Join us for a free premiere event of the new one-hour documentary, Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Farm Boy. Get your free ticket!
Born to German-Russian immigrant parents in Strasburg, North Dakota, Lawrence Welk built a strong work ethic and love for music growing up on the family farmstead. After touring the midwest in his 20s, he was scouted by ABC in 1955 to create the iconic "The Lawrence Welk Show," which still runs on public television stations today – including on Prairie Public.
"Lawrence Welk has long held a special place in the hearts of public television viewers,” said producer Barbara Gravel. “We're thrilled to highlight his German-Russian heritage and the family homestead in Strasburg, where he was born and raised. It's an honor to share the remarkable story of his life with audiences at a premiere screening in Bismarck."
Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Farm Boy was produced by Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and Friends of the Welk Homestead. The documentary will air on Prairie Public on Monday, July 14.
During the event, NDSU Press will launch the limited special edition hardcover three-volume set of the new biography, “Champagne Times: Lawrence Welk and His American Century,” by Dr. Lance Richey, who will be in attendance to autograph the book.