Monday, December 31, 2012

Out with 2012, in with 2013

Here's to the New Year. May she be wunnerful, wunnerful!

 
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Monday, December 24, 2012

And on Christmas Eve, where no mice are stirring....

From my Musical Family to yours.....

 
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Friday, December 21, 2012

My portrait of Norman Bailey

Continuing on in my series of Musical Family portraits, here's another one I drew this week. It's Welk orchestra trumpet player Norman Bailey.

 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

My portrait of Joe Feeney

Happy Holidays to all my fellow Welkies!

In between shopping, working and doing the normal Welk-related stuff, I did get some sketching in between.

Recently, I've been doing portraits of the Musical Family. Here is one I drew today of Joe Feeney.

 
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Lawrence Welk Soul Train

If you're like me, and I know that I am, you've probably said to yourself at one time, "I want to see the Champagne Music of Lawrence Welk, the groovy dancing of Soul Train and the high energy sounds of Heavy Metal rock come together as one."

Thanks to the wonders of You Tube and the fertile imagination from one of America's Best and Brightest, it's now a reality!

It is worth four minutes of your time, and it's got a great beat that you can dance to!
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

By The Time I Get To Phoenix; Tanya's version

We all know that amongst the staple of contemporary pop songs covered on the Lawrence Welk Show, By The Time I Get To Phoenix (written by Jimmy Webb and made famous sung by Glen Campbell) has been one of the more popular songs featured, covered by a good number of the Music Makers.


Tanya Falan is one of them...


Here she is from 1971's Salute To The U.S.A (the very first syndicated Welk episode) giving that song her treatment.

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Down on the farm, we harvest only the best musicians

1973 was a fine year for music, and from the "Down On The Farm" episode, only Lawrence Welk produces the best!


Guitarists like Neil Levang.....
 

......and Clay Hart.
 

Here's Richard Maloof on bass....
 

......with Henry Cuesta on clarinet.
 

And all the while Bob Lido, when he's not tending to the crops, plays the fiddle too!

 

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Sunday, October 07, 2012

Songs From The Movies Revisited

Who doesn't like going to the movies?

That is unless you saw a particular big budget Hollywood feature that turned out to be a bomb.

But that's not the case with the Music Makers from 1980 with their salute to the silver screen!


Why settle for just being a star when you can shoot for the moon? That's what Arthur Duncan is doing....


But of course, the road to stardom can be on the paths less traveled.....


......however, these highlights from this episode prove that no road can ever be so bumpy and rough.

 

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Saturday, October 06, 2012

I'm no longer AWOL, so lets celebrate with Gail Farrell photos

Yeah, I know.....it's been a long time since I last posted here.

After six years of blogging Welk stuff, I knew the time came when I run dry of stuff to post without repeating myself.

Trust me, if you're in my shoes.....you would know.

And what better way to celebrate from being in exile by posting plenty of pictures of the lovely Gail Farrell, since it was her birthday today.

Happy Birthday Gail!

 
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sally Flynn's weekend at Heidi's

If you're anywhere near Cocoa Beach, Florida this weekend, and in the mood for music, you're in luck!

Sally Flynn will be performing at Heidi's Jazz Club this coming Friday and Saturday.


She'll be performing with the Terry Myers Orchestra.

More details can be found at HEIDI'S JAZZ CLUB 
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Small Towns of America

From Harpster, Ohio to Hudson, Indiana and from Brockway, Wisconsin to Boyd, Minnesota, the final "new" episode of the 2011-12 Welk season salutes Small Town U.S.A.


So here are the highlights, which include....


Myron Floren switching Arthur Duncan's and Jimmy Roberts' regular coffee with Folgers Crystals.....


Natalie Nevins guest stars on this week's Welcome Back Kotter.....


.....and Cissy King with Andra Willis eat apples.


SMALL TOWNS OF AMERICA - February 1, 1969

1. DEAR HEARTS AND GENTLE PEOPLE - Larry, Bob Lido, Sandi, Bobby, Cissy, Andra, Bob Ralston, Tanya, Joe, Jo Ann, Natalie, Jimmy, Arthur, Dick, Curt
2. MY SWEET LITTLE ALICE BLUE GOWN - Norma Zimmer
3. JOSEPHINE - the orchestra
4. THAT OLD GANG OF MINE - Steve Smith, Curt Ramsey, Larry Hooper and Charlie Parlato
5. PEACE IN THE VALLEY - Andra Willis


6. WALKING MY BABY BACK HOME - Bob Ralston at the piano
7. A HOUSE WITH LOVE IN IT - Jimmy Roberts
8. MY HEART IS A HOBO - Steve Smith
9. DO, RE, MI - Natalie Nevins with Cissy, Andra, Tanya, Bobby, Bob Ralston, Charlie and Larry
10. THERE'S THE KIND OF WALK YOU WALK - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King


11. EVERYONE'S GOT A HOME BUT ME - Joe Feeney
12. HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN TONIGHT - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano
13. GIVE ME THE SIMPLE LIFE - Bob Lido
14. SMALL TOWN BOYS - sung and danced by Bob Ralston and Jack Imel
15. (GIVE ME THAT) OLD TIME RELIGION - Larry Hooper with Charlie, Dick, Norma, Myron, Jo Ann, Cissy, Andra, Bob Lido and Joe


16. I'D RATHER BE BLUE - Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn
17. MY HOME IS IN MY SHOES - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan
18. IN A SMALL TOWN - Dick Dale
19. EASY STREET - Tanya Falan
20. A PRAYER FOR PEACE - Dick, Charlie, Joe, Bob Lido, Tanya, Jo Ann, Curt, Bob Ralston, Andra, Natalie, Larry, Arthur, Norma, Jimmy, Cissy, Bobby, Sandi, Steve and Sally


This was a fun episode, it was quite different that Myron Floren did the introductions to the musical numbers and that Lawrence only appeared in the opening and closing portions of the show.

