Polish Pete Crafts a Championship Polka

By Theresa Cernoch Parker
Featured in December 2017 issue of Texas Polka News

This year’s World Series had it all – pitching duels, homerun rallies, celebrity fans, extra innings, AND polka! Houston Astros’ mega fan Polish Pete made sure of that. He and his Polka? I Hardly Know Her Band whipped out a ditty called the Altuve Polka inspired by American League MVP, second baseman Jose Altuve. With the help of Pete’s video-producer friend, Jason Yu, a video was made and posted to YouTube within 24 hours of recording the song. The video went viral easily racking up 100,000 views in no time. Polkabeat Facebook fans made it the most shared video in the page’s history.

The Altuve Polka garnered Polish Pete an invite to Game 5 from Astros management, where he hob-knobbed with TV talk show legend and Los Angeles Dodger fan Larry King behind home
plate. (Larry said he loved the Altuve Polka.) You’ll recall Game 5 was the 10-inning, five-hour thriller in Minute Maid Park. That victory inspired Pete and the guys to create another YouTube
hit – I Love Those Houston Astros Polka. They made and posted that video within 8 hours of writing it.

When the Astros won it all, the team invited Polish Pete and his band to be a part of the downtown victory parade on Fri., Nov. 3. They had their own float with Houston pitching legend Nolan Ryan riding along to the polka beat. Texas Polka News caught up with Polish Pete
Gordon at his day job – manager of the Continental Club in downtown Houston – to learn how he and the guys got caught up in the championship frenzy that rocked the city.

What was that victory parade like?
It was great. Nolan Ryan was on our float. Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros, and family stopped by before the float took off to meet the band. We played for the fans, who were all smiling back at us. Love for the city, POLKA, and the Houston Astros was in the air the whole time.

Did you get to meet Jose Altuve?
We have yet to meet Jose, but he did say, "I love it. It's really good," about the song on
national TV. We did get to meet the owner Jim Crane, the president Reid Ryan, the GM Jeff Luhnow, and the great Nolan Ryan, who are all fans of the songs and us, so I'm hopeful we will get a chance to meet Jose soon…maybe spring training.

Why Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie for the Altuve Polka? What’s the tune for I Love Those Houston Astros?
I always felt Apples, Peaches to be a very strong Houston traditional number. All the bands play it but there are not many recordings of it, and the words in my head just fell into place with the melody. I just liked the way that all came together very quickly, it felt right. I love those Houston Astros so much I wrote a tune called I Love Those Houston Astros. It is an original tune but I wanted to evoke the style of the old Houston Oilers #1 song of the seventies which was such a great anthem for the city. I have been following the Astros since the day I moved to Texas.

Years ago around 1991 when I was on tour with Mojo Nixon full time, we got to see the Astros in the Dome, back in the days of Biggio, Bagwell, Caminiti. A friend of ours, Casey Candaele, was on the team at that time and gave us front row tickets for the game. Later that night a bunch of the players came to our show at the old BonTon room on Washington Ave, including Mark Portugal and then rookie Darryl Kile. I always give a nod to the DK on the stadium wall when I go to the
games now. I love those Houston Astros!

What’s your polka and baseball story?
I was born in Pittsburgh, PA where my grandparents lived in the Polish Hill neighborhood. Polka was very popular there in the seventies; it was everywhere. My grandparents loved music of all
kinds, and encouraged me to play and listen to everything. My grandfather had season tickets to the Pirates games, and there was a rule in the house – no tickets to the game unless the Lawrence Welk program was watched in its entirety. Which was always a double win for me! We would sing and dance in the living room watching Lawrence Welk, and my grandparents knew all the words to every song. We would go see music all the time all over the East Coast.

I moved to Texas in the mid-eighties, and started going to shows all over Texas. Of course here in Houston, Bill Mraz ballroom, when it was still with us, and the SPJST lodge. I took a great trip to Poland last year, and met some unbelievable people and musicians there. I was in Krakow for the fall traditional music and heritage festival. It was everything I dreamed of seeing and hearing, and more! I hope to go back again next year.

How did you decide to play the accordion?
I love polka, and I always wanted to have a polka band, so I started teaching myself the accordion, polka stylings, and melodies with the stradella bass system, so I could polka. In order to play polka well, you have to have an accordion and a polka band.

Tell us about the band.
We are all full-time musicians, playing in many different bands, as well as working in the music business. The instruments we play in the polka band were all new to us when we started the group in 2012. We all had a love for polka and wanted to play the traditional instruments, and be able to march, as well as preform on stage. Allen Hill “Tuba” plays the tuba (he is a bass player) and runs his own booking agency, Allen Hill Entertainment. Tomas Escalante “Little Tommy E on the Big Bass Drum” plays the marching bass drum, sings harmony, and yodels (he is a lead vocalist). Tomas owns the record store, Sig's Lagoon, on Main Street. James Henkel “Strum” on the ole banjo (he is a guitar player), plays full time. John "Goodtime" Smith plays the marching
snare with the bells and blocks (he is a drummer)." I “Polish Pete” play the accordion and sing (I’m a piano player). I own and operate The Continental Club here in Houston, along with my right-hand man, Goodtime. You'll need to come to one of our shows to find out why his name is "Goodtime.”

And the band’s name?
The POLKA? I Hardly Know Her Band is a play off the old joke. (The joke is to take a common word that ends in the sound "er," and add "I hardly know her!" for comedic effect.)

You’ve just ridden in the World Series Victory Parade, now what?
I’m going to DisneyWorld. No really, we are finishing up a full-length album that will be released in a few months, and these two songs are being released on a 45. We have many shows coming up, playing frequently at the Continental Club and festivals all over Texas and Louisiana. We
bring the fun everywhere we go, and hope to play some new festivals next year.

On behalf of polka fans everywhere, thanks Polish Pete and the Polka? I Hardly Know Her Band for shining a positive light on polka, and working up the Houston Astros’ fans into a fever pitch.

ALTUVE POLKA
Not too short, he’s ten feet tall,
comes to bat, he hits the ball
Let’s all cheer Altuve
Batting title in his hands, has the
crown, he’s our man
Let’s all cheer Altuve
Hits one here, hits one there, hits everywhere
A double over here, home run over there
Hits one here, hits one there, hits everywhere
Let’s all cheer Altuve
Hits the ball where they ain’t, in
our town he’s a saint
Let’s all cheer Altuve
He might just be 5 foot 3, but he’s
the league’s MVP
Let’s all cheer Altuve
Hits one here, hits one there, hits everywhere
A double over here, home run over there
Hits one here, hits one there, hits everywhere
Let’s all cheer Altuve
Houston town is so cheery, took us
to the World Series
Let’s all cheer Altuve
The Dodger team will be so blue,
when Jose pulls us through
Hits one here, hits one there hits everywhere
A double over here, grand slam over there
Hits one here hits one there hits everywhere
Let’s all cheer Altuve

I LOVE THOSE HOUSTON ASTROS
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, Houston Astros
that’s our team.
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, World Series that’s
our dream.
Altuve and Correa turn a double play
Marwin slides home, as Springer saves the day
When Gattis hits the ball, he needs no glove at all
Bregman hits one long, we know we’re Houston strong
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, Houston Astros
that’s our team.
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, World Series that’s
our dream.
Reddick snags a drive, and Yuli rakes a double
With Keuchel on the mound those Dodgers are in trouble
McCullers gets the ball, McCann frames the call
Verlander goes all night long, we know we’re Houston strong
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, Houston Astros
that’s our team.
I love those Houston Astros,
Houston Astros, World Series that’s
our dream.

TLCB Celebrates 10 Years

By Theresa Parker

There are the usual reasons for the split-up of a band – personality clashes, day job demands, family obligations, retirement, poor health, even the death of the band leader. But no one was prepared for the news coming from the polka world in June 2007 when it was announced that Bobby Jones, the charismatic leader of his namesake band, was missing. Tire tracks and the license plate from his car were found on the banks of the rain swollen Brazos River in Wharton. It was hard news to accept, especially for those musicians who had shared the stage with Bobby in one of the most popular bands around.

                Some of the members of the Bobby Jones Czech Band were in a state of shock and couldn’t continue playing for a while. Bob Suttie, who had been with the band since 1989, decided to continue the legacy.

