Lawrence Welk had become a national sensation, and tonight in 1946, Welk’s music was heard on his nightly program on WGN. The artist had come far indeed, but not without some changes.

Jay Bryant, a writer for the Napoleon Homestead, said 25 years ago in Napoleon, he had asked the lone accordionist to play “Carolina in the Morning.” Earlier this month in 1946, Bryant went to see Welk at the Trianon in Chicago and requested the same song. “It was a far cry from the original rendition,” said Bryant. “This time Lawrence Welk was directing a 15-piece orchestra that rates among the top bands in the nation.” Welk’s character, however, remained unchanged. He was still curious about the crops and his hometown of Strasburg.

By Tessa Sandstrom

Bryant, Jay A. “Rendition By Lawrence Welk Differs Greatly in 25 Years,” Napoleon Homestead. Nov. 28, 1946: 1.

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