Been doing a Google search of Lawrence Welk show PBS affiliates.....I did discover that KBYU public television out of Provo, Utah has scheduled the full slate of Welk shows this December.
And I just checked my local PBS station's schedule, they just did an about-face and will not air "Salute To Johnny Mercer" this Saturday.....triple nuts!
I know that funds from such drives like these are the lifeblood for any PBS station in America (I know because I've pledged my fair share every month, considering I do not make a ton of money), but that does not mean the station should give upcoming new Welk episodes the heave-ho.
I mean, is there really any incentive to give more $$$ if they continue this policy?
Just air the new shows as scheduled....and then you can air the Welk-related pledge specials afterwards, that's what I would do!
And Mary Lou Metzger would agree with that logic!
Gail answered, "Orson Welles" and that was a match!
Gail's answer? Derriere. However it was not a match.
And now the latest from "Dancing With The Stars", last night's show may have decided the outcome which is to be announced on the results show.
Personally, I think Heilo Castroneves will win....he personifies the spirit of the show, and has won many new fans with his personality.
Scary Spice did will with her two dances, but not well enough to win the fans' vote....can you spell "professional dancer" boys and girls?
As for Marie Osmond, I think this is the end of the line for her.....what the hell was the routine she danced to in the freestyle round?
Whoever wins tonight, one thing is for sure.....judge Len Goodman looks alot like Sam the Eagle.
I'm gonna get started on my Christmas shopping in about a week (my annual trip to Great Lakes Crossing), as soon as I can get my paycheck. Once you get older, your Xmas wish list gets a bit shorter and trying to find presents for family gets a bit harder.
Normally, I avoid politics on my blog....but this does have a relation to the Musical Family.
Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi is retiring.
While most of the country knows him as a U.S. Senator, we Welk fans know him for being good friends with Guy Hovis, in fact Guy runs the Senator's state offices back in Mississippi. It's most likely Senator Lott will either spend more time back home with his family or find employment as a lobbyist.
Or maybe he'll have the spare time going to see Guy & Ralna in concert, or perhaps be one of many celebrities doing the cha cha in the next season of Dancing With The Stars!
Which by the way.....the finals are tonight.
It's a really nice one! Just click FORMER LAWRENCE WELK STAR CALLS GOSHEN HOME to read the story, and get the details about his upcoming concerts!
Here's the Maestro with his special guest star.....the juice queen Anita Bryant, in happier times of course.
Singing and dancing about "Big D" here's Barbara Boylan and Bobby Burgess wearing one of Rose Weiss' originals.....from her Wild Wild Wild West collection
And now it's down to the French Quarter at Bob Lido's nightclub where Larry Hooper and the rest of the Dixieland fellas are ready to swing it....New Orleans style!
And that wraps up the week. I do declare that we get a new one next time 'round so take care until then!
Got to watch one of Gail Farrell's appearances on Match Game, these are from her first time around.....the 1979-80 season.
Among the items they got was that Rath's Hickory Smoked Bacon.....
mmmmmm......bacon, as Homer Simpson would say,
It also looks like they got some of that Rath's canned ham as well.....
Me thinks they got their groceries from a certain game show host......
....and his loyal assistant you can find on the Market Place of America.
From my opinon, it would all make sense.....after all both Welk and Let's Make A Deal both taped their shows at the ABC facilites on Prospect & Talmadge, and often shared the same studios as well.
Next, Guy & Ralna serve up some holiday cheer with, "Y'all Come!"
Up on the stage is Ken Delo in the solo spotlight with "My Cup Runneth Over".
And here's Anacani singing the ever popular Latin standard, "Besame Mucho"....
How about a rousing polka? Myron Floren and the fellas have the answer with the Jenny Lind Polka!
Other fantastic numbers include Tanya's "What The World Needs Is Love, Sweet Love", Bobby & Cissy dancing to "Somewhere My Love", the band's instrumental arrangement of "Winter Wonderland", Clay Hart asking you to "Try A Little Kindness" and "Bless This House" sung by Norma Zimmer.
Also, all the ladies sang "Count Your Blessings" with Sandi Griffiths on lead vocal.
And speaking of Sandi......
She was interviewed this week by Mary Lou Metzger, where she talked about her family which included husband Brent, her father who lives in Utah and her children. In addition to some of her memories on the Welk show, Sandi also talked about getting her Masters at BYU, where she is studying herbology and the gospel of eating "live" foods for a healthier life!
To view the list, and see who made or missed the cut, here's the full Top 100
In my opinion, if there's no Maestro, no mention of the cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000 but instead put flakes on like Calista Flockhart, Simon Cowell and Rosie O' Donnell instead.....IT'S NOT A VALID LIST!
As you can tell, I was in Muncie last night (nice way to observe Mary Lou Metzger's birthday) watching my Rockets get pounded by Ball State 41-20. It was a fun three-hour trip and back, especially since the game was on ESPN2.
So much for a chance to go bowling.....gotta get ready for BGSU in nine days, and a chance to finish the season at .500
As for Dancing With The Stars, the semifinals are all set.....it's down to Scary Spice, Marie Osmond, Heilo Castroneves and Jennie Garth fighting for a berth in next week's Super Bowl of Celebrity Ballroom Dancing.
This should get very interesting as the holidays approach, as well as a fresh batch of new Welk shows on PBS to follow.
Here's Mary Lou as a child star on stage in the Meredith Wilson play, "Music Man".
Now it's the 1970s, where she's making a name for herself on the Welk show....
And here's Mary Lou all dressed up for the 1980s......
She's known to wear several hats in the business.....singer, dancer, producer and actor.....and for today, birthday girl.
Happy Birthday Mary Lou.....you know that all of Welk Nation will be celebrating!
And here's Bobby & Cissy dancing to "Chicago".....
Next is Ken Delo singing "That's Life" in true Sinatra fashion.....
Here's the duo of Gail and Dale doing the dishes and singing "Love & Marriage"
And here's the orchestra and singers with the closing number, "Night & Day".
Next week, it's a brand spanking new show.....a Thanksgiving show with Mary Lou Metzger's interview with Sandi Griffiths.
Take care....and keep a song in your heart!
Dick Dale is in the news! He's the subject of a nice article written by the Mason City Globe-Gazette....so just click here to read the article.
Also, his daughter Sylvia is a very talented singer in her own right....she has made several guest appearances on the show during the 1960s!
Here's one of them, where she teams up with Charlie Parlato.
The Lennon Sisters; Kathy, Janet and Peggy singing "Hummingbird."
Barbara Boylan and Bobby Burgess dancing to the song, "Buttons And Bows" back at the hotel.
Dick Dale with Lennons singing "Gotta Travel On."
And finally, some nice work at the novachord by the "grandpappy" of the Welk orchestra....the talented Jerry Burke.
Next week, the champagne music makers will pay salute to Ol' Blue Eyes himself.....Frank Sinatra.
And you're thinking somebody else that has blue eyes? I don't think so!
Until next time, keep a song in your heart.
