The Lawrence Welk Show  

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The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years (1951–55), then nationally for another 27 1/2 years via the ABC network (1955–71) and first-run syndication (1971–82); repeat episodes are still being broadcast in the United States for the most part by PBS stations in the form of new programs, each of which incorporate one of the original programs in its entirety minus the original commercials. Recently made video comments, performances and conversations by persons who took part in the original shows have been added in place of the commercials.

DVD status and Welk specials aired on public television

As of now, the OETA has no intentions of releasing the series on DVD. Welk Musical Family specials, however, are available on DVD, and can be obtained with a donation during reairs on local PBS stations.

• 1991 – “A Champagne Toast to the Big Bands”
• 1992 – “The Lennon Sisters: Easy to Remember”
• 1993 – “From the Heart: A Tribute to Lawrence Welk and the American Dream”
• 1994 – “The Lawrence Welk Holiday Special: Great Moments & Memories”
• 1995 – “Lawrence Welk: Then & Now”
• 1995 – “A Lawrence Welk Family Christmas”
• 1997 – “From Lawrence Welk: To America With Love”
• 1998 – “Lawrence Welk’s Favorite Holidays”
• 1999 – “Lawrence Welk’s Songs of Faith”
• 2000 – “Lawrence Welk Milestones & Memories”
• 2003 – “Lawrence Welk: God Bless America”
• 2005 – “Lawrence Welk Precious Memories”
• 2007 – “Lawrence Welk's TV Treasures”
• 2009 – "Welk Stars Through The Years"
• 2011 - "Lawrence Welk's Big Band Splash"

Singers and performers

• Myron Floren, accordionist/assistant conductor (1955–1982)
• Jo Ann Castle, ragtime pianist (1959–1969)
• Lynn Anderson, singer (1967–1968)
• The Lennon Sisters, singers (1955–1968)
• Bob Ralston, piano/organ soloist, musical arranger, dancer, singer (1963–1982)
• Norma Zimmer, singer/Champagne Lady (1960–1982)
• Arthur Duncan, tap dancer (1964–1982)
• Jack Imel, percussionist/tap dancer (1957–1982)
• Larry Hooper, singer/piano (1948–1969, 1973–1980)
• Barbara Boylan, dancer (1961–1967, 1979)
• Natalie Nevins, singer (1965–1969)
• Bobby Burgess, dancer (1961–1982)
• The Blenders, singers (1965–1967)
• Steve Smith, singer (1965–1969), The Blenders from 1965–1967
• Ralna English, singer (1969–1982), Guy & Ralna
• Guy Hovis, singer (1970–1982), Guy & Ralna
• Gail Farrell, singer (1969–1982), Gail, Sandi & Mary Lou and Gail, Ron & Michael
• Sandi Griffiths, singer (1968–1980), Sandi & Sally and Gail, Sandi & Mary Lou
• Sally Flynn, singer (1968–1972), Sandi & Sally
• Mary Lou Metzger, singer/tap dancer (1970–1982), Gail, Sandi & Mary Lou
• Cissy King, dancer (1967–1978)
• Tanya Falan, singer (1967–1977)
• Anacani, singer (1973–1982)
• Tom Netherton, singer (1973–1982)
• Jimmy Roberts, singer (1955–1982)
• Alice Lon, singer/Champagne Lady (1955–1959)
• Ken Delo, singer (1969–1982)
• The Semonski Sisters, singers (1975–1977)
• Dick Dale, saxophonist/singer (1955–1982)
• Joe Feeney, singer (1957–1982)
• The Aldridge Sisters, singers (1977–1982)
• The Otwell Twins, singers (1977–1982)
• Ava Barber, singer (1974–1982)
• Kathie Sullivan, singer (1976–1982)
• Clay Hart, guitarist/singer (1969–1975)
• Jim Turner, guitarist/singer (1979–1982)
• Ron Anderson, singer (1980–1982), Gail, Ron & Michael
• Michael Redman, singer (1980–1982), Gail, Ron & Michael
• Larry Dean, singer (1956–1962)
• Maurice Pearson, singer (1957–1960)
• Andra Willis, singer (1967–1969)
• Elaine Balden, dancer (1979–1982) as Elaine Niverson
• Curt Ramsey, musical arranger, trumpet player, singer, and librarian (1955–1982), Curt Ramsey Quintet

