At the age of 51 Merrill Osmond says he's slowing down - but he's still touring the UK twice this year. The Osmond brother who took lead vocals on such classic pops songs as Crazy Horses and Love Me For A Reason performs solo at Bilston's Robin 2 tonight , then with Jay, Wayne and Jimmy at Birmingham NEC on June 24. Merrill's idea of cutting back on his workload is obviously not what you'd expect. "I'm a grandpa now, so I told my wife that I want to be at all their parties and family events," he explains. "I've bought a theatre in Branson, Missouri, - the Merrill Osmond Lodge of the Ozarks - so I can perform there from September to December." It's a popular option for artists. Jimmy Osmond owns and runs the Osmond Family Theatre in Branson, just down the road from Andy Williams' Moon River Theatre. There are dozens of other concert venues in the small Missouri town, catering mainly for holidaymakers. Merrill knows, however, that he and the Osmonds still have fans all over the world. "My website gets more than a million hits a month," he reveals. "At my shows I'm seeing more and more younger people - my original fans are now bringing their children to see me! Elvis once told us that when that happens you've truly crossed the generation gap." Not that Merrill is satisfied with just performing his greatest hits - although he promises that most fan favourites will get an airing. "I've been writing a lot so I'll be singing some of those new songs which I'm hoping to release on an album. "I'm modelling myself on Paul McCartney, who is still coming up with new material. Who knows, you may even see me playing at Glastonbury one day!" So is Merrill's new stuff typical Osmonds fare? "It's familiar pop with strong hooks and positive message. Our world is in trouble and there's a great need for us all to be together." There is no doubt that Merrill backs up his words with action. He set up the Osmond Foundation, a children's charity, and has worked with the Utah Special Olympics. He recognises the divisions the Iraq war has created. "George Bush has a much higher rating in the polls in America than he has in the UK," he says. "War is not a fun thing and just talking about it makes people upset. But freedom is a very sacred thing and it should be for everyone. | 
