This is perhaps the most surprising revelation of all. The Osmond family didn’t start releasing their music on CD until the first year of the Obama Administration! Somehow, it took them the longest time possible to evolve from vinyl records and cassette tapes. We wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that most of their demographic features people of a certain age.
That’s right, after 2008, they decided it was finally time to stop with the records and clue into what everybody has been doing since the early 90s. Too bad MP3s had already taken the world by storm.
They Began Their Careers in Disneyland
The Osmond family went to California to try to meet with record producers and executives in order to land a major record deal. An appointment with one such producer was canceled because of his busy schedule, so instead, George took everyone to Disneyland. That sounds like the smart way to spend some sudden, unplanned time off.
There, the kids saw the Dapper Dan Disney barbershop quartet and almost on cue, started singing with them. A crowd gathered, including Tommy Walker, who was the director of guest relations at the park. He asked if they wanted to sing at Disney After Dark that night.
They Almost Went Bankrupt
In 1975, the family was on the verge of financial collapse, especially after two of their albums flopped. The family built a TV set close to their house in Utah for the Donny and Marie Show in an effort to rebuild their fan base and cash flow. Then that show got canceled by the network and the Osmonds had to do two more albums to cover the costs of their studio.
These, too, flopped, and yet, instead of declaring bankruptcy, they paid back every cent they borrowed and forged ahead. With all the talent flowing in this family's blood, they were bound to land on their feet at some point.
Alan Osmond Chose the Army Over a Mission
Alan Osmond decided to quit the band and go on a Mormon mission as many young adults in the church do, but while on it, something wasn’t feeling right. Just because everybody else in his community could contribute through missionary work didn't mean it was the right thing for him to contribute through. He fasted and prayed for guidance for several days and after doing some soul-searching, he realized the mission wasn’t for him.
In the end, he didn’t go, instead electing to join the army and serve his country in Vietnam. He served as a Colonel’s secretary at a base stateside.
Boot Camp Awards
During his time in the army, just like any other soldier, Alan had to undergo basic training. You wouldn't expect someone who spent most of his life in entertainment to do well in basic training, but you'd be sorely mistaken. This might sound counterintuitive but as it so happened, his years in the limelight have given him an advantage in boot camp.
His knowledge of choreography helped with bayonet skills, the ruthless road schedule helped prepare him for being sleep deprived in boot camp, and he was great with firearms. He made it out of basic training with three trophies!