You're A Good Man Charlie Parlato

Here's a few memorable moments by Welk trumpet player and singer Charles Parlato for your entertaining pleasure!

We start with Charlie being recycled in this 1966 number, "Go Ahead Charlie"

And here's Charlie in 1972 with Tanya cooking up something good....

And here's proof that even in the Old West, travel can be tough to one's stomach!

You're A Good Man Charlie Parlato

An "Oh Johnny" showdown

I'll let you decide for yourself, whose version of Wee Bonnie Baker's "Oh Johnny", Champange style you like better?

First, here's Andra Willis' version from 1969,



And next, here's Mary Lou Metzger's version, ten years later in '79...

An "Oh Johnny" showdown

Music Memories

This week's Lawrence Welk Show episode is titled "Music Memories" which originally aired on January 1969, here are a few music memories from the show!

Bobby Burgess and Cissy King opening the program with the Pennsylvania Polka

The Curt Ramsey Quintet of Charlie Parlato, Norma Zimmer, Steve Smith, Andra Willis and Curt himself with "I'll Never Smile Again."

The dueling accordians of Jo Ann Castle and Myron Floren with "Just Because."

Cissy & Bobby on a musical history tour of the ballroom dance, here's America's Number One Dancing Couple doing the Charleston

And here's Dick Dale singing about "Linda", and I wonder who is this Linda anyway?

A very fine show indeed, complete with Mary Lou Metzger's interview with Bob Ralston.
Until next week.....keep the bubble machine running!

Music Memories

Johnny Klein

Here's the master of the sticks that makes the rhythm section go, it's drummer and the Maestro's cousin Johnny Klein!

Playing the drums for the Welk orchestra from 1951 to 1976, Johnny also drove the bus whenever the band and the musical family went out on their concert tours.

Here's a nice series of articles of him from the NDSU Libraries online

Johnny Klein

Complete track listing: Go Away Little Girl

Oh, I forgot to add to my previous post the complete track listing for the "Go Away Little Girl" album....so here it is,

SIDE ONE

Go Away Little Girl - Guy Hovis
Never Ending Song Of Love - Sandi & Sally
Theme From "Summer Of '42" - Bob Ralston
I Hear Those Church Bells Ringing - Ralna English
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Clay Hart
Sweet City Woman - Guy Hovis

SIDE TWO

He's So Fine - Sandi & Sally
Take Me Home, Country Roads - Guy & Ralna
Never My Love - Instrumental
Rainy Days and Mondays - Tanya Falan
What Are You Doing Sunday - Guy Hovis
Adios, Au Revior, Auf Wiedersehn - Vocal Chorus & Instrumental

Complete track listing: Go Away Little Girl

My album collection: Go Away Little Girl

Since many you know that this blogmaster likes to collect vintage vinyl albums, it's a nice Friday so far so I'll tell you about one of them!

This week is Lawrence Welk's "Go Away Little Girl"

First released in late 1971 by Ranwood Records, it's one of many of the Maestro's albums that feature his musical family in a wide variety of musical tastes for the time....and it's very pleasant listening as well!

Two of the songs listed in the album, were heard on last week's "Salute to Los Angeles" episode they are,

"Go Away Little Girl" by Guy Hovis, and "Rainy Days and Mondays" by Tanya Falan

There's also even more great songs on the album, some of them include....

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" featuring Clay Hart, "Never Ending Song Of Love" by Sandi & Sally

plus terrfic instrumentals by the Welk orchestra such as....

Theme from "Summer Of '42" with Bob Ralston on piano and "Never My Love" by the Champagne Music Makers

And the last track on the album, fittingly is the closing song we all know and love, "Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedershen."

In all, there are a dozen fine songs in all....check out ebay, or your local record trading place to get this album, that is if you don't have it.

My album collection: Go Away Little Girl

Picture of the day (7-25-07)

From 1971, here's Gail Farrell after performing her rousing number "Oklahoma Hills" on the piano with the Maestro out to congratulate her.

This is from the "Country & Western" show, notice the Stetsons the fellas in the band are wearing!

Picture of the day (7-25-07)

Sally Flynn

Once again, today means birthday wishes for another one of our favorite music makers, it's Sally Flynn's birthday!

Here's Sally having fun with Richard Maloof from 1970....

