My life: Howard McCrary
The singer and musician tells Olivia Rosenman about his harmonious childhood and keeping pace with the rhythm of Hong Kong
I'm sure you've heard of the term "hand-me-downs". I was No9, the youngest brother of eight boys and two sisters. We used to gather around the kitchen sink and sing after dinner, and my dad heard us harmonising. He was a choral master, but his day job was as a broiler operator for United States Steel. He was amazing, and I wanted to be just like him. He taught us song after song, harmony and syncopation. All the fundamentals of music. We started a singing group back in Youngstown, Ohio. And we were singing in churches then, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and a little bit in Canada. It was at that point I decided I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. Music drew me in.
The group went on to sign with a record company. I left it and got married, decided to raise a family and went out on my own. (Of all the stars McCrary went on to work with) it's difficult to choose one favourite, but if I had to choose it would be Michael Jackson. Michael knew how important it was to motivate everyone on his team with love to get the best performance, because he knew that love is the most powerful force in the universe. We loved him and he loved all of us like a family and made each of us feel like we were the most important person in the world. Together with love, nothing is impossible.
When they announced my name as a nominee for the Grammys (in 1986), I was stunned. This is musically one of the greatest honours. Also, for best male vocalist in the gospel category; it was an unbelievable moment for me.
After 30 years in Los Angeles, I decided to come to Hong Kong on an invitation. I was lecturing in Bel Air. In my class at a vocal camp for international students there was one very eminent Asian gentleman; he was very distinguished. His name was Larry Sampson and he came to me after my sixth lecture and said, "Howard, I know you said you're not singing much any more but I want you to come to Kowloon, Hong Kong." Then he showed me a breathtaking picture of this place called New Era, a dinner theatre (in the New World Centre) - it's gone now because they turned it into a disco - and he said, "Just come for three months and see how you like it." Well I have always been crazy about Bruce Lee. I said, "Hong Kong sounds good!" So I got on a plane and came.
Everything about this town resonated with me. I like the fact that there are no guns. I like the fact that there's a transportation system that can get you anywhere in rush hour. Coming from Los Angeles, that's a big issue. I like the people being friendly. I've been here now for over seven years and I have not met one unkind soul. You ask for directions, they just tell you where to go! And the food is great. And everyone is busy doing something, going somewhere. Hong Kong has a pace, and if you don't keep up with that pace, then you don't belong here. You should go to another city with another rhythm.
I remained true to myself and kept my musical integrity. I have a great admiration for the Chinese culture. I love Chinese opera. There are great artists here and I have great respect for what they do; they are world class. So I just bring what I have done since I was a kid to the Hong Kong scene. I've been told that what I do is different from anything that they've seen here. It's normal back home but I like that.