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

Salute to New York '77

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today.....

You must have guessed by now that this particular Lawrence Welk episode, half of you saw last Saturday while the other half saw the Saturday before that, is all about the city so nice they named it twice.

New York, New York.

Here are some of the highlights.....

Norma Zimmer paints happy little trees.....

Joe Feeney and Myron Floren guest star in a very special N.Y.P.D Blue.....

......and Mary Lou Metzger's dogs are barkin'


SALUTE TO NEW YORK - October 15, 1977

1. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Anacani, Gail, Sandi, Mary Lou, Cissy, Arthur, Jimmy, Ken and Bobby
2. TAKE THE "A" TRAIN - the orchestra
3. MANHATTAN - Tom Netherton with Bob Smale at the piano
4. AUTUMN IN NEW YORK - Norma Zimmer
5. 42nd STREET - tap danced by Arthur Duncan

  
6. CAB DRIVER - Larry Hooper with Charlie Parlato, Dick Dale and Bob Lido
7. MATCHMAKER - Donna, Audrey, Jo Anne, Valerie and Michelle Semonski
8. THE BROADWAY MELODY - danced by Cissy King and Bobby Burgess
9. GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY - Joe Feeney with Myron Floren at the accordion
10. THE WALTER WINCHELL RHUMBA - Gail Farrell, Sandi Griffiths and Mary Lou Metzger

   
11. PENTHOUSE SERENADE - Kathie Sullivan and the saxophone section
12. THE LULLABY OF BROADWAY - the orchestra
13. PUT YOUR SHOES ON LUCY - Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger
14. SPANISH HARLEM - Anacani

  
15. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM MY FAIR LADY: I'VE COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT/I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE/ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - the orchestra plus a vocal by Ken Delo
16. MANHATTAN SERENADE - Bob Ralston and Bob Smale at the piano with the orchestra
17. MANHATTAN SERENADE (REPRISE) - Bob Ralston at the Thomas Organ
18. BUTTONS AND BOWS - Ava Barber
19. MEDLEY OF NEW YORK SONGS: IN OLD NEW YORK/THE BOWERY/SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK - Norma, Jimmy, Gail, Joe, Anacani, Ken, Sandi, Tom with dancers Cissy, Bobby, Arthur, Mary Lou and Jack

  
This was a fine salute to the Big Apple, and considering the year the show was taped, Gotham needed a pick-me-up for it's psyche. New York had weathered through a financial crisis (Ford to New York: Drop Dead), the Son of Sam murders, and a power blackout just to name a few.

To quote Howard Cosell from the '77 World Series, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning."

But at least for one episode, the Musical Family made New Yorkers feel good about themselves again, and the city has once again reclaimed it's spot as the best in the world.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and keep that Empire State of Mind all over. 

Salute to New York '77

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

Accordion Polka

From 1957, here's Myron Floren on the PAN accordion with a piece aptly titled "The Accordion Polka."

And if you notice towards the end, the Music Makers invade the stage for some dancing, see if you recognize one of your old favorites!

Accordion Polka

Great Entertainers: More Highlights

Let's take a look at what happened on this week's episode....

Myron plays a medley of Van Halen songs on the PAN accordion....

"First one to lose balance has to buy lunch!"

Ken and the cast recreate their favorite scene from Saturday Night Fever....

"I got him right where I want him, he he!"

Great Entertainers: More Highlights

Yet another post that's One Toke Over The Line

Mainly because today is 4/20.....

From what I heard it's a national holiday for those who smoke the "wacky weed."

And by the way, I do not smoke that stuff or advocate the use of that stuff.

What you choose to do is your own personal responsibility.

 
That being said, I once again drag up the subject that is Dick Dale and Gail Farrell's cover of Brewer & Shipley's hit song "One Toke Over The Line".

Somehow, and this is just my opinion only, I think many members of the Musical Family really knew the true meaning of that song's lyrics.

And believe me, it ain't religious, even if the Maestro says it's a 'Modern Day Spiritual'.

If you've seen the video on You Tube, you noticed when Myron Floren was introducing the number, he coughs midway....

Maybe he knew something, or not, or he's just clearing his throat....

But it does add a bit of mystery and myth to this classic moment in music history though.

Once again, in "celebration" of this phenomenon known as 4/20, here's the number again for all to enjoy!
 

Yet another post that's One Toke Over The Line

It's Movie Night here at the Welk studios!

But be sure to check the picture rating first....

"No security measures is gonna keep us from being in that new Adam Sandler movie!"

"Fine time for the studio's AC to go out, it's really hot in here!"

"Dick, can it wait? I'm in the middle of filming."

"The fellas think we're watching Jackass 3D? They'll be surprised we switched the reels so we'll be really watching The King's Speech."

It's Movie Night here at the Welk studios!

Myron Floren plays that familiar song again

And Joe Feeney is happy to sing along.....

That's one way of paying for your hot hog if you don't have any money

Myron Floren plays that familiar song again

Salute to some animated mouse with a high pitched voice

On the first Saturday, of the very first day of 2011....we got the Disney episode from '73

"I'm Charlie!"

Yes you are indeed.....

 
If you're feeding the pigeons, just plain ol' birdseed won't cut it.

Ken Delo may ask his daughter Kimberly "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" but after spending hours in that wolf costume, I'm afraid of that fella's body odor.

....and a message to all parents, it's not a good idea to have your kids wear these outfits on their first day of Junior High.

Salute to some animated mouse with a high pitched voice

Here's the first post of 2011

Let us take a look back at last night's New Year's Eve celebrations.....

"Oh boy, a lollipop. Thanks Mary Lou!"

 
Myron Floren takes on all comers in a game of dueling accordions....

"Myron, play one of those newer hip polkas."

It's now midnight, and the Musical Family finds toasting is hard since someone accidentally broke the champagne glasses.

Happy 1-1-11!

Here's the first post of 2011

Getting ready to party on New Year's

Myron has brought his accordion.....

Richard has his tuba......

....Gail and Mary Lou brought the coconuts

Getting ready to party on New Year's