Showing posts with label Norman Bailey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norman Bailey. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2012
My portrait of Norman Bailey
Continuing on in my series of Musical Family portraits, here's another one I drew this week. It's Welk orchestra trumpet player Norman Bailey.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Mother's Day '56
Hope everyone had a pleasant Mother's Day weekend, the featured Lawrence Welk episode is a classic Silver Champagne Special from 1956!
Here are some of the highlights!
Aladdin goes to his secret stash.....
Alice Lon is shocked.....
......and Rocky Rockwell lives the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
MOTHER'S DAY SHOW - May 12, 1956
1. I WANT A GIRL (JUST LIKE THE GIRL THAT MARRIED DEAR OLD DAD) - the orchestra
2. I GOT LOST IN HIS ARMS - Alice Lon
3. MELODY IN F (WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME) - the orchestra
4. PAL OF MY CRADLE DAYS - Jimmy Roberts
5. SATURDAY NIGHT WALTZ - Myron Floren on accordion
6. BLUE SUEDE SHOES - Buddy Merrill on guitar
7. KENTUCKY BABE - Kathy, Dee Dee, Peggy and Janet Lennon
8. MORITAT (MACK THE KNIFE) - Jerry Burke and Larry Hooper on piano
9. MY GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK - Larry Hooper
10. BALLIN' THE JACK - the orchestra
11. CHIHUAHUA POLKA - orchestra danced by Lawrence and Alice Lon
12. CAN YOU FIND IT IN YOUR HEART - Larry Dean
13. MEDLEY: BYE BYE BLACKBIRD/BILL BAILEY/I'M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER - Big Tiny Little on honky tonk piano
14. SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS - Aladdin with the Lennon Sisters
15. ROCK ISLAND LINE - Bob Lido
16. WHEN YOUR HAIR TURNED TO SILVER - Dick Kesner, Bob Lido and Aladdin on violin
17. I'VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING - guest Donna Bailey with husband Norman Bailey on trumpet
18. MEDLEY: THAT WONDERFUL MOTHER OF MINE/LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART - Lawrence Welk at the organ
19. THE BIRDS AND THE BEES - Alice Lon with Buddy Hayes
20. WHEN I TAKE MY SUGAR TO TEA - Rocky Rockwell with comedy assist by Curt Ramsey
21. CHICAGO - the orchestra
Like Buddy Hayes, who played tuba and bass in the band, gets to sing here with Champagne Lady Alice Lon.
Also, the family members of the Music Makers get to take part, like when trumpet player Norman Bailey had his wife Donna join him in the song, "I Got The World On A String."
There is plenty of talent here going on, and it seems an injustice that only a hour can be allotted for it to be showcased.
So until next time, Goodnight Ladies, Farewell Gentlemen and don't forget to keep a song in your heart!
Here are some of the highlights!
Aladdin goes to his secret stash.....
Alice Lon is shocked.....
......and Rocky Rockwell lives the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
MOTHER'S DAY SHOW - May 12, 1956
1. I WANT A GIRL (JUST LIKE THE GIRL THAT MARRIED DEAR OLD DAD) - the orchestra
2. I GOT LOST IN HIS ARMS - Alice Lon
3. MELODY IN F (WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME) - the orchestra
4. PAL OF MY CRADLE DAYS - Jimmy Roberts
5. SATURDAY NIGHT WALTZ - Myron Floren on accordion
6. BLUE SUEDE SHOES - Buddy Merrill on guitar
7. KENTUCKY BABE - Kathy, Dee Dee, Peggy and Janet Lennon
8. MORITAT (MACK THE KNIFE) - Jerry Burke and Larry Hooper on piano
9. MY GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK - Larry Hooper
10. BALLIN' THE JACK - the orchestra
11. CHIHUAHUA POLKA - orchestra danced by Lawrence and Alice Lon
12. CAN YOU FIND IT IN YOUR HEART - Larry Dean
13. MEDLEY: BYE BYE BLACKBIRD/BILL BAILEY/I'M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER - Big Tiny Little on honky tonk piano
14. SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS - Aladdin with the Lennon Sisters
15. ROCK ISLAND LINE - Bob Lido
16. WHEN YOUR HAIR TURNED TO SILVER - Dick Kesner, Bob Lido and Aladdin on violin
17. I'VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING - guest Donna Bailey with husband Norman Bailey on trumpet
18. MEDLEY: THAT WONDERFUL MOTHER OF MINE/LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART - Lawrence Welk at the organ
19. THE BIRDS AND THE BEES - Alice Lon with Buddy Hayes
20. WHEN I TAKE MY SUGAR TO TEA - Rocky Rockwell with comedy assist by Curt Ramsey
21. CHICAGO - the orchestra
Those classic black & white episodes are always a delight to watch, especially when the musicians in the band have a chance to exhibit their individual talents.
