My mom loved the weekly Lawrence Welk shows; she never missed one episode. We had a Motorola television set (black and white, of course) when it was time for the show, my mom would quiet everyone and we’d dive into the music and entertainment.
A show like his wouldn’t have a chance in today’s media market, however, at the time, he (and the show) was one of the most popular, ever. How Lawrence Welk managed to go from his leadership of the Honolulu Fruit Gum Orchestra to Champagne Music is beyond my imagination.
He was pretty strict with show members, however, he featured and introduced some of the most talented, professional, and famous musicians, ever. Even in the early days before the color broadcast, the performers radiated talent. As the show grew and improved, artists like The Lennon Sisters, Norma Zimmer, and Myron Cohen kept their train moving ahead and on time.
Around the time the program moved into color broadcasting, we bought a new television; now my mom was really happy. The show had the most incredible costumes; the dance numbers were spectacular and the audience grew. Now, the show is one of PBS’s most-watched weekly programs. It’s possible to see wonderful performers like Ava Barber, Lynn Anderson, Bobby Burgess (from the Mickey Mouse Club), and Jo-Ann Castle among them.
From time to time, PBS features one of the earlier shows, sponsored by Geritol; now that’s a name brand that will live on forever, just like the show itself.
Are we there yet? 