Paul Christensen and his wife Donna Christensen recently had the privilege of being part of making music history by producing the
recording and live soundtrack for a PBS television special featuring the Lawrence Welk Orchestra and over 40 stars of the original show. The history-making program, titled, “Milestones and Memories.” was shot over the Labor Day weekend at the Welk Champagne Theatre and Resort in Branson, MO, and produced by the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).
Jo Ann Young served as Executive Producer, while Bill Thrash Produced 
for OETA. In its 13th year in syndication on PBS, the Welk Show runs on 270 
stations nationwide and airs in more than five million homes every weekend. “Reunion events of this magnitude, showcasing 40 extraordinarily talented people, some of whom have been entertaining for more than 60 years, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” stated Larry Welk, Jr., son of the great bandleader and senior creative consultant for Milestones and Memories.
Omega brought in San Francisco based engineer, Dave Luke, to handle the soundtrack recording and daily mixes. 
Supporting Luke’s needs was Chicago based engineer Tim Powell and his Metro
Mobile remote recording facilities. Powell and Luke assumed quite a challenge when they discovered the show would require a whopping 76-track recording involving over 86 inputs! Assisting with the recording duties were Skinner Ways, Mark Giesecke and Noel Villegas. Joseph Millett, Welk Theatre House and Stage Manager, served as Stage Manager. Another key Welk Theatre staff member, Wendy Parsons, was instrumental in assisting with numerous Talent needs.
John Bahler, Music Director for the special, as well as the Welk Theatre and OETA’s Leon Smith, supervised the audio post remix and sweetening sessions in Nashville
at Emerald Entertainment’s Digital Audio Post. Assisting with the audio post was OETA’s Carolee Galbraith. Digital’s owner and President Michael Davis was at the console weaving his sonic magic on the final product.
Dennis Glore directed with assistance from Curt Casassa, AD. Lighting Design was by Darin Hagan, with Robert Britton providing EIC duties along with Larry Bearden, Video. Leon Smith edited the show, assisted by Carolee Galbraith. The Nashville Network (TNN) provided remote television facilities.
“Milestones and Memories” will air nationally on PBS in March of 2001. The special reunion concert celebrates the remarkable longevity of Lawrence Welk from his days as a bandleader through his successful television career to the present time, as the stars he discovered and featured on his show continue their careers. The stars will pay tribute to Mr. Welk’s legacy and the impact he made on the music world in the last century.
