The 2011-12 Welk season show schedule has arrived!

Finally, after another season of repeats.....not only there will be Welk in 2011-12 but new episodes as well!

Here is the rundown from our friends at OETA, and I like the rest of you guys, I'm looking forward to the new season.

The new episodes are in all caps, repeats are not.

9-3-2011: LAWRENCE WELK'S PREMIERE SHOW
9-10-11: SONGS FROM THE MOVIES
9-17-11: DOWN ON THE FARM
9-24-11: Salute to the Swing Bands
10-1-11: Salute to the USA
10-8-11: SALUTE TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS
10-15-11: County Fair
10-22-11: Tribute to Disney
10-29-11: Halloween Party

11-5-11: YOU'RE NEVER TOO YOUNG
11-12-11: TRIBUTE TO FRED ASTAIRE
11-19-11: THANKSGIVING
11-26-11: Tribute to Vincent Youmans
12-3-11: Highways and Byways
12-10-11: Do You Remember?
12-17-11: Songs of the 70's
12-24-11: CHRISTMAS
12-31-11: NEW YEAR'S SHOW
1-7-2012: Movie Songwriters with Henry Mancini

1-14-12: TOP SONGS FROM BROADWAY MUSICALS
1-21-12: 200 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC
1-28-12: MEMORIES OF NAT KING COLE
2-4-12: THE ITALIAN SHOW
2-11-12: Love Songs
2-18-12: MARDI GRAS
2-25-12: SALUTE TO NEW YORK CITY
3-3-12: Big Bands
3-10-12: Grammy Award Songs
3-17-12: Keep a Song In Your Heart

3-24-12: THE IRISH SHOW
3-31-12: THE NORMA ZIMMER SHOW
4-7-12: EASTER
4-14-12: APRIL SHOWERS
4-21-12: 25th Anniversary Show
4-28-12: SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF L.A.
5-5-12: Great Entertainers
5-12-12: MOTHERS DAY SHOW
5-19-12: SALUTE TO COLE PORTER
5-26-12: There's Something About a Hometown Band

6-2-12: Childhood Memories
6-9-12: Famous Resorts
6-16-12: MY BLUE HEAVEN
6-23-12: SALUTE TO HARRY WARREN
7-7-12: AMERICA ON THE MOVE
7-14-12: Strike Up The Band
7-21-12: THE GREAT GEORGE GERSHWIN
7-28-12: From Polkas to Classics
8-4-12: Salute to Jerome Kern
8-11-12: SMALL TOWN U.S.A
8-25-12: Rhythm is Our Business

I'll keep you all posted on any updates to the schedule

The 2011-12 Welk season show schedule has arrived!

2010-11 Welk schedule on public television

Here's the listing of shows scheduled to air this season, all repeats that have been recycled from the 2009-10 season courtesy of our friends from OETA.

1. SALUTE TO THE USA - September 4, 2010
2. SALUTE TO SWING BANDS - September 11, 2010
3. DO YOU REMEMBER? - September 18, 2010
4. BIG CITY USA - September 25, 2010
5. SEASON PREMIERE '76 - October 2, 2010
6. HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS - October 9, 2010
7. FARM SHOW - October 16, 2010
8. SONGS OF PERRY COMO - October 23, 2010
9. HALLOWEEN PARTY - October 30, 2010
10. SONGS OF THE 70s - November 6, 2010
11. MOVIE SONGWRITERS - November 13, 2010

12. THANKSGIVING SPECIAL - November 20, 2010
13. MUSICAL MEMORIES - November 27, 2010
14. FRENCH SHOW - December 4, 2010
15. WINTER - December 11, 2010
16. CHRISTMAS REUNION '85 - December 18, 2010
17. TRIBUTE TO BING CROSBY - December 25, 2010
18. TRIBUTE TO WALT DISNEY - January 1, 2011
19. COUNTY FAIR - January 8, 2011
20. KEEP A SONG IN YOUR HEART - January 15, 2011
21. ALL TIME FAVORITES - January 22, 2011
22. TRIBUTE TO THE BIG BANDS - January 29, 2011
23. SALUTE TO VINCENT YOUMANS - February 5, 2011

24. LOVE SONGS - February 12, 2011
25. FASHIONS & HITS THROUGH THE YEARS - February 19, 2011
26. RHYTHM IS OUR BUSINESS - February 26, 2011
27. SONGS FROM THE CLASSICS - March 5, 2011
28. MUSICAL TOUR OF THE U.S.A - March 12, 2011
29. TRIBUTE TO JEROME KERN - March 19, 2011
30. 25th ANNIVERSARY - March 26, 2011
31. EASTER - April 2, 2011
32. SONGS OF JIMMY McHUGH - April 9, 2011
33. TOP SONGS FROM BROADWAY SHOWS - April 16, 2011
34. BIG BAND DAYS - April 23, 2011
35. GRAMMY AWARD SONGS - April 30, 2011

