Anyone want some Apples and Bananas?

From 1965, here's organist Jerry Burke in one of his last appearances on the Welk show before his death as he joins Frank Scott at the harpsichord and Buddy Merrill at guitar as they play "Apples & Bananas" one of the Welk orchestra's popular recordings.

Anyone want some Apples and Bananas?

Boys, let's have some of that Champagne Sound

Jerry Burke

Pete Fountain

Norman Bailey

Bill Page

Pete Lofthouse

Boys, let's have some of that Champagne Sound

Just Walking In The Rain

From the magical wonderland known as You Tube, here's Tiny Little Jr, Larry Hooper and Jerry Burke at the pianos playing "Just Walking In The Rain"

I'm guessing from the streamers shown that this must be the New Year's Eve show from 1956.

By the way, nice hats fellas.

Just Walking In The Rain

For those Manic Mondays, relax with the sounds of Jerry Burke

....as he works his magic fingers on the Novachord.

And here's Jerry joined at the piano by Larry Hooper

Let's give that young man a round of applause!

For those Manic Mondays, relax with the sounds of Jerry Burke

Do you....haiku?

Here's one of my world famous Welk haikus....this one is about Jerry Burke

Go play us a song

Jerry always adds sparkle

to the Novachord

Do you....haiku?

I'm meeting my baby tonight at Southtown USA.....

This week, we were shown "Southtown USA" again.....which was aired just this last April, but still a very good show.

Here are some highlights, everyone gathered around the piano for a sing-a-long!

The Lennon Sisters; Kathy, Janet and Peggy singing "Hummingbird."

Barbara Boylan and Bobby Burgess dancing to the song, "Buttons And Bows" back at the hotel.

Dick Dale with Lennons singing "Gotta Travel On."

And finally, some nice work at the novachord by the "grandpappy" of the Welk orchestra....the talented Jerry Burke.

Next week, the champagne music makers will pay salute to Ol' Blue Eyes himself.....Frank Sinatra.

And you're thinking somebody else that has blue eyes? I don't think so!

Until next time, keep a song in your heart.

I'm meeting my baby tonight at Southtown USA.....

Apples and Bananas

Anyone want some fresh apples and bananas? I don't mean the fruit, but instead this nice Welk instrumental from 1965, courtesy of YouTube, performed by Jerry Burke at the organ along with the rest of the Champagne Music Makers.

Apples and Bananas

Jerry Burke

If you ever wondered where the "sparkle" in the Champagne Music comes from, you can bet your bottom dollar that it must have come from the magic fingertips of pianist/organist Jerry Burke!

Born in Marshalltown, Iowa on July 26, 1911...he grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota where he spent his early days learning the piano and the organ. Jerry was only 23 years old when he was hired by Lawrence Welk to play in his orchestra, which by then was doing one-nighters all over the Midwest and based out of radio station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota.

By the time the music makers made their ABC network debut in 1955, Jerry at 44 years of age was already the "grandpappy" of the music makers. He was a master at the Hammond organ and the Novachord, and released several solo albums of his work. In 1959, he became the first member of the twenty-five year club, which in later years would include Barney Liddell, Orie Amodeo, Myron Floren and Dick Dale.

He passed away from cancer on Feburary 13, 1965...having spent 31 years in the orchestra, but what a bubbly and sparkly ride it was!

Jerry Burke