A New Year's haiku

Well, this is it my friends.....my last post of the year

HA HA HA.....a little New Year's joke

To help ring in 2008, here's a haiku I prepared for this occasion.....

Countdown starts at ten

Raise your glasses for a toast

Same time next year kids?

Have a happy 2008! Stay safe, stay well.....and don't drink and drive

This could be the start of something big!

Tour of Southern California

For the last scheduled Welk episode in 2007, what a great way to finish up the year than with a Musical Tour of Southern California which originally aired on April 3, 1982.

Here's the cast in the opening number, "This Land Is Your Land",

The numbers in thew show were diverse as Southern California itself.....such as Anacani's number "Cielito Lindo" and "Pass Me By" sung by Gail, Ron and Michael.

Here's Arthur Duncan with his snappy footwork dancing to the tune "I'm Walkin, I'm Talking & I'm Hoping" assisted by Sheila and Sherry Aldridge, Anacani & Mary Lou Metzger.

Next, we have Ralna English and Guy Hovis singing about those "Far Away Places"....here at LAX getting ready to board the next flight to one of such places!

How about a trio of accordianists! Playing for you is Joey Schmidt, Lawrence and Myron Floren with "It's A Small World".

Great....now I'm gonna have that damn song stuck in my head for the next few days.

The band featured great instrumentals such as "Say Si Si", the 1812 Overture and some champagne dancing music such as "I've Told Every Little Star".

Also, there's a dreamy version of "California Dreamin" sung by the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins, Ken Delo and the Hotsy Totsy Boys over at Santa Ana Raceway "Runnin' Wild" and the whole cast finishing up the show with "America The Beautiful".

To put this in perspective.....a great show from top to bottom!

The Otwell boys.....Roger and David were both in the hot seat this week, talking to Mary Lou about growing up in Tulia, Texas.....how they got on the Welk show without an audition, and their music work in both Nashville and Amarillo. They also brushed up on their family lives as well.

That's all for this week.....or should I say, this year!

Until 2008, keep a song in your heart.

A Quickie Correction

In reference to my previous post....I forgot to add the debuts of "Lawrence Welk TV Treasures" and "Ralna English: From My Heart" on nationwide public television to my 2007 Welk Year in review.

The blogmeister sincerely regrets the error.

A look back at 2007

I can't believe that this year is just about over with! With 2008 looming on the horizion....let's look back at 2007, from a Welk point of view.

The big event came in March, when the Live Lawrence Welk Show came to town and I got to say "howdy" to the music makers.

It was also the year that the Aldridge Sisters appeared and performed at the Crossnore Heritage Fesitval in Avery County, NC.

Kathy and Janet Lennon's Best Pals dolls took the toy world by storm, one doll convention show at a time....

Tanya Falan appeared as a special guest of the Barrister's Charity Ball in Chicago, and the Welk stars reunited in Branson in September for several shows at the Champagne Theater.

That February, I officially turned thirty, and speaking of birthdays.....

Ralna English had her birthday cruise to Alaska in June, celebrated by her family, friends, fans and the Delos (Ken and Marilyn).

Ava Barber performed in Branson as part of the Grand Ladies of Country Music revue.

And there were many Welk concerts held in the familiar places such as Germantown, Goshen, Lancaster and Bear Creek Farms.

2007 also marked the final bow for Mahlon Clark and Charlie Parlato.

Also, the Burgess family went on their African Safari to Kenya....

Oh, and the new season of Welk shows commenced it's twenty-first season in September....it's great viewing so far.

I debuted a new blog while this one is still going strong as well as my webpage.

Here's to a great 2008, and the fun it shall bring!

Yet another fun Welk haiku

And this week, I give you a Neil Levang haiku....

He's from North Dakota

With a guitar in tow

Play solo of "Wheels"

Twas the day after Christmas......

.....and I feel thirty pounds heavier after all the holiday munchies, which is time for me to get in shape!

At least until New Year's Eve....

I've spent Christmas with my family....and extended ones too, and got some nice gifts to use year' round.....socks, pants, shirts...the usual fare.

Right now, I'm watching one of my gifts on television....the Complete First Season of Saturday Night Live DVD Box Set, great way to pass the time for some classic comedy.

Which is perfect considering the television writers are still on strike.

