MARTIN NIEVERA remains to be one of the most sought after Pinoy concert artists in the USA. His shows are usually sold out affairs, like his coming concert with Morisette at Grayton Casino in San Francisco.
It’s still on June 2, but all tickets have already been sold! There’s a second show on June 3 at Fantasy Spring Resort Casino and this one still have remaining tickets left.
Martin has worked with the best Pinay divas like Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha and of course, Pops Fernandez. How does it feel doing a concert now with the very young Morisette?
“When I work, I always like to work with the best,” he says.
“And no doubt that Morisette is one of the best today. Everybody just loves her. She has a beautiful voice and a beautiful personality. When she sings, the audience, their jaws drop, it’s mindblowing.
Morisette is so grateful to him and considers him as one her mentors.
“I’m really proud of her kasi in such a short time, naging equal siya ng bigger artists. I’m very excited to do another show with her to see what kind of magic we can do together now.
"It’s very heartwarming that at my age, after 41 years in showbiz, I still get to sing with talented younger artists like Morisette.”
Martin is now 61 but he really looks younger than his age.
“I’m just happy that at my age, there’s still a demand for singers like myself. Wow, andito pa ko. And I haven’t lost my enthusiasm for performing.
"I’m always excited specially when I am performing for our kababayans abroad. My place is for me to do the 80s and 90s hit songs for the parents and the newer songs will come from Morisette.
"We are here to perform and inspire as long as there is an audience who want to watch us.”
Performing with the internationally renowned David Foster also excites him.
“David is doing his residency at Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas and he wants me to perform with him, Siguro, later, si Morisette din. This will surely open doors for other local singers.”
Since he shared his experience as the father of a special child with autism, Santino, Martin has been active in the foundation that aims to foster awareness about autism, Sing Out for Autism or SOFA.
They had a successful concert at M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas on April 2 and it was very successful.
“It’s a non-profit organization that aims to help families and children affected by autism. We educate, support, help bridge and connect these families to available resources.
"We want more acceptance and for people to also see the world through the eyes of an autistic child. We hope to bring SOFA to other cities and maybe later the Philippines.
"Awareness and acceptance, advocacy and action.
"That’s the four A’s of autism. We don’t have to apologize to our neighbors and other people because our child has autism.
"My son Santino is now 16 years old and taller than me at 6 feet tall.”
