Guy Hovis dead at age 84: Singer who performed on legendary Lawrence Welk Show dies after battling illness in hospital

A long-time performer on the legendary variety series The Lawrence Welk Show, Hovis’ extraordinary career had seen him release 15 albums, join the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and even perform at the inauguration of President George W. Bush. 

Along with his then-wife Ralna English, the pair made music together and performed on Welk’s show as the singing duo ‘Guy & Ralna’. 

The loss was confirmed by his daughter Julie, who told TMZ that her father passed peacefully on Thursday at Oxford, Mississippi.

Julie said her father had been in the hospital with an undisclosed and lingering illness for the past few weeks.

Hovis’ ex-wife and former singing partner English announced the passing with Facebook followers, saying he ‘took a turn for the worse’ following a weeks-long hospitalization. 

‘As it has for me, this will come as a shock to many of you,’ she began. ‘Guy has been in the hospital for several weeks. I spoke briefly with him on Monday and was deeply concerned. 

‘He took a turn for the worse and it hurts me to tell you , but he died peacefully last night. Needless to say, at this time we are all devastated and simply trying to cope with this tragic news. Thank you for your prayers for Julie and Sis and Guys entire family.’ 

Hovis’ first appearance on The Lawrence Welk Show was a duet with his then-wife during the program’s 1969 Christmas special.

While English was already a regular performer on the show, Hovis ended up getting invited to join the ‘Welk musical family’ after the host saw the passionate fan response to the couple’s holiday appearance, according to the singer’s bio. 

In a 2015 interview with Wicked Local, he called Welk ‘one of the most interesting people’ he had known and a man whom he learned much from.  

‘Lawrence Welk was one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I wasn’t used to the big-band approach when I joined the show, so I learned a lot from him. He was a very straightforward person. 

‘You always knew it was his show and that he loved what he did. He loved Ralna dearly, too. If I ever needed anything from Mr. Welk, I always made sure to go through Ralna to get it.’

Hovis shares a daughter with English and despite their split, continued performing together on occasion and remained on good terms. 

‘We’ve enjoyed a pretty good relationship for almost 50 years now. It is partly the blend of our voices and also that we’ve always harmonized very easily together,’ Hovis said. ‘We’ve also kept a good personal friendship over the years, because of our daughter.’ 

They would appear on the Hovis show until it concluded in 1982. 

After their split, Hovis remarried. He tied the knot with Sarah “Sis” Lundy, and together they share three children and five grandchildren together, according to his bio. 

Hovis’ accomplishments include producing and singing nominations by the Gospel Music Association and performing Let the Eagle Soar at the 2005 inauguration for George W. Bush.

According to Forbes, he began a Christian music ministry in 1986 and performed at churches across the country and at events. 

Hovis also entered the world of politics, serving as former U.S. Senator Trent Lott’s state director from 1990 to 2007.