(815) MUSIC AND ME (August 28, 2014) JOHNNY B -- FIRST PALAUAN RECORDING ARTIST

JOHNNY B AND HIS AUNTIES AT PRR ON CHRISTMAS DAY
     The first Palauan recording artist Johnny B had dinner at Palau Royal Resort's Waves Restaurant on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 2013. Roberto Hernandez, left, didn't let go the opportunity to have a photo with his colleague. At the other long table, Melwert Tmechtul, his wife Lazar, and 3 kids were having dinner also. The kids (Keo, Dirramong and Nirblush were piano students of Roberto in 2005.
                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 

                       JOHNNY B
     FIRST PALAUAN RECORDING ARTIST

His first recorded song is entitled "Air Micronesia", referring to the Continental Micronesia Airlines, who monopolized the Palau airspace for quite sometime until recently even with the merging of Continental and United Airlines and now being called "United Airlines".

Johnny B played with Roberto Hernandez at Image Restaurant for a few days.

He recorded one Palauan Christmas song "Belau For Christmas" which was sung the Palau Royal Resort Choir in early December of 2012.

Nobody knows that it will be the last Christmas choir presentation of PRR because Roberto is not working anymore at the Purchasing Department (2pm-5pm).

That last choir presentation was the best ever, with applause from the crowd as they appreciate the combination of "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon, Belau for Christmas by Johnny B, The Twelve Days of Christmas with numbers 1-12 being shown by choir members in front, and Feliz Navidad (with the combination of English and Palauan version).

HERE'S THE LYRICS OF BELAU FOR CHRISTMAS:

                        BELAU FOR CHRISTMAS

I'M COMIN' HOME TO BELAU FOR CHRISTMAS, 
FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN THE ISLAND WAYS.

I'M GOIN' HOME TO BELAU FOR CHRISTMAS.
TO MY ISLAND FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

CHORUS:
     WE'LL TAKE A BOAT RIDE
     ROCK ISLAND
     WE WILL HAVE A BARBECUE.
    AND SING PALAUAN SONGS TOGETHER
    TILL THE LIGHT OF DAWN COME THROUGH.

(Repeat 1st and 2nd stanza)
AD LIB:
(Repeat Chorus and 2nd stanza)

CODA:   To my island friends and family.

**Note: Belau is the old name of Palau.


During that Christmas 2013, Melwert Tmechtul and his family and Taiwanese friends are there also. 

The 3 kids of Melwert (Keo, Dirramong and Nirblush) were piano students of Roberto from 2005-2006.

     

   
Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             December 2013
             To be published as a book in the future