America On The Move

Everyone is on the move, in all walks of life.

That is what America is all about, and it's also this past weekend's Lawrence Welk episode.

And here are the highlights!

Jack Imel fights Snoopy as the Red Baron.....

Dick Dale has gone bananas.....

......and the Orange Blossom Special runs thru a suburban residence.


AMERICA ON THE MOVE - November 1, 1975

1. GOTTA TRAVEL ON - Cissy, Bobby, Mary Lou, Ken, Gail, Jimmy, Anacani, Tom
2. STRANGER ON THE SHORE - Henry Cuesta on clarinet
3. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
4. FLY ME TO THE MOON - Tom Netherton with Myron Floren on accordion, Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass and percussion work by Jack Imel and Bob Lido

  
5. WHEELS - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
6. LAZY RIVER - the orchestra
7. ON THE ATCHINSON, TOPEKA and SANTA FE - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell, Anacani and Tanya Falan
8. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM "THE BAND WAGON" - the orchestra
9. CUANTO LA GUSTA - Diane, Donna, Valerie, Jo Ann, Audrey and Michelle Semonski

10. CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO - sung and danced by Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel with Sandi, Gail and Ken
11. RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
12. TIJUANA TAXI - the orchestra
13. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOUSE - Larry Hooper

14. TAKE THE A TRAIN - tap danced by Arthur Duncan with Sandi, Gail, Ralna and Norma
15. BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX - Ava Barber
16. THE BANANA BOAT SONG - Dick Dale with Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou
17. CHARLIE ON THE M.T.A - Ken Delo
18. THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THOSE FLYING MACHINES - Larry, Arthur, Bobby, Anacani, Joe, Tom, Tanya, Jimmy, Gail, Guy, Ralna, Mary Lou, Cissy, Norma with Bob Havens on trombone, Jack Imel with percussion work, Richard Maloof on tuba, Russ Klein on saxophone and Charlie Parlato on trumpet

If you're one of the fellow Americans that are on the move, remember the enjoy the journey even with all the traffic and high gas prices.

The Maestro and his Musical Family have been on the move plenty of times over the years, by plane, train and car they toured the country on their concert tours to places across America where they are greeted by loyal fans.

More proof that an America that's on the move is a very good thing.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and keep your feet on the move!

America On The Move

Salute to Fred Astaire

Time to put on your top hat and tails along with your dancing shoes because this week, the Champagne Music makers pay tribute to Fred Astaire!

Here's some of the highlights from the show.....

Gail and Ava team up while wearing dresses combining Ol' Bavaria and Big City Sophistication....

Jack Imel plays with his marimbas....

......and George Cates plays with his baton.

SALUTE TO FRED ASTAIRE - September 27, 1980

1. IT'S S'WONDERFUL - Sheila, Sherry, Anacani, Gail, Kathie, Ava, Curt (Ramsey), Jimmy (Roberts), Ken, Jim, David, Roger, Joe
2. THE CARIOCA - danced by Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden
3. A FINE ROMANCE - Guy Hovis
4. FLYING DOWN TO RIO - Anacani
5. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLAN - the orchestra

6. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - Tom Netherton with Bob Ralston at piano
7. I LOVE A PIANO - Ava Barber and Gail Farrell also on piano
8. LIMEHOUSE BLUES - Jack Imel and his marimbas
9. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT - Jim Turner and his guitar
10. SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE - the orchestra

11. DANCING IN THE DARK - the orchestra conducted by George Cates
12. HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA? - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston on Hammond Organ
13. BLUE SKIES - Bob Havens on trombone and Arthur Duncan dancing
14. THREE LITTLE WORDS - Sheila and Sherry Aldridge with David and Roger Otwell

15. I GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM - the orchestra
16. YOU AND THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC - Kathie Sullivan with Myron Floren on accordion
17. CHEEK TO CHEEK - Ken Delo
18. I LOVE LOUISA - Myron Floren on accordion with Ava, Kathie, Gail, Sherry, Anacani, Sheila, Joe, Roger, David, Jim, Guy and Jimmy along with Bobby and Elaine dancing

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Both Ralna English and Mary Lou Metzger do not appear in this episode.

I knew that around the time of taping (mid-1980) that Ralna's absence was attributed to personal issues going through, but I was surprised that Mary Lou also didn't appear. This is one of the very rare occasions during her tenure that happened.

Still, this week's episode was a fun, pleasant and fitting salute to one of Hollywood's greatest song-and-dance men like Fred Astaire. They just don't have talent and class today like they did back then.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and may the days of your lives be s'wonderful!

Salute to Fred Astaire

Things go better with Skokiaan

From 1968, here's the boys in the band with their rendition of the instrumental piece known to music lovers everywhere as just one word.

Skokiaan.

Your featured musicians are Frank Scott at the Vox, Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass guitar, Bob Davis and Dave Edwards on clarinet, Johnny Klein on drums and Jack Imel at the marimba.

Things go better with Skokiaan

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the blessing of light be on you....

....and may your feet be filled with rhythm when you dance.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Come to think of it, it does sound a little Goofus to me.....

I don't think this is an accurate portrayal of Midwestern folk like myself.....

But Mary Lou and Jack do have a catchy little novelty number courtesy of our friends from You Tube though.

 

Come to think of it, it does sound a little Goofus to me.....

Bringing back suffrage.....a brand new poll!

Democracy has returned to Welk Musical Family.com!

Actually, for the first time in over a year....I have a new poll ready for your voice to be heard.

