Po's growth and the road of folk songs
Zhang Shaochun, this is Bao's real name, he was born in an ordinary peasant family in Shanxi. His parents went out to work for a living, and Po lived with his grandmother since he was a child.
The hardships did not dampen the joy and vitality of this country boy, who was lively and active, and often caused trouble for his grandmother, which gave her a headache.
In order to avoid Po's mischief, Grandma would often send him to a neighbor's house to board. This neighbor has an ordinary-looking old man, but he is dexterous and agile, and he has a lot of fun chasing after me with Bao.
When he was tired of playing, his grandfather would tell Po ancient folk tales and teach him to sing folk songs. The beautiful melody and simple local atmosphere deeply attracted Bao's heart, and folk songs became his only passion.
Po prefers to skip class after school and run to the fields to sing loudly. Parents had no choice but to let Po quit formal school and learn singing skills instead. However, the teacher found that Po's voice was unique and not suitable for a fixed teaching method, so he could only let him sing in an original way.
At the age of 15, Bao went to Beijing alone to study and wanted to enter the Central Conservatory of Music, but was rejected because he did not meet the age requirements. When his parents found out, they were furious, severely punished Po with a belt, and ordered him to go home honestly.
After this lesson, Po temporarily restrained the idea of singing and honestly finished junior high school. But the seeds of folk songs had already sprouted in his heart, and after graduating from high school, he insisted on singing again.
Singing in the bar and joining the troupe
After graduating from high school, Po came to the unfamiliar city of Guangzhou and began his singing journey. He participated in many singing competitions, but was repeatedly defeated and did not achieve anything.
Po realized that if he wanted to survive in the highly competitive entertainment industry, he must first accumulate experience and connections. For this reason, he chose to work as a resident singer in a bar.
The bar owner was not optimistic about a rural youth like Po at first, but unexpectedly, Po's loud and high-pitched voice and mountain-style folk songs instantly attracted the flow of customers to the bar.
The boss was overjoyed, not only increasing Po's salary, but also adding a lot of extra bonuses to him. During the few months he sang in the bar, Po not only accumulated popularity, but also saved a considerable amount of savings.
Just as Po was about to leave the bar and get back to singing, a friend recommended him a local theater company. The troupe needed independent singers to assist them with their touring work.
Po gladly accepted the opportunity. In the troupe, he can not only continue to sing, but also travel to various places to learn Xi local folk song culture.
After Po joined the troupe, he performed in many cities. During the day, he would wander the countryside and listen to the singing of the mountains and streams; In the evenings, he will accompany the troupe on stage and perform folk songs from all over the world to the audience.
The road to competition awards and fame
In 2004, Po decided to participate in the Western Folk Song Competition, which was his first competition in the showbiz. He deliberately put on a homemade wool scarf, a coarse linen white scarf on his head, and a red silk tie around his waist, which perfectly interpreted the image of a simple sheep herding baby.
"I've been obsessed with singing since I was a child, and I didn't succeed in the exams at the Central Conservatory of Music. Being able to stand on this stage now is the opportunity I have always dreamed of.
Po's self-introduction impressed all the judges.
His first song "Shandandan Flowers Bloom Red and Gorgeous" is really impressive. The loud voice was full of purity and impulse, which instantly touched the hearts of all the listeners.
Po successfully advanced and finally won the third place and became famous in one fell swoop.
In 2005, Po participated in the popular talent show "Avenue of Stars". This time, he met a formidable opponent - the Phoenix Legend Duo, who were still unknown at the time.
The strength of the two sides is evenly matched, and the competition is extremely fierce. In the canvassing session of the show, Ah Bao once again dressed up as a sheep herding baby, emphasizing that he is just a farmer and is satisfied with his current achievements.
"Please give this ordinary peasant singer a chance, and I will repay every kind friend with my singing. Po's humility touched the judges and the audience. In the end, he narrowly defeated the Phoenix Legend and won the championship.
Since then, Po has officially become a well-known star singer.
In 2006, Po got his wish and stood on the stage of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. He sang "The Sun That Never Rises on the Prairie" with seniors like Wu Yanze and Dai Yuqiang, and became the first civilian singer to walk on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, and his popularity quickly exploded.
In the same year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, Bao was also invited to sing solo in front of the pyramids in Egypt, becoming the first representative of peasant singers to go abroad. For a while, various endorsements and variety show invitations followed, and Po successfully became one of the first-line stars.
Slowly, the ink lost the hearts of the people
The success came too suddenly, and before Po could adapt to the life of a star, he was already immersed in the vanity brought by fame and fortune. He began to have no one in his eyes, and publicly said on the show that he would "destroy" the once strong rival Phoenix Legend, which caused dissatisfaction among many fans.
What's even more shocking is that there is a revelation that Bao's farmer identity is purely packaging. He had signed a contract with an entertainment company long before participating in the Western Folk Song Competition, and he was not a sheep herding baby who sang in all directions at all.
Although Po denied it, his arrogant attitude made it impossible to believe any of his justifications.
In addition, a TV station staff revealed that Po was often late to play big names when recording programs, and did not pay attention to other staff members at all. These negative news completely collapsed Po's image, and the original supporters turned to criticize him.
Po was blind for a moment, ruining the sheepskin coat he had worked so hard to build. He was mercilessly abandoned by his agency, and all the big brands terminated their cooperation with him immediately afterward.
Po had to pay a considerable amount of liquidated damages and fell into an unprecedented trough.
From the stage of the Spring Festival Gala to the lonely small bar, Po can no longer sing with the enthusiasm he once had. Every time he thought of the glory of the past, he was immersed in remorse and could not extricate himself.
Tried to turn over, but no one cared
In 2015, he collaborated with female singer Zhang Dongling on a song "Come to See Me When the Flowers Bloom", hoping to use Zhang Dongling's popularity to turn over again.
However, as soon as this song was released, Ah Bao and Zhang Dongling were rumored to have an affair. Although both parties denied that it was only a working relationship, the public's impression of Po had been distorted and they no longer believed in any of his words and deeds.
A song can't buy a chance to reach the top again, and Po completely understands that the public has died to him. 's former lies and unprofessional work attitude made him lose face in the entertainment industry.
Now Po is no longer cared for, and he no longer appears in any TV variety shows or commercial activities. Occasionally, he would post some videos of his daily life on short video platforms, but few people watched them.
Success left him, and Po gradually understood in the long period of self-blame and pain that only by being sincere can he win long-term trust; Work must be conscientious, professional, and dedicated, otherwise short-term achievements will eventually be dashed.
Now, he can only wait for a chance to be reborn, prove himself by strength, and regain people's hearts.
In the ups and downs of life, it is more important to look at the heart and maintain humility, focus and kindness. Maybe one day, the public will give Po a chance to turn the tables again.
We sincerely hope that he can regain his dream of folk songs and continue to walk with a new attitude.