The Aldridge Sisters
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Aldridge Sisters is an American singing act that appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1977 to 1982. They are a duo made up of sisters Sheila and Sherry Aldridge.
[edit] The sisters and their family
Sherry Aldridge (born December 1, 1951) and Sheila Aldridge (born July 18, 1956), both hail from Knoxville, Tennessee. Their father Talton Aldridge was a musician in his own right, having performed for President Franklin Roosevelt at Carnegie Hall with his brother. They also have two older sisters, Sandra and Sue.
[edit] Performing career
Sheila and Sherry started out singing in church, holiday pageants, nightclubs, high school plays and also performed in community theater, winning many musical and theatrical accolades. While looking for their big break in show business, they each took regular jobs as flight attendants for a major airline.
The Aldridge Sisters first auditioned for Lawrence Welk in 1977 when he and his musical family held a concert in nearby Nashville; although impressed, there weren't any openings at the time. It wasn't until three more auditions in the next following months that they were asked to appear on the show as guest stars, after that initial appearance on national television followed by a few more guest appearances, they were hired as regulars. Not long after that, they were teamed with Roger and David Otwell, another newly-hired sibling act to form the musical act of The Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins. It was a hit with live audiences and viewers alike.
Since the Welk show, the sisters continued to perform; making numerous television appearances on shows such as Dinah Shore, Hee Haw and have appeared on the Welk reunion special Milestones and Memories for PBS. They also have been an opening act for stars such as Bob Hope and has performed at casino resorts in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, plus also toured with fellow Welk alumni in the concert series Forever Blowing Bubbles.
Sheila and Sherry have recorded a Christmas album called, "The Gift", it was recorded with the Billy Andrusco Trio.
[edit] Personal lives
Sheila, who was once married to comedian Roger Behr, today makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She has also appeared in the 1980s sitcom Down To Earth on cable television.
Sherry, once married to Bob Davis, a musician from the Welk orchestra, today makes her home in Tampa, Florida with her current husband John Orchard.
Sherry & Shelia's legacy will continue through personal accomplishments to come, but also through their sister Sandra's granddaughter. Lauren Jaynes, great-niece to the Aldridge Sisters, is following the musical path and plans to achieve as much, or more, success than her aunts.