And here's the question....

Which of the acts from the Welk Show you like to see cover Beyonce's hit song "Single Ladies?"

Just in case you not familiar....here's the video for the song that is very popular with the young folks.

Now imagine that same song being performed on the Lawrence Welk Show, sung straight up, Champagne style.

Here are your choices......

1. Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys

2. Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess and Arthur Duncan

3. The Trio of Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou

You can cast your ballot over on the right side of this blog.

Bringing back suffrage.....a brand new poll!

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

It's the Parade of the Toy Soldiers

Which means that the Christmas season has officially begun....

 

It's the Parade of the Toy Soldiers

He's an old cowhand from the Rio Grande

More like east central Indiana....

Here's ol' cowhand Jack Imel with a purdy cowgal from Philly, Mary Lou Metzger, with their rendition of "I'm an Old Cowhand"

Yippie yi yo kayah indeed....

He's an old cowhand from the Rio Grande

I think this mass transit thingy is catching on....

From this week's episode "Big City USA", the Music Makers are doing their part to reduce our country's dependency on oil.

They are taking the trolley.....like Kathie Sullivan

....and Mary Lou Metzger along with Jack Imel find mass transit quite friendly and pleasant.

....not to mention very musical.

I think this mass transit thingy is catching on....

Saturday Night Ah-Fever

I'm guessing that John Travolta, when getting ready to film that blockbuster disco movie, learned those dance moves from both Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger.

Man I wish that was the case....

This week was the Salute To Swing Bands episode, here are the highlights and song rundown

Saturday Night Ah-Fever

Caption This!

Starring Jack Imel and Norma Zimmer....

Click on comments link below and fire away with your funniest, most clever caption!

Caption This!

Can't Help Singing

Think your friends sing too much? Well, they can't help it.

This week's episode is Can't Help Singing, and here are some of the highlights!

Hal Roach hires the Lennon Sisters as his new Little Rascals....

Jack Imel sweeps Norma Zimmer off her feet....

.....and Charlie Parlato orders a pizza.

CAN'T HELP SINGING - November 12, 1966

1. LOOKING FOR LOVE (LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS) - Dee Dee, Janet, Norma, Barbara, Kathy, Jack, Jimmy, Arthur, Bobby and Larry
2. POOR BUTTERFLY - Bob Ralston at the piano
3. CUDDLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER - Natalie Nevins and Jimmy Roberts
4. SPANISH SAMBA - Myron Floren on the PAN accordion
5. JUST A LITTLE STREET WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET - Kathy, Janet & Dee Dee Lennon with Barbara Boylan

   
6. WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME - the orchestra
7. I'M IN HIS CARE - The Blenders featuring Bob Duncan, Greg Dixon, Steve Smith and Paul Sjoland
8. INTERMEZZO - Joe Livoti on the violin and the string section
9. WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL - Bob Lido with Neil Levang on guitar
10. ROMANY LIFE - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan and sung by the Blenders

  
11. CAN'T HELP SINGING - Norma Zimmer
12. I KNOW WHEN I'M HAPPY - sung and danced by Arthur Duncan
13. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM MARTHA - the orchestra
14. JUST LUCKY I GUESS - Bob Lido
15. SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU - Joe Feeney with Frank Scott at the harpsichord

  
16. LULU'S BACK IN TOWN - Jo Ann Castle with Larry, Charlie, Bob (Lido), Jack, Aladdin, Bobby and Jimmy
17. BILL BAILEY - Jo Ann Castle at the honky tonk piano with sound effects by Jack Imel
18. MY TRULY TRULY FAIR - Dick Dale with vocals by Greg, Bob (Duncan), Steve, Paul, Barbara, Janet, Kathy and Dee Dee
19. WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN - the orchestra featuring Dick Cathcart on trumpet, Bob Havens on trombone and Johnny Klein on the drums
20. SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAKEN MY PLACE - Jimmy Roberts

  
You'll noticed in tonight's show that Barbara Boylan is filling in for Peggy Lennon as one of the Lennon Sisters. I'm guessing she could have been on maternity leave, but I doubt it as at the time of taping, her most recent child, Chris, was born February 27th and her next arrival, Joseph, would be born June 29, 1967.

It was nice seeing Bob Lido featured in plenty of numbers, his versatility as a musician and performer was really on display. 

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and if you still can't help singing.....Lulu will take care of that when she's back in town.

Can't Help Singing

(Five Foot Two) Has Anybody Seen My Gal?

Time for another Musical Family sing along, let's join Mary Lou and Jack as they sing and dance to a novelty song from the 1920s....

Five foot two...
Eyes of blue...
But Oh! what those five foot could do...
Has anybody seen my gal?

Turned up nose...
Turned down hose...
Never had no other beaus...
Has anybody seen my gal?

Now if you run into
A five foot two
Covered with fur...

Diamond rings...
And all those things...
Betcha' life it isn't her

But could she love...
Could she woo...
Could she, could she, could she coo?
Has anybody seen my gal?

Five foot two...
Eyes of blue...
But Oh! what those five foot could do
Has anybody seen my gal?

Turned up nose...
Turned down hose...
Flapper, yes sir, one of those...
Has anybody seen my gal?

Now if you run into
A five foot two
Covered with fur...

Diamond rings...
And all those things...
Betcha life it isn't her...

But could she love...
Could she woo...
Could she, could she, could she coo?

Has anybody seen my gal?

(Five Foot Two) Has Anybody Seen My Gal?