Picture of the day (7-11-07)

Find yourself in a foriegn land that speaks another language?

This is Sandi & Sally's dilemma visiting France, from 1971....here's our cute tourists getting help by-the-book from Parisian copper Ken Delo!

Picture of the day (7-11-07)

Random Blather from the Blogmeister

Oh Brother....it's gonna be hot here today, and that's the way I like it

It looks like a perfect day for me to go swimming, as long as rain clouds don't develop or I get interrputed by the evil forces of real life!

And furthermore, it's only 55 more days until UT football's home opener....Go Rockets!

Also, today is music maker Don Staples' birthday....he's played one mean trombone for Mister Welk from 1965 to 1982.

Happy Birthday Don! The sound of his music is never a drag.....ha ha, little trombone joke here, I just could not resist.

Random Blather from the Blogmeister

Salute to Swing and Sweet Bands

This week's super Welk episode is a salute to Swing and Sweet Bands which originally aired on December 13, 1980....here are some fun highlights!

The Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins with their rendition of the Andrews Sisters' "Dont Sit Under The Apple Tree."

Here's George Cates conducting the singers and bands for one of those big band production numbers...

Don't the ladies look so pretty in pink.....and the men too?

With his trusty PAN accordian, Myron Floren along with Bob Ralston at the Hammond organ play a little "Sunrise Serenade."

And here's the trio of Ron, Gail and Michael with a little bit of "In The Mood."

Next week's episode, it's Music Music Music from 1958....a classic black & white episode from the 1950s!

And speaking of that, the new weekly poll is up....don't forget to vote!

Salute to Swing and Sweet Bands

George Cates

And now, let's meet Lawrence Welk's talented musical supervisor George Cates!

Born and raised in New York City, George first joined the Champagne Music Makers in 1951 as his musical supervisor after working with the comedy team of Olsen and Johnson in the musical revue Hellzapoppin and working as both an arranger and saxophone player for several bands.

Before 1973, he was seldom seen on camera...working behind the scenes on the band's musicial numbers and recordings as well. That all changed that same year when the Maestro encouraged George to conduct the orchestra on camera, where viewers got to know him....and love him for his personality and wunnerful musical arrangements.

Did you know that the show's theme song "Champagne Time" was written and arranged by George?

He passed on in May 2002, at the ripe old age of 90....but his life was filled with so much music and happiness!

George Cates

Goin' Outta Tanya's Head

Enjoyed your Fourth of July Wednesday? Here's a nice and smooth number to bring things down, Tanya Falan from 1969 singing "Going Outta My Head" that was originally a big hit for Little Anthony and the Imperials.

Goin' Outta Tanya's Head

Picture of the day (7-4-07)

It's a red, white and blue celebration of star spangled proportions as the US of A celebrates it's 231st birthday today!

Here's the musical family from the always-popular 1970 episode "Thank You America" where they stand together and sing their thanks to the land of the free and home of the brave!

I'll be celebrating with a nice cookout of burgers and brats, fireworks and watching Mud Hens baseball downtown.....now that's America to me!

Picture of the day (7-4-07)

Pete Fountain

Here's another fine music maker from a roster of fine music makers, clarinet man Pete Fountain who jazzed things up on the Welk Show from 1957 to 1959!

And it's also his birthday today......Happy Birthday Pete!

Here's a nice shot of him alongside Russ Klein at the sax for a Dixieland number,

And here he is from the Milestones and Memories reunion special....

The New Orleans native is a local institution just like jazz, gumbo, the French Quarter and the Superdome....he continues to play with several bands and is a fixture during Mardi Gras weekend as a member of the Half Fast Walking Club.

And it all began fifty years ago when the Maestro hired him onto the show...

Pete Fountain

The King of Keyboards.....Bob Ralston

It's another music maker's birthday today.....and this time it happens to be super pianist/organist Bob Ralston!

As a member of the Welk orchestra since 1963, Bob is one of the world's finest keyboardists. His solo instrumentals and his duets with cellist Charlotte Harris have been very popular staples on the show.

And on many occasions, he's teamed up with fellow pianist Bob Smale for several duets, many times on the same keyboard!

When longtime organist Jerry Burke died in 1965, the Maestro looked for someone to fill his shoes....Bob suggested he could, Lawrence agreed and of course....the rest is musical history!

