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.

 

Songs From The Movies Revisited

Salute to Fred Astaire

Time to put on your top hat and tails along with your dancing shoes because this week, the Champagne Music makers pay tribute to Fred Astaire!

Here's some of the highlights from the show.....

Gail and Ava team up while wearing dresses combining Ol' Bavaria and Big City Sophistication....

Jack Imel plays with his marimbas....

......and George Cates plays with his baton.

SALUTE TO FRED ASTAIRE - September 27, 1980

1. IT'S S'WONDERFUL - Sheila, Sherry, Anacani, Gail, Kathie, Ava, Curt (Ramsey), Jimmy (Roberts), Ken, Jim, David, Roger, Joe
2. THE CARIOCA - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden
3. A FINE ROMANCE - Guy Hovis
4. FLYING DOWN TO RIO - Anacani
5. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLAN - the orchestra

6. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - Tom Netherton with Bob Ralston at piano
7. I LOVE A PIANO - Ava Barber and Gail Farrell also on piano
8. LIMEHOUSE BLUES - Jack Imel and his marimbas
9. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT - Jim Turner and his guitar
10. SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE - the orchestra

11. DANCING IN THE DARK - the orchestra conducted by George Cates
12. HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA? - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston on Hammond Organ
13. BLUE SKIES - Bob Havens on trombone and Arthur Duncan dancing
14. THREE LITTLE WORDS - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge with David and Roger Otwell

15. I GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM - the orchestra
16. YOU AND THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC - Kathie Sullivan with Myron Floren on accordion
17. CHEEK TO CHEEK - Ken Delo
18. I LOVE LOUISA - Myron Floren on accordion with Ava, Kathie, Gail, Sherry, Anacani, Sheila, Joe, Roger, David, Jim, Guy and Jimmy along with Bobby and Elaine dancing

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Both Ralna English and Mary Lou Metzger do not appear in this episode.

I knew that around the time of taping (mid-1980) that Ralna's absence was attributed to personal issues going through, but I was surprised that Mary Lou also didn't appear. This is one of the very rare occasions during her tenure that happened.

Still, this week's episode was a fun, pleasant and fitting salute to one of Hollywood's greatest song-and-dance men like Fred Astaire. They just don't have talent and class today like they did back then.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and may the days of your lives be s'wonderful!

Salute to Fred Astaire

Songs From The Movies

Lights! Camera! Action!

This week, episode number two of the 2011-12 season salutes the songs from Hollywood movies.

Here are some of the highlights from the show.....

Homesteaders Charlie Parlato and Ava Barber, after a major horse buggy accident, contact AAA for roadside assistance.

Arthur Duncan takes one small step for man, and one giant step into a Moon Pie....

....and the Music Makers prepare for the remnants of Hurricane Irene.

SONGS FROM THE MOVIES - March 29, 1980

1. HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES) - Arthur, Sandi, Jimmy, Ken, Gail, Kathie, Elaine, Mary Lou, Bobby, Tom, Ava, Sheila, Sherry, Jim, Curt, Roger and David
2. SOUTH AMERICA, TAKE IT AWAY - Anacani
3. NOCTURNE IN E FLAT - Bob Ralston on piano
4. SOMEWHERE MY LOVE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
5. MY KIND OF TOWN (CHICAGO IS) - Ken Delo

 
6. NEVER ON SUNDAY - Myron Floren on accordion
7. TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS - Ava Barber with Charlie Parlato
8. THE GREEN LEAVES OF SUMMER - Jim Turner
9. THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER - The orchestra
10. GONE WITH THE WIND - Kathie, Sherry, Gail, Ralna, Sandi, Sheila, Mary Lou, David, Roger, Jim, Ken, Guy and the orchestra with George Cates conducting

11. JEAN - Tom Netherton
12. HAVA NAGILA - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden
13. EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge & David and Roger Otwell
14. OLD DEVIL MOON - danced by Arthur Duncan
15. THE WAY WE WERE - Kathie Sullivan with Joe Livoti on violin

16. BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY - Gail Farrell, Sandi Griffiths & Mary Lou Metzger
17. MORE (THEME FROM MONDO CANE) - Jimmy Roberts
18. SINGING IN THE RAIN - Sheila, Sherry, Gail, Anacani, Sandi, Curt, Jim, Ken, Roger and David with dancing by Elaine, Bobby, Mary Lou and Jack.

I thought it was a fine episode, brings back memories of the movies when they were actually good.

That goes for the songs too....

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and stay away from those casting couches!

Songs From The Movies

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

There are some kinds of Rhythm that's none of our business.....

.....however, this is not one of them.

This week's episode, "Rhythm is our Business" has got it and then some. And by that, I mean it has a very special guest star.

Here's country music star and two time CMA Entertainer of the Year Barbara Mandrell!

Just to be clear, her sisters Irlene and Louise don't appear this episode....the same goes for Truck Shackley and the Texas Critters

But this week's show still has plenty of highlights! Such as....

Mary Lou and Jack making a ruckus at the library

Neil Levang fiddling around....

.....which Guy & Ralna find themselves square dancing.

