
Entertainment
JAPANESE SINGER ENDORSES RICHIE STEPHENS’ COVER OF HIS 1971 ORIGINAL
RICHIE STEPHENS’ COVER OF HIS 1971 ORIGINAL
VP Records representative in Japan Koji Yawata said “Mary Jane” is still a big song in Japan. He said the song has been covered by many Japanese and for 2012 earned more than US$30,000 from master & publishing rights.
Celebrated Japanese singer/drummer Hiro Tsunoda wrote and recorded the original song, which became the biggest hit of his career. Tsunoda recently took to YouTube to pay tribute to Richie’s rendition of his song.
“Hi Richie…My name is Hiro” he said in his thick Japanese accent. “I heard your song. Of course my song is nice but your song is excellent. I love it! Someday I will see you.”
Richie, who had a chance to watch the video tribute, was moved to tears by what he saw and heard on the clip.
“When I first heard the song, I fell in love with it immediately” he recalled. “I feel its a great honor to receive such a powerful endorsement from the original singer. My heart is overjoyed to see Mr Hiro’s video message saying that he loves my rendition very much. Once again its truly a blessing.”
VP Records/VPAL Label Manager in New York, Donovan Williams said, “’Live Your Life’ is anexcellent album produced by Danny Browine. The collaboration is a great accomplishment and achievement for Richie Stephens and Gentleman.”
“A few months ago, I was asked to do the song in a dub plate style for a Japanese sound system” Stephens noted.
“When I listened to the song a few times, it felt like it was written for me. Truth be told, I was hooked! I was so into it, I didn’t wait long before I recorded the song. Hiro is someone who sings from the heart. I would love to record a song with him someday” he confessed.
So far the success of “Mary Jane” is opening up doors and opportunities that were not on the table a few months ago. “Japan is a favorite country of mine to perform and based on conversations that are going on now with my booking agent and promoters in Japan, I think a tour is definitely in the making” he gushed.
“Live Your Life” was release by VPAL (Sub Label of VP Records) and is available on iTunes and at all major music retail outlets.
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