There are some stuff I didn't get, but no worry....my birthday is coming up in a few months....that's what there for!

Right now, I gotta do some sit-ups.....gotta lose that extra poundage.

A Special Welk Christmas Haiku

In fact, I will bring you three haikus for this merry occassion....starting with this one,

Gather 'round the tree

Mister Welk sings Jingle Bells

The Musical Family laughs

Let's meet all the kids

Daughters, sons, nieces and nephews

They all say hi

Here comes Jolly Saint Nick

And he's got presents in tow

Merry Christmas!

Another Welk Christmas from the past

This time, the Musical Family celebrate Christmas from 1972....and it's also this week's show from public television!

Here's the whole cast opening the show with "Jingle Bells".

Here in the Welk Universe, the annual Christmas show was always the highest-rated episode of the year....where the music makers bring their children on the show for some holiday fun, such as singing and Santa bringing the presents.

More highlights galore! Right now, Tanya Falan tries to get her son (Lawrence the Third) in vain to sing along to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".

Here's Mary Lou Metzger with Gail Farrell and Dick Dale singing "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas".

Now comes the Maestro with Tim Fenney (Joe Feeney's son) for some quality time and to sing "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth".

And of course, Lawrence is by now up to his eyebrows in children.....

Other great numbers in the show include, "White Christmas", Guy & Ralna singing "Little Boy Jesus", Joe Feeney sings "Oh Holy Night" and Arthur Duncan dancing to "Ring Those Christmas Bells".

And it was also time for the television audience to meet the musical family and their own families....like Sandi Griffiths with her daughter Jenni, Ken Delo with his daughter Kimberley and of course, the Maestro with his wife Fern and his children and grand-children.

And speaking of families.....Mary Lou interviewed both Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer and her husband Randy.....whom both was later joined by their son Mark.
They talked about how Norma and Randy first met, which was "love at first sight", their secrets for a successful marriage, family and life on the Welk show.

That's all for this week, next week's show is a salute to Southern California.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and keep a song in your heart!

Scenes from Christmas past

Right now, let me play the ghost of Christmas past and look back at a few scenes of the Musical Family celebrating the holiday season!

This is from 1973, here's trumpet player Laroon Holt introducing his family with Barney Liddell looking on.

Here's the Maestro with Jenni Griffiths (Sandi's daughter), perhaps in training to be a future Champagne Lady?

And look kids, Santa is here!

By the way, it's Dick Dale donning the Kris Kringle cap, beard, suit....the works.

Just three days left....you might wanna finish up your shopping!

Yet another Welk haiku for Friday

And this week before Christmas....it's a seventeen syllable tribute to Jo Ann Castle!

Rock and roll on the keys

Jo Ann Castle knows honky tonk

Men love her

Hear the Engines Roll....

And now on the lighter side, can you ever picture either the Curt Ramsey Quintet, Sandi & Sally, the Lennon Sisters or Gail, Ron & Michael singing this neat song?

Our friends from Mystery Science Theater 3000 give you this regal peformance, courtesy of YouTube!

Let It Be Me

Looking into my record vault, here's a rare vinyl that is pleasant music guaranteed.....it's the Ranwood Records release of Tanya Falan's solo album titled "Let It Be Me".

It took me a long while to track this one done (it's very rare and hard to find!) but once I got a hold of a copy, it's become one of my most prized Welk collectibles.

And the whole album sounds great too!

One of my personal favorite tracks listed is her rendition of "Can't Buy Me Love" which was also featured on the "Musical Tour of the USA" episode, I hate to break it to all the Beatles fans but her version is much better!

There's also her version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" as well as "Lydia Purple" and "Just A Little Lovin".

Here's a complete rundown of tracks.....

SIDE ONE

1. Just A Little Lovin' (2:15)

2. Grow Up Love (2:05)

3. It's A Sometimes World (2:09)

4. Can't Buy Me Love (1:55)

5. Hey Jude (4:25)

SIDE TWO

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (3:40)

2. Lydia Purple (2:54)

3. Let It Be Me (3:14)

4. Baby What I Mean (2:05)

5. For As Long As I Live (2:58)

Musical Tour of the USA

Well, it took a lot of wheeling and dealing...plus some divine intervention as well...and I was able to get a copy of the "Musical Tour of the USA" episode that aired two weeks ago.

