Podcast Summary
From humble beginnings to multimillionaire: Lawrence Welk's inspiring journey: Grew up in poverty, dropped out of school in 4th grade, learned English in 20s, yet became a multimillionaire bandleader and musician
Lawrence Welk, a man who grew up as a child of immigrant farmers in the tiny town of Strasburg, North Dakota, became one of the richest men in entertainment despite not learning English until his 20s and dropping out of school in the 4th grade. Born to ethnically German parents who immigrated from Europe, Welk's family settled in North Dakota and lived in extreme poverty, sleeping in an overturned wagon covered with sod. Growing up, Welk attended a German-speaking school and only completed up to the 4th grade due to financial reasons. However, his unique background and heavy German accent later became a part of his charm and fame. Welk's father played the accordion, and this instrument played a significant role in Welk's future career as a bandleader and musician. Despite the humble beginnings, Welk's determination and hard work led him to become a multimillionaire by the time of his death. His story serves as a reminder that background and circumstances do not define one's potential for success.
The Power of Determination and Hard Work: Determination and hard work can lead to great achievements, even amidst financial struggles and affordable options. Keeping promises and staying committed to your goals can also lead to success.
Determination and hard work can lead to great achievements, no matter the circumstances. This was evident in the story of Lawrence Welk, who, starting from a young age, had a passion for playing the accordion. Despite the cheaply made mail order instruments and the financial struggles of his family, he persisted and eventually earned enough money to buy a professional accordion by working on his family's farm until he was 21. His dedication paid off, as he went on to form his own orchestra, the Hotsy Totsy Boys, and became a successful musician. Another key takeaway is the importance of following through on promises. Lawrence made a promise to his parents that he would work on their farm until he had earned back the money they had loaned him for his accordion. He kept his word and stayed true to his commitment, which ultimately led to his success. Lastly, the discussion also touched upon the affordability of certain products and services. Mint Mobile, for instance, is now offering its unlimited plan for a lower price, making it more accessible to a larger audience. Similarly, Lawrence's parents' significant investment in their son's dream may have seemed like a lot at the time, but it paid off in the long run. Overall, the stories of Lawrence Welk and Mint Mobile serve as reminders of the power of determination, hard work, and following through on promises, as well as the importance of making things more affordable for everyone.
Lawrence Welk's Unusual Marketing Success with Honolulu Fruit Gum Company: Leveraging unique marketing strategies and building relationships with sponsors can lead to unexpected successes, even during early career stages.
During the early days of Lawrence Welk and his Hotsy Totsy Boys, they experienced some unusual marketing success when they teamed up with the Honolulu Fruit Gum Company. In the late 1920s, after getting stranded in South Dakota due to a snowstorm, Welk's band found a job at a radio station and began promoting the gum company's "Miss Honolulu Fruit Gum" contest. People voted by bringing in their empty gum wrappers, leading to increased gum sales and exposure for the band. However, the excessive gum wrappers caused issues with ballroom managers, and the promotion was only run once. This creative partnership demonstrates the power of unique marketing strategies and the importance of adapting to unexpected circumstances. It also highlights the significance of building relationships with sponsors and companies during the formative years of a career.
Special Offers from Lume Deodorant and OneSkin: Listeners can save around 40% on Lume Deodorant starter pack and get 15% off OneSkin's eye cream using exclusive codes.
There's a special offer for listeners from Lume Deodorant. You can get a starter pack that includes a solid stick deodorant, a cream tube deodorant, and two free products of your choice, like deodorant wipes or a mini body wash. Plus, new customers get 15% off all Lume products using the code "sharon@lumeodeodorant.com." If you combine this discount with the already discounted starter pack, you'll save around 40%. Additionally, Sharon emphasized the importance of self-care, especially for caregivers, and suggested trying OneSkin's products. OneSkin is the world's first skin longevity company, focusing on cellular aspects of aging. Their eye cream, featuring the proprietary OS one peptide, is proven to reduce aging cells that cause lines, wrinkles, and thinning skin. Use code "SHARON" for 15% off at oneskin.co. Lastly, Sharon shared an interesting story about Lawrence Welk and his "champagne music." Welk's band gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, and his unique, light and rhythmic style contrasted with other big bands of the time. He became known as the "Champagne Music" maestro, and his national popularity continued to grow throughout the decades.
