WELK MUSICAL FAMILY

Monday, December 21, 2009

The return of Junice....Christmas edition

Our friends from SNL hit another one out of the park, just in time for Christmas!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

The Twelve Days of a Welk Christmas

Come along and sing it out....loud and proud!

An ah one-an-a-two

On the first day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
A malfunctioning bubble machine

On the second day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show

Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the third day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the fourth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show

Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the fifth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the sixth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the seventh day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the eighth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
The Lennon Sisters singing
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the ninth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Hoopie's playin' with his trains
The Lennon Sisters singing
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the tenth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Joe Feeney's kids are carolin'
Hoopie's playin' with his trains
The Lennon Sisters singing
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the eleventh day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Guy, Ralna and Julie
Joe Feeney's kids are carolin'
Hoopie's playin' with his trains
The Lennon Sisters singing
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine

On the twelfth day of Christmas, on the Lawrence Welk Show
Lawrence sings Jingle Bells
Guy, Ralna and Julie
Joe Feeney's kids are carolin'
Hoopie's playin' with his trains
The Lennon Sisters singing
Bobby and Cissy a dancin'
Jo Ann plays honky tonk
Sandi and her kids
Myron plays the accordion
Dick Dale as Santa
Tanya's two little boys
And a malfunctioning bubble machine!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

It's the Lawrence Welk Holiday Special!

This particular special during public television's pledge drives has a real sentimental value and one of my personal favorites.

First aired in 1993 and 1994, the Champagne Music Makers salute Christmases of Welk Show past.

Starring Myron Floren

Jo Ann Castle

Norma Zimmer

Bobby Burgess

Mary Lou Metzger

Sandi Griffiths

Ken Delo

Ron Anderson and Gail Farrell

...and the head honcho from OETA, Bob Allen

The two hour extravaganza, three or perhaps more when including those pledge breaks, is a retrospective of all the Christmas shows produced and aired by the Welk Show during it's twenty-seven year run. Featured are some of the most memorable moments and popular yuletide numbers by the Musical Family.

Like the March of the Toy Soldiers....

...and Bobby's dancing to the Carol of the Bells, with either Cissy, Barbara or Elaine

They also flashback to all the Musical Family's own family members, who get their time to shine as well....

....like Bob Ralston's kids playing the piano

....and Henry Cuesta's daughter Marion playing the flute

And of course, everyone is gathered 'round the tree, the kids waiting for Santa to come with their presents

This special is family fun for everyone, maybe it will be shown again down the road during the holidays....

I know I'll be watching!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The blogmaster's fantasy Welk episode: Songs from Godspell

Religious and Inspirational Songs have always been an staple of the Lawrence Welk Show. I'm sure that in popular culture, the fusion of religion, rock music and the hippie-youth counterculture of the early 1970s with Broadway Musicals such as "Jesus Christ Superstar" and pop sings like Ocean's "Put Your Hand In the Hand" would give the Maestro ideas of attracting the young viewers that televison coveted.

Which led me to this installment of this version of my fantasy Welk Show episode. By using one of the popular religious youth oriented rock operas from Broadway....Godspell!

If the Champagne Music Makers sang the songs from the stage show, and later on the big screen, the playlist would like this....

1. OPENING-PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD - orchestra with lead vocals by Jimmy Roberts and backing by Joe Feeney, Ken Delo, Dick Dale, Bobby Burgess, Guy Hovis, Gail Farrell, Mary Lou Metzger, Sandi Griffiths, Sally Flynn, Ralna English and Cissy King
2. SAVE THE PEOPLE - Clay Hart on guitar
3. DAY BY DAY - Ralna English
4. LEARN YOUR LESSONS WELL - orchestra with Bob Ralston at piano
5. ALL FOR THE BEST - Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn
6. O BLESS THE LORD - Guy Hovis & Ralna English

7. ALL GOOD GIFTS - Joe Feeney
8. LIGHT OF THE WORLD - sung and danced by Bobby Burgess, Cissy King, Arthur Duncan and Jack Imel followed by guitar solos by Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang
9. TURN BACK O' MAN - Tanya Falan with supporting vocal by Jimmy Roberts
10. ALAS FOR YOU - Ken Delo
11. BY MY SIDE - Mary Lou Metzger, Gail Farrell and Sally Flynn

12. BEAUTIFUL CITY - the orchestra with Myron Floren on accordion
13. WE BESEECH THEE - Norma Zimmer
14. ON THE WILLOWS - trumpet solo by Johnny Zell
15. FINALE - lead vocal by Jimmy Roberts and backing by both male and female choruses
16. DAY BY DAY (REPRISE) - Ralna, Gail, Mary Lou, Cissy, Tanya, Sandi, Sally, Norma, Guy, Dick, Ken, Arthur, Bobby, Jimmy, Joe, Clay

Personally, I think an episode like this would be a winner. Day By Day is one of my favorite songs from the show and Ralna would be perfect singing it.

Keep a song in your heart and you are always the light of the world!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Champagne Christmas Capers #3

Singing Jingle Bells is an art form....especially on the Lawrence Welk Show

There are two things you can always count on when the Music Makers sing this holiday classic while decorating the Christmas Tree...

....Myron Floren chiming in with his "Yingle Bells"

.....and Lawrence singing his lines while escorted by Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger

....except for that one year (1973) when the Maestro was accompanied by Tanya and Anacani

So go ahead, join in and sing....and put some of that "yingle" into the spirit of the season!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I don't like spam!

Recently, I've been flooded with that junk in the comments section...

....and it leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.

Since this is a family-friendly blog, I installed word verfication when you want to leave comments, to keep the spammers out.

I know it's a pain in the keyster, but it's the best way to keep Welk Musical Family a pleasant viewing experience.