January 14, 1997
Tuesday |
Alan announced in the News section of the Osmond Network that his son, Michael had announced his engagement to Beka Martin. He had known Beka for over four years and they planned to marry in the Salt Lake City Temple on April 4th. |
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January 14, 1997
Tuesday |
Alan announced that Merrill’s son, Travis, who was serving his mission in Oklahoma City, OK was taken to Dallas for operation on this shoulder. It seems his shoulder would not stay in its socket. The operation went well and he was back doing his missionary services. |
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January 14, 1997
Tuesday |
Alan announced that Michael and Doug were full-time students at Utah Valley State College and were enjoying school life. |
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February 3, 1997
Monday |
Donny was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman. |
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March 1997 |
Marie appeared on the cover of Women’s World magazine with her spring dolls. She shared her personal traditions for Easter. |
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March 14, 1997
Friday |
Alan posted an entry in the news section of the Osmond Network which stated both of his legs were hit with symptoms of MS and that he was unable to walk without a cane at the present time. He stated that it was impossible for him to perform without falling down. He said the doctors were calling him disabled at this time. He thanked everyone for their support, understanding, and prayers and said he could not possibly respond to all of the e-mail he had received. He thanked Merrill for coming to his rescue so quickly on opening night in Branson and also for Jimmy’s, Jay’s, and Wayne’s support. Alan had returned to Utah in order for him to recuperate. |
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April 4, 1997
Friday |
Michael married Rebekah “Beka” Renee Martin in the Salt Lake City Temple. Beka was the fourth child of five children born to Joe and Sharon Martin. She was born on August 17, 1976 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After the ceremony, they posed for pictures around Temple Square, then they went into the Joseph Smith Building where they were greeted by an intimate group of family and friends for a special luncheon. Beka’s father sang a song dedicated to her. Michael and his brothers and father sang a number around the piano with Beka’s family. Then, at Alan’s request, the Second Generation sang a gospel number with Beka. Like Michael, Beka comes from a musical family and she has also performed in Branson. |
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May 25, 1997
Sunday |
Donny performed his last show in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Toronto, Canada. Donny was emotional and had a hard time getting through Close Every Door. When the show was over, Donny came out and made a brief speech. The cast sang a special version of Puppy Love to him. |
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May 28, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny’s oldest son, Don graduated from high school on this date. |
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May 31 –
June 1, 1997 |
The CMN Telethon raised $152,888.45 this year. This marked the 15th year for the telethon. |
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June 1 -
August 31, 1997 |
The Osmond Brothers were on a break from the Osmond Family Theater. |
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June 5, 1997
Thursday |
The Second Generation went into rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Salt Lake City, Utah. |
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June 20, 1997
Friday |
Alan’s sons, Alex and Tyler took Alan and Suzanne to the drive-in movies in honor of Alan’s 48th birthday. |
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June 21, 1997
Saturday |
Wayne’s daughter, Amy was in the Miss Utah Pageant and took 1st attendant to Miss Utah. |
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June 22, 1997
Sunday |
Alan celebrated his 48th birthday. |
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June 22, 1997
Sunday |
Donny was the guest of honor at a charity event to benefit The Brick Foundation for Cancer Research. The benefit was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Debbie attended with him. Close to $50,000 was raised in the battle of childhood cancer. |
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June 24, 1997
Tuesday |
The Osmond Network announced that Wayne’s son, Steven received his mission call to serve in the London, England area. |
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June 27, 1997
Friday |
Alan’s son, Doug received his mission call to the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission. He was schedule to go to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in September. |
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July 2, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny made a surprise visit to the Elgin Theater in Toronto to watch the cast of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He purchased a ticket in the center of the front row and walked in a few minutes after the performance began. He took his seat and waited for the crew to notice him. He had a good time and enjoyed visiting with everyone again. |
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July 9, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny was in rehearsal for the Hill Cumorah pageant. |
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July 11 –
July 12, 1997 |
Donny participated in the Hill Cumorah pageant. |
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July 15 -
July 19, 1997 |
Donny participated in the Hill Cumorah pageant. |
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August 5, 1997
Tuesday |
According to a PRNewsire from Culver City, Donny and Marie would be co-hosting their own talk show airing sometime in the fall of 1998. |
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August 8, 1997
Friday |
Jon celebrated his 14th birthday and since there were no rehearsals for Joseph that day, he spent the day at Lagoon. |
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August 9, 1997
Saturday |
The Second Generation appeared on the locally televised show of Fit Kids in Salt Lake City, Utah. They sang an acappella number I Can Love You Like That, and David performed Any Dream Will Do. |
