 |
| 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 five finalists competed on March 25th on the
stage of the Champagne Theatre in Branson, Missouri. |
|
| Before
a standing room only audience, the jury announces that the
"Hottest
Accordionist" in the USA is Dwayne Dopsie
from Metairie,
Louisiana. |
 CBS
Sunday Morning filmed and interviewed the contestants showed a segment on the
"Search for the Hottest Accordionist" on their April 4th, 1999 show.
USA Today printed an article on Monday March 29, 1999. Associated Press reporters
were also present, and the following press coverage was some of the best exposure
that the accordion has had in recent years, with articles appearing nation wide!
|
|
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"
in Branson, Missouri by proclamation
of the Mayor.
|
|  Members
of the Jury heard five outstanding accordionists, each giving the performance
of their lives, hoping to become the "Hottest Accordionist" in the USA.
With a spread of only three marks between the five contestants, Dwayne Dopsie
was awarded the first place and the honor of the being the "Hottest Accordionist."
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.)
|
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.".
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
|
The
Finalists in Competition
|
|
 |
| The
finalists pictured from left to right: Dwayne Dopsie of Metairie, Louisiana; Terri
Conti, of Ocean New Jersey; Phoebe Legere, of New York, New York; Jason Stephen
of Kansas City, Missouri; Tim Padilla of Norco, California; were selected from
over 150 entries. The
grand-prize winner Dwayne Dopsie, was 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, be offered n an Internet site hosted by Accordions Worldwide (at
www.accordions.com) and will be promoted in a professional brochure. |
| |
| 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." |
| |
|
Welk Resort Center & Champagne Theatre
c/o Mr. John Bahler, Conductor, Lawrence
Welk Orchestra
1984 State Highway 165 Branson,
MO 65616 |
