Cy Flanagan and Brandi Gunder are joining the ranks at Florida TaxWatch
Flanagan brings more than a decade of experience in membership development
stakeholder engagement and strategic relationship management to the government watchdog
most recently as Membership Director for the Capital City Chamber of Commerce
Flanagan will serve as Director of Membership and Engagement
she will lead “efforts to cultivate meaningful relationships
and connected to the mission of promoting responsible government spending across Florida.”
Gunder adds more than 15 years of state government experience to FTW’s roster
The FSU law school graduate has extensive knowledge of state budget and tax policy
having worked in the DeSantis and Scott administrations
most recently as Acting Director of Policy and Budget at the Executive Office
Gunder’s policy background will inform FTW’s research output — the organization routinely publishes reports analyzing state tax and budget policy
including widely read annual reports on “Budget Turkeys” and “Taxpayer Independence Day.”
“We are excited to welcome both CyRhonda Flanagan and Brandi Gunder to the Florida TaxWatch team
both bringing substantial credentials and extensive experience to their positions and who will serve our members
and the people of our state as the respected ‘eyes and ears’ of Florida taxpayers
with honor and distinction,” said FTW President and CEO Dominic Calabro
Added FTW Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp
Governor and state Representative: “They are both extraordinarily talented and will enhance our ability to significantly impact public policy and hold government accountable on behalf of the taxpayers of our great state.”
Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics
He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter
covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics
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and aunt who touched the lives of many with her kind heart and strong spirit
She was preceded in death by her half brother
Brandi leaves behind to cherish her memory her parents
Ronny (Susan) Jones and Pamela (Bill) McCain; her sister
but her memory will live on in all who knew and loved her
A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday
2025 at 5:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home - The Mack Shelton Parlor with Reverend Guinn Green officiating
The family will be receiving friends from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm prior to the service
You are invited to share a personal memory of Brandi or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com
Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements
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"This business kills people from the inside," White recalled telling his mother after Brandis' suicide in 2003
Bryan Steffy/Getty; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Alberto E
There's no business like show business, but a tragic death in Jaleel White's professional life almost threw him off course
The show, set to star Frank Langella, Peter Strauss and Tippi Hedren, revolved around the work lives of several maids, nannies and maintenance workers employed at an apartment building in the affluent New York City neighborhood, according to IMDb
"I imagine that Jonathan felt he needed that pilot to feed his soul," White wrote in Chapter 13 of his book "I'll Love You for As Long As I Need You."
"I've never known an actor to ask me repeatedly about our pickup prospects the way he did when we shot '111 Gramercy Park.' … It seemed to me that Jonathan
had come to another career crossroads and (the show) would have offered him an honest chance at leading-man status," he goes on
Cher memoir interview: Pop icon bares all about Sonny Bono, 'beautiful' Gregg Allman and why drugs are 'boring'
a fellow former child star who starred in the early '90s comedies "Ladybugs" and "Sidekicks," died by suicide in November 2003
I could only speculate what Jonathan was going through at that time," said White of Brandis' death
he had dedicated his entire life to achieving what Leonardo DiCaprio and the rest of his peer group had seemingly accomplished with ease
I was the more well-adjusted success story
I grew up in an industry that always told me I couldn't match Leo's or Tobey Maguire's level of success and still I'd made a tremendous living for myself."
In a 2021 interview with People magazine
Brandis' father Greg said his son's death was not caused by his work in the entertainment industry
speculating instead that undiagnosed bipolar disorder may have contributed to his suicide
he showed signs of manic depression," Greg said
"I hope that anyone suffering can go get help."
White said Brandis' death darkened his outlook on his own career in showbiz
The actor recalled in the memoir telling his mother
This business kills people from the inside."
Although White continued working in the entertainment industry
he "cried for what felt like a fallen soldier" in his grief for Brandis
Barbara Taylor Bradford dies: 'A Woman of Substance' author was 91
"Jonathan and I were not close at all as kids
But he and I always had a way of crossing paths again and again," White said
adding that the two developed a friendship while filming "111 Gramercy Park" in Toronto
Almost as soon as Elton John began recording his latest album
In 2023, he and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin reached out to singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile and proposed making an album together — in just 20 days
"We went in with Andrew Watt (the producer)
Bernie Taupin and myself," Elton John told Morning Edition host A Martínez
I didn't want to know what was going to happen
I was wanting to be unprepared and have a big adventure."
That "big adventure" became the new album Who Believes in Angels?
The project was unusual in more ways than one
It's the first time Elton John ever let a camera crew document his writing and recording process
And what viewers see is: The first few sessions were disastrous
The video also reveals something stunning: Even after all his success
"The fear led to me having self-doubt about my writing
about what the album should be like," he says
kind of ornery for the first five or six days
'I don't know whether we should continue with this.' But once it fell into place
Elton John called it "one of the greatest experiences that I've had in recent years in the studio."
