Winchester Cathedral

Hey kids, let's sing along with Bob Lido and his signature song!

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
YOU'RE BRINGING ME DOWN
YOU STOOD AND YOU WATCHED AS
MY BABY LEFT TOWN

YOU COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING
BUT YOU DIDN'T TRY
YOU DIDN'T DO NOTHING
YOU LET HER WALK BY

NOW EVERYONE KNOWS JUST HOW MUCH
I NEEDED THAT GAL
SHE WOULDN'T HAVE GONE FAR AWAY
IF ONLY YOU STARTED RINGING YOUR BELL

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
YOU'RE BRINGING ME DOWN
YOU STOOD AND YOU WATCHED AS
MY BABY LEFT TOWN

OH-BO-DE-O-DO OH-BO-DE-O-DO
OH-BO-DE-O-DO DE-DO-DUH

Winchester Cathedral

Champagne Book of the Month Club: Lawrence Welk's Musical Family Album

For the very first book of the month entry of 2011, I bring you a photo album....

Lawrence Welk's Musical Family Album that is.

First published in 1977, the collaboration of Welk-McGeehan strikes again with what the title suggests, a family photo album that features the Maestro and his Music Makers.

It's a collection of pictures from the show, and behind the scenes fun and then some!

Here's some examples....

Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou riding on an elephant.....

The Musical Family feasting on turkey after taping a Thanksgiving themed show....

Like any family album, it includes wedding photos from the Musical Family weddings such as this one from Tanya and Larry Welk's wedding day....

...and there's pictures of the families of the Musical Family, like Bob Ralston and his loved ones.

I highly recommend this book, it has everything a Welk fan would ask for.

Champagne Book of the Month Club: Lawrence Welk's Musical Family Album

I'm declaring today Dave Edwards Day

Today would have been his 70th birthday, let's salute this talented musician and fine gentleman....

....and congratulations to Dave's alma mater, Auburn University, for winning college football's national championship!

I'm declaring today Dave Edwards Day

Ride' Em Cowboy

From this past weekend's County Fair episode. Here's our country boy Clay Hart joined by Gail and Sandi as he sings about the rodeo cowboy in this song made famous by Paul Davis.

And it's true, you can make no money if you hit the ground....

Ride' Em Cowboy

Scenes from the County Fair

Like the song suggests, "It's fun going to the county fair!"

So let's go there and check out the fun!

Guy & Ralna eating some cotton candy, little did they know it's made from real cotton....

Bobby Burgess pretends that his watermelon is a bowling ball.....

The Maestro tries out his joy buzzer on George Cates....

.....and Ken Delo is getting ready for his closeup.

Scenes from the County Fair

Myron Floren plays that familiar song again

And Joe Feeney is happy to sing along.....

That's one way of paying for your hot hog if you don't have any money

Myron Floren plays that familiar song again

Sally sings with the Space Coast Pops

Looks like Sally Flynn is going to have a very busy weekend....

In addition to the Jazzin' It Up concerts she did this past Wednesday and Thursday, she'll be singing with the Space Coast Pops over at Merritt Island.

And like Jazzin' It Up, it all takes place around Melbourne, Florida.

There's a terrific article about Sally and the show by Pam Harbaugh of Florida Today, it also includes a terrific recent picture of her as well.

The show is this Saturday at 2:30pm (Florida time) at the Merritt Island Baptist Church.

More information, such as tickets, can be found at the Space Coast Pops webpage

Sally sings with the Space Coast Pops

This Day in Welk History: January 6, 1968

The duo of Sandi and Sally made their national television debut...

Fresh out of Brigham Young University, these pretty young ladies joined the show from an open casting call at the Hollywood Palladium.

The episode that Saturday night? That's Showbiz

Their first number ever sung? Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

And from that point on, they never looked back.

This Day in Welk History: January 6, 1968

Sally will be Jazzin' it Up

If you're a Lawrence Welk fan who happens to live or be near Melbourne, Florida. You're in luck!

I especially like the part that the show is free, but the fact that Sally Flynn will be performing is very exciting.

  
Maria Sonnenberg: Art, musical concerts dominate this week's events in South Brevard

Vocalist Sally Hart, who performed with the "Lawrence Welk Show," is one of the stars of "Jazzin' it Up," a free concert that partners the Melbourne Community Orchestra with Melbourne's Swingtime Jazz Band.

