Lawrence Welk Memes!

Hope you all are having a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend so far.

I noticed in the internet pop culture that memes have been popular, especially using celebrities, politicians and pop culture icons like Willy Wonka have been popular.

So, I decided to make some of my own, using Lawrence Welk of course, because if I don't do it, someone else will.

 

Lawrence Welk Memes!

Salute to Cole Porter

Once again, it's time for another d'lighftul episode of the Lawrence Welk Show and featured last Saturday was a musical salute to the works of Cole Porter.

So without delay, let's go to the d'lovely highlights!

 Tanya rubs a fella's head for good luck.....

Upon noticing her ring, Bobby Burgess realizes that Cissy King went to Jared....

.....and Clay Hart gets fenced in.


SALUTE TO COLE PORTER - October 27, 1973

1. WUNDERBAR - Anacani, Joe, Norma, Jimmy, Mary Lou, Ken, Gail, Clay,Bobby & Cissy (also dancing)
2. TRUE LOVE - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
3. NIGHT AND DAY – the orchestra
4. THE CONTINENTIAL - danced by Bobby Burgess & Cissy King
5.YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME - Tanya Falan

 

6. BEGIN THE BEGUINE -Henry Cuesta on clarinet with orchestra
7. IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT - Norma Zimmer
8. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS - danced by Arthur Duncan
9. I LOVE YOU - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the piano
10. I LOVE PARIS - Sandi Griffiths with Tanya, Anacani, Norma, Ralna, Gail, Mary Lou

 

11. I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU - orchestra
12. YOU'D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO - Ken Delo
13. IT'S D'LOVELY - Myron Floren on accordion with Norma, Ralna, Anacani, Mary Lou, Sandi, Gail, Tanya, Cissy
14. ANYTHING GOES - Bob Ralston and Larry Hooper at the piano

15. MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY - Anacani & Tanya Falan
16. EASY TO LOVE – the orchestra
17. ROSALIE - Jimmy Roberts with the saxophone section
18. DON'T FENCE ME IN - Clay Hart with Ralna, Anacani, Gail, Cissy, Sandi, Norma, Mary Lou, Tanya, Joe, Ken, Guy, Bobby, Arthur, Larry

A d'lecteable episode if I must say so. And Myron Floren looks like he's having lots of fun!

If you may have noticed during the show, there's a new guy in the band. To the right of Charlie Parlato is Laroon Holt, sporting a mustache! He would go on to be a mainstay of the orchestra for the next nine years with his talents playing the trumpet.

So, until next time, keep a song in your heart and don't get fenced in!

Salute to Cole Porter

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

Sights and Sounds of Los Angeles '79

Back in the 80s, Randy Newman said "I Love L.A." in song, but as we all know, the Champagne Music Makers did one better.....

They did a whole show about L.A. and here are some of the highlights!

Guy Hovis reign as Sheriff of Dodge City is clean, as you can tell by his clothes....

Bobby teaches Barbara how to fly.....

and the Good Ship Lollipop set sail that day for a three hour tour....

....a three hour tour.


SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF L.A. - March 31, 1979

1. CALIFORNIA, HERE I COME - Sherry, Sheila, Ralna, Gail, Mary Lou, Kathie, Guy, Jimmy, Ken, Larry, Joe 

2. ERES TU - Anacani
3. LAZY RIVER - the orchestra
4. CALIFORNIA DREAMING - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
5. L.A. IS - danced by Bobby Burgess & Barbara Boylan

6. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with orchestra
7. TIGER BY THE TAIL - Ava Barber with Bob Smale at the piano
8. HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD - danced by Arthur Duncan
9. RHINESTONE COWBOY - Guy Hovis
10. IT'S A SMALL WORLD - Myron Floren on accordion, danced by Lawrence & Mary Lou

11. THE NUTCRACKER SUITE - orchestra, danced by Lawrence & Mary Lou
12. HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN? - Kathie Sullivan
13. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - Jimmy Roberts with Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger
14. IF THEY COULD SEE ME NOW - Ken Delo
15. BE YOURSELF - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger, Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess, Barbara Boylan

16. MOON LOVE - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ and Ernie Earhardt on cello
17. IN CALIFORNIA - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge with Roger and David Otwell (also on guitar)
18. RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET - Norma Zimmer
19. RUNNIN' WILD - Bob Lido (also on fiddle) with the Hotsy Totsy Boys with Bob Havens on trombone, Russ Klein on piccolo sax, Charlie Parlato on trumpet, Neil Levang on banjo, Richard Maloof on tuba and Jack Imel on drums and musical spoons

Another fine episode, and a tribute show that the residents of L.A. would be proud of....

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and avoid those traffic jams on the 405 freeway!

