During the past few years there has been a trend towards change within the Chinese music industry. One of the most distinctive aspects has been a fusion of folk songs and the popular pop melodies. Due to the increasingly competitive nature of the music industry, singers, regardless of whether in song writing, design, or production, must conform to the rising standards of the listening public.

Besides just relying on strong record sales as a meter for professional success, television has come to play an important role in projecting the singer's performing image. Singers now have to not only sing, but perform as well.

In order to encourage this movement towards the "performance" aspect of singing presentation, the broadcasting industry in 1980 made a subtle, but distinct change to the Golden Bell Best Singer Award. Instead of "best singer", the award was upgraded to "best singing performer", a nod to the new importance performing plays in the determination of the singer's art.

The past two years have seen the emergence of a host of interesting, versatile singers. Ling Feng and Ch'en Shu-hwa are two representative examples. Ling Feng humorously commented on their victories at this year's awards by saying, "I am this ugly man, and Ch'en Shu-hwa is a beauty, it is evident then that the judges have developed an eye for variety in their selections."

Despite their rather disparate appearances, Ch'en Shu-hwa and Ling Feng share many similar traits, traits that have finally brought them the highest recognition an artist can earn, the Golden Bell Award. Both are seasoned veterans of the music industry, Ling Feng having pursued his career for over 20 years, while the youthful Miss Ch'en has diligently worked at her craft for eight years. They are also both consummate professionals, who work on all aspects of performing.

In 1983, for example, the "Yu Chin Hsiang" show, which Ling Feng had produced and hosted, had been nominated in three categories and seemed destined for success, but when the night was over, Ling Feng went home empty-handed. This year, though, the popular and passionate singer had resolved to come back, and win he did, with the "Weekend Eight O'Clock" show. Ling Feng cannot be considered strictly a singer. An extremely versatile performer, he also dances, produces, writes, and hosts shows.

Ling Feng links his rise to changes in the music world. "Audiences now look at the whole performance. You can't fake it. They look at the music and lyrics, the choreography, everything. There are more specialists and competition becomes finer. Now they're not willing to accept just a pretty face. You need individuality."

When he left the army in 1968, he went to sing at the First Hotel, where he came to know a customer, Hsu Hsi-che. A dispute at the hotel later led to Ling Feng's being fired and considering working as a gambling house bodyguard to support himself. When Hsu got wind of this, he went to Ling Feng and strongly encouraged him to continue singing.

Ling Feng recalls, "He was a businessman, very well cultured. He said, 'It's not a kid's game. You've got to develop your talent, all aspects of your art before the audience will accept you."

After returning in 1970 from a rewarding stint in Hong Kong he was still unknown and basically had to start from scratch. His monthly salary, which originally was only NT$10,000 per month jumped to NT$70,000 within a year, largely due to small TV roles. Owing to his versatility and tenacity, Ling Feng's opportunities grew considerably.

At the 1981 Golden Bell Awards, he showed his witty self-deprecatory sense of humor. Notorious in the news bureau for the eccentricity of their performances, he wrote a tonque-in-cheek speech for Kao Ling-feng, describing their relationship with the bureau. The speech came as a surprise and let on that here was not just an ordinary singer. That same year, he single-handedly launched a variety show, participating in the writing and production, as well as performing.

"Yu Chin Hsiang" featured Ling Feng in a variety of roles, and won an enthusiastic audience response and three Golden Bell nominations, which made his empty harvest at the award ceremony all the more difficult to bear.

Ling Feng, however, soon recovered from this setback and plunged into new projects. With last year's "Weekend Eight O'Clock", which won the Golden Bell Award for best variety show, Ling Feng received the award for best male singer.

Ling Feng believes in fate but is not superstitious. "I believe an artist must first have the ability, the experience and the commitment before fate enters the picture." A thoughtful and subtle man, Ling Feng is a voracious reader devouring eight papers daily and thirty magazines a month. He has designed one room in his home to serve as a library for the collection of these magazine and newspaper clippings.

Ling Feng is an artist extremely concerned about his appearance and what others think of him. As his career develops, he is able to accept that he does not resemble an "artist," and relies on his intelligence and ability to win over audiences. An unabashed idealist, he asks a great deal of his environment and his work. Owing to his high standards, he has gone from network to network, without settling in any one program slot. He still remains energetic, full of ideas for new shows and songs, which tend now toward matters of public concern. Some call him a dreamer, but he doesn't mind. Ling Feng knows the future will not be easy, but that didn't stop him before and certainly won't stop him now.

Just before the presentation of this year's Golden Bell Awards record producer T'an Chien-ch'ang offered some friendly advice to Ch'en Shu-hwa, nominated for television's best female singing performer. T'an told his talented charge that, "if you win, you can cry on stage, if not, you are best to wait until you get home to shed your tears."

On the night of March 24, in front of a live audience attending the awards as well as the millions more watching at home, Ch'en Shu-hwa finally realized the dream of every performer, winning the highly coveted Golden Bell Award. This award, contested each year, represents one of the highest achievements a performer can earn.

