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

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!

   

Small Towns of America

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the blessing of light be on you....

....and may your feet be filled with rhythm when you dance.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Arthur Duncan and his fancy feet

Of course, he has to have music to accent his tap dancing.....

Here, he's joined by Russ Klein on saxophone.....

.....and Charlie Parlato on trumpet

Arthur Duncan and his fancy feet

Bringing back suffrage.....a brand new poll!

Democracy has returned to Welk Musical Family.com!

Actually, for the first time in over a year....I have a new poll ready for your voice to be heard.

And here's the question....

Which of the acts from the Welk Show you like to see cover Beyonce's hit song "Single Ladies?"

Just in case you not familiar....here's the video for the song that is very popular with the young folks.

Now imagine that same song being performed on the Lawrence Welk Show, sung straight up, Champagne style.

Here are your choices......

1. Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys

2. Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess and Arthur Duncan

3. The Trio of Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou

You can cast your ballot over on the right side of this blog.

Bringing back suffrage.....a brand new poll!

It's the Parade of the Toy Soldiers

Which means that the Christmas season has officially begun....

 

It's the Parade of the Toy Soldiers

Now it's Arthur Duncan's turn to dance

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah.....

Now it's Arthur Duncan's turn to dance

Lawrence Welk is really Jamie Foxx....who knew?

The following is from People Magazine for the week of August 16th. In a section titled On Another Note this week, various celebrities are asked what is their hotel alias.

Comedian, actor and musician Jamie Foxx's alias when checking into a hotel? Lawrence Welk!

His quote, "My grandfather loved Lawrence Welk because there was one black dude on the show and he danced really well."

Well Jamie, that would be Arthur Duncan.

Hey, whenever one of today's A list stars appreciate the Maestro's legacy....it's a wunnerful thing.

Lawrence Welk is really Jamie Foxx....who knew?

Caption This!

Featuring our fine feathered friends at the zoo....

Just add your own snappy caption to this picture by going to the comments link below!

Caption This!

The Champagne Five - Musical Family Cameos We Like To See

We all know that addition to their regular appearances on the Lawrence Welk Show, the Musical Family have appeared on other popular television programs and game shows.

Examples include Gail Farrell as a panelist on Match Game

...and who can forget Ken Delo appearing with Lucille Ball on Here's Lucy?

Picture courtesy of Ken Delo.com

And of course there's Tanya on General Hospital, Arthur Duncan on Diagnosis Murder, Lawrence Welk on the Jack Benny Program and so forth.

On this latest version of the Champagne Five, I present my top five television programs in which I would love to see tailor made for any of the Champagne Music Makers to do a cameo appearance, guest starring role or celebrity contestant in....

So with AFTRA's blessing, here's the list.

1. THE $10,000/$20,000/$25,000 PYRAMID - Have Ken Delo and Mary Lou Metzger as the celebrity contestants for the week

2. THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - Fans of the show remember Boss Hogg's Celebrity Speed Traps, usually the celebrities are well known country singers. Ava Barber could be latest to sing at the Boar's Nest in order to have her traffic citation forgiven.

3. THREE'S COMPANY - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge could both star as Jack, Janet and Chrissy's newest next door neighbors.

4. SANFORD AND SON - Tom Netherton and Arthur Duncan both appear as performers at a nightclub where Fred, Bubba and Grady are patrons.

5. THE ROCKFORD FILES - Gail Farrell could guest star as one of Jim Rockford's latest clients.

The possibilities are endless, so don't be surprised if a second version of this particular Champagne Five appears in the near future.

Now where's is this week's TV Guide? I gotta find out who's on what this week.

The Champagne Five - Musical Family Cameos We Like To See

A Cop Rock Haiku

You have the right to remain silent, during this reading of fine Japanese poetry

Here's our boys in blue
Sworn to protect, serve and sing
They have a good beat

A Cop Rock Haiku

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