Why TLWS?

Fans of The Lawrence Welk Show

Posted by MaryR on February 18, 2008 at 3:01pm

Here's a topic for discussion: Why the Lawrence Welk Show? With all the different musical genres, groups and individuals, why does this show and its performers (still) attract you? I have my own story (of course!), which I'll contribute in a bit, but I would love to hear from others!

Mary

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Permalink Reply by Josh on February 18, 2008 at 5:26pm: It's simple.....the music and entertainment is top quality!

And as for the singers, we (the common folk) can relate to them.....deep down they are like us!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rebekah on February 20, 2008 at 12:10pm: Great question! Well, I would have to say because I love the type of songs they sing. They are also great to listen to and sing along to. For instant, when cleaning my apartment or doing dishes, I love to have my taped episodes playing and just listen to the music. It has a happiness and joy in all the songs! It's just plain fun! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MaryR on February 22, 2008 at 10:40am: I guess my own story varies a little. We watched Lawrence Welk when I was little, because that was just the show everyone (the adults) watched. (well, with only two television stations in the very early days, and only maybe four in later years....) I can't say that I was particularly a "fan" of the show. Ok, well, I did like the Lennon Sisters and JoAnn Castle, but didn't have much use for the others.

In the late 70s or possibly 1980, I purchased 4 tickets to a Lawrence Welk live performance in our hometown, mostly as a gift to my grandmother, who was a huge fan ( we had to be totally silent at their home while TLWS was on, lol ). My intent on purchasing the tickets was that my parents would take my grandparents. I remember arguing some with my mother, who declined my offer of tickets and told me that I should take them. In those days, I was going to a lot of concerts, but they were mostly the same genre--NOT Lawerence Welk, lol.

On the day of the show my then boyfriend (future husband) and I ushered my nervous grandparents (who were quite elderly by then and practically had to be strong-armed into going) into the theater. Then we both sank down as low in our seats as we possibly could. Heaven forbid that anyone we "knew " should see us at a LW show! ;-)

Little did I know at that moment that this present I had engineered for my grandparents would turn out to be one of the best "gifts" I've ever had. Myron Floren led the band, and all of the performers from the 70s were there. I can still remember the jaw-dropping event--which it was for me. The sheer talent of each of the performers really amazed us and blew us away. Seeing them on TV and then seeing them live is--and was-- a whole other experience. Mary Lou Metzgar, I remember was particularly great.

Then there was the audience. I can honestly say that I've never had another concert experience like this. The songs were mostly familiar old standards, to which the audience members sang along. Loudly. Sometimes it was difficult to hear the performers over the crowd. I still have a wonderful mental image of my grandfather sitting there facing my grandmother, holding her hand, and singing VERY loudly, in his big gravelly voice--"Let Me Call You Sweetheart," while he and my grandmother both simply beamed with joy. It is absolutely one of the very best memories I have of my grandparents, and I treasure it dearly.

I still watch the reruns of the Lawrence Welk Show, mostly the old eps. that feature the Lennon Sisters (whom I just love, and I've never seen in person ). I have to say though, that this live LW show just transcended in many ways, every other concert before and since that time. The musical style wasn't always my cup of tea, but what an amazingly talented group of people LW collected for that show!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shirl on February 22, 2008 at 5:31pm: What a wonderful memory, Mary! I had no idea the live show was so special, and found that really moving.

My situation sort of mirrors yours - it was through my grandparents that I started watching the show when I was little. This was the very early 70s. I liked Ralna (had a school teacher that looked like her) and my uncle was a dead ringer for Guy. It seemed very familiar to me. I have always liked old standards so the music appealed to me, plus I love variety programs. It's just good entertainment.

Later I became a big fan of The Lennon Sisters after seeing them on a talk show, and started watching all the reruns of TLWS on PBS.; ▶ Reply to This