Post by shayne on Dec 12, 2009 19:42:17 GMT 8
Dream comes true for Westlife as they meet hero Obama
11 Dec 2009
By Lorna Nolan
Westlife spent some time with American President Barack Obama before their performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert last night.
Singer Shane Filan told of his delight at getting so close to President Obama, the latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The band had the opportunity to meet the President when they flew over to Norway yesterday afternoon in advance of their performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo tonight.
Shane, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily were invited by organisers to take part in the ceremony -- an opportunity they wouldn't dream of turning down.
However, Shane was determined he would not be giving the US President the Royal treatment by bowing before him. Speaking ahead of the historical meeting, Shane said: "I won't be bowing, I'll just be shaking his hand and saying to him, 'You're doing a great job'.
"I've always said that I'd love to meet an American President and I thought some day maybe I would.
"But I certainly didn't think it would be President Barack Obama, he's kind of the one everyone wants to meet.
"We're playing at the Nobel Peace Prize concert so we flew over a bit earlier to meet him and we've been looking forward to that very much," he added.
President Obama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months after he took the oath of office, was honoured at a special ceremony last night.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2009 prize to Mr Obama for his "efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".
Tonight will see Westlife perform three songs including a duet with Donna Summer called Enough Is Enough.
Other performers joining Westlife at the star-studded concert will include Natasha Bedingfield, Wyclef Jean, Toby Keith, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, American jazz singer Esperanza Spading, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Norwegian fiddler Alexander Rybak and Amadou & Mariam, a blues and jazz duet from Mali.
American actor and rap artist Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, will host the concert, which will be televised internationally.
The Westlife foursome will remain in Oslo until tomorrow before returning home to their respective families.
lnolan@herald.ie
Credit/Source: herald.ie
11 Dec 2009
By Lorna Nolan
Westlife spent some time with American President Barack Obama before their performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert last night.
Singer Shane Filan told of his delight at getting so close to President Obama, the latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The band had the opportunity to meet the President when they flew over to Norway yesterday afternoon in advance of their performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo tonight.
Shane, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily were invited by organisers to take part in the ceremony -- an opportunity they wouldn't dream of turning down.
However, Shane was determined he would not be giving the US President the Royal treatment by bowing before him. Speaking ahead of the historical meeting, Shane said: "I won't be bowing, I'll just be shaking his hand and saying to him, 'You're doing a great job'.
"I've always said that I'd love to meet an American President and I thought some day maybe I would.
"But I certainly didn't think it would be President Barack Obama, he's kind of the one everyone wants to meet.
"We're playing at the Nobel Peace Prize concert so we flew over a bit earlier to meet him and we've been looking forward to that very much," he added.
President Obama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months after he took the oath of office, was honoured at a special ceremony last night.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2009 prize to Mr Obama for his "efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".
Tonight will see Westlife perform three songs including a duet with Donna Summer called Enough Is Enough.
Other performers joining Westlife at the star-studded concert will include Natasha Bedingfield, Wyclef Jean, Toby Keith, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, American jazz singer Esperanza Spading, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Norwegian fiddler Alexander Rybak and Amadou & Mariam, a blues and jazz duet from Mali.
American actor and rap artist Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, will host the concert, which will be televised internationally.
The Westlife foursome will remain in Oslo until tomorrow before returning home to their respective families.
lnolan@herald.ie
Credit/Source: herald.ie