Here are some highlights, such as the gang with the opening number, "This Land Is Your Land".

This episode, first aired on June 1969....has a lot of great numbers, such as the band's arrangement of "Chicago" plus the Maestro was on the organ along with Frank Scott and Bob Ralston for "I Love You Truly" and a great dance routine by Bobby & Cissy to the song "Galveston".

I don't know if this is his debut appearance, but here's Ken Delo with Lawrence after singing his signature hit, the Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Like the United States itself, this episode is filled with diversity....in song that is!

I liked Tanya Falan's version of the Beatles' smash "Can't Buy Me Love", plus Jo Ann Castle's "On The Beach At Waikiki" on the ragtime 88s.

And here's a real treat, Ralna English in the solo spot singing "Buy The Time I Get To Phoenix" which I really liked as well....and I betcha Glen Campbell did too.

Sandi & Sally sang "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" while Bob Lido and Larry Hooper sang about their San Fernando Valley is their home, plus Steve Smith sang about he and his girl will take Manhattan (the Bronx and Staten Island).

And what fine way to end the show than with Bob Havens on his trombone playing the "St. Louis Blues" which the musical family really dig!

Tanya was in the hot seat for one of Mary Lou's interviews, she talked about her family....which included her son Nicky's recent wedding.....her recent work noth as a designer and singer, she recently was part of the Chicago Barrister's Ball which sounds like alot of fun along with her adventures on the Welk show.

That's what I call an hour well spent! Now if I can only get a copy of the "Salute to Johnny Mercer" episode....everything will be right in this world.

Lets all sing "Alouette"

A very visual stunning clip from this Lawrence Welk Show episode from December 1975, here's Ken Delo and friends, dressed in bright canary yellow, singing the popular French-Canadian children's song "Alouette".

You might wanna wear sunglasses for this one.

Winter Show '67

Talk about perfect timing, the snow if falling here in Toledo which leads us to this week's episode titled "Winter" from December 2, 1967.

Here's the gang getting things started with "Button Up Your Overcoat"

The show has several memorable numbers, including great instrumentals such as "People Will Say Were In Love" and "You're Just In Love".

Here's the Lennon Sisters singing "It's A Marshmallow World"

Also, here's Lynn Anderson making eyes at bassist Richard Maloof while singing "Promises, Promises".

And speaking of instrumentals, here's one titled "The Flea" featuring Charlie Parlato, Bob Ralston, Jack Imel and Johnny Klein showing off that crazy rhythm!

Notice that Bob is playing the electronic harpischord, which Lawrence says that it was designed by George Cates.

Other fine numbers include, "I Could Have Danced All Night" by Andra Willis, "I Believe" by Norma Zimmer, "Little Bells and Big Bells" danced by Cissy and Bobby and Joe Feeney with "Padre".

And of course, there's Mary Lou Metzger's interview with Dianne "Dee Dee" Lennon.

Here, Dee Dee talks about being the eldest of all eleven Lennon children and her life on the show. Also, she touches on her own family....how she met Dick Gass, her husband of 47 years and her love of sports....such as golf which she first played with her dad at age six.

It's a great show, we'll worth the wait after repeats and pledge specials!

Next week, a Welk Christmas show.....complete with interview with Norma Zimmer, so until next week....stay warm and keep a song in your heart!

Papa's got a brand new blog

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this fine blog, I decided to launch a second one!

This one is called THE CHAMPAGNE PHOTO BLOGGER

It's basically consists of pictures and photos of Lawrence Welk, his Musical Family and action from the show along with some behind-the-scenes action.

I know you'll like it.....it's simply wunnerful, wunnerful.

Yet Another Welk Haiku

And away we go.....

Lawrence and Myron

Playing the accordian

It's time to polka

Using Your Voice

Have you always wondered how the Welk stars talked and sang on camera with such good diction?

Perhaps they watched this industrial short, "Using Your Voice" as our friends from Mystery Science Theater 3000 watched for themselves!

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Just in time for this Christmas season, here's Tanya Falan with her boys teaming up with Anacani for this holiday favorite from 1973!

A puzzling thought......

Here's a great way to beat those Winter blues....I just some fun puzzles to my Welkgirls.com page!

