Willom and Gary Tight: A father and son affair!

Willom and Gary Tight: A father and son affair!

By Peter Tinashe Kaviya

An old adage has it that a father is a daughter’s first love and son’s first hero.

The statement describes the critical role a father plays in the upbringing a child.

However, in the ever busy world of performing arts, musical fathers sometimes fail to artistically provide for their children because of the trade’s commitments.

Since the embryo of time, local music fans have not seen many father and son duets, with the little that has been witnessed often going unnoticed, but one goes down in history as the biggest and most followed father and son affair.

On February 26 2010, musician Oliver Mtukudzi introduced his son Sam at a concert titled Nzou ne Mhuru Mudanga.

The success of the project which was meant to introduce Sam to the big world music scene did not last long as tragically just a month later the young Mtukudzi died in an accident at a tender age of 21.

In March of 2016, then little known Gary ‘Tight’ Muponda was a novice at the Sam Mtukudzi Tribute gig, impressed in a cameo appearance on a night that had heavyweights like Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah.

The young artiste took fans down memory lane belting out covers of the late Sam, and seemingly that was the young Gary’s big break.

Gary is son to one of Zimbabwe’s finest artist, Willom Tight, who broke onto the local scene at the turn of the new millennium with the album Ndinoda Wangu.

The father and son duo seems to have forged a partnership that has seen them record and perform since the release of their duet chat topping Tight Party, with the recent performance being at City Sports Bar over the heroes holiday.

While many sons and daughters of late greats suddenly became musicians after the passing of their fathers, the Tight family seems to be showing the country that music is indeed in the family and maybe, just maybe; the family has heeded the words of Oliver Mtukudzi :- “ … Mai vangu vaiti kana kuri kukopa , kopa dhoiri rakana” .

Could this then be another episode of the Nzou ne Mhuru Mudanga?

Gary thinks the variables are different also revealing that he is blessed to have a chance to share the stage with his father.

“My partnership with Mdara (father) might seem to be on that same basis as what Sam and his father did but I believe ours is slightly different because I think we are the first father and son duo that actually recorded some works together, I am happy to share the stage with him anytime,” said Gary.

“You know most sons of musicians have not had the chance to perform with their fathers, for me it’s a true blessing I tell you. I’m very blessed because we could be talking about other things, for instance he could be late, but you know he has not only allowed me to follow my dreams and exploit my talent but he is there with me when I’m doing what I love best and that is music. It’s a huge blessing and I’m truly grateful that the Lord has allowed this to happen and also that my father is there as a fan, a mentor and a partner. It’s truly a humbling experience,“ a seemingly emotional Gary said.

Willom Tight, once described as a beggar on a beach of gold following problems with the release of his album Manifesto, believes that the shows with his son have helped the pair to bond.

“For starters our totem is Nyere, Samaringa a royal totem so the Nzou ne Mhuru won’t really work but it is still a rare father and son expedition like the Mtukudzis’, however the shows and sessions with my son are something to treasure. You know Gary is my best friend, we talk we share a lot and I believe this is all because we speak the same language of music and are after the same passion” Willom said.

“Gary is a talented artiste, I have enjoyed the times that we are on stage together. He has on many occasions surprised me on stage with polished deliveries. It’s one of the best feelings a father can have to see his son following his dreams and enjoying it while at it.”

Whatever the situation, Nzou ne Mhuru or what, the rare combination has given music fans a rare treat and will surely go down in history as a defining moment in our music.

While Willom, recently worked on a solo project, Manifesto, a project that features fine talents like Mansa, Salif Keita and South Africa’s Uhuru and Bongo Muffin’s Speedy in a bid to revive his career.

The Tights who are a currently topping charts on local radio stations with their duet Tight Party are also working on a 10 track album titled Kings.