On The Red Dot : MSN Video
Grandma Mary was cast as the barefoot Singapore granny walking along the streets of Singapore as part of a social experiment to find out if our society had been inspired by the Korean taekwando coach, Choi Dae Hoe's act of graciousness when he kindly offered his slippers to a barefoot elderly lady on the bus. Watch our versatile Grandma Mary being totally transformed and assuming a different role in this video clip to promote awareness of graciousness in our society.
http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/on-the-red-dot-bite-size-13/1b8i85dfl
(27 February 2013 - MediaCorp)
Food Reformers To Go: We Are Young: Channel NewsAsia
"Does age necessarily need to slow us down? Not if these silver surfers are to be believed.
Meet a 76 year old grandma who plays the electric guitar and has received over 3 million views on YouTube..."
Catch Grandma Mary once again in the exclusive interview presented by Channel NewsAsia via this link
Food Reformers To go: We are young
"Ageing is beautiful - I do not fear ageing at all because with age you have more experience, you are wiser, you have more confidence, and also you have more time to do what you want to do... and that's beautiful" ~ Grandma Mary
(27 June 2012 - Channel NewsAsia)
Grandma Mary plays at the 25th Anniversary dinner of Yeo-Leong & Peh LLC
Grandma Mary thrilled and entertained 650 guests at the 25th Anniversary celebration dinner of law corporation
Yeo-Leong & Peh LLC at the Island ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel. She was accompanied by the internationally acclaimed jazz band, the Jeremy Monteiro Trio comprising Jeremy Monteiro (keyboard) Tamagoh (drums) Brian Benson (bass) with special guest vocalist, Claressa Monteiro.
Jaime Yeo, the compere for the evening, introduced grandma Mary in some of the following words :-
"Grandma Mary, aged 76, is said to be possibly one of the coolest grandmas. She first started learning to strum the acoustic guitar at 60. She's been featured in numerous publications, appeared in many public performances and TV programs in Singapore and abroad, inspiring and motivating others, as well as for charitable causes. She was featured as the cool guitar-playing from Singapore in the CBS news segment "Under the Radar" in 2009. In 2011, Grandma Mary performed at the World Open dance Showcase held at the Hong Kong convention Centre on 14 March 2011 and brought the house down playing the electric guitar and performing Rhumba, Swing, Rock n Roll dance items with international award-winning dancer and TV presenter Michael Petr. Her YouTube postings have made her an international sensation and her YouTube rank made it to the top 12 music videos with more than 3 million viewers in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, amongst other countries. Her videos are listed as "one of the most subscribed (all time) in Singapore with Honors". Grandma Mary has also cut a CD album entitled Grandma Mary Rocks which is distributed to all our guests here tonight..."
(27 April 2012 - 25th Anniversary dinner of Yeo-Leong & Peh LLC)
Channel 5 Mediacorp
Mary was interviewed by roving reporter, Kelly Latimer, in a current television programme, Singapore Talking, hosted by Bharati Jagdish and aired on Channel 5.
In this programme, Mary gave tips and guidance on active aging and ways to keep busy and healthy. Said the host of Mary, " I am less than half her age and yet I am not as active as that...".
Watch the video clip of the lively programme via this link http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-12/1tqhnu6gf
(18 March 2012 - Channel 5 Mediacorp Singapore Talking 10.30pm)
There's Something About Mary
Mary continues to spark inspiration to all in a feature on Agelessonline, an online magazine for seniors about active ageing, health, finance and other interesting information to help seniors live healthier and happier.
"Learning to play the acoustic guitar without a musical background when you are 60-something is adventurous, to say the least. If you go on to play the lead electric guitar and perform live, it is no mean feat indeed.
In fact, it's pretty darn cool." Read about it on http://www.agelessonline.net/1981/theres-something-about-mary/
(20 March 2012 - Cheok Mei-ing Agelessonline)
Dazzling Christmas Party @ Mandarin Orchard
Grandma Mary performed again at a Christmas party organized by the New Life Community Church on 25 December 2011. The theme of the party was "Dazzling Christmas" and appearing with her was her grandson, Bertrand. Grandma Mary's lively spirit and courage indeed dazzled and inspired everyone, juniors and seniors alike from all walks of life, to take on a positive spirit of learning, sharing and serving.
(25 December 2011)
International Volunteer Day@Scape, 26 November 2011
Grandma Mary performed at the event "Walk With Me" held at the Scape on International Volunteer Day on 26 November 2011 which marked the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. Also appearing were local celebrities, Gurmit Singh, Hossan Leong, amongst others, at the rousing event organized by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in joint forces with its volunteer host organisation (VHO) partners: Lions Befrienders, Asian Women's Welfare Association, Pertapis, Sathya Sai, Singapore Association for Mental Health, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, YMCA of Singapore and the Methodist Welfare Services.
(26 November 2011)
Grandma Diva Rocks And Plays Santana
"She is one of the most celebrated grandmothers in Singapore so when I wrote to her asking how she manages to play the solid guitar at such a tender age she wrote this personal note..." Read all about it on http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com
(4 July 2011- Andy Lim, Singapore60s Blogger)
Grandma Discovers The Blues | Blues Asia Network
"Her fame is spreading. Just last March, she was a featured performer at the World Open Dance Showcase in Hong Kong. Her website lists many other performances and press clips... Grandma Mary proves once again: one is never too old - or too young - to dig the blues..."
