Friday, July 16, 2010

Que Sera Sera

Whatever will be, will be....

It's a very good attitude about life and what's ahead.


And it's also a terrific song performed by the girls, just watch and listen.

 

Share/Save/Bookmark

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Musical Family Headshots - Lawrence Welk

The Maestro is lookin' good......


You can tell by his smile.
Share/Save/Bookmark

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

How Sandi, Bobby and Cissy are spending their summer so far

They're shooting hoops, just like Lebron, D-Wade and Bosh


Personally, they're a bit overdressed....it gets pretty hot here on the courts
Share/Save/Bookmark

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - Yet another short 'do

She went and got her hair cut, just in time for summer!

 
Share/Save/Bookmark

Monday, July 12, 2010

There's nothing like a good polka

Especially when you have the Maestro at the accordion....


....and when your friends join in, it gets better!


Share/Save/Bookmark

Sunday, July 11, 2010

From Polkas to Classics

Have you ever been curious about how a polka melody becomes a timeless, classic song?

The music makers will show you how in this week's Lawrence Welk Show episode from 1967!


Here are some of the highlights in living color!

Bobby teaches Cissy how to fly....


The animals are now in charge of the Toledo Zoo....


....and Dick Dale secretly switches Peggy Lennon's regular coffee with Folgers Crystals


FROM POLKAS TO CLASSICS - November 25, 1967

1. THE PENNSYLVANIA POLKA - Kathy, Dick, Bobby, Cissy, Janet, Jimmy, Andra & Dick with Myron Floren on accordion
2. STRANGE MUSIC - Norma Zimmer
3. FIREFLY SERENADE - the orchestra
4. SERENADE OF THE BELLS - Kathy, Janet, Peggy and Dee Dee Lennon
5. SUGAR - Frank Scott at the piano, Richard Maloof on bass, Neil Levang on guitar and Johnny Klein on drums

 
6. GOLDEN DAYS - Jimmy Roberts with the string section
7. YOU MEAN ALL THE WORLD TO ME - Lynn Anderson with the Lennon Sisters
8. THE BREEZE AND I - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
9. MARIA - Natalie Nevins
10. THE ROSE OF TRALEE - Joe Feeney


11. BRAZILIAN SAMBA - Myron Floren on accordion
12. LET US OUT, LET US OUT (WHAT IS NEW AT THE ZOO) - Bobby Burgess, Jack Imel, Arthur Duncan and Cissy King
13. TALK TO THE ANIMALS - The Lennon Sisters with Bobby, Jack, Arthur and Cissy
14. YOURS - Andra Willis
15. WABASH CANNONBALL - the orchestra featuring Neil Levang on guitar, Frank Scott on harpsichord and Dick Cathcart on trumpet


16. SAY IT ISN'T SO - The Curt Ramsey Quintet featuring Steve Smith with Charlie Paralto, Norma Zimmer, Curt Ramsey and Dick Cathcart
17. STOPTIME - danced by Arthur Duncan
18. GET ALONG HOME, CINDY, CINDY - Dick Dale with the Lennon Sisters
19. WHEN THE ORGAN PLAYED AT TWILIGHT - Bob Ralston at the Thomas Organ
20. HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY GAL?/BABY FACE/AIN'T SHE SWEET? - Bob Lido, Lynn, Norma, Joe, Steve, Jimmy, Bobby, Dick (Dale), Andra, Kathy, Janet, Dee Dee, Natalie, Cissy and Larry Hooper at the piano


It was a very fun episode, a great selection of songs....even though only a handful of them were polkas. (I don't recall Let Us Out, Let Us Out ever played as a polka)

Jo Ann Castle does not appear in this episode, at the time she was most likely on the road doing one of her personal appearances on stage.

This was only Andra Willis' second appearance on the Welk show, you can tell that her way of singing has been well accepted by the audience. She's also one in a lineage of talented Music Makers that sing Spanish songs such as 1940s Champagne Lady Jayne Walton and Anacani.


And as always, I never tire of listening to the orchestra's instrumental of Wabash Cannonball....Dick Cathcart was truly one of the world's finest trumpet man, Frank Scott knows how to master the harpsichord and of course Neil Levang's excellent guitar work brings it all together.


So until the next new episode, which is two weeks from now....keep a song in your heart and remember that you can talk to the animals but don't feed the animals.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Caption This!

Featuring the Champagne Music Makers in glorious black & white!


Add your own funny or clever (or both!) caption to this picture. Go to the comments link below and hit them with your best shot!
Share/Save/Bookmark

Friday, July 09, 2010

If you're anywhere near Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The Musical Family will be performing live in concert this Saturday at the American Music Theatre.

