Prairie Public will premiere a new documentary, Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Farm Boy, that explores the life and legacy of the iconic TV big band leader, Lawrence Welk.
Born to German-Russian immigrant parents, Welk built a strong work ethic and love for music growing up on the family farmstead in Strasburg, N.D. 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 — marking 70 years of continuous syndication on television.
The film looks at Welk’s life through archival footage and interviews with people who knew him well – including his daughter, nieces, secretary, and Lawrence Welk Show cast members.
“From his humble beginnings in central North Dakota to his remarkable legacy in Hollywood, we were moved by how deeply Lawrence Welk impacted those around him,” said the show’s producer, Prairie Public Director of Television Barb Gravel. “Everyone we spoke with shared heartwarming memories of Welk and his music — a true testament to his enduring influence.”
The one-hour documentary will premiere on Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m. on Prairie Public, and will be available to stream on-demand on YouTube and the PBS app.
“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.
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About Prairie Public
Prairie Public, a nonprofit public media organization and member station of PBS and NPR, provides content and services utilizing television, radio, and digital platforms. Prairie Public is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and serves the state of North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and southern Manitoba. For more information, visit prairiepublic.org.