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
A Martínez: It sounds like there was a tense moment in the studio
We joke about it because it was very intense — and it did look touch-and-go for a while
But I can't think of anything more musical than just acting how you feel when you're creating music
and you don't hear that kind of thing anymore because things can get really synthetic in studios
Elton John: And the frustrations that I had were mostly frustrations about my own ability to get the lyric right or the melody right or get the harmony right
Doubt is something you always have when you're doing an album
I think every artist — whether they're a painter or a composer or a dancer or a photographer — doubt is a part of the process
Is this the best I can do at this particular time
But then it all fell into place when Bernie gave me the lyrics to "The Rose of Laura Nyro" and "Little Richard's Bible." And then she wrote "Swing for the Fences." Once we'd done those tracks
I've never coasted and I never want to coast
about myself — just like Elton had doubts about himself
But the album was a leap of faith — of our friendship and each other's musicality and whether or not those things would blend
A Martínez: There was a point in that video
"I'm having a hard time connecting with Elton." What was going on there
I was having a hard time connecting with Elton
But one of the main things that was happening was: He was wanting to call it a day
There were really sad things happening in the world
and he was thinking maybe it wasn't a good time
Elton's just having a moment of doubt and insecurity." But I respect Elton so much that I was
"I want to honor this." If he doesn't want to do this right now
I want to pay attention to him because maybe there's some wisdom in it
And I'll tell you a story: The first song that we wrote and recorded didn't make the album
and it actually wasn't that great of a song
When we came in on the second day and the producer played it back for us
I watched Elton do something I've never been brave enough to do
and Elton looks at me and Bernie and Andrew and he goes
But then I thought to myself in the days after: Actually
Why wasn't anybody brave enough to say they hate it except him
There's something really pure about that reaction
that was a typical Elton John do-it-by-numbers-type song
And I just was so upset at my boring chord sequence and the boring things that I did for that song
So I was being very critical of myself and I did hate it
It sounded like it could have been a track on an album from 10
Brandi Carlile: And if you hadn't said that — and we had just kept on going along like that — we may have made a whole album like that
But you are the one that stopped that from happening
the song "Swing for the Fences" — I read that you felt like that was your gem that you were going to bring to this whole thing
Brandi Carlile: It's a love letter to LGBTQ youth
It is also a thank-you letter to Elton in some ways
He really wanted me to write a rock and roll song
He really wanted it to be positive and uplifting and exciting
It was the only song that felt like an assignment to me
It's the first song that I brought to him in the studio
This is what I've been wanting her to do for a long time." It was like manna from heaven
it seems like mortality comes up quite a bit on this album
either accepting the end of things or maybe fighting to enjoy the days we have left
Was that a theme you were consciously trying to include here
which is the last song I recorded ["When This Old World Is Done With Me"]
I was halfway through the lyrics on the bus
and then I got to the chorus and found out what it was about
I think I have so much more time on this planet
But it's a time when we do think about what's going to happen
But I've never sang about it so meaningfully as this song
Brandi Carlile: It's really interesting the way that Elton and Bernie are connected
When it came in through the printer and I held it in my hands for the first time
"I wonder how Bernie's feeling in this moment," you know
Elton and Bernie have been so connected throughout the years — Elton's sung Bernie's story so many times that I think that this lyric is a connection between the two of them
And it was really beautiful to watch that come out and see the connection between these two men play out in real time
it's just about as much about Bernie as it is about me
because we had the closest relationship anyone could have
as partners and songwriters and friends and allies
It's so special that when you see it written down like that in black and white
You're not in the right frame of mind singing today
You come in tomorrow when you're fresh and you do the piano and vocal live at the same time."
did it first-take — piano and vocal live — and that's what you hear
is there anything that came out of this process that maybe makes you a better songwriter
I was recently writing for a new album — a Brandi Carlile album — and missing Elton so much … but remembering that the Elton music I witnessed in the studio live is a well that I'm always going to be able to draw from
I have little rules and nuances and boundaries
a musician and also just as a friend — he blows those boundaries apart
The audio version of this story was produced by Adam Bearne
The digital version was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi
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Having collaborated with the likes of (deep breath) John Lennon
it’s fair to say that Elton John likes to work with other artists
Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here
Other artists use collaboration to stay current in an ever-evolving musical landscape. Take Paul McCartney teaming up with Michael Jackson in the 1980s then Kayne West in the 2010s. Or The Beach Boys’ ill-advised foray into hip hop with The Fat Boys
Or Madonna recording with insert name of current flavour-of-the-month artist
And collaborations are only becoming more common. According to the Official Charts company, since 2020 almost half of the 100 biggest tracks have been collaborations
which is more than double the amount we saw at the end of the noughties
There’s good reason why more and more artists are getting together to record
A 2023 research paper found that collaborations not only received more than twice the number of plays per week on average compared to solo efforts
but also significantly increased the number of plays an artist received in the future
To avoid such pitfalls, cultural sociologist Jo Haynes prescribes competency
respect and sincerity as the main ingredients of successful musical collaboration
In the case of Elton John and Brandi Carlile
although we may only speculate on the financial recompense
evidence suggests the other elements were abundant during the album’s creation
And this may be what has so rejuvenated John
Who Believes in Angels? represents a collaboration of equals who were pushing each other and raising the other’s game
“It was a connection,” John says, emotionally and musically
Pop music collaborations may come along as frequently as trains on the Victoria Line at rush-hour
but true artistic connection is a rare and precious commodity indeed
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Brandi Glanville said she’s “out of funds” after incurring over $100,000 in out-of-pocket expenses to treat a mysterious facial parasite
Brandi Glanville’s medical expenses are racking up
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum
who has been dealing with a mysterious facial “parasite” for nearly two years
said her attempts to treat the unknown ailment have seriously affected her finances
“I’m out of funds,” she told Us Weekly in an interview published April 16
after exhausting her health insurance coverage
estimated she had spent over $113,000 of her own money seeking treatment for the mysterious condition
“I don’t have the means to go anywhere at this point,” she continued
The reality star—who shares sons Mason, 21, and Jake, 18, with ex-husband Eddie Cibrian—added that “whatever’s living in [her] face” has seemingly spread
literally in my neck now moving on my left shoulder [and] down my arm,” she explained
Brandi said she wants to help others facing similar symptoms as well
“I just wanna find a doctor who makes it his mission to help me,” she pleaded
[but] these other poor women who have been going through this for so long
I know exactly what they’re talking about and the pressure in their head
Brandi has documented her health journey since the condition first emerged in 2023
she shared that she enlisted the help of Botched star Dr
who took four biopsies of her face and neck in hopes of addressing the issue
“I was in and out [in] 30 minutes,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time
90210 alum revealed in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery after his appendix nearly burst
“Last week, I started feeling some pain in my stomach,” Brian said in an Instagram video at the time
Adam Devine shared that injuries he sustained after getting hit by a cement truck when he was 11 years old are still affecting him to this day
“It’s been a nightmare,” Devine said in a 2025 episode of the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast
[the doctors] told me I was dying—literally
"My body has all these things that are a little wonky and a little wrong with it."
