Aldridge
Sisters,
Singers (1977-1982) Knoxville's Finest Sister Act Often Sang
With Otwell Twins
The Aldridge Sisters, consisting of
Sherry and Sheila Aldridge, are a popular sister act
best known for their performances on the Lawrence
Welk Show from 1977 to 1982. Growing up, they were
active in their Baptist church choir in their
hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, sang in school and
community concerts, and were also regulars at radio
station WPTX in Lexington Park, MD. After briefly
holding jobs as flight attendants, the girls decided
showbiz was better so they tried out for the
Lawrence Welk Show, hence the reason Welk often
referred to them as his "singing hostesses."
In
1977, The Aldridge Sisters
auditioned in Los Angeles, singing the popular song
"Fernando" by ABBA. Welk loved what he heard
however, there were no openings on the show to offer
them at first. That changed when Tanya Welk
left the show in 1977. After joining the show, they
teamed up with the Otwell Twins as one of
the most popular acts. Both 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 with Sheila married to Chris
Costa and Sherry to John Orchard. Today, Sherry
lives in Florida while Sheila lives in
Hendersonville, Tennessee and often performs with
her husband.