For the native of Ontario, Oregon; life has taken her on a musical journey that has included school at Brigham Young University, Las Vegas and the USO with Sandi Griffiths, then onwards to the Lawrence Welk Show!

And eventually, marriage to fellow Welk Star Clay Hart. They are still happily married today and perform together as a music act.

And there are still more wunnerful trips to go on her musical journey to visit!

Here's Sally with Sandi from the Milestones and Memories reunion special,

Happy Birthday Sally....we enjoying hearing those "Now" sounds that us Welk fans enjoy so much!

Sally Flynn

Musical Salute to Los Angeles

This week's show is a musical salute to the city of Los Angeles, where the Welk show has been taped throughout it's 27-year run. Originally aired in 1972, here are a few highlights from this episode!

Here's the opening number, "California, Here I Come."

Meanwhile at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Arthur Duncan is tapping over the cemented footprints with the tippity tap of "Happy Feet."

And here's Mary Lou Metzger as Shirley Temple singing about the Good Ship Lollipop.

Finally, with LA known for it's smog....how about a little "Blue Skies" with Bob Havens at the trombone!

This has all the trimmings for a very fine show, and it will have you wanting to take your next vacation to the City of Angels.

Now if they can get a pro football team there.....but that's another topic.

Musical Salute to Los Angeles

Bob Lido

Today, let's pay a champagne salute to one of most beloved music makers to grace both stage and television, Bob Lido!

Also known as "Bachelor Bob" early on, the native of Jersey City, New Jersey started out with various bands and singers such as Carmen Cavarello and Perry Como before joining Lawrence Welk in 1953. During his thirty year tenure with the music makers, his violin and fiddle playing were very exceptional and popular.

However, it was his singing and comedic skills that really took off.....and when you watch him on reruns, Bob really gets into his work!

Here's Bob with Charlie Parlato and Russ Klein as leader of the Hotsy Totsy Boys, and like Bob himself...they're just a couple of swingin' fellas that are wild causing fun, havoc and great music!

And here's Bob with Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou singing his signature hit "Winchester Cathedral."

He passed on in August 2000 from complications from a stroke, but you can bet your last dollar that he's up in heaven....running wild and leading the fun with music and comedy as well!

Bob Lido

Sandi & Sally Thursday

Live from Hawaii in 1972, here's our favorite duo with Clay Hart in the middle singing "Pearly Shells" from the shores of the tropics!

And for a bonus, here's a YouTube clip of Sandi & Sally teaching Charlie Paralto the alphabet.

Sandi & Sally Thursday

Sheila Aldridge

It's once again time to celebrate another music maker's birthday.....today happens to be Sheila Aldridge's special day!

Together with sister Sherry as one half of the Aldridge Sisters, they joined the Musical Family in 1977 later teaming up with the Otwell Twins as one of the show's most popular musical acts.

And since her days on the Welk show, Sheila has been a very busy gal....singing, performing and songwriting as she co-wrote the country smash hit, "If I Ever Go Crazy."

Today, she and her husband, Chris Costa, make their home in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee....and perform together as a husband-and-wife musical act.

That's following in the footsteps of fellow Welkies Guy & Ralna and Clay & Sally!

And she and Sherry still sing together as well, you can catch them whenever they are out on tour or this fall when they're interviewed by Mary Lou Metzger after one of the Welk shows this upcoming season on PBS.

Happy Birthday Sheila.....may today be a special, loving and musical one!

Sheila Aldridge

Picture of the day (7-18-07)

Here's the Maestro with a fine feathered fan from 1968.

And if it's making you wonder.....working on the Lawrence Welk Show is not for the birds....

Who's the music maker underneath the parrot's head? It's Jack Imel!

Picture of the day (7-18-07)

More Random Blather from the Blogmaster....and pictures of Cleveland!

Nothing beats a nice summer's day in Ohio,

I went with my family to Cleveland last Sunday to watch an Indians baseball game, a perfect chamber of commerce day as it can get.

Here are a few pictures I like to share,

Approaching Dead Man's Curve on I-90 on the way towards downtown,

Here at the stadium, a nice statue of pitching icon Bob Feller....

Some great views from my seat in the bleachers, watching the Tribe beat the Royals

Action over at home plate....wonder what they are talking about?

And a nice shot of the Terminal Tower, with Quicken Loans Arena to the right...

And of course, Cleveland loves it's polka...it's the hometown of Frankie Yankovic!

