From the Heart: A Tribute to Lawrence Welk & The American Dream  

PBS WESTERN RESERVE (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):

Saturday, Aug. 12, at 7 PM

A heartfelt celebration of a legendary star who truly lived the American Dream, this 1993 two-hour musical spectacular was the first new Lawrence Welk live performance program produced for public television. Like a precious heirloom, it sat on the shelf unseen for 30 years — until now. Hosted by Barbara Mandrell, it was taped at the new Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and featured 21 favorite Welk regulars, with guest stars Pete Fountain, The Jordanaires and Floyd Cramer, in front of an enthusiastic audience that adored them. Mandrell sings two songs dedicated to Mr. Welk, a man she loved, admired and worked with on the Welk show in 1980.

Performances include “I’m On My Way”/“This Is My Country” with the Welk stars, guests and Barbara Mandrell, the Lennon Sisters sing “Come Saturday Morning,” and Pete Fountain plays “Basin Street Blues” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”  Dick Dale sings “America Is” and an “Across the USA” medley features solos from the entire cast. Mandrell sings two solo numbers, “Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “The Very Thought of You” and the Welk Band performs a medley of Big Band tunes from Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. The Jordanaires harmonize and inspire with the “American Trilogy” and the show closes with “Amazing Grace.”