Unfortunately, yours truly can't make it....has to work this weekend. But I hear it's going to be a great show!


And Jo Ann Castle will be there....she's feeling much better now and ready to tickle those ivories!
Share/Save/Bookmark

Thursday, July 08, 2010

TV Movie Screen - September 1968: Welk's New Family

It's time once again to visit the archives for another scoop Welk story from those celebrity fan magazines of yesteryear!

Today, it's the issue of TV Movie Screen from September 1968


In this issue, we read about the new champagne kids on the block, Sandi & Sally, Lynn Anderson, Andra Willis, Tanya and Larry Welk and their upcoming marriage plus there's a scoop on the Lennon Sisters as well.


As you can tell, the headlines are usually exaggerated. A common trait amongst magazines of that kind in those days.


To view and read the articles click on the icon below


Share/Save/Bookmark

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Champagne Fashions from the Islands - 1982

Lets see what the men are wearing when it comes to Hawaiian shirts....


Share/Save/Bookmark

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - All business up front, a party in the back

I don't think that's how the mullet was originated....


Share/Save/Bookmark

Monday, July 05, 2010

Joe Feeney and the Maestro

These two are a concert all by themselves....no kiddin'


I read somewhere from one of Lawrence's books that he and Joe Feeney, and usually accompanied by Bob Ralston at the organ would do pre-shows before concerts on their live tours.

Now that's what I call giving the people their ten dollar value!

Share/Save/Bookmark

Sunday, July 04, 2010

I Am the United States

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

To help put our celebration of independence into proper perspective, I present Aladdin from last week's show reciting the inspirational poem "I Am the United States"

I don't know who originally wrote this, but if I ever do, I like to thank him or her for writing this for everyone to share and be inspired!


I am the United States.

I was born on July 4, 1776
and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate.

The bloodlines of the world run in my veins
because I offered freedom to the oppressed
I am many things and many people.

I am the United States.

I am 180 million living souls
and the ghosts of millions who have lived and died for me.
I am Nathan Hale, Paul Revere, Washington, Jefferson and Patrick Henry
I am John Paul Jones, The Green Mountain Boys and Davy Crockett

I am Independence Hall,the Monitor and the Merrimac
I am Lee, Grant and Abe Lincoln.

I remember the Alamo, the Maine and Pearl Harbor.
When freedom called I answered and stayed until it was over
over there.

I am the Brooklyn Bridge, the wheat lands of Kansas
and the granite hills of Vermont.
I am the coal fields of the Virginias and Pennsylvania
the fertile lands of the West
the Golden Gate and the Grand Canyon.

Ohhhh I am big, I sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Three million square miles throbbing with industry

I am George Washington Carver, Daniel Webster and Jonas Salk
I am more than 170,000 schools and colleges
and 250,000 churches where my people worship God as they think best

I am the roar of a crowd in a stadium
and the voice of a choir in a cathedral

I am Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower
and John F. Kennedy.

Yes, I am the nation and these are the things that I am.

I was conceived in freedom
and God willing, in freedom I will spend the rest of my days.
May I possess always the integrity, the courage and the strength
to keep myself unshackled, to remain a citadel of freedom
and a beacon of hope to the world.

I AM THE UNITED STATES.




Share/Save/Bookmark

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Aloha from Hawaii

The Musical Family is going back to Hawaii....let's see what they're up to


"Okay fellas, I show you how to get down like James Brown!"


"I think I'll try the Hawaiian Spam Musubi, how 'bout you Gail?"


"Guy, could you please make the boat stop shaking? I think I'm getting seasick."


"Way-oh-way-oh-way-ooo-aaa-ooo.....Walk like an Egyptian...."


"You girls will never believe what I got from Don Ho's garage sale today!"
Share/Save/Bookmark

Friday, July 02, 2010

Norma Zimmer has taken over the show

Being the Champagne Lady has plenty of perks....


....being in charge of the band is one of them.

And so is having carte blanche when it comes to dancing partners....


....and having unlimited access to the show's art supplies is a plus!


However, the chance to sing for millions of television viewers is priceless.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Clay Hart and friends

If you're a talented country singer from Rhode Island like Clay Hart, you're gonna meet a lot of friends on the way....

Such as Gail Farrell and Sandi Griffiths


.....Buddy Merrill


....Neil Levang


.....Ralna English


 
.....and Sally Flynn.


And all your friends wish you a very Happy Birthday today!

Share/Save/Bookmark