                “I guess I’m just not ready to quit playing this music!” Bob said in the September 2007 issue of Texas Polka News. “I wrote the song ‘Polka Time in Texas’ 15 years ago, because that is what I saw when I looked out at the crowds dancing to the Bobby Jones Czech Band. I had been in the band less than two years. But from the beginning I could see that ‘When it’s polka time in Texas, the world is a brighter place, that beautiful Czech music puts a smile on every face.’”  

He went on: “The shock of this whole situation has continued to take its toll, but I am committed to continuing this fine tradition. I feel I have a legacy to cherish, and to pass on to my children. So I have started a band called the Texas Legacy Czech Band.” Bob also thought it was important to honor the more than 30 bookings the Bobby Jones Band had for the rest of 2007.

                In the October 2007 issue of the paper, Editor John Rivard reported that “Bob Suttie and the Texas Legacy Czech Band brought new life to the New Taiton Dance Hall on Sunday, Aug. 26, playing for a good crowd eager to hear the new band. It was a fun dance!”

The article continued: “Suttie is still putting together the new band. On this day he had Cary Oswald (accordion), Mike Gest (tuba, bass), Donnie Wavra (sax), and Jimmy Ryza (drums), while Bob played trumpet, sax, and trombone. The music was good. The band played a great variety, and also closed with a group singalong of You Are My Sunshine, followed by a march around the hall to When the Saints Go Marching In. We were also pleased to see Bob working the hall during the band break, thanking people for coming.”

The Legacy Continues
Other members of the TLCB in the beginning included Delores Rivera and Gene Janis. Bobby Jones alum Joe Zetka Jr. returned to play with the band and continues as accordionist when he’s not playing with the Jodie Mikula Orchestra. Other mainstay members now are Bob Suttie (accordion, trumpet, sax, trombone), Mike Gest (tuba, bass), Jimmy Heinsohn (trumpet, steel guitar), and Darrell Pavlas (drums).

                Bob said the years have flown by. “We’ve recorded three CDs, appeared five times at Wurstfest, and performed at the National Polka Festival and on the Mollie B Polka Party TV show. We continued the tradition of playing every year at the Christmas parties in Shelby and New Taiton, and the military tribute in Rosenberg each May,” he recalled.

                And the best thing about the gigs – the people. “I sure appreciate the people who come out to dance to our music and listen to us. Through the years, we’ve seen a lot of same people at our yearly dances. It’s especially gratifying when they talk about how good the music and dancing are,” Bob said.

                Bob invites everyone to the Taiton Community Center on Sunday, July 30, to help the band celebrate its 10th year anniversary from 2-6 pm. Freddie Vacek will be serving pork steak, sausage, Texas toast, potatoes, veggie, and dessert cobbler, all for $7 a plate.  

Come dance and party with us! Guest appearances by former TLCB band members. Bring your instruments for the jam session. All those 21 and under will get in free and will eat free!

Polka Man of the Hour - Danny Z

By Gary E. McKee

When you want to create an event to promote polka, who ya gonna call?
Danny Z!

Musician, arranger, bandleader, vocalist, national festival director, international polka hall of fame
trustee, and radio disc jockey, Danny Zapletal of Ennis, Texas knows the polka world. One of his favorite ways to promote the music is on the KBEC Polka Party show, from 9-11 am, on 1390 KBEC out of Waxahachie and online at kbec.com. It’s a job he inherited from legendary polka DJ
Johnnie I. Kracja, who was recently honored by the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center (TPN December 2016).

“It was a tremendous honor to be chosen by KBEC to follow in Johnnie I.’s footsteps,” DZ said. “Those are very big shoes to try and fill. Johnnie dedicated over 48 years to being at the station every Sunday to host his show, and did a fantastic job playing all the requests. Johnnie had a huge following and I just hope that I can continue in the same fashion of playing good polkas and waltzes every Sunday morning.”

Taking over for a legend can be worrisome, but DZ said the listeners have embraced his show. “After doing the polka show for three years I cannot ask for a better response than what I have received,” he said. “I do have a different format than what Johnnie had, but I feel it’s best to
have your own identity. I like to play as much music as possible, by as many different bands as possible. There are so many great bands from the past and from the present. I try to play them all
including many bands from the Czech Republic. I truly have a lot of fun doing the polka show.”

DZ pre-records the show on Thursday nights in his home recording studio from requests that
he has received, mostly through email (dannyzpolkashow@yahoo.com). This is not DZ’s first appearance behind a radio microphone. He got his start as a polka DJ on Internet radio station WRJQradio.com out of Wisconsin five and half years ago. When it came time to choose a theme song, DZ went with Oh Clara Polka.

“We (Czech & Then Some) were working on the Texas Tribute album to Ernie Kucera and I have always liked his recording of the song,” he said. “We decided to put it on the recording and got a great response from our fans. It’s a fun song to play and not many bands play it. It has good drive to it. The crowd always responds well when we play it. It’s one of my favorite polkas.” And, when he took over KBEC Polka Party, there was only one choice for the theme song - Oh Clara Polka.

DZ continued to do the WRJQ show along with the KBEC Polka Party, until he got word the station wouldn’t be able to continue all its programming.

“I appreciate Aaron Schuelke giving me the chance to be on his station without even knowing who I was. WRJQ is the best 24/7 polka station. I think I can say I brought a lot of Texas listeners to the station,” DZ said.

Aaron at first was going to shut down the station completely because of growing job and family
commitments, but the fans spoke. “I started getting emails and phone calls from the listeners telling me their disappointment that the station was no longer going to be on air,” DZ said. “After visiting with Aaron and letting him know how many calls and emails I was getting, he said he was getting the same on his end, so he came up with a plan to keep the station on the air.”

Unfortunately, the station had to cut some of its special programming like DZ’s show. “I’m glad Aaron found a way to keep the station going playing polkas and waltzes 24/7. I still listen to
the station every chance I get,” DZ said.

TEXAS POLKA CHEERLEADER
Another new polka assignment DZ accepted last year was to the board of trustees of the International Polka Association’s Hall of Fame based in Chicago. His job is to make recommendations to the board on hall of fame inductees and music awards by artists from Texas and Southwest U.S. DZ leads a group of electorates from this region who get to vote on the final
nominations ballot.

DZ worked with Mollie B and Ted Lange of SqueezeBox, and a team of Texas Polka News volunteers to host a Super Bowl Polka Party last year at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston to
introduce the IPA and raise funds for the association that will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary.

This January, during National Polka Month, DZ, TPN, and a team of Texas polka supporters once
again gathered to raise funds for the association while celebrating Carl Finch’s (Brave Combo) induction into the hall of fame and the 20th anniversary of Czech & Then Some, led by DZ. The dance was held Sat., Jan. 21, at the KJT Hall in Ennis. (See the photos).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATS!!!
Not the Broadway musical, but the Ennis-based Czech music ensemble that celebrates its founding 20 years ago. To clarify, CATS is the acronym for Czech & Then Some, a seven-piece, multi-ethnic orchestra. The nickname came about when leader DZ’s wife, Yvonne, got tired of filling her calendar space with “Czech & Then Some” and started abbreviating it to reserve days for performances or practices. The actual name is a descriptor of the Czech music they play, and the “then some” refers to the other ethnic polkas and country music they play.

CATS started out when Joe Betik, a good friend of DZ and David Slovak, asked David to play his accordion for his sister’s 50th wedding anniversary. David recruited DZ, David Trojacek, Louis Valek, John Marek Jr., and Andy Mikula to assist him. The band didn’t even have a name, but after that gig, they realized that there was some musical chemistry happening. Soon afterwards, Joe Lansfeld, the president of KJT Society #35 in Ennis, as well as DZ’s father-in-law, hired the band to play for their annual KJT membership recognition dance. That confirmed it.

As the band evolved playing countless parties and festivals around North Texas, the band members kept developing new arrangements to old standards that they presented to great
acclaim around the Central Texas Polka Triangle (Ennis-San Antonio-Houston). What sets CATS apart is the use of the full arrangement of all the songs they play as opposed to just playing the chorus rendition of a song.

In 2012, CATS was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as part of “The
Music of Budapest, Prague, and Vienna” celebration. On a recent return trip to D.C. they were blessed to play at the Czech Embassy’s Open House. Most of the visitor activities, including the music, had been set up outside, but a rainstorm drove them inside, where CATS performed “au
natural” without mikes and amps.