 
36. CALIFORNIA SHOW - May 7, 2011
37. GREAT ENTERTAINERS - May 14, 2011
38. CHILDHOOD MEMORIES - May 21, 2011
39. MUSIC OF IRVING BERLIN - May 28, 2011
40. OCCUPATIONS - June 4, 2011
41. CARNIVAL - June 11, 2011
42. FAMOUS RESORTS - June 18, 2011
43. STRIKE UP THE BAND - June 25, 2011
44. LIVE FROM HAWAII - July 2, 2011
45. FROM POLKAS TO CLASSICS - July 9, 2011
46. WE CAN MAKE MUSIC - July 16, 2011
47. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A HOMETOWN BAND - July 23, 2011

48. SONGS BY JOHNNY MERCER - July 30, 2011
49. PLEASANT DREAMS - August 6, 2011
50. CAN'T HELP SINGING - August 13, 2011
51. TOUR OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - August 20, 2011
52. COUNTRY & WESTERN - August 27, 2011

2010-11 Welk schedule on public television

It's the Lawrence Welk Holiday Special!

This particular special during public television's pledge drives has a real sentimental value and one of my personal favorites.

First aired in 1993 and 1994, the Champagne Music Makers salute Christmases of Welk Show past.

Starring Myron Floren

Jo Ann Castle

Norma Zimmer

Bobby Burgess

Mary Lou Metzger

Sandi Griffiths

Ken Delo

Ron Anderson and Gail Farrell

...and the head honcho from OETA, Bob Allen

The two hour extravaganza, three or perhaps more when including those pledge breaks, is a retrospective of all the Christmas shows produced and aired by the Welk Show during it's twenty-seven year run. Featured are some of the most memorable moments and popular yuletide numbers by the Musical Family.

Like the March of the Toy Soldiers....

...and Bobby's dancing to the Carol of the Bells, with either Cissy, Barbara or Elaine

They also flashback to all the Musical Family's own family members, who get their time to shine as well....

....like Bob Ralston's kids playing the piano

....and Henry Cuesta's daughter Marion playing the flute

And of course, everyone is gathered 'round the tree, the kids waiting for Santa to come with their presents

This special is family fun for everyone, maybe it will be shown again down the road during the holidays....

I know I'll be watching!

It's the Lawrence Welk Holiday Special!

OETA's 2009-2010 Welk Schedule - The Second Half

Great news everyone! Our friends from the Oklahoma Network has released the long-awaited second portion of this season's Lawrence Welk Show schedule for public television!

And yours truly is very excited about this...

First, the repeat episodes from years gone by....

#1227 - Songs From The Classics (3-6-10)

#1228 - Musical Tour of the USA (3-13-10)

#1231 - Easter (4-3-10)

#1232 - Songs of Jimmy McHugh (4-10-10)

#1236 - California (5-8-10)

#1239 - Music of Irving Berlin (5-29-10)

#1240 - Occupations (6-5-10)

#1241 - Carnival (6-12-10)

#1244 - Live from Hawaii (7-3-10)

#1246 - We Can Make Music (7-17-10)

#1248 - Songs by Johnny Mercer (7-31-10)

#1249 - Pleasant Dreams (8-7-10)

#1251 - Tour of Southern California (8-21-10)

 

And now, what we've been waiting for....the brand new shows!

#1229 - Tribute to Jerome Kern (3-20-10)
#1230 - 25th Anniversary show (3-27-10)
#1233 - Top Songs from Broadway Shows (4-17-10)
#1234 - Big Band Days (4-24-10)
#1235 - Grammy Award Songs (5-1-10)
#1237 - Great Entertainers (5-15-10)
#1238 - Childhood Memories (5-22-10)
#1242 - Famous Resorts (6-19-10)
#1243 - Strike Up The Band (6-26-10)
#1245 - From Polkas to Classics (7-10-10)
#1247 - Something about a Hometown Band (7-24-10)
#1250 - Can't Help Singing (8-14-10)
#1252 - Country & Western (8-28-10)

For more details, just go to OETA's Lawrence Welk section

OETA's 2009-2010 Welk Schedule - The Second Half

R.I.P - Musical Family News (1991-2009)

I got word from the Welknotes Yahoo group, OETA (The Oklahoma Network) which distributes the Lawrence Welk Show to public television has decided to put an end to the Musical Family newsletter.

