Forte

[Libby]

Fernando Varela recently auditioned for America's Got Talent with 2 other guys, and they called themselves Forte. There was Fernando, a guy from Korea (I can't catch his name), and Josh Page. I saw the audition weeks ago, of 3 guys who had only just met online, but it never occurred to me that the guy from Puerto Rico (named Fernando, no less) was none other than Fernando Varela!! I only just realized it the other day during the Vegas call-backs. I was watching, and all of a sudden, I thought, wait a minute... I've seen him before, and it wasn't just on AGT!

Watch their first audition here, singing Pie Jesu: fernandovarela.com/index4.php

Unfortunately, the Korean guy, who I really, really liked, pulled out of the group, so they had to find another member, who is from Sri Lanka. He's really good, too, and Howard Stern thought he was better than the other 2 guys!

Watch Here, The Prayer: www.rickey.org/forte-the-prayer-americas-got-talent-8/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=forte-the-prayer-americas-got-talent-8

Another interesting tidbit: I read that Josh Page has performed with Jackie Evancho before. I didn't care for his tone so much, though, it wasn't very extraordinary, especially in Pie Jesu. I definitely have heard better, including the other 2 members. I'm used to girls, women, or young boys singing it. But they definitely sound great together. Actually I winced at one part when they all came together, but hopefully they'll work that out. I actually the thought they sounded better together with the newer guy, even though the Korean guy sounded great by himself.

They made it through to the live shows! I'm excited for this group even more now.

So, no wonder "that guy" was so good, he's already a "real" singer!

There are 2 other excellent tenors (I think) who have made it through, and they are also very good. The one guy is only 15 years old, but you wouldn't know it by his voice! It's actually pretty outstanding, though tenor voices often irritate me. I find that I'm able to tolerate them better now, though. I think it's just certain singers who have an extra harsh tone that I can't endure.

[Libby]

When you search for Fernando Varela on youtube, on the first page you find one video of him and Hayley singing The Prayer in Singapore, which Fernando himself uploaded!...But it appears below one of him singing it with his wife. I'm glad I found the video, though, and I'm glad it's one with Hayley wearing that extra beautiful gown and her hair looking fabulous!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tnYn-dVnBU

He spelled Hayley wrong in the description though. Luckily it's correct in the title, which is more important.

If Forte become more famous because of AGT, Fernando will just have to invite Hayley to sing with him and the other guys. However, I'm concerned that if people discover that Fenrando already has David Foster behind him, they'll be less likely to vote for them. That's what has happened with American Idol contestants in the past, when it was discovered that they already had some deal going on. It's understandable, because it seems unfair compared to other contestants who haven't had that chance yet. Hopefully nobody will care in this case, though.

[Simba]

Yeah you know I've always waited for a contestant of X factor or something to have Hayley as their idol so that in the final celebrity duet Hayley gets to perform on one of TV's biggest shows XD

[martindn]

Jul 24, 2013 22:33:44 GMT Libby said:

When you search for Fernando Varela on youtube, on the first page you find one video of him and Hayley singing The Prayer in Singapore, which Fernando himself uploaded! I'm glad I found the video, though, and I'm glad it's one with Hayley wearing that extra beautiful gown and her hair looking fabulous!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tnYn-dVnBU

He spelled Hayley wrong in the description though. Luckily it's correct in the title, which is more important.

If Forte become more famous because of AGT, Fernando will just have to invite Hayley to sing with him and the other guys.

Yes, wonderful video I agree. Great performance.

But do you really think that Simon Cowell will allow ant non-Sony artist on the X Factor? Never happened yet over here.

Martin D

[Libby]

First of all, this is not X Factor, and 2nd, I don't believe Simon Cowell is involved in this show at all anymore. It used to show his name as an executive producer, but it hasn't this season except at the very beginning. I paid attention last night, and his name was not listed. Even when his name was listed, I highly doubt he had much to do with the decisions like this. He's too busy with X Factor UK and US, and BGT. How would he have time for this and all the other GT shows in the world?

What company is Sarah Brightman with? She sang with Jackie Evancho 2 years ago.

Anyway, just because he has performed with Hayley several times in the recent future doesn't mean he'd invite her to sing with the other guys. It's possible, but then I think it's also possible that Josh Page could ask for Jackie Evancho to sing with them, since he has sung with her before. Plus, she was an AGT runner-up, so that makes it even more likely for her.

Hayley would have to be available for the finale show, possibly at very short notice. Anyway, Forte have to make it all the way to the finale, so we'll see how it goes. So far there are 2 other crossover acts besides them. I like Forte best so far, though.