For those who like a good crossword puzzle, just click on and print out the WELK GIRLS CROSSWORD

Or if word puzzles is your thing, click and print the WELK LADIES WORD PUZZLE

I know it will be time well spent!

Another week....another round of pledge specials....

On this Saturday.....we in the Toledo area were treated to "Lawrence Welk: God Bless America"

It's two hours full of patriotic American standards, such as "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Coming to America" and "From A Distance" just to name a few!

Here's Jo Ann Castle ticking the ivories from the show....

Afterwards, WGTE (my public broadcaster) aired My Music: 50s Pop Parade....

....and here's the real reason us Welk fans watched.....

I'm glad to say that Mary Lou got more camera time this go around....

Next week, everything should be back to normal, we're supposed to get "Winter" from 1967.....gotta get my VCR ready to go!

Ken Delo

Today is Ken Delo's birthday, an audience favorite with Welk from 1969 to 1982.

In honor of his special day, here's a birthday haiku tailor-made just for him!

He's good with a song

and quick with a joke

The warm sounds of Ken Delo

Happy Birthday Ken....may your cup runneth over with cake, presents and well wishes!

A Lennon Sisters haiku

And now, another one of my famous Champagne haikus....this week, the Lennon Sisters.

Here's four sisters,

Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet

Mimi makes five

A very nice use of seventeen syllables if I say so myself.....

Shop Til' I Drop Dead

I don't know how many folks do it, but boy am I exhausted.....thank God Christmas only happens once a year.

Just returned from Michigan doing my annual yuletide shopping cross' the border.....went to three different malls, Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights and The Somerset Collection in Troy, and found some pretty good deals on some pretty good stuff!

I'm not saying what they are.....my family could be reading this blog and of course.....it's more fun to wait until the twenty fifth.

But for now, it's time to relax......I'll watch a classic Welk Christmas episode!

Sandi & Sally from beginning to end

From the YouTube treasure vault, here's two clips of Sandi & Sally.

This one is their first ever appearance on the Welk show from January 6, 1968.



And this one is their last appearance together on January 10, 1973



And in between, alot of wunnerful music memories for all!

Got Holiday Cheer?

If the weather here was a lot more warmer....say like in Arizona or the Florida Keys, then there would be more holiday cheer for yours truly!

Right now, I'm working on sending Christmas cards and preparing for my annual run for the border (into Michigan) shopping.....there's gotta be a better and more precise way to know what my family wants for gifts!

Yet, even with the cold weather and with all this increased commercialization, there's still a simple and pleasant joy to this Christmas season.

Now if I can only keep my weight in check from feasting on the bounty of holiday food that is to come!

Do The Hustle!

It may be a command, but sounds like fun.

For all you disco fanatics, you remember that hit instrumental from the 1970s by Van McCoy.....now thanks to the magic of YouTube, here's the Champagne Music Makers with their own treatment.

And what dance tune would not be complete without Bobby & Cissy, check out their wild disco threads as well!

Here's a showstopper for you!

Just as I thought.....when I turned on the tube at seven last night, WGTE showed "Showstoppers", a repeat Welk episode from 1979 and not the new "Johnny Mercer" episode.

Fun topic to celebrate my 500th post on this high-quality blog....

Next week, the pledge fun continues when my station airs the "God Bless America" special from Branson in 2002.....that should be a trip down memory lane.

Did find out in addition to KBYU, the folks at Milwaukee Public Television are also showing the full slate of episodes this month.

And I must add that the good folks in Sudsville will be excited to say the least!

Here's a nice picture of the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins singing "Cotton Fields" from last night's show.

Wanna see it again, thanks to YouTube....you can!

Dee Dee and Sherry's Birthday Haiku

It's time for another Musical Family birthday today....and this one is a double shot!

Dianne (Dee Dee) Lennon and Sherry Aldridge were born on this day, and for this occasion.....each one of the birthday girls will be saluted by a haiku,

First, let's start with Dee Dee....

Her name is Dianne

But they call her Dee Dee

Leader of the Lennons

Nice huh? And now here is Sherry's haiku....

Let us meet Sherry

You can call her Sher

Who sings with sister Sheila

I hope you liked them, and hopefully.....so does Dee Dee and Sher

Happy Birthday ladies!