Tough and Talented - Marie Osmond is my HERO!

Marie and Me brushing up on blocking we never used--No matter!

Somebody said once that there are no Heros to Valets--expressing the idea that the closest associates of seemingly great public figures know many of the deepest, darkest secrets of their employer and seem to revere them, somehow less than they are "worshipped" in the world.

A dear friend of more than 20 years and I were on the phone for nearly two hours on Saturday morning when she asked me if Marie Osmond was as good as she seemed to be. I am proud to say as a fellow performer with Marie as Santa in several Network TV Christmas productions and dozens of concert visits over thirty years, I can say with no mental reservation---"YES! Marie is as terrific as her public image... and maybe even better." This is Provo Daily Herald Reporter Pat Christain's picture of a fourteen year old Marie with me as the Old Elf prior to our first ABC Network TV Presentaton of the Donny and Marie Show--(1974) I never washed that knee for months and months afterward.

Her recent rather public coping with a suicide son, a public divorce of her second husband and a potassium deficiency that landed her on the floor on the live broadcast of "Dancing with the Stars" have all intensified a wonderful private image that I hold so dear.

As a single mom (with a good deal of help) raising all of her kids alone, Marie juggles quite a load.

I believe she's better at business than her little brother Jimmy--a more talented singer and performer than any of her brothers including Donny--and a gutsy "broad" who enjoys a good laugh backstage with the crew--while still carrying more than her share of private griefs.

Evidence:

1. My First Meeting up Close in Battle Creek Michigan in 198? (Down to earth freadjustment of her bra as we planned "kid" stragegy.  That one gesture cemented my insider status--signed the adoption papers where Marie was concerned.

2. Milwaukee Walkie Talkie moment with Finny in the theater basement with the Promoter.  Marie came out of her dressing room to the light board where I was getting ready to announce the show and asked Alan Finlinson if he had a check yet from the promoter.  Finny calmly reported,  "Not yet."  Marie with added emphasis said loud enough into the walkie talkie so the promoter could hear her--"You tell him for me that if he doesn't come across with the money in fifteen minutes, we load the busses and head off down the road!"  Finn told me later the guy had put a loaded revolver on the desk and told him they needed to negotiate.  After Marie's serious threat to make good, and the crowd pounding the floor with their feet shouting,  We want the show", the promoter removed the pistol and slid a cashier's check for the entire amount owed across the little desk to Finn.  He got on the walkie talkie and I announced, "And now, the Magic of Christmas, starring Marie Osmond!!!!!  Jerry cranked up the band--and we were underway.  The promoter, "took a bath!"  He had tried to save money, running fewer radio and TV spots than Karl Engeman, Marie's manager had recommended--and ended up with half a house, egg on his face and a big debt.   That night I located one of the little guys we had picked as a Santa-Target the previous year-- and got him on stage again!   All this happened on December 9th, my birthday--with a cake and the Osmonds singing Happy Birthday to me at the 6:00 PM Dinner after the manner of the Russian, YO-oh, HEAVE, HO!  Rosie sent assorted Hickory Farms treats to our hotel room!  Heaven just don't get any better than that!

3. Backstage with all her children riding herd on the family.

4. Down a concourse with little Steven toughening up her son on the way home early the last morning of the tour

5. Sustaining her second husband inspite of inner fights and naysayers

6. Branson Other side of town at Mel Tillis Theater

7. Gracious, cool head with negative evidence from the KGB

8. Forgiveness for First Husband -- and a possible future  (Update from Fall of 2011-  Marie remarried Steve Craig after behind the scenes nudgings from their mutual son.  Tabloid TV noted that Marie wore the same wedding dress she used the first time around.  Husband and wife are reportedly doing much better, thanks!)

9. Real support for all her near and dear

10. Great love for her sweet Mom and Dad--and all the family