George Thow from 1981

Today is a good day to pick up the trumpet again....

.....and jam Dixieland style with Bob Havens!

George Thow from 1981

St. Louis Blues

No, I'm not talking about the hockey team....it's all about W.C. Handy's classic jazz tune.

From 1956, here's George Thow....

....and Norman Bailey

....as they team up with their trumpets to give you those St. Louis Blues!
 

St. Louis Blues

Indiana

It's hard to believe that the concert at Bear Creek is already just a week ago....

To salute the fine folks from the Hoosier State (where Bear Creek Farms is located), I bring you, courtesy of Chris and YouTube, the Welk Orchestra from an episode of The Plymouth Show (a.k.a Top Tunes and New Talent) in 1959 playing a champagne version of "Indiana" featuring George Thow, Norman Bailey, Art Depew and Rocky Rockwell on trumpet!

Indiana

George Thow

Here's a look at music maker George Thow, who first joined the Welk organization in 1956 as a trumpet player!

Also, George's hometown is Cleveland, Ohio....just only one of a handful champagne music makers to hail from the Buckeye State!

In 1962, he left from being an active member of the band to becoming a very valuable member of the Maestro's production staff....such as producing and writing!

But there are times he'll bring his trumpet out of mothballs and join the fellas for a nice Dixieland number once in a while!

George Thow

Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet

As we continue on our weekly tour of the orchestra, lets look at some of the fine trumpet players that have tooted their horns for Lawrence Welk!

There's George "Gus" Thow and Art Depew...

...and here's Rocky Rockwell from St. Joe,

...and let's not forget Dick Catchart, Mickey McMahan and Norman Bailey,

....and here's Johnny Zell, the gold standard of all trumpet players...

...and finally, Charlie Parlato and Laroon Holt.

Nice to hear that wunnerful trumpet sound again boys!

Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet