A Halloween haiku

Happy Halloween everyone!

Abracadabra

There are witches and warlocks

Out for some candy

Inspirational Picture for Thursday

This one is in honor of Myron Floren, the Happy Norwegian.....

Richard Maloof....musician and master thespian

Here's an example, from the 1974 season opener titled "That's Entertainment"

It all began with the Maestro dancing with Cissy King to Myron Floren's rendition of the Clarinet Polka

"This girl is too wild for me!" says Lawrence, "Myron, you dance with her, I'll play the accordian".

And here's Richard to the rescue!

"Mister Welk, Mister Welk! I can play it on the tuba." Rich proclaims....

"Show me" as the Maestro accepts his challenge.

And there goes, playing the Clarinet Polka on the tuba....

Cissy and Myron are both impressed....

....as well as Lawrence!

"My boys are full of surprises"....quote the Maestro.

Laroon Holt

Today is music maker Laroon Holt's birthday....here is a haiku in his honor

He plays the trumpet

in all musical numbers

done Champagne Style

So many reeds....so little time

A few examples here of just some of the fourteen different reed instruments that music maker Bill Page can play...

And don't try this at home kids....

Halloween Party

It's that time of year to dress up in your scariest costume, whether your a witch, ghost, mummy, Lehman Brothers CEO or Frankenstein....this week's Welk episode from 1978 should put you in the trick-or-treating mood.

Here are the highlights, and some great costumes as well!

Bob Ralston as Count Chocula plays the organ to "Satan Takes A Holiday"

Norma and Jimmy is going medevial in the number "Make Believe"....

Only the Shadow knows when it's time for the cast to sing, "Me And My Shadow".....

The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins are riding in the saddle again with "Ghost Riders In The Sky"....

And what are Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou up to this time?

I think they are singing "This Old House".

Until next week....keep a song in your heart and don't get rocks in your trick-or-treat bag (like Charlie Brown does).

Welk the Vote!

And now, the results from my last Welk poll....

Concerning your favorite color of the Welk orchestra sportsjackets, 32% (18 votes) said you like the Baby Blues the best....

This was followed by Cherry Red at 18% (10 votes).....

In third place was Avacado Green at 14% (8 votes).....

.....followed by Navy Blue at 12% ( 7 votes)

....and rounding out the bottom two are Mustard Brown and Century 21 Gold, each with 10% of the vote (6 votes).

Don't forget to vote in the new poll!

Here's a haiku for you!

I just know you're gonna like this one....

Here's Jimmy Roberts

With mic in hand he shall sing

for his female fans

Canadian Sunset

From 1966, here's Natalie Nevins singing "Canadian Sunset" in which she also does an impression of a trombone!

You gotta see for yourself....

Another fine inspirational picture

It speaks to the rebel in all of us....

David Joy

If you ever seen the 1969 Welk episode "Occupations", you might have seen the Dixieland number at the end of that show featuring Bob Havens, Russ Klein and a special guest playing the trumpet.

That mystery trumpter is David Joy.

Back in '69, David was only a teenager....about 15 years old but he plays one mean trumpet on those Dixieland Jazz numbers!

So far, I haven't found any info on him here on the 'net. He's one talented trumpet player and I am curious about what has he done since and if he still performs or not.

Hooray for Hollywood

This week, it's Hooray For Hollywood from 1975....here are the highlights!

Here's the opening number, "Take Your Girlie To The Movies"....

Next we have Cissy and Bobby dancing to "The Entertainer"......

....then we have Larry Hooper with Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou singing "Toot Toot Tootsie"

....and we finally have Ava Barber singing "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head"

Next week, it's a Halloween show....so keep a song in your heart and some candy apples in your trick-or-treat bag!

Ron Anderson

Today is Ron Anderson's birthday.....and guess what I have for him as a gift?

Yes, it's the gift of haiku

He's Ron Anderson

who sings with Gail and Michael

they always sound nice

Happy Birthday Ron!

Tanya's own webpage

For of us Welk fans out there, Tanya is now online officially!

From what I saw, her site is excellent! It's filled with photos of her family, friends and then some.

And she also has some projects in the works....

Here's the link, TANYA WELK.COM

Check this haiku out....

....this one is a gas!

There's Jack and Jo Ann

Two hometown kids with talent

Hollywood or bust

Mimi Lennon

Today is Mimi Lennon's birthday, here's a nice haiku I have written for her...

Her name is Mimi

She sings and has charisma

Just like her sisters

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Before they were Welk stars

Nothing beats a trip down memory lane with memories of the Musical Family, pre-Lawrence Welk!

Here's Ralna English singing at Six Flags over Texas in the mid-1960s....

Anacani as a teen idol in the Latin music world.....

...and Mary Lou Metzger as a child actor in the touring production of "The Music Man"

Inspirational Picture of the day

This one stars Bob Lido....

Rock Around The Clock

From 1981, here's the Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins doing their Happy Days thing with their rendition of "Rock Around The Clock"

Fashion Hits thru the ages

And after a long day of watching the Midnight Blue & Gold schooling the Maize & Blue on the gridiron, what better way to celebrate and relax with a nice Welk episode from public television?

This week, it's Fashion Hits Thru The Years from 1971, here are some highlights....

Norma Zimmer is singing about her sweet Alice Blue Gown...(as in Alice Lon?)

Playing "Play Fiddle Play" is Neil Levang on guitar and Joe Livoti on violin....

Myron Floren and the girls get their polka on with "Hoop De Do"....

Next, the girls join Clay Hart with "Everything Is Beautiful".....

And the ladies join the fellers for the closing number, "Put On Your Sunday Best".

Next week, it's "Hooray For Hollywood" with Gail Farrell being interviewed. So until then, keep a song in your heart.

And GO ROCKETS!