Howard Carpendale
Christmas is "always a big family celebration"
For Howard Carpendale, Christmas is "always a big family celebration".
© Mumpi Kuenster
Howard Carpendale's Christmas party will also be different in 2020. In the interview he reveals that his grandson Mads is at the center of the party.
Like many German families, Howard Carpendale (74, "Symphony of my Life 2") cannot celebrate with all relatives this year. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he tells that his son Cass (32) will not be able to join the family from the USA in 2020. At the heart of Christmas is his grandson Mads (2), the son of Wayne (43) and Annemarie Carpendale (43). The pop singer also reveals what his 2020 balance sheet looks like and what he plans for New Year's Eve.
How are you celebrating Christmas this year?
Howard Carpendale: Well, that's of course the big question right now. Usually we celebrate every year with my blended family, with my grandson Mads at the center. Everything has always been very beautifully and festively decorated. And every year someone else is responsible for the festive menu.
What will change for you at Christmas due to Corona?
Carpendale: The contacts have now been restricted again. Unfortunately, my son Cass cannot come to Germany from America, so Christmas will be different this year. But I think I feel like everyone else – you will have to assess exactly what risk you would like to take for this "special" Christmas or what you would rather do without.
Are there certain traditions that you maintain year after year?
Carpendale: As already mentioned, Christmas is always a big family celebration for me. We are all on the road a lot for work and it is just a nice tradition for us to spend the holidays together in peace. We don't have a certain ritual, we always take turns organizing within the family. Now, of course, the focus is on my grandchild, and that's nice too.
How do you celebrate new year?
Carpendale: Oh, I'm not actually celebrating that because I travel a lot all year round. So mostly Donnice and I enjoy a cozy evening with a nice meal and maybe we can watch a good movie.
What is your personal balance sheet in 2020?
Carpendale: That is very difficult! While my album "Symphony of my Life 1" reached gold status, my tour "The Show of My Life" was abruptly interrupted by Covid-19 after nine sold out shows in Berlin. Corona is a shock for the whole world and we are still a long way from this paralysis of shock. A work ban has been imposed on the cultural industry to this day and many individual companies, organizers and musicians continue to struggle to survive. So it's an absurdly bad year and it's good that it ends now.
What resolutions do you have for 2021?
Carpendale: January 14th marks the 75th anniversary of my birthday. I feel very humbled that the German audience still wants to see me after such a long time. So I just hope that I can still give a lot of my gratitude back to the people – preferably live at concerts under normal circumstances.