Not this again......

Guess what, I wont be able to post regularly from my computer for quite a while.

The stupid thing is sick again, there goes my New Year's resolution for a PC problem-free year so I am writing this from another terminal.

One of these days, I gotta get me a new system....one not made of bail wire and spit consisting of hand-me down parts!

Destination Branson

Everything is all set.....all systems are go!

The blogmaster will OFFICIALLY spend three nights and four days at the Welk Resort Branson to see the Welk Stars Reunion Show this September (I'll be staying from the 2nd to the 5th).

So far, the stars have yet to be announced officially, but I do know it's gonna be a great show and yours truly will provide pictures and details of my trip.

To quote from a popular 60s pop song....See you in September!

Musical Family Cribs

A few ideas I would like to share....for future Welk PBS programming.

If you're familiar with the show MTV Cribs, then I'm sure you'll like this idea. Have the members of the Musical Family allow TV cameras into their home for a guided tour....kinda something I like to call Welk Musical Family Cribs!

It can be shown three ways, either as a new OETA series for PBS, as the next blockbuster pledge special or as a segment on the Welk repeats, just in case Mary Lou's interviews have run its course.

Admit it, who wouldn't pass up the chance for a guided tour of the homes of the Lennon Sisters, Ralna English, Mary Lou Metzger, Ken Delo or Sally & Clay Hart?

Now that would make for great televison!

Musical Tour of Europe

This week, we got "Musical Tour of Europe" from 1974; it's a repeat airing so here are some worldly highlights.

Clay Hart, wearing a nice cashmere sweater, singing "Danny Boy" paying tribute to Ireland.

The twin pianists, Bob Ralston and Bob Smale with help from the orchestra, playing a nice instrumental of "Theme from Summer of '42".

CIssy & Bobby perform a exotic and sexy Spanish dance....

....and Anacani with her own salute to Spain with "La Paloma" backed by the guitar twins, Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang.

....and what European show would not be complete without "The King's Horses And The King's Men".

That was also the show where Mary Lou interviewed Guy Hovis, later joined by Ralna by the end of the segment.

Very good show laddies.....next week is another repeat.

Would You Like To Take A Walk?

Here's something for all you Guy & Ralna fans out there, from 1979 the happy couple sings Harry Warren's "Would You Like To Take A Walk?"

And of course, it's out in the park!

Another one of my so-called brilliant Welk haikus

This week haiku will be about singer Andra Willis...

She knows how to swing

Danville's own Andra Willis

Easy on the eyes

And here's another one....

Two years is too brief

Andra sang as a Welk star

We hardly knew ye

There will be no jaywalking here....

From last Saturday's French show, here's Dick Dale directing traffic from four corners in the musical number "Chantez".

Right now, I'm still in the planning stages for Branson in September....kinda like an exploratory commitee for President of the US of A. I found some good package deals and jotted down some goals and benchmarks as well.

All I need to know is which Welk stars will be performing, but I can betcha that the Lennon Sisters will most likely be on the bill.

Monday musings

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone, I got stuff on my mind so lets strike up the band!

Looking forward in two weeks to the Super Bowl between the Giants and Patriots, and since it will be in Phoenix (Glendale to be exact)....I wonder if Ralna English will take part in the fun?

It's been pretty cold here in Toledo, so much that my car door's key hole froze up!

Also, this will be the year I do it....I'm hoping to go to Branson this September. The Welk Theater announced there will be a live Welk Reunion show after Labor Day and I have planned to save enough money for the usual travel expenses, and find a good deal for lodging at the Welk Resort.

I never been to Branson before, and it should be plenty of fun!

Right now, I'll just settle back and watch some matinee basketball on the tube.

Vive La France

Bon Jour! This week's Welk episode originally aired February 15, 1964 (The Beatles' second of three Ed Sullivan show appearances aired the next day...just a little fun fact) and it's a black & white classic that is all about the music of France.

I wonder if Charles De Gaulle was watching? He would've like it.

Decked out in their berets, the fellas in the band are playing "The Poor People Of Paris" a perennial favorite of Welk audiences.

And below, here's Peggy Lennon in the solo spotlight with a friend of hers....as I write, I don't know what the name of the song she's singing.

