and guitarist going strong
Men's Health (Malaysia)1 Sep 2017
IF YOU ASK HIM, ALFRED HO WILL tell you that he’s been a musician since 1984. But it won’t take you much longer after that to realise music has been an integral part of his life since he was a boy.
Blind since he was three years old due to measles, Ho became enamoured with the guitar when he heard his schoolmate at the St. Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang playing it. Slowly but surely, he taught himself to play the instrument, and soon started singing for fun – especially as those around him encouraged and complimented him. But his hobby became something more serious in 1971 when he joined Bakat TV, a talent contest on RTM. “I thought it was just an entertainment programme, so I had nothing to lose,” Ho recalls. “But I went right up to the semifinals, which was an achievement to me because I was an amateur.”
Although Ho found steady work as a telephone operator for the Penang city council, he never quit music, as he moonlighted as a singer in bars and pubs. But he found the double schedules exhausting, so, in 1984, he asked his employers to hire another blind person (which they did) so that he could pursue music full-time. Five English albums, one Chinese album and three decades later, Ho has no regrets about taking the plunge. “Of course, I was scared and apprehensive – but nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Ho says. “I knew I could sing, so I took the challenge and I came down to KL and started my adventure here.
“Having all these challenges makes you work harder,” he continues. “And if you work harder, hopefully, you might be successful. But so far, success has eluded me.”
Considering all that he’s achieved in the three decades that he’s been a professional musician, it’s surprising that Ho considers himself neither successful nor popular. But, to him, the more he plays – which is often, as he performs regularly at the AK Busk Stop in Avenue K Shopping Mall – the more it drives him on to realise his ambitions. “As long as there’s breath in my body, I’ll keep going,” Ho states confidently. “I’ll only give
up when my health fails me. But as long as I can be up and about, I’ll do what I can to achieve success and I’ll fight to get to where I want to be – that is, to get wider recognition and to play abroad.”
At an age when other men are happily retired and horsing around with their grandkids, Ho shows no signs of slowing down, let alone hanging up his guitar. In fact, he’s searching for a reliable, capable agent who can help him take his music to the next level. But don’t you worry: he won’t mind if fellow Malaysians – like you – take the leap of faith like he did to follow their dreams. “You must believe in yourself. If you believe that it will be good for you,
why not go for it? More so if people tell you that you’re good. You just have to try,” Ho says. “But if you don’t succeed, you can’t blame anybody. Life’s like that – some days you’re lucky, some days you’re not. When I got into music, the climb was very slow – but I never gave up.”
WISDOM: ALFRED HO
Take note of Alfred Ho’s sage advice, and you too could be on top for decades
Men's Health (Malaysia)1 Sep 2017alfredhomusic.blogspot.com
The 68-year-old blind singer and guitarist on ambition, achievements and adventures.
CULTIVATE THE SYNERGY OF TALENT AND HARD WORK
“You must have the talent and, of course, you must work at it. I also believe in God’s guidance: if God has given you the talent, then you should try to exploit it to the full. But mainly, you must be interested in it. For me, I put my heart and soul into singing.” NO MATTER WHAT, YOU HAVE TO PRACTISE“ If I don’t sing for a month or two, I’ll feel a bit rusty so you must keep at it. I have fewer jobs so I’ve been busking. I don’t feel ashamed to, because it’s like practice for me, and people from all walks of life can hear me.” KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP" Be active whatever you do. A lot of people are okay, but once they retire, they go downhill. So, the main thing is to keep the brain healthy, then the body healthy. For me, it’s music: I learn new songs periodically, and all of the music is in my head. It’s how I keep my brain and body active.”

Alfred Ho ~ The Malaysian Blind Musician Extraordinaire.. 0
By Simon Homefinder on April 8, 2016
One Man’s Personal Quest And Vision Towards Attaining Musical Enlightenment For some people, being a street musician is nothing more than a performer on the busy sidewalks begging for alms. For others, it is merely showing off one’s skills to the public in the hope of breaking into the big-time showbiz industry. But for street musician Alfred Ho, he is only thinking of his next meal and putting food on the table daily for his family. Busking is by no means an occupation filled with “glitz and glamour” – it is often hard work, as well as braving the hot sun and constant rain, day after day. Being a street busker demands a special kind grit or courage, as well as strength of character in facing up to the unending hurdles and challenges, often along busy roads and unforgiving streets of metropolitan KL. This is the story of one man’s dream and his quest for musical enlightenment.  Dubbed “Malaysia’s Stevie Wonder” during his heyday, Alfred Ho had been prematurely deprived of his eyesight or vision at a tender age of three, after a lengthy bout with measles. Hailing from the mining state of Perak, this loyal fan of the blues and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll has always possessed an unbridled passion for singing ever since he could hold a microphone as a child. During those days back then, karaoke was still in-trend, and Alfred had plenty of practice “behind the scenes”. As he grew older, he started experimenting with his favourite musical instrument, which is the guitar. Being naturally gifted with the guitar, he started playing and singing to mass crowds at numerous public events and functions, such as expos, fun-fairs, weddings, trade shows, community gatherings, as well as private jamming sessions with fellow colleagues. He also has an uncanny knack for mimicking or imitating other singers in his trademark deep baritone-styled voice – his vocal dynamics are as strong and impressive as ever. His various idols include the likes of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Pat Boone, Engelbert Humperdink, and many other legends. He had a secret ambition to be a great artiste someday just like his idols. He always sang his heart out every time he performs, and pretty soon, his fan-base (i.e. legion of fans) grew too. Many of his loyal fans were truly amazed, thrilled and inspired by his majestic voice – it was strong and serene, yet soothing and comforting at the same time. Ultimately, the music industry took notice of his rare talent and gave him a recording contract. He briefly achieved national fame when he participated in RTM’s Bakat TV inaugural “reality singing” competition back in 1971. The rest, as they would say is history. But alas, all good things must come to an end somehow, eventually. Alfred Ho was no different…  Today, Alfred Ho is a faint glimmer of hope and a pale shadow of his past glory. Perhaps age has caught up with his voice, taken a toll on his will and spirit, or that he had become disillusioned of trying to “make it big” in the local music industry. His daily struggle of trying to make ends meet is also not helping his life-long cause of reviving his distant dream and long-forgotten ambition. Nevertheless, there is one certainty which was absolute – his voice had changed little over the years since he started singing almost five decades ago. The premium quality of his vocals is absolutely stunning and incredible. Just as a good wine needs to be aged or mellowed to achieve perfection in taste, Alfred Ho had seemingly defied the odds by sticking to his guts and playing his heart out. He kept on believing in himself, that his day would arrive, and it will surely come. Being blind has never hampered or discouraged Alfred Ho – aka “the blind busker” from plying his trade on the dusty streets, in the heart & soul of Malaysia’s city centre. He continues to busk to this present day. If you are lucky enough, you may just catch him in action – tugged somewhere in a lonely corner with his trusty guitar and his angelic voice.  For more information on Alfred Ho and his music, please visit his personal blog at http://alfredhomusic.blogspot.my , or simply check out his YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/user/alfredho1111/featured . Also featured below, is one of his many street performances in popular shopping malls and LRT stations. In particular, the following Facebook video link shows a ‘gung-ho’ Alfred performing a heart-warming rendition of the evergreen ballad “Butterfly” at the concourse area within RapidKL’s KLCC LRT Station at Avenue K, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
https://www.facebook.com/HomefinderMalaysia/videos/1135426886470031
One Man’s Personal Quest And Vision Towards Attaining Musical Enlightenment For some people, being a street musician is nothing more than a performer on the busy sidewalks begging for alms. For others, it is merely showing off one’s skills to the public in the hope of breaking into the big-time showbiz industry. But for street musician Alfred Ho, he is only thinking of his next meal and putting food on the table daily for his family. Busking is by no means an occupation filled with “glitz and glamour” – it is often hard work, as well as braving the hot sun and constant rain, day after day. Being a street busker demands a special kind grit or courage, as well as strength of character in facing up to the unending hurdles and challenges, often along busy roads and unforgiving streets of metropolitan KL. This is the story of one man’s dream and his quest for musical enlightenment.  Dubbed “Malaysia’s Stevie Wonder” during his heyday, Alfred Ho had been prematurely deprived of his eyesight or vision at a tender age of three, after a lengthy bout with measles. Hailing from the mining state of Perak, this loyal fan of the blues and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll has always possessed an unbridled passion for singing ever since he could hold a microphone as a child. During those days back then, karaoke was still in-trend, and Alfred had plenty of practice “behind the scenes”. As he grew older, he started experimenting with his favourite musical instrument, which is the guitar. Being naturally gifted with the guitar, he started playing and singing to mass crowds at numerous public events and functions, such as expos, fun-fairs, weddings, trade shows, community gatherings, as well as private jamming sessions with fellow colleagues. He also has an uncanny knack for mimicking or imitating other singers in his trademark deep baritone-styled voice – his vocal dynamics are as strong and impressive as ever. His various idols include the likes of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Pat Boone, Engelbert Humperdink, and many other legends. He had a secret ambition to be a great artiste someday just like his idols. He always sang his heart out every time he performs, and pretty soon, his fan-base (i.e. legion of fans) grew too. Many of his loyal fans were truly amazed, thrilled and inspired by his majestic voice – it was strong and serene, yet soothing and comforting at the same time. Ultimately, the music industry took notice of his rare talent and gave him a recording contract. He briefly achieved national fame when he participated in RTM’s Bakat TV inaugural “reality singing” competition back in 1971. The rest, as they would say is history. But alas, all good things must come to an end somehow, eventually. Alfred Ho was no different…  Today, Alfred Ho is a faint glimmer of hope and a pale shadow of his past glory. Perhaps age has caught up with his voice, taken a toll on his will and spirit, or that he had become disillusioned of trying to “make it big” in the local music industry. His daily struggle of trying to make ends meet is also not helping his life-long cause of reviving his distant dream and long-forgotten ambition. Nevertheless, there is one certainty which was absolute – his voice had changed little over the years since he started singing almost five decades ago. The premium quality of his vocals is absolutely stunning and incredible. Just as a good wine needs to be aged or mellowed to achieve perfection in taste, Alfred Ho had seemingly defied the odds by sticking to his guts and playing his heart out. He kept on believing in himself, that his day would arrive, and it will surely come. Being blind has never hampered or discouraged Alfred Ho – aka “the blind busker” from plying his trade on the dusty streets, in the heart & soul of Malaysia’s city centre. He continues to busk to this present day. If you are lucky enough, you may just catch him in action – tugged somewhere in a lonely corner with his trusty guitar and his angelic voice.  For more information on Alfred Ho and his music, please visit his personal blog at http://alfredhomusic.blogspot.my , or simply check out his YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/user/alfredho1111/featured . Also featured below, is one of his many street performances in popular shopping malls and LRT stations. In particular, the following Facebook video link shows a ‘gung-ho’ Alfred performing a heart-warming rendition of the evergreen ballad “Butterfly” at the concourse area within RapidKL’s KLCC LRT Station at Avenue K, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
https://www.facebook.com/HomefinderMalaysia/videos/1135426886470031
Malay Mail
October 26th 2017
by Melanie Chalil
ASIA’S GOT TALENT SEASON 2’S oldest contestant is teaching the young ’uns a lesson.
