#Lawrence welk cast members still alive plus#

Welk was a first cousin, once removed, of former Montana governor Brian Schweitzer (Welk's mother and Schweitzer's paternal grandmother were siblings). He was sixth of the eight children of Ludwig and Christiana (Schwahn) Welk, Roman Catholic ethnic Germans who emigrated in 1892 from Odessa, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). Welk was born in the German-speaking community of Strasburg, North Dakota. Welk had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren One of his sons, Lawrence Welk Jr., married fellow Lawrence Welk Show performer Tanya Falan they later divorced. Lawrence Welk was married for 61 years, until his death in 1992, to Fern Renner (AugвЂ“ February 13, 2002), with whom he had three children. His style came to be known to his large number of radio, television, and live-performance fans (and critics) as 'champagne music'. They have also released a CD of Christmas songs called 'The Gift' with the Billy Andrusco Trio.Lawrence Welk (MaвЂ“ May 17, 1992) was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1951 to 1982. Sherry makes her home in Tampa, Florida and has also continued to sing as well. Today, Sheila makes her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee where she and Chris have a husband-and-wife singing act that performs in local clubs. Both sisters have also appeared on the popular syndicated country show, 'Hee Haw'.

Sheila has also turned to acting, having appeared on the TBS sitcom 'Down To Earth' in 1984. Their careers have continued to flourish since Welk, they have been the opening act for Bob Hope, have entertained on cruise ships, telethons and at Atlantic City, Reno and Nashville. They too were a popular staple of the Welk show until the show ended it's regular run in 1982.Д«oth sisters married in 1980, Sheila to comedian Roger Behr and Sherry to Welk sax and flute artist Bob Davis since then they have both remarried to this day, Sheila to Chris Costa and Sherry to John Orchard. Excitied, they appeared on the opening show of the 1977-78 season and the overwhelming audience response led them to being regulars.ДЄround the same time, another sibling act, David and Roger Otwell, known better as the Otwell Twins, joined the show and from a suggestion by musical supervisor George Cates, teamed up together as the act of 'The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins.

On the third try, Sheila and Sherry hit paydirt, the Maestro told them that Tanya Falan and the Semonski Sisters left the show so there was a spot for them. They did, and for the first two trips out was the same story, no openings in the musical family but come by again very soon. They did when the Maestro was in the audience looking for a friend, where Sheila grabbed his coat tail and said, 'We're a sister singing act and we're real good and I just know you'd like us if you listened to us.' He agreed and after the show, sang for him and was very impressed.Д«ut there was a catch, there were no openings available so Lawrence told them if they were in Hollywood, just drop on by. It was in early 1977 when the Aldridge Sisters decided that being on the Lawrence Welk Show was the right path to stardom, so when the Welk stars came to Nashville during one of their live concert tours, Sheila and Sherry had tickets and a plan, meet the Maestro in person and have a chance to audition for him on the spot.

#Lawrence welk cast members still alive plus#

After high school, which included brief employment as airline flight attendants, pursued a career in music that performed in supper clubs in and around Knoxville, plus a regular stint on radio station WPTX in Lexington Park, Maryland. As kids, they sung in school, community concerts and as members of the choir from their Baptist church. The Aldridge family, which includes father Talton, mother Jacqueline and older sisters Sandra and Sue were very musically talented. Sherry was born on Decemand Sheila was born on Jboth hail from Knoxville, Tennessee. The Aldridge Sisters, Sheila and Sherry, met all those requirements to a tee and since their Welk debut in 1977, have sung before millions all over the world.but these terrific ladies have been singing together since they were kids. It takes two to make a duet be very popular, not to mention talent, beauty, stage presence, hard work and the ability to connect with audiences. MEET THE LADIES: SHEILA AND SHERRY ALDRIDGE