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THE CHAMPAGNE MUSIC MAKERS
LAWRENCE WELK bandleader and host was born in Strausburg, North Dakota on March 11, 1903. He left home when he was 21 to pursue his showbiz career. After joining and forming several different bands for years, he hit the big time with the launch of “The Lawrence Welk Show” on ABC in 1955. He and wife Fern, married since 1931, had three children, Shirley, Donna and Larry Jr. He passed away in May 1992, but his show and music makers continue to thrive on over 200 public television stations to this day.
MYRON FLOREN accordianist and LW’s right hand man, was born in Roslyn, South Dakota on November 5, 1919. He joined Lawrence’s Champagne Music Makers in 1950 and since has been an integral part of the show, as well as an beloved favorite. Married to Berdyne since 1945, the Florens have five daughters, one of them Kristie is married to dancer Bobby Burgess. Today, he still makes numerous concert dates across the USA with his spectacular skills on the accordian.
NORMA ZIMMER Champagne Lady since 1960, was born on July 13, 1923 in Larson, Idaho. She started out in showbiz with various choral groups and bit singing parts in movies, TV and radio when in 1959 she made her first Lawrence Show appearance. Lawrence was looking for a new Champagne Lady to replace Alice Lon and was impressed with Norma. She officially assumed the title a year later, and stayed until the show’s regular run ended in 1982. She’s married to Randy and has two grown sons, Ron and Mark.
JO ANN CASTLE honky-tonk piano player from 1959 to 1969, was born September 3, 1940 in Bakersfield, CA. At a young age, learned to play the piano and developed a witty sense of humor, plus she can play the accordian as well! Made first Welk appearance in 1958, offically joined the Music Makers a year later, where she became a enormous fan favorite. Today lives in Branson with long-time boyfriend Lin Biviano, still makes extensive concert apperances to new generation of fans.
DICK DALE saxophonist and vocalist, born September 14, 1926 in Algona, Iowa. Joined Welk in 1951 playing the sax and appearing in several music numbers as a soloist, in choral arrangments and most importantly…with the girls like Alice Lon, Gail Farrell and Kathie Sullivan just to name a few. Lives today in Sparks, NV with wife Marquerite. Proud father of four children and one grandchild.
RALNA ENGLISH vocalist since 1969, was born in Lubbock, Texas on June 19th. Before joining the show first as a soloist, and later one half of “Guy & Ralna,” had competed in a local talent show as a junior high schooler, did Six Flags, undertook her own USO tour, and performed in LA area nightclubs such as “The Horn.” Married Guy Hovis same year joing show, divorced in 1984. Has a daughter, Julie, who recently graduated from Arizona State with a Masters. Lives in Scottsdale, AZ….performs upwards to 100 concerts a year. More info can be found at her website.
BOBBY BURGESS dancer, born May 19, 1942 in Long Beach, CA. Began dancing at a very young age, started out in TV as a mousketeer on “The Mickey Mouse Club.” Joined the Welk Music Makers in 1961 when he and partner Barbara Boylan won a Calcutta dancing contest. Danced first with Boylan until 1967, partnered with Cissy King until 1978 and has been dancing with Elaine Balden since ’79. Married to Kristie Floren since ’71, the Burgesses live in LA with their four children.
ANACANI vocalist, was born in Sonoma, Mexico on April 10, 1954. She was first “discovered” by Lawrence Welk at one of his Escondido restaurants, when asked if she can sing….she did! Which led to an regular engagement as the singing hostess at the resort. She first joined the television program on January 13, 1973…and soon was made a permanent member of the music family. In addition to her vocal talents, she can play guitar, the accordian, and an accomplished seamstress. She lives in Escondido with her husband Rudy Echeverria since 1978, and has a daughter Priscila.
MARY LOU METZGER vocalist and dancer, born to Ernie & Helen Metzger in Pittsburgh, PA on November 13, 1950. Later living in Philadelphia, she entered numerous talent shows and TV appearances and her natural talents made her a local star. She auditoned for Welk in 1970…starting out in only choral numbers, but soon moved up to numbers with Hotsy Totsy Boy skits with Bob Lido, trio arrangements with Sandi Griffiths & Gail Farrell, and dance routines with Jack Imel. Plus she was “the girl” Lawrence dances with at the end of the program. Married to bass player Richard Maloof since June 1973, they now reside in Sherman Oaks,CA. She still tours constantly and produces many of the live shows!
GAIL FARRELL born on October 6th….grew up in Durant, OK. At a young age, she learned the piano and her vocal talents earned her gigs at rodeos, talent shows and church. A former winner of the Miss Oklahoma pageant in the talent & swimsuit competitions….she graduated from the University of Tulsa and in 1969 joined the Welk show. Very versitile…she sang solos, duets with Dick Dale, numbers with Sandi & Mary Lou and appeared as one third of a mixed trio consisting of her husband Ron Anderson and Michael Redman just to name a few. Since Welk….she has done numerous TV shows, and has sung with Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Amy Grant. She and Ron now live in Hendersonville, TN with their twin daughters…..Erin and Lauren.
SANDI GRIFFITHS vocalist formerly known as Sandi Jensen, was born on August 1, 1946 and grew up in SoCal’s San Fernando Valley. Made first TV appearance in kindergarden on Art Linkletter’s “House Party” program. While attending Brigham Young University in Provo, UT….met Sally Flynn, the two friends did shows, nightclubs and USO tours until auditioning for Welk in late 1967. First numbers were with Sally, then some solos…and part of the Gail, Sandi & Mary Lou trio. Married to Brent Griffiths since 1969….left show in 1980 to be full-time mom. Has six children (Jenni, Ami, Emili, Ben, Daniel & Sam), an adopted son (Chad), and a foster daughter (Debbie), she and Brent currently resides in Santa Clarita, CA.
ARTHUR DUNCAN tap dancer, was born and raised in Pasadena, CA on September 25th. He at first wanted to be a pharmacist…but showbizness was a little more exciting. His dancing skills got him booked in numerous night clubs and TV shows….plus a ten-day engagment in Australia with the Jimmy Rodgers troupe. When he joined the Music Makers in 1964…he was the first African-American to be a full-time member on the show. Throughout the shows entire run…and to this day, Arthur still makes friends wherever he goes….with a combination of dancing, singing and bright personality. He lives in Van Nuys, CA with his wife Alicia.
SALLY FLYNN singer also known as Sally Hart, was born in Ontario, OR on July 23, 1946 to a large family of brothers and sisters. Joined the Welk program in 1968 with BYU classmate Sandi Griffiths as part of the Sandi & Sally act…where it became one of the most popular musical acts EVER in the show’s long history. Left in 1972 to pursue a solo career…married Welk guitarist and country singer Clay Hart. Made numerous television appearances, commercials, and hosted a cooking and home show with Clay….and they also co-owned a keepsack business. Sally lives in Cocoa Beach, FL with Clay and still maintains an extensive concert schedule.
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