You might recognise him:
Visually-impaired Malaysian singer Alfred Ho.
INSPIRING
Kuchai Lama resident, 68, impressed judges with peppy performance of Quando, quando, quando.
► Got David Foster, Anggun and Jay Park moving.
► Reminded viewers disability holds no man back.
Show has no age limit, giving Ho license to serenade regional audience.
► Singer an encouraging and uplifting reminder talent comes in all forms.
“This should inspire able-bodied people,” said Ho
“If a person my age can do it, younger people should all the more go for it.”
WIFE’S IDEA
► Rufina Baptist, 58, saw the open auditions.
► Encouraged Ho to join reality show for the fun of it.
SEASONED MUSICIAN
► Performing professionally for 30 years.
► Busks around Kuala Lumpur’s Avenue K mall so people from all walks of life can listen to his music.
► Known for oldies by Cliff Richard, Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka.
Malay Mail
October 21st 2017
WHEN some former students of St Xavier’s Institution heard that blind singer and schoolmate Alfred Ho was busking for a living in Kuala Lumpur, they wasted no time in trying to help him.
He was invited by the Old Xaverians Association and the Class of 66/68 to sing at their annual function in Penang.
Class of 66/68 spokesman Quah Boo Hock said they invited Ho to perform when they heard what he was doing.
“When we heard Ho was busking in Kuala Lumpur, we invited him to perform at this dinner as a way of helping him out.
“He is also a Xaverian and his songs are of our era and we would love to hear these hits that he was famous for performing.”
His voice strong as ever, Ho belted out favourite oldies by Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Del Shannon, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and The Bee Gees with some contemporary tunes thrown in for the benefit of the younger members of his audience.
His motivation to sing and entertain has not diminished over the years and many sang along tunes that reminded them of their younger days.
The 68-year-old, who became blind at the age of three due to measles, is aided by his wife Rufina Baptist during his performances.
Born in Perak, Ho spent most of his younger days at the St Nicholas Home for the Blind when he became blind.
Ho studied at the home until primary level and continued his secondary studies at the school in Farquhar Street.
He started to play the guitar at St Nicholas when he heard some of the residents playing in a band.
“I borrowed the guitar while some of the boys were not playing and slowly taught myself to play the guitar until I reached a level where they urged me to play and sing for them.”
He was bitten by the music bug and has not stopped since.
After completing his secondary studies, he waded straight into the Penang local music scene, playing in bars and pubs picking up a sizeable fan base along the way.
Not satisfied, he decided to go to Kuala Lumpur in the early 1970s and entered the popular Bakat TV talent contest.
He made it to the semi-finals in 1971.
“Not bad for an amateur, who was also facing the television camera addressing a national audience and suddenly, I had some fame and fans,” he said.
He returned to Penang in the late 1970s where he secured a job as a telephone operator with the then Penang Municipal Council while moonlighting as a deejay and singer at the local pubs and nightspots.
But holding two jobs was taking a toll on his health and he decided to go full-time as an entertainer.
His talent was spotted by a record company and Ho returned to Kuala Lumpur in the mid-1980s to cut five English albums and one Chinese album with moderate success.
“It was a risk when I took the plunge but I have no regrets as nothing ventured, nothing gained though the success I had hoped for eluded me,” he said.
“I can’t say I have been successful or popular but I have not stopped playing regularly.”
He has not lost his ambition and his dream to perform overseas but he needs an agent who can help him realise his goals.
“You must believe in yourself but if I don’t succeed, I don’t blame anyone,” he added.
“You must work hard at your God-given talent and exploit it to the fullest, putting your heart and soul into what your are doing. I will give up when my health fails me.”
Ho has been busking at the AK Busk Stop in the Avenue K mall in Kuala Lumpur.
“I don’t feel ashamed as it’s like a practise session for me, and people from all walks of life can hear me,” he said.
“Keeping my mind sharp and active is important as it also helps to keep the body healthy.
I WAS THE MALAYSIAN STEVIE WONDER
The Sunday Times
Sunday, June 05, 2011,
by Tan Choe Choe
Alfred Ho in his heyday. Some avid fans dubbed him the "Stevie Wonder of Malaysia" at one time, although Alfred Ho's instrument of choice is the guitar.
Robbed of his sight at the age of three after an attack of the measles, Perak-born Ho learnt to play the guitar from a schoolmate when he was admitted into St Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang for his primary education.
As he entered adulthood, it was obvious to anyone listening that he had a beautiful voice and could do almost perfect imitations of a range of singers, including Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Engelbert Humperdink, and Pat Boone.
Although he secretly harboured hopes of becoming a full-fledged singer, Ho, coming from a practical family, enrolled for vocational training when he was 15 at the Gurney Training Centre for the disabled, where he learnt to be a telephone operator.
He also wrote to Radio Rediffusion -- one of the hottest media channels in those days -- hoping to get an audition to play a few songs on the show. "One of those people who auditioned me was Patrick Teoh. "They gave me a chance and I did a few shows with them," said Ho. Not soon after, television entered the Malaysian entertainment scene. Someone who had heard Ho on Rediffusion recommended that he participate in a show. "I was an amateur, but I felt confident enough to take part because there were people who really liked my music. "I thought I was going to be a guest artiste on some music programme. But what I didn't know was that it was actually a music contest! It was the 1971 Bakat TV, Bintang RTM now." The surprised Ho was also the only blind contestant in the singing competition. Although he didn't win, he managed to make it to the semi-finals.
As Ho took on a job with the Penang City Council as a telephone operator, he also did the rounds in pubs around town, playing his heart out, hoping that his music would be heard and appreciated. He even got to play at an Australian army base in Butterworth. "They really liked me and commented that if I were in Australia, I would have been a big hit," said Ho with a laugh.
It was during those days in the 1970s that he penned some of his own compositions, such as Train to Tennessee and Wendy's Love Song. The former is still remembered by many loyal fans. As his fan base grew, so did his confidence. Finally, he decided to quit his day job and become a full-fledged singer. "A lot of people advised me against it. "But I wanted to realise my dream."
The young Ho even dreamt of entertaining the crowds in Las Vegas. With such aspirations, he got himself a contract to play at a hotel in Terengganu. From there, he went on to play at various places in Malaysia, including in shopping complexes, before finally making Kuala Lumpur his base. In the capital, he was engaged for various private and corporate events. He was being recognised for his impressive renditions of old English songs, as well as for some of P. Ramlee's golden melodies, including Getaran Jiwa and Dengar Ini Cerita. He could also sing Mandarin, Hokkien and Thai songs. As his popularity grew, he even got the chance to join Time Highway Radio for a year as a disc-jockey.
Now at 62, Ho's life is still heavily intertwined with his love for singing and his guitar. "It seems I have always been playing the guitar and singing. "I think I will do this for as long as I can... until something happens and I am unable to sing anymore."
But chasing his dreams did not come without a price. He met a string of event organisers, who either conveniently forgot to pay him, delayed payment, or halved his pay after a performance by giving the excuse that they didn't have enough money. Many thought that he was easy prey because of his handicap. So he and his wife, Rufina, spent a considerable amount of time and effort having to chase after payments. "I don't understand... why do people want to take advantage of a blind person? We were not begging or asking for donations, just payment which had been promised."
Rufina, a clinic nurse, who often accompanied him on his gigs, was also treated badly most of the time. "Other singers had their manager's transportation, lodging and food paid. But in my case, I couldn't even get food for my wife," he lamented with a sigh.
Sometimes, he was asked to sing for very little money in exchange for opportunities "supposedly guaranteed" that he would be able to sell some albums. Ho, with the help of his wife, had managed to produce five albums throughout the years. "However, sometimes, after playing and entertaining the audience, the organiser would conveniently forget that he would help me sell some albums. So, I ended up with nothing much."
These days, the childless couple is still trying to source for opportunities to perform as rising inflation and cost of living has taken a toll on them. But being caught in the whirlwind of the digital age and the rapid growth of the entertainment industry, Ho, with Rufina, have been struggling to get his music across to the masses.
"Those days, playing in shopping complexes was cheap. But the exposure was good and opportunities for gigs were there when people saw how you performed. But now, as shopping complex managers become younger, many do not want to give me a chance because they
haven't heard of me, or my songs."
When he gave a 10-minute live demonstration on his guitar during the photo-shoot for this
article, interested shoppers immediately gathered around to listen and take photos.
Desperately trying to reach out to more listeners, Ho struggles to keep a blog, which he updates with the help of his wife. He has also opened up a Facebook account as well as a YouTube
channel, where he uploads his renditions of some easy-listening old favourites. "Although I'm not very familiar with Facebook I will also upload my videos there," he said.
Truly, this is a man who will continue to do his best, whatever the odds, for the one thing he
loves -- music.
To listen to Alfred Ho's music, go to www.nst.com.my.
Sunday, June 05, 2011,
by Tan Choe Choe
Alfred Ho in his heyday. Some avid fans dubbed him the "Stevie Wonder of Malaysia" at one time, although Alfred Ho's instrument of choice is the guitar.
Robbed of his sight at the age of three after an attack of the measles, Perak-born Ho learnt to play the guitar from a schoolmate when he was admitted into St Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang for his primary education.
As he entered adulthood, it was obvious to anyone listening that he had a beautiful voice and could do almost perfect imitations of a range of singers, including Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Engelbert Humperdink, and Pat Boone.
Although he secretly harboured hopes of becoming a full-fledged singer, Ho, coming from a practical family, enrolled for vocational training when he was 15 at the Gurney Training Centre for the disabled, where he learnt to be a telephone operator.
