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!

No Welk this week in Toledo

Both the Northwest Ohio PBS stations were in mini-pledge mode....

Luckily, the would-be scheduled show is Occupations from 1969 which I already have on tape.....

It's a reminder about the uncertainly of the future of public broadcasting, so hopefully you'll do your part with your support, I know I have.

No Welk this week in Toledo

A few questions I like to ask

It's for those especially who are critical of public broadcasting and those who want to defund it.

After spending time in the library doing research, here's the questions I like to ask all you critics out there....

What is your beef with public broadcasting?

If it's about cutting government spending, why is it OK for you guys to spend trillions on defense, oil subsidies and tax breaks for the wealthy, but you want to defund NPR & PBS whose annual federal funding for public broadcasting is only $1.35 per American taxpayer?

Eighty percent of Americans polled said that federal money for public broadcasting is money well spent, so why do you have a problem with that?

And I know some of you critics out there watch and enjoy the Lawrence Welk Show like the rest of us. If you cut off the purse strings for public television, where you going to go if you want to watch the Welk show? 

Don't hold your breath and expect commercial television to pick up the torch, especially since many of the different channels out there would rather air "original programming" which is another word for "dirt cheap reality shows".

And another thing, public broadcasting provides educational, informative, intelligent and cultural programming seldom found on commercial television. Do you have a problem with the populace being educated, informed, intelligent and enlightened?

For me, this is all nothing but partisan grandstanding by those who roam the Halls of Congress. It's nothing more than trying to score points for a political ideology without regards for the consequences on the populace as a whole.

And I don't like it one bit.

Please visit 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting to learn more and what you can do.

A few questions I like to ask

I'm one of 170 million Americans, are you?

These are indeed tough times for all, and an old friend needs your help.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives voted to eliminate funding for public broadcasting which means the future of PBS and NPR is very uncertain.

Actually, it's more than uncertain, not only the very existence of PBS and their member stations is threatened, but for us Welk fans, it could mean no more Lawrence Welk Show every Saturday night.

Like I said, I know these are times to tighten the belt and sacrifices have to be made, but public broadcasting is NOT one of them.

You are the public in public broadcasting, and you can make a difference!

Like your fellow blogmaster, become one of 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting.

There is still a shimmer of hope, the Senate has not voted on the cuts yet. Contact your U.S. Senator (phone, letter, email) and tell him or her that you support public broadcasting and it ought not to be defunded.

Visit their webpage at 170 Million Americans.org and they can help you out!

And even if your station doesn't carry Lawrence Welk, please consider supporting public broadcasting anyway. The benefits and goodwill outweighs the costs, and you won't be disappointed.

I'm one of 170 million Americans, are you?