This I Believe

Description for THIS I BELIEVE by Lawrence Welk with Bernice McGeehan:

Here is the book that you---and millions of other Welk fans---have been waiting for. In THIS I BELIEVE, Lawrence Welk, American's favorite music maker, develops his beliefs about God, country, family and work into a philosophy for successful living. The popular orchestra leader talks more freely and fully than ever before about the ideas that have brought him such tremendous success and happiness.

Welk begins with a special word for the young people of America to who he is deeply committed, urging on them the importance of getting started early in a fulfilling career for achievement in later life.

some of what he says may surprise Welk fans! But to prove that his principles really DO work, he speaks openly about his own business operation, showing how the Welk "system" of freedom, self-discipline, dedication, sharing, and family feeling has brought success and personal fulfillment not only to him, but to other members of his musical family as well.

Going behind the scenes, Lawrence take you through a typical Welk day, showing how the band is run, how a show is taped (Lawrence does it in just one day---something of a record in the industry!), and how his allied businesses function---all a dramatic reminder of the practical effectiveness of his principles.

Along the way, Lawrence treats us to more entertaining backstage glimpses of his musical family, including the Semonski Sisters, Mary Lou Metzger, Gail Farrell, Tom Netherton, the Alderidge Sisters and the Otwell Twins, and many other Welk musical favorites. And of course, there are anecdotes about Lawrence himself---playing golf with the Pittsburgh Steelers and with former President Gerald Ford, and visiting a rural Kansas school, where he receives the warmest welcome of his career!

Finally, Welk outlines the ten profound "beliefs" which make up his personal credo, and which represent a wealth of knowledge and insight gained from a lifetime of making the world happier with his music.

It's all here---with the warmth, the wisdom, and the familiar homespun, affectionate Welk style that made his previous four books such popular best-sellers. The book closest to Welk's heart, THIS I BELIEVE is a rich legacy of love and inspiration all his readers will cherish.