He also wrote to Radio Rediffusion -- one of the hottest media channels in those days -- hoping to get an audition to play a few songs on the show. "One of those people who auditioned me was Patrick Teoh. "They gave me a chance and I did a few shows with them," said Ho. Not soon after, television entered the Malaysian entertainment scene. Someone who had heard Ho on Rediffusion recommended that he participate in a show. "I was an amateur, but I felt confident enough to take part because there were people who really liked my music. "I thought I was going to be a guest artiste on some music programme. But what I didn't know was that it was actually a music contest! It was the 1971 Bakat TV, Bintang RTM now." The surprised Ho was also the only blind contestant in the singing competition. Although he didn't win, he managed to make it to the semi-finals.
As Ho took on a job with the Penang City Council as a telephone operator, he also did the rounds in pubs around town, playing his heart out, hoping that his music would be heard and appreciated. He even got to play at an Australian army base in Butterworth. "They really liked me and commented that if I were in Australia, I would have been a big hit," said Ho with a laugh.
It was during those days in the 1970s that he penned some of his own compositions, such as Train to Tennessee and Wendy's Love Song. The former is still remembered by many loyal fans. As his fan base grew, so did his confidence. Finally, he decided to quit his day job and become a full-fledged singer. "A lot of people advised me against it. "But I wanted to realise my dream."
The young Ho even dreamt of entertaining the crowds in Las Vegas. With such aspirations, he got himself a contract to play at a hotel in Terengganu. From there, he went on to play at various places in Malaysia, including in shopping complexes, before finally making Kuala Lumpur his base. In the capital, he was engaged for various private and corporate events. He was being recognised for his impressive renditions of old English songs, as well as for some of P. Ramlee's golden melodies, including Getaran Jiwa and Dengar Ini Cerita. He could also sing Mandarin, Hokkien and Thai songs. As his popularity grew, he even got the chance to join Time Highway Radio for a year as a disc-jockey.
Now at 62, Ho's life is still heavily intertwined with his love for singing and his guitar. "It seems I have always been playing the guitar and singing. "I think I will do this for as long as I can... until something happens and I am unable to sing anymore."
But chasing his dreams did not come without a price. He met a string of event organisers, who either conveniently forgot to pay him, delayed payment, or halved his pay after a performance by giving the excuse that they didn't have enough money. Many thought that he was easy prey because of his handicap. So he and his wife, Rufina, spent a considerable amount of time and effort having to chase after payments. "I don't understand... why do people want to take advantage of a blind person? We were not begging or asking for donations, just payment which had been promised."
Rufina, a clinic nurse, who often accompanied him on his gigs, was also treated badly most of the time. "Other singers had their manager's transportation, lodging and food paid. But in my case, I couldn't even get food for my wife," he lamented with a sigh.
Sometimes, he was asked to sing for very little money in exchange for opportunities "supposedly guaranteed" that he would be able to sell some albums. Ho, with the help of his wife, had managed to produce five albums throughout the years. "However, sometimes, after playing and entertaining the audience, the organiser would conveniently forget that he would help me sell some albums. So, I ended up with nothing much."
These days, the childless couple is still trying to source for opportunities to perform as rising inflation and cost of living has taken a toll on them. But being caught in the whirlwind of the digital age and the rapid growth of the entertainment industry, Ho, with Rufina, have been struggling to get his music across to the masses.
"Those days, playing in shopping complexes was cheap. But the exposure was good and opportunities for gigs were there when people saw how you performed. But now, as shopping complex managers become younger, many do not want to give me a chance because they
haven't heard of me, or my songs."
When he gave a 10-minute live demonstration on his guitar during the photo-shoot for this
article, interested shoppers immediately gathered around to listen and take photos.
Desperately trying to reach out to more listeners, Ho struggles to keep a blog, which he updates with the help of his wife. He has also opened up a Facebook account as well as a YouTube
channel, where he uploads his renditions of some easy-listening old favourites. "Although I'm not very familiar with Facebook I will also upload my videos there," he said.
Truly, this is a man who will continue to do his best, whatever the odds, for the one thing he
loves -- music.
To listen to Alfred Ho's music, go to www.nst.com.my.
Silver-tongued crooner sings songs of gold
The Star
Metro (nightlife)
Saturday December 25, 2010
THIS week, the spotlight is thrown on a veteran of the scene who has not let his disability stand in the way of musical success.
Alfred Ho, who is blind, has been one of the stalwarts of the music scene for more than three decades, wowing audiences with his laid back but powerful vocals.
Right now, fans of this veteran can catch him on Tuesday nights at the Ol’Skool Bistro on Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya.
Ho was originally scheduled to perform only during the Christmas season but the good response from the crowd will see him staying on at the outlet until Chinese New Year.
Listening to him, it is clear that he has never let his disability stand in the way of his passion and he has a wide repertoire of golden oldies to share with the crowd.
What is special about Ho is that he takes the time to have fun while performing, and he really knows how to engage the audience.
Most requests are handled promptly and he never seems to come up empty, no matter how obscure the request might seem.
One good example of this was during a recent set when a request for Fraulein by Bobby Helms was sent up to Ho.
Without skipping a beat, he hit the buttons on his drum machine and launched into the country classic without much ado.
On a typical night out with Alfred Ho, expect to hear songs by Pat Boone, Ricky Nelson and even Bread.
Ho doesn’t limit himself to the English classic though, as he has an equally wide repertoire of Mandarin and Cantonese numbers, including several classics by Sam Hui.
This week, the Christmas mood will still be in the air so expect Ho to concentrate on great Christmas songs, all delivered with flair and style.
Alfred Ho is a classic in his own right and it is good to see this veteran back in action at the pubs.
Ho begins his sets at 9.30pm at Ol’Skool Bistro in Petaling Jaya.
Metro (nightlife)
Saturday December 25, 2010
THIS week, the spotlight is thrown on a veteran of the scene who has not let his disability stand in the way of musical success.
Alfred Ho, who is blind, has been one of the stalwarts of the music scene for more than three decades, wowing audiences with his laid back but powerful vocals.
Right now, fans of this veteran can catch him on Tuesday nights at the Ol’Skool Bistro on Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya.
Ho was originally scheduled to perform only during the Christmas season but the good response from the crowd will see him staying on at the outlet until Chinese New Year.
Listening to him, it is clear that he has never let his disability stand in the way of his passion and he has a wide repertoire of golden oldies to share with the crowd.
What is special about Ho is that he takes the time to have fun while performing, and he really knows how to engage the audience.
Most requests are handled promptly and he never seems to come up empty, no matter how obscure the request might seem.
One good example of this was during a recent set when a request for Fraulein by Bobby Helms was sent up to Ho.
Without skipping a beat, he hit the buttons on his drum machine and launched into the country classic without much ado.
On a typical night out with Alfred Ho, expect to hear songs by Pat Boone, Ricky Nelson and even Bread.
Ho doesn’t limit himself to the English classic though, as he has an equally wide repertoire of Mandarin and Cantonese numbers, including several classics by Sam Hui.
This week, the Christmas mood will still be in the air so expect Ho to concentrate on great Christmas songs, all delivered with flair and style.
Alfred Ho is a classic in his own right and it is good to see this veteran back in action at the pubs.
Ho begins his sets at 9.30pm at Ol’Skool Bistro in Petaling Jaya.
Blind singer goes online to expose his talent
Kitty Lim
Malaysian Mirror
Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:54
What are dreams made of? Alfred Ho tells you that passion, perseverance and willpower are the sense of motivations he needed to pursue his dreams.
Passionate about music, Alfred has been persevering in the past 26 years to live up to his dream as a musician – where he has performed solo and acoustically with a guitar in pubs, corporate events and special occasions.
The 62-year-old man has a strong willpower to do what he loves best: - to sing to his audience.
Unfortunately, he does not have the capacity to sustain his career delivering beautiful melody to the ears of those who appreciate his talent.
Alfred is, you see, blind.
The number of jobs he used to receive has declined which he said in shopping malls, “the younger generation of managers are not appreciative of the capabilities of blind people like me.”
“They didn’t want to give me a chance,” he lamented his disappointment.
Despite being visually impaired, Alfred’s determination and musical talent make him no less capable or confident than any other ordinary fellows.
The Perak-born performer speaks loud and sings clear, sending a simple message that he will not give up hoping that someday people would listen and give him a chance to continue to perform.
Besides entertaining, there was a pleasant sense of motivation while listening to Alfred plays original songs which he had composed back in the 70s; ‘Train to Tennessee", "Wendy’s Love Song" and "Foch Avenue".
Don't judge a book by its cover. You will be surprised with the gush sense of encouragement that Alfred is able to deliver through his performance and determination to carry on a path he has chosen.
Alfred, with the help from his wife Rufina, has ventured onto the social media platform, signing up for Youtube and Facebook accounts and creating a blog to show people his singing talent.
He has recorded and uploaded as many as 108 videos within two months onto Youtube where he shared songs of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard and several more legendary performers.
“Viewers have complained that the sceneries (of the videos) are dull. But outdoor is noisy and I want people to listen to my voice clearly,” he explained the simplicity of the home videos which they had problem with their budget to buy a recording device with good audio quality.
“Youtube is only the first step. Publicity is another hurdle I have to face before more people can get to know me,” he said adding that he lacks a manager to guide him.
Alfred said he had been approached by some interested people to help promote him, but they were never serious.
Meanwhile, he is planning to write a memoir that allows the public to understand the experiences of growing up as a disabled child.
Alfred’s ambition is to open a ‘dream café’ where he is looking forward to entertain people with nostalgic old songs and evergreen music.
Would you give Alfred the ‘key’ to tune his dreams into reality?
Constantly looking for collaboration opportunities, Alfred can be reached at alfredho.music@gmail.com or alternatively, ring him either at 03-7984 8560 or 013-7069 800 . Writers and publishers who are interested with Alfred's story are welcome to contact him.
Malaysian Mirror
Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:54
What are dreams made of? Alfred Ho tells you that passion, perseverance and willpower are the sense of motivations he needed to pursue his dreams.
Passionate about music, Alfred has been persevering in the past 26 years to live up to his dream as a musician – where he has performed solo and acoustically with a guitar in pubs, corporate events and special occasions.
The 62-year-old man has a strong willpower to do what he loves best: - to sing to his audience.
Unfortunately, he does not have the capacity to sustain his career delivering beautiful melody to the ears of those who appreciate his talent.
Alfred is, you see, blind.
The number of jobs he used to receive has declined which he said in shopping malls, “the younger generation of managers are not appreciative of the capabilities of blind people like me.”
“They didn’t want to give me a chance,” he lamented his disappointment.
Despite being visually impaired, Alfred’s determination and musical talent make him no less capable or confident than any other ordinary fellows.