The free concerts, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today and Thursday at the Melbourne Auditorium, also feature local jazz arranger Gene Egge and orchestra conductor Aaron Collins.

The shows offer jazz favorites such as "Caravan" and "Summertime," as well as Hart's rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow."

"We're excited to be joined by the Melbourne Swingtime Jazz Band and guest star Sally Hart for a dynamite set of January concerts," said orchestra president Dawn Brooks.

Although admission is free, tickets are required. Pick these up at the door before the event or print them online at MCOrchestra.com.

Call 321-952-9949 for information.

Sally will be Jazzin' it Up

Classic episodes: Viva Italia '76

Today, we'll look back at one of the most interesting and fun episodes in the history of the Lawrence Welk Show.

It's Viva Italia, the Bicentennial version!

And in this show, Tanya co-hosts with the Maestro!

VIVA ITALIA - December 11, 1976

1. THAT'S AMORE - Tanya with Kathie, Larry, Anacani, Arthur, Ava, Tom, Norma, Joe, Ken & Jamie Corey
2. CIRIBIRIBIN - Johnny Zell on trumpet
3. AMORE (MY LOVE) - Tom Netherton
4. MELODY OF LOVE - Joe Livoti on violin, danced by Lawrence and Barbara Boylan
5. THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - Norma Zimmer
6. EH CUMPARI - Tanya Falan with Charlie Parlato (on trumpet), Bob Lido (on violin), Russ Klein on saxophone and Frank Morocco on accordion
 

 
7. ISLE OF CAPRI - Ken Delo with Bob Havens on trombone, Henry Cuesta on clarinet and Johnny Zell on trumpet
8. AMINA CORE - Anacani
9. TARENTELLA - Frank Morocco on accordion, danced by Tanya and Barbara and reprised by Lawrence and Tanya's grandmother
10. BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Charlie Parlato on trumpet with sons Chris on drums and Dave on bass
11. SAY IT AGAIN - Ava Barber
12. COPPELIA - the orchestra

 
13. A GOLFING SEGMENT starring Lawrence, guest Laura and announcer Bob Warren
14. TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME TONIGHT - Kathie Sullivan
15. THEME FROM LA STRADA - orchestra featuring Johnny Zell on trumpet, Dave Edwards on saxophone and Joe Livoti on violin
16. CARNIVAL OF VENICE - danced by Arthur Duncan
17. ARRIVEDERCI ROMA - Joe Feeney with Bob Smale at piano
18. OH, HOW MY HEART BEATS TONIGHT WHILE WE'RE DANCING - The Semonski Sisters with Frank Morroco at the accordion, danced by Lawrence and Barbara
19. ADIOS, AU REVOIR, AUF WEIDERSHEN - Semonski Sisters, Norma, Joe, Tanya, Barbara, Ken, Kathie, Tom, Ava, Larry, Jamie, Anacani and Arthur

Notice that many of the regulars we're used to didn't appear on this episode?

For those keeping score, here's who were missing in action....

Guy Hovis
Ralna English
Myron Floren
Bobby Burgess
Cissy King
Gail Farrell
Sandi Griffiths
Mary Lou Metzger
Jimmy Roberts
Jack Imel

I'm guessing that they were all out on tour at the time....

Regardless, this episode featured a mix of familiar and new faces like Barbara Boylan (Bobby's first dance partner), talented accordionist Frank Morocco and family members like Tanya's grandma and Charlie Parlato's grown boys Dave and Chris, both whom are very talented musicians in their own right.

And knowing this episode would be different, the Maestro could not resist getting in a game of golf with that segment featuring his guest, a pretty lady named Laura.

This episode later resurfaced on the public television rotation twenty five years later in 2001 with Tanya hosting the wraparound segments.

 
And it was also Tanya playing first time host, where we Welk fans caught up with her since her days on the show.

I really enjoyed this episode, sometimes it doesn't hurt to stray from the normal routine and mix things up.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and to brush up on my Italian, Ciao!

Classic episodes: Viva Italia '76

Bob Smale's obituary at the Los Angeles Times

For those who just started reading this blog, one of the famed Music Makers, pianist and arranger Bob Smale passed away last November at the age of 79.

His obituary is now online at the LA Times, you can go there to read it, leave your condolences and watch a well done and moving memorial video put together by his daughter Margaret.

