Tantowi Yahya, the "Country" Boy Looking Back

Tantowi Yahya presents the concert "The Journey of My Life". The soul of "country" still burns within him.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Former Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, held a concert "The Journey of My Life" in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024). In this concert, Tantowi sang songs that colored his childhood with genres ranging from pop, rock, country, disco, to broadway. He also collaborated with Ikke Nurjanah, Yovie Widianto, and Lilo.

Tantowi Yahya is a presenter, politician, musician and former Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand. Even though in recent years his name has become more famous as a politician, he is still a kid who loves country music. In the concert "The Journey of My Life" in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024), Tantowi showed how music faithfully influences and accompanies his life journey.

From the left side of the stage at Ballroom Djakarta Theater XXI, Tantowi steps towards the center of the stage while singing "Islands in the Stream" (1983) by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Accompanied by Thomshell Band, Tantowi's face lights up as he welcomes hundreds of audience members who have been present since 7:00 p.m.

That evening, Tantowi performed a total of 32 songs of various genres, ranging from country, pop, rock, disco, to opera. With a distinctive voice that is loud but sentimental, Tantowi still brings a country soul to every song. Occasionally he takes time to tell stories with the audience.

”I am very happy that this concert is sold out. Not because I'm good, but because I have lots of friends and those who bought tickets to this concert are all my friends. "It's nice to have a concert in front of friends, whether it's good or not, I still get applause," said Tantowi, grinning.

Tantowi continued the show by singing "I Am... I Said" (1971) by Neil Diamond. According to him, this song represents his life journey.

Tantowi was born in Palembang, South Sumatra, 63 years ago. He came from a humble family. His father was a former athlete, then became a cleric and a member of the United Development Party who strongly disliked the Golkar Party. Who would have thought, Tantowi later became a significant member of the Golkar Party.

Also read: Tantowi Yahya Happy Living in Bali

Meanwhile, mother Tantowi is a figure who always supports her husband's career, just like his wife, Dewi Handayani. After growing up in Palembang, Tantowi pursued his education in Yogyakarta and Bandung, West Java. He then worked in Jakarta and once lived in New Zealand as an ambassador. After completing his duties in the "Land of Kiwis," Tantowi now spends his time in Bali.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The atmosphere of the solo concert of the former Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, entitled "The Journey of My Life" in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024). In this concert, Tantowi sang songs that colored his childhood with genres ranging from pop, rock, country, disco, to broadway. He also collaborated with Ikke Nurjanah, Yovie Widianto, and Lilo.

The Tantowi concert included a tribute to Indonesian musicians who inspired him. Together with a number of guest stars, he performed songs such as "Nona Anna" by Ade Manuhutu, "Jatuh Cinta" (1990) by Eddy Silitonga, "Lidah Tak Bertulang" by Bob Tutupoly, "Bimbi" (1978) by The Rollies, and "Karmila" by Farid Hardja.

"These songs have stuck with me, I often sang them when I was a child. They have all passed away, but these songs are both a tribute and a salute to them," said Tantowi.

Apart from country music, Tantowi also presented two opera versions of songs with Andrea Miranda, namely "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (1976) by Julie Covington and "All I Ask of You" (1986) by the musical The Phantom of the Opera. ”I really love music. If I have 24 hours in my life, maybe 20 hours I listen to music and 4 hours sleep. "I listen to all kinds of music," he said.

I truly love music. If there are 24 hours in my life, maybe 20 hours are spent listening to music, and 4 hours for sleep. I listen to all types of music.

The Tantowi Yahya concert became more lively with the presence of other guest stars, such as when Lilo KLa sang "To Love Somebody" (1967) by Bee Gees. Duo Fauzi Fauzan also joined in to enliven the atmosphere by singing "Devoted to You" (1958), "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (1958), and "Let It Be Me" (1955) by The Everly Brothers.

Tantowi also performed a medley of four country songs and several other country songs, including the duet "Making Believe" (1955) d with Ikke Nurjanah. After that, he invited the audience to dance while Johan Untung sang songs from the film Saturday Night Fever (1977).

Actually, the atmosphere at the concert that night felt more like a reunion event. As a former host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", Tantowi occasionally made jokes and teasing that tickled the audience. He threatened to raise the concert ticket prices four times to see who would still buy them. If they still bought them, Tantowi would believe that person to be his true friend.

