Down on the farm, we harvest only the best musicians

1973 was a fine year for music, and from the "Down On The Farm" episode, only Lawrence Welk produces the best!

Guitarists like Neil Levang.....
 

......and Clay Hart.
 

Here's Richard Maloof on bass....
 

......with Henry Cuesta on clarinet.
 

And all the while Bob Lido, when he's not tending to the crops, plays the fiddle too!

 

Down on the farm, we harvest only the best musicians

New Years Eve '70

Happy New Year everyone!

A new calendar year brings forth new promises, new hopes and memories which is what the Musical Family demonstrates in this week's episode.

And here are some of the highlights!

Ken Delo is a sucker for a pretty face like Mary Lou....

Richard Maloof receives some shocking news.....

.....and the NCAA investigates more allegations against Ohio State.

NEW YEARS EVE - December 26, 1970

1. THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING BIG - Gail, Cissy, Mary Lou, Bobby, Joe, Arthur, Norma, Ralna, Sandi, Sally, Guy and Jimmy
2. MAY YOU ALWAYS - Tanya Falan
3. OH HOW MY HEART BEATS - Myron Floren on accordion with Richard Maloof on tuba and assisted by Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger on coconuts
4. ROSES AND LOLLIPOPS - Ken Delo

5. THE EARLY DAYS OF THE DANCE/LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES - danced by Bobby Burgess and Cissy King
6. THIS GUY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU - Guy Hovis and Ralna English
7. GAMES PEOPLE PLAY - Clay Hart with Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang on guitar and Richard Maloof on bass
8. I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT - Norma Zimmer
9. SWING OUT - Johnny Zell on trumpet, Peanuts Hucko on clarinet and Bob Havens on trombone

10. THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND - Sandi Griffiths and Sally Flynn with Richard Maloof on tuba
11. YOUR EYES HAVE TOLD ME SO - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston on piano
12. CUMANA - Bob Ralston on piano
13. BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY - Sandi, Dick, Sally, Bobby, Ken, Tanya, Joe, Myron, Charlotte Harris, Curt Ramsey, Ralna, Guy, Gail, Cissy, Mary Lou and Arthur
14. EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES - danced by Arthur Duncan

15. BEAUTIFUL OHIO - Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts
16. DOWN BY THE OHIO - Bob Lido and the Hotsy Totsy Boys featuring Jack Imel on drums, Charlie Parlato on trumpet, Russ Klein on piccolo sax, Bob Havens on trombone, Bob Ralston on piano and Richard Maloof on bass
17. MOONLIGHT AND ROSES - the orchestra
18. LETS START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT - Gail Farrell and Dick Dale with Cissy, Bobby, Arthur, Norma, Jimmy, Sally, Myron, Sandi, Tanya, Joe, Ralna, Guy, Charlotte, Mary Lou and Ken along with Johnny Zell on trumpet, Peanuts Hucko on clarinet and Bob Havens on trombone

 
During the show, I noticed the recurring theme other than New Year's Eve was the Tournament of Roses parade and the Rose Bowl. 

Here's the Maestro talking with the reigning queen of the Rose Parade.

And during the parade number, we see that half the Music Makers waving Ohio State pennants and the other half Stanford pennants.

These were the two schools that were scheduled to play in that year's Rose Bowl.

And if you're a sports fan, Stanford won that game 27-17. The game's Most Valuable Player? It was quarterback Jim Plunkett who would go on to win two Super Bowls in a sixteen year career in the pros.

So until next time, keep a song in your heart and remember where the music comes out after it goes round and round.

New Years Eve '70

Things go better with Skokiaan

From 1968, here's the boys in the band with their rendition of the instrumental piece known to music lovers everywhere as just one word.

Skokiaan.

Your featured musicians are Frank Scott at the Vox, Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on bass guitar, Bob Davis and Dave Edwards on clarinet, Johnny Klein on drums and Jack Imel at the marimba.

Things go better with Skokiaan

Oh what the hell, just strike up the band.....

It's more than just music, music, music here at the Welk studios....

"So, what kind of stuff you keep down there?"

"I got my eye on you, so no sour notes from you!"

"Pull my finger!"

Oh what the hell, just strike up the band.....

Richard Maloof plays the tuba

Polka music ain't gonna play itself.....that's where Richard comes in to help!

Richard Maloof plays the tuba

Getting ready to party on New Year's

Myron has brought his accordion.....

Richard has his tuba......

....Gail and Mary Lou brought the coconuts

Getting ready to party on New Year's

Musical Family Hair of the Week

Richard Maloof rocks the afro topped with a mustache....

Musical Family Hair of the Week

You Belong To My Heart

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

Here's Anacani from 1977 singing "You Belong To My Heart"

You Belong To My Heart

Cruising Down The River

With Myron Floren and the rest of the Champagne Music Makers!

 

Cruising Down The River

When Afros ruled the world

....and it was no different here on the Lawrence Welk Show

Neil Levang

 

Richard Maloof

...and finally Guy Hovis

 

When Afros ruled the world

This Day in Welk History: Mary Lou and Richard's wedding

It all happened 36 years ago this month,

The date was June 16, 1973; music makers Mary Lou Metzger and Richard Maloof got married.

And this is the right time to go into my vault of vintage fan magazines to share this gem from that September's TV Star Parade.

Happy Anniversary kids! Just click on an image to view the pictures larger or read the article.

This Day in Welk History: Mary Lou and Richard's wedding

Richard Maloof's birthday

The master of the bass.....

....and the tuba

....and the ladies appreciate and admire his talent as a musician!

Happy Birthday Richard!

Richard Maloof's birthday

Country Champagne

From the 1968 Country & Western how, here's a pair of great musical numbers!

First, it's Myron Floren and Jo Ann Castle as an accordion twosome with Richard Maloof on tuba for "Just Because" followed by Bob Lido and the gang with "Ragtime Country Joe".

And stay tuned to the end, the Maestro gets a pleasant surprise from the musical family!

Country Champagne

Richard Maloof....musician and master thespian

Here's an example, from the 1974 season opener titled "That's Entertainment"

It all began with the Maestro dancing with Cissy King to Myron Floren's rendition of the Clarinet Polka

"This girl is too wild for me!" says Lawrence, "Myron, you dance with her, I'll play the accordian".

And here's Richard to the rescue!

"Mister Welk, Mister Welk! I can play it on the tuba." Rich proclaims....

"Show me" as the Maestro accepts his challenge.

And there goes, playing the Clarinet Polka on the tuba....

Cissy and Myron are both impressed....

....as well as Lawrence!

"My boys are full of surprises"....quote the Maestro.

Richard Maloof....musician and master thespian