Sail away to Avalon

....with the Curt Ramsey Quintet from 1968 as they board the S.S Catalina with the song "Avalon"

 

Musical Family Hair of the Week

.....goes to Ralna English, with a 'do that reminds us of Jaclyn Smith

The Lennon Sisters on the Today Show

In case you missed it, here's the clip of Kathy & Janet Lennon on Today with co-hosts Hoda and Kathie Lee....

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Lennon Sisters in the magical, fantasy land of televised home shopping

Kathy & Janet Lennon appeared on the QVC network early Saturday morning around 3am selling their line of Best Pals dolls and accessories.

I must say, even in the wee hours of the morning when the roosters were comatose....the girls looked and sounded great!

Also this morning, Kathy and Janet will be appearing on the fourth hour of NBC's The Today Show, or better known as Kathie Lee and Hoda's Happy Hour

I think this mass transit thingy is catching on....

From this week's episode "Big City USA", the Music Makers are doing their part to reduce our country's dependency on oil.

They are taking the trolley.....like Kathie Sullivan

....and Mary Lou Metzger along with Jack Imel find mass transit quite friendly and pleasant.

....not to mention very musical.

Bandstand of the Week

From 1969, the band plays their cover of "Hey Jude"

 

Vintage Champagne at the Paley Center

This should be a lot of fun.....

THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA PRESENTS VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE: A TRIBUTE TO THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW

From what I have read, this symposium will be held at the Paley Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 26th. The following Music Makers will be there to reminisce about the show...

ANACANI
BOBBY BURGESS
KEN DELO
RALNA ENGLISH
SANDI GRIFFITHS
CISSY KING
MARY LOU METZGER
LARRY WELK
TANYA FALAN
NORMA ZIMMER
ARTHUR DUNCAN
BOB HAVENS
JACK IMEL
BOB RALSTON
PEGGY LENNON

And it says that more guests to be announced later.

If I didn't live 2,000 plus miles away from LA, I would be there....CRAP!

Maybe the Paley Center could video record the event, that would be cool.

TV Star Parade: January 1973

Wait a minute....this can't be true

Once again, straight from my collection of fan magazines comes this shocking revelation, but it's really not what you think.

Just read the article to find out who is this "new" Mrs. Welk.

Elaine Balden shows off her moves

She has every reason to dance....it's her birthday today

Happy Birthday Elaine!

Musical Family Hair of the Week

From 1977, Sheila Aldridge is the latest to sport the Farrah Fawcett flip 'do

Moments to Remember

....is sweet if one has not forgotten them.

This week's show was Do You Remember? It's a nice trip down memory lane to the days of youth gone by.

Here's the rundown of the show and song listings....one of the numbers is Guy & Ralna's rendition of "Moments to Remember"

Invasion of the Bobby Soxers

Like Frank Sinatra, Myron Floren has a legion of young, pretty fans....

 

Bandstand of the Week

From 1968....the ballroom is alive with the sounds of Champagne Music!

 

Where's Bobby and Cissy dancing today?

You'll never know where they will show up....

....and today, they're in Medina, Minnesota dancing on the Big Joe Polka Show!

Indeed it is....

Anacani as Carmen Miranda

Ah-Chica Chica Boom indeed....

Musical Family Hair of the Week

From 1975, it's Sandi with her red hair in a short bob....

Milestones & Memories - It's already been ten years?

This weekend while I watched the latest regularly scheduled Welk episode on WGTE (Toledo's PBS affiliate), WBGU (Bowling Green's PBS affiliate) was in mini-pledge mode that plenty of stations have been doing lately.

And what did WBGU show instead? Milestones & Memories!

On both nights! So in between the regular Welk show on Saturday and football on Sunday, I checked it out...

As I watched, it dawned on me that this special was taped in Branson ten years ago this month....hard to believe it's been that long.

When the special was taped, the Welk reruns were just starting Season 14 on public television, today as I write....were now in Season 24.

Since then, four more Welk pledge specials have been made, this website and blog has been launched, You Tube was created to showcase musical numbers from the show and Saturday Night Live has spawned a successful recurring sketch.

And on a somber note, a few of the original 47 members of the Musical Family that appeared on the special are no longer with us.

Barney Liddell - trombonist (d. 2003)
Henry Cuesta - clarinetist/reeds (d. 2003)
Helen Ramsey - Champagne Lady (d. 2004)
Myron Floren - accordionist (d. 2005)
Joe Feeney - Irish tenor (d. 2008)
Jayne Walton - Champagne Lady (d. 2010)
Big Tiny Little - ragtime pianist (d. 2010)


I believe that by watching this special, as well as the regular Welk show, it's a way of keeping these folks in one's memory as well as in your heart.

Saturday Night Ah-Fever

I'm guessing that John Travolta, when getting ready to film that blockbuster disco movie, learned those dance moves from both Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger.

Man I wish that was the case....

This week was the Salute To Swing Bands episode, here are the highlights and song rundown

Never Forget

We are all Americans and were in this together....

 

Bandstand of the Week

From 1966, back at the studios located on Prospect and Talmadge Avenue....a new set in living color!

 

Who is Ken Delo singing to in the audience today?

Looks like he found himself a foxy lady....

Don't worry Ken, your secret is safe with us!

Musical Family Hair of the Week

From 1957, it's Rocky Rockwell with his buzzcut