Working in Branson
I was living in Los Angeles when my agent called and asked if I'd be interested in auditioning for Lawrence Welk. My first question, not being rude but honest was "hasn't Lawrence Welk passed away?" My agent explained that Larry Welk Jr. was opening a new show in Branson, Missouri and looking for young talent to promote as new Lawrence Welk stars. I went to the audition and after singing and dancing for Andre Tayir, the producer, I had a private audition for Larry Welk. Afterwards, I found myself on my way to Branson. I have many wonderful memories from the four years I spent there.
We all had so much fun backstage and onstage. Of course, at the beginning we were all busy getting ready for the upcoming show. But after we had settled in, we got to know each other and thus the fun began. It's funny, our first show was a 31/2-hour to 4-hour show. That first performance was the first time we had done the show without stopping. So needless to say, the show needed to have some cuts made, about an hour and a half worth. That's a lot. But over the next few weeks things were taken out and before we knew it, the show was running at a reasonable amount of time.
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Singing onstage with The Lennon Sisters |
Being with Lawrence Welk allowed me to do five Nationally aired television shows. Three Lawrence Welk specials, the Jerry Lewis telethon and a show the Inspirational Network taped.
As with most shows, the entertainers like to have fun while onstage. When we'd turn our backs to the audience, we'd make faces at the orchestra members trying to get them to laugh. Of course, they're facing the audience and so they had to do their best to keep a straight face.
The Lennon Sisters had a very small cutout of Waldo, the "Where's Waldo" character. They would take turns with the little cutout and put it somewhere on their costume and then we'd all have to try and find him. So the big question was, "where's Waldo?", which Lennon had him this time?! One time we found him in the flower Janet was wearing, another time Kathy had him hiding on her hat. You just never knew where you'd find Waldo but it was fun playing.
One year, a couple of us kidnapped a little stuffed cow that belonged to one of the cast members. We put up a ransom note stating, "we want one million unmarked pennies!"
The whole cast was making bets as to who the kidnappers might be. We took this cow and shot pictures of it in threatening and funny poses telling the cow's owner he'd better pay up or else. Then every few days we'd put up a new picture. The cast, crew, orchestra, production staff and basically everyone was on the lookout for clues trying to figure out who the kidnappers were.
Nobody figured it out so the producer called a big meeting before the show one night and read a poem we had written with the very end telling everyone who the kidnappers were.
Where's the Beef!
Everyone was shocked to
find out who it was!
Surprise, surprise!!
One of the funniest things I remember, is that someone brought
in a whoopee cushion. We were filming one of the Lawrence Welk television
specials and so most of the Welk stars where in town. In the large break
room backstage we'd put the whoopee cushion under the chair cushion and
wait for someone to come in and sit down. It was so funny, I've never seen
so many adult kids. The funniest person was Arthur Duncan. After we got
him, he wanted to get everyone else that didn't know about it. He made
sure every seat in the break room was taken except the one with the whoopee
cushion. Then he'd call someone in. One by one everyone ended up in the
whoopee cushion chair and everyone, especially Arthur, would laugh hysterically.
All the Welk stars have so many stories about Lawrence Welk. And when they tell the stories they do so in their best Lawrence Welk accent. Some of my favorite Lawrence Welk sayings are..
"My records are selling like wild cakes." (hotcakes)
Referring to rock music: "That's not my cup of dish." (tea)
To the band before going on the air: "Act like you're having fun but don't."
To his stand-in: "Whenever you have a minute, I'd like to see you right now."
"Guys we have to put our tables on the floor." (put your cards on the table)
"That's what broke the camels straw." (back)
"This is my good friend Mark Christian from Minnesota. Why don't you come up and tell us your name and where you're from."
Lawrence was asked to introduce the Grand Potentate. He kept asking Jack Imel, "what was that word again?" Jack would tell him Potentate. When Lawrence got up to introduce the man, Lawrence said, "Please welcome the Grand Totempole."
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Doing a number with Joann Castle |
Something else I really enjoyed doing was teaching Kathy and Janet Lennon and a few of the Lennon daughters tap lessons in the rehearsal room backstage between shows. Janet would come in to class and say "hi Mr. Gier." I'd ask if she had practiced since last week and she'd say, "No, Mr. Gier." We had a great time. Kathy was so funny. She had a hard time with this one step I had taught everyone and so I was always teasing her and trying to help her get it. During the show, I sang a duet "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera. When I would exit the stage, Kathy and Janet would be there getting ready to enter for their first big entrance in the show. Dee Dee and Peggy were on the other side of the stage. During the Lennon Sister's introduction, I'd be on stage right with Kathy asking her to show me the step she was having such a hard time with. She'd lift up her beautiful beaded gown and give it a try. Both of us would just laugh because it just wasn't happening and she looked so funny in that elegant dress trying to do it. Then she'd pull herself together and make her entrance as the beautiful, elegant Lennon that she was.
We were all one big family. We had great times and bad times. Lots of laughter and sometimes tears. But one thing is certain, it's a time I will never forget and friendships I'll have forever.
The entire cast onstage at the Lawrence Welk Theater
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The taping of FATBOY SLIM'S
"Praise You" video.. |
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