The episode that started it all, from July 2, 1955

It's always wunnerful, wunnerful to start a whole new season of Welk shows.

Here's Mary Lou Metzger welcoming viewers for the 25th season broadcasting on public television.

But what's this? Through the magic of television, it's now black & white and Mary Lou looks like she's in Ozzie & Harriet's living room!

There's a reason for this, episode one for 2011-12 is the national debut episode of the series which originally aired July 2, 1955 on ABC.

 
As you can tell, the Musical Family were just kids back then.....

.....like Jimmy Roberts

.....Rocky Rockwell

....Buddy Merrill

...and Dick Dale just to name a few.

Little did anyone realize that Saturday night in July was the start of something special. The combination of music, singing, talent and dancing would make the Lawrence Welk Show an enduring television institution.

As I write this blog entry, four of the Music Makers appearing in this week's landmark episode are still with us. Dick Dale, Bill Page, Rocky Rockwell and Buddy Merrill.

To view the complete songlist from this week's episode, just go to THE DODGE DANCING PARTY on my webpage for that and more!

In the meantime, until next week....Goodnight Ladies, Farewell Gentleman and hope you had a happy time!

The episode that started it all, from July 2, 1955

Today, UAW Local 12....Tomorrow, Broadway!

A commercial that runs two minutes and 43 seconds?

That's unheard of in today's television! But back in the late 1950s, it was the norm as seen from this Plymouth commerical featuring some of your favorite Welk Stars from the Silver Champagne Era.

And just to keep score, they are Dick Dale, Alice Lon, Larry Hooper, Big Tiny Little, Bob Lido and Rocky Rockwell.

Today, UAW Local 12....Tomorrow, Broadway!

Today, I feel like dancing

So let's get down to the Town & Country Polka from 1960.....

....with Rocky Rockwell

....and Janet Lennon.

 

Today, I feel like dancing

The Champagne Five - Christmas songs never sung on the show, but should have

It's now officially Christmas Week, and what better way to spread yuletide holly and joy than with a holiday edition of the Champagne Five!

This edition is my personal top five Christmas themed songs never sung on the Welk show, but I would have loved to heard members of the Musical Family cover.

So grab yourself some egg nog, sit under that mistletoe with that special someone and imagine these classics sung by the following....

  
1. MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING (The Carpenters) - Tanya Falan

2. SHAKE HANDS WITH SANTA CLAUS (Louis Prima) - Rocky Rockwell

3. HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS (Dolly Parton) - The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins

4. CHRISTMAS ISLAND (The Andrews Sisters) - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger

5. MERRY CHRISTMAS, I DON'T WANNA FIGHT TONIGHT (The Ramones) - Kathy Lennon and Steve Smith

Ah yes, that would be music to my ears.....

The Champagne Five - Christmas songs never sung on the show, but should have

Musical Family Hair of the Week

From 1957, it's Rocky Rockwell with his buzzcut

 

Musical Family Hair of the Week

Battle Of The Sexes - Sammy Kaye's "Daddy"

In the never ending battle between man and woman, we here at Welk Musical Family will try to resolve this contentious issue....with the help of a particular big band novelty song by Sammy Kaye.

You all know and love the song "Daddy (You Oughta Get The Best For Me)"

First, lets hear from the fellas (Curt Ramsey, Rocky Rockwell, Larry Dean, Aladdin & Bob Lido)

Next, we hear from the ladies (Tanya Falan, Andra Willis, Sandi Griffiths & Sally Flynn) as they serenade Larry Hooper

I hope that through music, we can be able to bridge the gender gap

Battle Of The Sexes - Sammy Kaye's "Daddy"

Having fun saluting the Big Bands

Another repeat show.....Salute to the Big Bands from 1960

Here's Larry Hooper as Kay Kyser and Rocky Rockwell as Ish Kabibble

Larry Dean singing "Got a Date With An Angel"

Jack Imel with his own salute to Spike Jones....

....and Peggy Lennon singing "Oh Johnny" like Wee Bonnie Baker

Someone should remind Aladdin that's not how you drink a glass of water

Having fun saluting the Big Bands

Musical Family Deep thoughts #2

Let's probe into the mind of the Musical Family to see what they are thinking!

 

Musical Family Deep thoughts #2

Watch your step!

Those bubbles have a way to make the floor pretty slick!

 

Watch your step!

Meet the Baileys

Here's Norm at the trumpet....

