Another shot at fame

KPN Award – the oldest singing contest in Thailand – turns 25 this year and has decided to celebrate the momentous event by bringing back 24 of the contestants who have appeared on the show from the beginning through last year.

“We wanted to do something special to celebrate our 25th year, and I thought it would be cool to reunite contestants we have welcomed to our show over the last 24 years,” says Korn Narongdej, vice president of KPN Group and chief executive of KPN Award.

“I believe in second chances.

“My initial idea was to pick only contestants from the last four or five years but that changed during our discussions. We weren’t all that confident that the 24 former contestants would want to return to stage. All of them have found fame in their own right whether as professional singers, music instructors or in other professions. We also have some contestants from KPN Junior. It will be fun to see the professional singers and music instructors competing against each other.

“The veterans and the youngsters face both advantages and disadvantages. The veteran contestants won’t be used to the technology we use today in the lights and sound systems while the younger ones have a lot less experience,” he adds.

The 24 who have accepted the invitation to take part are Eak, Looktarn, Lookpla, Maikaew, Oat, Adam, Arm, Joy, Art, Pong, Kemp, Daoke, Karn, Bee, Pui, Nui, Lookpad, Koi, Eing Eing, Oum, Torruk, Tip, Sunny, and Jern Jern.

“It’s as exciting as it was the first time,” enthuses Jern Jern, who now sings professionally. “It’s a great feeling being back on the stage that was so much part of my life. And I am so grateful to KPN for smoothing the way to my career in the music circle.”

For this 25th year, the three commentators are singer, songwriter and producer Suthipong Wattanajang, Nontiya Jewbangpa, who was picked as the Best Singer of Siam Kollakarn in 1988, and Winai Suksaweang, aka DJ Jea Mam. 

The judges are Jitrakorn “A” Mongkoltham, a former member of XL Step and behind the success of many artists such as Tata Young, Christina Aguilar, Peck Palitchok, Nop Pornchamni, Golf-Mike, Ice Sarunyu and Marsha Vadhanapanich; Sama Suaysod, voted the Best Singer of Thailand in 1992; Teeranai “Nammon” na Nongkhai who won the Best Solo Female Artist award from Kom Chad Luek in 2011; Dr Den Euprasert, dean of Rangsit University Conservatory of Music; and music instructor Rungrodj Dullapan.

“KPN Award introduced the ‘Battle’ concept to respond to criticisms that only good looking singers could win. We were the first to do that,” Korn says.

The winner of this 25th KPN Award will receive a trophy from His Majesty the King, Bt1 million in cash and a Nissan Teana.

 

SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT

 

- This 25th KPN Award is being broadcast on Channel 3 and Channel 33 HD. The competition kicks off today at 5.25pm.