The orchestra

• George Cates, conductor/music supervisor (1955–1982)
• Buddy Merrill, guitarist (1955–1974)
• Neil Levang, guitarist (1959–1982)
• Johnny Klein, drummer (1955–1976)
• Paul Humphrey, drummer (1976–1982)
• Buddy Hayes, bass/tuba (1955–1966)
• Buddy Clark, bass/tuba (1966–1967)
• Richard Maloof, bass/tuba (1967–1982)
• Frank Scott, piano/harpischord (1955–1969)
• Bob Smale, piano (1969–1982)
• Jerry Burke, piano/organ (1936–1965)
• Bob Ralston, piano/organ (1963–1982)
• Big Tiny Little, ragtime piano (1955–1959)
• Pete Fountain, saxophonist/clarinet (1957–1959)
• Orie Amodeo, saxophone/reeds (1955–1970)
• Bill Page, saxophone/reeds (1955–1965)
• George Aubry, saxophone/reeds (1951–1957)
• Jack Martin, saxophone/reeds (1955–1959)
• Sam McCadden, saxophone/performer (1955–1980)
• Russ Klein, saxophone/reeds (1957–1982)
• Jack Dumont, saxophone/reeds (1959–1962)
• Don Bonnee, saxophone/reeds (1959–1962)
• Mahlon Clark, saxophone/reeds (1962–1968)
• Bob Davis, saxophone/reeds (1965–1982)
• Dave Edwards, saxophone/reeds (1968–1979)
• Skeets Herfurt, saxophone/reeds (1979–1982)
• Peanuts Hucko, saxophone/clarinet (1970–1972)
• Henry Cuesta, saxophone/clarinet (1972–1982)
• Bob Lido, violin/performer (1955–1982)
• Dick Kesner, violin (1955–1960)
• Billy Wright, violin (1957–1959)
• Kurt Dieterle, violin (1959–1961)
• Jimmy Getzhoff, violin (1960–1962)
• Harry Hyams, viola (1961–1982)
• Mischa Russell, violin (1962–1964)
• Ambrose Russo, violin (1962–1964)
• Joe Livoti, violin (1962–1982)
• Bobby Bruce, violin (1964–1967)
• Aladdin Pallante, violin/performer (1955–1967)
• Stanley Harris, violist (1959–1960)
• David Pratt, cellist (1959–1961)
• Charlotte Harris, cellist (1961–1978)
• Ernie Ehrhardt, cellist (1978–1982)
• Norman Bailey, trumpet (1955–1973)
• Rocky Rockwell, trumpet (1955–1962)
• Woody Guidry, trumpet (1955–1956)
• Art Depew, trumpet (1957–1965)
• George Thow, trumpet/production staff (1956–1982)
• Warren Luening, trumpet (1959–1960)
• Dick Cathcart, trumpet (1962–1968)
• Charlie Parlato, trumpet (1962–1982)
• Jim Porter, trumpet (1965)
• Rubin Zarchy, trumpet (1968)
• Ray Linn, trumpet (1968–1969)
• Johnny Zell, trumpet (1968–1982)
• Mickey McMahan, trumpet (1967–1982)
• Laroon Holt, trumpet (1973–1982)
• Barney Liddell, trombone (1955–1982)
• Pete Lofthouse, trombone (1955–1965)
• Jimmy Henderson, trombone (1957–1959)
• Kenny Trimble, trombone (1957–1982)
• Bob Havens, trombone (1960–1982)
• Don Staples, trombone (1965–1982)

Announcers

• Lou Crosby (1955–1960)
• Bob Warren (1960–1982)