RHYTHM IS OUR BUSINESS - February 2, 1980

1. CRAZY RHYTHM - Jimmy, Ralna, Guy, Ava, Curt (Ramsey), Sheila, Roger, Mary Lou, David, Sherry, Jim, Joe, Gail (Farrell), Ken, Kathie
2. THE SWEET AND GENTLE CHA CHA - Anacani
3. GETTING TO KNOW YOU - the orchestra
4. I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU - guest star Barbara Mandrell
5. PASO DOBLE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden

6. THE SWEETEST SOUNDS - Kathie Sullivan
7. CUMANA - Bob Ralston at the piano with orchestra
8. JAMAICA FAREWELL - Jim Turner (with guitar) with Paul Humphrey and Jack Imel on drums
9. THE ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL - Guy Hovis & Ralna English with fiddlers Neil Levang, Bob Lido, Joe Livoti and Harry Hyams
10. THE VILLAGE INN POLKA - Myron Floren at accordion with Bobby & Elaine dancing

11. MEDLEY OF SONGS BY LEROY ANDERSON (including Blue Tango) - the orchestra with George Cates conducting
12. TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS - Barbara Mandrell with Neil Levang at guitar
13. MEDLEY INCLUDING BALLIN' THE JACK AND THE OLD SOFT SHOE - Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel joined by Kathie Sullivan
14. WABASH CANNONBALL - Ava Barber
15. DEAR HEART - Jimmy Roberts with Bob Ralston at the organ and Ernie Erhardt at the cello

16. THE TWIST - The Aldridge Sisters (Sherry & Sheila) and Otwell Twins (David & Roger) with Russ Klein on saxophone
17. WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS - Ken Delo with Bob Havens on trombone
18. RHYTHM IS HIS BUSINESS - tap dancing by Arthur Duncan and sung by Gail, Ralna, Kathie, Anacani, Sherry and Sheila
19. BOOGIE WOOGIE - the orchestra

This was a great episode, and giving that it's a rhythm show....having the caliber of talent and fame of a Barbara Mandrell was a perfect fit.

Did you know that she could play both the lap steel and pedal steel guitars, as well as the accordion, saxophone and banjo? If the chance was ever presented, she could have been ideal as a regular member of the Musical Family....either with the vocalists or as a member of the orchestra, or even both!

Until next time, since many PBS stations like mine will be in pledge drive mode, keep a song in your heart and always proclaim your allegiance to country music, even when it's not cool.

There are some kinds of Rhythm that's none of our business.....

Love is sweeping the country

....or it could be indigestion.

Anyway, today is Valentine's Day....while most of you are celebrating love with your significant others, I'll be celebrating today watching the Daytona 500!

However, we'll dissect the meaning of love courtesy of this week's Welk episode...Love Songs from 1980.

In this episode.....Bobby uses Elaine to mop the stage floor

Jim Turner is hungry for some Little Green Apples....

....and here is a successful encylopedia saleman, as demonstrated by Arthur Duncan

All this and more, hosted by Mary Lou Metzger

LOVE SONGS - February 9, 1980

1. L-O-V-E - Joe, Mary Lou, Gail (Farrell), Ken, Tom, Ava, Kathie, Jimmy (Roberts), Anacani, Guy, Ralna, Curt (Ramsey), Roger & David (Otwell), Sheila & Sherry (Aldridge)
2. LITTLE GREEN APPLES - Jim Turner
3. SOMEBODY LOVES ME - The orchestra
4. SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE - Norma Zimmer
5. AMOR - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden

6. SHE LOVES YOU - The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins
7. SECRET LOVE - Anacani
8. DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE AWAY FROM ME - Bob Ralston at the piano
9. HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU - Ralna English & Guy Hovis
10. WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE - The orchestra

 
11. THEME FROM "LOVE STORY" (WHERE DO I BEGIN) - The orchestra with George Cates conducting, Girls chorus featuring Norma, Anacani, Kathie, Ralna, Gail, Sheila, Sherry & Mary Lou and Guys chorus featuring Joe, David, Roger, Jim, Jimmy, Ken & Guy
12. I JUST FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - Ava Barber
13. LOVER - Myron Floren on accordion
14. LOVE IS THE SWEETEST THING - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ

15. LOVE ME TENDER - Tom Netherton with Neil Levang at guitar
16. LOVE IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY - Arthur Duncan tap dancing
17. WHY DO I LOVE YOU - Kathie Sullivan with Joe Livoti at violin and the orchestra's string section
18. THE LADY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU - Ken Delo
19. LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND - Guys chorus featuring Jimmy, Curt, Larry (Hooper), Jim, Joe, David, Roger, Guy, Bobby & Tom. Girls chorus featuring Anacani, Norma, Gail, Elaine, Kathie, Ralna, Sheila & Sherry. Lawrence and Mary Lou Metzger dancing

A very nice and pleasant episode, one that you can watch with either your sweetheart. Even if you don't have that special someone in your life (like yours truly)....make today very special in your own unique way.

I have, watching NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle and Dale Jr trade bumpers at the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing.

Keep a song in your heart and the pedal to the medal....racing stock cars and in life!

 

Love is sweeping the country