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Piano expert praises Charlotte performance of ‘moderately difficult’ piece

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Piano expert praises Charlotte performance of ‘moderately difficult’ piece


Piano expert praises Charlotte performance of ‘moderately difficult’ piece

Princess Charlotte left a lasting impression on all the people who tuned into to watch the surprise duet with her mother Kate Middleton.

The Together at Christmas Carol service was broadcasted on the eve of Christmas and it featured the mother and daughter performing Holm Sound, a piece of music that was originally composed by Erland Cooper and inspired by his love of Orkney, in the Shetland Islands.

The performance was pre-recorded at Windsor Castle and it earned praises from royal fans and including the Emmy nominated, Scottish composer, producer, Erland, himself.

The musician was personally invited by the Princess of Wales for some “encouragement” and clearly taken by the “lovely” performance. The piece is classified as “moderately” difficult for those in Grade 4-6.

“I mean, imagine anybody performing a piece of music in front of a film crew, and then the person who wrote it,” he said. “Princess Charlotte played beautifully, she really has a wonderful way of playing the lighter notes just beautifully.”

He added that it was “certainly one of my favourite winter solstice moments” and it was “very special, sort of quiet moment”.

Erland also described the special significance the piece held for him, some thing that the young princess was not aware of when she played the music.

“There’s a wonderful bit of serendipity as the piece was composed and dedicated to my mum, also called Charlotte,” he shared. “They didn’t know about, that it’s about motherhood, and how family plays such an important role and such a key part to all of this.”





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Bad Bunny makes ex-NFL star ‘worried’ before Super Bowl LX

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Bad Bunny makes ex-NFL star ‘worried’ before Super Bowl LX


Bad Bunny makes ex-NFL star ‘worried’ before Super Bowl LX

Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl LX halftime show performer has stirred a wide mix of reactions in the build-up to the clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, with music, politics and expectations all colliding before kick-off.

The Puerto Rican Grammy Award winner has been a talking point not just for his chart success, but also for his outspoken criticism of Trump administration policies, particularly the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeting undocumented immigrants. 

That background has left some wondering what tone he might strike on one of the biggest stages in sport.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed those concerns earlier in the week, saying he believed Bad Bunny understood the scale and responsibility of the halftime platform. 

Goodell expressed hope that the performance would bring fans together rather than deepen existing divisions.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III echoed that sentiment, stressing that the focus should remain on the music. 

Speaking to Fox News Digital ahead of Sports Illustrated’s Super Bowl party on Saturday night, Griffin said, “One thing I know Bad Bunny can do is that he can all make us tap our feet and shake our b**ties. I want him to go out there and unite people with music.” 

He added, “Music we can all dance to it and enjoy. So, I’m looking forward to the performance. I’m not worried about the politics. I’m not worried about any statements. Just have a good time and do what you’re supposed to do, uniting the world around something that is eternal. Music is the heartbeat of the world.”

Not everyone shared that enthusiasm. 

When asked whether he was excited about the halftime show, Logan Paul gave a blunt response to Fox News Digital, simply saying, “No!”

Other former NFL players were more upbeat. 

Todd Gurley and Danny Amendola both said they were looking forward to the music, signalling that, for some, the entertainment aspect outweighs any off-field debate.

Bad Bunny’s political views have remained part of the conversation in the days leading up to the game. 

His criticism of ICE resurfaced after he reinforced his position at the Grammy Awards, saying, “ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”

As Super Bowl LX approaches, the reaction to Bad Bunny’s involvement highlights the balance many fans are hoping for, a performance that delivers energy and spectacle, while navigating the intense scrutiny that comes with one of the most-watched events in the world.





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Travis Kelce reveals Taylor Swift’s key advice as retirement looms

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Travis Kelce reveals Taylor Swift’s key advice as retirement looms


Taylor Swift makes her wishes clear as Travis Kelce contemplates big decision

Travis Kelce has Taylor Swift’s full support as he stands at a career crossroads in his life. While deciding whether or not to retire from football, the star athlete turned to another sport and his fiancée had nothing but endless support.

The 36-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight participated in the golf game at WM Phoenix Open this week and impressed the audience with his skills.

When Kelce earned applause from all over the stadium, landing his ball only a few feet away from the hole, fans even started suggesting he switches careers to a full-time golf player.

Speaking with the press after the game, the New Heights co-host was asked if his wife-to-be had any special advice for him for the match.

