Otis Redding, say hello to Clay Hart.
From 1969, here's Clay singing Otis' famous hit song "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay"
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sitting On The Dock of the Bay
Clay Hart, meet Otis Redding....
Otis Redding, say hello to Clay Hart.
From 1969, here's Clay singing Otis' famous hit song "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay"
Otis Redding, say hello to Clay Hart.
From 1969, here's Clay singing Otis' famous hit song "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Lawrence Welk's Musical Spoons
Suppose you're an aspiring musician. who wants to stand out in a crowd.
Conventional instruments such as a guitar, trumpet or drums are not your scene, you desire something different....like a kitchen utensil.
Well, here's what you're looking for, it's the Lawrence Welk Musical Spoons!
First marketed in the late 1950s, these novelties appealed to those who want to make music in a unique way.
And like any other Lawrence Welk collectible artifact, these spoons are a very popular on ebay.
Just ask Professor Spoons!
.....and his lady friends!
Conventional instruments such as a guitar, trumpet or drums are not your scene, you desire something different....like a kitchen utensil.
Well, here's what you're looking for, it's the Lawrence Welk Musical Spoons!
First marketed in the late 1950s, these novelties appealed to those who want to make music in a unique way.
And like any other Lawrence Welk collectible artifact, these spoons are a very popular on ebay.
Just ask Professor Spoons!
.....and his lady friends!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Shall We Dance?
If you ask that question, prepare yourself for the answer.
From 1967, here's Myron Floren on his reliable PAN accordion playing that polka. It starts off with Lawrence dancing with Barbara Boylan, but soon enough all hell breaks loose!
From 1967, here's Myron Floren on his reliable PAN accordion playing that polka. It starts off with Lawrence dancing with Barbara Boylan, but soon enough all hell breaks loose!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me
It has to be the hair, I know it's not the flowers.....
Monday, April 26, 2010
So what is that love mistake?
Once again, here's another piece of that American Pop Culture history that is Lawrence Welk's Musical Family on the cover plus written articles from those vintage celebrity fan magazines.
This one is TV Star Parade from March 1973, Sally Flynn is featured....
The article inside talks about Sally's departure from the Welk Show. Written by Suzie Fox, it mentions that her decision to leave the Music Makers is to pursue a dramatic acting career in New York, which I assume it's Broadway.
As always, you can click on the pictures to read the whole story!
This one is TV Star Parade from March 1973, Sally Flynn is featured....
The article inside talks about Sally's departure from the Welk Show. Written by Suzie Fox, it mentions that her decision to leave the Music Makers is to pursue a dramatic acting career in New York, which I assume it's Broadway.
As always, you can click on the pictures to read the whole story!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Those Hazy Crazy Big Band Days
It's that time of year again when Lawrence Welk and his Musical Family salute the music from the Big Band Era!
On today's episode....
The Music Makers play an intense game of Freeze Tag
Joe Feeney goes mano y mano with The Trio.....
....and Arthur Duncan plays Follow The Leader with his friends.
BIG BAND DAYS - October 13, 1973
1. AND THE ANGELS SING - orchestra with Arthur, Gail, Ken, Mary Lou, Norma, Jimmy and Joe
2. MOONLIGHT SERENADE - the orchestra
3. IN THE MOOD - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
4. SAN ANTONIO ROSE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English with Neil Levang on guitar
5. MISSISSIPPI MUD - Larry Hooper with Anacani, Tanya, Sandi, Norma, Mary Lou, Cissy and Gail
6. TWILIGHT TIME - Myron Floren on accordion
7. YOUR CHEATIN' HEART - Clay Hart
8. QUIEREME MUCHO (YOURS) - Anacani
9. THE WOODCHOPPER'S BALL - the orchestra with Henry Cuesta on clarinet, Bob Havens on trombone and the trumpet section
10. THE PENNSYLVANIA POLKA - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger with Myron Floren on accordion and dancing by Cissy King and Bobby Burgess
11. MY WONDERFUL ONE - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
12. THE RAINDROP SERENADE - Bob Smale and Bob Ralston at the piano
13. I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN - Tanya Falan with Dick Dale, Norma Zimmer, Gail Farrell and Curt Ramsey
14. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - Sandi Griffiths on lead vocal with Mary Lou, Gail, Norma, Tanya, Anacani, Ralna and Cissy
15. WHEN DAY IS DONE - orchestra featuring Johnny Zell on trumpet
16. BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS - Joe Feeney
17. BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan with Jimmy Roberts, Mary Lou Metzger, Jack Imel, Cissy King, Bobby Burgess and Anacani
18. SO RARE - Ken Delo with Dave Edwards on saxophone
19. RHAPSODY IN BLUE - orchestra with Bob Ralston at piano and vocals by Joe, Norma, Arthur, Anacani, Jimmy, Gail, Sandi, Larry, Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Tanya, Guy and Ralna
I really enjoyed this episode, especially Hoopie's Mississippi Mud number with the girls. You can tell by the smile on his face that he's having the time of his life!