The Perak-born performer speaks loud and sings clear, sending a simple message that he will not give up hoping that someday people would listen and give him a chance to continue to perform.
Besides entertaining, there was a pleasant sense of motivation while listening to Alfred plays original songs which he had composed back in the 70s; ‘Train to Tennessee", "Wendy’s Love Song" and "Foch Avenue".
Don't judge a book by its cover. You will be surprised with the gush sense of encouragement that Alfred is able to deliver through his performance and determination to carry on a path he has chosen.
Alfred, with the help from his wife Rufina, has ventured onto the social media platform, signing up for Youtube and Facebook accounts and creating a blog to show people his singing talent.
He has recorded and uploaded as many as 108 videos within two months onto Youtube where he shared songs of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard and several more legendary performers.
“Viewers have complained that the sceneries (of the videos) are dull. But outdoor is noisy and I want people to listen to my voice clearly,” he explained the simplicity of the home videos which they had problem with their budget to buy a recording device with good audio quality.
“Youtube is only the first step. Publicity is another hurdle I have to face before more people can get to know me,” he said adding that he lacks a manager to guide him.
Alfred said he had been approached by some interested people to help promote him, but they were never serious.
Meanwhile, he is planning to write a memoir that allows the public to understand the experiences of growing up as a disabled child.
Alfred’s ambition is to open a ‘dream café’ where he is looking forward to entertain people with nostalgic old songs and evergreen music.
Would you give Alfred the ‘key’ to tune his dreams into reality?
Constantly looking for collaboration opportunities, Alfred can be reached at alfredho.music@gmail.com or alternatively, ring him either at 03-7984 8560 or 013-7069 800 . Writers and publishers who are interested with Alfred's story are welcome to contact him.
Sightless but not blind to his rights
Malaysian Mirror
Honeymah Dylyani
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 20:16
He may be sightless but veteran singer Alfred Ho is not blind to his consumer’s rights.
He was sore when a music store rejected his claim for a refund.
While it was only a matter of RM100, he felt that as a customer he had the right to make the claim for an item that did not meet his requirement. So, he went to the small claims court, instead.
The court, also known as the Tribunal for Consumer Claims, on Wednesday ordered Woh Fatt Music House Sdn Bhd to give back the money to Ho, a one-time recording artiste who now sings in pubs and lounges.
Ho said he had wanted to return a guitar case he had bought from the shop and to ask for a refund, but his request was rejected.
'Those with sight can do more'
The singer, who has made albums of some self-composed songs and evergreen numbers, said he was thankful for the outcome and advised consumers who felt cheated to refer their complaints to the tribunal.
"Although I'm blind, I still came here to fight for my rights. My message here is, those with sight should be able to do more for themselves when they feel cheated," he said after the tribunal handed its decision.
Ho, currently singing at a bistro in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, said he brought his complaint to the tribunal when Woh Fatt Music House refused to give back his money for the guitar case bought from the shop.
Company to pay within 14 days
Court president Rahazlan Affandi Abdul Rahim ordered the shop to pay back Ho after advising them to amicably settle the dispute through negotiation as the amount involved was small.
Woh Fatt Music House, which was represented by K.C.Liew, was ordered to pay back Ho within 14 days while Ho should immediately return the guitar case after receiving the payment
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism deputy secretary-general (Consumerism and Management) Mahani Tan Abdullah said under the Consumers Protection Act, a consumer has the right to return the product if it is deemed defective and not because he or she does not like the product.
Defective goods can be returned
“Malaysian consumers should understand that they can return the good if it is defective. They can also exchange the goods with something of a similar value and not less.
“In Ho’s case it is different. He is blind and the judges have been using their discretion in awarding Alfred Ho his claims.
“Furthermore the claim is also reasonable. I do not think that the judge will side with him if he made unreasonable claims.
“In my opinion, the salesman did not explain to him accordingly. Since Alfred could not see, the salesman should be more detail in explaining the product, “ Mahani said.
She added that this case should highlight the importance of ethics in business.
"I am happy that the judge had awarded Alfred Ho’s claim because, sometimes, business people must be reminded to be more ethical in doing their business, especially with the disabled.
Honeymah Dylyani
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 20:16
He may be sightless but veteran singer Alfred Ho is not blind to his consumer’s rights.
He was sore when a music store rejected his claim for a refund.
While it was only a matter of RM100, he felt that as a customer he had the right to make the claim for an item that did not meet his requirement. So, he went to the small claims court, instead.
The court, also known as the Tribunal for Consumer Claims, on Wednesday ordered Woh Fatt Music House Sdn Bhd to give back the money to Ho, a one-time recording artiste who now sings in pubs and lounges.
Ho said he had wanted to return a guitar case he had bought from the shop and to ask for a refund, but his request was rejected.
'Those with sight can do more'
The singer, who has made albums of some self-composed songs and evergreen numbers, said he was thankful for the outcome and advised consumers who felt cheated to refer their complaints to the tribunal.
"Although I'm blind, I still came here to fight for my rights. My message here is, those with sight should be able to do more for themselves when they feel cheated," he said after the tribunal handed its decision.
Ho, currently singing at a bistro in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, said he brought his complaint to the tribunal when Woh Fatt Music House refused to give back his money for the guitar case bought from the shop.
Company to pay within 14 days
Court president Rahazlan Affandi Abdul Rahim ordered the shop to pay back Ho after advising them to amicably settle the dispute through negotiation as the amount involved was small.
Woh Fatt Music House, which was represented by K.C.Liew, was ordered to pay back Ho within 14 days while Ho should immediately return the guitar case after receiving the payment
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism deputy secretary-general (Consumerism and Management) Mahani Tan Abdullah said under the Consumers Protection Act, a consumer has the right to return the product if it is deemed defective and not because he or she does not like the product.
Defective goods can be returned
“Malaysian consumers should understand that they can return the good if it is defective. They can also exchange the goods with something of a similar value and not less.
“In Ho’s case it is different. He is blind and the judges have been using their discretion in awarding Alfred Ho his claims.
“Furthermore the claim is also reasonable. I do not think that the judge will side with him if he made unreasonable claims.
“In my opinion, the salesman did not explain to him accordingly. Since Alfred could not see, the salesman should be more detail in explaining the product, “ Mahani said.
She added that this case should highlight the importance of ethics in business.
"I am happy that the judge had awarded Alfred Ho’s claim because, sometimes, business people must be reminded to be more ethical in doing their business, especially with the disabled.
Tribunal Orders Music Shop To Return Blind Singer's RM100
Bernama.com
October 28, 2009
Blind singer Alfred Ho on Wednesday managed to get back his RM100 paid to a musical instrument shop after referring his case to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TCCM).
Ho, who had recorded an album before, said he was thankful for the outcome and advised consumers who felt cheated to refer their complaints to the tribunal.
"Although I'm blind, I still came here to fight for my rights. My message here is, those with sight should be able to do more for themselves when they feel cheated," he said after the tribunal handed its decision.
Ho, who now sings at a club, said he brought his complaint to TCCM when Woh Fatt Music House Sdn Bhd refused to give back his money for a guitar case bought from the shop.
TCCM president Rahazlan Affandi Abdul Rahim ordered the shop to pay back Ho after advising them to amicably settle the dispute through negotiation as the amount involved was small
Woh Fatt Music House, which was represented by K.C.Liew, was ordered to pay back Ho within 14 days while Ho should immediately return the guitar case after receiving the payment.
October 28, 2009
Blind singer Alfred Ho on Wednesday managed to get back his RM100 paid to a musical instrument shop after referring his case to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TCCM).
Ho, who had recorded an album before, said he was thankful for the outcome and advised consumers who felt cheated to refer their complaints to the tribunal.
"Although I'm blind, I still came here to fight for my rights. My message here is, those with sight should be able to do more for themselves when they feel cheated," he said after the tribunal handed its decision.
Ho, who now sings at a club, said he brought his complaint to TCCM when Woh Fatt Music House Sdn Bhd refused to give back his money for a guitar case bought from the shop.
TCCM president Rahazlan Affandi Abdul Rahim ordered the shop to pay back Ho after advising them to amicably settle the dispute through negotiation as the amount involved was small
Woh Fatt Music House, which was represented by K.C.Liew, was ordered to pay back Ho within 14 days while Ho should immediately return the guitar case after receiving the payment.
CARRY ON ALFRED - 23RD AUGUST 2009
by Emily Gun
Malaysian Mirror
PETALING JAYA - Alfred Ho is a blogger. Reading his postings makes you realise he is an articulate man. Reading them also makes you feel despondent.
For he writes about the hurdles he – and other people like him - has to overcome in living a life as best as he can under the circumstances.
Alfred, you see, is blind.
But he has been blessed with a musical mind and has found his calling as a singer cum guitarist.
“I have been in this profession for more than 20 years now and my forte is singing the old western favourites. I also sing in several Chinese dialects, including Spanish and several languages. I mainly do the pub circuits and perform at company and wedding functions,” he wrote on his blog, which has not been updated since November 2007.
Drop by a pub sometime and if you are lucky, you might catch Alfred in action, playing a few mean tunes and getting the crowd all worked up.
You might even find old folks hitting the dance floor to do the twist, as if creaky, calcium-deficit bones are nothing more than a figment of the imagination.
His passion for singing was stoked in part by Cliff Richard, whose earlier tunes like Y'arriva, Catch me and Tell me has shaped his musical direction.
If you don’t know by now, Alfred has a penchant for singing songs from the 50s to 70s by such legends as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Elton John.
In today’s world dominated by rap, hip hop and pop fluff, such oldies still has an entrenched following.
I decided to catch him performing one night in a Petaling Jaya bistro. I went in with no preconceptions whatsoever. Guess what, I enjoyed myself enormously. He hit the right chords in my book, singing John Denver’s Leaving on a Jet Plane, my all-time favourite. He also had me giggling to the funny nuances of a Hokkien song.
All in all, it was a great night out.
Despite all the well-meaning government and private campaigns to promote a caring society, the truth is society is made up of people who are largely self-absorbed. When you are disabled, the lack of concern and consideration shown is glaring and hurtful.
Alfred has been through the grind and knows first-hand the prejudices and discrimination he had to face as an employee and as a citizen standing up for his rights and what he perceived as social injustices.
He can rattle off a long list of employers who have been less than kindly to him over the years and who have attempted to limit his career opportunities at every turn. To him, many politicians are no better in treating those who are disabled.
Once upon a time, he had to soldier on alone. But the burden is made more bearable now with wife Rufina Baptist, by his side.
Rufina, who is partially sighted, is his pillar of strength. Alfred also finds music to be a balm that eases the pain of a blind man living a life with all its imperfections.
