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

R.I.P Bob Smale (1931-2010)

I just heard today from my friends Mark and Judy that the talented pianist and arranger from the Welk Orchestra Bob Smale passed away yesterday.

We at Welk Musical Family.com send our condolences to the Smale family and the Champagne Music Makers.

In his memory, we bring you Bob playing his version of Chopsticks from the 1972 episode "Childhood Memories"
 

R.I.P Bob Smale (1931-2010)

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - Hey You

She's hiding behind the piano, with her long flowing hair....

Tanya Falan Hairstyle of the Week - Hey You

Would you get off the piano please?

Looks like Dick Dale is doing his Dean Martin impression again....

....and while Bob Smale is worried about the piano, Dick is just having fun!

Would you get off the piano please?

For some reason, I have this craving....

....for stadium brown mustard, and I just can't place a finger why

 

 

 

For some reason, I have this craving....

Pianoside with Kathie Sullivan

Give her some good piano backing Bob Ralston....

 

....now it's your turn Bob Smale

Pianoside with Kathie Sullivan

A Kathie Sullivan tribute

Today just happens to be her birthday......




Let us salute this lovely and talented music maker! Here she is from 1979 singing "Snuggled On Your Shoulder"

A Kathie Sullivan tribute

A moment of Bob Smale

Just sit back, relax.....and imagine sounds of the piano while viewing.

A moment of Bob Smale

Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael

If you're one of the lucky fans out there spared from pledge breaks this week, then the featured episode should be "Salute to Hoagy Carmichael"

First aired on March 6, 1982, this one is another one of my favorite episodes.

1. Old Buttermilk Sky - orchestra intro; Roger, Sheila, Michael, Mary Lou, Ron, Gail, Ken, Kathie, David and Sherry

2. I Get Along Without You - Norma Zimmer

3. Can't Get Indiana Off My Mind - orchestra

4. Two Sleepy People - Guy Hovis & Ralna English

5. The Nearness Of You - Gail Farrell, Ron Anderson & Michael Redman

6. Small Fry - Jim Turner

7. Heart and Soul - Anacani

8. Stardust - orchestra featuring Henry Cuesta on clarinet

9. One Morning In May - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden

10. Back Home Again in Indiana - orchestra featuring Bob Havens on trombone and Bob Smale on piano

11. Lazy Bones - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge & Roger and David Otwell

12. Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief - danced by Arthur Duncan

13. Rocking Chair - Dick Dale

14. Little Old Lady - Kathy Sullivan with Jim, Guy, Michael and Ron

15. Cool Cool of the Evening - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel

16. Skylark - Ralna English

17. Up a Lazy River - Ken Delo

18. Georgia On My Mind - Michael, Roger, Sheila, Sherry, David, Joe, Ron, Gail, Mary Lou, Kathie, Norma, Jimmy with Bob Smale on piano

Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael

Bob Smale

Today is Bob Smale's birthday, and in honor of this special occasion, I have prepared this special birthday haiku for him.

Just another Bob?

He too plays the piano

And can write the songs

Bob Smale

Bob Smale

Here's one of the many "Bobs" that graced the Lawrence Welk orchestra....

It's pianist and arranger Bob Smale!

The native of Oakland, California previously worked with the Mary Kay Trio and other bands before joining the music makers in 1969.

He and his wife Mary, are the proud parents of three children.

And here's the Maestro congratulating Bob on another terrific piano solo!

That my friends is Bob Smale in a nutshell.

Bob Smale

Champagne Salute to Dean Martin

Check it out, here's Dick Dale as Deano himself with Bob Smale as pianist Kenny Lane with this 1972 tounge-and-cheek salute! Also, watch for the girls saluting Dean's famous and very lovely Gold Diggers!

Champagne Salute to Dean Martin

Bob Smale

To get your Mondays going well, and a good start to a new week....let Bob Smale work his magic fingers at the piano.

Born and raised in Oakland, CA (also known as Raider Nation), Smale graduated from Fremont High School and worked with the Mary Kay Trio before joining the Welk Orchestra in 1969. He's an accomplished arranger as well and has provided piano background for Tom Netherton, Ralna English and Jimmy Roberts just to name a few.

But when teamed with fellow pianist and Bob (Ralston that is), they bring back memories of the twin pianists made famous by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians!

Now that's music to my ears!

Bob Smale

The Sights Of Autumn

It's everywhere....even on the band's outfits! Love that bright orange jackets and pants! With Myron Floren at the accordian and Bob Smale at the keyboard, they make great music for any season.

The Sights Of Autumn