This evening had the usual participants Jen, Ken, Dan, WendySue, Bill, Larry, Sam (with his bass), Scott, our summer friends Karen and Bounce, Louise, and several new guests (Randy, Linda, and their 9 year old son Zachary and his music teacher Glenn, and Rob). Our theme was theme songs from TV shows.

We started off with several from me. THE MUNSTERS was never a show that appealed to me, nor was THE ADDAMS FAMILY but their songs are fun and we had such a good time with them. It's always a good sign when Ken says let's do it again. The "Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme: LOVE IS ALL AROUND. Sweet. MEOW!

Also mine was "The Monkees" theme HEY HEY WE"RE THE MONKEES. Lot's of scrolling between verse and chorus as well as some awkward sections made this old time favorite of mine a bit difficult. But I was redeemed by the short and fun SESAME STREET. Did that one twice too. The BALLAD OF JED CLAMPETT from "The Beverly Hillbillies" was another fun one of mine.

Louise treated us to a sample of her recital solo, THE SKYBOAT SONG. And what do you know, it happens to be from the TV show "The Outlanders".

Ken gave us the theme from WKRP in Cincinnati which had issues. Lack of familiarity and several difficult barre chords. I think Ken and Sam were the only ones who played through it all. Next Ken solo'd the theme from "Charmed", HOW SOON IS NOW for a bit. Also from Ken from "The Gilmore Girls", WHERE YOU LEAD is actually a Carol King song on her album Tapestry and performed with her daughter. Most of us were not familiar with it but it was easy enough to follow along.

Bill brought a fun one Mickey Mouse. I am sure I knew it by heart and could sing it in my sleep as a kid.

Another way way throw back, The Howdy Doody song from the 40's and 50's. That was mine.

MOVIN' ON UP from "The Jeffersons" from Ken was fun.

I brought BONANZA. Was it any good? I can't recall. Also from me was Scooby Doo, disappointing. And I thought The Brady Bunch would be OK but the second verse was very difficult. We gave up. SUGAR SUGAR from The cartoon series "The Archies" had some issues but we did an OK job of it.

Dan brought paper copies of "Mr. Ed" and "Mighty Mouse", both of which were short and fun.

Perhaps the hit of the night was WELCOME BACK KOTTER which we have done a few times in the recent past. I always hated the show but this song is growing on me now.

Jen gave us DIFFERENT STROKES which was tricky plus most of us did not know it.

And finally we ended the evening with POSTMAN PAT from Ken who was the only one who knew it. It's from a UK children's show with a cute and catchy song. An extended version of the tune was released as a single in the UK where it reached number 44 in the charts in July 1982. Who knew? I guess Ken did!

Even though there was an abundance of difficulties it was a fun evening while thunder boomed and lightening flashed. Our next theme suggested by Bill is anything to do with the sun.

Until then, you keep strumming,

-- Arlene.