Salute to the Mardi Gras '66

Funny how programming works....

Last week, half the country got the New York episode while the other half got the Mardi Gras show.

Today, we'll recap Mardi Gras in Champagne Style.

Here are some of the highlights.....

The Lennons play Queen For A Day......

Natalie Nevins wears a really big hat.....

 .....and Myron Floren joins the Orange County chapter of the 4H club.


MARDI GRAS - February 19, 1966

1. BROTHERHOOD OF MAN - Dick Cathcart, Jo Ann, Dick Dale, Natalie, Jimmy, Charlotte, Larry, Kathy, Bobby, Janet, Joe, Barbara and Charlie
2. STREET OF DREAMS - Bob Ralston at the piano
3. I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT - Norma Zimmer
4. CIRIBIRIBIN - special guest Warren Luening on trumpet
5. I DREAMED - Janet, Dee Dee, Peggy and Kathy Lennon
6. FRASQUITA SERENADE - Joe Livoti on violin with Frank Scott at the piano
7. TOGETHER, WHEREVER WE GO - Jack Imel, Arthur Duncan and Bobby Burgess

8. MAPLE LEAF RAG - Frank Scott at the piano
9. MR. WONDERFUL - Natalie Nevins
10. IRVING BERLIN MEDLEY - the orchestra
11. TIJUANA - Charlie Parlato and Dick Cathcart on trumpet, Frank Scott at harpsichord, vocals by Jo Ann Castle, Norma Zimmer, Kathy and Janet Lennon and danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
12. I LOVE LIFE - Joe Feeney
13. DARK EYES - special guest Kenny King on the accordion
14. CLARINET POLKA - Jo Ann Castle, Kenny King and Myron Floren on the accordion

15. COME TO THE MARDI GRAS - Aladdin
16. HIGH SOCIETY - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
17. SHRIMP BOATS A' COMIN - Dick Dale
18. DOWN YONDER - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano
19. WHILE WE DANCED AT THE MARDI GRAS - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
20. JAMBALAYA - Bob Lido with Neil Levang and Buddy Merrill at the guitar
21. SOUTH RAMPART STREET PARADE - the orchestra and the singers

Even though there were no college girls flashing their goods for beads, and no signs of public intoxication on Bourbon Street, this episode in all parts an accurate portrayal of the pageantry that is Mardi Gras.

Also from this episode was an example of the musical talent from NORAD, first with Warren Luening, who was no stranger to the Music Makers having played first in the Maestro's "Junior Band" on the spinoff Top Tunes And New Talent (aka The Plymouth Show) in the 1950s.

And on accordion is the talented Kenny King.

NORAD, which is the North American Aerospace Defense Command, in addition to protecting the skies for the United States and Canada, has provided exceptional musical talent through their band, the Commanders. In addition to Luening and King, other Commanders alumni have found work in the music industry. Johnny Zell, Dave Edwards and Richard Maloof before joining the Welk orchestra, cut their military and musical teeth in NORAD.

And we at Welk Musical Family salute the fine men and women that have served protecting the skies.

Hope you guys had a wunnerful Mardi Gras, and a excellent Paczki Day as well. I'll be back later this week with the rundown of the New York show. 

Salute to the Mardi Gras '66

Happy Paczki Day!

This is what we in the Upper Midwest live for....

....and happy Mardi Gras too

Happy Paczki Day!

A Cajun Flavored Haiku

It goes well with dirty rice and beignets

Play some of that jazz

And pass the Jambalaya

We're all having fun!

A Cajun Flavored Haiku

The South and Mardi Gras show

And now, highlights from this week's Lawrence Welk episode....

The opening number, "Are You From Dixie?"

Bobby & Cissy dance to "Big D"

Anacani sings "Come to the Mardi Gras"

Ava Barber sings "Jambalaya"

Larry Hooper sings "That's What I Like About The South"

Have a good week! I'm gonna go watch the Daytona 500....

The South and Mardi Gras show

Songs of the South and Mardi Gras

Here's an episode that you Southerners would love, it's a salute to the Songs of the South and Mardi Gras that first aired on February 28, 1976.

And by the way, nobody did any covers to either Neil Young's "Southern Man" or Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama", but there are plenty of good songs you can whistle Dixie to.....

....such as "The Yellow Rose of Texas" by Guy & Ralna for example,

Also, dressed as cowpokes, Cissy & Bobby sang and danced to "Big D"....

....that's Dallas by the way, not Des Moines

Other fine selections include Norma Zimmer's "Tara's Theme" or better know as the theme somg from Gone With The Wind, plus Jimmy Roberts' "Rose of San Antone", Tom Netherton with "Deep River" and the music makers instrumental of "Carolina in the Morning".

Here's Anacani kicking off the second half of the show, singing "Come to the Mardi Gras."

Here's Dick Dale with Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger with "Mississippi Mud".

There were also Louisiana favorites in this part, such as Ava Barber's "Jambalaya", Ralna in the solo spot with "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?" and sweet dixieland jazz numbers such as "The Royal Garden Blues" and "The South Rampart Street Parade" shown here with the chorus to close the show.

That's the show for this week, and speaking of the Big Easy....the NBA All-Star Game is held there this year at the New Orleans Arena (home of the Hornets), and although it's not Mardi Gras, it still will be a Cajun-filled good time to watch!

Sitting in the hot seat this week is Ava Barber, who talks about her adventures on the Welk show, her husband Roger and plenty more fun stuff that leaves both ladies laughing!

Next week show is back to the repeats, Salute to the Oscars from 1971, so until then....good wishes and keep a song in your heart!

Songs of the South and Mardi Gras