You can check out the latest in concert appearances and other news at his official webpage....and have a chance to work his magic fingers live in concert.

Happy Birthday Bob!

The King of Keyboards.....Bob Ralston

Indiana....or as the title says

This week's episode, according to OETA, is titled "Indiana" which I've seen many times before. Here's the opening number that inspired the name of the opening title, "Back Home Again In Indiana" complete with a mini-tribute to the Indianapolis 500.

That would be the only Indiana reference in the show....everything else is just a mish mash of random musical numbers.

Such as the Lennon Sisters' "There's A Kind Of Hush."

And here's the Maestro with the Cherry Queen of Michigan, ready for some dancing to some of that Champagne Music!

And here's Bob Lido with "Mame", they say he's the David Lee Roth of his generation and it's true....

And of course, Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer hosted the wraparpounds,

Next week is a tribute to the Swing and Sweet Bands with Ava Barber....and I do believe that the new season will start in about two months from now!

Also, over to your right....I added polling to my blog, check it out!

Indiana....or as the title says

Clay Hart's birthday

Today marks the first day of July, and it is also Clay Hart's birthday today!

The show's resident "country boy" hails from Providence, Rhode Island and orginally wanted to be a stockbroker "Clay the Stockbroker?" but soon discovered that picking up a guitar and singing was a lot more fun.

Good move....he's been a member of the musical family from 1969 to 1975, and has enjoyed a successful singing career in his own right. He's also at one time was nominated for a Grammy for his country album "Spring".

Happy Birthday Clay.....my today and your following birthdays always be "Gentle On Your Mind."

Clay Hart's birthday

Frank Scott

Today, let's salute another fine and talented music maker from the Maestro's orchestra....it's fellow North Dakotan Frank Scott!

Born and raised in Fargo, Frank honed his musical talents both on the road with bands and at radio station WDAY until 1956 when he joined Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers.

His talents at the keyboard are impeccable, a master at both the piano and the harpischord....plus his work as an arranger is why the orchestra's sound has that funky, swinging beat of the sixties.

Over his career, he has done over 7,000 arrangements in all. Even though he passed on in 1995, his work lives on today in both reruns on television and the recordings from both the Coral, Dot and Ranwood labels.

Whenever you hear that nice harpischord sound in a musical number, think of Frank.

Frank Scott

Ava Barber's birthday

Today happens to be Country Gal Ava Barber's birthday, always an occasion for Welk fans everywhere to celebrate!

The native of Knoxville, TN has been singing since she was little...and it has taken her through stints at radio station WNOX, the Lawrence Welk Show and appearances on The Nashville Network just to name a few...

...and like the Aldridge Sisters, Ava has guest starred on Hee Haw!

She and husband Roger Sullivan has been married since 1972, and when not performing...run the Steamboats sandwich shop in Knoxville.

Check out her official webpage at AVA BARBER.COM

And she also has her very own MySpace webpage as well!

Ava Barber's birthday

Picture of the day (6-27-07)

Here on the rooftops of wartime London, here's Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston out on patrol, singing "The White Cliffs Of Dover"

Picture of the day (6-27-07)

Let Them Eat Cake.....

From the "County Fair" show from 1971, here's judge Ken Delo in charge of the fair's baking contest!

Gail Farrell is Contestant Number One with her baked entry...

followed by Sally Flynn with some of her baked goods....

and here's Sandi Griffiths with her banana cream pie....

not to be outdone by Ralna English and her strawberry shortcake...

....and finally here's Tanya Falan with a hot and spicy pizza pie!

And the winner is....Tanya!

But it looks like the judge's decision is not a popular one.....

Ken should have known that this job was going to be a messy one!

Let Them Eat Cake.....

Famous Musical Families

This week's episode shown in many of public TV markets was, "Famous Musical Families"....here are some highlights!

Cissy & Bobby here with a demonstration of the English Quick Step,

The duo of Gail and Dale with their rendition of "Something Stupid" which was first made famous by Frank and Nancy Sinatra,

And how about a little "Cab Driver" first sung by the Mills Brothers but sung here by Charlie Parlato, Bob Lido, Larry Hooper and Kenny Trimble

And here's Anacani with her mother, joining the Maestro for a sing-a-long to "Solmente Una Vez."

A wunnerful show indeed....perfect for the whole family, whether they are musical or not.

Famous Musical Families

Bob Davis

Let's meet another fine Champagne Music Maker today, from the reeds and woodwinds section it's Bob Davis!

