Abao

After winning the title, Abao performed regularly on television for many years, including the 2006 CCTV New Year's Gala. He released his second album in 2006. He has also appeared as a judge on various television shows, including Xingguang Dadao. In 2013, Abao participated in the Chinese reality television show Splash!.

In 2004, Abao was performing in Beijing when he was spotted by a producer of a TV show. He was placed in folk-singing competition Xibu Mingge Diansi Dasai ( 西部民歌电视大赛) organized by CCTV, for which he received a bronze prize. Following his appearance on the show, he released a CD, self-titled Abao. He then entered the first season of the singing contest Xingguang Dadao. In the final in 2005, he performed "The Wild Lilies Bloom a Brilliant Red" (山丹丹开花红艳艳, Shandandan kaihua hongyanyan), and won the contest, beating the duo Phoenix Legend.

Zhang Shaochun (Chinese: 张少淳, born 27 February 1969), known professionally as Abao (Chinese: 阿宝), is a Chinese folk singer from Shanxi. He first came to prominence as the winner of the CCTV talent contest Xingguang Dadao ('Star Road') in 2005, and became one of the best-known folk singers from the northwest of China.

Abao was born in the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi on 27 February 1969. He began singing when he was four, influenced by a local folk singer although he had no formal training. Apart from Shanxi folk songs, he also learned to sing other folk songs, including songs of Shaanbei from neighbouring Shaanxi. He enrolled at Datong Arts School when he was twelve, and graduated in 1986.