THE Ribble Valley is to witness the start of a new chapter in the story of one of music’s most famous families later this month.

For Jay and Merrill Osmond, two of the famous Osmond Brothers, will be bringing their new band to the Grand in Clitheroe on the opening date of their UK tour.

“This first show in Clitheroe is going to be such a fun way to kick-off things off,” said Jay.

“It’s just the latest chapter in the life of the Osmonds. Can you believe we’ve been making music for 50 years?

“We started with the four of us - Alan, Wayne, Merrill and myself - then Donny joined us and after that Marie joined and the Osmond Brothers became the Osmonds.

“After that Jimmy came into the group and since then people have gone on to do their own things.

“We’ve always been moving on to different things and styles of music. Now it’s time for Merrill and I to get back to doing some rock and roll. Along with Wayne, that’s where our hearts always were.

“Everyone is real supportive of each other, there is none of this falling out stuff.”

Jay and Merrill have already been in the studio re-recording a number of classic Osmonds’ numbers and some lesser known songs for a CD.

“We’ve also gone into tour personal archives and put together some video for the live shows which people won’t have seen before,” he said.

“We want to take people back to a fun time in their lives. One of the things I love to do is to watch fans’ faces. when I’m on stage. Our music isn’t just about us, it never has been. It’s about them, the fans. It’s like a big party.”

Jay and Merrill have hand picked their touring band.

“The band is made up of musicians we have worked with before,” he said. “We wanted to do this right and get the guys in who have been there with us. We’re all really excited about the whole thing.”

Both Jay and Merrill will be playing as well as singing on tour.

“We have always been musicians.” said Jay. “Back in the old days we played all our instruments on the records.” said Jay. “Merrill is an amazing bass player which a lot of people don’t realise.”

Jay himself is a mean player behind the drumkit and he’s looking to get play drums on a couple of numbers with the band.

“I’ve got my congas too and I will be doing my own thing out front but there will definitely be a drum solo in there. I still love to do that.”

The fans remain at the heart of everything Jay and Merrill do.

“We have listened to what the fans have been telling us that they really want,” he said.

“Music has always been at the heart of what we do. We’re just going back to the Seventies for a lot of our fans. Our goal has always been to uplift people.

“The greatest stuff I’ve heard was people saying things like ‘when I was a kid your music got me through a rough time in my life’. Those are the pay days.”

The Osmonds, Clitheroe Grand, Friday, February 16. Details from 01200 421599 or www.thegrandvenue.co.uk