Like Buddy Hayes, who played tuba and bass in the band, gets to sing here with Champagne Lady Alice Lon.
Also, the family members of the Music Makers get to take part, like when trumpet player Norman Bailey had his wife Donna join him in the song, "I Got The World On A String."
There is plenty of talent here going on, and it seems an injustice that only a hour can be allotted for it to be showcased.
So until next time, Goodnight Ladies, Farewell Gentlemen and don't forget to keep a song in your heart!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Lawrence Welk's Big Band Splash
And now the time has arrived for the 15th Lawrence Welk public television pledge special, Big Band Splash.
With your host Doc Severinsen!
It was an entertaining program, filled with clips from several episodes from the show featuring the band and the Musical Family performing the classic songs from that era.
Big Band icons like Glenn Miller, Harry James, The Dorsey Brothers, Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington were featured.
It was also nice that the special featured many of Welk's orchestra in the spotlight, such as Dave Edwards on the saxophone playing Contrasts made famous by Jimmy Dorsey.
I also liked Bob Ralston's rendition of Paul Whiteman's Rhapsody In Blue, in which every time I hear it, for some reason thoughts of the old United Airlines commercials with Gene Hackman narrating come to mind.
And what can I say about the trumpet section's arrangement of The Dipsy Doodle....
Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Charlie Parlato and Norman Bailey were all outstanding!
But that was just a sample of the fine instrumentals featured in the program, many of the featured singers had the spotlight such as Tanya Falan's excellent version of the Sammy Kaye song Daddy.
Other singers featured were Mary Lou Metzger and Champagne Lady Alice Lon with different versions of Harry James' "You Made Me Love You". The differences were that Mary Lou went with the Dear Mr. Gable route while Alice from Dallas just sang it straight up.
I was disappointed that the special did not feature any Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou numbers. Their version of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters in my opinion would be considered big band and would have been a good fit.
But Toot Toot Tootsie by Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys? That, by the way was the final number featured in the special, and by the way, I always thought Al Jolson was more Music Hall than Big Band.
Oh, and here's an extreme close up of Bob Havens and his trumpet.
Doc himself was featured, when he guested on the Welk show in 1972 playing the theme song from the movie "Love Story".
His performance and talent was picture perfect excellence and well done, but for his wardrobe.....we'll the jury is still out on that.
In all, it was a wunnerful, wunnerful special.
And no pledge special would be complete without Bob Allen and Mary Lou in the studio with the pledge breaks.
So until next time, keep a song in your heart and may the only Blues in the Night you get are the St. Louis Blues playing hockey.
With your host Doc Severinsen!
It was an entertaining program, filled with clips from several episodes from the show featuring the band and the Musical Family performing the classic songs from that era.
Big Band icons like Glenn Miller, Harry James, The Dorsey Brothers, Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington were featured.
It was also nice that the special featured many of Welk's orchestra in the spotlight, such as Dave Edwards on the saxophone playing Contrasts made famous by Jimmy Dorsey.
I also liked Bob Ralston's rendition of Paul Whiteman's Rhapsody In Blue, in which every time I hear it, for some reason thoughts of the old United Airlines commercials with Gene Hackman narrating come to mind.
And what can I say about the trumpet section's arrangement of The Dipsy Doodle....
Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Charlie Parlato and Norman Bailey were all outstanding!
But that was just a sample of the fine instrumentals featured in the program, many of the featured singers had the spotlight such as Tanya Falan's excellent version of the Sammy Kaye song Daddy.
Other singers featured were Mary Lou Metzger and Champagne Lady Alice Lon with different versions of Harry James' "You Made Me Love You". The differences were that Mary Lou went with the Dear Mr. Gable route while Alice from Dallas just sang it straight up.
I was disappointed that the special did not feature any Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou numbers. Their version of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters in my opinion would be considered big band and would have been a good fit.
But Toot Toot Tootsie by Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys? That, by the way was the final number featured in the special, and by the way, I always thought Al Jolson was more Music Hall than Big Band.
Oh, and here's an extreme close up of Bob Havens and his trumpet.
Doc himself was featured, when he guested on the Welk show in 1972 playing the theme song from the movie "Love Story".
His performance and talent was picture perfect excellence and well done, but for his wardrobe.....we'll the jury is still out on that.
In all, it was a wunnerful, wunnerful special.
And no pledge special would be complete without Bob Allen and Mary Lou in the studio with the pledge breaks.
So until next time, keep a song in your heart and may the only Blues in the Night you get are the St. Louis Blues playing hockey.
Monday, April 19, 2010
St. Louis Blues
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Meet the Baileys
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Musical Chairs
If you're a die-hard Welkie like myself, maybe you'll notice this....
From the show's 18th season (1972-73), the trumpet section's seating arrangement (right above the trombones) from left to right; Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Norman Bailey and Charlie Parlato.
It's been like that for the past several seasons.
