Knock Knock, Who's There?

That's the title of a single recorded by Andra Willis on the Paramount Records label.

Written by John Carter and Geoff Stevens, this catchy little pop diddy was covered by several artists. Andra's version was released in the summer of 1970, about a year after leaving the Lawrence Welk Show.

It was a regional hit, and it even made the hit parade on radio station KXOK 630 AM in St. Louis that August.

So have a listen for yourself, it's catchy and got quite a beat!

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - That's Amore!

When the days are long and so is your hair.....that is amore

The Meme-ization of the Blogmaster

I found about this from Monkey Muck, inspired by a post from Samuri Frog that originally came from Tumblr

I figured this would reveal a whole lot more about me....so here I go

HI MY NAME IS: JB Funky/Josh

NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I BEEN: In any romantic relationship (wife, fiancée, girlfriend or just casual dating), I am very shy when it comes to women.

THE ONE PERSON WHO CAN DRIVE ME NUTS IS: people who don't use common sense, especially those close-minded, knee-jerk, reactionary morons that often use religion and political beliefs to justify their racism, xenophobia, homophobia, stubbornness, or plain hatred of others just because they different

HIGH SCHOOL: Sucked during my Freshman year and halfway thru Sophmore year when it got kinda OK, very pleasant during Junior year and ROCKED as a Senior.

WHEN I'M NERVOUS: I feel a little antsy, ton of thoughts go through my head

THE LAST SONG I LISTENED TO WAS: Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) by Aretha Franklin

IF I WERE TO GET MARRIED RIGHT NOW MY BEST MAN/MAID OF HONOR: I will never get married, plain and simple

MY HAIR IS: Short, very thick, rich and full on top

WHEN I WAS 5: I don't remember, other than being five years old

LAST CHRISTMAS: I got a nice black jacket with cool maroon and gray stripes

I SHOULD BE: Going to Graduate School, getting a Masters in Cultural Studies so I can put all my knowledge of useless pop facts to good use

WHEN I LOOK DOWN I SEE: a carpet that needs to be vacuumed, or replaced cause it's worn out

THE HAPPIEST RECENT EVENT WAS: At Bear Creek Farms last October, watching two concert shows featuring the Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins

IF I WE'RE A CHARACTER ON FRIENDS' I'D BE: I don't watch Friends

BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR: I'd like to be either in Grad School or at least getting more hours and money at my current job

MY CURRENT GRIPE IS: Self righteous, self serving, hypocritical, corrupt political figures who are out of touch with America, common sense and reality who talk down to us like we don't know better

I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING: The appeal of reality televison shows and the “celebrities” they spawn

THERE'S THIS GIRL I KNOW THAT: takes really good pictures who happens to be a naturally talented photographer

IF I WON AN AWARD, THE FIRST PERSON I WOULD TELL WOULD BE: my parents

TAKE MY ADVICE: Trust your instincts, think and make your own decisions. Don't be afraid to ask for advice or help from others if you're in a pinch. Do not be swayed by what celebrities or the mass media do, or especially what certain radio talk show hosts say....use common sense!

THE THING I WANT TO BUY: For starters, a new car stereo with all the trimmings

IF YOU VISITED THE PLACE I WAS BORN: You would say, “Is that really Corporal Klinger's hometown?”

I PLAN TO VISIT: Great Britain and Australia once I have enough money and get a passport

IF YOU SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY HOUSE: We'd watch lots of television, talk and I would show my photo albums and collection of Lawrence Welk memorabilia

I'D STOP MY WEDDING IF: Depends if I ever were to get married, which is never gonna happen

MOST RECENT THING I BOUGHT MYSELF: Cube shelving from Bed, Bath & Beyond to store some of my effects

MOST RECENT THING SOMEONE ELSE BOUGHT ME: A plastic collectable of a bear wearing a straw hat playing a banjo

MY FAVORITE BLONDE IS: Cissy King

MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE IS: Gail Farrell 

 

MY FAVORITE RED HEAD IS: Sandi Griffiths

MY MIDDLE NAME IS: Edward

IN THE MORNING I: Take a shower, eat a light breakfast and check up on Facebook

THE ANIMALS I LIKE TO SEE FLYING BESIDES BIRDS ARE: Cats

ONCE, AT A BAR: I drank a Bud Light and just people watched

LAST NIGHT I WAS: Watching basketball while surfing the net on my laptop

THERE'S THIS GUY I KNOW WHO: is tall as me, has a deep voice and one of the nicest, friendliest people you'll ever get to know

IF I WAS AN ANIMAL, I'D BE: A grizzly bear

A BETTER NAME FOR ME WOULD BE: Blutus

TOMMOROW I AM: Going to work at my regular job

TONIGHT I AM: Going to be at my computer, writing creative Lawrence Welk related haiku poetry amongst my many things

MY BIRTHDAY IS: February 24th 

 

The 30th anniversary of Lawrence Welk's 25th anniversary on TV

Ah 1980, a simpler time back then.....

