AND THE BAND PLAYED NAM is a novel having a tone similar to such classics as the novel FORREST GUMP and the movie AMERICAN GRAFFITI. A young girl sees Buddy Holly perform at the Rothschild Pavilion where the dance floor, supported on railroad car springs, beats to the music. It's rock'n'roll baby Sharon's dream of being a rock star is born. At the age of 16 in 1969, her band of four teenaged girls procures a USO offer to tour Vietnam. On her fame-seeking journey, Sharon kicks off unisex haircutting salons and models the first Maxi coat. In Vietnam, she experiences temptations, highs and lows. Whereas her band mostly had been doing covers of 1960's songs, she begins composing original material cultivated from her experiences. By the end of the band's USO tour, they have attracted interest from both Capitol Records and Dick Clark.