Winning was extra sweet for Ch'en Shu-hwa as she was previously selected for nomination in 1984, only to have it rejected by the selection committee. At that time, the dejected Miss Ch'en stayed at home for a week, refusing to talk about the awards.

The judges selected her for the award citing her expressive voice and natural delivery in their critical appraisal. Her producer T'an Chien-ch'ang says Ch'en Shu-hwa is a determined singer and a consummate professional. Whether it be a country melody, rock and roll, a lively pop song, or traditional Chinese lyric, Ch'en Shu-hwa is at home with them all. Her expressive, pristine voice is especially suited for romantic love songs. Besides being an expert song stylist, she also shows strong technique in the studio.

Despite a childhood love for singing, Ch'en Shu-hwa received an early setback when she went with her mother to audition for a children's choir. After the audition, one of the adjudicators told her mother that the young Shu-hwa's voice was too rough, and it would be best if she forgot about singing. Her mother, determined to find a way to help her daughter's voice, collected a plethora of information on cures. Obediently following her mother's advice, Miss Ch'en swallowed a raw egg each day for one year. Surprisingly, this remedy seemed to work, for her voice became richer, and less rough. Even today, in order to protect her instrument, Ch'en Shu-hwa does not eat spicy or cold foods.

Singing throughout her youth, Miss Ch'en concentrated on Western popular songs. She began to sing nights in a large hotel while majoring in dance at the Cultural College during the day. This led to some television work as well, but as Miss Ch'en herself admits, it was all quite unplanned and free from any pressure. After graduation, however, she came to realize that after singing for so long she had not established any distinctive style. She was, as she has said in her own words, just another singer with a good voice. The major turning point in her career came in 1982 when song writer Wong Ch'ing-hsi approached her about singing his composition "Promise Me Tonight" in the tenth World Song Contest held in Tokyo. Realizing that this was a great opportunity, Miss Ch'en worked with Wong for three months. Her rehearsals however, did not prepare her for the intense atmosphere of the contest, and Ch'en Shu-hwa soon realized the real dedication and work that being a professional singer entailed. While not placing among the top group, the experience was invaluable. She saw that singing alone was not enough; a professional singer also paid attention to detail and attitude.

Off the stage as on, Ch'en Shu-hwa is a consummate artist. She leads a simple, quiet life. Friendly, she points out that she has been fortunate, having been brought up in a loving, comfortable family environment. This coupled with the fact she has not had the time to indulge in a real romance may not be conducive for greater musical expression. Her producer has humorously advised her to take some time off to have a romance in order to make further singing breakthroughs.

Enthusiastic and not afraid to take chances, Ch'en Shu-hwa is a model of determination and hard work. Her win at this year's Golden Bell Awards was a victory for all those who dedicate themselves to their goal.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. A consummate singing artist, Ch'en Shu-hwa not only has a lovely voice and appearance. she is a proficient dancer as well. 2. Ch'en Shuhwa's latest recording "Journeying to Far Places," contains a romantic flavor reminiscent of the frontiers of northwest China. Pictured is a professional stylist helping her decide on a design.

1. Standing on stage with tears of happiness in her eyes, Ch'en Shu-hwa receives the 20th edition of the Golden Bell Award for the best female singing performer. 2. At the reception sponsored by the Government Information Office to honor the nominees, Ch'en Shu-hwa trades some singing secrets with fellow nominee Su Jui (left). 3. As her fingers move lightly across the strings, Ch'en Shu-hwa's soaring voice expressively interprets the Chinese song, "The Dream of the Red Chamber."

1. Ling Feng sports an eye-catching pose on his latest album "The Singer Crossing the Terrain." 2. Realizing he can't depend on his looks, Ling Feng must sing each song well.

1. Exuberantly happy, Ling Feng proudly raises his award and says, "Finally the late spring has arrived." 2,3. During performances Ling Feng will alter his appearance to comply with the song, be it a casual drifter, or a valiant football player.

2. Ch'en Shuhwa's latest recording "Journeying to Far Places," contains a romantic flavor reminiscent of the frontiers of northwest China. Pictured is a professional stylist helping her decide on a design.

1. Standing on stage with tears of happiness in her eyes, Ch'en Shu-hwa receives the 20th edition of the Golden Bell Award for the best female singing performer.

2. At the reception sponsored by the Government Information Office to honor the nominees, Ch'en Shu-hwa trades some singing secrets with fellow nominee Su Jui （left.

3. As her fingers move lightly across the strings, Ch'en Shu-hwa's soaring voice expressively interprets the Chinese song, "The Dream of the Red Chamber.".

1. Ling Feng sports an eye-catching pose on his latest album "The Singer Crossing the Terrain.

2. Realizing he can't depend on his looks, Ling Feng must sing each song well.

1. Exuberantly happy, Ling Feng proudly raises his award and says, "Finally the late spring has arrived.

2,3. During performances Ling Feng will alter his appearance to comply with the song, be it a casual drifter, or a valiant football player.

2,3. During performances Ling Feng will alter his appearance to comply with the song, be it a casual drifter, or a valiant football player.