Osmond Brothers: Five decades of music

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Trisa Roush remembers the purple socks. Carole Roberts remembers going to their concert. Bobbi Kleinschmidt had the Barbie dolls, and everyone was a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll.

In one way or another, the Osmond family has been a part of American lives for over 50 years. And it all began, humbly enough, when a barbershop quartet entertained a crowd at Disneyland.

A man standing in the crowd was struck by the group and impressed with their soothing harmonies. That was 1962 and the man was Jay Williams, whose son, Andy, was preparing to launch a weekly variety show.

Williams thought the group of brothers would be perfect, and they were given one shot to “wow” the producers. Turns out, they only needed that one shot. Besieged by fan mail after the performance, producers offered the group a regular gig and the musical story of the Osmond family began.

After a seven-year stretch, and cross-country tours with Williams, the ‘60s turned into the ‘70s and the Osmond family’s popularity began to reach into every corner of America. Determined to break molds (and records) during an era of “one-hit” wonders, the family perfected its performances, and mastered 28 musical instruments in the meantime.

With the teenage recording market exploding around them, the Osmonds capitalized and signed a deal with MGM records. Seventy-seven million records and over five decades later, the Osmonds’ appeal is every bit as alive today as it was that day in 1962.

The introduction of the “Donny and Marie Show” in 1976 further exposed the group’s talents to the world, attracting fans of all ages and ethnicities. The show, produced by the family, offered music, acting and more, and America fell even further in love with the family act. “I remember watching on Friday or Saturday nights,” said Jarret Hammons of Van Wert, adding “they would start their show in different themed outfits.”

“I remember going to one of their concerts with my mom when I was nine,” Roberts said, adding “it was the best day of my life, up until that point.”

As the country welcomed in the ‘80s, the Osmonds welcomed in a change of musical direction and the group evolved into country music, and fans again stood up and took notice. Winning Billboard magazine’s “1982 Breakthrough Award,” as well as the Country Music Association’s “Best New Group of the Year,” the Osmonds gained a new group of diehard fans.

Following the Country music movement into Branson, Mo., the Osmonds purchased a theater and began performing to sell-out crowds, earning multiple industry honors in the latter part of the ‘90s. For their outstanding abilities and undeniable staying power, the Osmonds were honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2003.

Groups have come and gone over the last five decades, but the Osmonds have remained in hearts everywhere, making music and entertaining people. Of his career spent in music, Merrill Osmond has been quoted as saying “I believe a song can change the world, so I plan to keep singing.”

The Osmond Brothers, featuring Jimmy, Jay and Merrill, will do just that at the sold-out Osmonds Christmas Show, coming up at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, December 13, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.