Despite the challenges, Alfred has not come this far to be defeated by an unfair world.
He will continue to stand up for what he believes is just and right. And he will keep on crooning the evergreens for that is his calling.
* If you are interested to have Alfred Ho drop by to jazz up the mood of your event, get in touch with him at alfredho.music@gmail.com or call him at 03-7984 8560 or 016-635 9800 .
Last Updated on Sunday, 23 August 2009 18:35
Malaysian Mirror
PETALING JAYA - Alfred Ho is a blogger. Reading his postings makes you realise he is an articulate man. Reading them also makes you feel despondent.
For he writes about the hurdles he – and other people like him - has to overcome in living a life as best as he can under the circumstances.
Alfred, you see, is blind.
But he has been blessed with a musical mind and has found his calling as a singer cum guitarist.
“I have been in this profession for more than 20 years now and my forte is singing the old western favourites. I also sing in several Chinese dialects, including Spanish and several languages. I mainly do the pub circuits and perform at company and wedding functions,” he wrote on his blog, which has not been updated since November 2007.
Drop by a pub sometime and if you are lucky, you might catch Alfred in action, playing a few mean tunes and getting the crowd all worked up.
You might even find old folks hitting the dance floor to do the twist, as if creaky, calcium-deficit bones are nothing more than a figment of the imagination.
His passion for singing was stoked in part by Cliff Richard, whose earlier tunes like Y'arriva, Catch me and Tell me has shaped his musical direction.
If you don’t know by now, Alfred has a penchant for singing songs from the 50s to 70s by such legends as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Elton John.
In today’s world dominated by rap, hip hop and pop fluff, such oldies still has an entrenched following.
I decided to catch him performing one night in a Petaling Jaya bistro. I went in with no preconceptions whatsoever. Guess what, I enjoyed myself enormously. He hit the right chords in my book, singing John Denver’s Leaving on a Jet Plane, my all-time favourite. He also had me giggling to the funny nuances of a Hokkien song.
All in all, it was a great night out.
Despite all the well-meaning government and private campaigns to promote a caring society, the truth is society is made up of people who are largely self-absorbed. When you are disabled, the lack of concern and consideration shown is glaring and hurtful.
Alfred has been through the grind and knows first-hand the prejudices and discrimination he had to face as an employee and as a citizen standing up for his rights and what he perceived as social injustices.
He can rattle off a long list of employers who have been less than kindly to him over the years and who have attempted to limit his career opportunities at every turn. To him, many politicians are no better in treating those who are disabled.
Once upon a time, he had to soldier on alone. But the burden is made more bearable now with wife Rufina Baptist, by his side.
Rufina, who is partially sighted, is his pillar of strength. Alfred also finds music to be a balm that eases the pain of a blind man living a life with all its imperfections.
Despite the challenges, Alfred has not come this far to be defeated by an unfair world.
He will continue to stand up for what he believes is just and right. And he will keep on crooning the evergreens for that is his calling.
* If you are interested to have Alfred Ho drop by to jazz up the mood of your event, get in touch with him at alfredho.music@gmail.com or call him at 03-7984 8560 or 016-635 9800 .
Last Updated on Sunday, 23 August 2009 18:35
THE STAR (STARTWO) - FRIDAY 3RD JULY 2009
Onward, Ho!
By N. RAMA LOHAN
The road’s been rough, but Alfred Ho’s burning desire to share the gift of music continues to spur him on.
ATTEMPTING to understand renowned local musician Alfred Ho’s predicament is simply impossible. Sure, he barely has a complaint about being blind and reaps an inordinate amount of joy by simply strumming his guitar and singing to an appreciative audience … and getting paid for the joy he loves sharing with his listeners.
But for those reading this (we who are bestowed with the gift of sight), we could never fathom what it’s like to be blind. It’s not quite like walking on a nature trail for a few hours in a cave or sitting in a dark room for a few quiet moments. Psychologically, we know we are still going to be able to see once we’re in the light or the lights are switched on.
Live energy: Local musician Alfred Ho’s greatest joy has been to perform before a live audience.
Ho has had a chequered career, though, from being an upstart on RTM’s Bakat TV in the early 1970s (when Jamali Shadat officially became the nation’s best loved funnyman), through his many years plying the pub circuit, right up to his current weekly stint (every Tuesday) at Ol’ Skool Bistro on Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
The corporate circuit was a healthy source of income for the musician who turns 60 on July 9, but he has fallen on hard times. “The lack of a manager has been my setback. I can talk and perhaps sell myself, but I am not mobile. Besides, very little is about talent these days … it seems to be more about marketability. I have faith in my ability, though. I believe I am good. In fact, my new policy has been to tell myself that I am good,” he says, his spirit clearly unbroken.
A rousing rendition of The Beatles’ (he likes Paul best) Lady Madonna at the Yamaha music store in Mid Valley Mega Mall (where the picture on the right was taken) in KL was enough to have store staff, manager and customers clapping and singing along.
“Music is in my blood. I love to play the guitar … and it’s good to have an appreciative audience.”
A ex-schoolmate named Benjamin taught a then 12-year-old Ho to play the instrument. “I used to be very jealous of him,” Ho guilty admits with a smile.
Ho has had a flair for music since he was a child (he lost his sight when he was three following a bout of measles). “I used to hear old Chinese songs from my neighbour’s radio. I learned to play the harmonica, ukulele … and than I made a tin-can guitar.”
His first proper six-string – a Suzuki acoustic – was a birthday present from his late brother. “It was a good guitar; perfect for playing all those songs in the mid-60s by The Beatles and Cliff Richard.”
Ho admits that envy of these singers spurred him onto his craft. “I joined a talent-time competition in school.” He would also form his band, The Sharks, then. “We played mainly instrumentals,” he says, citing The Shadows as a particular favourite.
“Then someone got us a show at a theatre one day, and I remember my knees shaking,” he fondly reminisces.
His initial career as a telephone operator sidetracked his musical pursuit momentarily.
“It was taking a toll on me. I was playing in the pubs in Penang until 1am, then I’d have to report to work the next day at 6am ... it was really tough. But the minute I was on the bandstand, I would be alive again and just love it.”
Stints at the now defunct Rediffusion (a nod to programme manager Royston Goh and Patrick Teoh) and his semi-final qualification for Bakat TV saw his stock rise. Then there were the string of TV show appearances on variety programmes like Hiburan Malam Minggu and Serbaneka. College gigs had him reaching out to a younger audience as well.
His recording career took off after Bakat TV, though. Armed with a taste for artistes like Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Eagles, The Cascades, Connie Francis and a string of others, Ho was treated to the hallowed words, “Roll tape!”
“My first record was with Malaysian Musical Industries (MMI). My manager then, Stanley Joseph, whose father was the secretary to the minister of information then, (now Tun) Ghazali Shafie, helped me get into Bakat TV, and after that, the recording project came along. I recorded two EPs with MMI,” recalls the Perakian. The EPs included a mix of originals and covers. Some of his self-penned compositions included Train to Tennessee and Wendy’s Love Song.
Through the years, Ho has continued to record whenever opportunities have presented themselves. His greatest joy, though, has been to perform before a live audience. “It’s always nice when the audience participates,” he says appreciatively.
Perhaps there is a law of compensation at play where Ho’s blindness is concerned. While he may not be able to see, his sense of hearing and memory power are remarkable. Strum a chord on a guitar in front of him and there’s a good chance he’ll know what it is.
Ho also tried his hand at being a DJ but the short stint ended rather unceremoniously. “I would like to write a book to share some of my experiences ... good and bad, with people. I would especially like to reach out to parents of children with disabilities like blindness, and educate them on how to best care for their children and what potential problems they could face along the way,” he shares graciously.
His education may be nothing to brag about (he only completed Form 3), but Ho has some of the most irresistible and irrepressible qualities – he has the heart and stomach to do what he loves most, even when the going has been tough.
He is simply looking for opportunities to share his music.
“I play a variety of styles and am truly proud of this diversity. My talent is my product,” shares the singer, who sings in Bahasa Malaysia, various Chinese dialects, Spanish and Japanese, among others.
Ho’s requests are simple; he seeks a manager to help him with employment; he hopes to have some video footage of his performances up on the Internet, write a book to share his experiences and perhaps his most significant, to one day have a cafe of his own to perform at.
For those looking to give back, giving Ho a chance could be a worthwhile exercise in seeking inner happiness or contributing to the betterment of society. If it’s simply his music that entices, then head over to Ol’ Skool Bistro on Tuesday nights where he waits to simply entertain.
Alfred Ho can be contacted at % 03-7984 8560 / 016-635 9800 or e-mail: alfredho.music@gmail.com
By N. RAMA LOHAN
The road’s been rough, but Alfred Ho’s burning desire to share the gift of music continues to spur him on.
ATTEMPTING to understand renowned local musician Alfred Ho’s predicament is simply impossible. Sure, he barely has a complaint about being blind and reaps an inordinate amount of joy by simply strumming his guitar and singing to an appreciative audience … and getting paid for the joy he loves sharing with his listeners.
But for those reading this (we who are bestowed with the gift of sight), we could never fathom what it’s like to be blind. It’s not quite like walking on a nature trail for a few hours in a cave or sitting in a dark room for a few quiet moments. Psychologically, we know we are still going to be able to see once we’re in the light or the lights are switched on.
Live energy: Local musician Alfred Ho’s greatest joy has been to perform before a live audience.
Ho has had a chequered career, though, from being an upstart on RTM’s Bakat TV in the early 1970s (when Jamali Shadat officially became the nation’s best loved funnyman), through his many years plying the pub circuit, right up to his current weekly stint (every Tuesday) at Ol’ Skool Bistro on Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
The corporate circuit was a healthy source of income for the musician who turns 60 on July 9, but he has fallen on hard times. “The lack of a manager has been my setback. I can talk and perhaps sell myself, but I am not mobile. Besides, very little is about talent these days … it seems to be more about marketability. I have faith in my ability, though. I believe I am good. In fact, my new policy has been to tell myself that I am good,” he says, his spirit clearly unbroken.
A rousing rendition of The Beatles’ (he likes Paul best) Lady Madonna at the Yamaha music store in Mid Valley Mega Mall (where the picture on the right was taken) in KL was enough to have store staff, manager and customers clapping and singing along.
“Music is in my blood. I love to play the guitar … and it’s good to have an appreciative audience.”
A ex-schoolmate named Benjamin taught a then 12-year-old Ho to play the instrument. “I used to be very jealous of him,” Ho guilty admits with a smile.
