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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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"
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!