Part of the attraction of CATS is the musical diversity of the musicians. In addition to polka and waltzes of German, Czech, and Cajun extraction, they have backgrounds from big band, country & western, Tejano, jazz bands. The family connections enhance the vocal harmonies and with two females at the microphones, singing, in addition to playing sax and clarinet, it creates a unique sound in the polka world. Every member of the band is a multi-instrumentalist and are
vocally accomplished.

The youngest member of CATS is Josh Zapletal (2012), DZ’s son, carrying on his dad’s and grandfather Raymond’s tradition on trumpet. John Schumacher, bass and vocals, came to
the band after having played with The Czech Harvesters a few years before; Zeke Martinez (2007), percussion and guitar, has a background in Tejano music.

Jennifer Slovak (1998), David Slovak’s sister and recently Zeke’s wife, plays saxophone and clarinet. Michelle Slovak (1998), DZ’s sister and David’s wife, played with Harry Czarnek and
the Texas Dutchmen.

David Czarnek, (2010) who plays sax and clarinet, came to the band from his father’s band, the Texas Dutchmen, and has a background of big band, jazz, country, and rock.

David Slovak (1997), accordionist and piano, played with the Henry Rejcek Polka Band and Czech Harvesters before founding CATS with DZ.

FAMILY TRADITION
DZ grew up in a house filled with polka as his Czech dad, Raymond, had his own polka band in Ennis from 1960-1969 - the Music Masters, then played in the Texas Dutchmen when the family moved to Houston, and his German/Czech mother, Pat, was a pianist for the Jodie Mikula Orchestra for 25 years. One of DZ’s earliest memories is of being at home with a plastic toy
trumpet imitating his father. Raymond had learned music while attending St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic High School in Ennis, where he played with several Czech bands while still in school. He also taught Kenneth and Nick Mikula the fine points of playing trumpet.

In his early teens, DZ joined the Dutchmen with a real trumpet. “My first actual job was playing with Harry Czarnek and The Texas Dutchmen on Dec. 9, 1978 in Needville,” DZ recalled. “I think we played for a wedding that day. I was 13 years old at the time.”

Through the years, he continued to play with the Texas Dutchmen, as well as help out a few other bands before cranking up CATS.

Harry Czarnek’s Texas Dutchmen had a lot of influence on CATS, mentoring young DZ and Michelle. Gene Patalik and Harry were like second fathers to them, and Gene’s son, “Sonny,” was DZ’s accordion teacher and fantastic trumpet player and arranger. CATS plays many of Sonny’s arrangements today at all of their engagements.

Living in the Zapletal house meant you were also involved in promoting Czech heritage. DZ’s dad was one of the co-founders of the National Polka Festival, which has been held on Memorial Day Weekend for many years. The festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. DZ served for 18 years as the director of festival. Michelle has been the secretary of the festival for over 15 years keeping Czech heritage alive in Ennis.

In case you haven’t noticed, the Ennis area has a plethora of young Czech bands. “I think that comes from the musicians growing up listening to Johnny Mensik,” DZ said. “Johnny’s style is a little bit different and jazzy, which catches the interest of the younger folks.

Polka Power Duo: DUJKA BROTHERS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS

By Gary E. McKee
In a triangle within the towns of East Bernard, Wallis, and Rosenberg is the small community of Tavener, founded as a railroad stop in 1890. This flat, fertile blackland area, populated by Czechs in the early 1900s, is well known as a high producer of row crops such as cotton. The Czechs who
come from there are men of the soil and the people who till it. Two of these men are the Dujka Brothers, John and Mark. For the Czech-challenged it’s pronounced doy-ka.
      Their father, Willie, who along with his 14 brothers and sisters, carried on the tradition of their
forefathers who conquered this tough black gumbo oasis and raised their family. Their mother, Mary Lou (Brossmann) from St. John, southwest of Schulenburg, was raised in a similar situation.
      John and Mark shared the chores around the farm from an early age. John, the oldest, seemed to be musically inclined and was taking piano lessons by the first grade. Younger brother, Mark, seemed to have the music gene also and began taking piano lessons at the same
age. By the time they were in grade school, their music teacher, Jane Turner, owner of Rosenberg Music, confirmed their talent by getting them on television.
      The Houston TV show on Channel 39, was a cowboy-themed kiddie talent show, called Don Mahoney and Jeanne Clare’s Kiddie Troopers. Every few months through their grade school years they made appearances on the show singing and playing. John remembers singing Little Brown Jug on his first performance. It was their first taste of bright spotlights and structured performances, but hardly their last.
      As time went by the brother’s chops improved (practice, practice, practice) and by the ripe old age of 13, John had his first paying gig at a wedding in East Bernard. Most traditional piano lessons are based on classical music, however, Ms. Turner, was open minded and exposed them to other forms of music, opening their minds to country, jazz, and pop sounds.
      Another sound that the brothers enjoyed growing up was the sound of their Grandfather Herman Brossmann’s accordion. They hadbeen to many picnics and heard bands, but it was their grandfather playing at his house that made a huge impression. Though German, he played many Czech songs which the brothers absorbed and learned on the accordion. Mark still plays
the same accordion on stage. It was their grandfather’s passing in 1986 that stimulated the brothers to start exploring their heritage and begin playing more German/Czech songs in
their set lists.

THANKS, AL
In high school, the brothers were blessed to have Al Sulak as a band director. Al has his own band, Al Sulak and the Country Sounds, which has kept the dance floor full for over 30 years with their unique blend of country and polkas. After graduation, Mark started attending college in Wharton as a music major. However, the blackland under his fingernails, spoke to him and he got
a degree in agriculture-business at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), and came back home to farm with his father. After 12 years and a bad back, Mark decided to change careers. A local financial institution was looking for a person with a background in agriculture and business. Mark fit the bill perfectly, and soon had a day job, but still farmed in the evenings.
      John entered the music program at the University of Houston and achieved a Master’s Degree in Music with an emphasis on piano performance. In addition to his academic musical training, John acquired an excellent education in Czech music from working as an accompanist/recording
engineer with the East Bernard Czech Singers under the direction of Martha Viktorin. He received lessons on the Czech language in song and how to use the most commonly used lyrics and melodies to make their music even more authentic.

CZECH KARMA
The brothers never started out to make playing music an integral part of their lives, but other forces were at work. In the mid 1980s, Mark had been sitting in on bass guitar with Al Sulak’s band. John had been playing more frequent solo gigs, but injured his hand, so Mark, who had been learning the bass guitar, stepped in. They found that they made a pretty good duo, but they still just played small events.
      Their confidence increased when John temporarily lost his voice and the vocal duties were all Mark’s, giving him even more singing experience. The Bleiblerville (south of Brenham) Fish Fry offered them a paying gig and The Dujka Brothers premiered to the general public at this fun little gathering. As the bookings increased, KULP polka disc jockey B.J. Sablatura began encouraging the brothers to make a cassette of their favorite songs. They returned to their roots and recorded their first cassette, At the Dance, in the Tavener house that they grew up in.
      After completion, marketing wasn’t a problem, as both B.J. and Bobby Jones played them on their KULP shows. Their version of The Hills of Shiner Polka was the first song that the brothers heard on the radio, giving them pause to think that maybe that there is a chemistry between them.
      The song and cassette were received by the public like a fresh batch of kolaches right out of the oven. From then on the brothers never looked back. A total of 11 recordings followed including the just released Let’s Have a Party: The Dujka Brothers 30th Anniversary CD. John has
returned the KULP favor by having his own weekly polka show, which carries on the tradition of playing requests and helping new bands get exposure.

THANKS, FANS!
The Dujkas have always been very thankful for their fans, and the liner notes on their releases have, whenever space allowed, included English translations of the Czech songs. Just prior to completing the Road to St. John, famed musician and disc jockey Lee Roy Matocha passed away. Lee Roy had geographically extended the brothers’ fan base by playing their songs on his show based in La Grange with syndication on other stations in Brenham, Columbus, and Gonzales. The brothers went back into the studio and recorded a tribute medley to Lee Roy.
      The brothers have never had an actual band. In the beginning, John utilized a drum machine to back his personal piano playing. When Mark joined his brother, he brought saxophone, guitar, and bass instruments, so the drum machine was still used. As the duo began performing at larger venues like the St. John picnic (continuous appearances since July 1987), John brought in his laptop computer to produce a fuller sound. Mark and John would record all the necessary parts (tuba, sax, drum, guitars) themselves to be played later, as if there were five or six Dujka brothers. This writer remembers a St. John picnic, in the last century, where some of the old timers would walk around the stage looking for all the extra musicians they were hearing. John said that they never really talked about having a full band, and looking back, they adopted a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude, which sounds like a song that needs to be written.

