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Dwayne Dopsie from Metairie,
Louisiana.
Wednesday
Thursday
Action Shots
(4/3/99)
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Wednesday, March 24, 1999 | |
Today saw the arrival of the five finalists in the Search for the Hottest Accordionist. Greeted by the TV cameras, the contestants gave an impromptu performance at the Springfield Airport, before making their way to the Welk Resort in Branson. With members of the media including USA Today and CBS Sunday Morning TV Show present, the candidates spent the evening rehearsing and being interviewed for various newspaper and TV shows. It is our pleasure to profile the contestants who are pictured below during their rehearsal: (The finalists are, alphabetically)
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Before a standing room
only audience, the jury announces that the |
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The contest opened with the offical announcement, read by the Lennon sisters on behalf of the Mayor, that Thursday, March 25, 1999 is: "Welk
Salutes the Accordion Day" |
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The jury members, who judged the contestants while considering: overall talent, entertainment value charisma and professionalism, are pictured here from left to right: Larry Welk (son of Lawrence Welk, and current President and CEO of the Welk Resort), John Bahler (Music Director for the Welk Resort), Joan Castle (Queen of Piano at the Welk Resort and long time cast member of the Welk Show), Art Van Damme (accordion Jazz legend), Dale Buse (well known Pianist), Gail Lennon (Singer/Songwriter from LA, now resident in Branson), Faithe Deffner (President of the American Accordionists' Association.) |
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![]() Pictured here are the contestats at the Prize Giving, pictured left to right they are: Dwayne Dopsie (Winner), Phoebe Legere, Tim Padilla, Terri Conti and Jason Stephen |
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Action Shots |
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![]() Tim Padilla of Norco, California |
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![]() Phoebe Legere of New York, New York |
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![]() Jason Stephen of Kansas City, Missouri |
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![]() Terri Conti of Ocean New Jersey |
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![]() Dwayne Dopsie of Metairie, Louisiana |
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The Lawrence Welk Resort Center in Branson, Missouri and the American Accordionists Association in New York -- two icons of the accordion world -- joined forces to "Search for the Hottest Accordionist." and attracted substantial publicity, ranging from the front page of the Entertainment Section of USA Today to the opening monologue of Jay Leno's Tonight Show. Leno quipped that the contest could "take forever," but the five finalists will be ready to compete on March 25th on the stage of the Champagne Theatre in Branson, Missouri. CBS Sunday Morning filmed
and interviewed the contestants and are scheduled to air a segment on
the "Search for the Hottest Accordionist" on their April 4th,
1999. USA Today is scheduled to print an article on Monday March 29,
1999. Associated Press reporters were also present, and will have articles
appearing accross the country. |
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The finalists: Terri Conti, of Ocean New Jersey; Dwayne Dopsie of Metairie, Louisiana; Phoebe Legere, of New York, New York; Tim Padilla of Norco, California; Jason Stephen of Kansas City, Missouri were selected from over 150 entries. The grand-prize winner Dwayne Dopsie, will be invited to perform live in the Welk Show at the Welk Resort, to appear with Myron Floren at the Polka Festival in June, and to perform at the American Accordionists' Association Festival in Nashville from July 7 to 11. In addition, Dwayne will be given the opportunity to record in a studio, will be featured in an Internet site hosted by Accordions Worldwide (at www.accordions.com) and will be promoted in a professional brochure. |
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This national contest was designed to spark America’s interest in the accordion and may even reveal the accordionist of the Millennium. Finalists were judged according to overall talent, charisma, professionalism and ability to entertain. A tape of the finalists has been submitted to a number of top TV shows which expressed an interest in featuring the sizzling accordion of "the Hottest.". | |
1. | The grand-prize winner will receive the opportunity to: |
- Perform live in The Welk
Show at the Welk Resort Center & Champagne Theatre - Perform along with Myron Floren at the Welk Resort's Polka Festival in June - Perform in events and concerts organized by the AAA and/or affiliated organizations - Hold a one-year membership in the American Accordionists' Association - Receive media exposure in local and national TV, radio and print outlets - Record in a studio - Be featured in a site on the Internet - Be promoted in a professional brochure |
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2. | Runners-up will receive: |
- Tickets to the live Welk
Show - A one-year membership in the American Accordionists' Association - Media exposure in their hometown TV, radio and print outlets |
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3. | The judges, no strangers to entertainment and music, include: Art Van Damme, legend Jazz accordionist; Larry Welk, Jr., son of the great bandleader; Faithe Deffner, president of the AAA; Dale Buse, Master Dance Floor owner; John Bahler, conductor of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and Gail Lennon, lead vocalist and arranger for the Lennon Brothers Swing Music Show, and famous Welk pianist, Joan Castle. |
Further information available at 1-800-505-WELK Welk Resort Center & Champagne Theatre c/o Mr. John Bahler, Conductor, Lawrence Welk Orchestra 1984 State Highway 165 Branson, MO 65616 |
Site constructed and hosted by: Accordions Worldwide at www.accordions.com. © Copyright 1999 Accordions Worldwide. All rights reserved |