Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 1997/09

From: Jim Lytthans <lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: Welk, polkas, etc.
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 19:40:04 -0400

Ed,

As a "legit" clarinetist who played briefly with Welk (I subbed at the
Paladium for several months and did a couple of the recording sessions)
in the early '60s, I'm sorry to hear that you don't care for what he
did. Lawrence was a true showman, who knew how to please an audience.
He was also a gentleman in the best sense, treating his employees as
family. Sure, we can call his music corny, but the musicians were the
best in the business who believed that their contribution to the show
was meaningful, and that they were appreciated "by the front office".
Many of the guys I knew in the band had better offers (financially), but
almost always turned them down because they liked the working conditions
with Welk.

Re: Dan Leeson's comments about polka music. Priceless!! I spent about
12 years playing in a 5-6 piece polka band, with jobs every weekend.
This experience (1) made me some of the best steady money of my career,
and (2) really helped my technique. Sort of like a violinist playing
barn dances. And the friendships I made then are still strong today
(You hear that, Don Blasick? Let's get a polka band from Hell going!).

Sorry all this is so late. I've been out of town.

--

Jim Lytthans "Welk and Polkas Forever!"
La Mirada Symphony Orchestra
Claremont Symphonic Winds
(http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/~dooley/csw.html)
My home page:
http://home.pacbell.net/lytthans/index.html