God,Bien, Jossiah, Isaac, and Aden Nguyen, Vinx, Michael Moss, Nafish,Tony Ozier, Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Jeffrey Osborne,The Doobie Brothers, The Gap Band, Take 6, New Edition, Pearl Jam, Daryl Coley, John P. Kee,Fred Hammond,etc.
Yen may not look like your typical soul singer. Then again, souls are on the inside-- and so is Yen’s powerful Voice. "Man this guy can really sing," said Man at Large, a DJ on Detroit’s 93.1 radio station the first time he heard Yen sing. Yen has been amazing crowds every where his voice resounds. Now, with the recent release of his first solo debut album "Introducing The Sound of AsiansoulRnB," Yen has been electrifying the internet with his unique blend of soulful melodies and urban beats interlaced with traces of Asian instruments. He doesn’t just sing love ballads. He tackles race and religion, and the album is a personal reflection of his life experiences.
Born in Vietnam but raised in Parchment, Michigan, Yen (pronounced Ian) was the youngest of ten children. His parents fled Vietnam due to the war and his father worked in a paper mill to support the family. "I am grateful to my father and mother for sacrificing so much," he says, "so all of their children can have a better life." Like other Asian families, his parents wanted him to get a good education and find a job as an engineer or doctor. Yen, however, found his life’s passion in the local music beat- Motown.
Inspired by such artists as Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Take 6, and other legends, Yen honed his soul singing in the Kalamazoo Mass Choir as a teenager. His commanding stage presence and incredible vocal range quickly turned him into a fan favorite and he was soon opening for national acts such as John P. Kee, The Chicago Mass Choir, The Williams Brothers, and 98 Degrees.
Some of Yen’s accomplishments include being featured on Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta (2007) and the Atlanta Journal Constitution(2006), selected Vietnamese Star Search Winner (2004), Michigan’s "Next Rising Star" on ABC’s Good Morning America (2002), prize winner of WDIV’s "Say What Sing Along Contest" (2001) and being a cast member of the nationally acclaimed Detroit musical "Perilous Times." This musical featured star acts such as gospel greats Vanessa Bell Armstrong and William Murphy III, Tommie Ford of the "Martin Lawrence Show", and Tiny Lister "Debo" of Friday and Next Friday.
Since relocating to Atlanta in 2003, Yen has performed at various Gospel Festivals, City of Decatur Concerts on the square, The Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival, the Apache Cafe, The Rialto Center, Cafe’ Tu Tu Tango, and more.
His father, a politcal refugee, would shock other mill workers in "The Paper City" by lifting bails as large as he. Yen gets the same looks. Only he lifts his lyrics. His first single, "My Calling," is a tribute to his father.
The album "Introducing The Sound of AsiansoulRnB" is currently available at iTunes, CD Freedom, Nimbit, Rhapsody, E-music, and local CD stores. Yen’s album will be coming soon to Napster, and ringtones will be available at Groove Mobile in the near future!
how have you been making money as a singer? is going well? share with my how you got there? you have came a long way, but I still looking for a song of your which can be a hit! one or two hit songs is good enought, yours are about the same, very talking-like and less melodic to me.. however, they are good, they are good, what can I say ... so dt cua em van la so cu: sau bay tam chin khong bay 7979
Yen, what's up man? How are things going in your world. Hope all is well. When you get a chance come thru and check out my new joint "In The Light" featuring Koffee on the vocals and produced by Mike Onassis, the feel good joint of the spring/summer.
check out the slideshows of vinx's inaugural music festival, "the gathering of the troubadours" (myspace. com/troubadoursgathering), held in mcrae, georgia, november 8, 2008!
We at Centennial Olympic park would like to take the time to Thank You for befriending us. Here is hoping you have a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous coming year.
how is you musical career ? I wish I have made it to your concert.. keep missing it... darn it! I got your Facebook invitation, yes I was on it, you were added as well, but I suspend my account now..hihihi to much time wasted ... I'd like to meet you sometimes ..
Dang it Yen, I promise I will make it to one of your events soon. One of my clients invited me to go to the Thrashers game on Saturday. Game starts at 7pm and I will be hanging in the suite. Sorry, but I will make one event soon.
Hey! How are the kiddos? Laynnee and Tyler miss them! Showed a couple people your page and they loved your music...what an honor to know you! Take care!
October 2008 Playlist New & Upfront 1. Evelyn "Champagne" King - Standing On the Rock of Love 2. Don-E - Stay - A While 3. Eric Benet - Weekend Girl 4. Classic Detroit Style R&B - Perfect Mix 5. DJ Spen & The Muthafunkas presents Marc Evans - The Promise 6. Cool Million Feat Aaron Washington - Pride 7. Darien - Composure 8. D'Aquela - Shining Star 9. Sowfi - Your Own Good 10. LaSonya Gunter - Go 11. Dre T Turner - Oh Baby Baby
Flashback 12. Eric Gable - For Your Love 13. Chante Moore - I Want to Thank You 14. Solo - Where Do U Want Me to Put It 15. Damel Carayol - Heaven 16. BLU - Out Of The Blu 17. Dazz Band - Heartbeat 18. Chantelle Duncan - Memories 19. Jeff Cascaro - Summer Love 20. Donald Harrison Jr - Love Me Back New & Upfront 21. George Duke - Listen Baby 22. Raphael Saadiq & Stevie Wonder - Never Give U Up 23. Lenora Jaye - Taking Over 24. Glendora Woodward - Heavenly 25. Leigh Jones - Free Fall 26. YAMAMA'NYM - Love Takes All Over 27. Marz Jukebox - Muzik 28. Bennson - I Need Music 29. Sly & Robbie - Amp Fiddler - I believe In You To listen, please check out the monthly schedule on http://www. soulchoonz. com/MyRadio
What's up man? I wasn't able to make the show but I'm sure you ripped it. Keep me updated on what you have going on so we can keep real music and lyrics alive. One love,
Tru
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