PIVO & TAMALES
Speaking of song writing, the Dujkas have contributed a lot of new music to the polka and waltz world. John collaborated with Daniel Klapuch and Mark Hermes on the FM 959 anthem, Moon Over Moravia, which helped put Henrietta and Frankie’s store on the map. Light-hearted songs such as Out Behind the Barn, Grandpa Got Drunk at the St. John Picnic, and Pivo and Kolaches, Cerveza and Tamales not only tell of rural culture, but are just plain fun to sing and dance to.
John said the Pivo song came about when there seemed to a large number of Hispanics in his music classes. (He is a music professor at Blinn College.) He got to thinking about the similarity
between his Czech traditional polkas/culture and the Tejano traditional polkas/culture. A song was born.
      By the early 1990s, The Dujka Brothers were averaging 75 gigs per year. That’s performing once every five days while holding down day jobs. John has been a professor of music at Blinn College in Brenham since 1990. Mark marked his 10th year in the banking business helping farmers and ranchers of his home territory keep the tradition going, and has helped transition his family farm into a cattle business.
      The Dujka Brothers strive to keep the music vibrant and speak to the heritage of their forefathers. That is never more evident than in their latest CD, which was recorded, where they
began, in their parent’s home. The CD is a great mixture of old and new tunes including Church Picnic Polka and Seven Step Polka so you can practice shouting HEY! at home.

Dance Hall Preservation Art Contest Winners Announced

Fourteen Fayette County students accepted Texas Dance Hall Preservation’s challenge to create art depicting the county’s rich dance hall history. “They were all amazing entries,” TDHP President Deb Fleming said. “It was great to see dance hall history come alive through the eyes of these young, talented artists.”
      First place went to Allyson Hoffman, a junior at Fayetteville High School, for her colored pencil drawing of Sengelmann Hall. Second place went to Hector Aguilar, a sophomore at Round Top Carmine (RTC) High School, for his drawing of antique cars outside a dance hall. Third place went to Justin Hickman, a senior at RTC, for his drawing of a band playing at the Chicken Ranch Dance Hall layered on top of a Fayette County Record newspaper. Alyssa Hayden, a RTC junior, received honorable mention for her 3D representation of Sengelmann
Hall.
      The art was displayed at the TDHP fundraiser on Nov. 12. Each contestant received a signed print of Cat Spring Agricultural Hall by Fayetteville artist Pat Johnson, and a Polka On! goodie bag from Texas Polka News and polkabeat.com. The four winners also received cash prizes and a Polka On! tote bag, along with a one-year subscription to the Texas Polka News.
      The winners shared why they entered the contest and their future plans.

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Honorable Mention

Alysson Hoffmann, TPN Publisher Theresa Parker, Alyssa Hayden at Nov. 12 dance hall fundraiser

Hector Aguilar, second place; Justin Hickman, third place

ALLYSON HOFFMANN, First Place
I decided to enter the contest so that I could grow as an artist. I wanted to do Sengelmann Hall because of the detail in the architecture. I have been to many Fayette Co. dance halls, like the
SPJST hall in Fayetteville, Swiss Alp, and a few others. I think it’s important to preserve
the dance halls because it’s a part of our Texas history. Buildings like these are no longer constructed. I plan on pursuing a career in art.

HECTOR AGUILAR, Second Place
I am new to Fayette County, so the art competition seemed like a good way to learn about the history of the area. I have never been to a dance hall in Fayette County, but after researching
them I want to go and hear some good music! Preservation of the dance halls is very important because it is the same as preserving the culture and the heritage of the people here.

JUSTIN HICKMAN, Third Place
I entered the competition because I love living in Fayette County and the dance halls are a big part of growing up here. I have been to just about every dance hall in Fayette County. I really enjoy dancing and listening to good Texas country music. Maintaining the dance halls in Fayette County is important because it is a major piece of the culture and history of this area. I would like to attend TSTC after high school to become a diesel mechanic.

ALYSSA HAYDEN, Honorable Mention
I entered the dance hall competition because I admire antiques and history. This gave me a chance to express my appreciation on a larger scale. My piece allowed me to create a representation of Sengelmann Hall without using conventional drawing tools. I have been to Zapp Hall, RoundTop Rifle Hall, Carmine Hall, and the Round Up Hall! Preservation of the dance halls is important because it gives people a glimpse at how things used to be. My goal is to major in International Business and Marketing.

Stuff Your Stockings with Music!

There’s nothing better than to take down that stocking on Christmas morning to find it filled with chocolate, gift cards, AND MUSIC! Your favorite bands have new recordings just in time for holiday giving.

SqueezeBox by Request
SqueezeBox Band

Mollie B and Ted Lange have recorded a collection of 15 songs most requested by fans at their performances. And it’s a great lineup of music. Mozart’s Polka features accordion and sax and Mollie said it’s an arrangement like no other, done “SqueezeBox style.”

North Shore Polka features Ted on Polish vocals. “When performed live, it gets the crowd going,” Ted said. Rock and Roll Waltz is a classic waltz originally performed by Kay Starr, featuring Mollie's vocal talents on this fan favorite. Schneider Polka is a Six Fat Dutchmen number performed on two trumpets and sax, plus accordion, bass, and drums. A Ja Sam, a Czech song from the old country, is performed the Texas way, including dueling saxes, an accordion solo with a Tejano flair, guitar fills, and “even the ‘whoo, whoo, whoo’ influenced by our Texas friends,” Mollie said.

Crazy, a lighter ballad sung by Mollie with unique accordion and piano work by Ted, is performed in a jazz ballad style. El Rio Drive is a Verne Meisner number with a SqueezeBox twist including "soft-shoe" and Latin sections. Waltz of the Angels, is one of the band's most requested waltzes. My Heart Skips A Beat is a Buck Owens number played with a groovin’ Cajun beat.

Beer Mug Polka is one of the standards SqueezeBox plays to get the crowd going. Edelweiss is a vocal/piano ballad, sung in English and German. You will hear Mollie's classical training in this song. Red Apples Polka is the band’s version of a hoolerie – Dutchmen-style song featuring the clarinet. Polish Boyfriend Polka is one of Mollie's signature songs. The Rose, is a ballad featuring Mollie. Barbara Polka, is a traditional Czech number featuring the button box.

This new CD is the third recording for the band. Freshly Squeezed (2009) contains 20 songs including 14 polkas, 2 waltzes, and 4 fox trots/two-steps with vocals in English, German, Polish, and Czech. Squeeze Me (2007) contains 16 songs including 8 polkas, 2 waltzes, and 6 fox-trots/two-steps/slow songs with vocals in English, German, Polish, and Czech.

Order yours today!

Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B

In addition to the By Request CD, Mollie B has released two other CDs - Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B has 25 songs performed in Dutchmen and Big Band style, and Mollie B Live with Kenny, Tony, and Dana has 14 songs performed live on the Mollie B Polka Party, taped in Ennis earlier this year.

The Little Fishermen CD tracks: It’s a Small World, Midnight Waltz, Sweet Nearness of You, Elmdale Waltz, Aunt Ella’s Polka, Waltz Medley (Four in the Morning/Tennessee Waltz), Rainbow Valley Polka, Homecoming Waltz, Paper Roses, Matilda Polka, Edelweiss, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Silk Skirt Waltz, Red Raven Polka, Invisible Tears, Fritzie Polka, Snow Waltz, Stranger on the Shore, Ellen Polka, Foundling Waltz, Please Release Me, Innocence Waltz, Yellow Rose of Texas, Little Fishermen’s Waltz, and Sauerkraut Polka.

Order yours today!

Mollie B Live

Mollie B Live features Mollie on vocals, trumpet, sax, and keyboard; Kenny Brandt on sax; Tony Sabo on accordion, midi bass; and Dana Lindblad on drums. Tracks: Beer Barrel Polka, Praha Polka, Tick-Tock Polka, Slap Happy Polka, Pennsylvania Polka, Rock Around the Clock, Mozart's Polka, Save the Last Dance for Me, I Fall to Pieces, Kramer's Polka, Marie Augie's Polka, Memories of Vienna, and Quick Stop Polka. Order yours today!