The Bachelor Nation alum shared that he went to the hospital “crawling on all fours” due to overwhelming back pain that was aggravated during an RV trip with a friend
“Right now, knees to my toes, it’s, like, still tingly, which is crazy,” he said on a March 2025 episode of his Trading Secrets podcast
But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids
Casey Fitzgerald's Neck Injury From Hockey Skate Blade
The AHL player was cut by a fellow player's skate during a game in December 2024 and received 25 stitches
New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald later told ESPN after his son was fully recovered
I don't wish that on any parent."
Real Housewives of Orange County’s Gina Kirschenheiter shared her ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter suffered a heart attack in March 2025
The 30 Rock star suffered a health scare at a New York Knicks basketball game in March 2025
leading to him being wheeled out of Madison Square Garden
However, the comedian shared an update on social media the following day
noting it was a case of food poisoning and that he was on the mend
The Even Stevens alum shared in February 2025 that she was shot in the face while on a trip to shoot clay pigeons to celebrate husband Brendan Rooney's birthday
"There was another party with us and they unsafely fired in the wrong direction and shot me in the face," she wrote on Instagram
"@thebrendanrooney immediately sprung into action
one was less than an inch from hitting me directly in my right eye."
"Unfortunately a fragment got lodged behind my eye and it is too risky to remove surgically at this time
Doctors will continue to monitor me (I can see normally at the moment)."
The actress said she was grateful to be alive
"I saw my life flash before my eyes and I’m telling you
hug the people around you every chance you can
"Finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I'm healthy was the greatest news imaginable."
it was just a very scary and random situation to happen
but he's going to be totally OK and I'm just grateful that he's fine."
Jamie Foxx's Brain Bleed & Stroke
I need an aspirin,’” the Oscar winner said in his 2024 Netflix special What Had Happened Was..
I don’t remember 20 days.”Jamie said he was initially taken to a doctor who gave him a cortisone shot and then sent him home
his concerned sister Deidra Dixon then drove him to a hospital
where they got an answer: He had a brain bleed that led to a stroke.Twenty days after undergoing an operation
the Django Unchained woke up May 4 in a wheelchair and couldn’t walk
He then went to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy."All I can tell you is that I appreciate every prayer,” he said
she's now "at a hundred per cent."
"Everybody just came to my rescue."Because of other medical concerns
Cori ended up staying in the hospital longer than she initially expected."I could have went home after my stroke
but my lupus wasn't doing so well," the Snoop's Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne's Story star continued
Cori is on the mend."I'm doing great," she added
"I just had a little bit of motor skills that I had to work back on
“It was this conflation of issues and diagnoses and different doctors telling me different things.”So Shailene—who chose to keep the exact condition private—set out to find answers
“I come from a very holistic background and study herbalism,” she added
[and] I’m also going to work with independent kind of healers.’ Just trying to search for some sense of comfort in my own skin.”It was a long journey—one that lasted for 10 years.“Throughout that decade
a lot of other things came from feeling so much discomfort physically,” the Big Little Lies star noted
I’m now suddenly afraid of food.’ And then going into the kind of mental f--ckery that can happen with that of body dysmorphia and confusion about identity and feeling safe in my own capsule
and what that should be.”After tending to both her physical and mental health
Shailene is feeling much better.“It was a journey that ultimately physically resolved itself
“I’m so happy to be able to say that."
Cboe has promoted Tim Lipscomb to Executive Vice President
and appointment to the company’s executive leadership team
Lipscomb will continue to oversee the expansion of Cboe’s technology platform globally
further reinforcing the importance of technology and innovation to the company’s organic growth strategy
Lipscomb has served as Senior Vice President
Chief Technology Officer since 2022 and leads Cboe’s technology strategy and innovation efforts globally
overseeing software engineering and quality assurance for Cboe’s equities
as well as its Data Vantage business.
