200 Years of American Music - Part One

It's the mother of all Bicentennial Parties on the Welk Show!

Throughout the year of 1976, America celebrated her 200th birthday with songs, parties and fireworks whether it was on television or with friends, family and perfect strangers.

And the gang on the Lawrence Welk Show took part in the star spangled, red and white blue celebrations.

Highlights from the show include.....

.....festivities from the Donner Party square dance

Cissy and Bobby jumping for joy....

.....and all is quiet on Western Front.


200 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC - January 17, 1976

1. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY - the orchestra
2. HAIL COLUMBIA! - Gail, Ken, Tanya, Tom, Mary Lou, Bobby, Cissy, Jimmy and Anacani
3. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
4. DIXIE - the orchestra
5. AFTER YOU'VE GONE - Tanya Falan with Arthur Duncan tap dancing

6. SKIP TO MY LOU - Myron Floren on accordion with Anacani, Cissy, Mary Lou, Bobby, Ken and Jack dancing
7. OH SHENANDOAH - Dick Dale and Ava Barber
8. THERE WILL BE A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN TONIGHT - Bobby Burgess and Cissy King dancing
9. MEDLEY OF STEPHEN FOSTER SONGS
   a) OH SUSANNA - Joe, Gail, Larry, Anacani, Ken, Mary Lou, Guy, Ralna, Tom and Ava
   b) OLD FOLKS AT HOME - The Semonski Sisters
   c) BEAUTIFUL DREAMER - Charlotte Harris at the cello
   d) CAMPTOWN RACES - the orchestra
   e) OH SUSANNA REPRISE - Joe, Gail, Larry, Anacani, Ken, Mary Lou, Guy, Ralna, Tom and Ava
10. WILL YOU REMEMBER (SWEETHEART)? - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts

11. THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER - the orchestra
12. THERE'S A LONG LONG TRAIL - Tom Netherton with Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
13. YO TE AMO, YO TE ADORO - Anacani
14. MEDLEY OF GEORGE M. COHAN SONGS
     a) YOU'RE A GRAND OLD FLAG - Arthur, Gail, Jimmy, Tanya, Tom, Mary Lou, Cissy, Bobby,
         Ralna, Guy, Norma, Ken
     b) MARY'S A GRAND OLD NAME - Joe Feeney
     c) YANKEE DOODLE DANDY - Ken Delo with Jimmy, Bobby, Tom, Guy and Arthur
     d) GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY - Arthur, Gail, Jimmy, Tanya, Tom, Mary Lou, Cissy,
         Bobby, Ralna, Guy, Norma, Ken
15. THE ST. LOUIS BLUES - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with Bob Smale on piano
16. THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC - Cissy, Gail, Ava, Norma, Mary Lou, Tanya, Ralna, Anacani, Joe, Bobby, Ken, Larry, Tom, Guy, Jimmy, Arthur

I would say that the Musical Family captured the spirit of the Bicentennial very well.

Also, as the Maestro mentioned at the beginning of the show, a double album of songs aptly titled Lawrence Welk Singers & Orchestra Presents 200 Years of American Music can be heard in the comforts of your own home. Just go to ebay, Amazon or your local vintage record store to bring home your little piece of patriotic music.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and God Bless America!

200 Years of American Music - Part One