LINDON — Virl Osmond wrote the book "The Untold Story of Olive Osmond" as a gift to his mother, who died in 2004. He feels he owes her that in return for the priceless gifts she gave him as he and his brother grew up deaf in a famous Mormon family of singers.
"It's because of her that I can communicate," Osmond said. "She left me with the tools to get through life."
It's just the opposite for Percy Sledge, the man whose hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" helped bring Muscle Shoals music to the world.
"When they're quiet, I've got 'em," Sledge said in an interview that will be part of a short presentation that filmmaker Wallace Sears will use to get backing for a major documentary on Muscle Shoals music.
Sears began shooting short interviews with the movers and shakers of early Muscle Shoals music last week in Nashville and the Shoals.
The video, which could be described as a trailer, will contain just enough information to whet the appetites of producers.
CONTINUE HERE for info on Alan
MARIE OSMOND paid tribute to citizens of earthquake-devastated Haiti as she picked up a woman of the year award for her charity work at the weekend (23Jan10).
The singer was honoured by the Nevada Ballet Theatre for her foundation, the Children’s Miracle Network, which treats ill youngsters and has raised more than $3.6 billion since the 1980s.
Osmond used her speech at the Las Vegas ceremony to recognise survivors in Haiti, who have shown courage and strength since an earthquake hit the country on 12 January (10) - and reveals her organization is aiding the ongoing relief effort.
Following the decision, an emotional Jimmy said: 'My opera dreams have just begun. What a blast this has been. I'm going to go home and see my beautiful wife and four kids - they are opera to me.
'Opera is empowering, it's exciting and it's a way of getting in touch with your inner emotions. I have fallen in love with every person while taking part in this show.'
Singer Donny Osmond is coming back to the airwaves as he launches a radio show on the heels of his "Dancing With the Stars" win.
A music show hosted by the 52-year-old Las Vegas headliner debuts Jan. 18 on about 60 stations across the country.
"I've been up and down for the last 47 years. Up's better, let me tell you," the entertainer said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It is a roller coaster ride and you're not up all the time, and when you are up you ride that wave and hopefully you're enjoying that wave, because I'm certainly enjoying this one."
Osmond said the daytime show is aimed at a wide audience, but primarily women who listen to the adult contemporary or classic hits during the day, at work or elsewhere.
"It really gives ownership to the listener, and that's what we're trying to do is get them through the workday with some great music and some fun stories, little anecdotes and a very positive outlook in the five hours I'll be programming," Osmond said.
Osmond will record segments on his laptop and the show will be delivered to stations by syndication network Citadel Media, in partnership with McVay Syndication. Officials said last month's bankruptcy filing by parent Citadel Broadcasting will have no effect on Osmond's contract, the terms of which were not announced.
Osmond said most of his fans grew up with radio, and the format isn't going away despite the medium's financial slump and technological advances that give potential audiences more entertainment choices.
"I've been in this business since dirt was created, so I've seen a lot of incarnations of this business," Osmond said. "I remember when colored television came in ... I was such a little kid but I was involved in the industry so much."
"And so many people would say, `Television is the death of radio,' and as history has shown, it isn't, it wasn't and it never will be," he said.
The show will include some personal anecdotes and stories from the entertainer, who is enjoying a resurgence with his appearance on the hit ABC dance series, the Donny and Marie show with his sister at the Flamingo Las Vegas and an album debuting next year.
William H. "Billy" May, world-renowned entertainment producer, director and composer, died at 1:45am on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. May's death follows a recent illness."The results of this campaign are simply heart warming," said Nick Coe, president, Lands' End. "We are truly grateful to the volunteers that donated their time and talents to such a rewarding and meaningful effort."
Lands' End donated more than 5,000 pounds of proprietary FeelGood yarn that is as soft as cashmere but offers the durability and value of cotton. The company offers a FeelGood sweater collection in a variety sweater styles for women and wanted to find a way to utilize the yarn in a meaningful way this season.
As a result, yarn was delivered to hundreds of Warming Family volunteers as well as Lands' End employees and local community members. Vickie Howell, best-selling craft author, knitting personality and host of TV's Knitty Gritty also worked with Lands' End to help instruct novice knitters, create hat patterns for the campaign and to host "knit out" events to keep the momentum going. Additionally New York Times best-selling author Kate Jacobs supported the initiative by joining knit outs across the country and reading from The Friday Night Knitting Club and Knit the Season.
"We are thrilled that our volunteer knitters have accomplished the amazing goal of knitting thousands of hats and meeting our mission of helping families," said Alan Osmond, Warming Families. "Through yarn donations and knitting by our volunteers, we were able to help thousands of families in need this winter. We thank the volunteers for sharing their hearts this season."
About Warming Families
Warming Families, a project of the One Heart Foundation www.oneheart.org, is a 100% volunteer project that delivers blankets and other warm items to the homeless and displaced while strengthening families through charity work. At the heart of this project are area volunteers who function to coordinate efforts and locate and supply local shelters and nursing homes.
I hope Alex doesn't mind, but I took these from his Facebook album to share with all of you who might not be his friend on Facebook. These were from this past weekend at Niagra Falls in Canada.
