God Bless America

Lawrence Welk star Ralna English talks about this patriotic new special
By Mary Eileen O'Connor

In 2001, The Lawrence Welk Show celebrated 50 years on television, an unprecedented feat in the current world of here-today-gone-tomorrow programming.

The weekly show, which airs Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WHYY TV12, has been on public television for 15 of those 50 years, delighting fans who watched the beloved bandleader and his talented Welk Musical Family every Saturday night during the show's 36-year run on commercial television and capturing the hearts of a new generation with its colorful mix of big band music, singing and dancing.

So, what accounts for its enduring popularity? "It's a family show," says singer Ralna English, who joined the show in 1969. "There aren't many shows on television anymore that the whole family can sit down and be comfortable watching together."

This month, English reunites with 17 stars from the Welk Musical Family for Lawrence Welk: God Bless America, airing Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m., a new special that pays tribute to America's freedoms, its veterans, the men and women who serve in the armed forces and the patriotism Welk held so dear throughout his life.

Taped over Labor Day weekend 2002 at The Champagne Theatre in Branson, Missouri, the special marks the anniversary of Welk's 100th birthday on March 11. English says the cast could feel his presence with them as they were performing. "I was so aware that he would be so proud," she explains.

Hosted by Mary Lou Metzger and Tom Netherton and featuring The Welk Champagne Music Makers, the special is a musical journey through the 20th century, which begins in the early 1900s, swings its way through the Big Band era and World War II, explores life in America as the Vietnam War raged on and examines the recent resurgence of patriotism.

The special includes such rousing numbers as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," performed by the Lennon Sisters, and a piano duet of "Stars and Stripes Forever" by Jo Ann Castle and Bob Ralston. The high-spirited Gershwin classic "Strike Up the Band" is one of English's favorites because, she says, "It's fun!" She even included the song on her newest CD My God, My Country. Two poignant moments are English's duet of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" with her former husband and singing partner Guy Hovis and her performance of a special arrangement of "Amazing Grace."

"There was hardly a dry eye in the house when we were doing [the special]," English claims. "It was very touching, very emotional. We were emotional on stage. You don't realize what those songs can do, how they can touch your soul so deeply."

With the possibility of a new war on everyone's mind, English says she believes the special will boost people's spirits and remind them of the many sacrifices that have been made that have been made in the name of freedom and democracy.

Even after all these years, English, a Texas native who now lives in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona with her daughter Julie Hovis, says she never tires of performing. "I'll never give it up. It's a great gift from God." English tours the U.S. more than 125 days each year with The "Live" Lawrence Welk Show, featuring a rotating lineup of such original Welk stars as Henry Cuesta, Dick Dale and Myron Floren (the show comes to the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg on March 26) and with her own "girl group," The 4 Wunnerful Women, featuring Welk stars Ava Barber, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger.

"When [Lawrence Welk] called us a 'musical family,' I don't think he realized what a family we would actually be and how long we would be together," English concludes. "It's just been joyful."

Lawrence Welk: God Bless America airs Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. on WHYY TV12. For more information about Ralna English, visit www.ralnaenglish.com.