People were asking "Who Shot JR?", the US Olympic Hockey team believed in miracles, and three men; Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and John Anderson fought for who would be President of the USA.

Also, thirty years ago....Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers celebrated their 25th anniversary on national television.

 
Highlights from this landmark episode include.....

Dick Dale and Kathie Sullivan getting interrupted by fingers and hands....

The Trio clapping to Calcutta

....and one huge champagne glass.

25th ANNIVERSARY ON TELEVISION - March 15, 1980

1. THE ANNIVERSARY SONG - orchestra with Sheila, Sherry, Sandi, Gail, Mary Lou, Kathie, Ava, Roger, David, Elaine, Bobby, Joe (Feeney), Jim, Tom, Ken, Jimmy, danced by Lawrence and Norma
2. SAY IT WITH MUSIC - the orchestra
3. SLEEP - Jack Imel on the marimba and dancing
4. OH SHENANDOAH - Jim Turner, Ava Barber, Sheila and Sherry Aldridge & David & Roger Otwell
5. TICO TICO - Myron Floren on accordion

 
6. MAKE BELIEVE - Norma Zimmer & Jimmy Roberts
7. I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN - Dick Dale, Mary Lou Metzger, Charlie Parlato, Gail Farrell and Curt Ramsey with Barney Liddell on trombone
8. I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden
9. AMAZING GRACE - Tom Netherton with Bob Smale at the piano
10. CALCUTTA - orchestra featuring Bob Ralston on the harpischord and Myron Floren on accordion with "La Las" by Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou

11. MY NORTH DAKOTA HOME - orchestra conducted by George Cates with Kathie, Sheila, Sherry, Sandi, Gail, Mary Lou, David, Roger, Joe, Jim, Ken, Jimmy and Tom
12. GET HAPPY - Bob Lido and his fiddle
13. LA PALOMA - Anacani
14. REAL LIVE GIRL - Dick Dale with Norma, Gail, Sandi, Sherry and Kathie

15. EVERY STREET'S A BOULEVARD (IN OLD NEW YORK) - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan and Ken Delo
16. HOOP DEE DOO - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
17. MY BILL - Kathie Sullivan with Bob Smale at the piano
18. THANK YOU VERY MUCH - Norma, Gail, Sandi, Mary Lou, Elaine, Sheila, Sherry, Anacani, Ava, Joe, David, Roger, Tom, Jim, Ken, Jimmy and Bobby

Truly a wunnerful, wunnerful episode.....everyone was dressed to the tens putting in that extra effort of enthusiasm and hard work into their numbers.

Actually, back in 1980....it was their 29th year on television overall, the first four years (1951-55) were on local Los Angeles station KTLA, then it was onto a national audience first with ABC from 1955 to 1971 and then to first run national syndication.

After the first run episodes ended in 1982, there was Memories With Lawrence Welk right up until 1987 when it found it's present home on PBS to this day.

As I write, the Welk show has been running for 59 years....what an accomplishment!

 
So until next week, keep a song in your heart and if you want to say something at all, just say it with music!

The Champagne Five - Milestones & Memories moments

Usually, I'm not too crazy about pledge drives on my PBS station, but I don't mind if they show a great Lawrence Welk pledge special.

And one of my favorites, and yours, has to be Milestones & Memories

And in today's edition of the Champagne Five....here's my top five moments from the reunion of forty-seven members of the Musical Family taped at Fun City USA....Branson at the Champagne Theater.

5. THE SHOW'S OPENING

It opens with the stars all singing "We're Here....Milestones & Memories!" followed by a roll call in chronological order (for example: "1957 - Joe Feeney, Jack Imel, Pete Fountain;" "1959 - Jo Ann Castle") and pictured above is the class of 1968 featuring Johnny Zell, Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn.

That is also followed by the next number "Say It With Music" where each of the Music Makers, while singing, waltz out in front of the camera in pairs of boy with girl arm to arm....all which sets the mood for a great show.

You can tell what they were doing is lots of fun and then some.

4. TANYA SINGS "IT HAD TO BE YOU"

This moment is significant for this reason, the last time Welk fans saw Tanya Falan sing on television was back in 1977 and since then, she basically disappeared from the public eye.

For many fans, they have asked "Whatever happened to Tanya?", "Has she changed?" or "Does she still sing?" amongst the many questions asked.

So after twenty three years of not being heard from, all questions are answered with her rendition of "It Had To Be You", proving she still has the vocal chops.

3. BOBBY BURGESS AND ALL THREE OF HIS DANCING PARTNERS

Yes, we love to watch Bobby Burgess dance. Whether it's with Barbara Boylan, Cissy King or Elaine Balden....fans could not get enough.

But we never seen Bobby dance with all three of his partners on stage at the same time, that is until Milestones & Memories came along.

To the tune of "Night & Day", the kids waltz away the night fancy....

....with Barbara

...with Cissy

....and with Elaine.


2. ALL THE CHAMPAGNE LADIES COME TOGETHER

This was one of the more sentimental and emotional moments of the show, all the surviving Lawrence Welk Champagne Ladies share the stage, stretching from the days at the Aragon in Chicago during the 1940s to when the television show ended in the early 1980s.