 

Sights and Sounds of Los Angeles '79

April Showers '67

Hope your spring is in bloom, and just like the flowers in the garden, the Musical Family is in bloom with this Springtime episode from '67.

And here are the highlights.....

The Lennon Sisters sing the praises of DDT.....

Barbara and Bobby play Bavarian Pattycake....

......and Larry Hooper listens to Howard Stern on the radio.

APRIL SHOWERS - April 15, 1967

1. APRIL SHOWERS - Kathy, Steve, Natalie, Jimmy, Barbara, Bobby, Dee Dee, Jack with Bob Havens on trombone, Mahlon Clark on clarinet and Dick Cathcart on trumpet
2. WISH ME A RAINBOW - the orchestra with Frank Scott on harpsichord, Bob Ralston on the calvietta and Orie Amodeo on flute
3. LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
4. STORMY WEATHER - Bob Ralston at the piano
5. CHERRY BLOSSOM LANE - Janet, Dee Dee, Kathy and Peggy Lennon

   
6. SINGING IN THE RAIN - sung and danced by Bobby Burgess, Arthur Duncan and Jack Imel
7. APRIL LOVE - Steve Smith
8. APRIL IN PORTUGAL - the orchestra
9. LOOK TO THE RAINBOW - Natalie Nevins
10. THE SHOE PLODDLER - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan with Myron Floren on the concertina

11. A GARDEN IN THE RAIN - Joe Feeney
12. YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano with Buddy Merrill at guitar and Neil Levang at banjo
13. SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - Norma Zimmer
14. RAIN - tap danced by Arthur Duncan

15. IT'S A LOVELY DAY (TO BE CAUGHT IN THE RAIN) - Kathy Lennon and Steve Smith
16. RHYTHM IN THE RAIN - Frank Scott at the piano
17. IT AIN'T GONNA RAIN NO MORE - Larry Hooper
18. INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL - Dick Dale
19. IN THE GARDEN - Norma Zimmer with backing chorus of Charlie Parlato, Dick Cathcart, Curt Ramsey and Steve Smith

  
Each and every one of the numbers featured on the show was terrific, but there is one thing I question....

Why would Kathy Lennon and Steve Smith go cycling in the rain? Especially without wearing protective rain gear?

At least one can say these two know how to take risks in life.

Hope your spring so far has plenty of sunshine, even if you do have some rain and until next time, keep a song in your heart and don't step into any mud puddles.

April Showers '67

Easter Parade '79

Greetings everyone, hope you all had a pleasant Easter weekend!

As you can guess, the subject of last Saturday's Welk episode was Easter so put on your grey bonnet and lets go to the highlights!

Barbara Boylan pretends she's the Columbia Pictures logo.....

Neil Levang plays the guitar.....

.....and the Trio are playing with flowers.

EASTER PARADE - April 14, 1979

1. EASTER PARADE - Gail, Joe, Norma, Jimmy, Guy, Ralna, Sherry, Roger, Sheila, David, Mary Lou, Ken, Kathie, Larry, Anacani, Curt
2. ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - the orchestra
3. HE TOUCHED ME - Tom Netherton
4. DO LORD - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge with Roger and David Otwell
5. THE LORD'S COURT - Myron Floren on accordion with orchestra

6. GIMMIE THAT OLD TIME RELIGION - Guy Hovis & Ralna English with Curt, Kathie, Ken, Mary Lou, Jimmy, Gail, Joe, Sherry

7. I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING - Anacani
8. A PRETTY GIRL IS LIKE A MELODY - danced by Bobby Burgess & Barbara Boylan
9. SPRING IS HERE - Kathie Sullivan
10. LOVE LIFTED ME - Henry Cuesta on clarinet with orchestra

11. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" - the orchestra
12. SUNRISE, SUNSET - Joe Feeney
13. THE OLD RUGGED CROSS - Norma Zimmer
14. THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S - the orchestra
15. TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger

16. SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS - Bob Ralston at the piano
17. APRIL SHOWERS - Jimmy Roberts with Bob Smale at the piano
18. ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET - Ken Delo
19. PUT ON YOUR OLD GREY BONNET - danced by Arthur Duncan
20. MEDLEY OF HYMNS - entire cast with Bob Ralston at the organ and conducted by Bob Ballard

I really enjoyed the show, especially Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou's number. You can tell that the girls were really into it.

One thing about the wardrobe in the opening number "Easter Parade", I doubt that anyone dresses like that anymore, even in the 1970s.

Regardless of how anyone dresses, the spirit of Easter remains the same and that consists of family, friends, tradition and religion. I hope that never changes.

In the meantime, keep a song in your heart and don't get a tummy ache from biting the head off that chocolate bunny! 

Easter Parade '79