Going Back to School

Here's Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn giving pupil Charlie Parlato a few lessons about the alphabet in the 1971 episode "School Days".

By the way, how come I never had teachers or tutors this so attractive?

Going Back to School

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles

Howdy fans, I have returned last night from Eastlake, OH where I saw the Forever Blowing Bubbles concert.

Here's a little teaser of what went on at the show.

Those are the Blenders, from left to right is Skip Taylor, Michael Redman, Bob Duncan and Greg Dixon.

I will be working on the Forever Blowing Bubbles page on my normal website for the next couple of days, an edit there....a touch up here and then some, and I'll let you know when it is all done!

Right now, it's raining back in Toledo and all across Ohio....YECH!

But nothing will rain on my Champagne parade today!

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles

Picture of the day (11-15-06)

The music makers come together to sing, "What the World Needs is Love, Sweet Love" from the 1980 episode "Easy Listening". Notice that nice couple in the middle is Clay Hart and Sally Flynn, both who have returned to the show as guest stars. To the far right of them, sitting, is the Aldridge Sisters.

Speaking of that, I'll be in Eastlake, OH tonight for the Forever Blowing Bubbles concert....Clay & Sally will be on the bill, as well as Sheila and Sherry Aldridge, Bobby Burgess & Elaine Balden plus Michael Redman as one of the Blenders with Bob Duncan, Greg Dixon and Skip Taylor.

I'll be sure to take pictures and share my them....as well as my thoughts on my regular webpage, should be a great show!

Picture of the day (11-15-06)

The Three Amigos and Mary Lou

This is not a comedia or telenovela from Univision or Telemundo, it's from the "Salute to Roses" episode from 1971 featuring Mary Lou Metzger and three of the Hotsy Totsy Boys with the number, "San Antonio Rose".

And who are those cabrellos in the sombreros? From left to right, that's Charlie Parlato, Russ Klein, Mary Lou in the middle and Bob Lido.

The Three Amigos and Mary Lou

Mary Lou Metzger

Today music maker birthday is a real special one, it's Mary Lou Metzger's birthday!

Mary Lou has the honor of being from both ends of Pennsylvania, she was born in Pittsburgh but spent most of her childhood in Philadelphia....makes you wonder if she's a Steelers fan or an Eagles fan.

Her parents, Helen & Ernie Metzger, went out on a date in 1938 at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh where Lawrence Welk and his orchestra played that night....and it was that the term "Champagne Music" was born.

Just coincedence? Or perhaps something special in the works?

Mary Lou began performing as a child, starring in the traveling production of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" as one of her many stage productions, and appeared on television in the program, "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour". While attending Temple University, she traveled out to Los Angeles in sunny Southern California to appear on the GE All American College Bowl....but had other plans as well, and it involved Lawrence Welk and his Musical Family.

It was on Mothers Day of 1970 when Mary Lou joined the show, where she enrolled in the Welk orginaztion's Youth Opportunity Program that trained her to be a singer, musician and performer. Right away, her time started to pay dividends....she sang in choral numbers and with Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys providing vocals in her Betty Boop voice.

She also was paired with Jack Imel in light dance musical routines that were popular on the show, plus she also sang with Gail Farrell as a duet....later joined with Sandi Griffiths to make up the ever popular trio of Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou.

Right until the show ended in 1982, she was one of the Welk family's most popular and versitile performers.

Today, Mary Lou remains very busy....starring in stage plays as part of the Actor's Conservatory Ensamble, performing in many Welk concerts where she also doubles as excecutive producer and hosting the wraparounds for the show on PBS where she also conducts interviews with members of the musical family. Since 1973, she has been married to fellow music maker Richard Maloof, who played bass and tuba in the orchestra.

Happy Birthday Mary Lou! In honor, watch her sing "Oh Johnny!"

Mary Lou Metzger

Broadway Musicals

This week's episode is really a fun one, it's from the Golden Age of Welk called "Broadway Musicals" which originally aired on November 27, 1971....here's Myron Floren getting the joint jumpin with "With A Little Bit of Luck".

And of course, Myron's talents is not a result of a little bit of luck, but rather the result of practice, practice and hard work!

The orchestra had alot of work tonight....kicking the show off with a medley of songs from The Sound of Music and great instrumentals of "Getting to Know You" and "This Can't Be Love". We also have Cissy & Bobby doing a nice dance to Dancing in the Dark which of course it was with a lot of light to see.

