There are some kinds of Rhythm that's none of our business.....

.....however, this is not one of them.

This week's episode, "Rhythm is our Business" has got it and then some. And by that, I mean it has a very special guest star.

Here's country music star and two time CMA Entertainer of the Year Barbara Mandrell!

Just to be clear, her sisters Irlene and Louise don't appear this episode....the same goes for Truck Shackley and the Texas Critters

But this week's show still has plenty of highlights! Such as....

Mary Lou and Jack making a ruckus at the library

Neil Levang fiddling around....

.....which Guy & Ralna find themselves square dancing.

RHYTHM IS OUR BUSINESS - February 2, 1980

1. CRAZY RHYTHM - Jimmy, Ralna, Guy, Ava, Curt (Ramsey), Sheila, Roger, Mary Lou, David, Sherry, Jim, Joe, Gail (Farrell), Ken, Kathie
2. THE SWEET AND GENTLE CHA CHA - Anacani
3. GETTING TO KNOW YOU - the orchestra
4. I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU - guest star Barbara Mandrell
5. PASO DOBLE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden

6. THE SWEETEST SOUNDS - Kathie Sullivan
7. CUMANA - Bob Ralston at the piano with orchestra
8. JAMAICA FAREWELL - Jim Turner (with guitar) with Paul Humphrey and Jack Imel on drums
9. THE ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL - Guy Hovis & Ralna English with fiddlers Neil Levang, Bob Lido, Joe Livoti and Harry Hyams
10. THE VILLAGE INN POLKA - Myron Floren at accordion with Bobby & Elaine dancing

11. MEDLEY OF SONGS BY LEROY ANDERSON (including Blue Tango) - the orchestra with George Cates conducting
12. TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS - Barbara Mandrell with Neil Levang at guitar
13. MEDLEY INCLUDING BALLIN' THE JACK AND THE OLD SOFT SHOE - Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel joined by Kathie Sullivan
14. WABASH CANNONBALL - Ava Barber
15. DEAR HEART - Jimmy Roberts with Bob Ralston at the organ and Ernie Erhardt at the cello

16. THE TWIST - The Aldridge Sisters (Sherry & Sheila) and Otwell Twins (David & Roger) with Russ Klein on saxophone
17. WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS - Ken Delo with Bob Havens on trombone
18. RHYTHM IS HIS BUSINESS - tap dancing by Arthur Duncan and sung by Gail, Ralna, Kathie, Anacani, Sherry and Sheila
19. BOOGIE WOOGIE - the orchestra

This was a great episode, and giving that it's a rhythm show....having the caliber of talent and fame of a Barbara Mandrell was a perfect fit.

Did you know that she could play both the lap steel and pedal steel guitars, as well as the accordion, saxophone and banjo? If the chance was ever presented, she could have been ideal as a regular member of the Musical Family....either with the vocalists or as a member of the orchestra, or even both!

Until next time, since many PBS stations like mine will be in pledge drive mode, keep a song in your heart and always proclaim your allegiance to country music, even when it's not cool.

Send a Little Love My Way

Here's the girls from 1973 singing their version of Anne Murray's "Send a Little Love My Way"

Also joining in are the dancing foursome of Jack Imel, Mary Lou Metzger, Cissy King and Bobby Burgess.

Moments like these are made for haikus

It's the perfect gift to tell your girlie that you love her....

Just the two of us
Building castles in the sky
You know how it ends

Before I let this turn into a Bill Withers song, let's do some hand puppetry...

And they say romance is dead

This episode is the Cat's Pajamas

Here are the Music Makers with a salute to the Roaring Twenties

First we have Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou getting their wiggle on with "Baby Face"

Next, it's Mary Lou and Jack proving it's the berries with "Crazy Rhythm"

And Norma Zimmer is putting on the Ritz singing "Among My Souviners"

You'll never get the bum's rush when these boys play "The Sheik of Araby"

....not to mention when Ava Barber sings "I Cried For You", you always get the Real McCoy

All this, under the guidance of the Big Cheese himself.

Pardon me, I gotta go twenty three skidoo.

Yours Truly turns 33 today!

Just think, I'm only halfway towards being eligible for Medicare and Social Security....

I can feel the ravages of time creeping upon me.....


At least the birthday cake should taste mighty good.

Meanwhile, down at good ol' Murphy High

Things haven't been the same musically since they fired the band leader....



Those kids and their music....I swear

And now, another reason why you should own a Dodge

Starring Lou Crosby....

....and the Lennon Sisters

 

I'm Free with Fashion Hits Through The Years

This week's episode is all about looking fashionable....