Also, if you noticed real close during the show....there are some peculiar features one normally doesn't see on a typical Welk episode.
Such as Henry Cuesta not wearing eyeglasses....
.....and Laroon Holt with a mustache
Everyone was impeccably dressed this week, my taste in fashion may be limited but I thought the fellas looked smart in their white suits and the girls looked stunningly sexy in their yellow dresses.
So until next week, keep a song in your heart and may the Bluebird of Happiness fly up your nose.
On today's episode....
The Music Makers play an intense game of Freeze Tag
Joe Feeney goes mano y mano with The Trio.....
....and Arthur Duncan plays Follow The Leader with his friends.
BIG BAND DAYS - October 13, 1973
1. AND THE ANGELS SING - orchestra with Arthur, Gail, Ken, Mary Lou, Norma, Jimmy and Joe
2. MOONLIGHT SERENADE - the orchestra
3. IN THE MOOD - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
4. SAN ANTONIO ROSE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English with Neil Levang on guitar
5. MISSISSIPPI MUD - Larry Hooper with Anacani, Tanya, Sandi, Norma, Mary Lou, Cissy and Gail
6. TWILIGHT TIME - Myron Floren on accordion
7. YOUR CHEATIN' HEART - Clay Hart
8. QUIEREME MUCHO (YOURS) - Anacani
9. THE WOODCHOPPER'S BALL - the orchestra with Henry Cuesta on clarinet, Bob Havens on trombone and the trumpet section
10. THE PENNSYLVANIA POLKA - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger with Myron Floren on accordion and dancing by Cissy King and Bobby Burgess
11. MY WONDERFUL ONE - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
12. THE RAINDROP SERENADE - Bob Smale and Bob Ralston at the piano
13. I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN - Tanya Falan with Dick Dale, Norma Zimmer, Gail Farrell and Curt Ramsey
14. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - Sandi Griffiths on lead vocal with Mary Lou, Gail, Norma, Tanya, Anacani, Ralna and Cissy
15. WHEN DAY IS DONE - orchestra featuring Johnny Zell on trumpet
16. BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS - Joe Feeney
17. BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan with Jimmy Roberts, Mary Lou Metzger, Jack Imel, Cissy King, Bobby Burgess and Anacani
18. SO RARE - Ken Delo with Dave Edwards on saxophone
19. RHAPSODY IN BLUE - orchestra with Bob Ralston at piano and vocals by Joe, Norma, Arthur, Anacani, Jimmy, Gail, Sandi, Larry, Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Tanya, Guy and Ralna
I really enjoyed this episode, especially Hoopie's Mississippi Mud number with the girls. You can tell by the smile on his face that he's having the time of his life!
Also, if you noticed real close during the show....there are some peculiar features one normally doesn't see on a typical Welk episode.
Such as Henry Cuesta not wearing eyeglasses....
.....and Laroon Holt with a mustache
Everyone was impeccably dressed this week, my taste in fashion may be limited but I thought the fellas looked smart in their white suits and the girls looked stunningly sexy in their yellow dresses.
So until next week, keep a song in your heart and may the Bluebird of Happiness fly up your nose.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
And yes ladies, he's still single
What better way to start 1977 on a high note!
From the New Year's episode, here's Tom Netherton with the '77 Rose Bowl Queen Diane Ramaker
So much for not promising you a Rose Garden....
From the New Year's episode, here's Tom Netherton with the '77 Rose Bowl Queen Diane Ramaker
So much for not promising you a Rose Garden....
Friday, April 23, 2010
See You Later Alligator
This Silver Champagne Special is a Zoot Suit Riot!
From 1956, here's Bob Lido
Aladdin
and Jack Martin
....together singing "See You Later Alligator"
From 1956, here's Bob Lido
Aladdin
and Jack Martin
....together singing "See You Later Alligator"
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett and now Anacani
This was in reference back to my previous Tiger Beat magazine cover post....
