Recently, I went to a recording of “Team Baycom,” a program by the cable TV station Bay Communications (commonly known as Baycom), who we’ve been collaborating with on various things lately.
When I introduced Nishinomiya-born singer-songwriter Reiko Umehara, whom we featured in an article on Nishitsu this year, Baycom took an interest in her. I also got to appear on the program in the role of introducing Umehara-san on air (and I was able to promote Nishitsu too. Thank you!).
So, I’d like to share just a little bit of what it was like.
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Scenes from the Rehearsal
Leaving Nishinomiya behind, I made the long trip all the way to Amagasaki, where the studio is located!
The studio is inside this building.
When I arrived at the studio, I was handed a script and waited for the time being.
Apparently there were a lot of guests that day, so it felt a little busy, but the atmosphere on set was more relaxed than I had expected.
I looked over the rundown and script while thinking about what I should talk about.
Before long, Umehara-san arrived as well. After the director in charge explained the recording details and flow, we went straight into rehearsal.
The program MCs, Chal Inoue and Masako Harada, welcomed us warmly, and I feel like that helped ease my nerves a little.
You can find their profiles here↓
Writers Company Official Website (Chal Inoue Profile)
Partners Pro Official Website (Masako Harada Profile)
During rehearsal, we checked the script, made small adjustments, confirmed entrances, exits, and movement lines, and adjusted the lighting and sound.
Here’s what it looked like↓
This is what the program set looked like.
This is Umehara-san during rehearsal.
Since she would be performing a song, the sound and lighting were carefully adjusted.
Instructions from the director about changes to the flow and small adjustments came in one after another, so the two MCs kept checking each point as the rehearsal moved along.
Whenever the script changed, I immediately started to panic, but the two of them responded flexibly and quickly even to sudden changes.
They really are pros…
Recording Finally Begins!
And then, just like that, recording began right away.
When the segment started, I was called in first. After introducing Nishitsu, I introduced Umehara-san as a “Nishitsu Recommended Artist.”
I had thought about all kinds of things beforehand, but once the camera started rolling, I could only say a fraction of what I had prepared…
It’s difficult.
Then Umehara-san appeared, and after a short interview, she performed live.
Please be sure to watch the broadcast for that part!
According to what Umehara-san told me in the waiting room, she started practicing guitar after graduating high school and moving to Tokyo. Since I watched her performance knowing that story,
“She’s really good at guitar… She must have practiced so much…”
I found myself staring intently at her hands while thinking that, and after the performance, Chal-san teased me by saying,
“You were really watching closely, weren’t you?”
There were plenty of moments when I was nervous or things didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, but overall I had a great time taking part in the recording, and it was a very valuable experience.
Broadcast Information
(Source: Baycom)
Umehara-san and I appear in a segment called “This Week’s Picks” within the program “Team Baycom.”
Broadcast information is here↓
★Appearance period: Friday, December 27 – Tuesday, December 31
★Broadcast times: Daily at 12:00 / 19:00 / 0:00
★Cast: Chal Inoue / Masako Harada and others
★External link: HP
Reiko Umehara’s Upcoming Plans and More
Umehara-san is currently active mainly in Tokyo, performing live and appearing at events, while also energetically posting videos on social media and YouTube.
Her official accounts are here↓
She apparently comes back to Kansai often, and she is scheduled to appear on “Sakura FM” on March 18.
We at Nishitsu would like to continue supporting her, so whenever we receive new information, we’ll keep sharing it.