Mollie is also offering a special discount to Texas Polka News and polkabeat.com fans. on her Christmas Special DVDs/CDs. She has four DVD/CD packs available. When you buy 3 packs TPN/polkabeat fans get a $5 discount; $10 when you buy 4. Shop now and be sure to type in TPN in the PayPal message section. Mollie will send you the discount via PayPal. 

Cajun Baby
Chris Rybak, Hallettsville

This CD has the classics and original tunes to make you feel like you’re at a Cajun polka party. In addition to Cajun standbys like Jole Blon, Jambalaya, and Diggy Liggy Lo, the CD features three original tunes – Cajun Baby’s Cookin’ Tonight, written by Daniel Klapuch (who co-penned Moon Over Moravia), Going to Hallettsville, written by Daniel and Chris, and Love that Chicken From Popeyes, written by Chris. Inspiration came for the latter tune after Chris and his band performed for a party at the Popeyes headquarters in New Orleans. In addition to Chris on accordion, keyboard, and vocals, the CD features Bonnie Riley on fiddle, Jonathan Statsky on rubboard and vocals, Marvin Kremling on maracas and vocals, Ronnie Hermes on guitar and vocals, and Edita Rybak on vocals. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Chris Rybak 603 N Texana, Hallettsville, TX 77964.

Polka Time in Texas
The Moravians, Ennis

This CD features six polkas, six waltzes (including a beautiful rendition of Waltz of the Angels), the classic Spanish Eyes, and two country tunes, including Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver is smiling). The band was started in 2009, and this is the group’s second CD. Current band members consist of seven college students, five being proud Fightin’ Texas Aggies (Whoop!). The band enjoys taking trips to play in new places and looks forward to spreading the joy of polka music for many years to come. Band members: Matthew Matous (accordion, trumpet, sax, vocals), Chris Trojacek (accordion, guitar, trumpet, sax, vocals), Adam Rejcek, drums, vocals, Josh Goodwin, tuba, bass, Zachary Matous (keyboard, bass) Phillip Cryer (sax, guitar, vocals), Tyler Prasifka (trumpet, vocals). The band's first CD, Czech Spirit Will Live On, is also available at the band website and the Polka On! Store. 

Cheers to 10 Years!
Ennis Czech Boys

This CD is pure polka and waltz music, featuring 11 polkas, including Long Road to Praha, Gypsy, Music, Music, and Peanuts, and five waltzes such as the beautiful Dreamland Waltz and Owl Waltz. In the liner notes, ECB says, “It seems like yesterday we went from three guys in a garage to now eight guys having the opportunity to perform at some of the best events for the greatest people you’ll find anywhere.” Band members: Chris Trojacek (vocals, tenor sax, trumpet), Corey Mikula (drums), Frank Vrla III (tenor sax, guitar, trumpet) Jared Prachyl (bass, vocals), Jerry Petter (accordion), Michael Trojacek (alto/tenor sax, vocals), Trey Sylvester (keyboard, vocals), and Zeke Martinez (rhythm guitar). Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Trey Sylvester 2392 Intrepid Dr., Buda, TX 78610.

Let’s Have a Party! 30th Anniversary
Dujka Brothers

This CD is non-stop polka party fun! John and Mark have selected 20 great tunes to celebrate their 30 years in the polka party business. The CD features 11 polkas, including Church Picnic Polka, written by Donnie Hons, If I Were a Bird, Tick-Tock, Seven Step, and Hey Baby Que Paso, written by Augie Meyers; five waltzes, including the beautiful Katherine’s Waltz, written by Jason Keepers, Westphalia, and a waltz medley with Looking for my Sweetheart and At the Spring; three country tunes – Dark Lighted Barrooms, The Chair, and Make the World Go Away; and the fun Santa Bring Me a Tuba, written by Daniel Klapuch. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $19 (includes shipping) to John Dujka 3384 Success Dr Brenham, TX 77833.

Czech, Please!
Czech Melody Masters, Austin

If you love brass in your polka, then this is the CD for you. The band has always strived to emulate the classic brass band sound of such beloved Texas bands as the Bacova Ceska Kapela, Adolph Pavlas, and the Joe Patek and Lee Roy Matocha Orchestras. The CD features eight polkas, including Prune Dumplings, Wooden Heart, and No Beer Today; and eight waltzes, including My Darling, Rosalinda, and Waiting in the Woods. The Red and White Waltz is the arrangement as originally recorded by Baca's Ceska Kapela from their first recording session in 1929 at Okeh Records in San Antonio. The band is anchored by original members Dennis Svatek (lead trumpet, lead vocals and music arranger), Dave Bedrich (trumpet and vocals) and Thomas Durnin (stand up bass). The sound is rounded out with Frances Barton on accordion, Rob Schmidt on drums, and their newest member, Dennis’ son, Stephen Svatek on baritone and guitar (when he’s not playing with the UT marching band). Czech out the band’s website – czechpolka.com – where you’ll find the world's longest running polka podcast, since 1998!Dennis uploads new shows every two weeks, plus you’ll find 68 archived shows, for over 176 hours of free music! CD available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Dennis Svatek 2100 Mildred Dr. Taylor, TX 76574.

Polka Roots and Scoot the Boots
Off the Grid, Austin

This is the group’s first CD providing a mixture of cover tunes with some originals written by bandleader Joe Klaus. Tunes include Paint It Black (yes, Rolling Stones), which Joe converted to a polka after sitting with a rock band from Austin; Polka Medley, with some of the group’s favorite German and Czech tunes; Cortina, named after Lake Cortina in Northern Italy, which Joe was inspired by the beauty of the lake surrounded by the Italian Alps while on a boat ride; Paula's Cuckoo Waltz, an original tune written for Paula Kager from the Kuckucknest German Store in Fredericksburg; No Beer Today, no explanation needed; Baumerwald, features Joey Schwab on baritone; In Heaven There Is No Beer- sung in English, German, and Spanish, with some Polish la-las thrown in; Ooh La La, an adaptation of a Rocking Sidney Zydeco tune; and Swingtown, a polka version of the Steve Miller rock tune, a OTG favorite and one of their most requested tunes. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Mike Campasso 8100 Manassas Dr. Austin, TX 78745.

Your Connection to Great Polka Music

Expand your music search to polkaconnection.com where you’ll find simply the best collection of fine polka music from around the world. Owner and musician Chuck Stastny has been collecting this fine polka music for 25 years, 10 years on the web. His catalog now features 2,500 different CDs and DVDs for sale, and the website has over 34,000 song samples. "We've provided all the best high-quality polka classics, along with the newest artists for your listening pleasure," said Chuck, who has been loving the music since age 0. “Grandpa played the button box and mom played piano accordion.” He invites you to browse the catalog of more than 2,500 titles, listen to samples, and buy online and pay no domestic shipping.

It’s Oktoberfest Man!

By Theresa Parker

For most of the year, Alex Meixner and his merry band travel the nation bringing polka to the masses. But once fall approaches, he kicks it up a notch. Able to leap across the stage whipping
fans into a polka frenzy. It’s an accordion! It’s a trumpet! It’s Oktoberfest Man!

Alex will once again be at Wurstfest (Nov4-13), ending a seven-week Oktoberfest tour with stops in Ohio, Oklahoma, El Paso, Wisconsin, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The merry band features Hank Guzevich, trumpet; Joe Tierney, sax; and Ed Klancnik, drums. They’ll be joined at Wurstfest by California accordionist Mike Kramer, and bass player Shawn Hart, originally from Wisconsin, now living in New Braunfels. “Shawn was deported from Wisconsin for being lactose intolerant, and now he’s living out every musician’s dream of playing in a polka band,” Alex said.

Alex said he loves Texas fans. “When I play in Texas, you have those audience members who have grown up with this music, and those hearing it for maybe the first time. I love to build the bridge between both of those populations. Brave Combo blazed the trail for that in Texas,” he said.

QUITE A YEAR
Since last we saw Oktoberfest Man at Wurstfest 2015, Alex has been on some awesome adventures. He signed on as the one-man pep band for Hormel pepperoni, filming TV and Internet commercials in LA.

“It’s part of our festival shtick. We throw pepperoni into the audience. It has been a great association with the company. Hormel is 125 years old this year. It’s a great American company
based in Austin, Minnesota. Did you know they have only had 4 CEOs in their entire history?”