Nasdaq has appointed Brandis DeSimone as Senior Vice President
Head of East Coast Listings. DeSimone brings almost two decades of experience in the financial services industry
Throughout her long tenure with the organization
she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the Nasdaq community and an ability to lead with deep client knowledge and trusted expertise
DeSimone has held multiple senior positions focusing on business development and client success
where she fortified Nasdaq’s position as a leading data provider
working with various institutions across the financial sector
including traditional financial institutions and startups
Trading Technologies International has promoted Justin Llewellyn-Jones to CEO
After three decades of experience in fintech and financial services
Llewellyn-Jones joined Trading Technologies as Chief Operating Officer in January 2024
Llewellyn-Jones has three decades of experience in fintech and financial services
Prior to joining TT as COO in January 2024
he served as Chief Product Officer of Broadridge from early 2022 and as Head of Capital Markets
FX & Derivatives) for more than four years
with responsibility for business operations and product strategy
Current CEO Keith Todd will remain on the Board of Directors and be appointed Deputy Chairman
MEMX has appointed David Mellor as the company’s Head of Global Market Technology Sales
Mellor will be based in London and focus on the continued build-out of the company’s market technology business while prioritizing its international expansion
Mellor spent four years at the London Stock Exchange Group
most recently leading the technology transformation of its FX business and previously leading growth across the EMEA and Asia regions
Tradeweb Markets has appointed Rich Repetto to its Board of Directors
Repetto will also serve as a member of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee
Repetto brings more than 25 years of industry experience to our board
having served as Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler Corporation until his retirement in June 2023
he was a Principal at Sandler O’Neill and Partners
the predecessor entity to Piper Sandler Corporation
Peter Harrison has been appointed to Lazard’s Board of Directors
He has more than 35 years of experience in investment management
most recently serving as Group CEO of Schroders
a global investment manager and FTSE 100 company
This appointment reinforces Lazard’s focus on further strengthening and diversifying its asset management business
Interactive Brokers has nominated Lori Conkling as an independent director of the firm
As Head of TV & Film Licensing at Netflix
she oversees content acquisition and business development for their ad-free and ad-supported platforms
Film and Sports for YouTube and YouTube TV
LSEG has announced that Steve John has been appointed Chief Corporate Affairs and Marketing Officer
reporting to David Schwimmer effective April 1
government relations & regulatory strategy and sustainability teams
Most recently John was the chief communications and brand officer at HSBC Group plc
Prior to HSBC he was the chief communications officer of McKinsey & Company
FINBOURNE Technology has appointed Marc Flamini as Head of Sales for the Americas as the company looks to accelerate its global expansion efforts
With over 20 years of experience in the financial technology sector
he brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in building strategic relationships with asset managers
Flamini spent 23 years in senior leadership positions at SS&C Advent
28Stone has appointed Apu Shah as Chief Technology Officer
he has been a partner of 28Stone since 2019 but also brings extensive experience with previous roles at MarketAxess
a provider of exchange-grade trading technology
has appointed Magnus Almqvist as Chief Executive Officer
Magnus brings over 25 years of experience in trading technology
Previously serving as Exberry’s Head of Sales since 2020
he has been instrumental in supporting trading venues in their market development journeys
If you have a new job or promotion to report
building up to the buzziest album release week of her career
For anyone living under a sequins-encrusted rock
the Maple Valley songsmith teamed up with her longtime hero-pal Elton John for “Who Believes in Angels?,” their collaborative new album
Around last Friday’s release, the music stars conducted an all-out media blitz, hitting the network television and celebrity interview circuits, culminating with an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” and a CBS concert special last weekend
recruiting his frequent studio mates in drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Klinghoffer (synths
a former Chili Pepper and current Pearl Jam touring member
Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of “Who Believes in Angels?” — an album almost certain to garner Grammy buzz next season
this tone-setting rock ballad comes riding in on an arena-ready guitar solo
before downshifting into a resolute sway with John and Carlile’s voices locked in hazy unison
star-dusted anthem is a salute to Laura Nyro
the late singer-songwriter who was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and idolized by John
The all-star duo keeps the tempo up with “Swing for the Fences,” which Carlile described in that same interview as an “anthem of encouragement to LGBTQ youth.” It’s a glistening
spirited rocker with train-whistle “woo-woo” backing vocals
giving the track a Rolling Stones feel amid its motoring crescendo
You didn’t think John and Carlile would leave off the Oscar-nominated song that set the stage for their full-fledged team-up, did you? The candlelit piano ballad is right in the sweet spot for both artists — a perfectly savory tune that I included in a recent top 10 list of Carlile’s best song collaborations
A clear centerpiece and natural choice for the title track
“Who Believes in Angels?” comes on like a black-and-white Dorothy stepping into a Technicolored Oz
kaleidoscopic rock ballad that’s as lavish as John’s ’70s-era fashion sense
and embodies his and Carlile’s musical connection
yin-and-yang vocals perfectly complementing each other
This countrified rocker feels a little bit “Tumbleweed Connection,” but it was actually based off a guitar riff written by a 16-year-old Watt (always save your work
It’s an open-road jammer begging to rip through the speakers of a used Winnebago — windows down
A sobering duet written the day Israel invaded Gaza
the heavy yet hopeful “A Little Light” is Carlile and John’s attempt at sparking some positivity amid the grim current events
It’s a premise that could easily come off as a tone-deaf platitude if not for their weary-hearted delivery
This doe-eyed number began as a Carlile-penned song from John to David Furnish
The Smith-driven rhythm rolls like a river valley
