Singer Chen Ming: Not the same old song (3)

She became a bar singer and covered Hong Kong stars' popular songs. The happiest thing then, Chen recalls, was cooperating with bands and singing live.

She was surprised to find the industry had changed when she released a new album in 2009.

"Since 2005 - and especially with the rise of TV singing competitions - the industry wants more entertaining stories than music," she explains.

"When I brought a new album to a TV shows set, nobody wanted me to sing or talk about my old songs. They told me audiences want to watch games and hear stories about my family."

The industry's changes largely follow attention spans', Chen believes.

"People want something that instantly catches their ears," she says.

"They don't have time to read the lyrics and savor the melodies. I still live in the old days. So I felt uncomfortable about the new environment."

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