Thanks to the miracle of Photoshop, you can have your own Anacani poster!
Just right click on picture to save.
Printing an 8"x 11" is simple enough (standard size of paper), but as for a 16"x 20", 18"x 24" or even a 24"x 36" I haven't figured it out yet....work and research is still in progress
Thanks to the miracle of Photoshop, you can have your own Anacani poster!
Just right click on picture to save.
Printing an 8"x 11" is simple enough (standard size of paper), but as for a 16"x 20", 18"x 24" or even a 24"x 36" I haven't figured it out yet....work and research is still in progress
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Same Song - Separate Voices
It's book report time here at Welk Musical Family and today I will give my synopsis on the Lennon Sisters autobiography Same Song - Separate Voices
First published in 1985 by Roundtable Publishing, with an updated version coming a decade later, Same Song - Separate Voices is unique because it was a quartet-authored autobiography.
Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet in their words chronicle their lives growing up in Southern California, their singing careers, life with Lawrence Welk and afterwords. They also give a detailed whos who from the Lennon Family tree.
All the stories the girls tell are very touching, sentimental, funny and sad all at the same time. We get to know about Nana, the sisters grandma as well as their dad William Lennon who himself was a terrific Irish tenor. I liked their tales from the road such as when Dad Lennon made sure the girls had a real meal instead of drive-in fast food grub when it came to dinner, plus the stories of how each of the girls met their husbands.
Also worth reading is the account of their father's tragic death, murdered by a deranged fan, and how the girls and the whole family coped with this unfathomable tragedy.
That and also their showbiz career post-Welk, which they sang with Andy Williams and later at the Champagne Theater in Branson, in which the latter can be found in the updated 1995 version.
If you can get your hands on a copy, you'll enjoy this book, and get to know America's Singing Sweethearts in a whole new light!
First published in 1985 by Roundtable Publishing, with an updated version coming a decade later, Same Song - Separate Voices is unique because it was a quartet-authored autobiography.
Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet in their words chronicle their lives growing up in Southern California, their singing careers, life with Lawrence Welk and afterwords. They also give a detailed whos who from the Lennon Family tree.
All the stories the girls tell are very touching, sentimental, funny and sad all at the same time. We get to know about Nana, the sisters grandma as well as their dad William Lennon who himself was a terrific Irish tenor. I liked their tales from the road such as when Dad Lennon made sure the girls had a real meal instead of drive-in fast food grub when it came to dinner, plus the stories of how each of the girls met their husbands.
Also worth reading is the account of their father's tragic death, murdered by a deranged fan, and how the girls and the whole family coped with this unfathomable tragedy.
That and also their showbiz career post-Welk, which they sang with Andy Williams and later at the Champagne Theater in Branson, in which the latter can be found in the updated 1995 version.
If you can get your hands on a copy, you'll enjoy this book, and get to know America's Singing Sweethearts in a whole new light!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - With a Song In My Heart
Here, Tanya's hair may be short....but her song she's singing is sweet!
Monday, April 19, 2010
St. Louis Blues
No, I'm not talking about the hockey team....it's all about W.C. Handy's classic jazz tune.
From 1956, here's George Thow....
....and Norman Bailey
....as they team up with their trumpets to give you those St. Louis Blues!
From 1956, here's George Thow....
....and Norman Bailey
....as they team up with their trumpets to give you those St. Louis Blues!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Top Songs From Broadway Shows
Hello again everybody, this is Ted Husing with another trip down the Great White Way....
Actually, this is just your friendly blogmaster doing his lame impression of Mr. Husing, the famous announcer of radio and newsreels of the 1930s and 40s who coined the term "Great White Way" for Broadway.
I have no idea why it was called that, but one thing is for sure, we'll salute some of the best Broadway showtunes in this week's Welk episode and as ol' Ted would say, "It's OK Mr. Doorman, we have special permission to watch and waiter a ringside table please!"
And on with the show!
Here's Mary Lou pondering about what the critics think of her performance in "The Music Man".....
George Cates has got Boogie Fever with Anacani.....
....and seconds after this musical number, a food fight breaks out at the catering table.