carrying John and Carlile’s beautifully interwoven co-lead vocals
It’s certified wedding playlist material
because this one would surely bring the house down
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times
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Glanville and Spelling sat down to discuss the feud for the first time on the April 11 episode of the 'misSPELLING' podcast
River Callaway/Billboard via Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty
Andrew J Cunningham/Getty; John Shearer/WireImage
Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty; Amanda Edwards/Getty; Joy Malone/Getty
Proceeded in death by her husband Gilbert "Swi" Martinez
Brandi touched and saved many lives in her career as a Respiratory Therapist
She was a beautiful soul with a big heart and will be missed dearly
Brandi loved baseball and spending time outdoors with her grandson
Javen Martinez (Rachel Even) and Tyler Martinez; beloved grandson
and Gwen McCranie. She leaves behind numerous aunts
In lieu of flowers a monetary gift can be made to Angelus Funeral Home or mailed to 132 Douglas Lane
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article
Her decision to quit school allowed her to focus on music
A turning point came when she was cutting demos in a recording studio and heard the Fighting Machinists
a local rock band featuring twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth
recognizing a shared passion for songwriting and performing
After the Fighting Machinists broke up, Carlile collaborated with the Hanseroth brothers and recruited them to play with her
They cowrote some of her songs and influenced her sound
Their first performance as a group was in 2000
they were touring with and opening shows for artists such as Dave Matthews
She headlined several concerts and performed as an opening act for artists such as Ray LaMontagne
The album peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200 chart
making it Carlile’s first album to break through the Billboard Top 40
In November 2010 Carlile collaborated with the Seattle Symphony, performing two sold-out shows that were recorded and released as Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony (2011)
She returned to the studio to record Bear Creek (2012)
an album named for the converted turn-of-the-century barn where it was recorded
The album reached number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart
In 2016 Carlile earned her first Grammy nomination for The Firewatcher’s Daughter (2015)
which climbed to number nine on the Billboard 200 chart
such as “Blood Muscle Skin & Bone” and the foot-stomping “The Things I Regret,” alongside the more-delicate harmonized arrangements of “The Eye.”
Carlile reached a new level of critical success with the album By the Way
which was nominated for six Grammy Awards in 2019
It ultimately was recognized with three Grammys: best Americana album
best American roots song for “The Joke,” and best American roots performance
again for “The Joke.” The album peaked at number five on the charts
The re-release garnered her seven Grammy nominations and three wins in 2023
as well as best rock song and best rock performance for the single “Broken Horses.”
She collaborated with Elton John again for Who Believes in Angels?, released in 2025. Featuring tracks written by Carlile, John, and John’s longtime creative partner Bernie Taupin, the album offers a mix of rockers, ballads, and gospel-infused tunes
In 2021 Carlile published her memoir, Broken Horses, in which she shares her experiences growing up with a father with alcohol use disorder and her feelings about sexuality, faith, and the importance of music in her life. The book debuted at number one on The New York Times best-seller list
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Elton John has scored the 10th No.1 album of his career with Who Believes In Angels
the collaborative record with US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile
It is the first chart-topping record for Brandi Carlile
who has never reached the UK Top 40 as a solo artist before.
The album was produced by Andrew Watt, while John’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin also worked on the project. Management duo David Furnish and Rachael Paley at Rocket Entertainment spoke to Music Week for an in-depth interview about the album.
Who Believes In Angels? is Elton John’s second No.1 album of 2025, following the chart-topping result for compilation Diamonds at the start of the year
The music legend’s hits collection was first released in 2017
opened at No.1 with consumption of 22,843 units (20,927 physical copies
1,004 downloads and 912 sales-equivalent streams)
according to the Official Charts Company. As well as being Elton John's 10th No.1 album
it is his 34th Top 10 and 49th Top 75 album in a chart career spanning almost 55 years
Island EMI Label Group president Louis Bloom said: “Who Believes In Angels
is two remarkable artists at the peak of their powers coming together to make a record for the ages
brilliant songs from truly great songwriters
and masterful producer Andrew Watt and sublime musicianship from Chad Smith
Pino Palladino and Josh Klinghoffer.
“It was only a few weeks ago that we were celebrating Diamonds giving Elton his ninth No.1 album and here we are celebrating his 10th with one of the most acclaimed albums of his career.”
Elton John was joined by his management and label team for a photo presentation
including a birthday gift from Universal Music UK: a framed memento from the time Little Richard recorded at Abbey Road Studios
“Elton has long been one of the most iconic artists in the history of popular music but it’s his boundless creativity
his need to always move forward and to collaborate
that makes him the most revered and respected artist out there,” added Bloom
his activism and his incredible support for new artists
he continues to be a huge inspiration to us all.
“It is such a privilege and pleasure
to have the opportunity to work with such a giant of the entertainment world
Phil Blackler for another exceptional campaign
Here’s to more No.1s and more music from the genius
Brandi Carlile, Catherine Carlile
David Furnish and Rachael Paley
said: “What an achievement for Elton and Brandi
His 10th No.1 and her first. We are over the moon to be hitting this major milestone for both artists
Hitting No.1 and receiving all the critical acclaim for Who Believes In Angels
richly rewards the creative brilliance of Elton
Massive thanks to everyone at Universal for their partnership.”
said: “This is a major milestone and career highlight for Brandi and Elton
This is Brandi’s first ever No.1 album
and to have achieved this honour with her heroes and friends Elton John
Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt makes this accomplishment even more profound.
