Jimmy Osmond interview

 A feature from the December 2016 issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine
Suffolk Norfolk Life December 2016Click to view this issue »
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Stephanie Mackentyre meets American singer and Actor Jimmy Osmond

The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza starring The Osmonds with special guests Ventriloquist – Steve Hewlett (Britain’s Got Talent) and Singer Charlie Green (Britain’s Got Talent) plus The Moon River Singers & Dancers comes to Felixstowe this month on Friday 16th December from 7.30pm. It’s the show’s second year but first time at the Spa Pavilion. This dazzling show is a must-see holiday extravaganza and comes directly from the historic stage of Branson, USA’s beautiful Andy Williams Moon River Theatre. The 13-date tour visits Felixstowe mid-way through and culminates on 30th December.

“It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, and my brothers Jay, Merrill and I are looking forward to once again bringing back some of that Christmas cheer.   Last year’s UK Christmas tour was so much fun that we are bringing it back following the run in the USA. The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza is an American tradition that started in the 60s and is beloved around the world. It was Andy’s wishes and now my great honor and privilege to continue his amazing legacy of family-friendly action-packed variety at its best.” This award-winning show is guaranteed to get you in that warm and fuzzy Christmas mood.

Jimmy Osmond began his show business career at the age of just three. “As a kid they used to put me into a trunk, and bodyguards would carry me in and out of the venue whilst I was hiding inside. It was scary. Sometimes I thought I did something wrong but it was just a ‘normal’ experience.”

He was the first in his family to receive a gold record – at five years old. Collectively, Jimmy as a solo artist and his family share 59 gold and platinum records and other prestigious entertainment awards. In 1972, Jimmy occupied the prestigious Christmas Number One spot with Long Haired Lover From Liverpool. It was the biggest selling single of the year and went on to spend a staggering 27 weeks in the charts. This hit also put Jimmy in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest person ever to top the UK charts. “In those days there were only a handful of artists who got that kind of attention from fans, and I was the Osmonds’ mascot. Eventually we’d have to rent houses whilst on tour as the hotels wouldn’t take us. I remember staying once at The Churchill and the fans took an axe and broke a plate glass window.”

Read the full article in the December 2016 issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life Magazine
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