If you are reading this article, you probably would know Lawrence Welk, the renowned American bandleader, accordionist, and TV personality known for his TV show, The Lawrence Welk Show, and his 1950s trendy songs like Bubbles in the Wine, Tico Tico, etc. If you know Welk, you would also see that he had a son named after him, Lawrence Welk Jr. Wikipedia did justice to everything about Lawrence Welk, so for this post, we will focus mainly on his son, Lawrence Welk Jr.
Lawrence Welk Jr. is the son of the famous American accordionist. As a businessman and the only son of Welk Sr., he took after his father’s business when he was of age and was known for his involvement in the family business, including the music publishing company and the Welk Resort Group.
Before I proceed, let’s look at tabulated facts about Lawrence Welk Jr.
Profile summary
| Name | Lawrence Welk Jr. |
| March 11, 1940, | Ole Lar |
| Date of birth | March 11, 1940, |
| Age | 84 years old |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Children | 2 (Lawrence Welk III, Kevin Welk, Lisa Welk) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Lawrence Welk Jr. Biography
Lawrence Welk Jr. was born in Harlingen, Texas, on March 11, 1940. He is the only son of the legendary Lawrence Welk and his wife, Fern Renner, who also had two daughters – Donna Welk and Eva Welk. Growing up in a musical family, he was exposed to music from a young age and eventually became an instrumental figure in the family’s thriving business empire.
Thanks to his father’s influence, Lawrence Welk Jr. was destined for greatness. His father was a renowned bandleader and television personality who gained fame with The Lawrence Welk Show, which aired for over two decades. After completing his studies, Welk Jr. joined his father’s music publishing company and later became involved in the family’s real estate and resort businesses.
Lawrence Welk Jr. Father
Lawrence Welk Jr.’s father was a famous bandleader and television personality. Born in Strasburg, North Dakota, in 1903, Welk Sr. began his musical career at 21, to the dismay of his reserved family members. He took a loan from his father and created a small band, Hotsy Totsy Boys, in the 1920s, playing throughout the Midwest with the band he formed. Hotsy Totsy Boys became the house band for radio station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota, in 1927.
Welk’s big break came in 1951 when he began hosting The Lawrence Welk Show, a weekly television program featuring his orchestra playing popular and traditional music. The show became an instant hit and ran for over two decades, making Welk a household name.
In addition to his success in television, Welk also had a thriving music publishing business, later managed by his son Lawrence Welk Jr. The publishing company held the rights to many old standards, contemporary country, and western hits, and in 1970, it purchased the works of composer Jerome Kern for $3.2 million.
Lawrence Welk was married to his wife Fern for 61 years until he died in 1992. Together, they had three children: Lawrence Welk Jr., Donna, and Shirley. Lawrence Welk Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming involved in the family’s music publishing and resort businesses and playing trumpet in his father’s band during college.
Overall, Lawrence Welk Sr. was a highly successful bandleader and television personality whose influence remains in the entertainment industry today. His legacy continues through the many businesses he founded and the music he helped popularize.
Lawrence Welk Jr. Career
With a strong foundation in the entertainment and hospitality industries, Lawrence Welk Jr. successfully expanded the Welk Resort Group, founded by his father in 1964, into one of the largest independent timeshare companies in North America. He was also the general manager of Ranwood Records, a Welk’s recording company.
In 1985, Lawrence Welk Jr. showcased his production skills by creating the heartwarming TV special “Lawrence Welk’s Christmas Reunion” – a festive program that brought together members of the Welk musical family.
Two decades later, in 2005, he paid tribute to his father’s enduring legacy with the TV special “Lawrence Welk: Precious Memories,” featuring a compilation of the most memorable performances from the long-running Lawrence Welk Show.
Demonstrating his continued dedication to preserving the Welk family’s impact on entertainment, Welk Jr. played an instrumental role in producing the 2009 movie “The Welk Stars Through the Years.” This insightful film offered an exclusive look at the lives of former cast members from The Lawrence Welk Show, featuring candid interviews and highlighting unforgettable moments from the iconic television program.
In 2021, the Welk Resorts portfolio was sold to Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation for $485 million under Welk Jr.’s leadership.
Lawrence Welk Jr. Family
Lawrence Welk Jr.’s family has played a pivotal role in his life and career. He married Tanya Falan, a talented performer on The Lawrence Welk Show, after meeting her during Tanya’s debut on New Year’s Eve in 1967. They found each other a worthy lifetime partner, so they exchanged vows on August 11, 1968, at a Hollywood church.
Lawrence Welk Jr. and Tanya Falan were blessed with three children: two sons, Lawrence Welk III (born in 1970) and Kevin (born in 1971), and a daughter, Lisa.
Lawrence Welk’s wife, Tanya, was born Tanya Marie Falappino in Glendale, California, on May 4, 1949. She was a talented performer and accomplished interior designer. She made her TV debut on the Gene Norman Show at five years old. As she progressed in showbiz, she had her band, Tanya and the Thunderbirds, while working at Disneyland. She also made appearances on Jerry Lewis’s Labor Day Telethon.
Tanya also wrote a cookbook featuring family recipes. In 1971, she played the role of tavern owner on a popular soap opera, General Hospital.
After 12 years of marriage, Lawrence Welk Jr. and Tanya divorced in 1979 without making the reason for their divorce public. Nevertheless, they maintained a close relationship and continued collaborating on various family businesses and projects. Tanya later remarried her childhood friend, former world champion motorcycle racer and racing team owner Kenny Roberts, with whom she had two children, Nicky and Kenny Jr.
Lawrence Welk Jr. Son – Lawrence Welk III
Lawrence Welk III is one of the accomplished sons of Lawrence Welk Jr. and Tanya Falan. He was born on February 28, 1970, and was named after his father and grandfather. Following his father’s footsteps, he has played a significant role in the family’s businesses, leaving an indelible mark on the aviation and hospitality industries.
After graduating from university, Lawrence Welk III was a reporter and chief pilot for KCAL Television News in Los Angeles. His passion for aviation led him to establish his own company, Angel City Air, which specializes in purchasing helicopters for Electronic News Gathering (ENG) and production operations across the country.
Lawrence Welk III is the president of Welk Aviation. His exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades, including two Emmy nominations, one Emmy award, a National Sports Emmy award, and recognition from the National Broadcast Pilots Association and the Greater Los Angeles Press Club.
He once served as the operator of the Welk Resort, founded by his grandfather and handed down to his father, Lawrence Welk. In his personal life, he celebrated his marriage in 1993 and is yet to say a thing about his children. We believe one of them will be named Lawrence Welk IV.
Are Lawrence Welk Jr and Tanya still married?
No, after 12 years of marriage, Lawrence Welk Jr. and Tanya divorced in 1979.
Is Lawrence Welk Jr still alive?
Yes, is Lawrence Welk Jr still alive? His family has not announced his passing.
How old is Lawrence Welk Jr
Lawrence Welk Jr is 84 years old and was born on March 11th, 1940. He shares his birthday with his father, Lawrence Welk, Sr.
Who is Lawrence Welk Jr married to?
Lawrence Welk Jr. was once married to Tanya, but they divorced. Tanya remarried, but no news was heard of Lawrence getting married again.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lawrence Welk Jr. has had a long and successful career building on the legacy of his famous father, Lawrence Welk. He was involved in his family’s businesses early on, including the music publishing company and the Welk Resort Group, which he later led as CEO and Chairman.
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