TOP SONGS FROM BROADWAY SHOWS - September 21, 1974
1. ON A WONDERFUL DAY LIKE TODAY - Ken, Jimmy, Tom, Bobby, Gail, Tanya, Mary Lou & Cissy
2. AS LONG AS HE NEARS ME - the Orchestra
3. I CONFESSED TO THE BREEZE - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
4. TILL THERE WAS YOU - Norma Zimmer
5. DANCING IN THE DARK - danced by Bobby Burgess & Cissy King
6. CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT' MAN - Tanya Falan with Bob Smale at the piano
7. I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
8. WUNDERBAR - Tanya, Dick (Dale), Anacani, Bobby, Norma, Jimmy (Roberts), Ava, Joe, Ralna, Guy with Cissy dancing with Lawrence
9. THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM - Ken Delo
10. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "ROBERTA" - the Orchestra with George Cates conducting
11. TEA FOR TWO - sung in Spanish by Anacani
12. HELLO! DOLLY! - danced by Arthur Duncan
13. ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - Tom Netherton
14. BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS - trumpet section of Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Laroon Holt and Charlie Parlato
15. A BUSHEL AND A PECK - Ava Barber and her husband Roger Sullivan on drums
16. SUNRISE, SUNSET - Joe Feeney
17. SHALL WE DANCE? - Myron Floren on accordion with vocals by Jimmy, Norma, Cissy, Bobby, Guy, Ralna, Ken, Tom, Mary Lou, Gail, Sandi, Dick, Tanya and Larry Hooper
We got to see Ava Barber sing a Broadway song for the first time, since she had been with the show for a few months at the time, and "Bushel and a Peck" was very cute and lively, especially when she's joined by her husband Roger Sullivan on the drums.
Mary Lou hosted tonight's show, and as for the Music Man reference, she was actually in that famous Meredith Wilson play. When she was a kid, she played Amaryllis in the National Touring Company's production and before that was in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible".
So you can see why Mary Lou has a fondness for the music of Broadway and so do we!
So until next week, keep a song in your heart and as Ted Husing would say "Song long from the Great White Way."
Actually, this is just your friendly blogmaster doing his lame impression of Mr. Husing, the famous announcer of radio and newsreels of the 1930s and 40s who coined the term "Great White Way" for Broadway.
I have no idea why it was called that, but one thing is for sure, we'll salute some of the best Broadway showtunes in this week's Welk episode and as ol' Ted would say, "It's OK Mr. Doorman, we have special permission to watch and waiter a ringside table please!"
And on with the show!
Here's Mary Lou pondering about what the critics think of her performance in "The Music Man".....
George Cates has got Boogie Fever with Anacani.....
....and seconds after this musical number, a food fight breaks out at the catering table.
TOP SONGS FROM BROADWAY SHOWS - September 21, 1974
1. ON A WONDERFUL DAY LIKE TODAY - Ken, Jimmy, Tom, Bobby, Gail, Tanya, Mary Lou & Cissy
2. AS LONG AS HE NEARS ME - the Orchestra
3. I CONFESSED TO THE BREEZE - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
4. TILL THERE WAS YOU - Norma Zimmer
5. DANCING IN THE DARK - danced by Bobby Burgess & Cissy King
6. CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT' MAN - Tanya Falan with Bob Smale at the piano
7. I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
8. WUNDERBAR - Tanya, Dick (Dale), Anacani, Bobby, Norma, Jimmy (Roberts), Ava, Joe, Ralna, Guy with Cissy dancing with Lawrence
9. THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM - Ken Delo
10. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "ROBERTA" - the Orchestra with George Cates conducting
11. TEA FOR TWO - sung in Spanish by Anacani
12. HELLO! DOLLY! - danced by Arthur Duncan
13. ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - Tom Netherton
14. BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS - trumpet section of Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Laroon Holt and Charlie Parlato
15. A BUSHEL AND A PECK - Ava Barber and her husband Roger Sullivan on drums
16. SUNRISE, SUNSET - Joe Feeney
17. SHALL WE DANCE? - Myron Floren on accordion with vocals by Jimmy, Norma, Cissy, Bobby, Guy, Ralna, Ken, Tom, Mary Lou, Gail, Sandi, Dick, Tanya and Larry Hooper
We got to see Ava Barber sing a Broadway song for the first time, since she had been with the show for a few months at the time, and "Bushel and a Peck" was very cute and lively, especially when she's joined by her husband Roger Sullivan on the drums.
Mary Lou hosted tonight's show, and as for the Music Man reference, she was actually in that famous Meredith Wilson play. When she was a kid, she played Amaryllis in the National Touring Company's production and before that was in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible".
So you can see why Mary Lou has a fondness for the music of Broadway and so do we!
So until next week, keep a song in your heart and as Ted Husing would say "Song long from the Great White Way."