"We have been overwhelmed by the universal critical acclaim and praise for Who Believes In Angels?. It is a testament to the extraordinary talents of Brandi and Elton and the authenticity of this soulful collaboration
Huge thanks to Universal for their hard work
dedication and belief in this project.”
The chart result means that Island EMI achieved consecutive No.1s following the chart-topping Rushmere by Mumford & Sons in the prior week
The label group finished Q1 on top of the market share results
PHOTO: (L-R) David Furnish (CEO Rocket Entertainment)
Louis Bloom (president Island EMI Label Group)
Elton John Nickie Owen (president international marketing Universal Music UK)
Sam Lunn (director of strategic marketing Island EMI Label Group)
Alex Sayers (marketing director Island EMI Label Group), Rachael Paley (artist manager Rocket Entertainment)
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It’s been impossible to escape Brandi Carlile and Elton John
Dubbed “An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile,” the CBS special — a mix of live performances and storytelling — was filmed two weeks ago at the London Palladium
The band was fleshed out with core Carlile companions and songwriting partners Phil and Tim Hanseroth (who did not play on the record) and SistaStrings on backing vocals
With their names “Elton” and “Brandi” in neon lights behind them
the crew sailed through the technicolor title track for their second performance of the night
with Carlile’s unwavering voice surfing over John’s supporting lower register and Watt’s arena-rock guitar licks
Making her second appearance on “SNL,” not counting a recent concert special commemorating the show’s 50th season
Carlile found her way into a musical sketch in which host Jack Black played the regretful instigator of a ménage à trois
Carlile was called in as sort of a fourth-party council
Watch the skit and both of Carlile and John’s performances below
Elton John and Brandi Carlile today celebrate their first collaborative Number 1 album with Who Believes In Angels?
Joining forces for the first time on record
the LP earns Elton a landmark 10th UK chart-topper across a career spanning 57 years
with Brandi banking her first-ever Number 1 here
Elton poses with 10 Official Number 1 Album Awards
Bernie and Andrew on this album was one of the greatest musical experiences of my life
but working through that process allowed us to emerge with something truly joyous and celebratory
“We’ve been blown away by the response and love we’ve felt
Brandi Carlile exclusively tells Official Charts:
Thank you so much for making Who Believes In Angels
“This is a dream come true for me because I got to make this album with my absolute hero and dear friend Elton John
“I want to say a huge thank you to all the fans in the UK for your support
and obviously to Elton for believing in me and championing me in such a generous way
Thank you to our wonderful collaborators - my inspiration Bernie Taupin and the brilliant Andrew Watt
“I can’t wait to see you all this summer on tour!”
It comes little over three months (three months and one day, in fact) after Elton last topped the Albums Chart with Diamonds
His 2017 hits compilation finally surged to the summit in January of this year
Diamonds claimed the most weeks inside the Top 40 before reaching Number 1 in UK chart history
Only five artists in the past 35 years have had two Number 1 albums within a six-month period: Ed Sheeran
Elton now draws level with Kylie Minogue and Michael Jackson on the list of solo artists with the most UK Number 1 albums
Queen and Coldplay overall; each boasting 10 chart-toppers apiece
Pic: Elton poses with his Official Number 1 Album Award for Who Believes In Angels
Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (1973)
Good Morning To The Night (with Pnau) (2012)
Who Believes In Angels? also comes straight in at Number 1 on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart
Just behind Elton and Brandi are Black Country, New Road. Third studio collection Forever Howlong matches Tyler Hyde
Charlie Wayne and Luke Mark’s previous peak
The English rock outfit have also enjoyed success with 2021’s For The First Time (4)
2022’s Ants From Up There (3) and 2023’s Live At Bush Hall (92)
The most-purchased album of the past seven days in UK independent record shops, Forever Howlong tops this week’s Official Record Store Chart
Finally, congratulations go to Floridian folk auteur Ethel Cain, who claims her first-ever UK Albums Chart entry with debut studio work Preacher’s Daughter
Originally released in 2022 and attracting Cain a cult fanbase
Preacher’s Daughter surges into the Top 10 thanks to a brand-new vinyl pressing
WHO BELIEVES IN ANGELSELTON JOHN & BRANDI CARLILE
FOREVER HOWLONGBLACK COUNTRY NEW ROAD
PREACHER'S DAUGHTERETHEL CAIN
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ORDINARYALEX WARREN
PINK PONY CLUBCHAPPELL ROAN
SHOW ME LOVEWIZTHEMC/BEES & HONEY
AZIZAMED SHEERAN
LOVE ME NOTRAVYN LENAE
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Brandi Carlile has been there and done that — and will undoubtedly do it again
the hometown music hero will walk a less familiar red carpet this Sunday when the Oscars take over Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre (4 p.m.
