Concert King Martin Nievera is excited to celebrate his 42nd year in showbiz with a grand concert, "Martin Nievera King 4Ever," at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sept. 27.

Martin enthusiastically shared his happiness with the show, citing the overwhelming interest from some stars eager to participate in the concert.

"I told them to watch the show. But they said, no, we wanted to be on the show. Sabi ni Regine (Velasquez) okay daw na mag-backup singer siya. But it's very touching because you don't see or hear that," said Martin during a media conference announcing his concert at the Solaire North recently.

Martin, 62, thanked his showbiz friends for their love and support.

"If you're backstage with us in 'ASAP,' you'll know that true love exists among us. There is love no matter what you say, write, or read about us. Wala kaming intriga sa backstage. We're helping each other," the OPM icon said.

Martin continued: "In Jed Madela's show, we all volunteered to be his production. I was the writer; I wrote the script. Gary (Valenciano) also came with us. But you didn't know about it because we didn't announce it. We never made a big deal about it because that's how we are.

"A Valenciano is the director of my 42nd year (concert) in showbiz. Paolo Valenciano. Look how times have changed. There's true love, there's family. I want the press to know that there is true love in all of us. And that's why we're here. Gary is also a guest. No, but Gary is one of the few who cleared his schedule (for my concert). Just to be there," he said.

Paolo has done some collaboration shows but never a Martin show, said the "Be My Lady" singer. "He's my godson."

Martin praised Paolo for directing the recent concert of his father, Gary, which will also be repeated at the Big Dome later this year.

"What you did for your father, that, for me, says it all, how you honored your father that night. OMG! I think Gary is not done. He's far from over. Believe me," he said.

Forty-two years in showbiz, Martin expressed his desire to collaborate with numerous artists.

"In my 42nd year, gusto ko marami pang collaboration. I saw the young ones like Belle Mariano. She asked me to be her guest. Biglaan lang. Yes kaagad si Martin. 

"I had some help somehow, and that star became bigger. And the way they asked you was that they don't have an icon. How do you say no, di ba? Sabi niya meron na kaming pang dance and pang movie pero wala pang icon. So sabi niya can you guest? Yes! I want to be an icon!  

"They let you know how important you are. So I want to do it with the younger ones. the new singers. If I'm available, I'm there and don't charge anyone. I mean to sing a song? What's a song? We're friends. But if people ask me for favors, I don't charge. I don't think we should," Martin explained.

'Keeping his promise'

Martin recalled keeping his promise to young Kapamilya star Darren Espanto, who recently staged his anniversary concert.

He remembered telling Darren, who was new, that he would be the opening act for his show. And he followed through.

"One day, I'm going to front act for you. That was a long time ago. Fast forward. Frank Mamaril directed Darren's 10th-anniversary concert at the Araneta. 

"So Frank allowed me to do Hologram as a front act for Darren's show. Did anyone see that? Darren could not believe it. I've never front-acted anyone in my life. But because I promised this kid that I would do it. Can you imagine that I would keep that promise? No one told Darren. 

"Mukhang tunay talaga pag hologram. So that's my Frank story. That was a big moment for me, and I kept a promise. That day, I had a concert with Pops in the US—same day. So, 30 minutes before the show, they introduced me as a front act. And it went boom! 

"I made the whole of Araneta sing using a hologram. I think some people thought I was there. It was that real," Martin said.

Concert King

Martin also remembered how he earned the title of Concert King.

"I got that title from the press. You know the one who called me concert concert king? Bob Castillo of People's Journal. But he meant it sarcastically. Galit siya sa akin hindi ko alam kung bakit. 

"But before he passed on, naging friends kami. We never talk to each other. I don't think Bob used to go to presscons eh. Sabi niya concert king kuno. Something like that. So, it became my title. The concert king forever kuno. He doesn't like me," he added.

Another OPM icon, Ogie Alcasid, of A-Team, the group that will produce the concert, said Martin deserves the title of concert king.

"Martin is humble and doesn't want to be called king. But he is our concert king. So if he doesn't want to say it, I will say it," said Ogie during the same media conference.

Interactive show

Martin clarified that his upcoming concert would be his last.

"We don't know when the last will be. So when they asked me, 'Is this your last? I said, 'No! This is my next. We don't know," he said.

Paolo said the upcoming concert of Martin would be interactive.

"Ang gusto namin ma-achieve nila sa show is ma-experience ng tao the generosity of Martin not just as a person but as a performer. The people will feel at home with Tito Martin," said Paolo.

Martin said: "Paolo made me dance even if I don't. You'll see. That's the magic of Paolo Valenciano. I think this guy will outdo himself as a concert director. So I'm looking forward to outdoing myself in my concert."

"Ang mga audience ngayon they want to sing. Minsan nga hindi na sinosoli yung microphone eh," the OPM icon said.

Biggest challenge

Martin believes that this concert will be the most challenging.

"My 42nd year would be my biggest challenge because medyo bumaba na rin ang boses ko. That's why I should rediscover my inner voice. Using my voice after all these years, I hope it's enough on Sept. 27."