Country, Rock & Roll, and the Tabernacle Choir

On Saturday, July 26, we had the opportunity to attend the Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, with the Osmond Family as special guests.

Before the concert began, we talked with the sister missionaries sitting in front of us. As we visited with them, we were excited to learn that one was from Mongolia, and the other was from Tonga. Interestingly, Frances’ grandparents served as mission presidents in Mongolia, and then served a mission in Tonga. The sister from Mongolia knew the Clarks, and was baptized while they were serving there! The sister from Tonga loved visiting with Ryan! In the course of their discussion, she learned that he was baptized at Temple Beach in Laie (she attended BYU-Hawaii and was thrilled to learn he was baptized there); she asked him if he liked football, and he told her that he liked football, but LOVED rugby; he told her that he knew the haka, and she just about went crazy! She kept saying, “He’s an Island boy!” She told him several times that he needed to move to the Islands to be an Island boy. (Please…don’t encourage him!). He also just happened to be wearing a cute Hawaiian shirt! We had a lot of fun visiting with them and getting to know them.

Just before the concert began, Lloyd Newell welcomed President and Sister Eyring, who were sitting on the front row, right down from us. He also welcomed “members of the Quorum of the Twelve,” although he didn’t introduce any by name.

We have attended numerous events in the Conference Center. We have attended several concerts in the Conference Center. This was unlike anything we have attended there.

The program started with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performing a couple of my favorite pioneer heritage songs: “They, the Builders of the Nation” and “Faith in Every Footstep.” Then the Osmonds were introduced. This is where we wondered if we were still in the Conference Center. An electric guitar started playing, and spotlights started shining and circling around on the Choir. We commented that it was probably the first time that either of those things had happened in the Conference Center!

I have to mention here that we were pretty big Osmond fans growing up. My dad worked for the publishing company that did all of the Osmonds’ media printing. So we had Osmond books, paper dolls, trading cards, posters, and just about anything else you can imagine. You also have to know that the TV-watching was very limited at our house. We were NEVER allowed to watch “Three’s Company,” or similar shows of that time period. We were, however, always able to watch “Donnie and Marie” (you know…wholesome Mormon entertainment). :) The past few years, Ryan has also become quite the Donny fan via “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

So, back to the concert. The Osmond brothers did several of their hits – “Down by the Lazy River,” “One Bad Apple,” and “He Ain’t Heavy,” with their old videos on screens behind and to the side of the Choir.

The Osmonds then took a break while the Choir did some of their Americana songs. (Melissa, tell Justin that we enjoyed all of his solos! We noticed at least three or four!)

The Osmonds came back out and started with “Yo Yo,” which Ryan declared was his favorite of the evening. Donny and Marie then did a medley of their hits. Please, no one yell at me, but I thought that the Choir singing “She’s a little bit country” and “He’s a little bit rock and roll” was kind of cheesy. Sorry. It seemed to be a big hit with most of the rest of the audience.

I was touched by two musical numbers – the first one was “Whenever You’re In Trouble.” Donny told the story of when one of his sons was on his mission. His son sent him a text message when Donny was in the middle of a recording session, but he took the time to answer, and they sent a few messages back and forth. His son then said that he was ok – he just needed to know that his dad was there. Donny wrote the song following that experience.

The second number that was touching to me was “Through the Years.” While the family sang, video clips ran on the screens behind of the family performing through the years. It started with a clip of the boys doing an audition with Walt Disney, followed by clips from the Andy Williams show. There were several photos and videos of their parents and older brothers. The whole Osmond family was in tears, and many in the audience were, as well.

For the last two numbers, the two older brothers, Verl and Tom, joined their younger siblings on stage. (For those who may not know, they are both deaf.) The younger seven siblings took turns paying tributes to their older brothers. Then Verl and Tom signed while their siblings sang the last two songs. That was also very touching. This concert was the final performance in the worldwide “50th Anniversary Tour.” It was also the final performance for some of the brothers. That obviously made it even more poignant for them as they performed.
The final number was the Choir and Osmond family singing “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” another pioneer favorite. It was a fun performance, with both light and funny moments as well as touching and sentimental ones. I was glad we were able to attend.

(Photos by Tom Smart)