Alex jetted to New York in July to spend two days recording with Jack Black for the movie soundtrack of The Polka King. It’s the story of Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan, who developed a plan to get rich that shocked his fans and landed him in jail. Now out of jail and working with Jack on the movie, Jan called Alex and asked if he would bring his accordion to the recording session.

“Jan is a very generous man,” Alex said. “He has been extremely straightforward with me about
business. He made some mistakes in the past, spent some time in prison. He has atoned for those mistakes.”

Alex said working with Jack was a hoot. “Jack does all the vocal parts and he’s a tremendous musician and singer. You would think he’s a native Polish speaker. It’s awesome working with people like that who are extremely talented and authentically themselves.” The film is expected to be released in February 2017.

And that brings us to the backyard of Wurstfest at Faust Hotel and Brewery. Alex worked with Brewmaster Ray Middledorf for about nine months, tasting and perfecting a brew that has
been born and named the Alex Meixner Polka Pilsner.

“It’s a European-style pilsner with like 4.8 alcohol, so it’s something you can drink a few of, which makes it a great Oktoberfest beer. It’s not the kind of place you want to have one heavy
beer. You want to have a few, dance, have a good time, and still have control of your faculties. You can indulge and not die thirsty,” Alex explained.

The perfect place to enjoy the new brew, other than Wurstfest, is while staying in the Alex Meixner Suite at the Faust Hotel. “It’s pretty cool. They have my first button accordion and some other memorabilia in the room,” he said, with the disclaimer, “I’m not liable for child support if any children are produced in that room!”

Right after Wurstfest, Alex and his merry band will join the Jodie Mikula Orchestra and Dujka Brothers on a cruise. “We have over 150 cabins booked. There will be lots of great fellowship and jam sessions,” he said.

Stay tuned for what 2017 has in store for Oktoberfest Man!

Texas Polka News Launches Subscription Drive

By Theresa Cernoch Parker, Publisher & Bohemian Princess

Texas Polka News will mark its 30th anniversary in 2018. To celebrate, we’re launching a drive to reach 3,000 subscribers. Sure, we want more people reading The News, but we also want to give back to say thanks for supporting the newspaper, polka, and Texas music/ethnic heritage.

Here’s how it works: For every new subscription or renewal from now through January 2018, TPN will donate $5 of the subscription price to a dance club or music/heritage organization of your choice. Not only will your group benefit from the donated subscription money, $3,000 in prizes will be awarded in two categories in June 2018.

Category one awards $1,000 to the organization that turned in the most subscriptions/
renewals; $500 to second place.

Category two awards $500 to the dance club (50 members or less) that turned in the most subscriptions/renewals; $250 for second place; $500 to the dance club (51 members
or more); $250 for second place.

Examples of dance clubs are Polka Lovers Klub of America, Texas Heritage Music & Dance Club, Swiss Alp Dance Club, Cajun French Music Association, Sealy Dance Club, Wallis Dance Club, DaCosta Western Dance Club, and German/Czech/Polish performance groups, such as high
school clubs, Wawel Polish dance group, Keine Kunst dance group.

Examples of organizations are Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum, Texas Polka Music Museum, and other heritage museums, Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center, PolkaWorks, Texas Folklife, Texas Dance Hall Preservation, South Texas Czech Heritage Society, German-
Texan Heritage Society, Bluebonnet Opry and other oprys, and libraries.

We will be distributing campaign flyers and order forms to groups through September. Flyers and forms can also be downloaded from TexasPolkaNews.com.

Questions? Contact Theresa Parker at 281-836-6362 or theresa@polkabeat.com.

Everyone Scream! Carl Finch Is a Polka Hall of Famer!

By Gary E. McKee
As reported in the August 2016 issue of Texas Polka News 

Brave Combo (BC) is one of the most accurately named bands in the music scene today. Leader and founder Carl Finch has been taking his musical cronies into little known realms of
rhythm without fear of repercussion for 37 years. To illustrate the progress he has made, Carl was recently inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame, where he joins 2016 inductees Stanley "Stas" Golonka, Dean Hansen, Richard Midura, and Don Jodlowski (posthumously).

"I'm beyond the most outside person, I think," Carl said. "Most people [in the Polka Hall of Fame] grew up in some household where polka was a way of life, and [their] family has played for generations." Carl said that there are not any musicians in his family, and that music wasn't a major facet of his home life.

UNBELIEVABLE HONOR
Carl wasn't expecting to be named as an inductee. "I couldn't believe it," he said. "I could look at tangible markers in my career that tell me I achieved what I wanted as an artist." Some markers include marching in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, playing the Lincoln Center and next night, CBGB, a famous punk rock club in New York City. Brave Combo has earned Grammys, performed in movies, written and performed television show soundtracks, been
animated in a couple of episodes of The Simpsons, and Bob Dylan covered one of their songs, to give a short list.

Carl continued, "I look at all of these things, but the Hall of Fame means that my adventure through this art - polka - has now been not only recognized, but lauded by people who
have been doing this forever."

All sounds like a great musical resume. But marching in Macy's parade? BC had been performing as a wandering polka band at the Texas State Fair for several years, when they
got several gigs in New York over Thanksgiving weekend in the mid 1980s. On a whim, Carl contacted Macy's Parade officials and asked if they needed another marching band. All they could say was "No", right? Carl sent in a demo tape, Macy's accepted, and they were playing polka in the parade behind the Woody Woodpecker balloon and in front of Dionne Warwick's float.

BC had a wandering gig at the State Fair for 10 years until October fests filled their schedule. But this year, they're back. BC will be headlining the main stage on Thurs., Oct. 6. "We get to bring polka awareness to the state fair," Carl said.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP
Growing up in Texarkana, and attending Texas High, might have shaped Carl into a person that can see both sides of musical composition. Texarkana is a city that the Texas/Arkansas state line literally runs through the courthouse and down the main drag. The Arkansas side of the street is lined with honky-tonks and the Texas side has a lot of churches. This environment might have influenced Carl to start polkasizing rock-n-roll songs.

In extreme northeast Texas, polka was nonexistent. In the late 1970s, Carl had been collecting 45s and albums while learning about different music genres. Venturing into the local Woolworth's, Carl distinctly remembers it was on the left hand side just at you entered,
and there it was, a large stack of polka albums for sale REAL cheap. Not sure what polka sounded like, he bought them all. (Remember, they were REAL cheap. Us record collectors
understand.)

Dragging his growing record collection to college in Denton, he studied graphic design, art, and music. Figuring the best way to combine his talents was to form a band. While attempting to figure out which direction to take his music, the Texarkana influence kicked in and he started listening to his polka LP stash more closely, discovering a whole new world of rhythms and musical textures that felt authentic and was nowhere near mainstream music.

"I wanted to present polka in a way that wasn't stereotypical of the genre during the band's growth in the '80s," Carl said. "Accordion in rock music was unheard of, much less popular. I
was confused about why polka music was always the butt of the joke - why it was always the music that people would use to sell beer and sausage."

POLKA WAS THE ANSWER
The move away from guaranteed gigs (as long as you could play Proud Mary and Wooly Bully, you got paid) gave birth to the name Brave Combo as they began attempting to recreate what they heard on these albums Woolworth's couldn't sell. Attempting to recreate these rhythms was difficult as they were clueless on the music itself, which was mostly Polish polkas. This accounts for early BC songs having a real fast beat, which over the years Carl said was slowed down to the "peppy" speed of today.

After feeling secure in their musical abilities, BC took a gamble in restructuring worshipped, traditional music and then rebuilding it as something new and refreshing. This theory was applied to all genres. This writer's favorite Christmas album is BC's It's Christmas Man!
composed of new strains of standard music, such as a cha-cha version of O Holy Night. But their version of Ave Maria is played so reverently that you can smell the incense and hear the
priests chanting in a huge cathedral.

"I have always said, 'Nothing is sacred, and everything is sacred,'" Carl said, channeling the Texas side of Texarkana. "We've never done these things to mock the music. It has never
been a joke to us."

When BC turns loose on polka standards such as Beer Barrel Polka (Arkansas side of Texarkana) it is pedal-to-the-floor intensity. BC's mission has also been to expose their followers to the different styles of music from around the globe, such as Skokiaan, a 1950s SouthAfrican song about making bootleg liquor. It has been previously recorded by Louis Armstrong, Bill Haley, and Herb Alpert. Carl has interpreted musical voices from Japanese pop to zydeco to multiple Latin rhythms. A critic noted while attending a BC gig, "You might come for the party, but you will leave with an education."

