Singer Marie Osmond, part of the famed 70’s bother-sister act Donnie and Marie, dines at Drago’s in Metairie with “Scoot on the Air” Scott Paisant. Osmond had just finished performing at the Family Gras Music Festival in Metairie. Photo: Facebook/Marie Osmond
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
Marie Osmond with Jefferson Parish Sheriff Officers who helped sort her to the restaurant from the stage. Photo: Facebook/Marie Osmond
As the Krewe of Atlas arrived at the Family Gras Music Festival in Metairie on a February Friday night, famed singer Marie Osmond, best known for the Donnie singing with her brother Donnie on the Donnie and Marie show on ABC in the 1970’s, waited to perform. As several New Orleans artists played the greatest hits of local music icon Allen Toussaint, Osmond knew where she would be after the show… at Drago’s Restaurant eating some of it famed Gulf seafood.
In a Facebook posting, Osmond said she made a lot of new friends in New Orleans, including Scoot On The Air, Scott Paisant, WWL Radio’s rock star and talk star host. “He’s the radio voice of pop culture and politics. He came to the show and we ended up going out to dinner afterwards with a fun group of people. Scoot, you’re awesome!”
Drago’s famed charbroiled oysters. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
Osmond, Scoot and other members of entourage were invited by Tommy Cvitanovich, the owner of Drago’s, to dine in his private office.
Osmond and an entourage member join Klara Cvitanovich, Tommy’s mother and Tommy Cvitanovich for a photo. Photo: Facebook/Marie Osmond
“When Tommy invited us I hurried off stage to go to my dressing room and change out of my costume,” said Osmond. “For some reason, the deadbolt engaged so I got locked out! There I stood freezing in my diva dress watching the Mardi Gras crew try to break my dressing room’s door down!”
Osmond was determined not to let this little caper make her late to the restaurant. Cvitanovich asked the Jefferson Parish Sheriff Department to help get Osmond and her entourage through the crowd to the restaurant.
“I wanted to get there before it became too late for the chefs and servers to be there. So the sheriff gave us a police escort to the restaurant! True Diva service!!” she posted.
“Tommy’s mom Klara, the matriarch of Drago’s, and Leanne, Tommy’s wife, heard I hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner, so they invited me and my crew after the show to a private feast, and I mean FEAST!” she said. “From their famous grilled oysters to gumbo, incredible tasting alligator tacos, to you name it—I mean we ate it—and you must too! Oh and their cheesecake… it’s the best ever… simply incredible!!!! WOW!!!”
Marie reacts to desert at Drago’s Restaurant in Metairie. Photo: Facebook/Marie Osmond
Osmond said she was amazed g how everyone knew everyone. “It was incredible seeing friends call friends to make it all happen… what an honor!!!!! And as they say in Louisiana, “Le bon ton roulet” (let the good times roll)! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for these wonderful memories!!!! Making new friends is the best and is a large part of the happiness that is all around us. We just need to take the time to see it in our lives.”
Osmond said it was a wonderful weekend, “It makes me so happy to be performing on the road and hopefully bringing some joy and happiness to people again—especially after the last two years, The crowds have been fantastic and it brings a smile to my face seeing all of you having so much fun, from tears to laughter!! Whatever emotions the music may bring we all feel better afterwards… like my last album‘s title says—music really is medicine.”
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