Bob Smale's obituary at the Los Angeles Times

Salute to some animated mouse with a high pitched voice

On the first Saturday, of the very first day of 2011....we got the Disney episode from '73

"I'm Charlie!"

Yes you are indeed.....

 
If you're feeding the pigeons, just plain ol' birdseed won't cut it.

Ken Delo may ask his daughter Kimberly "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" but after spending hours in that wolf costume, I'm afraid of that fella's body odor.

....and a message to all parents, it's not a good idea to have your kids wear these outfits on their first day of Junior High.

Salute to some animated mouse with a high pitched voice

Here's the first post of 2011

Let us take a look back at last night's New Year's Eve celebrations.....

"Oh boy, a lollipop. Thanks Mary Lou!"

 
Myron Floren takes on all comers in a game of dueling accordions....

"Myron, play one of those newer hip polkas."

It's now midnight, and the Musical Family finds toasting is hard since someone accidentally broke the champagne glasses.

Happy 1-1-11!

Here's the first post of 2011

Out with the old, in with the new

From all of us here at Welk Musical Family.....

This could be the start of something big!

Out with the old, in with the new

Jimmy and the Trio

They'll be ringing in the New Year in the great outdoors....

I just hope they're dressed warmly

Jimmy and the Trio

Getting ready to party on New Year's

Myron has brought his accordion.....

Richard has his tuba......

....Gail and Mary Lou brought the coconuts

Getting ready to party on New Year's

Musical Family Hair of the Week

This week it's Charlotte and her cello....

Musical Family Hair of the Week

It's the Day After Christmas....

....and all the kids unwrapped their presents, lets take a look at some of the priceless moments from yesterday.

"And that is what a dog's tail is used for"

"Lets see....Shell is up a point, gold is holding steady and Merrill Lynch is looking strong, my portfolio is looking great!"

"Time to take the baby out to the park."

"Oh my gosh, LEGO Harry Potter!!!!! Thanks Dad!"

 
"I'm not afraid Ralna, I'm gonna ahead and stick my finger in his mouth!"

It's the Day After Christmas....

From my Musical Family to yours.....

From my Musical Family to yours.....

Caption This! - Christmas Edition

Starring Jo Ann Castle and Jack Imel....

Add your own funny caption to this picture, just click below on the comments link!

Caption This! - Christmas Edition

This Day in Welk History: Christmas '72

On this day,some thirty eight years ago; the Welk Show aired it's second ever syndicated Christmas episode.

Thirty five years later in 2007, it resurfaced on public television.

CHRISTMAS '72 - December 23, 1972

1. JINGLE BELLS - Cissy, Bobby, Tanya, Sandi, Bob (Lido), Dick, Arthur, Gail, Mary Lou, Lawrence, Joe, Norma, Jimmy, Myron, Ken, Charlotte (Harris)
2. MARVELOUS TOY - Clay Hart on guitar with children Hank and Lizzie
3. SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN - Tanya Falan with son Lawrence the Third
4. TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR - Sandi Griffiths with daughter Jenni
5. RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS - danced by Arthur Duncan with bell ringers Jack Imel and Bob Ralston

6. WHITE CHRISTMAS - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts with Mary Lou, Ken, Gail, Dick, Bobby, Cissy, Tanya and Joe
7. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER - Bob Ralston on clavietta, with children Randy and Diane on piano
8. LITTLE LADY MAKE BELIEVE - Ken Delo with daughter Kimberley
9. SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
10. SCATTERBRAIN - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King

11. HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS - Dick Dale with Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
12. THE CANDY MAN - Myron Floren on the accordion with daughters Heidi and Kristie on piano
13. O HOLY NIGHT - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston on organ
14. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH - Timmy Feeney with Kathy Feeney on guitar
15. CHRISTMAS CAROL MEDLEY: HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING/IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR/JOY TO THE WORLD - Cissy, Bobby, Charlotte, Myron, Mary Lou, Norma, Charlie (Parlato), Jimmy, Gail, Dick, Sandi, Guy, Ralna, Clay, Tanya, Bob (Lido), Ken
16. TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR - Lawrence and the kids, singing and on spoons, with Robbie Smale on celesta
17. INTRODUCTION OF FAMILIES BY THE MUSICAL FAMILY
18. JINGLE BELLS - Lawrence's granddaughter Christine
19. SANTA ARRIVES WITH THE PRESENTS

This Day in Welk History: Christmas '72