The Mom and Dads
| Company type | Folk ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | early 1960s |
| Headquarters | Spokane , United States |
| Products | Folk, western-influenced music (waltzes, polkas, easy listening) |
The Mom and Dads were a folk ensemble from Spokane, Washington known for their Western-influenced sound, focusing on genres such as waltzes, polkas, and easy listening tunes. The group consisted of Doris A. Crow on piano, Quentin Ratliff playing saxophone, Leslie Welch handling the accordion, and Harold Hendren on drums.
Band Biography
Established in the early 1960s, the band derived its name from its signature style: "Music for Mom and Dad." Initially, the members treated the group as a part-time endeavor while continuing their regular weekday occupations.
Their album Presenting... The Mom and Dads demonstrated their adaptability by featuring dance music ranging from early 20th-century forms like the Three Step to contemporary country and western influences.
Each member started performing dance music between the ages of 12 and 14. Prior to Quentin Ratliff joining, Doris Crow and Leslie Welch had collaborated for over two decades. Harold Hendren joined on drums seven years after Ratliff completed the lineup.
The band's main audience was located in Canada and Australia. Their early recording "The Rangers Waltz", composed by Ratliff, gained prominence when a radio host in Great Falls, Montana played it. This single charted in Alberta, climbed to #2 on Australia's national charts, and reached #1 in New Zealand by March 1972.
In 1971, "The Rangers Waltz" peaked as its album entered the American Top 10 country charts, securing the Number Four spot and earning double-platinum certification. Earlier that same year, their album In the Blue Canadian Rockies also appeared on the charts.
Their first overseas tour took place somewhat reluctantly in Australia during autumn 1974 after another group canceled. They spent a month promoting their albums before returning to perform in the Pacific Northwest region.
The band continued touring and recording up until Leslie Welch passed away in 1983. Their last album featuring Welch was Goodnight Sweetheart. A final release titled Thanks for the Memories came out in 1986 before the group disbanded.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | CRIA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | AUS | CAN | |||
| 1970 | Presenting the Mom and Dads | — | — | — | 57 | — |
| 1971 | In the Blue Canadian Rockies | 18 | 165 | — | 74 | Platinum |
| The Rangers Waltz | 4 | 85 | 7 | — | 2× Platinum | |
| 1972 | Reminiscing with the Mom and Dads | — | — | — | — | Gold |
| Souvenirs | — | — | — | — | Gold | |
| Merry Christmas with the Mom and Dads | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1973 | The Mom and Dads Again | — | — | — | — | Gold |
| Dance with the Mom and Dads | 30 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1976 | Memories | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1977 | The Best of the Mom and Dads | — | — | — | — | Platinum |
| 1978 | Golden Country | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 20 Favorite Waltzes | — | — | — | — | Gold |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Rankings | Certification | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | CAN Country | Kent Music Report (AUS) | ||||
| 1971 | "Rippling River Waltz" | — | 38 | — | Souvenirs | |
| "The Rangers Waltz" | 101 | — | 2 |
|
The Rangers Waltz | |
| "In The Blue Canadian Rockies" | — | — | 54 | In the Blue Canadian Rockies | ||
Singles
- "The Ranger's Waltz" – GNP
- "Amazing Grace" – GNP-Crescendo
- "Anniversary Waltz" – GNP-Crescendo
- "Auld Lang Syne" – GNP
- "Baby Blue" – GNP-Crescendo
- "Blue Canadian Rockies" – Golden West Melodies
- "Blue Skirt Waltz" – MCA
- "Cab Driver Foxtrot"
- "Jingle Bell Rock" (1972) – MCA
- "Kentucky Waltz" – GNP Crescendo
- "Love Is a Beautiful Song" – MCA
- "Mom & Dad's Schottische"
- "Moonlight On The Manitoulin" – MCA
- "My Blue Heaven" – GNP-Crescendo
- "My Happiness" (1973) – GNP-Crescendo
- "Quentin's E Flat Boogie" – GNP Crescendo
- "Ragtime Annie P"
- "Rippling River Waltz" (1971) – MCA
- "Silver Moon"
- "Skirts"
- "Somewhere My Love"
- "St Paul Waltz"
- "Wabash Cannonball"
- "Waltz Across Texas"
- "Waltz You Saved For Me"/"When The Saints Go Marching In"
- "Whispering"
- "White Silver Sands"
- "Your Cheatin' Heart"
Albums
- Presenting The Mom and Dads (1971) – Apex
- Blue Canadian Rockies (1971) – MCA
- Souvenirs (1972) – MCA
- The Mom and Dads Again (1972) – MCA
- Merry Christmas (1973) – MCA
- Reminiscing with The Mom and Dads (1973) – MCA
- Love Is a Beautiful Song (1974) – MCA
- Dance with The Mom and Dads (1974) – MCA
- (The Mom and Dads) Play Your Favorite Hymns (1974) – GRT
- In The Good Old Summertime (1976)
- Down The River Of Golden Dreams (1976)
- Meet The Mom and Dads (1977) – GRT
- Best Of (1977) – GRT
- One Dozen Roses (1977) – GNP-Crescendo
- Whispering Hope (1977) – GRT
- 22 Favorite Country Songs (1977) – GNP-Crescendo
- Gratefully Yours (1978) – Interfusion
- 20 Favorite Waltzes (1978) – GRT
- To Mom and Dad With Love (1980) – MCA
- With Love From The Mom and Dads (1980) – Crescendo
- Good Night Sweetheart (1982) – Crescendo
- Thanks For The Memories (1986) – Quality
- Dream With The Mom and Dads – GRT
- Love Letters In The Sand – Crescendo
- Memories (1976) – Crescendo
- Blue Hawaii – MCA
- The Very Best Of – MCA