And there were great vocal numbers as well, such as Ken Delo's "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face", Norma Zimmer's inspirational "You'll Never Walk Alone" and Clay Hart's "Try to Remember" from that great Off-Broadway show The Fantastiks.

What 1971 show would not be complete without Sandi & Sally and their rendition of "Put On A Happy Face" which for this blogmeister has no problem with.

The finale of tonight's program has the whole cast in 1920s wear, and my favorite....the girls in flapper dresses, WHO HOO! They performed well with numbers such as "Are You Having Any Fun?" and danced to the Black Bottom. You also had Arthur Duncan doing a dance to "This Is My Lucky Day" and Tanya singing about the Birth of the Blues.

But there are no blues here on this show, it was nothing but 100 percent fun!

Mary Lou Metzger's interview corner was next, and in the hot seat is Norma Zimmer who talked about her family, working in the showbiz with Bing Crosby and Nelson Riddle and her life on the Welk show. She also talked about the heart attack she had after the taping of "Precious Memories" but thankfully....she is doing great. Regretfully, our Champange Lady had to alter her diet, no more ice cream and cheese!

Here's an interesting factoid, one of Norma's first fan letters when she joined the music makers came from the Coz himself, Bill Cosby!

Hope you all had a pleasant Veterans Day weekend so far, let us honor those who have served our country well and never forget.

And for next week, Musicial Family of Nations is on the docket, see you all then!

Broadway Musicals

Second Hand Kathie?

There's no seconds or hand me downs for Kathie Sullivan, here singing the popular "Second Hand Rose" from the "By The Numbers" show from 1978....and that's the kind of girl Jake the Plumber can adore!

Second Hand Kathie?

If Lou Reed met Lawrence Welk...

This particular video I found is really trippy. It's alleged that Lou Reed's Velvet Underground made an "guest" appearance on the Lawrence Welk Show.

See it for yourself, it's rather interesting and a bit of fun!

If Lou Reed met Lawrence Welk...

Mary Lou and Ralna

Two of Lawrence Welk's finest music makers, here from 1972's Salute to Los Angeles episode singing "California Here I Come".

And of course, Mary Lou made her way from Pennsylvania while Ralna came from Texas.

Mary Lou and Ralna

Picture of the day (11-8-06)

A couple of old smoothies.....Cissy King and Bobby Burgess from the 1978 episode, "Salute to the Senior Citizens".

But honestly, in real life.....those two today look and feel much younger than the picture above.

Picture of the day (11-8-06)

It's a tough life being a singer

Ken Delo finds out firsthand that being a singer means being a ladies man....and he knows that the girls just can't get his hands off him!

Now that is what I call taking one for the team.

It's a tough life being a singer

Election Day

Just a quick reminder that today is the day to vote. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican or Independent, liberal, conservative, moderate or none of the above; it's your duty as an American citizen to cast your ballot....just one of the great things about the USA that Mr. Welk took great pride in.

Oh and when you're done voting, enjoy the rest of the day with some Champagne Music.....or just read some of my past entries in this here blog!

Election Day

The Maestro on Here's Lucy

The Maestro on Here's Lucy

Caribbean Cruise 1980

Pack your bags and your suntan lotion, it's time to board the S.S Ah-One-Ah-Two for this week's show; Caribbean Cruise which first aired on October 4, 1980.

The gang is ready for a three hour tour, are you?

The show has a shipload of nice musical numbers, such as Ava Barber's rendition of "The Love Boat", which of course is the famous theme song from the show of the same name. The gang also sings a rousing "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" and you have the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins singing "Feelin' Groovy",

Bobby and Elaine do some dancing above, they also put the "Love Boat" theme to work in dance....with a traditional tango and later a bit of disco. You also have Ken Delo singing about the fact that there's "A Lot Of Coffee in Brazil"....trying to convince the passengers to drink some coffee while traveling in a sub-tropical climate.

The orchestra had a lot of great numbers to work with, first with "Lisbon Antigua" along with "In Acapulco" and the "Isle of Capri". There were several great solos, such as Anacani's "El Cumbanchero", Kathie Sullivan's "How Deep Is The Ocean?" and Tom Netherton's "Poinciana". You also had Mary Lou Metzger and Jack Imel with a light comic dance routine with "By The Beautiful Sea" which you would notice the bathing costumes they wore....not exactly going with the times!

