Kathie Sullivan asks, "Why do I love you?"

From 1980, here's Kathie from the Love Songs episode as she sings "Why Do I Love You?"

.....with Joe Livoti leading the string section

 

Kathie Sullivan asks, "Why do I love you?"

Bobby Bruce

I swear all that man does is fiddle around....

Here's Bobby from 1964 with Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang playing a medley of foot stompin' fiddling tunes with Leather Britches, Arkansas Traveler and Devil's Dream
 

Bobby Bruce

Monday Morning Violinist Roll Call

Bob Lido

Joe Livoti

Harry Hyams

Monday Morning Violinist Roll Call

Dick Kesner

Looking at some of the fine violinists in the band, long time fans would surely remember Dick Kesner and his companion, the Stradivarius violin.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa on October 26, 1912; he attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago followed by three years with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Dick served the US Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater, where he organized his own combo of musicians to entertain the troops. After the war, he played with Freddie Martin's band and with the ABC music staff in San Francisco before he joined the Music Makers in 1953 as first violin chair.

During his time with the Welk Orchestra until 1960, he was one of the more popular members of the Maestro's television show thanks to his beautiful violin solos, played with his trademark Stradivarius. He also recorded several solo albums on the Brunswick and Coral labels.

Dick was killed in a auto accident in Texas on January 8, 1962.

Anyone who wants to learn violin, or perform on a grand scale of excellence, just watch some of the old black & white Welk shows where Dick Kesner performs in the solo spot!

Dick Kesner

Joe Livoti

Today, we look at the talented violin concertmaster of the Welk show, Joe Livoti.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on September 24, 1912; he first took up playing the violin after attending a musical recital with his parents where he heard the legendary violinst Mischa Elman perform. At the age of twelve, his talents earned him a scholarship to study at the Boston Conservatory of Music.

Later, Joe went out to Hollywood, where he worked as first violinist for the NBC orchestra, and later with the Warner Brothers staff orchestra. He also worked with notable musical directors such as Gordon Jenkins and singers such as Frank Sinatra.

He joined Lawrence Welk and his music makers in 1962, and as first violinst there....his skills and fame as a concertmaster grew....especially when it came to those great instrumental medleys conducted by George Cates.

One of his more popular numbers is "Wild Dog", in which he performed along with Neil Levang at guitar....a great blend of country and classic blending together.

Joe and his wife Erma, were the parents of two kids....one of them, daughter Sylvia guested many times on the show in the early 1960s as a singer.

He passed away in 1998, but his legacy lives on with the Welk Show. There's a new generation of musicians who want to play the violin so beautifully, look no further than the recordings made by Joe Livoti!

Joe Livoti