ARTISTES, composers and musicians were acknowledged and awarded at the Fiji Performing Rights Association (FPRA) Music Awards 2017 at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel. This year, the inclusion of the newest category — the Tom Mawi Guitar award presented by Tabs Investments was awarded to Manueli Railoa last week Saturday. Railoa said it was after he left school when the village sigidrigi caught his music attention.
“It was in early 90s when I started to play at the city nightclubs and the salary was not so good,”said Railoa.
“Then in the late 90s, the multi recorder came. With this we could record our own music and that’s when I started recording. Before recording was done at SPR Procera. I have done a lot of recordings for groups such as DokiDoki, Drakena.
I’ve only recorded music for Fijian bands.”
Railoa said he could only wish legenadary guitarists who have gone before us had the opportunity to be recognised and awarded for their talent and he sincerely thanked the organisers of FPRA for hosting such events.
“Recordings started from 1998 to date, much has changed and it’s a challenge sometimes. Young generations are into remix and we can’t really argue with anything on that because we’re moving with time. Back in the days when we enter nightclubs, the atmosphere is somewhat different compared with nowadays. The taste for music today is different, a lot of new technologies.”
Sponsors Tabs Investments worked in association with Taylor Guitars to support the award.
Judges include Tom Mawi, Nemani Vanua, Apakuki Nalawa, Inoke Kalounisiga and Nesbitt Hazelman.
Recognition Awardees also included:
* Waisea Vatuwaqa
* Vili Tuilaucala
