Lawrence Welk was a young accordionist and bandleader from Strasburg, ND who struck stardom in the midcentury, catapulting from the middle of nowhere to national fame through his unique music style and long-running television show. Dancing with Welk tracks Vondracek and his band The Brickhouse Boys’ attempts to follow in Welk’s footsteps some fifty years later, reaching beyond the horizons of Vermillion, SD toward the spotlight.
Vondracek’s book blends memoir, travelogue, and cultural history to create a nuanced and often hilarious ode to the landscapes and musical traditions of the Northern Great Plains.
Books available for purchase with a book signing to follow the author talk.