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SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. June Issue  P.20                                          Cover of the Magazine     Table of Contents     

THE WORLD GREAT FAMILY SINGERS

The Osmonds group comprised brothers Alan Ralph Osmond (born on June 22, 1949), Melvin Wayne Osmond (born on  August 28, 1951), Merrill Davis Osmond (born on April 30, 1953), and Jay Wesley Osmond (born on March 2, 1955). Four decades ago, four young boys were flashed across national television screens on what was meant to be a one-time shot at “the big time.” That single appearance led to such an overwhelming mail response that for the following seven seasons, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay Osmond became regulars on the Andy Williams Show. From that point on, their name alone became synonymous with the “big time” and everything associated with it. Their lives would never be the same, nor would those lives with whom they could come into contact. In 1962, a visit to Disneyland became the start of their professional career. The Osmond Brothers barbershop style of music was recognized by Disney talent scout, Tommy Walker, and he hired them to perform at Disneyland for the summer. During this era of career growth and development, the Osmonds not only grew up, they grew in scope. They mastered 28 musical instruments, perfected their dance, and learned to handle an audience like pros. By 1970, the Osmonds were perfect candidates for the teenage recording market. In 1971, combined sales from the Osmond Brothers' and Donny's releases garnished nine gold records – a total that exceeds the Beatles' and Elvis' highest single year collection of gold discs. Since embarking on their prestigious recording career, the Osmonds have sold over 77 million records and have accrued more than 30 gold records. In 1982, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay Osmond decided to change their musical direction and sound when they started singing country music. Their transition from pop to country music proved to very successful. Billboard Magazine honored them with the “1982 Breakthrough Award” and also acknowledged them as the “Number New Singles Group of the Year.” The Country Music Association recognized them with a nomination for “Best New Group of the Year” as well. In 2003, the Osmond Family were honored for their achievements in the entertainment industry with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Winans are an American gospel music quartet based out of Detroit, Michigan. Awards: Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: All Out (1993), Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus: The Winans Live At Carnegie Hall (1988), Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Ain't No Need To Worry" (The Winans featuring Anita Baker) (1987), Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Let My People Go" (1986), Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male: "Bring Back The Days Of Yea And Nay" (Marvin Winans) (1985), Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Tomorrow" (1985). Chris Rizik wrote: “Before Mary Mary, before Kirk Franklin, before Commissioned and Fred Hammond, there were Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.  By any account, the most important group of the last 30 years in pushing the crossover of Gospel into both Soul and Pop radio, the Winans are now considered to be Gospel royalty.  But it wasn't always like that.  When the group first released their Introducing the Winans album in 1981, many eyebrows were raised in the Gospel community about what was perceived as the secularization of Gospel music.”

The Rankin Family is a Canadian folk music family group from Mabou, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The group consists of Jimmy Rankin - vocals (born on May 28, 1964) , John Morris Rankin - piano, fiddle (April 28, 1959 - January 16, 2000) , Cookie Rankin - vocals (born on May 4, 1965), Raylene Rankin - vocals (born on September 15, 1960), Heather Rankin - vocals (born on October 24, 1967).  The Rankins come from a musical family of 12. In 1993, their “North Country” became a multi-platinum success, containing the popular title track in addition to Borders and Time, Christy Campbell Medley and the Gaelic arrangement Leis An Lurgainn.

 

 

Their music crossed over many musical styles earning them a fast growing following as well as industry accolades that included Juno and East Coast Music Awards. The group has won many Canadian music awards, including 15 East Coast Music Awards, 6 Juno Awards, 4 SOCAN Awards, 3 Canadian Country Music Awards and 2 Big Country Music Awards. On September 17, 1999, the group issued a press release stating that they would no longer perform as a group in order to pursue independent interests and careers. John Morris Rankin was killed in a car accident in Cape Breton on January 16, 2000. His truck that he was driving to a hockey game plunged into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as he swerved to avoid a pile of salt on the road.[2] One of the original founders of the group, Geraldine Coyne (Rankin) died January 10, 2007, the result of a brain aneurysm, at her home in Calgary. Geraldine had not performed with the group since prior to the first recordings being released. The Rankin Family returned to the concert stage and music spotlight in January and February of 2007, showcasing their award winning harmonies and timeless music compositions in their first cross-Canada, 22-city tour in over eight years. It was a complete success, with fans across Canada proving, yet again, their dedication to the family and to their music. Raylene, Jimmy, Cookie and Heather reunited in Nashville in the fall of 2006 to workshop new material with producer George Massenburg. The results were phenomenal and lead to the recording of their first full-length CD in years, the aptly titled, “Reunion”. The Rankin’s “Backstage Pass” DVD accompanied this release, containing never before seen concert footage recorded live at The Orpheum in Vancouver in 1995. Molly Rankin, daughter of the late John Morris, has lent her considerable talent to the project – joining the group on the road as well contributing the song “Sunset” to The Rankin Family’s CD.