Sometimes, the most cherished traditions start in the most unexpected ways. For my livestream followers, the inclusion of Bolero—the iconic piece by Ravel—has become a signature moment, and it all started with an unlikely connection to black ice and Olympic glory.
Long-time followers of my channel, Colin and Gaynor, have always been a source of encouragement and good humor. One day, they came across a post on my Facebook wall where I shared an unfortunate (and slightly embarrassing) experience of slipping on black ice in the local supermarket car park. While I walked away with no serious injuries, the story caught their attention and brought back memories of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s gold-medal-winning performance to Bolero at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
For them, the mental link between my slippery misstep and the graceful skating of Torvill and Dean became an inside joke. They couldn’t get Bolero out of their heads, and before I knew it, the suggestion was made: “Why not play Bolero on one of your livestreams?”
It was too fun to pass up. The piece itself is a masterpiece of musical tension and buildup, and its connection to such an iconic moment in Olympic history gave it an extra layer of meaning. It quickly became a favorite among my viewers, and the tradition was born.
Now, every time I perform Bolero during a livestream, it’s not just about the music—it’s about the laughter, the community, and the memories we’ve built together. It reminds me of the unique and sometimes whimsical ways we connect through music and stories.
So, to Colin and Gaynor, thank you for turning a slip on the ice into something so much more meaningful. And to everyone watching, next time you hear me play Bolero remember: every tradition has a story, and this one started with a little humor and a lot of heart.
