BLIND Taiwanese singer Ricky Hsiao’s new album was shortlisted for this year’s Taiwan Golden Melody Awards.

    The album “Shang Shui De Hua” also earned him best Cantonese album and best Cantonese song at the just finished Madarin Golden Melody Awards in Guangzhou.

    Hsiao, 36, was born blind because of congenital cataracts.

    When he was 4, he underwent an operation that gave him low vision and he learned how to read music and play the guitar.

    But at 15, his eyes were overworked and he lost his sight.

    However, that did not stop him from pursuing music. He took part in a series of singing competitions for the disabled and his 2002 song “You Are My Eyes” became a hit, making him a star.

    (SD-Agencies)