It was a great show this week, more fun than any Poseidon adventure!

Mary Lou had Arthur Duncan in the hot seat this week, and he talked about his adventures in tap dancing; which led him to Australia and other points across the world that steered him to the Welk show. Plus, he also mentions that as a tap dancing legend, he's being honored with numerous awards for his lifetime's work in that genre.

By the way, if Arthur ever comes to your town to do a show, make it a point to see him in action, you'll be glad you did.

And that's the way the bubble pops for this week, let's set sail on the champagne waters and dance!

Caribbean Cruise 1980

The Leader of the Hotsy Totsy Boys

Bob Lido is what you call a "quadruple threat". He could sing, play the violin, be a comedian and lead Lawrence Welk's Hotsy Totsy Boys, named after the maestro's first band when they were based out of South Dakota.

The native of Jersey City, NJ played with Carmen Cavarello's band before joining up with the Welk orchestra around 1953, where for more than thirty years, showed off his diverse musical talents. Bob was also best friends with another popular Welk music maker, Aladdin Pallante....who also played the violin and was known for his inspirational recitations.

He passed away in August 2000, from complications of a stroke.

The Leader of the Hotsy Totsy Boys

Ava and the Maestro

No, Ava Barber has not dressed as a bar maid this past Halloween...she is with Lawrence on the 1979 St. Patrick's Day show about to sing her number titled, "Harrigan, That's Me".

And it is true, country gals do have a little Irish in them!

Ava and the Maestro

Rocky Rockwell

Today, he is without a doubt one of the "old timers" of the Welk musical family....but it's kinda hard to tell from this vintage shot.

Rocky Rockwell, who sang and played trumpet for the Welk orchestra from 1950 to 1962, hails from Saint Joseph, MO who also served his country during World War II. Although he can play the trumpet real well, he is best remembered fondly by fans for his singing and comedic skills, especially for his signature tune, "I Love Girls".

Too bad Rocky wasn't with the show during the 70s or 80s, his singing of his signature tune would really have special meaning...working with Sandi, Sally, Cissy, Ralna, Gail, Tanya, Mary Lou, Anacani, the Aldridge Sisters....etc, now that would be fun!

Still, he's a pleasure to watch....and does one mean Elvis impression!

Now that's one wunnerful, wunnerful young man with talent!

Rocky Rockwell

Picture of the day (11-1-06)

Bobby Burgess dressed to the nines in his finest yellow tux, waiting for his best girl for a little dance....and a little romance....or to share a banana split.

Picture of the day (11-1-06)

Happy Halloween!

Just be sure all you Welkies have a safe and happy halloween season, may your costume be scary and creative and may their be more treats than tricks!

By the way, that's Ralna English dressed as a witch, Arthur Duncan as the clown, Ken Delo as the mummy and Mary Lou Metzger as the space cadet.

Happy Halloween!

Jimmy Roberts

Today's Music Maker spotlight falls on our crooner from Kentucky, Jimmy Roberts....who was always a huge favorite of the ladies.

Born and raised in the Bluegrass State, Jimmy first joined the music makers in the early 1950s when they were headquartered at the Aragon Ballroom, and once the Welk family made it's national television debut in 1955, Jimmy became a household name.

His specality is in romantic songs, pop standards and religious hyms, but his most famous and most requested is "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", made famous by Tony Bennent. He was also very popular in romantic duet numbers with Norma Zimmer.

Jimmy was a mainstay of the show for every year it was on, and until his passing from bone cancer in 1999, continued to perform with the same dignity, warmth and professionalism that fans remember.

Jimmy was married twice, first to Jane who passed in 1976; and second to Vi until his passing, He also had two sons, Gary and Steven.

Jimmy Roberts

Halloween 1978

Happy Halloween everyone, here is this week's very spooky episode; the Halloween show from October 28, 1978....exactly twenty-eight years ago, here is the Maestro to get things started.

It all begins with the orchestra playing, "That Old Black Magic" which was just a few of the great numbers by the band including "Full Moon and Empty Arms" and "The Stars Fell On Alabama" led by Mr. Welk's superb saxophone section.

Ken Delo shined his best on tonight's show, dressed as a sorcerer with great numbers like "Put On A Happy Face" and was happily assisted by Anacani with his experiments which usually resulted in many hilarious consequences.

The Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins, dressed as cowboys, sounded great with "Ghost Riders in the Sky", and there's Kathy Sullivan as a princess sung "In The Still of the Night". You had Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger singing about "Kids" and what's the matter with them today, as well as Guy & Ralna's rendition of "Old Devil Moon".

Dressed tastefully as witches, the trio of Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou sang the classic "This Old House" which was well complemented by Bob Ballard's choral arrangement of "Me and My Shadow". Joe Feeney sang "Hush-a-Bye" with Bob Ralston on the organ and you had Bobby & Cissy dance the devil away.

It was in all, a colorful and exciting episode....just like all the Welk Halloween shows.

This was one of the Mary Lou Metzger interview shows, and in the hot seat this week is Jack Imel, her dance partner and very entertaining colleague. He talked about and answered questions about growing up in Indiana, his stint in the Navy and his start on the Welk show. Jack also explained how his creative juices and energy got him the added title of Associate Producer of the show and how to this day, he still has ideas and fun playing role of entertainer and family man.

That's it for this week, Happy Halloween and make sure that when you go trick or treating.....make sure the candy is fresh and the apples are devoid of worms!

Halloween 1978

Feeling a little bit down today?

Here's Gail, Sandi and Mary Lou to brighten up your workday, maybe this ray of sunshine will fend off the rain in St. Louis!

Feeling a little bit down today?

Barney Liddell

Here is trombonist Barney Liddell, a veteran of the Welk orchestra from 1948, playing one of his popular solos from 1973's Salute To Irving Berlin show.

The native of Gary, Indiana attended Notre Dame University, and played with several bands before joining the Maestro's band when they played several dates at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. He was there when they moved out to Southern California and made the transistion to television in the 1950s.

In addition to playing trombone, Barney also was in charge of the band's instruments and luggage on the Welk band's concert tours...he was without a doubt one of the most valuable members of the musical family, but was alos one of the most kind-hearted fellows around according to Lawrence himself. Right up until his death in 2003, he continued to perform with several big band alumni bands and with the Music Makers as well.

Barney Liddell was without a doubt, a very fine trombonist from the big band era in the style of Tommy Dorsey.

Barney Liddell

Picture of the Day (10-25-06)

Jo Ann Castle and Myron Floren both doing a jam session with their accordians. Even in the black & white shows, their music always add a bit of color and sparkle to TV audiences.

Picture of the Day (10-25-06)

Tanya Falan and Dick Dale

From the 1969 episode titled "Music Memories", two of our favorite music makers sharing a dance while mugging for the cameras.

They make a nice couple....eh?

Tanya Falan and Dick Dale

Jimmy Roberts goes country

From 1971's Country & Western show, the Kentucky gentlemen Jimmy Roberts trades in his usual two piece suit for green buckskins and fringe to sing "It's No Secret (What God Can Do)."

Jimmy Roberts goes country

Concert In The Park

This week's episode is another late 1970s classic; Concert In The Park which orginally aired October 6, 1979 and Guy Hovis is your host for the wraparounds....so without any further delay, here comes that all-too-famliar champagne fanfare!

The gang gets things started with, "In The Good Old Summertime" and as you can see....half went with the lime green formal wear and the other half went with rainbow striped casualwear with roller skates!

I wonder which half got the better deal from costumer Rose Weiss?

Anyway, there were plenty of memorable numbers, such as the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins' rendition of "Southern Nights" in which Shelia and Sherry Aldridge looked very pretty and David and Roger were very handsome. You also had newcomer Jim Turner with an acoustic "Through the Night" and great orchestral numbers by the band with "On Moonlight Bay", "Our Director" and "The Way We Were".....all sounded great by the boys in the band

There was also a fine number titled, "If You Love Me, Let Me Know" by Gail Farrell and her band of fellows featuring Larry Hooper, Dick Dale, Charlie Paralato and Kenny Trimble...all had such a great blend of music, vocals and harmony. Arthur Duncan danced his feet out with "Breezing Along With The Breeze" and Tom Netherton had a nice solo with "Till' There Was You", featuring Bob Ralston at the piano.

Mary Lou Mention and Jack Imel made sure they were noticed with "Mention My Name...." with a nice assist by Ken Delo. Speaking of Kenny Boy, he was quite busy tonight sharing a dance with Kathie Sullivan in her number "Goodnight My Someone" and led the chorus in the show's closing number, "And The Band Played On."