Personally, I had fond memories of Musical Family News....it was 2001 after the airing of Milestones and Memories that I subscribed to the newsletter as part of my pledge to my local PBS station. I always looked forward to each quarterly issue, from those humble beginnings came about this webpage and this blog.

Even as my Champagne Web Empire continues to grow, I still faithfully read each new issue up until this year. At first, I thought it may have been a subscription glitch, or otherwise up until now.

Here's the official OETA press release

Notice: "Welk Musical Family News" Newsletter To be Phased Out Effective

October 1, 2009

It's with a great deal of sadness that we announce THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW MUSICAL FAMILY NEWS quarterly newsletter will be phased out during the next 12 months. Beginning October 1, 2009, no new or renewed subscriptions will be available. Current subscribers will continue to receive the paper until their subscription expires.   

 

This decision was not reached easily. However, this action has become necessary due to increased costs of production (paper, printing, postage, etc.) over the past four years and greatly decreased paid subscriptions during the same time period.

 

We want to express our deep appreciation to all the Welk Fans who have supported THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW MUSICAL FAMILY NEWS since it began in 1991.  We appreciate your understanding very much.

 

To help stay up-to-date with many of the MUSICAL FAMILY from THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW, may we suggest you visit the following web sites:

 

The Lawrence Welk Show:

www.oeta.tv/welk/index.html

         

Jo Ann Castle:

www.joanncastle.com            

           

The Lennon Sisters:

www.lennonsisters.com                   

Ralna English:

www.ralnaenglish.com

Guy Hovis:

www.guyhovismusic.com                

Tom Netherton:

www.tomnetherton.com

Ken Delo:

www.kendelo.com                            

Cissy King:

www.cissyking.com/                        

Tanya Welk:

www.tanyawelk.com/                       

Ava Barber:

www.avabarber.com/

Jim Turner:

www.jimturnersings.com                 

Bob Ralston:

www.bobralston.com

Arthur Duncan:

www.arthurduncanfanclub.com

Johnny Zell:

www.jazell.com/

Buddy Merrill:

www.buddymerrill.com/

Tim Padilla (Branson shows):

http://timpadilla.com/

 

Fan Club (maintained by fans):

http://welknotes.com/           

www.welkmusicalfamily.com (maintained by fans)

www.welkgirls.com (maintained by fans)

If you have any questions concerning THE LAWRENCE WELK MUSICAL FAMILY NEWS, please contact Traci Burnett at OETA at 1-800-879-6382.

R.I.P - Musical Family News (1991-2009)

The Welk Stars - Through The Years

I got my latest issue of Musical Family News yesterday, and the cover story featured is the upcoming new Welk special for public television.

This one, for the record is number 15...it is titled "THE WELK STARS - THROUGH THE YEARS".

Mary Lou Metzger will serve as your host, and it comes to you courtesy of Bob Allen, Bill Trash, Susan Dowdy and our friends from OETA.

From what I have read, the special will spotlight select members of the Musical Family through short bios, vintage pictures plus plenty of clips from the Welk show.

Here are the stars that will be featured....

ANACANI

BOBBY BURGESS

JO ANN CASTLE

HENRY CUESTA

DICK DALE

KEN DELO

ARTHUR DUNCAN

RALNA ENGLISH

JOE FEENEY

THE LENNON SISTERS (DIANNE, PEGGY, KATHY & JANET)

MARY LOU METZGER

TOM NETHERTON

BOB RALSTON

JIMMY ROBERTS

NORMA ZIMMER

It's scheduled to air on PBS stations (during pledge drives of course) in March 2009....I can't wait to see it!

The Welk Stars - Through The Years

Welk programming ideas of mine

The Oklahoma Network released it's Welk programming schedule for 2008-09, which is all repeats and that's par for the course....which is after a season of new shows-repeats is followed by a season of all repeats.

So far, I haven't heard of any pledge week specials on the table. But I do have some creative Welk programming ideas that OETA and many individual public television station might consider which could mean more viewers and those pledge dollars!

For those week-long pledge drives, I can envision an all day Welk marathon where for an entire day (or half a day) PBS can show episodes of the Lawrence Welk Show back-to-back-to-back....and so forth.

Or maybe, for a whole week....nothing but Welk (mini-marathon) in Prime Time!

This one can be for either pledge weeks or normal broadcasting day, broadcast select episodes of the Welk show (those not on the regular OETA Saturday Night rotation) on Late Night, go up against the Tonight Show and the Late Show....or sometime after midnight, which should be popular with the college kids!

Or if you want just simple Welk pledge specials...here's a few suggestions,

Champagne on Broadway, it would take place in Branson where a dozen Welk stars pay salute to the songs and tunes from the Broadway stage.

