Gail Farrell

Gail Farrell (born October 6, 1947) is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work on the variety program The Lawrence Welk Show.

Early life Born in Salinas, California, Farrell grew up in Durant, Oklahoma. Her father was a cattle rancher and her mother was a plumber. She learned music from her mother who taught her piano lessons while her father taught her to ride horses. She began to perform publicly at age six at rodeos and talent shows, in church, and on pickup beds on the back of trucks stumping for local political candidates. In October 1982, Farrell sang in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma christened Gail Farrell Drive in her honor in her hometown of Durant. Since then, Farrell has continued to pursue singing/songwriting, as her arrangements have been covered by artists such as Barbara Mandrell and featured on the soap opera Knots Landing. Part of Gail Farrell Drive was re-zoned in July 1994. She sang with numerous recording artists and her vocals have appeared in numerous commercials and television/film soundtracks. Most recently, she appeared on several Welk-related television specials for PBS such as Milestones & Memories and Lawrence Welk, Precious Memories. She reunited with fellow Welk castmates Ava Barber, Ralna English and Mary Lou Metzger for the four-woman revue, Four Wunnerful Women.

Personal life Farrell married Ron Anderson on December 7, 1979; they lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and had twin daughters, Erin and Lauren (born in September 1982). She was previously married to Rick Mallory and Bob Lawson.

Ron Anderson died on January 26, 2024, at the age of 78.