Donnie Vondra

Donnie Vondra, a native of Texas has deep roots with country music that dates back to his days as a five-year old boy. He would dance the night away with his mother’s family in East Texas Honky Tonks.

His parents gave him his first guitar at age five. He would stand in front of his mother’s mirror and pretend to be a big star singing to thousands of people. With the high fidelity 8-track player blaring in the background, his mind created vivid images of a successful country & western singer performing to an enthusiastic audience of thousands.

Back in the real world, Donnie performed in his school’s talent show, which was where he first sang with a live band. Band leader Steve Ray, and Donnie’s 4th grade teacher Francis Jordan took an interest in Donnie. Steve gave Donnie an old flat top guitar and a couple of lessons to help in developing his natural talent.

In the 7th grade, former teacher Francis Jordan introduced Donnie to W.A. Brown of Grapeland, Texas. This was strategic to Donnie's career as a performer, as Mr. Brown was in control of the music stage at Grapeland’s annual Peanut Festival. He also took an interest in Donnie’s talent and gave him a chance to sing with the band at the festival. They must have liked him, he sang at the festival for the next 13 years.

At the age of twelve Donnie began working the East Texas oil fields with his father, Jim. He saved his hard-earned money and bought his first real Takamine guitar. During the daytime hours Donnie was either at work or at school. The evenings found him behind his bedroom door honing his guitar and singing skills.

When Donnie went to High School, he caught the interest of his teacher, Mr. Gary Graham. Mr. Graham encouraged Donnie to participate in the FFA Talent show. Donnie played in the talent show, and at the district level, he and his guitar competed and won against a entire band of musicians. For the next two years Donnie was a finalist at the state level, and won second place in the state competition in his senior year. All with just his voice and one guitar!

Donnie joined an East Texas band named “One For the Road” and started playing local C&W nightclubs and private parties. Though he was ranked 1st team all state center in his AA class team, Donnie opted to play his guitar instead of football on Friday nights. As he was heard to say, “people are a lot nicer to me on the dance floor than they are on the football field.”

He graduated from Grapeland High School on a Friday night, played a show on Saturday night, then on Sunday moved to Alvin, Texas to work in the Gulf Coast oil fields in the family business. On nights and weekends he would play and sing in night clubs and dance halls in and around the Houston area. Between working 90 hours a week and playing music on weekends, Donnie played himself out. He had to put his music career on hold for a while.

After a good long break, Donnie joined forces with the Tejas band. The relationship formed lasts to this day. Donnie and the Tejas band are known for their party band style. You will hear everything from James Brown to George Jones, with some of Donnie’s original songs mixed in. Donnie’s original songs are produced by country music writer/producer/picker Bobby Terry. Donnie and Terry’s relationship began when Bobby played on Donnie’s first demo “I’ll take forever.” They recorded this song together in 1990. In 1996, Bobby and Donnie formed Cube Records and music, a Nashville Publishing company. Their company delivered five national cuts, and one major single. Their partnership, along with songwriter Kevin Brandt will have everlasting memories. Memories of their first national cut “I’m Still Here” recorded by Randy Travis, and the first National major single, “Love of a Woman” recorded by Travis Tritt, will remain in their hearts forever. The publishing relationship has kept Donnie and Bobby in touch over the years, and has opened the door for Donnie to cut several of his original songs. His songs “Southern Girls” and “Wide Open” are typical of the high energy, charismatic and fun loving style of Donnie Vondra.

Donnie spends Monday through Saturday running the family Oil and Gas company, and his Sundays singing at First United Methodist Church, but he still finds time for his true passion; performing his music to entertain people, Donnie Vondra style! As he says “a big record deal would be great, but if it doesn’t happen it won’t shut me down.”

So, if you get a chance, spend an evening or afternoon with this energetic, 6’ 3” 200 lb singing, guitar playing, oil industry businessman, you are sure to be entertained!