Champagne Polka Party, where the Musical Family celebrate the show's contributions to polka music, can be held at Branson, Wurstfest, or Hamler's Summerfest.

Maybe than can do a clip show, something on the lines of the Welk show's most memorable and popular musical numbers....kinda like TV Treasures Part Two: Electric Boogaloo.

That's just a few suggestions of mine, any other ideas out there?

Welk programming ideas of mine

Big Band Sounds.......more like We Can Make Music '73

This week takes us to the episode first aired September 8, 1973; OETA says "Big Band Sounds" but I call it "We Can Make Music".

I also have a feeling this show also aired as part of the "Memories With Lawrence Welk" syndication package from the 1980s as you can see the Maestro at the golf course.

The show opens with the gang singing, "We Can Make Music"....it's so good they play it again!

Turns out during the "Memories With..." era, repeating numbers to fill out air time was a common practice.....but let's move on, shall we?

The trio is featured here singing "Yellow Bird" one of the songs from a medley skit of Welk favorites such as "Moon River", "Winchester Cathedral", "Baby Elephant Walk " and "Calcutta".

Also, here's Johnny Zell swinging out on the trumpet to the theme from "Love Story".

Other great numbers include Tanya's "We Only Just Begun", Anacani with "Spanish Eyes", Henry Cuesta playing "Stardust" on the clarinet and Clay Hart with "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree".

As for the finale....Ralna English sings her signature song, "How Great Thou Art."

In the interview portion of the show, Mary Lou has Bill Trash on the hot seat.

Oh, if you're wondering who Billy is....he's works at OETA, directing the Welk shows and also serves as producer of their PBS specials as well. He also enjoyed a long career in Oklahoma television and brought the world Mary Hart, now the populat co-host of Entertainment Tonight who has her legs insured by Lloyd's Of London.

That's it for this week....keep a song in your heart!

Big Band Sounds.......more like We Can Make Music '73

All Time Favorites

This week, Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers bring you a show of "All Time Favorites" which first aired on March 27, 1982.

Here's the gang with the opening number, "Music, Music, Music".

The show consisted of favorite musical numbers of course....such as Arthur Duncan's "Doin' The New Lodown" and Guy & Ralna's "Can't Help Fallin' In Love".

There were several great instrumentals, such as a medley of songs from "Music Man" and this Dixieland number of "The Sheik of Araby".

And now we find Kathie Sullivan in the audience singing "My Bill" or in this case, "My INSERT NAME OF FELLA KATHIE'S SITTING ON LAP RIGHT NOW".

I know all the fellers liked that number for sure.

Also included in the show were "In The Mood" by Gail, Ron and Michael; "Release Me" by the country singers Ava Barber, Jim Turner, the Aldridges and Otwells not to mention "Cumana" by Bob Ralston; the Champagne Waltz danced by Bobby & Elaine and the closing number, "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Norma Zimmer and the musical family chorus.

A fine show from start to finish....filled with your all time favorites!

Mary Lou's guest this week in the hot seat is Jo Ann Young.

Some of you are thinkin' "Jo Ann WHO??"....for some you newer fans, Jo Ann Young works behind the scenes with the braintrust at OETA and Welk Syndication in putting together shows for all of public television.

And she's also produced and worked on all fourteen Welk specials for public TV.

Next week is another new one...I think...until then, keep a song in your heart!

All Time Favorites

OETA's Full 2007-08 schedule is out!

Great news, the Oklahoma Network has released the full list of Lawrence Welk Show episodes for the 2007-08 season!

It's got a lot of great interviews by Mary Lou, with the Aldridge Sisters, Otwell Twins, Rose Weiss, Rocky Rockwell, Charlotte Harris and Dee Dee Lennon just to name a few.

The episodes airing are diverse, and gonna be alot of fun to watch....mixed in well with repeats from years past.

The list can be found by CLICKING HERE AT OETA'S WELK SITE.

OETA's Full 2007-08 schedule is out!

Memories of Precious Memories

In my last post, I said that WGTE showed "Precious Memories" during it's pledge drive...so let's rekindle some precious memories from that special,

Here's the opening titles, inspired by "Family Feud"

Kathy, Janet and Mimi Lennon singing "Ava Maria"

Gail Farrell at the piano singing, "You Can Do Anything"

Joe Feeney and son Chris Feeney singing "Walk On"

And what inspiration Welk special would not be complete without Ralna English!

Now that brought back some....precious memories! That was too easy.

I did pledge my own moolah when it first aired back in the day, got the combo pack featuring the DVD, CD and the playing cards...they are very nice.

Especially the playing cards, great for solitare, poker or playing "Card Sharks."

Memories of Precious Memories