Ho has had a flair for music since he was a child (he lost his sight when he was three following a bout of measles). “I used to hear old Chinese songs from my neighbour’s radio. I learned to play the harmonica, ukulele … and than I made a tin-can guitar.”
His first proper six-string – a Suzuki acoustic – was a birthday present from his late brother. “It was a good guitar; perfect for playing all those songs in the mid-60s by The Beatles and Cliff Richard.”
Ho admits that envy of these singers spurred him onto his craft. “I joined a talent-time competition in school.” He would also form his band, The Sharks, then. “We played mainly instrumentals,” he says, citing The Shadows as a particular favourite.
“Then someone got us a show at a theatre one day, and I remember my knees shaking,” he fondly reminisces.
His initial career as a telephone operator sidetracked his musical pursuit momentarily.
“It was taking a toll on me. I was playing in the pubs in Penang until 1am, then I’d have to report to work the next day at 6am ... it was really tough. But the minute I was on the bandstand, I would be alive again and just love it.”
Stints at the now defunct Rediffusion (a nod to programme manager Royston Goh and Patrick Teoh) and his semi-final qualification for Bakat TV saw his stock rise. Then there were the string of TV show appearances on variety programmes like Hiburan Malam Minggu and Serbaneka. College gigs had him reaching out to a younger audience as well.
His recording career took off after Bakat TV, though. Armed with a taste for artistes like Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Eagles, The Cascades, Connie Francis and a string of others, Ho was treated to the hallowed words, “Roll tape!”
“My first record was with Malaysian Musical Industries (MMI). My manager then, Stanley Joseph, whose father was the secretary to the minister of information then, (now Tun) Ghazali Shafie, helped me get into Bakat TV, and after that, the recording project came along. I recorded two EPs with MMI,” recalls the Perakian. The EPs included a mix of originals and covers. Some of his self-penned compositions included Train to Tennessee and Wendy’s Love Song.
Through the years, Ho has continued to record whenever opportunities have presented themselves. His greatest joy, though, has been to perform before a live audience. “It’s always nice when the audience participates,” he says appreciatively.
Perhaps there is a law of compensation at play where Ho’s blindness is concerned. While he may not be able to see, his sense of hearing and memory power are remarkable. Strum a chord on a guitar in front of him and there’s a good chance he’ll know what it is.
Ho also tried his hand at being a DJ but the short stint ended rather unceremoniously. “I would like to write a book to share some of my experiences ... good and bad, with people. I would especially like to reach out to parents of children with disabilities like blindness, and educate them on how to best care for their children and what potential problems they could face along the way,” he shares graciously.
His education may be nothing to brag about (he only completed Form 3), but Ho has some of the most irresistible and irrepressible qualities – he has the heart and stomach to do what he loves most, even when the going has been tough.
He is simply looking for opportunities to share his music.
“I play a variety of styles and am truly proud of this diversity. My talent is my product,” shares the singer, who sings in Bahasa Malaysia, various Chinese dialects, Spanish and Japanese, among others.
Ho’s requests are simple; he seeks a manager to help him with employment; he hopes to have some video footage of his performances up on the Internet, write a book to share his experiences and perhaps his most significant, to one day have a cafe of his own to perform at.
For those looking to give back, giving Ho a chance could be a worthwhile exercise in seeking inner happiness or contributing to the betterment of society. If it’s simply his music that entices, then head over to Ol’ Skool Bistro on Tuesday nights where he waits to simply entertain.
Alfred Ho can be contacted at % 03-7984 8560 / 016-635 9800 or e-mail: alfredho.music@gmail.com
LAKE CLUB - AUGUST 2007
SATURDAY NITE LIVE
BATEK BAR
LAKE CLUB KUALA LUMPUR
AUGUST 2007
by LUCY PANE
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
===================
Saturday Nite Live artistes have always been a favourite with the Batek Ba crowd and none more so than Alfred Ho, the visually-challenged crooner. His versatility and the range of his repertoire were truly displayed when he sang Chinese songs such as Francis Yip's "Shanghai Beach" to Teresa Teng's "The Moon Represents My Heart" and a couple of numbers later, switching effortlessly to a Spanish number and then a Thai evergreen "Loy Krathong".
He was word-perfect with such childhood songs as "Burung Kakak" or that school day campfire favourite "Ging Gang Gooli-Gooli".
But his most endearing quality must be his ability to play any song from the 50's and 60's at the shout of a title. About half a century ago, I remember sharpening the metal stylus for my uncle's gramophone and playing Marty Robbin's "The Story Of My Life" and Pat Boone's " Bernadine" and Alfred Ho was able to magically remind me of my carefree childhood.
He rekindled our admiration for artistes such as Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, The Platters, Jose Feliciano, CCR and even Russ Hamilton and Frankie Lane.
The crowd at the Batek Bar just wouldn't let him go and thanks to the good sense of Alex Bremmer, the GC member on duty, Alfred stayed on for an extra session and entertained us with "Red sails in the sunset" and "Only you", among other golden oldies. Many of the members present could be seen humming the words or singing along with gusto. Beatles hits such as "I saw her standing there" and Mary Hopkin's "Those were the days" reverberated along with "Obladi-Oblada".
Alas, all good things must end and many of us went back, happy and contented to be least momentarily transported back to the good old days when songs were so singable. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. (sigh)
BATEK BAR
LAKE CLUB KUALA LUMPUR
AUGUST 2007
by LUCY PANE
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
===================
Saturday Nite Live artistes have always been a favourite with the Batek Ba crowd and none more so than Alfred Ho, the visually-challenged crooner. His versatility and the range of his repertoire were truly displayed when he sang Chinese songs such as Francis Yip's "Shanghai Beach" to Teresa Teng's "The Moon Represents My Heart" and a couple of numbers later, switching effortlessly to a Spanish number and then a Thai evergreen "Loy Krathong".
He was word-perfect with such childhood songs as "Burung Kakak" or that school day campfire favourite "Ging Gang Gooli-Gooli".
But his most endearing quality must be his ability to play any song from the 50's and 60's at the shout of a title. About half a century ago, I remember sharpening the metal stylus for my uncle's gramophone and playing Marty Robbin's "The Story Of My Life" and Pat Boone's " Bernadine" and Alfred Ho was able to magically remind me of my carefree childhood.
He rekindled our admiration for artistes such as Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, The Platters, Jose Feliciano, CCR and even Russ Hamilton and Frankie Lane.
The crowd at the Batek Bar just wouldn't let him go and thanks to the good sense of Alex Bremmer, the GC member on duty, Alfred stayed on for an extra session and entertained us with "Red sails in the sunset" and "Only you", among other golden oldies. Many of the members present could be seen humming the words or singing along with gusto. Beatles hits such as "I saw her standing there" and Mary Hopkin's "Those were the days" reverberated along with "Obladi-Oblada".
Alas, all good things must end and many of us went back, happy and contented to be least momentarily transported back to the good old days when songs were so singable. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. (sigh)
The Malay Mail - 9th Sept 1983
by Lam Seng Fatt
ALFRED HO GOES FULL-TIME
========================
Alfred Ho is leading the way for the blind. Accompanying himself on the guitar, Alfred sings popular Cantonese numbers, theme songs from Hongkong, television serials and evergreen English hits.
Alfred left his job as a telephone operator with the Penang City Council to venture full-time into music. "I hope to pave the way for other blind people. I feel the blind should not be confined to jobs like basket-weaving, telephone operating or stenographing. I'm sure they can do other things. They should try other fields and exploit their talents. I may not succeed but I'm willing to try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained," he says.
Alfred took up music because life was boring. "After being trained at the Gurney Training Centre, I had to wait years for a job. In the meantime, I took up music, learning the guitar from a friend. I wrote songs and learnt country and western tunes," he says.
"I had been contemplating singing full-time for quite a while. I figured that if I wanted to do something, I must go all the way wholeheartedly. I was working in the day and singing at night. It was exhausting and I had little time to spare. Music is in my blood. It is a form of release. It is challenging and I get to meet lots of people. Since I have a talent, I might as well use it," he says.
Alfred learns his songs note by note from listening to tapes. He doesn't read music, although he knows Braille, which he learnt at the St Nicholas School for The Blind in Penang. "Music is more rewarding income-wise too. It is risky but any business venture is a risk. Like any artiste, I hope to make it big".
Alfred has a wide repertoire of songs. He sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Malay. He is familiar with Rock and Roll, Disco, Sam Hui's and The Wynners canto-rock songs and Elvis Presley hits. He plays the guitar with very aggressive rhythmic strumming and plays lead in a very country manner. His singing is mellow and most times, he imitates the style and 'slang' of the original singers.
ALFRED HO GOES FULL-TIME
========================
Alfred Ho is leading the way for the blind. Accompanying himself on the guitar, Alfred sings popular Cantonese numbers, theme songs from Hongkong, television serials and evergreen English hits.
Alfred left his job as a telephone operator with the Penang City Council to venture full-time into music. "I hope to pave the way for other blind people. I feel the blind should not be confined to jobs like basket-weaving, telephone operating or stenographing. I'm sure they can do other things. They should try other fields and exploit their talents. I may not succeed but I'm willing to try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained," he says.
Alfred took up music because life was boring. "After being trained at the Gurney Training Centre, I had to wait years for a job. In the meantime, I took up music, learning the guitar from a friend. I wrote songs and learnt country and western tunes," he says.
"I had been contemplating singing full-time for quite a while. I figured that if I wanted to do something, I must go all the way wholeheartedly. I was working in the day and singing at night. It was exhausting and I had little time to spare. Music is in my blood. It is a form of release. It is challenging and I get to meet lots of people. Since I have a talent, I might as well use it," he says.
Alfred learns his songs note by note from listening to tapes. He doesn't read music, although he knows Braille, which he learnt at the St Nicholas School for The Blind in Penang. "Music is more rewarding income-wise too. It is risky but any business venture is a risk. Like any artiste, I hope to make it big".
Alfred has a wide repertoire of songs. He sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Malay. He is familiar with Rock and Roll, Disco, Sam Hui's and The Wynners canto-rock songs and Elvis Presley hits. He plays the guitar with very aggressive rhythmic strumming and plays lead in a very country manner. His singing is mellow and most times, he imitates the style and 'slang' of the original singers.
The Star
by Teh Ewe Beng
ALFRED - HOPING FOR A COMEBACK
==============================
Remember Alfred Ho, the local crooner who burst into the pop scene with his own composition "TRAIN TO TENNESSEE" in the early 70's? For those unfamiliar with Alfred, he shares a common fate with renowned singers like Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. He's blind.