ABC) to celebrate the best and brightest from the silver screen
down-to-jam collaborator and the Oscar nom got us thinking: Where does “Never Too Late” rank on her ever-growing list of duets and features
Is it even her best joint number with John
Since every superfluous music-nerd debate needs some ground rules
for this exercise we’re only considering original studio recordings initially released with both artists
This means things like that heart-stirring rendition of “Party of One,” rereleased with Sam Smith
or her work on Joni Mitchell’s Grammy-winning live album are off-limits
we’re also excluding Carlile’s full-band album with country supergroup The Highwomen — (too easy) — to instead focus on one-offs and features
Months before The Highwomen record came out
Carlile connected with pop country star Maren Morris on this high-gloss single from Morris’ sophomore album
“Girl.” While leading to a best country duo/group performance nomination at the 2020 Grammys
their best collaborations were on the horizon
Any Carlile fan who can’t stomach DMB ought to keep moving
Carlile takes a hopeful stroll with her Seattle buddy on the slightly saccharine title track from Dave Matthews Band’s 2018 album
this spaghetti western rocker from The Secret Sister’s Carlile-produced album “Saturn Return” flickers like a desert mirage
There’s a sense of mystic danger in this tune that’s hard to resist
but I’m a sucker for a murder ballad and this one off Wainwright’s 2023 “Folkocracy” album is just too good
The heavyweight singer-songwriters take on this traditional folk song
singing in haunting unison over mournful acoustic guitar strums that plod along like a three-minute gallows walk
This no-brainer of a pairing worked as well in practice as it did on paper
Backed by a group of renowned songwriters (including Brandy Clark)
the song was conceived as a get-out-the-vote number released days before the 2020 presidential election
The Recording Academy certainly couldn’t resist the star-powered piano ballad
nominating it for song of the year in 2022
but it’s fun to see how much Carlile has evolved as a singer and songwriter since these two first linked up on the fleet-footed “Caroline” off Carlile’s 2009 album “Give Up the Ghost.” The close friends also partnered up on dusty country rocker “Simple Things” off Elton’s pandemic album “The Lockdown Sessions,” produced by Pearl Jam’s buddy Andrew Watt
Carlile has been a no-brainer first call whenever artists need to give a classic ballad some oomph
Credit Hozier’s camp for hearing what Carlile can do in a very different setting
Toying with ideas of youthful recklessness
“Damage Gets Done” pulls Carlile into a synth-draped world with shimmering guitars and lightly hazy
’80s-evoking production as their voices poignantly intertwine
Part of the fun of these collabs is hearing artists step into each others’ worlds
few would’ve had Brandi Carlile singing over 808 electronic drums on their bingo cards before this link-up with Cyrus
The pop star continued to put her twerk-happy
“Bangerz”-with-a-z era in the rearview with 2023’s “Endless Summer Vacation,” containing more grown-up-feeling dance-pop and country-lite dalliances
the Cyrus-Carlile connection feels like a whiteboard pairing dreamed up in a conference room
But remember: These are two truly elite and versatile vocalists working around popular music’s highest tiers
“Thousand Miles” is an impeccable country-coded pop song
even if the all-star tandem doesn’t throw the vocal haymakers we know they’re capable of here
Our only gripe with this Grammy-nominated gem
One understated aspect of Carlile’s career
Nowhere does that show up stronger than this beautifully devastating song with Marcus Mumford
the closing track to his visceral 2022 solo album in which Mumford addresses childhood sexual abuse
“How” is intensely raw and honest songwriting
with Mumford doing all of the emotional heavy lifting
confronting (and ultimately forgiving) his abuser while Carlile’s voice shows up like the hand on the shoulder of a friend working through it
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.
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In January 2024, Manzo sued Bravo and it's subsidiaries after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Glanville while filming 'Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip'
Paul Archuleta/Getty ; Brandi Glanville/ X
The reality star previously revealed she’d spent $70,000 trying to treat an unknown medical condition last year
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Real Housewives alum Brandi Glanville was rushed to the hospital after being unable to move her head and neck earlier this week
Glanville is currently in the midst of an unknown health condition, which has led to facial disfigurement.
The 52-year-old told her followers about the latest incident on X on Tuesday
“My head and neck would not move for four hours this morning
Now I am at this amazing place after sitting in a wheelchair in the waiting room for four hours.”
Glanville, who has been battling health issues for years now, followed up her original post with a picture of an IV in her arm and a snapshot of her hospital bill.
“I hate this place but should be another fun ambulance bill,” she wrote in the caption.
On Thursday, she confirmed she was discharged from the hospital.
She said: “Hey kitty kats fresh off yesterdays ER VISIT Ive decided to go live on IG with my future daughter in law & fellow Irishman Sarah D on IG live tonight at 6:30 p.m. to talk about our eBay shop.”
Glanville’s hospital visit comes a year after the on-screen star revealed she’d spent $70,000 trying to treat what doctors initially thought was a parasite in her face that led to severe disfigurement.
At the time, she told Entertainment Tonight: “Honestly, I have so many doctors and I’ve had so many tests. I did lab work for $10,000. They ran every test under the sun. They’re like, ‘It could be a parasite that’s new.’
“I’ve been on meds this whole year. I don’t socialize,” she said. “I don’t go out and I’m just spending all of my money on trying to figure out what’s wrong with me.”
In January, Glanville said she tapped Botched co-host Dr. Terry Dubrow to help determine the cause of her condition after her other doctors were unsuccessful.