Appearing on stage were Lois Best (1939-40), Jayne Walton (1940-45), Helen Ramsey (1947-49), Roberta Linn (1949-53) and Norma Zimmer (1960-present)

I think it's safe to say that this is a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime milestone.


1. THE INFORMAL MUSICAL FAMILY GET TOGETHER

This was the final part of the special, and the most fun at it! All the Music Makers got together, on the stage, sharing memories, singing songs and just plain having fun like real good friends should.

Who can forget Guy & Ralna singing together again?

Ken Delo singing "Babyface".....

Janet Lennon and Arthur Duncan doing that old soft shoe?

....and towards the end when everyone sings "That's What Friends Are For?"

That is what the special is all about, true friendship made together by song and the vision of a farmboy from Strasburg, North Dakota.

We'll never see magic like this, from a collection of talent like this on one stage ever again. But thanks to the magic of television, it's preserved for all of us to see over and over again.

And now,,,,,here's Myron with a word about Serutan

You might want to listen to his advice, it will do you good.....
 

Two Champagne Ladies for the price of one

Just to prove you doubters wrong, the Welk show did have two Champagne Ladies appear together on the same episode....

From the Silver Champagne Era....here's Alice Lon taking a breather with Norma Zimmer by her side!

Firefly Serenade

From 1968, here's the orchestra playing "Firefly Serenade" with Curt Ramsey taking care of the conducting duties....


And while that's going on, the Maestro is taking part in a tag dance with the ladies!

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - Lady Sings The Blues

Here's the boss' daughter-in-law, sporting her new short 'do from 1974 singing "The Last Blues Song"

If this truly the last blues song, then what have Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray have been playing?

Only Tanya would know....

Champagne March Madness

Attention fans, you all having fun with this year's NCAA tournament?

Especially when it comes to filling out those tourney brackets at the office?

We at Welk Musical Family have taken it one step further....

It's time for a little bracketology, but instead of college basketball teams like Duke, Kentucky or Ohio State.....we're using members of Lawrence Welk's Musical Family.

Call it the Lawrence Welk Invitational.

Just click on the picture, right click to save, print and fill out the bracket to determine the National Champion of Champagne Music!

The selection process to determine the Field of 64 is a tough and scientific process here, if you feel that your favorite has been left out, take it up with the Selection Committee....but please, be respectful.

If you want to download as a PDF file, just click here. You must have Adobe Reader.

Have fun!

Salute to Jerome Kern '75

As I write, looks like the NCAA tournament's Champagne Region is taking a beating.

Kathie Sullivan's Wisconsin Badgers lost to Cornell, which leaves just Jim Turner's Tennessee Vols going to the Sweet Sixteen.

So let's take our mind off the basketball and onto this week's Welk classic, a Salute to Jerome Kern from 1975!

Highlights from this week's episode include.....

Tom Netherton audtioning to be on The Dating Game

Barney Liddell taking no prisoners with his trombone action.....

.....only to realize that Bob Havens is taking it one step further.

SALUTE TO JEROME KERN - January 11, 1975

1. WHO? - Mary Lou (Metzger), Gail (Farrell), Sandi, Anacani, Arthur, Jimmy (Roberts), Tom, Ken and Joe
2. I WON'T DANCE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
3. YOU COULDN'T BE CUTER - orchestra with Larry Hooper at the piano 
4. OL' MAN RIVER - orchestra featuring Bob Havens on trombone, Russ Klein on saxophone and Henry Cuesta on clarinet
5. MAKE BELIEVE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English

6. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME - Tom Netherton with Bob Smale at the piano
7. I'VE TOLD EVERY STAR - orchestra
8. A FINE ROMANCE - Tanya Falan
9. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT - danced by Bobby & Cissy
10. CAN'T HELP SINGING - Sandi Griffiths on lead vocals with Gail, Mary Lou, Anacani and Ralna

11. LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY - orchestra
12. PURE LOVE - Clay Hart
13. MY BILL - Ralna English
14. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - orchestra conducted by George Cates
15. THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS - Ken Delo

16. THIS SONG IS YOU - Joe Feeney
17. YESTERDAYS - Bob Ralston at the Thomas organ
18. LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING - Ava Barber
19. GRANADA - Anacani
20. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE - the orchestra
21. PICK YOURSELF UP - danced by Arthur Duncan with vocals by Mary Lou, Jimmy, Cissy, Bobby, Clay, Sandi, Ken and Gail

Did you know that Lawrence Welk's estate holds all the publishing rights and royalties to Jerome Kern's work? I guess the Maestro really liked Mr. Kern's music so much that he pulled a Victor Kiam.

Also, Mary Lou mentions at the start of the show that on the day they taped the show, it was her birthday so I'm guessing that tape day was November 13, 1974 and aired about two months later on January 11th of 1975.

So until next week, keep a song in your heart and if you get knocked down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again!