Osmond Reunion

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

12 Aug 2007 04:27 PM

Hail, Hail, the gang's all here---just a bit (okay, a lot) older. Donny, Marie, Jimmy and the rest of the Osmond clan returned to the stage this week to tape a 50th anniversary reunion show to be aired on PBS next year.

The seven singing Osmonds are still a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n roll, even though they haven't been onstage together in more than 20 years. Which is not to say that combinations of the clan haven't been performing over the last few decades. Various Osmonds perform more than 200 shows a year, according to Wayne Osmond.

Yes, despite the years, the Osmonds are still one big happy family... and the upcoming TV special is meant to solidify that. According to show producers, the concert will celebrate the anniversary of the Osmond family's introduction into show business and the creation of the Osmond Brothers barbershop quartet in 1957.

The group, made up of Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond, worked the state fair circuit before becoming regulars on "The Andy Williams Show." That's where the brothers say they forged their wholesome image---the same one that has stuck with them through the decades.

According to Marie Osmond (the only female in the group), her brothers always have been happily out of step with the glitz and glamour of show business life. They may not be headline grabbers, but that doesn't mean that the family hasn't had their share of accomplishments.

Since they first broke into the world of entertainment the Osmonds have recorded 142 albums. They have sold 100 million copies and garnered 51 gold and platinum recordings. Even more astonishing is the fact that in 1971, the Osmond brothers (Marie calls them clean cut, God-fearing moral men), featuring then-heartthrob Donny, raked in nine gold records, surpassing single-year bests by Elvis and the Beatles.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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