However.....
From the show's 18th season (1972-73), the trumpet section's seating arrangement (right above the trombones) from left to right; Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Norman Bailey and Charlie Parlato.
It's been like that for the past several seasons.
However.....
Later on in the same season, while Johnny and Mickey's spots remain the same, the other two trumpeters switch places. Charlie is seated in Norman's chair while Norm is now assigned to Charlie's old chair.
Inquiring minds want to know....
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Norman Bailey
On this nice June day today....let's take a champagne salute to one of Lawrence Welk's fine trumpet players, Worcester's own Norman Bailey!
Fellas....will call it a draw
He was with the band from 1952 to 1973, an anchor in the horn section...known for his solo renditions of "Hot Lips" and "Sugar Blues."
One of his daughters, Janice, appeared on many Welk shows during the late 1950s and early 1960s as a singer....
...and did you know before the Maestro expanded the horn section in 1957, Norm also did double duty playing the trombone as well?
You'll always learn something new about our Welk stars everyday here on this blog....and here's him at his finest, fighting with Charlie Parlato for on-air time in this clip!
Fellas....will call it a draw
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Norman Bailey
If there was ever the standard-bearer of excellent trumpet players from the Welk orchestra, Norman Bailey would fit the bill!
The native of Worcester, Massachusetts; Norm's first long term engagement with a big band was with the Freddy Martin Orchestra where music fans everywhere got to hear him in action. Later he moved out to Southern California where in 1952, he joined the Welk band and that is where "Iron Lips" really made a name for himself.
Some of his most popular numbers on the show include "Sugar Blues" and "Hot Lips". One of his proteges include fellow music maker Johnny Zell.
The father of two daughters; one of them, Janice, made several guest appearances on the show where she displayed her talents as a singer. He was also good friends with the Lennon Sisters and their family, and until he left in 1973, was truly a professional and reliable music maker for all.
He passed on July 11, 1984 aged 71; thankfully, we all have reruns of the show where his memory lives to this day.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Music Memories from 1969
This week's episode was very trippy indeed...pure 1960s kitsch with Music Memories from January 25, 1969. In this show, the maestro himself played many favorite songs from the popular, inspirational and big band genre....and there were plenty of Bobby & Cissy too!
Here's the trio of Sandi Griffiths, Sally Flynn and Andra Willis bringing back memories of the Andrews Sisters with "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen"...and they happened to sound and look great in the process. The band also played another Andrews Sisters' hit, "The Pennsylvania Polka". We also heard from Dick Dale in the solo spotlight with "Linda" and music makers Kenny Trimble, Charlie Parlato and Larry Hooper paying homage to the Guy Lombardo Trio with "Boo Hoo".
Here's Norman Bailey playing his ever popular trumpet solo, "Sugar Blues" which is always music to my ears. I also enjoyed Tanya Falan with her solo number, "Sentimental Journey", Natalie Nevins and Joe Feeney teaming up for "Sweetheart" and great instrumentals by the band such as Woody Herman's "Woodchopper's Ball".
Like I mentioned earlier, Bobby Burgess & Cissy King got quite a workout on the show....dancing to the Pennsylvania Polka which was the opening number plus a medley of great dances from the 1920s to present day 1969...which chronicled Lawrence's career in music to date. Watch for their closing number doing a lil' soul....it's pure sixties!
It was a terrific show....Andra Willis also did a great job with a solo number titled "Oh Johnny" and Norma Zimmer saluted Kate Smith at the end of the show with "God Bless America".
In the hot seat tonight was Bob Ralston, who was interviewed by our Mary Lou Metzger. He talked about his mother, who was the original voice of Minnie Mouse for Walt Disney Studios....plus the fact in addition to playing the piano and organ...can also play the trombone and also learned to speak sixteen different languages!
That puts a capper of all the new episodes for this season...from this point on (until September 2007 I guess)....its all reruns from here but they still make for good viewing on Saturday Nights so keep watching and keep supporting your local public television station!
And by the way....Hee Haw is on this weekend on CMT, keep an eye out for the Aldridge Sisters, whom they appeared on one of the episodes....you'll never know!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Norman Bailey & Charlie Parlato
As Lawrence Welk would say...."A Couple Of Old Timers".Here's two of the band's talented trumpet players Norman Bailey (the one wearing the glasses) and Charlie Parlato (the short one). Norm has been with the music makers from 1952 to 1973 by way of Worcester, MA (same hometown of sax player Russ Klein) and has the distinction of steering a young Johnny Zell towards the trumpet when he gave the young Johnny one of his horns...of course the rest is history.
Charlie, in addition to be a excellent trumpist, is also a terrific musical comic and vocalist. He's from Fredonia, NY and his own family is quite musical, his grandaughter Gretchen is an accomplished jazz vocalist in her own right....you can learn more about Gretchen by clicking on to her official webpage.
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