Music, Music, Music

From 1968, here's Jo Ann Castle on the 88s with some Music, Music, Music for all the townsfolk!

 

Music, Music, Music

The Maple Leaf Rag by Gail Farrell

Here's Gail from 1975 channeling her inner Jo Ann Castle with the Maple Leaf Rag

The Maple Leaf Rag by Gail Farrell

Jo Ann Castle's Honky Tonk Birthday

Happy Birthday Jo Ann!

 

  

  

 

 

Jo Ann Castle's Honky Tonk Birthday

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

Summer Samba

Now that summer is offically underway, here's some appropriate music for this wunnerful time of year!

Here's Bob Ralston at the keyboards with the Summer Samba

Summer Samba

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

A moment of Bob Smale

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

A moment of Bob Smale

The many pianos of Jo Ann Castle

When Jo Ann Castle plays the honky tony piano, it's not just any ol' piano....like her, they have to be one of style, personality and color!

Here are some examples.....

This one is regal looking....

This one is a true patriot.....

....and this one has plenty of balloons for celebrating,

....and this one you never lei down for, unless you're on the beaches of Hawaii.

The many pianos of Jo Ann Castle

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

Picture of the day (1-10-07)

We gave you dueling banjos yesterday, now today I give you dueling pianos....Bob Ralston and Frank Scott giving their musical fingers a hearty workout!

Picture of the day (1-10-07)

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

Frank Scott

Here's a nice picture of pianist/arranger Frank Scott (1921-1995) after playing a nice instrumental of "Georgia On My Mind" from the Southern Show which aired a few weeks back.

Frank, of course, was with the Welk orchestra from 1956 to 1969 and has been very talented playing the piano, the harpischord and a terrific musical arranger. I always thought that the years he was on, especially during the 1960s, was when the music makers sounded their very best....and that's saying alot considering that all throughout the years, the Welk orchestra made such sweet music this side of heaven.

I would not be suprised if fellow pianists Jo Ann Castle, Bob Ralston, Bob Smale and Gail Farrell were inspired by Frank's artistry to shape their own keyboard talents.

Frank Scott