Lawrence Welk & His Champagne Music Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982. His style came to be known as "champagne music". In 1996, Welk was ranked #43 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. Welk released many singles throughout his career, the first titled "Moritat (A Theme from 'The Three Penny Opera')" reached #17 in the US Chart in 1956. His final single "Southtown U.S.A." was released in 1970 reached #37.