LAWRENCE WELK: PRECIOUS MEMORIES (TV)
Summary
This concert, from the Welk Resort in Branson, Missouri, pays tribute to musician, bandleader, and television impresario Lawrence Welk via songs and hymns and features such guests as Jo Ann Castle, Dick Dale, Ken Delo, Ralna English, Gail Farrell, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jack Imel, The Lennon Sisters, Mary Lou Metzger, Tom Netherton, Bob Ralston, and Norma Zimmer. The show opens with a performance of "I'll Fly Away." Then, the Welk regulars perform "Precious Memories" as photos show the late Welk with his wife Fern Renner, with Paul Whiteman, with the Lennon Family in 1963, with Kate Smith, celebrating his birthday, his 25th anniversary show, with English and her baby daughter Julie, and with Henry Mancini. Then, English and Hovis perform "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Afterward, English introduces "champagne lady" Zimmer, who performs "His Eye Is On the Sparrow." Next, Dale performs "If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)" as clips are shown of children. Then, Janet, Kathy, and Mimi Lennon -- the current incarnation of the Lennon Sisters -- perform "Ave Maria" in dedication to their mother. Next, English performs Welk's favorite hymn, "How Great Thou Art." Then, Castle performs a medley of "Do Lord," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," and "I Saw the Light" on the piano. Next, Metzger performs "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Then, Farrell performs a song she recorded in tribute to 9/11 heroes, "You Can Do Anything." Then, Imel performs "Old Bones," followed by a short tap dance. Next, Hovis talks about a song of "bright hope for tomorrow" before performing "What a Wonderful World." Then, Netherton performs "Find Us Faithful." Next, Delo performs "Joshua Fit (Fought) the Battle of Jericho." Then, Kathy Lennon performs "My Tribute." Next, Ralston performs an instrumental version of Meredith Wilson's "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" on the organ. Then, the program pays tribute to recently deceased Welk band clarinet player Henry Cuesta. Next, Feeney and his son Chris perform a medley of "You'll Never Walk Alone," "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)," and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." Then, all the Welk regulars take the stage to perform some of their favorite hymns, including "The Old Rugged Cross," "Love Lifted Me," "Peace in the Valley," "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," "Count Your Blessings," "Rock of Ages," "Church in the Wildwood," "Just a Little Talk with Jesus," "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "Footprints in the Sand," "Just As I Am," "Amazing Grace," and "The Lord's Prayer." The program closes with a group reprise of "Precious Memories," then the Welk show's trademark musical sign-off, "Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen."
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 30, 2004
- RUNNING TIME: 1:19:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:91207
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 2005
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert L. Allen … Executive Producer
- Bill Thrash … Producer
- Dennis Glore … Director
- JoAnn Young … Writer
- John Bahler … Conductor
- Gary Owen … Announcer
- Jo Ann Castle … Performer
- Dick Dale … Performer
- Ken Delo … Performer
- Ralna English … Performer
- Gail Farrell … Performer
- Chris Feeney … Performer
- Joe Feeney … Performer
- Guy Hovis … Performer
- Jack Imel … Performer
- Janet Lennon … Performer
- Mimi Lennon … Performer
- Peggy Lennon … Performer
- Mary Lou Metzger … Performer
- Tom Netherton … Performer
- Bob Ralston … Performer
- Norma Zimmer … Performer
- Henry Cuesta
- Julie Hovis
- The Lennon Sisters
- Henry Mancini
- Fern Renner
- Kate Smith
- Lawrence Welk
- Paul Whiteman
- Meredith Wilson