Month: March 2017
Love Him For A Reason & Let The Reason Be Rock
29 March 2017
Once Osmondmania had run its course, the various brothers embarked upon solo careers and Merrill Osmond was no exception.
Middle child Merrill became a very successful act on the American country music scene and of course has been touring alongside brothers Jay and Jimmy. Now in his mid-sixties and sporting distinguished white hair and beard, Merrill is as busy as ever, and will be appearing at Viva on Monday, June 5.
With the Osmonds back in the seventies, Merrill shared lead vocal duties with Donny and recalls those heady days. He said:
“Osmondmania was a shock that went around the world. Never having chosen my vocation I went from the Barbershop quartet world to The Andy Williams Show and then to the studios recording One Bad Apple; and then to go on stage in front of thousands of screaming girls was an experience.”
Merrill is a frequent visitor to the UK and performs here regularly, but it seems strange that his UK dates this year are rock shows. “That’s right,” he added. “I love rock music as well and these shows will be rock shows and no country in them either.”
So, what can we expect of the Osmond who lists ‘Crazy Horses’ and ‘Down By The Lazy River’ as his favourite Osmond tracks? He said:
“Well, what I might do is a tribute to Paul McCartney, as well as some (Led) Zeppelin and Cream, and of course my four-piece band and I will do all the hits.”
There are only a couple of UK dates in the diary at the moment, but Merrill admits there could be more in the future. “That’s right,” he added. “I’m talking to a promoter about a fuller tour, but it’s taking time.” And as Merrill is a devout Mormon, he hopes to visit the Mormon Temple near Preston whole he is here. “It’s definitely on my agenda,” he said.
Other recent news
#VOTE4LEYE for National Tourism Superstar Award
8 March 2017
Lancashire’s own Tourism Superstar Leye D Johns, host and compere at Viva Blackpool, won his Lancashire ‘crown’ at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in November 2016 and is now one of just ten finalists for this prestigious national award, the winner of which will be decided by public vote.
Public voting opens today, Tuesday 7 February at 8am, to decide the winner of England’s Tourism Superstar 2017, organised by national tourist board VisitEngland and supported by the Daily Mirror. Members of the public are encouraged to Visit mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar to watch a short film created by each of the Superstar finalists and to then cast their vote for their favourite and outright winner.
Leye D Johns speaking about reaching the finals said “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the support I’ve received as Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar and I’m so happy to be named as a national finalist. I love my job, the people of Lancashire, and the thousands of visitors who make every day working at Viva Blackpool such a pleasure. I’m so proud to be representing Lancashire in the national awards, to win would be the icing on the cake of a 23-year career as an entertainer in the UK’s favourite seaside resort.”
Leye is the only finalist from the North West of England and hopes that visitors from Lancashire and the North West in particular will support his film, vote for Leye and spread that support through social media using #Vote4Leye.
The Tourism Superstar finalists are:
Alan Anderson, Park Ranger, Auckland Castle, Durham
Duane Dibartolomeo, Owner, Grosvenor Fish bar, Norwich
Gemma Garwood, Falmouth Town Crier, Cornwall
Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver, Co-founders of Accessible Derbyshire, Derbyshire
Karl Gibson, Pub Landlord, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
Kevin Robson, Tour Guide and Owner, Wild Dog Outdoors, Northumberland
Leye D Johns, Host & Compere, Viva Blackpool, Lancashire
Liz Hill, Founder, Rural Concierge, Herefordshire
Paul Schofield, City Tour Guide, Hull & East Yorkshire
Peter Jay, Volunteer, Cotswold Water Park Trust, Wiltshire
64 Million visitors choose to visit Lancashire each year and many will be familiar with Leye’s work at Viva Blackpool and across the county, they are now in the position to help make Leye D Johns, to victory as England’s Tourism Superstar.
Anna Izza, Head of PR & communications for Marketing Lancashire said “Leye was an incredibly popular recipient of the Lancashire Tourism Superstar Award 2016. Having won the most votes across Lancashire, we were very confident nominating him for the national award. Leye is such a wonderful character, is a great ambassador for the county and we’re absolutely thrilled to see him reach the final.”