.....and he's joined by Rocky Rockwell

Here's is his daughter Janice.....

 ...and she's singing a song with Aladdin

 

Meet the Baileys

Indiana

It's hard to believe that the concert at Bear Creek is already just a week ago....

To salute the fine folks from the Hoosier State (where Bear Creek Farms is located), I bring you, courtesy of Chris and YouTube, the Welk Orchestra from an episode of The Plymouth Show (a.k.a Top Tunes and New Talent) in 1959 playing a champagne version of "Indiana" featuring George Thow, Norman Bailey, Art Depew and Rocky Rockwell on trumpet!

Indiana

Hump Day with Rocky Rockwell

It's officially the middle of the week....still need to make it to the weekend?

Perhaps Rocky Rockwell can help!

 

  

 

Hump Day with Rocky Rockwell

Rocky Rockwell in pictures

Today is Rocky Rockwell's birthday....

He can do it all, play the trumpet, trombone, sing and comedy!

Happy Birthday Rock!

Rocky Rockwell in pictures

Tribute to the Big Bands

This week, Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers go black & white and pay salute to the big names of the Big Band era. Originally aired back on October 8, 1960....this episode is a great way to introduce the youngsters to those big band sounds!

First, here's Larry Hooper as Kay Kyser giving his musical lesson of the day to Ish Kabibble (actually it's Rocky Rockwell).

Next up is Jack Imel, as Ted Lewis, singing "When My Baby Smiles At Me".

Here's Buddy Hayes doing his impression of Cab Calloway as he sings Cab's famous hit "Minnie The Moocher".

And here's the boys in the band playing "The Woodchoppers Ball" to wrap up the show this week!

Other fine numbers include Peggy Lennon with "Oh Johnny", Larry Dean with "Got A Date With An Angel", and many more salute to big band giants such as Paul Whiteman, Spike Jones, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Freddie Martin as well.

This was a great show, makes you feel like dancing!

Also, Rocky Rockwell was interviewed by Mary Lou this week, he talked about his first trumpet and playing in his first band, how he joined the Welk orchestra and a few great stories while on the road with the Music Makers.

See you all next week....and keep a song in your heart!

Tribute to the Big Bands

Photoshops....Welk Style

I tell you....photoshop technology is great, and if you're a Welk fan like I am....it gets even better.

Here's one of my creations, Rocky Rockwell is joined by Sandi and Sally for another wunnerful music number.

And the number? "I Love Girls" of course!

Photoshops....Welk Style

Pleasant Dreams

It was a another "new" Welk episode this week on PBS, and this one is what I call a "Silver Champagne Special". From 1958, in glorious black & white, this particular episode is titled "Pleasant Dreams".

Here's Lawrence welcoming viewers to your Dodge Dancing Party with the band's opening number "Cheek to Cheek".

Next is Champagne Lady Alice Lon with "I'm A Fool To Care".

Here's the Lennon Sisters with "Til' The End Of Time".

Dick Kesner leads the orchestra on his trusty Stradivarius violin with "He'll Be There".

Rocky Rockwell is shown doing KP duty with the number, "Genuine Original First Edition Copy Of A Sad Sack".

Other fine numbers include instrumentals such as "Jingle Jangle Jingle", "The Swan" and "Manhattan", Big Tiny Little's "Spaghetti Rag" and lending his vocals for "Caldonia". There was also Larry Hooper with "Mississippi Mud", The Sparklers with "In The Evening By The Moonlight" and Dick Dale with "One Dozen Roses".

A classic show with great musicians, great singers with great numbers....it's an example of why alot of Welk fans prefer the black & white shows.

And speaking of Tiny Little, he was in the hot seat this week talking about his childhood days and bits of his long and successful career in showbiz.

He still looks mighty good these days, and continues to play up a storm!

Until next week, take care and keep a song in your heart.

Pleasant Dreams

I make a pledge....to do a Rocky haiku

If you're one of the fortunate few that got a regular Welk show this week, you've enjoyed "Big Band Memories" from January 5, 1980 which was a real treat.

However, my station was in pledge mode....so we in the Toledo area got "Precious Memories" on WGTE......for the 98th zillionth time.

I don't mind, I have already seen and taped "Big Band Memories" so I'm not missing anything.

Today, however, is a reason for us Welk fans to celebrate....it's Rocky Rockwell's birthday and here's a haiku in honor of him.

His name is Rocky

Comic, singer and trumpist

and he loves girls too.

I make a pledge....to do a Rocky haiku