“Just go and have fun, sweetie,” Kelce recalled, adding, “That’s the only advice she can give on a day like today.”

The football star seemed to be following the advice as he struck one impressive shot after another, leading the commentator to remark that Swift would be writing a song about it.

The pop superstar appears to have similar outlook at her fiancé’s retirement decision as well. While the couple seem to be ready to get married this summer, there have been reports about talks to postpone the wedding in case Kelce decides to return to the field for another year. 





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Don Henley reflects on the Eagles’ “miraculous run,” Glenn Frey, and their last chapter

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Don Henley reflects on the Eagles’ “miraculous run,” Glenn Frey, and their last chapter


The nighttime lights of Las Vegas can hide the stars, but sometimes you can still find them under one dazzling roof.

One of the greatest bands on Earth — the Eagles — are in residence at the state-of-the-art Las Vegas Sphere, led by the band’s co-founder Don Henley, along with longtime guitarist Joe Walsh and country star Vince Gill.

And whenever the Eagles perform here, they sell the place out.

The Eagles’ “miraculous run”

“I guess we’re kind of a staple,” Henley said. “Our first record came out in ’72. Fifty-three years of playing for people. So it’s… you know, it’s been a miraculous run.”

And it got even more miraculous last month, when one of those Eagles albums from the 1970s — “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” — was certified quadruple diamond, the first to sell more than 40 million copies, cementing its place as the best-selling album of all time.

“‘Greatest Hits’ is kind of a misnomer. It should just be called their best songs because every song on that album was not a great hit. You know? There are a couple of songs on that album that didn’t break the top 30. But they’re good songs. Desperado, for example, was never released as a single. Not by us, nor by Linda Ronstadt,” Henley said.

Henley adds that the album wasn’t really their idea; it was basically pushed on them by the record company. But the band “didn’t have any way to stop them,” Henley joked.

“We complained. Oh, yeah. It’s documented,” he laughed.

Legacy of late bandmate Glenn Frey

Henley said writing Desperado with his late bandmate Glenn Frey was the first time the pair collaborated as songwriting partners. He added that they clicked instantly, and Frey quickly earned the nickname “the lone arranger.”

“Because he was so good at arranging songs,” Henley explained.

Frey died 10 years ago at age 67, but his legacy is larger than life.

Before the show, fans can take a literal walk down memory lane at a place called the Eagles’ Third Encore — an almost life-sized model of the key places in the band’s history, including a mock-up of L.A.’s Troubadour nightclub, which includes a real working bar.

But Henley’s pre-show routine isn’t quite the same as it used to be. Instead of taking a shot of tequila, he’s doing crunches as a warm-up.

“I don’t do voice exercises because they don’t help. I sing from my core, so keeping my abdomen in shape makes me sing better,” he said, adding with a laugh, “I don’t have a six-pack or anything, but there’s one under there somewhere.”

Deacon Frey fills in for his late father

One of the emotional highlights of the show is the moment where Frey’s son, Deacon, takes the stage in his father’s spot, often with his father’s guitar, and sings his father’s songs.

“I burst with pride. I almost got tears in my eyes the other night when he was filling in for Joe,” Henley said.

Henley said he wasn’t sure performing without Frey was feasible, but the band agreed to continue only if Deacon could join them.

A father of three himself, Henley has always had a rich life outside the band, and he recently co-produced a PBS documentary with filmmaker Ken Burns about Henry David Thoreau.

“There are so many parallels to what he was seeing during his time and what we’re seeing now. As Mark Twain said, ‘History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.’ And I think that’s what’s happening now,” Henley said.

What’s next?

The Eagles are keeping the music alive with a few more live shows this summer and an extended run in Las Vegas into April, featuring cutting-edge technology that didn’t exist when they first started making music.

“The sound system is like nothing on the planet. There are about 167,000 speakers in that dome,” Henley said of the Sphere.

The Eagles’ tour is called “The Long Goodbye,” but Henley says this time he means it.

“You know, I think this year will probably be it. I’ve said things like that before, but I feel like we’re getting toward the end. And that will be fine, too,” Henley said.

After more than 50 years of playing, Henley says he has to psych himself up to perform the Eagles’ classics each night.

“After a while, you learn to make friends with the songs,” he says. “It’s not about us. It’s about what they mean to the people we’re playing them for. You have to play every night with your heart in it.” Henley adds, “Music is medicine. And people need some medicine right now.”



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