Now, Alfred has turned solo as a guitarist cum singer. Numbers like Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" and Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" are his favourites. He lures the audience to sing along with him by talking to them. Yes, he talks and encourages them till they join him in the singing.
Alfred was blinded at three after he suffered an attack of measles. Living in a remote village in Perak, his parents were ignorant about the disease and did not take prompt action which resulted in his blindness. At six, he was admitted to the St. Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang, where the stayed until he passed his LCE in 1966. After that he was trained as a telephone operator and because of his handicap, it took him years to get a job.
It was during his jobless years that he took up singing in an attempt to break the boredom. "It was a frustrating period in my life and I just had to do something to occupy myself and pass the time," recalled Alfred. "My love for music grew and I wrote in to Rediffusion for an audition. It was successful and I took part in a few variety shows organised by them," he said.
Then came his Bakat TV appearance where he qualified for the semi-finals. Alfred also participated in a few TV musicals such as, "Bintang Baru" and once appeared on "Andre Goh's Show". The fact that he tries his best to please the audience in his special way makes him very popular. "
Being blind is not the end of the world. "In fact, we should try harder to discover our inner qualities," he said. When asked whether he has any difficulty in travelling, Alfred said that the problem arises only in unfamiliar surroundings.
ALFRED - HOPING FOR A COMEBACK
==============================
Remember Alfred Ho, the local crooner who burst into the pop scene with his own composition "TRAIN TO TENNESSEE" in the early 70's? For those unfamiliar with Alfred, he shares a common fate with renowned singers like Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. He's blind.
Now, Alfred has turned solo as a guitarist cum singer. Numbers like Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" and Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" are his favourites. He lures the audience to sing along with him by talking to them. Yes, he talks and encourages them till they join him in the singing.
Alfred was blinded at three after he suffered an attack of measles. Living in a remote village in Perak, his parents were ignorant about the disease and did not take prompt action which resulted in his blindness. At six, he was admitted to the St. Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang, where the stayed until he passed his LCE in 1966. After that he was trained as a telephone operator and because of his handicap, it took him years to get a job.
It was during his jobless years that he took up singing in an attempt to break the boredom. "It was a frustrating period in my life and I just had to do something to occupy myself and pass the time," recalled Alfred. "My love for music grew and I wrote in to Rediffusion for an audition. It was successful and I took part in a few variety shows organised by them," he said.
Then came his Bakat TV appearance where he qualified for the semi-finals. Alfred also participated in a few TV musicals such as, "Bintang Baru" and once appeared on "Andre Goh's Show". The fact that he tries his best to please the audience in his special way makes him very popular. "
Being blind is not the end of the world. "In fact, we should try harder to discover our inner qualities," he said. When asked whether he has any difficulty in travelling, Alfred said that the problem arises only in unfamiliar surroundings.
The Malay Mail - 9th Aug 1995
ALFRED HO ON STAGE
==================
The Actors Studio Theatre opens at Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka with a performance by singer Alfred Ho, who will be accompanied by The Gig Dancers.
Ho, who hails from Perak, has been crooning evergreens in the pub circuit for more than two decades. "I chose evergreens as my signature songs because they appeal to everyone. You'll find even the younger generation listening to oldies because not only are they soothing, they are meaningful as well," he says.
Ho, who became blind after an attack of measles at the age of three, has not let his handicap stand in the way of his aspirations. His passion for music goes back to his days at St. Nicholas School for the blind in Penang, where he learned to play the guitar. Unable to find a teacher to guide him, he decided to play the guitar on his own. He later formed a four-piece band called The Sharks which performed in pubs and at private functions.
After leaving the Gurney Training Centre where he received vocational training, he remained jobless for five years. Choosing not to sit back and depend on others, Ho kept himself busy working on songs which were later featured in his performances.
It was not easy for him to get a break. After years of struggle, he was finally auditioned by a local commercial broadcasting station which gave him the opportunity to do a show called Take Five. Those who heard Ho encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
Ho is thankful to friends and family who have given him support and encouragement which he describes as a boost to his singing career. The encouragement he received led him on to other achievements, among them, the chance to take part in the first series of the RTM singing contest in the early 70s, reaching the semi-finals.
It was also in the 1970s that Ho cut two EPs of his own compositions, including Train To Tennessee and Wendy's Love Song. After securing a full-time job with a local council, Ho continued singing part-time in pubs or entertaining at weddings and other functions. In 1984, he gave up his job as a telephone operator to go full swing into showbiz.
After many years in showbiz, Ho has no regrets. He says entertainment with all it's up and downs can be very fulfilling. Though going into business won't exactly be a breeze, he remains characteristically undeterred.
"I won't give up for as long as I have breath left in my body," he says.
==================
The Actors Studio Theatre opens at Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka with a performance by singer Alfred Ho, who will be accompanied by The Gig Dancers.
Ho, who hails from Perak, has been crooning evergreens in the pub circuit for more than two decades. "I chose evergreens as my signature songs because they appeal to everyone. You'll find even the younger generation listening to oldies because not only are they soothing, they are meaningful as well," he says.
Ho, who became blind after an attack of measles at the age of three, has not let his handicap stand in the way of his aspirations. His passion for music goes back to his days at St. Nicholas School for the blind in Penang, where he learned to play the guitar. Unable to find a teacher to guide him, he decided to play the guitar on his own. He later formed a four-piece band called The Sharks which performed in pubs and at private functions.
After leaving the Gurney Training Centre where he received vocational training, he remained jobless for five years. Choosing not to sit back and depend on others, Ho kept himself busy working on songs which were later featured in his performances.
It was not easy for him to get a break. After years of struggle, he was finally auditioned by a local commercial broadcasting station which gave him the opportunity to do a show called Take Five. Those who heard Ho encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
Ho is thankful to friends and family who have given him support and encouragement which he describes as a boost to his singing career. The encouragement he received led him on to other achievements, among them, the chance to take part in the first series of the RTM singing contest in the early 70s, reaching the semi-finals.
It was also in the 1970s that Ho cut two EPs of his own compositions, including Train To Tennessee and Wendy's Love Song. After securing a full-time job with a local council, Ho continued singing part-time in pubs or entertaining at weddings and other functions. In 1984, he gave up his job as a telephone operator to go full swing into showbiz.
After many years in showbiz, Ho has no regrets. He says entertainment with all it's up and downs can be very fulfilling. Though going into business won't exactly be a breeze, he remains characteristically undeterred.
"I won't give up for as long as I have breath left in my body," he says.
New Straits Times - 26th Nov 1990
HOW ALFRED HO GAUGES MOOD OF HIS AUDIENCE
=========================================
Blind musician Alfred Ho sees his audience with his mind's eye and the years of entertaining have enabled him to gauge their moods.
Blind since young, Alfred worked as a telephone operator in the Penang Municipal Council before quitting sometime in 1984 to sing full-time.
"When you can see the people's faces, it is much easier to gauge what they want. I have to listen for their applause or go by the night's requests to find out their response. Reading them with my ears isn't difficult really. When I don't hear the response I want, I would switch to other numbers until I hit the right ones."
Although this entertainer's favourites are oldies and country and western, he also sings Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay and contemporary numbers.
Alfred who likes P. Ramlee's songs and also yodels when he does country and western numbers, says he quit his job for showbiz because of the challenged involved.
Since going professional, Alfred has done stints in pubs, at functions and department stores in Kuala Lumpur and also performed at a leading hotel in Kuala Terengganu.
His most memorable moments in Ipoh have been the shows he did at the Royal Ipoh Club which he said was made possible by the late journalist John Kam, who helped arrange for his performance.
He also credited Royston Goh and Patrick Teoh as being responsible for starting him off on his singing career.
=========================================
Blind musician Alfred Ho sees his audience with his mind's eye and the years of entertaining have enabled him to gauge their moods.
Blind since young, Alfred worked as a telephone operator in the Penang Municipal Council before quitting sometime in 1984 to sing full-time.
"When you can see the people's faces, it is much easier to gauge what they want. I have to listen for their applause or go by the night's requests to find out their response. Reading them with my ears isn't difficult really. When I don't hear the response I want, I would switch to other numbers until I hit the right ones."
Although this entertainer's favourites are oldies and country and western, he also sings Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay and contemporary numbers.
Alfred who likes P. Ramlee's songs and also yodels when he does country and western numbers, says he quit his job for showbiz because of the challenged involved.
Since going professional, Alfred has done stints in pubs, at functions and department stores in Kuala Lumpur and also performed at a leading hotel in Kuala Terengganu.
His most memorable moments in Ipoh have been the shows he did at the Royal Ipoh Club which he said was made possible by the late journalist John Kam, who helped arrange for his performance.
He also credited Royston Goh and Patrick Teoh as being responsible for starting him off on his singing career.
The New Sunday Times - Sunday People (17th Oct 2004)
DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH ALFRED HO
================================
Perseverance and a love for perennial pop favourites drive Alfred Ho to sing. Although he has had to face more odds and obstacles than the average person, he relishes painting new mental pictures of the songs he sings over and over again.
By anyone's count, Ho is a veteran in the music circuit. He carved a name for himself in the 70's, singing the popular standards as well as his own compositions. He became a star of sorts when he entered Bakat TV, s popular talent contest organised by RTM. He didn't do too badly. He reached the semi-finals, a journey which led to other opportunities on radio and TV. Even today, he gets recognised in the streets.
Everything has changed since then. Contemporary hit songs are heavily saddled with bass beats, rap rhymes and crunching guitar sounds. In that realm of cacophony, Ho believes there's still a strong following for the pop evergreens. His repertoire spans everyone from Ray Charles, Johnny Horton, Elvis Presley to Cliff Richard.
"There are a lot of evergreen songs that I would love to share because they always sound good and bring happy feelings," enthuses Ho. "I enjoy the element of spontaneity because the audience tends to loosen up. By performing song requests, I expect that they will enjoy a slice of golden nostalgia."
After all these years, Ho sounds like someone whose faith in hope and joy is renewed each time he sings. In his heyday, he was often referred to as the "Jose Feliciano of Malaysia," a very flattering nickname considering that Feliciano is a six-time Grammy Award winning singer, guitarist and composer who was born blind.
Ho may not have a Grammy on his mantle shelf but like Feliciano he is blind, caused by a measles attack when he was three. Nothing, however, deterred this strong-willed man from trying to achieve his dream.
