My Blue Heaven

The past few weeks since my trip to Lancaster have been a whirlwind, and there has been two new episodes that have been aired during that time. So I apologize if I haven't provided listings for them.

Today, here's the first one, My Blue Heaven from 1964, which aired during the weekend of June 16 to the 17th.

Highlights from the episode include......

......Dick Dale sitting under the apple tree.

......Janet Lennon having her cake and eating it too.

.....and Arthur Duncan running up the stairs.


MY BLUE HEAVEN - June 13, 1964

1. MY BLUE HEAVEN - featuring Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren on the accordion with the orchestra
2. I WON'T DANCE/CHEEK TO CHEEK - sung and danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
3. MORE - Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet Lennon
4. JOSEPHINE - the orchestra
5. GALWAY BAY - Joe Feeney

  
6. HELLO DOLLY - Jo Ann Castle at the ragtime piano
7. I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO - Jimmy Roberts
8. CINDY - Dick Dale with the Lennon Sisters
9. SUNRISE SERENADE - Bob Ralston at the piano
10. DOIN' THE NEW LOW DOWN - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan

11. DOES YOUR HEART BEAT FOR ME? - orchestra featuring Pete Lofthouse on trombone
12. ONE FINE DAY - Norma Zimmer
13. TIK-A-TEE, TIK-A-TAY - Myron Floren and Jo Ann Castle on accordion, with Janet Lennon on coconuts
14. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Janet's 18th birthday) - the orchestra and the entire cast
15. OH HAPPY DAY - Larry Hooper

16. HE - The Lennon Sisters
17. DON'T LET THE STARS GET IN YOUR EYES - Jimmy Wakely with Buddy Merrill on guitar and Bobby Bruce on violin
18. FLAG OF THE FREE - recited by Aladdin
19. YOU'RE A GRAND OLD FLAG - Janet, Dick, Kathy, Larry, Norma, Jimmy, Peggy, Arthur, Barbara and Bobby
20. THE PRESIDENT KENNEDY MARCH - the orchestra

I always enjoyed watching the old black and white episodes, gives me a chance to see some the musicians from that era in action. This week it was guys like Jimmy Wakely singing his version of "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" with Buddy Merrill at guitar and the talented Bobby Bruce at the violin.

Also, Pete Lofthouse got shine with his trombone solo. But what was more fascinating is that afterwards, a fella from the audience also did his trombone solo, without the actual instrument!

You never know where you can find talent.

Sometime this week, I should have the listings up for 1972's Salute to Harry Warren so watch out for that.

In the meantime, keep a song in your heart and stay cool from this summer heat!

My Blue Heaven

Mother's Day '56

Hope everyone had a pleasant Mother's Day weekend, the featured Lawrence Welk episode is a classic Silver Champagne Special from 1956!

Here are some of the highlights!

Aladdin goes to his secret stash.....

Alice Lon is shocked.....

......and Rocky Rockwell lives the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

MOTHER'S DAY SHOW - May 12, 1956

1. I WANT A GIRL (JUST LIKE THE GIRL THAT MARRIED DEAR OLD DAD) - the orchestra
2. I GOT LOST IN HIS ARMS - Alice Lon
3. MELODY IN F (WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME) - the orchestra
4. PAL OF MY CRADLE DAYS - Jimmy Roberts
5. SATURDAY NIGHT WALTZ - Myron Floren on accordion

6. BLUE SUEDE SHOES - Buddy Merrill on guitar
7. KENTUCKY BABE - Kathy, Dee Dee, Peggy and Janet Lennon
8. MORITAT (MACK THE KNIFE) - Jerry Burke and Larry Hooper on piano
9. MY GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK - Larry Hooper
10. BALLIN' THE JACK - the orchestra

11. CHIHUAHUA POLKA - orchestra danced by Lawrence and Alice Lon
12. CAN YOU FIND IT IN YOUR HEART - Larry Dean
13. MEDLEY: BYE BYE BLACKBIRD/BILL BAILEY/I'M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER - Big Tiny Little on honky tonk piano
14. SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS - Aladdin with the Lennon Sisters
15. ROCK ISLAND LINE - Bob Lido

16. WHEN YOUR HAIR TURNED TO SILVER - Dick Kesner, Bob Lido and Aladdin on violin
17. I'VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING - guest Donna Bailey with husband Norman Bailey on trumpet
18. MEDLEY: THAT WONDERFUL MOTHER OF MINE/LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART - Lawrence Welk at the organ
19. THE BIRDS AND THE BEES - Alice Lon with Buddy Hayes
20. WHEN I TAKE MY SUGAR TO TEA - Rocky Rockwell with comedy assist by Curt Ramsey
21. CHICAGO - the orchestra

Those classic black & white episodes are always a delight to watch, especially when the musicians in the band have a chance to exhibit their individual talents.

Like Buddy Hayes, who played tuba and bass in the band, gets to sing here with Champagne Lady Alice Lon.

Also, the family members of the Music Makers get to take part, like when trumpet player Norman Bailey had his wife Donna join him in the song, "I Got The World On A String."

There is plenty of talent here going on, and it seems an injustice that only a hour can be allotted for it to be showcased.

 
So until next time, Goodnight Ladies, Farewell Gentlemen and don't forget to keep a song in your heart!

Mother's Day '56

The Panhandle Rag

For your listening pleasure, here's Buddy Merrill on his trusted Fender Stratocaster playing the Panhandle Rag with great backing as always from the orchestra!

 

The Panhandle Rag

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

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

Buddy's Boogie

Straight from the Silver Champagne Era, here's Buddy Merrill on his Fender Stratocaster playing the ever-popular "Buddy's Boogie".

 

Buddy's Boogie

Mairzy Doats and Other Delights

From 1957, the Silver Champagne Era, here's a cute novelty tune title Mairzy Doats.

Featuring Jack Martin....

....and Janet Lennon!

 

Mairzy Doats and Other Delights

The Merry Christmas Tree

From the 1958 Christmas episode, here's Janet Lennon with Cubby O' Brien and Brian Siebman joined by the Maestro's Junior Band singing "The Merry Christmas Tree"

 

The Merry Christmas Tree

There's a two drink minimum at this place

Let's see who's hanging out at this club....

Aladdin, your master of ceremonies....

Here, Aladdin sings with his best friend Bob Lido.....

....and here is this week's guest Champagne Lady Joan Emard in a duet with Maurice Pearson

So if you have nothing else to do, come to the cabaret!

There's a two drink minimum at this place

Bandstand of the Week

From the very first national broadcast on July 2, 1955

 

Bandstand of the Week

Buddy walks the line

We're officially in the middle of the week now....and to help you walk the straight and narrow to the weekend, here's Buddy Merrill with his version of Johnny Cash's hit song "I Walk The Line"

 

Buddy walks the line

We're going to the Aragon, we're going to the Aragon....

Let's head on over to Ocean Park and see what's happening....

Why it's Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music makers!

And the Lennon Sisters are there as well.

Is it Saturday Night yet?

We're going to the Aragon, we're going to the Aragon....

See You Later Alligator

This Silver Champagne Special is a Zoot Suit Riot!

From 1956, here's Bob Lido

Aladdin

and Jack Martin

....together singing "See You Later Alligator"

See You Later Alligator