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What moves of Billy CRAWFORD

By Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor

06/10/2007

After making waves in different parts of the world, international artist and Filipino pop icon Billy Crawford finally returns home to Manila with two spectacular surprises that will surely enthrall his fans. He makes his presence felt firstly with Move, a reality show that documents the journey of finding six of the country’s best dancers who will serve as Crawford’s dance crew, and secondly with his much anticipated first major concert at the Big Dome come August.

Fresh from the airport, despite the grueling air travel and jet lag, Billy Crawford wowed the entertainment and lifestyle press with a scintillating performance complemented by his trademark dance steps and megawatt charm during the launch of Move at the Music Museum.

“It’s so weird to be seeing people who I saw when I was still a small boy,” begins Crawford with his distinctive L.A. twang. “I am just so happy to be back. I want to bring something to the Philippines on stage with me. That is why I am here, and we will talk about Move.”

Move is Billy Crawford’s search for Filipino back-up dancers. The lives of 24 dancers, ages 16-26, will be housed under one roof for five straight weeks where cameras can capture their every move, conflicts, struggles and endeavors. The dancers will undergo rigid training and a series of intense workshops under the supervision of Billy’s French choreographer Maryss and a panel of Filipino dance gurus. Think Big Brother with a dash of The Search for the Next Pussycat Dolls — that is the promise of the show.

“I am very strict when it comes to dancers. I want them to be tight. The most important character trait for me is, of course, professionalism. I want to work with people who love their jobs, and who are passionate about performing,” Crawford expounds on the qualities he is looking for in a dancer.

“The obvious reason why we are doing this search is to find real talent. Through it all, it is the human being, the person himself which is important. That’s why it’s like a reality TV show in the sense that you get to meet the dancers and then through the tests and workshops you would know if you would like this person or not, or if they really have what it takes to the be part of the crew. As a performer who had to take dancers on stage, it is very important for them to be communicating with me, with us, with my team. I am just looking for someone who is good and who is willing to do whatever they can, 110 percent.”

What can we expect from Move? “Most of the things that we are going to show is the process of them auditioning, cutting the contestants from 100 to 24, from 20 to 12, then to the final six. My choreographer will teach them workshops and teach them the choreography that we do. I will be performing with some of them, you know, just to see what they can do and if we jive well. It is going to be hard work. The dancers have to learn quickly, they have to be on point. They have to make a grade and they have to live up to the expectations. I want them to know what they want and to know what they want to do. The whole process of picking the top six is going to be very professional.”

Billy adds, “The contest is open to all dancers, whether they are amateurs or professionals. There are no boundaries whatsoever. You got talent, you want to dance, you want to show off your talent, come. Let them come.”

With the audition closing last Saturday, Move promises to be an exciting watch as there will be eliminations every week, which will be based on the viewers’ text votes and the scores of the choreographers. The panel of choreographers will be sharing their views on the performance of the competitors every week. Crawford will observe and, of course, give pointers if he sees the need to give it to the competitors.

Through the years, Billy’s career in Europe and America has climbed steadily and hosting his very own dance search, getting Manila’s finest dancers, is just one of the many dreams materializing for the pop idol.

“For now, I am just concentrated on getting the best, bringing or making them part of the concert in August. I am sure you are wondering if we will bring them internationally. I cannot answer that now. It is hard to say but hopefully we want to get more talents in the Philippines and bring them out there.”

Aside from Move, his forthcoming concert in August is highly anticipated. Judging his press conference performance, there is no doubt that Crawford will rock the Araneta Center.

Will people see him doing some sexy dance moves as well? “No. I do not think I approach myself as a performer to be a sex symbol. That is not why I am here for. I grew around Filipino families. I grew up with, you know, idolizing the likes of Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, the classics, the legends, and then I listened to Michael Jackson and James Brown, and Michael Jackson did not really go crazy, sexy. I have to put an image for myself. Everybody expects a guy performing to be sexy, to appeal to the audience but that is not me.”

Aside from the much-coveted title of being part of Billy Crawford’s Filipino dancers and participating in the August shindig, the victorious dance idols will receive cash prizes and a management contract with the GMA Artist Center.

Find out who among the 24 dance hopefuls will make the grade and be part of Move! Billy Crawford’s search for Pinoy dancers premieres today June 10, after SOP, on GMA 7.