Gene Pursell,
Irish Tenor (1951-1957) Pursell Was Voted Top Male Vocalist
Of 1951 By TV Times Magazine
Gene
Pursell was a Irish Tenor on the
Lawrence Welk Show from 1951 to 1957. Pursell was
born and raised in Portsmouth, Iowa to a musical
family. His father, Frank, played the harmonica and
was an expert whistler while his mother played the
piano. In addition, his three brothers and five
sisters were singers as youngsters. Pursell married
when he was 17 years and has four children. Pursell
left the show in 1957 and was replaced by fellow
Irish Tenor, Joe Feeney.
After
leaving the Welk Show, he continued singing until
his retirement.