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August 11, 1997
Monday |
Wayne’s daughter, Amy graduated from BYU. |
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August 14 -
August 29, 1997 |
The Second Generation performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. |
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August 14, 1997
Thursday |
Donny and his family attended the opening of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. After the show, Donny did several news interviews. |
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August 15, 1997
Friday |
Jimmy and his family saw David and the Second Generation perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. |
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August 16, 1997
Saturday |
Wayne and his family saw David and the Second Generation perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. |
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August 17, 1997
Sunday |
Doug’s farewell for his mission was held in Fairview, Utah. All of his brothers spoke as well as Suzanne and Alan. The Osmond Brothers and the Second Generation all joined together to sing Love At Home. Donny, Merrill, Wayne, and their families, Tom, George, and Olive and Suzanne’s parents were all there to wish Doug well and give good advice. After Doug’s farewell, there was a luncheon of the family, friends, and well-wishers. Following Doug’s farewell, there was a Court of Honor at the church where Jon received the rank of Eagle Scout. Both Alan and Suzanne gave speeches. Jon spoke about the importance of receiving the award and this work towards it. The Second Generation sang Eagle of Strength. Jon is the sixth member of Alan’s family to receive his Eagle Scout. |
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August 29, 1997
Saturday |
A sold-out crowd attended the closing performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. |
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August 31, 1997
Sunday |
Marie was on QVC promoting her dolls. This was the premiere of Adorabelle – a doll designed and sculpted by Marie – which was nominated for the DOTY (Doll of the Year) award. |
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September 1 –
December 13, 1997 |
The Osmond Brothers and the Second Generation returned to Branson and started performing again after three month break. |
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September 19, 1997
Wednesday |
Alan’s son, Jon, made a hole in one on the #4 hole at the Don Gardner Golf Course in Branson, Missouri at 6:16 p.m. David witnessed the shot. |
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September 28, 1997
Sunday |
Donny participated in a chat on the Microsoft Network. |
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October 4, 1997
Saturday |
Merrill conducted a private performance for the Bear Den Get Together in Branson, Missouri. David also made an appearance and joined Merrill on a few songs. Alan and Suzanne came in and they participated in a question and answer session. |
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October 10, 1997
Friday |
Zachary James was born to Jimmy and Michelle. He weighed 6 lbs and 15 oz and was born at 8:32 am in Springfield, Missouri. Zachary was the 49th grandchild of George and Olive. |
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October 18, 1997
Saturday |
Donny joined his brothers in Branson, Missouri for the taping of the Osmonds’ 40th Anniversary Show at the Osmond Family Theater. |
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October 26, 1997
Sunday |
Marie was on QVC which aired on this date. She unveiled the From God’s Arms doll and performed the song. |
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October 27, 1997
Monday |
Alan and Suzanne appeared on the QVC network to promote their Lazy River Farms jams. |
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November 2, 1997
Sunday |
The Branson All-American Music Awards was held on this date in Branson, Missouri. The Osmond Brothers won Vocal Group of the Year and were inducted into the Hall of Fame for having won the award for three years in a row. The Second Generation won Young Artist of the Year and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Osmond Family Theater guitarist, Mike McAdoo, won the Lead Guitar of the Year and inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. The Ice Angels won Best Dance Team of the Year; singer Babette Young won Female Vocalist of the Year; and Bob Moore and his Amazing Mongrels won Specialty Act of the Year. The Osmond Family Theater also won Best Show in Branson. |
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November 14, 1997
Friday |
An announcement was made in the Salt Lake Tribune about Donny appearing as Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The article stated, Donny Osmond, whose career blossomed during a 5-year world tour, will open a 5-wk run at Kingsbury Hall beginning January 15. The production, continuing nightly except Sundays through February 28, is being presented by the University of Utah in conjunction with Livent, Inc, the Canadian touring company. Garth Dabrinksy, will again direct. The 39 year Osmond retired from the musical last year after playing Joseph in several major cities. Andrew Lloyd Webber is embarking on a project to videotape his musical productions. He wanted Donny to be in his taped version of Joseph. Osmond, whose wife Debbie is expecting their fifth child in March, did not want to go on the road again, but he was willing to do the show in Salt Lake City. According to Ted Capener, Vice-President for University relations, Bill Connor of Livent, Inc. met last week with the committee of the Kingsbury Hall Advisory Committee. He discussed the benefits to University students if the show were produced on campus. After reviewing the request, the committee agreed. Among the conditions: Live Int, will rent the hall for $25,000 weekly and a percentage of the sales of the box-office tickets and novelty items will be earmarked for the University’s College of Fine Arts productions in Kingsbury Hall. |
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November 19, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny was a guest on Back Chat which aired on the Fox Network. It was unknown ast to when this show would air. He also taped a segment for the Fox News on this date. While Donny was in New York, he did two radio interviews for WPLJ and WOR radio. |
