Escondido, CA: Champagne music with the family
N 33° 13.944 W 117° 08.538
11S E 486741 N 3677060
It would be "wunnerful" to swing by and see this man and his "family" of performers.
Waymark Code: WM7ND
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/15/2006
Views: 50
What other musician can boast of a television show that lasted for 27 years? Who offered us an easy-listening style he referred to as “champagne music” brought to us by a “family” of performers? Whose likeness can be seen in Escondido (in the North County area of San Diego, CA) conducting his orchestra in front of a
fountain featuring a large musical note? Lawrence Welk, of course!
Welk was born in
Strasburg, North Dakota in 1903 to immigrant parents. He lived on a farm and didn’t speak English until he was in his early 20’s. This contributed to the thick accent viewers experienced, but his verbal prowess wasn’t why they watched. Instead, it was his
musical talent, including playing the accordian, and his willingness to dance with audience members, that helped charm audiences. Welk took his viewer mail seriously and meticulously charted both positive and negative feedback.
In the beginning, the show was called the
The Dodge Dancing Show, and it ran on ABC. Although popular with viewers, the show was deemed “too old” and cancelled. Welk simply organized more than 200 stations to carry it independently.
Photo source: http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lawrencewelk/lawrencewelk.htm
To learn more about the performers who graced his stage, visit
WelkShow.com