Ava Barber in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ava grew up singing in her oldest brother’s rock ‘n’ roll band. When a new song would come out, she’d buy the record, learn the lyrics, and go around the neighborhood “putting on shows”. I had one of those True Tone record players and I’d act like I was Brenda Lee, singing for anyone who would listen.

Ava wrote to Mr. Welk in 1973. A couple or months later Ava received a letter from Mr. Welk telling her that if she was ever on the West coast to come and do the show. They met on the golf course, they went into a tent on the grounds of the golf course, Ava auditioned, and then in February of 1974, Ava did her first show and Mr. Welk hired Ava right on the air as a regular.
Ava pursued her recording career, she experienced success with her recording of “Waitin At The End Of Your Run”, a truck driving song, then scored big on the charts with “Bucket To The South”. It got to #13 on the Billboard Charts, and #12 in Canada.

Being part of a nationally watched television show, and having a hit record, opened many doors for Ava. She’s appeared on many television shows such as: “Nashville Now”, “Music City Tonight”, “Crook & Chase Show”, and made two appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.

When the Live Lawrence Welk tapings came to an end in 1982, Ava and Roger decided to move back to Knoxville, Tennessee. They formed their own Country band, purchased their own bus, and toured all over the United States and Canada, doing what they love the most, music.

In 1990 Ava & Roger decided to go into partnership with Dick Dale, and lease their own theatre in Pigeon Forge, TN. They had their own theatre and show until 1996. From 1997 to 2000 Ava worked at the Welk Theatre in Branson, MO.

From 2000 until now, Ava still tours with “The Live Lawrence Welk Show Tour” featuring Stars from the Lawrence Welk Show. Also she does dates on her own, The Lawrence Welk Show is still in reruns on PBS, and the most exciting thing that happened to Ava was hearing from the great legend Andy Griffith. They have exchanged CD’s and talk to each other every once in a while. Ava’s comments on Andy Griffith, “ I never thought I would hear from such a great Star as Andy, if I never do anything else in this business, that’s the highlight, and when he told me I had one of the most beautiful voices he ever heard, that was the icing on the cake. The good Lord has blessed my life so much, to him all the glory goes.