Lawrence Welk TV Treasures

Guy hovis

Guy Hovis was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, the home of another relatively well-known singer named Elvis. The son of an original member of the Mississippi State Highway Patrol, Hovis graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in accounting. After serving two years in the Army, Guy followed the urging of friends who thought he should give his musical talents a chance in Hollywood.

From a small nightclub in Santa Monica, California, Guy began his music career and within a year got his first break with an appearance on Art Linkletter's House Party Show on CBS. He was an instant hit and was booked for many return appearances on the popular daytime show. Next Guy joined with a partner, David Blaylock, and the duo of Guy & David recorded an album for ABC records, toured the country for two years, and appeared on many television variety shows. During the Guy & David years, Hovis met and married Texas native, Ralna English. Ralna became a regular member of The Lawrence Welk Show soon after their marriage and convinced Mr. Welk to let Guy sing a duet with her on the annual Welk Christmas Show. As a result, Guy & Ralna became the most popular singing duo on The Lawrence Welk Show.

During their years with Welk, Guy & Ralna recorded ten albums, eight of which were produced by Guy. He also established himself as a reputable songwriter and at one time was nominated by the Gospel Music Association for producer and artist of the year. In the years following Lawrence Welk's retirement, Hovis wrote and starred in two critically acclaimed musical revues, sang the title song for the Disney film, "Benji the Hunted" and continued to record and perform concerts around the country with members of the Welk Musical Family. His work for various charitable organizations has earned Guy awards from The American Cancer Society, The March of Dimes, and Childhelp USA and he was recently inducted into the Mississippi Musicians' Hall of Fame.

Guy returned home to Mississippi in 1990 and his life took an unexpected turn when his lifelong friend Senator Trent Lott asked him to join his staff as director of the Senator's state offices. Guy records and keeps an active concert schedule, performing in casinos, state fairs and theatres and with his former wife and singing partner, Ralna English.

In 2002, Guy married "Sis," and they reside in Jackson, Mississippi, but Guy still finds the time to take off from his Senate job to tape Welk Show television specials for PBS where the show is seen each week by more than 3 million people on some 280 PBS stations. Guy and Ralna's daughter, Julie, teaches 1st grade in Phoenix.