– I never thought in the world that I would be sitting in one of those chairs there, Kristoffersen says in his episode of “Hver gang vi møtes” on TV 2 on Saturday.
– It is one of the greatest days in my life as a musician. Finally, I get to participate in “Hver gård vi møde”. I’m very grateful.
Kristoffersen says that many people have asked him and Ole Ivars over the years why they have not been part of the program series.
– Then I just had to answer that we were never asked.
– Strong
The new season is the 14th in a row, but it is the first time that a representative from the dance band genre is involved.
– It is very powerful for me to experience, says Kristoffersen to VG.
When asked why it has taken so long, Jan-Petter-Dahl, press manager at TV 2, replies that the composition of artists within both music genre and age is important in each and every season.
– The dance band genre has been on the wish list for a long time, and we are very happy that it fit right in with this year’s season.
Dahl describes Kristoffersen and Ole Ivars’ music as “a great enrichment” for the programme.
– So nice, says Kristoffersen to VG about the boast from TV 2.
The artist says that he gets a lot of good feedback from viewers who are also satisfied.
– Fans, friends, acquaintances and people I haven’t heard from in 40 years are getting in touch.
TABLE SETTING: William Kristoffersen as guest of honour, surrounded by (former) Matoma, Ingrid Helene Håvik, Emelie Hollow, Odin Staveland, Mari Boine and Ramon. Photo: Pinakkel Studio / Vegard Breie
On TV, Kristoffersen talks about how he and his colleagues have struggled with the feeling of not being “cultured enough”, and thus not valued.
– But I have always been satisfied myself with what we have done.
The 72-year-old can boast 58 years of racing experience and a 40-year career in Ole Ivars. Kristoffersen is the prime mover, and most of the repertoire is signed to him.
The band, which is disbanding this year, has released 50 albums. They also received Spellemann awards – eventually. In addition, Kristoffersen has been awarded both the King’s Medal of Merit and the Prøysen Prize.
But the TV participation is something entirely in itself.
– This tops everything, he says on TV.
“Every time we meet” is known to open the tear ducts of both participants and viewers. Saturday’s program is no exception.
– I’m not the one who cries the easiest, but I have a lot of emotions inside me. When I hear good music, a tear can roll down my cheek. I am not sobbing, but there is a string that is being touched, says Kristoffersen to VG.
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He grew up with a lot of music at home and a father who was a dance band musician.
Kristoffersen is particularly moved when he talks about his childhood. The time before his parents’ divorce was difficult, and he describes a lot of turmoil.
– But we have kept the love for our parents, all of us. We are very grateful, he says on TV and specifies that both were caring and supportive towards their children.
Both parents have now passed away. The sons chose to bury them in the same place.
Kristoffersen fights back tears as he reminisces.
– I am moved by this, he says.
TOUCHED: William Kristoffersen in “Every time we meet” on Saturday. Photo: SCREEN DUMP/TV 2
Every Christmas Eve, on the same day as Kristoffersen’s birthday, the brothers gather at the cemetery at home in Eidsvoll.
– Then we meet each other there, no matter how sour and ugly and cold it is, and then pretend we are with them.
It gets extra moist around the table when Emelie Hollow interprets “Je veit du er borte”, which is about grief and loss. Kristoffersen and several of the others are moved to tears.
– There were more tears than I had expected. I was a bit surprised and taken aback by that song, but I was very happy, says Kristoffersen to VG.
GLORY DAYS: Ole Ivars in 2006. Fv: Arne Willy Foss, Bjørn Elvestad, William Kristoffersen, Tore Halvorsen, Ole Ødegård and the late Arild Engh. Photo: Nils Bjåland / VG
He finds it strange to see himself on TV in this setting.
– We are shown from all angles and with all facial expressions. You don’t really know how you look yourself, says the veteran artist and chuckles.
– But it is not illejust a little weird.
The dance band veteran has two marriages behind him and is a father of four. In 2004, he married for the third time.
Kristoffersen has previously spoken in VG about how it happened when he, as a married man, fell in love with Pia Engebretsen (55).
The new “HGVM” season has an average of 780,000 viewers so far. The first program has passed one million.
According to the press manager, the season is set to be one of the most watched in the program series’ history.
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PLAYERS: Ole Ivars with the honorary trophy in 2000. Photo: Werner Juvik / VG
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