Forte will be performing for the live shows next Tuesday. I'll post their video as soon as I find it, and I'm planning to vote too.

[Simba]

I know it's not X factor, that's why I said X factor or something, to generalize and say 'some talent show'. And I don't know why you mentioned about Simon Cowell either.
Yes I'm aware that Sarah brightman sang with Jackie, which is also why I hoped someone invited her to sing.

[martindn]

Well, BGT is a Syco (Sony) backed show. I assumed AGT was as well. Forgive me if I am wrong. Not sure who Sarah records with these days.

Martin D

[Libby]

Jul 26, 2013 9:53:49 GMT Simba said:

I know it's not X factor, that's why I said X factor or something, to generalize and say 'some talent show'. And I don't know why you mentioned about Simon Cowell either.
Yes I'm aware that Sarah brightman sang with Jackie, which is also why I hoped someone invited her to sing.

Read Martin's message, and you'll figure it out.

[Libby]

Jul 26, 2013 19:30:38 GMT martindn said:

Well, BGT is a Syco (Sony) backed show. I assumed AGT was as well. Forgive me if I am wrong. Not sure who Sarah records with these days.

Martin D

As mentioned, Simon used to be credited on AGT, but he doesn't seem to be any longer. I'm not surprised, because I find it highly unlikely he's closely involved with any of the talent shows where he's not there personally. He's only one person, after all. But it's possible he just has other people to do that stuff for him, so it's still probably through Simco.. which I heard it's now called.

[Libby]

Forte performed on Tuesday, and made it through to the semi-finals, singing "Somewhere" from West Side Story. I'm not usually crazy about these songs, but I found their rendition very powerful! Great voices! Even Josh impressed me (he didn't so much in the audition). And the newer guy is excellent.

Forte singing Somewhere: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va46wJidIvw

[Libby]

Forte performed last night, singing Unchained Melody, partly in Italian, and they made it through! They were up against one of the solo tenors, who ended up going home. He was pretty good, too, but he cracked a little, and Forte are just stronger singers. Yes, I voted for them, too! Thankfully you're only allowed 10 votes per method, which makes things sooo much easier. That way, you know you've voted only as much as you could, and you don't have to stay up all night to do it. LOL

Here's their performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDBAwBp7EtI

[Libby]

Because of Josh Page's experience with Josh Groban at one of his concerts, I think there's a good possibility of Josh Groban being asked to sing with Forte on the show, if anybody is.

[Libby]

Forte performed tonight, singing a Spanish version of My Heart Will Go On!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6rT0FF8k2U

So, Simba, what is your verdict on this rendition?

[Richard]

This is the Spanish Inquisition!

Richard

[Simba]

Haha, I've been following their performances ever since you posted, loved Somewhere!

Nice singing on this one, but didn't care too much for the arrangement, they could have taken it on a much higher scale knowing the capabilities of each singer, it didn't sound too great that low, and the peak of the song didn't have the power it should've had. The thing is it's not like I'm very critical about anyone singing this song, nor am I biased to the Celine Dion version, just put some shear emotion into what your singing, not just your hand movements and facial expressions, it should be heard through the voice. (Not saying forte didn't sing with emotion). The reason why I disliked Hayley's was the lack of sincerity, which is usually 100% in whatever song she sings. And this is a big song.
While the song's still relevant, let me share Sissel singing the song www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh7Pq5U2AQw, poor audio/video quality, but she sings it in the semi-classical way too, with no hindrance to the song's essence. A short clip only, but speaks enough.
That's the thing I wouldn't say it doesn't suit Hayley, infact I still believe she can do it the best, still can't get it out of my head after hearing Listen to the wind. And I'm sure that song was referred to when they picked Hayley to sing that song. If she had sung the song the same way, it'd have been a great success. Even now when I type Hayley Westenra on youtube, I get "Hayley Westenra my heart will go on" as the first suggestion. Stunning is it not? That's how they say, one song can make a difference. She should've understood that. Let's say there's some new fan discovering hayley through one of he awesome songs and then he sees that she has performed this, he'd be excited and then disappointed. Also makes me wonder why she never performed Listen to the wind live (correct me if I'm wrong). Actually she's never performed some of her best songs live at all or only once or so (Summer Rain, Let me lie....)

Anyway getting back on topic, surely this song will be popular for Forte, just by the big name and nearing the finals, I wonder who they'll invite!
Is there anyway to contact them? XD But then I see Josh groban, Andrea Bocelli or even Katherine Jenkins invited