Carl said that one main goal of his band's music is to "destroy people's misconceptions about what's cool in music."

TIP OF THE HAT
Carl said he was something of an outsider from the get-go. He has been a vegetarian for years and mostly abstinent when it comes to alcohol (Texas side of Texarkana). As BC climbed the ladder of success and started logging lots of festival invitations, his diet and non-drinking ways might have irritated the hospitality folks at events that tend to celebrate beer and bratwurst.

When on a bill with Tejano bands, Carl said, "It's a complicated thing, but I wanted
to be part of it (Tejano festivals) even though I knew someone was going to want to go eat cabrito at some point."

That funky red top hat that Carl has been wearing for several years is the only fashion statement that he makes on stage. For years, he wore a black T-shirt and black jeans so as not to distract from the music. When he decided to brighten up his stage dress, he hit the jackpot when he found his "fab" red hat at a costume supply shop in Denton.

The very first weekend he wore it was at a gig in Odessa, Texas. Several weeks later, while performing in Las Vegas, he was standing in a long line waiting for a taxi when a voice
boomed from across the street, "YOU GUYS WERE GREAT IN ODESSA!" The hat and BC music had made an impression on at least one Texian.

One last BC story. Westfest, held in the town of West, Texas, is a bastion of Czech polka and waltz music. The festival oozes authentic Czech music like peach filling from a kolache. BC
has been the house band for over 30 years. 'I asked the booking agent for an opportunity to play and told him they didn't have to pay us," Carl recalled. "We just needed a chance to play in front of a real polka crowd."

They were given a corner of a small tent. After the first set, the crowd kept growing. When
their time was up, the crowd refused to let them quit and passed the hat around and came up with $100, and the rest is history.

"My life continues to surprise and confuse me," Carl said, speaking over the phone while standing on his patio - or, as he likes to call it, his "catio" or patio for cats. "I'm amazed that I've made enough money with Brave Combo that we could build this really nice patio for our cats."

The IPA's acknowledgement of Carl and his music is a refreshing acceptance of the diversification of polka. The induction ceremonies will be conducted at the association's Polka Hall of Fame & Music Awards Banquet on Sat., Sept. 3 in Buffalo, New York. Unfortunately, Carl won't be able to attend. That's Westfest weekend! The banquet is part of the 48th Annual IPA Polka Festival and Convention. For more information, visit ipapolkas.com.

Read Congrats Carl! from fellow polka lovers.

Congrats Carl!

Several fellow polka lovers offered their congratulations to Carl Finch, recently inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame. Read the cover story by Gary E. McKee from the August 2016 issue of Texas Polka News.

YOU'VE MADE TEXAS PROUD
I can't remember the first time I saw Brave Combo but I do remember dancing to them at Westfest around 1983 or 1984. When I first heard them I thought these are unbelievable
musicians. The music was wild, different and so much fun. The crowd was just going crazy. Dancing on the floor, tables, chairs, on the grass. It was out of control,  but in a good way. People were eating them up. I used to actually dance those super fast polkas. Not anymore! LOL! One of my early favorite Brave Combo tunes is Three Weeks Polka.  Another one I really like is Polka Dancer Polka off of their Polka Sonic CD. That entire CD is my favorite.  My favorite tune to watch them get the crowd going has to be the Hokey Pokey or getting the conga line started. People go crazy. These guys are a lot of fun. Carl and I go way back and he has always been professional. He has helped a lot of bands get a chance to play for entirely different audiences. Back in the early Czech & Then Some days, Carl would have us open up for a couple of gigs in Deep Ellum in Dallas. That's a wild scene. Brave Combo has become a huge part of our festivals in Texas. The National Polka Festival and Westfest would not be the same without Brave Combo. They know how to play for the people. It was always fun when Danny (O'Brien), Jeffery (Barnes), or Bubba (Hernandez) would sit in with Czech & Then Some, but it is really special when Carl comes up and plays accordion with us. He and David Slovak playing two accordions together really gets the crowd going. I am so excited that Carl has been elected to the IPA Hall of Fame. He has done so much good for polka music and the entire polka scene. They created their own style and sound, but can still play traditional style polkas and waltzes. Brave Combo started a new wave in polka music. Carl has made Texas proud.
Danny Zapletal, Czech & Then Some

POLKA ON!
Congratulations Carl and wishing you the very best on your induction into the IPA Hall of Fame! Polka On!
The Jodie Mikula Orchestra

THEY BLEW ME AWAY
The first time I heard Brave Combo's music was on the CDs we received from Rounder Records. Their recordings of classic tunes like Julida Polka and Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, plus original tunes and arrangements of the old traditional songs blew me away. I could tell they weren't your normal, everyday polka band. The first time I heard Brave Combo live was at Wurstfest in the 1990s. Me and the late B.J. Sablatura were doing a live remote for KULP Radio. They were doing their show in the big tent right across from us. There were a couple of thousand people, mostly college students partying like crazy with Brave Combo getting them all wound up. It was like a rock concert. We had Carl come over and talk with us on the air afterwards. They were leaving for Holland and a European tour the next day. The next time I saw them live was at John Dujka's 40th birthday party at Hungerford Hall. I haven't had a chance to see them again lately, but I do play lots of their music on KULP. We feature their recording of Must Be Santa during our Christmas holiday programming. Carl is a musical genius covering all styles. As I said earlier, they blow me away!
Clinto Robinson, KULP Radio

GIVE THE PUBLIC WHAT IT WANTS
BC's music is 180 degrees from our music but they're able to give most of the public what they want and are making a living doing it. We've shared the stage with BC numerous times and the entire group, especially Carl, has been very complimentary and cooperative. Every time we saw/heard them we always had to hang around to see what new "musical gimmick" they had contrived. Congratulations, Carl.
Roy G. Haag, Litt'l Fishermen

VIVA LA MUSICA!
I first experienced Brave Combo when I was about 10 years old and was at WMUH in Allentown, PA (where I co-hosted my dad's radio show). I was raised in a household with a lot of different kinds of music, but that opening of Happy Wanderer was totally shocking for polkas. I inhaled that record. I would play Lovesick over and over. When I finally heard and met the band in person, years later, it was awesome to jam with them and especially have long conversations with Carl about all the different polka styles and how they cross over to other music. I've greatly enjoyed and respected his dedication to the music - especially since he wasn't "born into it." Having performed and recorded with BC in myriad venues through the years, I specifically remember Cain Park in Cleveland, OH in 2002. Bubba (Hernandez) and I had just started putting the Polka FreakOut project together and we were playing Uzmi for Steve Popovich (the famed record man from Cleveland International who was a deep Serbian tamburasi) and Carl came running over with such an excitement for the music- as the phrasing, structure was different than many polkas. We talked for about an hour about all of the intricacies of the style. It just struck me that he had won Grammys, performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the world, and had maintained his pure love of music. Something I have watched only continue to grow in the years since. Congrats, Carl! The recognition is long overdue. Thank you for all you have done to inspire other musicians and entertain so many audiences in all of these years. Viva La Musica!
Alex Meixner

HEADBANGING GOOD TIMES
I was shocked when I first saw Brave Combo at Westfest. I was 16 and had just begun to listen to rock-n-roll by choice, but when I thought of hearing polka, I expected the traditional stuff. It took a little while to get over that, but their energy was infectious, and I'm hyper, so it became symbiotic. Flying Saucer is one of my favorite BC tunes. It's fast, it's loud, it reminds me of being a child and imagining cool things. Another fave isn't a polka, it's a South African folk song called Skokiaan. Carl and the guys can deliver that song like no other! Carl and the musicians he works with are musical chameleons. They can work any crowd. I wish I could have been there when they did the Lowlands festival in the Netherlands in 2000. I listened to the audio of that concert, and listened to the man introduce them in Dutch (and the audience's reaction). Then, I heard how the audience just went wild (and stayed wild for the rest of the show) by the second song. All of a sudden, polka was cool. My very favorite memory of seeing BC in concert was when Ross and I were on our honeymoon in Ennis in 2008. Carl invited Alex Meixner to play some songs. WOW, what a show! Carl invites Ross and I up to help lead Edelweiss from time to time, and he asks me to teach Schottisch lessons during their shows. He's always been very kind to help promote me and our band. He's asked me to jodel Auf Der Jodeleralm with them a few times. He sings the words, I jodel, then we get distracted headbanging. My dad got a picture of it from the 2007 Saint Arnold Brewery Oktoberfest.
Valina Polka, Das Ist Lustig