Also today, got my car's oil changed at the Midas...but was told my serpentine belt needs to be replaced, I'll just get a second opinion....doubt that it needs to be replaced.

On a Welk note, here's Myron Floren and his grandkids with Bobby Burgess doing the Chicken Dance!

More Random Blather from the Blogmaster....and pictures of Cleveland!

Buddy Merrill

Today, we bring forth more celebrations as it is music maker Buddy Merrill's birthday on this Monday!

As featured guitar player on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1974, and part of television's dynamic duo on strings with Neil Levang...Buddy is without a doubt a master of his craft. Not only he can pick 'em with gusto but in a few shows....he can sing too!

Remember "Rock & Roll Ruby" and "It May Be Silly, But Ain't It Fun" just to name a few?

You check out more of Buddy and his work at two of his webpages, BUDDY MERRILL.COM and BUDDY MERRILL MUSIC

And while there, don't forget to wish him a very happy birthday today....now that's finger pickin' good!

Buddy Merrill

Give me some of that Music Music Music

Good evening, and welcome to your Dodge Dancing Party....this week is a classic B&W episode titled "Music, Music, Music" from January 1958, here's the Maestro kicking things off....

And here are a few wunnerful highlights from the show.....

Toro, Toro.....OLE!

Janet Lennon tames Ferdinand the Bull, you try doing that yourself.

Champagne Lady Alice Lon and Rocky Rockwell doing the "Town & Country Polka"

And check it out, Buddy Merrill is out on the dance floor!

The ladies just couldn't resist the charms of a great guitar player.

Tune in next week for another exciting Lawrence Welk classic on your pubic television station!

As for me, I'm off to Cleveland to watch some baseball....pass the brats and a beer.

Give me some of that Music Music Music

Norma Zimmer

It's Friday the 13th today...and no, bad luck and other scary stuff won't happen.

Today will be both a wunnerful and lucky day today, it's Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer's birthday!

She's been Lawrence Welk's Champagne Lady since New Years' Eve 1960.....

Her solo numbers and duets with Jimmy Roberts have always been favorites with fans. She's the mother of two grown sons, Ron and Mark and enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, swimming and horseback riding.

We salute you with a Champagne Toast.....Happy Birthday Norma!

Norma Zimmer

Sunshine with Guy & Ralna

If you're ever in the mood for some sunshine this Thursday....here's Guy & Ralna with their rendition of Steve Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" from 1979.

Sunshine with Guy & Ralna

Adventures in Detroit, Fun City USA

On Tuesday, this week....I made one of my fun trips to Car City Records for some wheelin' and dealin of fine vinyl LPs when would you believe traffic on northbound I-75 came to a standstill due to a major accident!

I was stuck here for a solid half an hour, in a construction zone.....on a hot 95 degree day!

Thankfully, I had my digital camera with me....so I snapped a few pictures, here's one with all that black smoke in the distance.

Here's a shot of all the cars at a standstill, my car is the white one to your left.

And all this commotion took place Downriver in Woodhaven, so here's a nice shot of the Ford Stamping Plant.

Finally, after getting a quick lunch from A&W, I was back on my way!

I did find some good records there, including many great Lawrence Welk albums and plenty of Guy & Ralna LPs, plus I traded in some extras for some cool cash.

And on my way back home....I decided to hop onto Michigan and Trumbull to see an old friend,

I do believe the wrecking ball will come soon, but it won't wreck any fine memories of watching Tigers baseball at the corner!

I'll betcha a dollar or two that when Ken Delo was a kid growing up in the "D", he saw a good share of Tigers baseball here.

Now, I'm on my way back home....it's never a dull moment when I go up to the Motor City.

Adventures in Detroit, Fun City USA

A Six-Pack of Welk Show debuts

Here's a nice trip down memory lane.....debut appearances by some of your favorite Champagne Music makers!

The Lennon Sisters' first TV appearance, Christmas Eve 1955

Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan from 1961, winners of the "Calcutta" dancing contest

Ralna English's first show from 1969....singing "Those Were The Days"

And also from '69....Gail Farrell appears on that season's opener, she sings "Downtown"

From the 1973 "Salute To Mexico" show, Anacani makes her Welk show debut

And finally, from the Christmas Show that same year....Tom Netherton makes his debut, and the Maestro likes his performance!

A Six-Pack of Welk Show debuts