Fifty years ago, Jimmy Osmond, 3, stepped on a stage with Andy Williams.
Four years ago, shortly before he died, Andy Williams reached out to Jimmy Osmond. He, along with the Williams’ family, wanted Osmond to keep his music and memory alive.
And today, Andy Williams’ legacy still lives – on stage with Jimmy Osmond.
On Thursday, July 7, Osmond will bring “Moon River and Me – A Tribute to Andy Williams” to the Savannah Center at 5 and 8 p.m.
“This is a special show, the culmination of everything I’ve learned in show business,” Osmond, 53, told audioboom.com. “Before Andy died, he reached out to me.”
Last year, Jimmy Osmond appeared in The Villages with his brothers Jay and Merrill at the Savannah Center.
“The Villages is one of our favorite places,” Jimmy said then. “There’s so much to do here. We’re going to move here.”
The Osmond family – including Donny and Marie – owe a debt to Williams. “He’s the guy who made it happen for us,” said Jimmy, the youngest Osmond. “He was my mentor.”
Back in the ‘60s, Williams showcased the harmony of the Osmond brothers on his national television show. A few years later, they turned into rock stars, and Donny was America’s No. 1. teen idol.
Williams, 84, died in 2012. He had been working on biographical DVD that would highlight Williams’ long career. In addition to a top-rated television show, Williams recorded such hits as: “Moon River,” Days of Wine and Roses,” “Music to Watch Girls By,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” “Hawaiian Wedding Song” and “Dear Heart.”
The list goes on, but Osmond wanted to do more than just recreate the hits. The tribute show is an interactive event, featuring home movies, television video, personal reminisces from Osmond, and audience participation.
“It’s not about me; it’s important to focus on (Andy’s) music and focus on his legacy,” Osmond told the Essex Enquirer. “People know that it’s special to me because I had that connectivity….Our legacy kind a grew out of Andy as we were his background singers and became a featured act, you know, on all of his series. People know that you’re coming from this quite honestly and that’s more of a comfortable position.”
Osmond has been performing the tribute in Branson, MO.
Early on, Osmond gave a performance before the Williams’ family, including Andy’s wife and brothers, Dick and Don Williams.
“After the show they had tears in their eyes and it just made me feel happy that they thought it was respectful,” he told the Essex paper. “They enjoyed the show and that meant a lot to me.”