All in all, it was another fine show this week from the Welk folks.

When this show fired aired, they were back at the ABC Studios on Prospect and Talmadge after a three year hiatus and the audience had alot of fun. As you can see....they had a chance to dance with the Champagne Music Makers to a Dixieland Jazz version of "And The Band Played On" which was exciting....makes me wish I was old enough to be there when that show was taped.

Keep a song in your heart....and always keep having your band playing on to victory, just ask the fellows from the Michigan State Spartans football team!

Concert In The Park

Blenders....The Next Generation?

Could be.....but it would be one of Southern heritage. Jim Turner of Knoxville, TN, David & Roger Otwell of Tulia, TX and Guy Hovis of Tupelo, MS without a doubt make those harmonies sound great!

Blenders....The Next Generation?

Ron Anderson

Today is Ron Anderson's birthday, you all know him as one third of the mixed trio of Gail, Ron and Michael and of course is Gail Farrell's husband.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Ron attended Bethany College and was a choir director at a local church before heading for Hollywood where he honed his singing skills and made numerous guest appearances on TV shows. But it was in 1977 where he met Gail at an actors workshop that led his path to being on the Welk show three years later. He's the father of four; sons Johnathan and Grant from a previous marriage and twins Erin and Lauren with Gail and although he still likes to sing, he works full time for Countrywide Home Loans.

Happy Birthday Ron! Always put on a happy face and stay wunnerful!

Ron Anderson

Picture of the Day (10-18-06)

From 1966, three talented flutists from the Welk orchestra....Bob Davis, Orie Amodeo and Natalie Nevins.

These guys and their talent are simply wunnerful, wunnerful!

Picture of the Day (10-18-06)

Welk stars say Go Bucks!

From the 1970 New Years Eve show, Bob Lido and his Hotsy Totsy Boys are playing a happy tune....probably because that the Ohio State Buckeyes are the Number One college football team in the country so far.

Of course, this blogmeister is from Toledo....and all my fellow Buckeye Welk fans feel the same way!

Welk stars say Go Bucks!

Welk Musical Family has made a succesful Test Pattern!

A hearty afternoon to all my fellow Welkies out there. It's been about six months or so since I launched my companion blog for Welk Musical Family.com...and I am happy to tell you all that the major media has taken notice and like what they have seen!

We got a nice mention on MSNBC's Test Pattern composed by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper....it's great stuff. Just click on the link below and scroll down.

TEST PATTERN: MULTI-LINK MONDAY

And thanks for everyone who has visited and commented here at Welk Musical Family....I could have not done it without you!

Welk Musical Family has made a succesful Test Pattern!

Musical Masterpieces

This week's episode is Musical Masterpieces from October 18, 1975, here's Bob Ralston at the piano playing "Rhapsody In Blue" to get things started!

Lawrence Welk really has one heckuva show in store this Saturday, all classic songs done in contemporary style (CHAMPAGNE!). Bobby and Cissy dance to the "Breeze and I " while Tom Netherton sings about his Stranger in Paradise. Anacani here, sings about the Mexican town of Guadalajara.

Guy & Ralna sings their ever popular Anniversary Song and later we are treated to Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou's Baubles, Bangles and Beads (just excatly what in Sam's Hill is a 'bauble' anyway?)

Dick Dale and Ava Barber sings "On Top of Old Smokey" but sadly, it is not the meatball version....("I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed"). There was Carmen's Boogie played by the orchestra....second week in a row I heard that number and the Semonski Sisters singing Perry Como's ever popular "Hot Diggity"

A very fine program indeed....watch for Ken Delo and Tanya Falan doing a duet of "Glow Worm", and here's the maestro having a Kodak moment with Jimmy Roberts handling the Polaroid.

Mary Lou's guest this week in the hot seat is Johnny Zell, our fine trumpet player. He talks about his first attempt joining the Welk band while still a youngster, his early days with Freddy Martin plus his stint in the Army playing with the NORAD band with fellow and future music makers Dave Edwards and Richard Maloof.

Did you also know that Johnny is a fan of the rock group Steely Dan? Or that he teaches trumpet online, just check out JOHNNY ZELL AND FAMILY here in cyberspace.

That's all folks....keep a song in your heart and your baubles all in one place!

Musical Masterpieces