Now we move ahead with Jerry Burke at the organ, playing the Petite Waltz.

For that week, the normal set at the ABC studios became the streets of Paris thanks to the magic touch of set designer Charles Koon.

It was brilliantly done....giving viewers a sample of French music cuisine, like this number featuring Janet Lennon and Aladdin, who is giving Janet a "French Lesson".

Other notable numbers in the show include "Dominique" by the Lennons, "Paris In The Springtime" by Norma Zimmer while the musical family dance to the music of the "River Siene".

A wunnerful show from start to finish....tres magnifique!

And in the hot seat this week is Janet Lennon, she talked about her time on the Welk show plus her family. She also brushed up on her latest venture, Best Pals dolls with sister Kathy....and of course, they still find the time to perform for their fans, whether it's in Branson or in anywhere USA.

Next week, it's a repeat episode....Musical Tour of Europe from 1974, it will be a month until the next new show (February 16th to be exact)

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and may your troubles be few!

Here's yet another Welk haiku

This week, it's a Joe Feeney haiku....hope you like it.

Joe Feeney is next

When Irish eyes are smiling

everytime he sings

It's hip to be square y'all

Once again in the world of television, you'll never know when references to Welk will pop up.

Last night, while channel surfing, I stumbled upon the Independent Film Channel and saw this mockumentary titled CSA: The Confederate States of America. It's basically alternate American history under the premise of if the South won the Civil War and what has happened since.

I did enjoy watching it, it was well done...but I do have a bone to pick....

During the segment where the narrator mentions that CSA culture never evolves from "government-inspired propaganda"....they used refrences to the Lawrence Welk Show.

I know it's true that according to mainstream media, that the Maestro was never considered hip like the fellers, and has a reputation of being square.....

and yes, I must admit that I had a good chuckle....I always enjoy good parody, but come on....there's a lot more entertainment icons so many that can be deemed as un-hip.

And since this was supposed to be America under the South's infuence in the movie, I was thinking that CSA culture would be more that of "Mama's Family", "Hee Haw", "The Dukes of Hazzard" and of course "The Porter Wagoner Show".

Still, whenver Lawrence Welk refrences pop up on television, it's always an exciting thing!

Richard Maloof's birthday

Today is Champagne Music Maker Richard Maloof's birthday, he played bass and the tuba for the Maestro from 1967 to 1982.

In honor of this occassion, I have prepared a special birthday haiku for him.

Richard plays the bass

And can play one mean tuba

Mary Lou likes him

Happy Birthday Rich!

Let's face the Facebook and dance!

I've tapped into my creative side and come up with the Lennon Sisters if drawn as South Park characters. It's all courtesy of an online South Park Studio webpage I found in which you can create characters or SP versions of family members, friends and stars!

This here is Dee Dee....

and here is Peggy....

.....followed by Kathy

...and here's Janet.

Also, I have also jumped on the Facebook bandwagon, so far it's fun and not complicated and a pain-in-the-rump as MySpace.

This should be exciting, I'll have the chance to make more friends....especially Welk fans!

Jim Henson's Lawrence Welk Babies

Let's go back to when Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn were just little tikes as they sing, "I Want My Mama".



Also, they had fun taking turns with the clown punching bag....but I bet after a while, beating the stew out of Chuckles the Clown can lose it's intensity.

Perhaps they need something more stimulating....maybe the Mads from Mystery Science Theater 3000 have the solution!

All Time Favorites

This week, Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers bring you a show of "All Time Favorites" which first aired on March 27, 1982.

Here's the gang with the opening number, "Music, Music, Music".

The show consisted of favorite musical numbers of course....such as Arthur Duncan's "Doin' The New Lodown" and Guy & Ralna's "Can't Help Fallin' In Love".

There were several great instrumentals, such as a medley of songs from "Music Man" and this Dixieland number of "The Sheik of Araby".

And now we find Kathie Sullivan in the audience singing "My Bill" or in this case, "My INSERT NAME OF FELLA KATHIE'S SITTING ON LAP RIGHT NOW".

I know all the fellers liked that number for sure.

