On heels of 'Dancing' win, Osmond dives into radio

[February 04, 2010]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Singer Donny Osmond is coming back to the airwaves as he launches a radio show on the heels of his "Dancing With the Stars" win.

A music show hosted by the 52-year-old Las Vegas headliner debuts Jan. 18 on about 60 stations across the country.

"I've been up and down for the last 47 years. Up's better, let me tell you," the entertainer said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It is a roller coaster ride and you're not up all the time, and when you are up you ride that wave and hopefully you're enjoying that wave, because I'm certainly enjoying this one."

Osmond said the daytime show is aimed at a wide audience, but primarily women who listen to the adult contemporary or classic hits during the day, at work or elsewhere.

"It really gives ownership to the listener, and that's what we're trying to do is get them through the workday with some great music and some fun stories, little anecdotes and a very positive outlook in the five hours I'll be programming," Osmond said.

Osmond will record segments on his laptop and the show will be delivered to stations by syndication network Citadel Media, in partnership with McVay Syndication. Officials said last month's bankruptcy filing by parent Citadel Broadcasting will have no effect on Osmond's contract, the terms of which were not announced.

Osmond said most of his fans grew up with radio, and the format isn't going away despite the medium's financial slump and technological advances that give potential audiences more entertainment choices.

"I've been in this business since dirt was created, so I've seen a lot of incarnations of this business," Osmond said. "I remember when colored television came in ... I was such a little kid but I was involved in the industry so much."

"And so many people would say, `Television is the death of radio,' and as history has shown, it isn't, it wasn't and it never will be," he said.

The show will include some personal anecdotes and stories from the entertainer, who is enjoying a resurgence with his appearance on the hit ABC dance series, the Donny and Marie show with his sister at the Flamingo Las Vegas and an album debuting next year.

Osmond began entertaining at age 4, when he and his brothers were regulars on "The Andy Williams Show." A recording and touring career with his family led to a solo singing career and hit records with his sister, and eventually a variety show with her on ABC.

The Flamingo, owned by casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc., recently extended the siblings' live show through 2012.

"It's an interesting ride to be in show business," Osmond said. "It's an interesting challenge to get a career but it's even more interesting to keep that career going and thankfully I've hooked up with some great people."

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/

http://www.flamingolasvegas.com/

[Associated Press; By OSKAR GARCIA]

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