And sadly, this concludes this season of episodes that includes "new" ones, so starting in September it will be a full year of repeats. Who knows, maybe due to pledge drives, some markets will be showing the "new" ones for the first time.

So from my small town to yours, from Aliceville, Alabama to Alma, Colorado; keep a song in your heart!

   

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Great Gershwin '72

Hello again fellow Welkies!

This past weekend, we got the second-to-last "new" episode of the season, a musical salute to the works of George Gershwin which originally aired in 1972.

And let's go to the highlights!


Clay Hart wears a cowboy hat.....


Ralna gives Guy the evil eye.....


.....and Tanya flirts with Buddy Merrill.


THE GREAT GERSHWIN - November 11, 1972

1. OF THEE I SING - Ken, Mary Lou, Bobby, Cissy, Gail, Dick, Tanya , Jimmy, Ralna & Guy
2. I GOT RHYTHM - tap danced by Arthur Duncan
3. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME - Norma Zimmer
4. RHAPSODY IN BLUE - Bob Ralston at the piano
5. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT - Ken Delo


6. THE MAN I LOVE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
7. LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
8. DO, DO, DO - Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn
9. SOMEBODY LOVES ME - the orchestra
10. BIDIN' MY TIME - Clay Hart (also on guitar)


11. I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU - Tanya Falan with Buddy Merrill on guitar
12. SWANEE - Jimmy Roberts with Neil Levang on banjo, Bob Ralston at piano, Richard Maloof on tuba and Jack Imel on spoons
13. SUMMERTIME - Joe Livoti on violin with Bob Ralston at the Thomas organ
14. MINE - Dick Dale with Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger


15. LADY BE GOOD - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass and Johnny Klein on drums
16. LIZA - Myron Floren on the PAN accordion
17. LOVED WALKED IN - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at piano
18. S'WONDERFUL - Bob Havens on trombone with Bob Smale at piano and featuring Arthur, Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Dick, Gail, Norma, Jimmy, Guy, Ralna, Tanya and Ken


Once again, the Music Makers hit another one out of the park with a fine hours' worth of music and entertainment.


Henry Cuesta had just joined the orchestra as the Lawrence's featured clarinet player, and even though he jokingly chided him about getting a haircut, you can tell that the Maestro really thought the world of Henry and his musical talents.

And up until Henry's passing in 2003, fans like myself shared the Maestro's sentiments.

On a lighter note, I thought Tanya's rendition of "I've Got a Crush On You" was cute. One can only imagine what thoughts ran through Buddy Merrill's head.

Oh well, until next time, remember to keep a song in your heart and while you say oysters, I say errsters!

    

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

America On The Move

Everyone is on the move, in all walks of life.

That is what America is all about, and it's also this past weekend's Lawrence Welk episode.


And here are the highlights!


Jack Imel fights Snoopy as the Red Baron.....


Dick Dale has gone bananas.....


......and the Orange Blossom Special runs thru a suburban residence.


AMERICA ON THE MOVE - November 1, 1975

1. GOTTA TRAVEL ON - Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Ken, Gail, Jimmy, Anacani, Tom
2. STRANGER ON THE SHORE - Henry Cuesta on clarinet
3. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
4. FLY ME TO THE MOON - Tom Netherton with Myron Floren on accordion, Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass and percussion work by Jack Imel and Bob Lido

  
5. WHEELS - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
6. LAZY RIVER - the orchestra
7. ON THE ATCHINSON, TOPEKA and SANTA FE - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Anacani and Tanya Falan
8. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "THE BAND WAGON" - the orchestra
9. CUANTO LA GUSTA - Diane, Donna, Valerie, Jo Ann, Audrey and Michelle Semonski


10. CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel with Sandi, Gail and Ken
11. RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
12. TIJUANA TAXI - the orchestra
13. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOUSE - Larry Hooper


14. TAKE THE A TRAIN - tap danced by Arthur Duncan with Sandi, Gail, Ralna and Norma
15. BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX - Ava Barber
16. THE BANANA BOAT SONG - Dick Dale with Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou
17. CHARLIE ON THE M.T.A - Ken Delo
18. THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THOSE FLYING MACHINES - Larry, Arthur, Bobby, Anacani, Joe, Tom, Tanya, Jimmy, Gail, Guy, Ralna, Mary Lou, Cissy, Norma with Bob Havens on trombone, Jack Imel with percussion work, Richard Maloof on tuba, Russ Klein on saxophone and Charlie Parlato on trumpet


If you're one of the fellow Americans that are on the move, remember the enjoy the journey even with all the traffic and high gas prices.

The Maestro and his Musical Family have been on the move plenty of times over the years, by plane, train and car they toured the country on their concert tours to places across America where they are greeted by loyal fans.

More proof that an America that's on the move is a very good thing.


So until next time, keep a song in your heart and keep your feet on the move!
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