One fine day, Ho hopes to perform in Las Vegas. It may sound like an unattainable dream, but nothing seems impossible for Ho who used to attach rubber bands to a biscuit tin and then strummed it like a guitar. With help from a schoolmate, he learned a few basic chords and taught himself to play. By the time he reached adulthood, he had polished up his guitar-playing skills and even composed a few songs.
He did not have any formal musical training or family support but Ho was always confident and wanted a chance to prove himself. His lucky break came when he asked a local radio station for an audition to play music on a show. They asked him to appear on a show called TAKE FIVE alongside some radio personalities, one of whom was Patrick Teoh. With encouragement from friends, he entered Bakat TV and the rest of the story...well, the story has many more chapters to go.
Unfortunately, such opportunities have been few and far between. Ho feels there is a lot of discrimination towards disabled performers based on his many experiences where people have expressed interest in his work only to withdraw when they learned that he is blind. He is also saddened by the lack of support from blind associations and other organisations.
But these are minor setbacks as Ho is an optimist. Today, he brims with enthusiasm for just the chance to share his songs with an audience. All the better if they sing along with him.
================================
Perseverance and a love for perennial pop favourites drive Alfred Ho to sing. Although he has had to face more odds and obstacles than the average person, he relishes painting new mental pictures of the songs he sings over and over again.
By anyone's count, Ho is a veteran in the music circuit. He carved a name for himself in the 70's, singing the popular standards as well as his own compositions. He became a star of sorts when he entered Bakat TV, s popular talent contest organised by RTM. He didn't do too badly. He reached the semi-finals, a journey which led to other opportunities on radio and TV. Even today, he gets recognised in the streets.
Everything has changed since then. Contemporary hit songs are heavily saddled with bass beats, rap rhymes and crunching guitar sounds. In that realm of cacophony, Ho believes there's still a strong following for the pop evergreens. His repertoire spans everyone from Ray Charles, Johnny Horton, Elvis Presley to Cliff Richard.
"There are a lot of evergreen songs that I would love to share because they always sound good and bring happy feelings," enthuses Ho. "I enjoy the element of spontaneity because the audience tends to loosen up. By performing song requests, I expect that they will enjoy a slice of golden nostalgia."
After all these years, Ho sounds like someone whose faith in hope and joy is renewed each time he sings. In his heyday, he was often referred to as the "Jose Feliciano of Malaysia," a very flattering nickname considering that Feliciano is a six-time Grammy Award winning singer, guitarist and composer who was born blind.
Ho may not have a Grammy on his mantle shelf but like Feliciano he is blind, caused by a measles attack when he was three. Nothing, however, deterred this strong-willed man from trying to achieve his dream.
One fine day, Ho hopes to perform in Las Vegas. It may sound like an unattainable dream, but nothing seems impossible for Ho who used to attach rubber bands to a biscuit tin and then strummed it like a guitar. With help from a schoolmate, he learned a few basic chords and taught himself to play. By the time he reached adulthood, he had polished up his guitar-playing skills and even composed a few songs.
He did not have any formal musical training or family support but Ho was always confident and wanted a chance to prove himself. His lucky break came when he asked a local radio station for an audition to play music on a show. They asked him to appear on a show called TAKE FIVE alongside some radio personalities, one of whom was Patrick Teoh. With encouragement from friends, he entered Bakat TV and the rest of the story...well, the story has many more chapters to go.
Unfortunately, such opportunities have been few and far between. Ho feels there is a lot of discrimination towards disabled performers based on his many experiences where people have expressed interest in his work only to withdraw when they learned that he is blind. He is also saddened by the lack of support from blind associations and other organisations.
But these are minor setbacks as Ho is an optimist. Today, he brims with enthusiasm for just the chance to share his songs with an audience. All the better if they sing along with him.
The Star - Feb 2001
by Allan Koay
UPHILL ALL THE WAY FOR HO
========================
Alfred Ho is in dire straits, or so he laments. "I can get by with at least one show a month," says Ho. "But now, I don't even get one show a month..and I have to live on my savings."
Even so, Ho isn't one to rest on his laurels and await handouts. He has recorded a new album which he hopes will help ease his financial woes.
NOSTALGIA GOLD, Ho's latest album of 24 songs, continues in almost the same vein as his previous albums. Almost, because this time around, it's not only rare old songs, but also some common or better-known hits from the 1980's and early 1990's.
"Those who buy my Cd's know that my concept is always old favourites," says Ho. But this time around, he decided to make the album more accessible by including songs that people can easily recognise and enjoy.
NOSTALGIA GOLD includes songs like the two-stepping ACKY BREAKY HEART, the Eagles' TEQUILA SUNRISE, ROSES ARE RED, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, HEY GOOD LOOKING and Nilson's EVERY BODY'S TALKING.
"It's a good selection of songs that will probably reach across the board to please many listeners." And from the sound of the recording, it is clear that the production has been handled professionally, which is one of Ho's self-imposed requirements.
"When we do an album, we have to conform to the normal standards," says Ho. "It's better to have a good backing band. During a show, it's okay for me to play the guitar alone to a rhythm machine. But on an album, because people will keep it for a life-time, it has to be as good as possible. Only if I were as well known as, say Paul McCartney, then I can do an unplugged album. But I'm not, so I don't want to take the risk. I'm financing this album myself."
However, the album faces an uncertain future, since there is practically no advertising or backing from any recording company. It would obviously be difficult to sell the album without any form of marketing.
NOSTALGIA GOLD is Ho's fourth album, the other three being, SPECIAL GEMS, LOVE SONGS IN GOLD and NOSTALGIC COUNTRY AND EVERGREEN FAVOURITES. The singer-guitarist has always produced his own albums, but one thing he has yet to do is include some of his own compositions, although he did release two EP Vinyls of originals earlier in his career.
"I still feel it's not the time for me to put my own songs into my albums," explains Ho. "I'm not a household name yet, so I don't know how much people are willing to accept that. So far, I still don't have the confidence."
These days, he says, his songs hardly get airplay on radio stations. Asked if it's because today's music caters more for youngsters who may not take to old songs that enthusiastically, Ho says it's not necessarily so.
"I know because when I play an old song in the shopping complexes, they will ask my wife if it's a new song, because they like it," says the Perak born singer. "My songs are more for those in their 30's, 40's and 50's. But then, I don't see why youngsters can't also enjoy my music. This time around, I've included some new songs, so I've not forgotten them." But he cautions : "Of course you can improve on these old songs, but I don't think you need to change them so drastically. Recording techniques in the old days weren't as good as the new ones. And you will have to improve on that. But I don't think you have to change it 100%."
Ho became blind at the age of three after a bout of measles. He studied at the St Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang. There he developed a love for music and learnt how to play the guitar by himself. His talent came to public prominence after performing on a show called TAKE FIVE on Rediffusion in 1971. In 1983, he made a hard decision to quit his 10-year old job as a telephone operator to become a full-time entertainer. Since then, his career has been a uphill battle against a difficult music industry and unscrupulous characters but through it all, Ho never relinquished his dreams.
He believes that opportunity should be given to handicapped individuals for their talents to flourish and that they should not all be forced to become basket-weavers or telephone operators.
"People think that because I have made albums, I'm doing very well," says Ho. "But it is not so. Many people do not realise this."
UPHILL ALL THE WAY FOR HO
========================
Alfred Ho is in dire straits, or so he laments. "I can get by with at least one show a month," says Ho. "But now, I don't even get one show a month..and I have to live on my savings."
Even so, Ho isn't one to rest on his laurels and await handouts. He has recorded a new album which he hopes will help ease his financial woes.
NOSTALGIA GOLD, Ho's latest album of 24 songs, continues in almost the same vein as his previous albums. Almost, because this time around, it's not only rare old songs, but also some common or better-known hits from the 1980's and early 1990's.
"Those who buy my Cd's know that my concept is always old favourites," says Ho. But this time around, he decided to make the album more accessible by including songs that people can easily recognise and enjoy.
NOSTALGIA GOLD includes songs like the two-stepping ACKY BREAKY HEART, the Eagles' TEQUILA SUNRISE, ROSES ARE RED, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, HEY GOOD LOOKING and Nilson's EVERY BODY'S TALKING.
"It's a good selection of songs that will probably reach across the board to please many listeners." And from the sound of the recording, it is clear that the production has been handled professionally, which is one of Ho's self-imposed requirements.
"When we do an album, we have to conform to the normal standards," says Ho. "It's better to have a good backing band. During a show, it's okay for me to play the guitar alone to a rhythm machine. But on an album, because people will keep it for a life-time, it has to be as good as possible. Only if I were as well known as, say Paul McCartney, then I can do an unplugged album. But I'm not, so I don't want to take the risk. I'm financing this album myself."
However, the album faces an uncertain future, since there is practically no advertising or backing from any recording company. It would obviously be difficult to sell the album without any form of marketing.
NOSTALGIA GOLD is Ho's fourth album, the other three being, SPECIAL GEMS, LOVE SONGS IN GOLD and NOSTALGIC COUNTRY AND EVERGREEN FAVOURITES. The singer-guitarist has always produced his own albums, but one thing he has yet to do is include some of his own compositions, although he did release two EP Vinyls of originals earlier in his career.
"I still feel it's not the time for me to put my own songs into my albums," explains Ho. "I'm not a household name yet, so I don't know how much people are willing to accept that. So far, I still don't have the confidence."
These days, he says, his songs hardly get airplay on radio stations. Asked if it's because today's music caters more for youngsters who may not take to old songs that enthusiastically, Ho says it's not necessarily so.
"I know because when I play an old song in the shopping complexes, they will ask my wife if it's a new song, because they like it," says the Perak born singer. "My songs are more for those in their 30's, 40's and 50's. But then, I don't see why youngsters can't also enjoy my music. This time around, I've included some new songs, so I've not forgotten them." But he cautions : "Of course you can improve on these old songs, but I don't think you need to change them so drastically. Recording techniques in the old days weren't as good as the new ones. And you will have to improve on that. But I don't think you have to change it 100%."
Ho became blind at the age of three after a bout of measles. He studied at the St Nicholas School for the Blind in Penang. There he developed a love for music and learnt how to play the guitar by himself. His talent came to public prominence after performing on a show called TAKE FIVE on Rediffusion in 1971. In 1983, he made a hard decision to quit his 10-year old job as a telephone operator to become a full-time entertainer. Since then, his career has been a uphill battle against a difficult music industry and unscrupulous characters but through it all, Ho never relinquished his dreams.
He believes that opportunity should be given to handicapped individuals for their talents to flourish and that they should not all be forced to become basket-weavers or telephone operators.
"People think that because I have made albums, I'm doing very well," says Ho. "But it is not so. Many people do not realise this."
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