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November 19, 1997
Wednesday |
Brian and Marie’s daughter, Brianna, was born on this date. |
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November 20, 1997
Thursday |
Donny made his debut on QVC promoting his Christmas At Home CD. |
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November 21, 1997
Friday
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The following was stated in a PRNewswire from QVC: During QVC’s exclusive launch of Donny’s Christmas album and pop EP, over 12,000 units were sold in under 30 minutes. Packaged together and offered exclusively for QVC, the mix included Christmas At Home, his first holiday disc of yuletide music and Four his four song EP of pop songs. The 15-track Christmas At Home CD features Donny’s interpretations of traditional and original songs, including the new single, I’ve Been Looking For Christmas and Deck The Halls flavored with a refreshing Reggae beat. Four features Echo of Your Whisper, a new R&B style holiday ballad. On Monday, December 8, Donny will return to sell his CD set with a special live musical performance along with the premiere of his recently completed, two-volume Best of Donny and Marie video package. |
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November 22 –
November 24, 1997 |
Marie appeared on QVC to promote her dolls. |
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November 25, 1997
Tuesday |
Garth Dabrinksy toured Kingsbury Hal and was singing the praises of the theater on University of Utah’s campus. Garth and Donny were interviewed about the upcoming play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Proceeds from a benefit performance on January 14, will go the University’s Students Performance Fund and President’s Scholarships for out of state of students. Tickets go on sale December 6, ranging in prices from $25.00 to $65.00. The only bad thing about this, Donny stated, is its back to the wearing the loincloth and I’ve got to start pumping iron again. |
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December 1, 1997
Monday |
According to the Osmond Network, Donny was scheduled to be out of town on January 19, 20, 21, and 22nd and would not be performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. David would be filling in for him on these dates. |
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December 5, 1997
Friday |
Donny did an interview on Geraldo which was aired on this date. Donny also taped an interview with Howard Stern for his radio show. The interview will be shown on the E Entertainment channel. |
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December 6, 1997
Saturday |
Tickets went on sale for Joseph. In an article from the Salt Lake Tribune, it stated Sheryl Woodbridge had waited since 11:30 Friday night at Kingsbury Hall for a chance to buy tickets to see Donny as Joseph. However, a random drawing of the first 200 people in line took place at 6:00 am and she drew #127. She had another long wait to get to the ticket window. She wished her position in line had given her more advantage, but she knew the rules and she knew tickets would be available. Greg Geilmann, the general manager of Kingsbury Hall couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was about when it was announced the show was coming to Kingsbury Hall. Though Donny Osmond is considered a local icon, Geilmann was never a fan until he met Donny two weeks ago at rehearsals. At group of 40 people were coming from London to see the show. Geilmann stated they had people from as far away as Australia and France call about the show. Geilmann said Kingsbury Hall did about $200,000 in business with people in line all day. Kingsbury Hall usher Karl Ryer stated about 150 people were in line when he arrived at 5:40 am. Many brought coats they donated to the Traveler’s Aid Society in exchange for show buttons. More than 50 coats were collected. |
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December 6 –
December 8, 1997 |
Donny promoted his CD, Christmas at Home and The Best of Donny and Marie videos on QVC. |
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December 9, 1997
Tuesday |
Donny celebrated his 40th birthday. |
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December 12, 1997
Friday |
Donny attended the Ford Theater Opening in New York. |
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December 15, 1997
Monday |
The Cartoon Network aired Johnny Bravo on this date. Donny appeared as himself in the animated cartoon. |
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December 16, 1997
Tuesday |
Donny appeared at the ZCMI Center in downtown Salt Lake City greeting admirers at Deseret Books. Donny spent two hours signing CD’s and posed for photos with fans, some of whom had been waiting since 7:00 am to meet him. The store estimated 2000 admirers, most of them women, stood in line throughout the afternoon. Some burst into tears when he left before he could sign their purchases. The had to be cut off at 2:00 pm. |
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December 17, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny was in New York to tape the Rosie O’Donnell Show. |
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December 17, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny was a guest on Comedy Central which aired on this date. He was promoting his Christmas At Home CD. |
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December 17, 1997
Wednesday |
Donny taped the Rosie O’Donnell Show which will air on December 24, 1997. |
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December 18, 1997
Thursday |
Donny appeared on NBC’s Today Show which aired on this date. |
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December 19, 1997
Friday |
Marie made her Broadway debut as Anna in The King and I in New York City, New York. Donny was at the opening and also attended the opening night party after the performance. Marie filled the shoes of Donna Murphy (who originated the role in the 1996 revival – and won the Best Actress Tony Award for her performance)and Faith Prince, who completed her 9-month engagement. |
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December 24, 1997
Wednesday |
The interview that Donny taped with Rosie O’Donnell aired on this date. |
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