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By Maureen Koh
IT'S not just a hot spot in the heartlands for raucous fun, flamboyant dressing and risque acts.
For some such as former jailbirds and bankrupts, the getai ground is a second chance to make good.
And for the downtrodden, the circuit offers a fresh breath of life.
Industry veterans - from getai organisers to artistes and seventh-month committees - said that such performers get another shot at life thanks to the humanity and humility in the heartlands.
Prolific getai organiser Aaron Tan, 34, of Lex(s) Entertainment Productions told The New Paper on Sunday: "It's not just a unique Singapore culture, getai is also a heartland culture.
"People are more down-to-earth and ex-offenders have it easier in trying to connect with the public."
Like these three who have turned over a new leaf.
Popular Hokkien crooner and emcee Jun Long, 47, was sentenced to three months' jail for drink-driving in 2008.
Zhong Yaonan, 50, spent six months in drug rehabilitation and another six months in home detention in 2006 for taking drugs.
Chen Jinlang, who died of cancer in 2006, had been sentenced to four months' jail in 2005. He had been declared a bankrupt in 2004 but left the country 36 times without official permission.
The three didn't experience a dip in their popularity and found it relatively easy to return to the getai stage.
Just like it was for keyboardist Rex Ng, 40, who plays for a getai band.
The former marketing executive had spent eight months in drug rehab in 2004 and could not find a proper job after his release.
Mr Ng said: "It was odd job after odd job and I was getting desperate."
It didn't help that he and his wife had mounting debts to clear.
He recalled: "I was almost at my wits' end when I bumped into (band leader) Henry (Liao). He was looking for someone to join his newly-formed band to play at a series of getai shows."
Mr Ng added: "I was so worried when we met the first getai organiser - I'd expected him to reject us because of my record."
Forgiving
Getai organiser James Lim, 49, who gave Mr Ng that chance, said: "People make mistakes and the heartland audience has a bigger capacity (in their hearts) to be forgiving as long you don't repeat the mistake."
Mr Lim has also given a sound man who wanted to be known only as Ah Hei a chance.
He had been jailed for "some months" for rioting and fighting, and could not find a proper job after his release.
Ah Hei, 39, said: "Through Rex, I got to know James, who offered me a job when he found out I'd previously worked as a sound technician."
Ah Hei also doubles up as a bouncer to keep mischief makers at bay.
Mr Lim said: "It's easier for him to help keep an eye out as he can spot the trouble signs easily."
Those who are struggling to make a living, repay debts or recover from a bad marriage also find hope in getai.
Seven out of 10 artistes have complicated family backgrounds or have poor financial standing, said Mr Tan.
He said: "What they go through resonates with the heartlanders because chances are, some would have experienced adversity at one time or another."
Zhang Xiong, 18, said that getai has given him the passport to a better life. His parents are coffee shop assistants and he has a younger sister in Secondary 2.
Zhang, who has completed his N levels, said: "Other than a chance to do something I enjoy - singing - I can also earn money to contribute to the family's income."
He is grateful to his mentor, Wang Lei, who coaches him.
He is also thankful to Mr Tan, who helped with grooming his image and wardrobe-fitting.
Zhang said: "Not only did Aaron give me the platform to perform, he also bought some sets of outfits because he knew I couldn't afford to spend that kind of money."
The young man is not taking things for granted.
He said: "Getai is not just about performing too. It's a chance for us, the younger ones, to learn manners, gratitude and respect.
"When you get the break, you should work harder and repay everyone, including the audience who come to support you."
Top female getai personality Liu Lingling is a testimony of the kind of changeover that getai can bring.
She grew up in a dirt-poor village in Johor, Malaysia, and does not even have a picture of herself as a baby.
In a previous interview, Ms Liu, 39, said: "My mother later said we didn't even have enough money for food, how could we have afforded to take photos?"
She started on the getai circuit when she was only eight.
Tenacious
Ms Liu's getai earnings have gone into paying off her family's debts and those allegedly incurred by her husband, who disappeared eight years ago.
But it's something she wishes to put behind her.
Ms Liu said: "I'd rather focus on now and the future even though I must admit, I would not be where I am today if not for getai."
Mr Tan admires the tenacity usually associated with getai artistes. He said: "If you look at it, it's their way of dealing with the hard knocks and challenges that life throws at them.
"Actually, just running from stage to stage every night for a whole month already tells you it takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work."
Or, as housewife Chua Meizhen, 46, an avid getai fan, said: "They dare to do. I can only dream of it.
"And so, the next best thing for me to do is to come and show my support."
Renovation contractor Yeo Bin-an, 50, added: "Who cares what their background is? I come to watch their performance and go home satisfied when it's a good show.
"If anything, that they have such colourful backgrounds adds a touch of reality and makes them real - just like you and me."
"What they go through resonates with the heartlanders because, chances are, some would have experienced adversity at one time or another."
Escape from their past
ZHONG YAONAN, 50
- Six months in drug rehab, six months on home detention in 2006
JUN LONG, 47
- Jailed three months for drink driving in 2008
ZHANG XIONG, 18
- Eldest son of coffee shop assistants, sister in Sec 2
LIU LINGLING, 39
- From dirt-poor family in Johor, getai earnings pay off family debts
This article was first published in The New Paper.
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