When British artistLee Kirby uploaded a Youtube clip featuring himself singing theVietnamese ballad Diem Xua in 2009, he didn't expect to create aphenomenon in Vietnam.
No one could imagine that aman who spoke a few simple Vietnamese words could perform the famous andemotional song – and with very perfect Vietnamese pronunciation. Theclip then attracted hundreds of thousand viewers.
"The great feelings I had for the country and the people of Vietnam, aswell as the wonderful song +Diem xua+, inspired me to learn moreVietnamese songs," the 34-year-old singer said.
Four years after the "phenomenon", Kirby recently released his debut album which he simply named "Viet Nam oi".
The album features nine Vietnamese songs by famous local composers andsongwriters, including Tran Tien, Phu Quang, Le Minh Son and Truong QuyHai. The ballad Diem Xua, by veteran composer Trinh Cong Son, isincluded in the album.
The album is a result ofKirby's three-year plan Tra Da with Lee (Ice Tea with Lee), aiming toimprove his Vietnamese language, to learn more about Vietnamese culture,and to strongly integrate into the unique culture of Vietnam – which hecalls his second homeland.
"Another main purpose of my +big plan+ is to sing for the Vietnamese people across the country," he said.
To implement his plan, travelling with his beloved guitar and someVietnamese friends from 2010 to 2013, Kirby made several journeysthrough the country from the north to the south, from northern tocoastal provinces, and travelling from the delta to the highlands.
At many places the group travelled to, they received a warm welcome bylocal residents. Kirby said the journeys through the country gave himsome of his life's most wonderful experiences.
"Likea group of backpackers, we travelled to almost every corner and metmany modest and warm-hearted people, including farmers, workers, andlabourers," he said.
"We sometimes spent overnightin very humble houses of local people or shared tea with a group ofpeople working by the roadside."
Kirby also made a strong impression on the people he met during the trips, especially when he sang for them.
"Looking at their happy faces, seeing them smile, I know that myrepertoire brought them some joy. They even sang along with me. I've gotso many positive and supportive comments."
Afterseveral journeys, Kirby received what he expected: he is now not onlyable to speak Vietnamese fluently, but he can place himself into aVietnamese person's shoes.
The British singer said: "A Vietnamisation process is taking place inside myself."
Kirby also spoke of his ambition to promote Vietnamese music andculture beyond its borders by introducing his music to his internationalfriends.
Alongside the release of +Viet Nam oi+ inVietnam, the album will also be available in the UK. In addition, onlineversions of the songs in the album are available on iTunes and theonline music store CDBaby.
Having first come toVietnam in 2002 to spend a summer holiday with Vietnamese friends, theyoung British man decided to come back to the country one year later.
According to Kirby, his extremely strong impressionabout the Vietnamese people and culture that he received during thattrip urged him to return – not for traveling, but for football.
He used to play football for the Fulham FC youth team, as well assemi-professional teams in south London, and in 2003 Kirby obtained acontract with the HCM City Post Office team and moved to Vietnam'slargest city, without any thoughts of becoming a singer one day.
After creating the 2009 "phenomenon", Kirby became a regular guest onmany TV shows. He also has joined famous songstress Anh Tuyet to performin several shows dedicated to composer Trinh Cong Son.
Also, in 2010 he was invited by former British Ambassador to VietnamMark Kent to create the song clip "Que nha" (Homeland) as a New Year'spresent for Vietnamese people living in the UK.
Further, Kirby is planning to release his second album – a jointproduction of himself and young singer Le Cat Trong Ly – by the end ofnext year.
Several concerts for Vietnamese people living in theUK, as well as for university students in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,are on his 2014 schedule.
Currently a director ofoperations at the Ashbourne College in Kenshington, London, Kirby has totravel frequently between the UK and Vietnam to pursue his singingdream.
To promote his debut album, Kirby recentlyhad two live shows in Hanoi and central Hue city. Similar shows will beheld in Ho Chi Minh City on December 28, and in southern Rach Gia cityin Kien Giang province on January 7.-VNA