The native son of Brawley, California first joined the Welk orchestra in 1965 when longtime favorite Bill Page left. Bob, whose previous experience included stints with the Les Brown band, soon fit right in with that Champagne sound.

Over a span of seventeen years, Davis played both the flute, saxophone, piccolo and clarinet. He also dated Sally Flynn during the early 1970s and later on was married to Sherry Aldridge of the Aldridge Sisters.

After making his home in Nashville for a while with his own band, "Bob Davis and his Prime Time Orchestra", he now makes his home in Fort Pierce, Florida where he's still making music....he and his band performs at venues in the area.

Bob Davis

Let's Go Camping!

I'll be Oscar Wilde, you'll be Noel Coward.....insert rimshot sound.

Seriously folks, from 1963 here's a nice YouTube gem with Bob Lido as the scoutmaster and Aladdin as a Boy Scout on a camping trip singing "Put On A Happy Face" no matter what goes wrong!

Let's Go Camping!

Picture of the day (6-20-07)

From the glorious black & white era, here's the King of All Banjo Players and frequent Welk show guest star Eddie Peabody from this 1962 Salute To Mardi Gras episode!

Here are some fun facts about Eddie; he was behind the development of the four-string banjo known as the Vegavox and the Banjoline, a type of electric guitar that resembles the banjo and the mandolin.

And during his career, Eddie, in addition to the Maestro, has played for the world's crown heads of states and presidents....now that's quite an accomplishment!

Picture of the day (6-20-07)

Ralna's Birthday

Today is that time of year again, it's champagne music maker Ralna English's birthday!

As you know, she and Guy are on the Love Boat Birthday Cruise to Alaska....nothing like spending your birthday at sea. Still, it has to be very fun being able to celebrate in this exciting manner!

Happy Birthday Ralna.....from this point on, it's smoooooth sailing

Ralna's Birthday

Gilligan's Island role play....Champagne style

In honor of Ralna English's birthday "three hour tour", I thought this blog will do some role playing....with members of the Musical Family playing each of the characters from the classic TV show "Gilligan's Island!"

Admit it....you have watched the show at least once in your lifetime,

Now here's the $64,000 question, who would play who?

Based on personality among other things, as well as looks....here's how I would cast the music makers if a musical skit involved the seven castaways.

Jack Imel would be Gilligan.....would give Bob Denver a run for his money,

Ken Delo would be the Skipper, betcha Alan Hale Jr would like that,

Dick Dale would play Thurston Howell the Third....Jim Backus would smile with this choice,

Jo Ann Castle would be Mrs. Howell, nice way to honor Natalie Schafer

Tanya Falan would be Ginger....complete with a red Tina Louise wig

Bobby Burgess as the Professor, wonder if Russell Johnson can dance?

and finally Mary Lou Metzger would play, of course, Mary Ann.....has a little Dawn Wells in her

Now maybe if they can make a radio out of coconuts, they can carve a boat from a palm tree.....or they will just make a bubble machine from bamboo sticks

Gilligan's Island role play....Champagne style

Say Howdy To Gopher, Doc and Captain Stubing for me....

As you may know, some of our Welk stars are going on a cruise....

No, they're not gonna rerun the Caribbean Cruise show from 1980 nor a long lost episode of the Love Boat has surfaced with either the Lennon Sisters or the Maestro appears as a guest star.

Today is the first day of the week long...Guy & Ralna Cruise to Alaska on the Princess Cruise Lines, which for many G&R fans are looking forward to!

Just in case, I'm not going.....don't have the money among other things, but it does sound like fun!

Somehow, whenever I think of it....I find myself humming to the theme song to Gilligan's Island.

I wonder if the captain of the ship looks anything like The Skipper?

Say Howdy To Gopher, Doc and Captain Stubing for me....

Lets Go To The Fair!

From 1967, this week's show is a trip to the carnival, here are some highlights....

Aladdin as the sword swallower....he performs his own tracheometry!

And here's the lovely Lennon Sisters singing "Something Stupid".....

Natalie Nevins is having a good time at the fair, you would smile too if you have cotton candy to eat!

And here's Jo Ann Castle tickling the ivories....and no this piano, from all appearances, is not filled with helium!

Hope you guys had fun at the fair....summer is now swinging into high

Lets Go To The Fair!