Jero to make U.S. West Coast singing debut

Premium tickets, in the center of the first six rows include a private post-reception, are $250 each.

He might appeal for a while to the Japanese-American community in the U.S., but I wouldn't bank on long-term success in the U.S. if I were him.

$250 a pop for first 6-rows and post-reception? I would be extremely surprised to see any non-Japanese in that section or in most of the others.

$250 - Premium Orchestra, $100 - Orchestra Front, $55 - Orchestra Center, $35 - Orchestra Rear

Go for it, JERO !

Yeah, Jero! Great that he's now ready to do some touring outside of Japan. I think it is possible that, if he continues to sing songs which appeal to people and if enka music doesn't die out, he can continue to go on tours just like many of the other Japanese singers, like Itsuki Hiroshi.

dreamer

He'll have to lose the bandana & hat if he wants to be taken seriously. He's made a killing here in Japan by playing the African-American stereotype. But in the US, sell-outs are seen for what they are and don't get very far.

Really, I'm impressed if he sells one ticket. If he sells over 100 tickets, I would be flabbergasted, with a extra case of flabber.

Yeah especially need to lose the "NY" gangster hat if he is gonna play the West Coast

Is he Japanese?

Jero's grandmother is Japanese, from Yokohama evidently. He's been singing enka since he was arounds age 5.

Should have read Wikipedia more carefully first before posting: Jero's maternal grandmother was Japanese. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jero

Good luck - he will need it. The US music industry is a damn meat grinder!

Met the guy. He's alright, but funnily enough pretty quiet. He doesn't come across as "yeah, I'm famous" type at all.

As for making it in America, I have my doubts, but he should take a shot at it in my opinion.

I'd see him. He's good.

No one big in Japan ever makes it in America. Take for example "Dreams Come True." Their dreams certainly did not come true. Same goes for Hikaru Utada.

He doesn't come across as "yeah, I'm famous" type at all.

He's not that famous

Other than being a foreigner who sings Enka, I do not know what is remarkable about him. He doesn&t seem to sing poorly and his personality doesn&t come across as grating as some others on TV, but other than that my impression of him is a guy who&s really into his hobby. He&ll need to practice a bit more to be like, memorable, or a headliner, imo.

I want his autograph.

You go Jero!

Did anyone notice how it said WEST COAST...thats where most other asians reside besides NY. I doubt he'd be popular on the east coast though... He'd be made a complete joke by Jay-Z and a few others.

But overall I think since he's african american he could grow into being more than just a sterotype. He just has to know where to start.

I have to agree that the NY gangster look needs to go. It's really stupid but East Coast West Coast rivalry can get you killed if you are not careful. I wish it wasn't this way but people are very territorial when it comes to these things. I disagree though about Utada though as is doing better then Boa is at the moment. I even heard her on my local radio station which is in the Mid-Northwest which typically don't give Asian Artists much radio play. I do wish Jero the best of luck though. If he was smart I would start online first and get a following. A lot of new artists are going that way to start with. He will be able to reach a wider audience then just doing the west coast which won't get him far. Major mistake Boa has made is that she is trying to do to much at once.

Boa recently released Identify in Japan and trying to promote her US album at the same time is not a smart marketing strategy. There are only a very few A list Asian artists out there that could be successful in the west but it's possible with the right marketing strategy, promotion, and management. The fact that major recording artist are starting to take notice with artist like Namie, Koda Kumi, Lexy, Utada, Boa is a good start. Although more effort is needed for anyone to be truly successful in US Music Industry which is a meat grinder I agree. What really though is going to push any of these artists into the mainstream is doing something new and different which will grab people's attention. The market is already over-saturated enough as to have an edge you need you stick out from the crowd. Asian artists in general most certainly have the potential and hope to see it sooner then later.

I think it would be great if Jero shocked white Americans! The guy is black, dresses hip hop, but comes out singing in JAPANESE! Way to go Jero! Break a few stereo types! Go! Go! Go!

He already made his singing debut on the East coast. He sang at the DC cherry blossom festival, and his alma mater the University of Pittsburgh. This is his singing debut on the West coast, and his first official tour of the States. I don't think it means he's trying to make it in the US. He is just doing a tour to sing for his fans in the States. Good luck to him.