THE CHAMPAGNE MUSIC MAKERS

LAWRENCE WELK bandleader and host was born in Strasburg, 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, and later in syndication where it remained until 1982. He and wife Fern, married since 1931, had three children, Shirley, Donna and Larry Jr. The maestro was also well known as an avid golfer, and was a smart and savvy businessman. He passed away in May 1992, at age 89.

MYRON FLOREN accordionist 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. Until his passing on July 23, 2005, he and his wife Berdyne, married since 1945, were the proud parents of five daughters, one of them, Kristie, married featured Welk dancer Bobby Burgess. He was also a member of the International Polka Hall Of Fame and until recent years, made about 150 live shows a year on the road with his spectacular accordion work.

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. In addition to her solos, she also sang duets with Jimmy Roberts and when not on the show, she performed in many sacred concerts and appeared in many of Billy Graham's Crusades. Norma and her husband of more than sixty years, Randy, were the parents of two sons Ron and Mark. She passed away on May 10, 2011 at the age of 87.

JO ANN CASTLE honky-tonk piano player from 1959 to 1969, was born September 3, 1939 in Bakersfield, CA. At a young age, learned to play the piano and developed a witty sense of humor, plus she can play the accordion as well! Jo Ann made first Welk appearance in 1958, officially joined the Music Makers a year later, where she became a enormous fan favorite. She is the mother of two children and resides in Branson with her current husband Lin Biviano. She still makes extensive concert appearances to new generation of fans.

DICK DALE saxophonist and vocalist, born September 14, 1926 in Algona, Iowa. Joined Welk in 1951 from Harold Loffenmacher's "Six Fat Dutchmen Band" playing the sax and appearing in several music numbers as a soloist, in choral arrangements and most importantly...with the girls like Alice Lon, Andra Willis, Gail Farrell and Kathie Sullivan just to name a few. Still performs regularly with Welk alumni in shows like "Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Live Lawrence Welk Show." He passed away on December 26, 2014 at the age of 88 in his hometown of Algona. Dick, who was survived by his wife Marguerite, was the proud father of four children and several grandchildren.

RALNA ENGLISH vocalist since 1969, was born in Haskell, Texas on June 19, 1942. 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 joining the show, divorced in 1984. Has a daughter, Julie, who recently is a teacher in the Phoenix area. Today lives in Scottsdale, AZ and performs upwards to 100 concerts a year. More fun stuff about Ralna can be found at her website.

BOBBY BURGESS dancer, born May 19, 1941 in Long Beach, CA. Began dancing at a very young age, and by the time he joined "The Mickey Mouse Club" as a Mousketeer, he had  appeared in over seventy-five TV shows.  After a brief stint at Long Beach State College, he 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 1979. In 2014, he published his autobiography, Ears and Bubbles. Married to Kristie Floren since '71, the Burgesses live in Studio City, CA with their four children.

ANACANI ECHEVERRIA vocalist simply known as Anacani, 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 accordion, and an accomplished seamstress. Today, she still performs regularly with fellow Welk stars, makes personal appearances with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center's annual telethon, and performs as a soloist with numerous symphony orchestras. 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 auditioned for Welk in 1970, on a visit to LA while for an appearance on the GE College Bowl as a student attending Temple University, initially 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 vocalist was born on October 6, 1947 in Salinas, CA and later 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 versatile...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 currently make their home in northern California in the town of Benecia. They are the parents twin daughters, Erin and Lauren, and by the way, her favorite food happens to be enchiladas.

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 kindergarten on Art Linkletter's "House Party" program. While attending Brigham Young University in Provo, UT; she met Sally Flynn where 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), and over thirty grandchildren. Recently, she and Brent relocated to Utah to be near their children. Sandi also loves playing the piano and her favorite food is chocolate chip cookies.

ARTHUR DUNCAN tap dancer, was born and raised in Pasadena, CA on September 25, 1925. He at first wanted to be a pharmacist...but the allure of showbiz was a little more exciting. His dancing skills got him booked in numerous night clubs and TV shows, including a ground-breaking appearance on the Betty White Show in 1954, and also a ten-day engagement 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 afterwards until his passing on January 4, 2023. Arthur made friends wherever he goes....with a combination of dancing, singing and bright personality.

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. Today, Sally and Clay make Cocoa Beach, Florida their home.  She still performs regularly, and lists her favorite food is Fig Newtons.

THE MAESTRO HIMSELF LAWRENCE WELK!

MARY LOU METZGER, SANDI GRIFFITHS AND GAIL FARRELL

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