| 1953 .:. Biography .:. 2008 |

The Vrazels' Polka Band is in their 55th year of playing music not just in Texas, but many other states as well. Anton and Alfred Vrazel are the sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Vrazel Sr. and are life-long residents of the Yarrellton-Marak communities near Cameron, Milam County, Texas.

Their interest in music started early in life. At the age of ten, Alfred talked his parents into buying him his first accordion. He purchased a two row Horner button accordion from Sears for $32.00. A short time later, Anton began playing the piano accordion and Alfred switched to playing the tenor and alto saxophones and guitar.

The band was originally known as the Vrazels' Playboys and consisted of Alfred, Anton and their three cousins, Leo, Louis, and Ladis Vrazel. They began playing at small stores and halls such as

The Oscar Store near Temple,
Three Oaks near Cameron,
Country Bar and Grocery Store near Marak,
Otto's Place in Taylor,
The Wagon Wheel Inn in Byersville,
Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton,
and
SPJST Hall in Buckholts.

At some of their first engagements they received no regular salary, just small donations from appreciative listeners and dancers. This probably was the origin of the Vrazel Band motto, "Playing for our Friends."

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