March 11
Lawrence Welk's Birthday

If you are under age 60, or don't collect accordion music recordings, or don t live in Santa Monica, you may not know the name Lawrence Welk. Welk was a major radio and television star in the 50s, 60s, and 70s He was raised in a small German-speaking town in North Dakota and did not learn English until he was 21 which resulted in his thick accent which was often parodied. He started out playing the accordion when he was 13 and went into music full-time after high school, eventually forming two groups, the Biggest Little Band in America and the Hotsy-Totsy Boys.

During the 1930s, Welk led a traveling big band, specializing in dance tunes and eventually became known for his "Champagne Music" , when a dancer referred to his band's sound as "light and bubbly as champagne" and from 1949 through 1951 when the band had its own national radio program on ABC, sponsored by "The Champagne of Bottle Beer" Miller High Life.

The Lawrence Welk Show, was first seen on network TV as a summer replacement program in 1955. Although the critics were not too kind, his show went on to last for 27 years with its easy-listening "Champagne Music" and his popular family of musicians, singers, and dancers that included the Lennon Sisters, the Champagne Ladies (Alice Lon and Norma Zimmer); accordionist Myron Floren, violinist Aladdin; and dancers Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan.

Welk's insistence on wholesomeness was a key component of why his show appealed to a specific older,udience. He even fired Champagne Lady Alice Lon for "showing too much knee" on camera. His thousands of fans often went a little crazy when Welk played the accordion or danced with one of the women in the audience. His fans also bought millions of his albums which helped made him a millionaire several time over.

ABC canceled the show in 1971 because it was "too old" to please advertisers. ABC's cancellation didn't stop the Welk Champagne Music juggernaught, and he lined up 200 independent stations for a successful syndicated network of his own.

The Santa Monica reference in the opening paragraph is in relation to Welk's brilliant real estate investments which included a partnership in a 21-story white tower which is the tallest building in Santa Monica and known by most of the residents as "The Lawrence Welk Champagne Tower."

So if you want to celebrate his birthday, watch From Lawrence Welk to America With Love (2003) and enjoy it with a slice of Champagne Cake. ZIf you are a women, just don't show too much knee while enjoying this fantastic dessert. Lawrence might object.

Champagne Cake

Cake Ingredients Frosting Ingredients

6 egg whites
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1&1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup shortening
2 &2/3 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups champagne
1 cup softened butter
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup .champagne
few drops of pink food coloring
1 TB vanilla
Additional 5 cups of powdered sugar

Cake Instructions

First in a cocktail shaker taken from a freezer, pour in the white rum. Then add a splash of Blue Curacao and Grenadine syrup. Add juice of half a lime. And shake baby shake! Serve it in a cocktail glass with a purple orchid on top to add ambiance! Very

Read more: The Sharon Stone Express recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drinkuv21827.html#ixzz1DmuzXRZ8

1. Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Grease pans and line with parchment paper.
    Grease paper and lightly flour pans.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F .
3. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
5. Add sugar, vanilla, and beat until well combined. Gradually add egg whites beating well after each addition.
   alternately add flour mixture and champagne to beaten mixture starting and ending with flour just until combined.
   (batter will appear curdled after champagne additions, but smooth after all of the flour mixture has been added.
6. Pour in prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting Instructions

1, Beat butter for 30 seconds gradually add powdered sugar, milk, champagne and vanilla.
2. Beat in an additional 5 cups powdered sugar until of spreading consistency
3. Frost Cake