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Osmond dons songwriter hat

May 5, 2005 1:09 am

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Donny Osmond has worn many hats over his 42-year performing career, from teen idol to game-show host.

Everyone knows at least part of the story.

He made his debut in 1963 at age 6, singing with several of his brothers on "The Andy Williams Show" before becoming a hit recording artist and sending teenage girls into frenzies in the 1970s.

His teen-idol status was cemented while he hosted a variety show with his sister and released more albums, both solo and with Marie.

He continued to record throughout the 1980s, and the 1990s saw Osmond take up musical theater in the title role in American and Canadian touring productions of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Osmond returned to the small screen in 1998 to host a talk show with his sister, Marie, and he was host of the game show "Pyramid" from 2002 to 2004.

Now Osmond can add songwriter to his resume.

He released his 54th album, "What I Meant to Say," this year--an accomplishment in itself. More significantly, this is the first album Osmond wrote himself.

"I wish I would have started [writing] earlier," he said in a recent phone interview. "It's a whole lot different feeling when you get there onstage and you sing the song and you own it."

Osmond is touring the United States and the United Kingdom in support of his latest effort, of which he is extremely proud. He will perform "An Intimate Evening of Music with Donny Osmond" at the Birchmere in Alexandria on Tuesday.

"When I put this show together, I wanted the music and the lyrics to stand out as much as possible," he said. "After doing this for 42 years, I realized people don't walk out humming the lights."

Four musicians will join Osmond onstage as he plays piano on songs from his entire career, but the main focus will be on the new CD.

Fans can expect to hear a jazzy rendition of "Puppy Love," his '80s comeback song "Soldier of Love" and a selection from "Joseph," in addition to the heartfelt tunes from "Say."

"I wanted to go low-tech with this because I wanted the music to come out," Osmond said. "It's proven to work."

People don't know what to expect at first, he said, but by the end of recent shows, audiences have been up on their feet having a great time.

The enthusiasm of listeners has been gratifying to Osmond, who worked like a dog to make this album.

It was difficult, he said, to dig down deep and write such personal songs, but he bares his soul with a winning tenor that manages to steer away from sappy territory.

Osmond penned "My Perfect Rhyme" for his wife, Debbie. "Whenever You're in Trouble" was written for his children.

"When you approach a subject like that, you don't just slap lyrics together," Osmond said. "You make them not only poetically concise, but you have to make sure the meaning is there, because once you put it down on the CD it's there forever, so you take the time."

Osmond has been considered a punch line by some, but this album lends his career new credibility.

Critics have taken notice, and smooth-jazz radio stations across the country have started playing his new stuff, Osmond said.

"It's a wonderful compliment to me because that genre is musically based," he said. "It's not the hype, it's all about the music."

Even though he grew up in the spotlight, Osmond is just another guy who's making his way through life "trying to reach that next plateau." He's not a teen idol any longer, but he continues to bewitch countless fans as he soldiers on.

He is one of the few people in this world who know what it's like to inspire joy in the hearts of many, but after being in the business for so long, Osmond is down to earth about his popularity.

"You don't believe the hype, you don't let it get to you," he said. "It is a huge responsibility, but you've got to live your life."

To reach EMILY GILMORE: 540/374-5426 egilmore@freelancestar.com