Watching it kinda reminds me of one of my favorite Britcoms of all time, "Are You Being Served?"

If one thinks about it, the Music Makers do wear clothes that you can find from the Ladies & Gents department of Grace Brothers.

All with the courtesy and service from the store's friendly staff....

Of course, not all things go as planned.....

They should have followed Mr. Grainger's advice

"Don't worry about the pants' inside leg....you'll find they will ride up with wear."

Until, next week's show....as the Maestro and the music makers always say, "Keep a song in your heart"

 
....and also as Young Mr. Grace would say, "You've all done very well!"

And we are all unanimous in that!

Anybody wanna be a Rockette?

I think Mary Lou does.....
 

A Cop Rock Haiku

You have the right to remain silent, during this reading of fine Japanese poetry

Here's our boys in blue
Sworn to protect, serve and sing
They have a good beat

The Lennon Sisters....as Hal Roach's Little Rascals

Now lets meet Our Gang of pretty girls....

Kathy Lennon as Froggy

Janet Lennon as Scotty

Dianne Lennon as Spanky

.....and what's this? Barbara Boylan?!

I'm guessing Barbara is starring as Butch.

And where you may ask is Peggy Lennon? I'm guessing she's either Miss Crabtree or Robert F. McGowan (director of the Our Gang shorts)

Happy Paczki Day!

I didn't go to Hamtramck this year, but to the next best alternative....

These are from Brieschke's Bakery in Sylvania....a half dozen of these baked gems!

I got two chocolate, two white cream and two plain

Are you getting hungry yet?

Champagne covers of Beatles songs - She Loves You

Who doesn't like a good Beatles song? Can't think of anyone....

The Fab Four of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr gave us some great million sellers, but they also sound just as great as sung by the Maestro's Champagne Music Makers!

Here's our Fab Four, the Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins with their version of "She Loves You" from last Saturday's episode.

Love is sweeping the country

....or it could be indigestion.

Anyway, today is Valentine's Day....while most of you are celebrating love with your significant others, I'll be celebrating today watching the Daytona 500!

However, we'll dissect the meaning of love courtesy of this week's Welk episode...Love Songs from 1980.

In this episode.....Bobby uses Elaine to mop the stage floor

Jim Turner is hungry for some Little Green Apples....

....and here is a successful encylopedia saleman, as demonstrated by Arthur Duncan

All this and more, hosted by Mary Lou Metzger

LOVE SONGS - February 9, 1980

1. L-O-V-E - Joe, Mary Lou, Gail (Farrell), Ken, Tom, Ava, Kathie, Jimmy (Roberts), Anacani, Guy, Ralna, Curt (Ramsey), Roger & David (Otwell), Sheila & Sherry (Aldridge)
2. LITTLE GREEN APPLES - Jim Turner
3. SOMEBODY LOVES ME - The orchestra
4. SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE - Norma Zimmer
5. AMOR - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden

6. SHE LOVES YOU - The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins
7. SECRET LOVE - Anacani
8. DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE AWAY FROM ME - Bob Ralston at the piano
9. HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU - Ralna English & Guy Hovis
10. WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE - The orchestra

 
11. THEME FROM "LOVE STORY" (WHERE DO I BEGIN) - The orchestra with George Cates conducting, Girls chorus featuring Norma, Anacani, Kathie, Ralna, Gail, Sheila, Sherry & Mary Lou and Guys chorus featuring Joe, David, Roger, Jim, Jimmy, Ken & Guy
12. I JUST FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - Ava Barber
13. LOVER - Myron Floren on accordion
14. LOVE IS THE SWEETEST THING - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ

15. LOVE ME TENDER - Tom Netherton with Neil Levang at guitar
16. LOVE IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY - Arthur Duncan tap dancing
17. WHY DO I LOVE YOU - Kathie Sullivan with Joe Livoti at violin and the orchestra's string section
18. THE LADY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU - Ken Delo
19. LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND - Guys chorus featuring Jimmy, Curt, Larry (Hooper), Jim, Joe, David, Roger, Guy, Bobby & Tom. Girls chorus featuring Anacani, Norma, Gail, Elaine, Kathie, Ralna, Sheila & Sherry. Lawrence and Mary Lou Metzger dancing

A very nice and pleasant episode, one that you can watch with either your sweetheart. Even if you don't have that special someone in your life (like yours truly)....make today very special in your own unique way.

I have, watching NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle and Dale Jr trade bumpers at the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing.

Keep a song in your heart and the pedal to the medal....racing stock cars and in life!