Technology increased entertainer popularity with Soundies: Soundies, 3-minute music videos in jukeboxes, boosted entertainer fame. Today, UnitedHealthcare TriTerm Medical plans offer flexible health coverage, while Pretty Litter's health monitoring litter keeps cats healthy, both providing peace of mind.
Technological advancements in the late 1940s, such as Soundies, played a significant role in increasing the popularity of entertainers like Lawrence Welk. Soundies were essentially 3-minute long music videos that could be played in jukeboxes and were popular in places like bars and taverns. They allowed people to experience and become familiar with Lawrence Welk's music, even if they hadn't heard of him before. The Soundies were technologically advanced and a cool novelty, making them a big draw. Fast forward to today, while technology continues to advance, some things remain constant, such as the need for health insurance. UnitedHealthcare TriTerm Medical plans offer budget-friendly, flexible coverage for those in between jobs or who missed open enrollment, providing peace of mind for the unexpected. And just like Lawrence Welk's Soundies helped increase his popularity, Pretty Litter's health monitoring litter can help keep your cat healthy by detecting early signs of illness, potentially saving you money and your cat's life. So, whether it's the 1950s or the present day, the importance of staying informed and prepared remains the same.
From local TV to national fame: The Lawrence Welk Show's journey: The Lawrence Welk Show, known for its champagne sound and midwestern charm, gained a large following of homeowners over 45 with its unique blend of music genres and family-friendly acts, despite not being considered hip or cool.
The Lawrence Welk show, which started as a local TV program in Los Angeles in the early 1950s, gained immense popularity and was eventually broadcast nationally after some contract disputes. The show, known for its champagne sound and midwestern folksy energy, appealed to a specific demographic of homeowners over the age of 45 with certain musical tastes and values. The variety show featured music genres such as show tunes, polkas, waltzes, family-friendly novelty acts, and dixieland music. The producers used soap bubble machines during the show, but later switched to glycerin-based bubbles to avoid residue on the musicians' instruments. Despite not being hip or cool, the Lawrence Welk show was unapologetically itself and had a strong following, with my grandmother being a big fan and appreciating the musicianship of the performers. The show's square image, as described by an entertainment editor, added to its unique charm.
The Lawrence Welk Show: Catering to an Older Demographic: The Lawrence Welk Show, known for its champagne-style music and elaborate sets, catered to an older demographic and attracted sponsors like Dodge cars and Geritol vitamins. Despite being canceled due to the primetime access rule, Welk continued producing the show on local affiliates, maintaining its accessibility to fans.
The Lawrence Welk Show, which aired from the late 1950s to 1982, stood out from its competitors like American Bandstand by catering to an older demographic with its champagne-style music and elaborate sets and costumes. Sponsors like Dodge cars, Geritol vitamins, and Sominex targeted this audience, and the show's authenticity and ethics resonated with viewers. However, when the Federal Communications Commission passed the primetime access rule in 1971, networks were forced to drop scheduled programs to make way for local affiliates' content. This led to the "rural purge," resulting in the cancellation of the Lawrence Welk Show. Undeterred, Welk formed his own production company and continued to air his show on local affiliates, ensuring it remained accessible to its loyal fanbase. The Lawrence Welk Show's enduring legacy reflects its commitment to authenticity and its ability to connect with a specific audience.
Lawrence Welk: The Charming Bandleader with a Fortune: Bandleader Lawrence Welk amassed a $150M fortune through syndication deals and inventions, despite a failed restaurant venture.
Lawrence Welk, the bandleader and host of the long-running television show "The Lawrence Welk Show," was able to keep his program on air for over two decades through a syndication deal, amassing a significant fortune. Welk, who died in 1992, was worth over $150 million in today's money. He also held several patents for various inventions, including a musically themed restaurant menu and an accordion-shaped ashtray. Despite a failed restaurant venture, Welk continued to build his wealth and became one of the richest entertainers behind Bob Hope. His show, which premiered in 1955 and is still syndicated on PBS, is known for its charming and sentimental "champagne music." Listeners can still find and enjoy Welk's music on YouTube.