(13 May 2011 -Tom Colvin, founder and editor-in-chief of BLUES ASIA NETWORK)
Gold 90.5FM presented by Brian Richmond
"...She has embraced life to the fullest and just when everybody started retiring at the age of 60, she started picking up some new skills. She learnt to strum the acoustic guitar... and went on to do a few other things as well. Then she started to learn to play the lead guitar. That's right... there was no turning back. Today at the age of 71, she is certainly an inspiration to a lot of people around her. Apart from playing the guitar she also dances, she plays the electone, the drums, harmonica, she loves drama, and she loves traveling. This is one woman who really loves life..."
Brian Richmond who played Mary's recording of the "Black Magic Woman", a track from her album "Grandma Mary's Latin Rock" on Gold 90.5FM.
World Open Dance Showcase (Hong Kong)
Mary performed at the World Open Dance Showcase held at the Hong Kong Convention Centre on 14 March 2011. She brought the house down playing the electric guitar and performing a Rhumba, Swing and Rock n Rock dance item with international dancer and TV presenter Michael Petr.
All In A Woman's Day
"Nothing Is Impossible - an elderly lady rocks the crowd as she strums the guitar at a social event... Nothing is impossible in the eyes of the Labour Movement and there are no barriers that hinder progress and achievements" - an extract from "A Photo Book" by NTUC Women's Development Secretariat - in commemoration of NTUC's 50th year anniversary featuring Mary.
(18 February 2011)
Lifewise Magazine
"When I play, I feel happy and lost in my own world. I enjoy the thrill of performing; it helps me connect with people. My grandchildren admire my spirit and want to be like me when they grow old."
(Issue 31 - Jan/Feb 2011)
Mel & Joe "40 Years & Still Rocking Live in Concert with Family & Friends"
Mary performed as guest guitarist with grand-daughter, Desiree, on the drums at the Mel and Joe 40th Anniversary concert with family and friends at D'Marquee Downtown East in Singapore. Mary thrilled and inspired the audience with her rendition of the swinging blues "I Need Your Love So Bad" By Peter Green and also "Samba Pa Ti" by Carlos Santana.
(28 November 2010)
Mary, the Guitar Granny
" Samba Pa Ti by Santana is not a song you would expect a grandmother to know, much less play effortlessly on the electric guitar. But the rock classic inspired Madam Mary Ho, 74, who has seven grandchildren, to pick up the guitar. "
(The New Paper, 3 April 2010)
Singapore Council of Women's Organisations 30th anniversary gala dinner
Mary and her grandson, Bertrand, performed at the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations 30th anniversary gala dinner attended by guest-of-honour Mrs S R Nathan and special guests Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon on 31 March 2010.
31 March 2010
NAC-EXXON MOBIL Concert in the Park
Mary and her grandson, Bertrand, played at the NAC-Exxon Mobil "Artreach" concert at the Sembawang Park on 28th March 2010.
28 March 2010
Overcoming the generation gap through music :
" I believe that in order to be close to your grandchildren, you have to first get along with your own children. Then your grandchildren will see that family closeness is natural, and fall in line. "
(Weekend Today, 16 January 2010)
X'mas party: Healthy Aging Association, Singapore
Mary and grandson, Bertand, performed at the X'mas party organised by the Healthy Aging Association of Singapore on 12 December 2009. The proceeds of sale of Mary's CD album at the X'mas party went to benefit the causes of the said non-profit organisation.
CBS news: Under the Radar
Mary was featured as the cool guitar-playing granny from Singapore in the CBS news segment "Under the Radar" hosted by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill on on 26 September 2009.
Strings Attached
"Mary often amazes her audience when she plays the guitar. Not only does she play it well, she is 73 years old and a grandmother of seven... It is clear that this family shares a bond that spans any generation gap - thanks to their passion for music, inspired by Mary's love for the electric guitar."
(Today, 20 August 2009)
Okto : I Will Survive!
Mary appeared in Okto's brand-new series "I Will Survive" on Saturday, 14 February 2009 at 8.30pm. She was interviewed by host Elizabeth Tan.
Performance at KK Hospital Alumni Dinner & Dance
Mary was invited to perform live at the KK Hospital Alumni 20th Dinner & Dance at the Sheraton Hotel in 2005.
This granny rocks 'n' rolls
" Possibly the coolest grandma in Singapore , 71 year-old Mary
Ho jams with her 16-year old grandson and is preparing to release her first album. "
(The Straits Times, 31 July 2007)
ToneQuest
Mary was honoured to give a talk and perform live at at ToneQuest held at The Blue Room, The Arts House on 6th October 2007 . This was an event of guitar gear 101 and live looping presented by Randolf Arriola.
Granny pitches in for ChildAid
As for this year's inaugural grandma participant, Madam Ho says: "I was so surprised at being asked to perform because ChildAid is a charity concert by children. But I'm happy to do what I can to help the needy kids. I've lived through the war, so I know what it's like to be in that position."
(The Straits Times, 12 Oct 2007)
Still Rocking
"The lively grandmother of seven took up the guitar at the age 60 and has made such strides with the instrument in the past 11 years that she recently recorded an album of her favourite songs, including Santana hits Black Magic Woman and Europa…"
(The Business Times, 6 Dec 2007 )
Catch "Rouge" on MediaCorp TV Channel
Mary appeared on premiere episode of MediaCorp TV women's talkshow "Rouge" on 9th March 2008. She thrilled and inspired viewers with her rock and roll soul and spirited performance of Samba Pa TI composed by Carlos Santana.
Rockin' grandmas and high-tech grandpas
"Mary Ho, for instance, taught her seven grandchildren the electric guitar. They taught her how to use Skype. The 72-year-old calls herself the 'on-call grandmother', and plays counsellor, caregiver and chef to her grandchildren.... Mary learnt to play the guitar when she was 60 and has since released a Latin-rock album; she is currently recording a blues one."
(The Straits Times, 22 November 2008)