Also included in the show were "In The Mood" by Gail, Ron and Michael; "Release Me" by the country singers Ava Barber, Jim Turner, the Aldridges and Otwells not to mention "Cumana" by Bob Ralston; the Champagne Waltz danced by Bobby & Elaine and the closing number, "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Norma Zimmer and the musical family chorus.

A fine show from start to finish....filled with your all time favorites!

Mary Lou's guest this week in the hot seat is Jo Ann Young.

Some of you are thinkin' "Jo Ann WHO??"....for some you newer fans, Jo Ann Young works behind the scenes with the braintrust at OETA and Welk Syndication in putting together shows for all of public television.

And she's also produced and worked on all fourteen Welk specials for public TV.

Next week is another new one...I think...until then, keep a song in your heart!

Here's another one of my lame haikus

These haikus are an ode to the fashions worn by the musical family....

Pastels or patterns

And colors from a rainbow

It's what they're wearing

Rose Weiss dresses them

Open collar or leisure

Hail polyester!

Blue, yellow or green

And maybe a shade of red

Who are these people?

Tom Netherton's birthday

Ladies.....today is Tom Netherton's birthday. Here's a special haiku about him, written by me, for this occasion.

Tom sings "He Touched Me"

With his deep baritone voice

He's a ladies man

Happy Birthday Tom!

Play Misty for me

Courtesy of our friends from YouTube, here's Dave Edwards with his saxophone solo of "Misty" from 1973.

Before they were Welk Stars

It still unseasonably warm here in Toledo, same can't be said for Ohio State who laid another pile of stink-of-a-performance in last night's BCS title game.

And I know I'm gonna hear it from the LSU fans.....

Moving on to more important matters.....check out this vintage 1950s photo of the Auburn Knights orchestra, underneath that arrow is Dave Edwards playing the sax....before his days of playing with the NORAD Commanders band and of course, with Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers.

Also, If you pay close attention to the female vocalist in the same picture, she also became quite famous later on in the music industry...

Would you believe that same girl singer is Toni Tennille of "The Captain & Tennille?"

It is a small world after all.....especially in the world of music.

Feels real good for a Monday

Okay....It may not be beach weather but it sure does feel nice and comfortable here in Toledo...

Ready for tonight's college football title game....sorry LSU fans but I'm pulling for the Bucks.

My ticket for the Forever Blowing Bubbles show (June in Eastlake) and a receipt for my tix to see Gail, Sandi & Mary Lou in concert (July at Bear Creek Farms) arrived in the mail today....so I am locked in.

And of course, I'll be sure to provide pictures as well...

I have a feeling that 2008 will be a productive year for all things Welk....at least for this blogmeister.

Music Memories from 1969

This week's show, and the first one for 2008, is a repeat titled "Music Memories" which originally aired on January 25, 1969.

Here are some highlights....such as Bobby & Cissy doing some fine dancing to the "Pennsylvania Polka" performed on the squeezebox of Myron Floren.

Also, there's Larry Hooper singing Phil Harris' signature song, "That's What I Like About The South".

Next, lets go on a "Sentimental Journey" the breezy and jazzy way with Tanya Falan!

How about a boogie to Woody Herman's "Woodchopper's Ball" performed by the Champagne Music Makers?

And as for an added bonus, a clip of Sandi Griffiths, Sally Flynn and Andra Willis as a trio singing the Andrews Sisters' "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen"

Next week, the show will feature their "All Time Favorites"....a new one to be exact!

Until then, good wishes and a very pleasant week for you all!

Meet the Semonskis

You've heard about them....the six singing sisters from Hackettstown, New Jersey that were on the Welk show from 1975 to 1977.

Let's meet them, shall we?

Here's the eldest sister Diane

...and this one is Donna

here is Jo Anne....

....followed along by Valerie,

joined along by Audrey.....

....and the youngest of the group, Michelle

....and now you know who they are!

If you didn't like the last Jimmy haiku....here's another one

Standing six feet tall

sing "My Old Kentucky Home"

Gets 'round of applause

For those who don't like haikus, here's another haiku

This week....here's one about Jimmy Roberts

Here's Jimmy Roberts

A favorite of the ladies

In the solo spot