Dr. Dubrow took four “tiny biopsies” from her face and her neck, which led him to believe the disfigurement was caused by “an infectious process or a foreign body reaction to something she’s had injected.”
He told TMZ: “There are these two kinds of microorganisms, one's called a Microbacterium and the other is called a fungus, and they can be very difficult to treat and could take six to 12 months of antibiotics to treat.
“Every minute the microorganism is allowed to stay in her skin and do potential damage she could suffer worse for it,” he continued. “It could be more difficult to treat and she could form more scars and more nodules.”
Even with Dr. Dubrow’s diagnosis, Glanville’s condition worsened. In March, she told her followers her face was “worse than ever.”
She took to X over the weekend to share how her facial lumps have been excreting liquid that is oozing down to her teeth.
“I have painful lumps ... in jaw bone area on side of neck & in back of neck. I have chills & constant oily fowl [sic] tasting drainage from face into mouth it’s acidic & is eating away at my teeth plus all of my lymph nodes in head & neck are swollen,” she wrote.
She also wrote: “I’ve been faking it. I’m f***ing miserable. My face is worse than ever. It’s literally melted away.”
Glanville added: “When drs at cedars put me on IV antibiotics & fungal medication I was getting better I looked normal but I couldn’t afford to stay on them. I was forced to see drs outside my insurance because the drs at Kaiser had no clue. I need my life to change. That is my real life health update.”
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
The Bravo alum suspects she contracted a facial parasite while filming 'Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip' in Morocco
Jordana Comiter is an Associate Editor on the Evergreen team at PEOPLE
Her work has previously appeared in Women’s Health Magazine
The Grammy-winning artists unite a day after being the musical guest on “SNL”
Elton John and Brandi Carlile released their collaborative album
“Who Believes in Angels?,” on Friday
the duo will appear this weekend in “An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile,” a primetime concert special that will not only celebrate their new album’s release but also their decades-spanning friendship and respective musical processes
it promises to be a special they will not want to miss
when and where you can watch “An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile.”
“An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile” premieres Sunday
The one-hour concert special will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m
“An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile” will also be available to stream on Paramount+
Subscribers of streaming services like Fubo
DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV that carry CBS will be able to stream the special on Sunday as well
Only Paramount+ With Showtime subscribers will be able to watch the special live
you’ll be able to watch the special on demand starting Monday
The concert special will feature live performances recorded on March 26 at the London Palladium of songs from Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s “Who Believes in Angels?” Performances of select hits from their solo careers
such as Carlile’s “The Joke” and John’s “I’m Still Standing,” will also be featured
“An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile” will feature a sit-down conversation with the two musical artists hosted by “Schitt’s Creek” star and co-creator Dan Levy
The chat will offer viewers some insight into John and Carlile’s 20-year friendship and the journey that led them to their new album
An official trailer for “An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile” has not been released
unveiled a few early clips from the special
including one preview of the duo’s performance of “Who Believes in Angels?,” the self-titled track from their new album
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"It's literally melted away,” said the 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum
If you were worried that Elton John was going to disappear into the sunset after completing his farewell tour in 2023
you'll be happy to know that his new album finds him as creatively restless as ever
Who Believes in Angels? finds the rock legend teaming up with singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile and an all-star cast of supporting musicians
Here's five reasons to fall in love with Elton's first album of all-new material in nearly a decade
After first collaborating together on the song "Caroline" from Carlile's 2009 album Give Up the Ghost
Elton and Brandi teamed up again on "Simple Things" from John's 2021 The Lockdown Sessions
and the duo's pleasure with that track led them to Who Believes in Angels
"John couldn't have chosen a better-suited accomplice than Carlile for his first full-length, single-artist collaboration project since 2010's The Union with Leon Russell," Michael Gallucci declared while reviewing Who Believes in Angels? for UCR
"Both artists have long championed drama in their music
and more so than any of his past singing partners
Carlile slips effortlessly into John's personal and performance aesthetic to the point where they become one voice at times."
At an age when many would be happy to coast on past accomplishments
Elton John remains determined to push forward
"This record was one of the toughest I've ever made
but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life," he declared while announcing the new album
"I'm 76 and I want to do something different
this is the start of my career mark two."
Elton John allowed a film crew to document the creation of Who Believes in Angels?
which was recorded in a highly ambitious 20-day span
The resulting 30-minute short film Who Believes in Angels
breakdowns and creative breakthroughs with an unflinching eye
"It wasn't easy," Carlile says of the process
"which is a place where such great music came from."
Elton and Brandi recently shared the stage for a magical evening of music and conversation at the London Palladium
where they debuted several new songs from Who Believes in Angels
in addition to songs from Elton's storied back catalog
The performance will air as a special on CBS on Sunday
John and Carlile will also serve as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live on April 5
Elton John declares that his collaboration with Brandi Carlile has given his career a fresh start.\nRead More
If you were worried that Elton John was going to disappear into the sunset after completing his farewell tour in 2023
Who Believes in Angels? finds the rock legend teaming up with singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile and an all-star cast of supporting musicians
"John couldn't have chosen a better-suited accomplice than Carlile for his first full-length, single-artist collaboration project since 2010's The Union with Leon Russell," Michael Gallucci declared while reviewing Who Believes in Angels? for UCR
The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum has been coping with a serious health issue since 2023
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty; Brandi Glanville/X