A-Mei 張惠妹

Name: Chang Hui-Mei


Aboriginal Name: Gulilai Amit


Nickname: Katsu


Born: 9th August

A-Mei is from Taidung Taiwan and she is belongs to the Puyuma tribe. 

A-Mei first connected to the entertainment business by joining the televised "Five Lights Singing Contest" on TTV in 1994 after encouragement by her father, who was ill at that time. A-Mei made it all the way through to the finals but eventually lost in the final round. She felt very disappointed and was almost ready to give up interest in music competitions. A-Mei's father then told her, "You definitely can sing, and you perform songs beautifully. Why don't you enter the competition again to show that you have a talent for music?" So encouraged, A-mei then decided to make a second attempt the following year. Her stable and superb performances were much appreciated by the judges, and this time A-Mei was awarded the championship. Unfortunately, A-Mei's father died before her victory, leaving her sad and aimless until she began to sing in pubs with a rockband formed by her musician cousin. She was later discovered by the popular singer/producer Chang Yu-Sheng (張雨生) and started her career in 1996.

Seven hundred thousands copy of her first album "姊妹 (Sisters)"  was sold and it was reported on the US Billboard music magazine. She has won multiple music awards and has had 19 albums. She is indeed one of the most important icon in Taiwan music.

Information from: 

Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-mei

A-Mei official website: http://www.starmei.com/

Link:

2009 Deaflympics Official Song "Dreams You Can Hear" sung by A-Mei