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said, “The sheer calibre of this years’ entrants is testament to the outstanding customer service that is the foundation of England’s tourism industry. I really encourage you to join in and vote as we celebrate our Tourism Superstars who consistently go above and beyond customers’ expectations, and who contribute so much to ensure visitors have a great time.”
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar initiative is in its sixth year and recognises the heroes within the industry who far exceed the call of duty to ensure visitors have the most amazing experience.
Vote Now for Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Leye D Johns at mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar voting closes towards the end of March. The winning Tourism Superstar will be announced during English Tourism Week 2017(25 March – 2 April).
Click Here To Vote For Leye D
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Official Fringe Events For Blackpool Pride
7 March 2017
We’re proud to support Blackpool Pride Festival (BPF) having recently hosted their official launch party right here at Viva.
In 2014 BPF applied to be a charitable unincorporated organisation. We have an ethos of inclusion and this means inclusion of everyone within the LGB&T community and their own families and friends.
BPF will work to promote an awareness of equality and diversity and reduce homophobia in the wider community. We will celebrate our cultural identity and be proud of our lifestyle.
The Festival brings LGB&T people together and is a celebration of our LGB&T lifestyle. It is an opportunity to make friends, and be yourself in an environment where you feel safe and welcomed.
This year as well as the launch party we are also putting on 3 official fringe events across the Pride weekend.
First you gotta speed it up… Making a return to Blackpool on Friday 9th June, Cheryl, Mike, Jay ‘formerly of’ BUCKS FIZZ and special guest Bobby McVey come to Viva for a fantastic show with support from Leye D Johns and the Viva Showgirls. Sing along to the Eurovision hit and other classics from the 80’s in this one night only performance to kick start the Pride festivities.
From the original ‘Pop Idol’ competition, to West End stages and TV fame across the World – Gareth Gates joins us on Sunday 11th live in concert with an acoustic band, up close and personal to the audience – Fresh from the UK Tour of ‘Footloose’ the musical, this is your chance to come and hear Gareth performing some of his favourite music and covers especially for you.
Finishing off the weekends celebrations the FAAAAAAABULOUS Ceri Dupree is heading to town on Monday 12th with his One Man, 21 woman show. Presenting a glamorous evening of hysterical comedy, amazing vocal impersonations and jaw dropping, eye popping costumes. You could meet Adele, Cher, Joan Collins, Lady Ga Ga, Bjork, Shirley Bassey, Camilla and even the Queen! Ceri brings them all lovingly to life with a touch of Las Vegas class rarely seen in the UK today.
We look forward to our continued involvement in and support of BPF and hope to see many of you here at viva for our Fringe Events
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The Ultimate Mother’s Day Treat
6 March 2017
Do you have a plan for Mothers Day? An afternoon outing or a lovely evening, perhaps both? Not made plans yet… Well shame on you! Don’t worry though we have you covered!
Treat your mother to an unforgettable experience this Mother’s Day as our fantastic 4 part harmony group The Jerseys serenade her in our afternoon show also featuring The Ratpackers, covering all her favourite music from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Drifters , Overtones, The Ratpack and much more in vegas venue, Blackpool. Available with Afternoon Tea or Sunday Carvery it’s a great way to spend the afternoon and treat your Mother to delicious food and first class music that is sure to get her up and dancing.
Afterwards why not head out onto the beautiful Promenade for a little walk before returning to Viva to take her on a date with showbiz icon, Martin Kemp.
As the bassist of 80’s New Romantic group Spandau Ballet, Eastenders legend and villain Steve Owen, the star of 90’s smash-hit global film The Krays, and more recently a talent show judge on the BBC’s Let It Shine, Martin Kemp has done it all.
Now, he’s heading to the Vegas venue at the heart ofBlackpool – VIVA Blackpool – for ‘An Audience with’, giving guests the chance to quiz Martin on his life in showbiz and spend an evening with one of Britain’s most-loved stars.
Find out more about both of these Fantastic Mother’s Day Gifts here:
Click Here For Mother’s Day Lunch
Click Here For An Evening With Martin Kemp
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