May 15, 2002

Michelle Branch Piles Up Dish!

By Clara Enriquez

Hours before her scheduled show at 7:00 p.m. yesterday, fans of Michelle Branch lined up outside Dish restaurant at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati City to catch her special and intimate acoustic performance. The procession snaked down the halls at the third level, where Dish is located, with the unexpected huge turnout. Even members of the media, who came at 5:00 p.m. for the press conference, had to form ranks before finally gaining admittance into the resto past an hour later, and in groups of about five at that!Evidently, Michelle enjoys the same level of success that she does abroad here in Manila. Proof of this is the platinum record award presented to her during the press conference by Warner Music Philippines for her debut album,"The Spirit Room,"from Maverick Records and Warner Bros. Records.In response, Michelle gamely answered questions from the press. Asked, for example, what sets her apart from other young artists like herself, Michelle replied:"I'm not blonde; I don't dance."She also described Madonna, who, as everyone knows, is behind Maverick Records, as"so normal"and"one of the most sincere people."As to whether she would consider an acting career like most other singers, Michelle mused:"I know I'm not an actress, but yes, I would love to be in a Broadway musical more than doing a movie, though."Music, she pointed out, is her passion for life, after all.Later, Michelle sang with gusto her No. 1 hits"Everywhere"and"All You Wanted"(a special acoustic version of the latter),"Desperately,"and"Goodbye To You."For the first time as well, Michelle nervously admitted, she played the keyboard in public, and so begged the crowd not to laugh in case she slipped up. Of course, they did not.In fact, the pack warmly welcomed Michelle and even sang along with her. So overwhelmed was Michelle by her cheery acceptance that she promised to come back with her band for a"genuine"concert.For those who failed to catch Michelle's performance or its live broadcast on Campus Radio 97.1, you have until May 17 to spot her in any of her guest appearances on radio programs and television shows. Among others, Michelle will jam with a fan on the Monster Radio RX 93.1 Concert Series. You can also text her your questions to Magic 89.9 and tune in as she answers them on a special Michelle Branch Interactive!Michelle's promotional tour is presented by Warner Music Philippines, along with Seventeen, Dish, Ford Motors, and Manila Galleria Suites.