At another moment, Tantowi greeted the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, who arrived late because he had to attend a wedding reception first. "I apologize that the dinner session has passed. It can be packed," said Tantowi, accompanied by the audience's laughter.

Music royalties

It's not Tantowi's style if his concerts are just a snapshot of his life. The soul of the diplomat in him is still alive.

At the concert, several officials were present, such as Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, and Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi. Some entrepreneurs, politicians, singers, and artists also attended, including Vina Panduwinata, Widyawati, Agum Gumelar, Benny Suherman, and Tantowi's younger brother, Helmy Yahya.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi (left) and Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan attend the solo concert of the former Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024). In this concert, Tantowi sang songs that colored his childhood with genres ranging from pop, rock, country, disco, to broadway. He also collaborated with Ikke Nurjanah, Yovie Widianto, and Lilo.

After singing "Karmila," Tantowi stepped off the stage to approach musician Candra Darusman. He gave Candra time to talk about music royalties and copyrights. Candra used to work at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

”Copyright and intellectual property are important for the progress of the country. For Indonesia, since the early 1990s, the performing rights of songs on radio, television, entertainment venues have been paid to songwriters through the Collective Management Institute National. "There are still challenges regarding trust and transparency, but as the supervisor of this system, I ensure that royalties reach the songwriters," said Candra.

Tantowi continued his subtle "lobbying" by touching on the story of Morris Albert, a Brazilian musician who became wealthy from the royalties of his song "Feelings" (1974). Following that, Tantowi sang "Janji Suci" accompanied by Yovie Widianto on keyboard.

After the performance, Yovie joined in discussing royalties. In 2020, Yovie received the award for Best Composer at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in South Korea.

”Since then, the streamsof my songs have continued to rise and to this day there are more than 2 billion streams worldwide. "So, we have to be confident that the Indonesian people have talent, the important thing is we have to have a clear blueprint and grand design for the creative industry," said Yovie before leaving the stage.

Music diplomacy

New Zealand's Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett, also attended the concert. Tantowi's diplomacy continued as he performed songs that are beloved in New Zealand, such as "Ten Guitars" (1966) by Engelbert Humperdinck.

In another session, Tantowi sang the song "Mimpi Sedih" (Sad Dream) together with Ambonese singer, Mark Pattie. Tantowi sang the Indonesian lyrics, while Mark sang in the Maori language.

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The song "Mimpi Sedih" is a work by A Riyanto that was popular in the 1970s. Singers Emilia Contessa, Tetty Kadi, Broery Marantika, and Rio Febrian have all sung this song. Tantowi was surprised to find that this sentimental song was popular in New Zealand and Asia Pacific countries in the local language, such as Samoa, Fiji, and the Cook Islands.

According to Tantowi, it turns out that the legendary singer from New Zealand named Prince Tui Teka had gone to Singapore in the past. Teka fell in love with this song. Teka then composed "E Ipo" (1982) which became popular based on the melody of "Mimpi Sedih".

"This song is my diplomatic weapon. When performing in public in New Zealand and Pacific countries, I always sing this song. First, I sing it in the local language and then continue in Indonesian," said Tantowi.

The song "Sad Dreams" became my diplomatic weapon.

Tantowi once recorded the song together with Shane Reti, who is now the Minister of Health of New Zealand. Thanks to the song, Tantowi also successfully diplomated in Asia Pacific countries. As a result, Indonesia successfully held a Pacific Exposition event.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Former Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Tantowi Yahya held the concert "The Journey of My Life"; in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024). In this concert, Tantowi sang songs that colored his childhood in the genres of pop, rock, country, disco, and broadway. i>. He also collaborated with Ikke Nurjanah, Yovie Widianto, and Lilo.

After singing "Mimpi Sedih" with Mark Pattie, Tantowi approached Ambassador Kevin Burnett who is still of Maori descent, jokingly saying that the song was Indonesia's contribution to New Zealand. "This is a popular song in New Zealand. So I'm happy to hear the original version of this song," said Burnett.

After two hours of fun, Tantowi and the Thomshell Band ended the concert with the song "When Will I See You Again" (1974) from The Three Degrees. A sweet ending. At the end of the song, a smile appeared on the musician's face again. Tantowi has proven that anyone and anything cannot diminish the country within him.