Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show With Biographies of Cast & Crew

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists

Dick Kesner was one of the original regulars on the Lawrence Welk Show.  Born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1912, he served in World War II and then played with the Freddie Martin band before joining the Lawrence Welk Show in 1953.   Lawrence Welk was so enamored with Kesner's violin virtuosity that he bought him a Stradivarius.  Kesner remained with the show until 1960 to record music and do more concert performances.  He died unexpectedly in 1962 at the age of 49 from a heart attack suffered while he was driving his car in Reseda, CA.

Albums recorded:  Dick Kesner Music of Hawaii, The "New" Old Refrain, Lawrence Welk Presents Dick Kesner, Intermezzo.