A PRESENCE IN ALL 50 STATES
I have studied this music for decades. I questioned the existence of Brave Combo when they first came onto the scene. I thought they were making fun of polka music, but I came to realize that was not the case at all. I have come to completely appreciate their musicianship and friendship. The first time I saw Brave Combo Live-In-Person was at the Sokol Hall, Omaha, Nebraska. This was the day after they won their first Grammy. It was an exciting time. The Grammy-winning CD album was Polkasonic on Steve Popovich’s Cleveland International
Records label. Flying Saucer is one of my favorite BC tunes, but there are many others.
One of my favorite memories of Brave Combo is when they came to perform in Yankton, South Dakota. They turned many heads with their quality music at the local arts festival
- Yankton’s Annual Riverboat Days. In fact, this performance completed Brave Combo performing in all 50 United States. Carl Finch has a vast knowledge of the musical genre we know as polka music. I always enjoy our conversations. He exposed me to some great
performers from Texas and beyond.
Chuck Stastny, Polka Connection

LET'S DO THE TWIST
I was a little girl when I first saw Brave Combo at the National Polka Festival the first time they played. I really liked them. My parents had a couple of their records. My favorite Brave Combo tune is Three Weeks Polka and I love to see them get the crowd going with The Twist.
Congrats, Carl!
Michelle Slovak, Czech & Then Some

THEY GIVE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE
There are so many words and things you could say about Carl and Brave Combo. But some of the things that stand out to me are the performances that Carl gives. You always know when you experience and leave a Brave Combo show you get their best and they give everything they have to their performances. Carl has truly expanded polka music, exposing so many to the music and art that would never had otherwise experienced it. Congratulations, Carl! This honor is greatly deserved.
Trey Sylvester, Ennis Czech Boys

GINORMOUS AMOUNT OF PASSION
Brave Combo has been a large portion of my musical influence for the overwhelming majority of my life. I was around the age of 10, and already playing polka music. I guess you could say I was studying them before even I knew I was. Carl is an amazing person with an amazing work ethic that is only surpassed by the ginormous amount of passion he puts into polka music.
Whether he's playing or working to help others understand how badly this world needs to polka, he's doing it with all of him. He has been deserving of this great honor for quite some time now.
Jerry Petter, Ennis Czech Boys

MONSTER MUSICAL TALENT
I first saw Brave Combo on a PBS special around 1980. I was blown away by their versatility and arrangements of different polka-style music from all over the world. I was impressed with Carl's keyboard playing and vocal skills. My favorite BC arrangement is the William Tell Overture from their Box of Ghosts CD. That CD really shows off the "monster" musical talent of the group. Their rendition of the Hokey Pokey is my favorite crowd pleaser. I really get a kick out of watching the wide range of ages getting wild and crazy on the dance floor. My favorite memory of jamming with BC would have to be the jam session at my 40th birthday party in Hungerford. It was awesome to share the spotlight with Carl for three tunes, along
with my brother, Mark, and the late, great Tommy Strmiska on drums. Carl, thanks for your always daring and refreshing approach to polka. You've opened minds everywhere.
John Dujka, Dujka Brothers

IT'S A POLKA RAVE!
he first I saw bc was at Sefcik Hall in the late '80s. The raves I heard about BC proved to be true. I loved it. The most novel instrument was the percussion pole with all the beer caps and the crowd loved it every time it was brought out. Later another Melody 5 band member and I ran sound for them at Sefcik Hall - got to know Danny (O'Brien, incredible trumpet player) and the rest of the band from that point of view. That was fun and interesting but nerve racking as I wanted everything to be up to their expectations. Worked out great and had a blast. Always marveled at Jeffrey's (Barnes) sax and clarinet playing and loved Bubba's (Hernandez) solid bass line. Carl has kept the whole thing going which is a credit to his passion for BC music and music mastery which draws from every genre and style. He is a great showman and knows how to get the crowd involved. Lots of songs get the crowd going but after several adult beverages I always liked the conga line!! Congrats Carl - well deserved!!
Jerry Haisler, Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5

Pearl's Summer Dance Hall Series Lineup Announced

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to twirl your partner around the floor! Pearl Stable, in partnership with San Antonio jazz legend Doc Watkins, is proud to present live regional music every Wednesday night July 6 through August 24. Doc Watkins & His Orchestra kicked off the series on the 6th. See more photos by Gary E. McKee. The rest of the summer schedule:
July
13 George Chambers & The Country Gentlemen
20 Johnny P & The Wiseguys
27 Jose Amador & Natiao Salsa
August
03 Santiago Jimenez
10 FingerPistol
17 New Pearl Wranglers - Tribute to Adolph Hofner in honor of his 100th birthday this year. Special appearance by Adolph's daughter, Kathy Fielding. Co-sponsored by Texas Polka News.
24 Mark Halata & Texavia

LIFE AT THE PEARL
When the San Antonio Brewery closed in 2001, the brewery grounds were repurposed using the majestic brew building as a focal point, into the “community” of Pearl.      

Boasting 324 apartments, 15 restaurants, 13 retailers, and 18 resident businesses, as well as a twice-weekly Farmers Market, Pearl has formed an exciting neighborhood on the upper San Antonio River just north of downtown known as Museum Reach. The newest addition is Hotel Emma, which opened last fall in the Brewhouse.

Encore Time: Schroeder Hall Reopens!

By Gary E. McKee

Schroeder Hall, the legendary South Central Texas dance hall, built in the late 1800s, has reopened its doors after a brief respite and will be featuring Chris Rybak, on Saturday, July 16. Schroeder, still owned by Doug Guller, Austin-based restaurant and dancehall owner, has a new manager, Corrine Abbott. Corrine is a native of El Campo, and has a degree in food and beverage management from the University of Houston. She has brought her Wharton County roots to Schroeder and is presently booking polka bands to perform on a regular basis. In between polkas, the hall will be appealing to different genres of Texas music - contemporary country, Red-Dirt Country, indie rock and nationally recognized touring acts.

          On November 19th, all cattle trails and roads will lead to the hall as Schroederfest will commence a day-long celebration of BBQ cookoffs, adult beverages (full bar), vendors, singing in the courtyard with Jon Stork, and culminating with The Charlie Daniels Band that evening.

          As the cooler months come around, Marty Haggard and Kevin Fowler will perform on the same stage that has seen a variety of legends. Bob Wills, Adolph Hofner, George and Tammy, Jimmy Heap, Roy Clark, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry Joe Taylor, and Robert Earl Keen top the long list of music heroes.

          Chris, the Accordion Cowboy, is a natural fit for this venue as it resides in the early Spanish ranching grants that date back to the late 1700s. Cattle were driven from this area to Louisiana to feed the Spanish forces fighting the British during the American Revolution.

          As the cattle industry evolved and German/Czech immigrants migrated south, many of them found work on the Tex/Mex ranches and brought their music with them. They began jamming with their Mexican co-workers (Nortiño music) and the blending of the two musical cultures produced a unique sound (Tejano). The accordion-driven Tejano music was absorbed by Tex/Mex/Czech musicians such as Santiago Jimenez, Johnny Rodriguez, and Adolph Hofner.

          Chris' influences have been a combination of Myron Floren and the Jimenez brothers – Flaco and Santiago – with a strong Hank Williams flavor.

          This Slavic/Hispanic sound will be channeled by Chris in this old hall (now air-conditioned) that has its roots in a community that was once named Germantown. During World War I, the name was changed to a little less Teutonic-sounding name, Schroeder, which was in honor of a resident killed fighting the Germans in Europe.

          Visit schroederhall.com for the soon-to-be weekly dance and event schedule at one of the last vestiges of Texas rambling dancehalls. Also appearing in July are Jake Worthington on the 9th; George Navarro on the 23rd; and Jarrod Birmingham on the 30th.

          Schroeder Hall is roughly between Goliad and Victoria and has a self-contained RV park across the road for those travelers who wish to stay the night and explore this history-filled area of Texas.

Rybaks Hosting European Tour in September

Kristina Rybak (pink hat) had a great view of Pope Francis on the last tour; Rudy and Bea Patek partied with the Rybaks at last year's Oktoberfest in Munich.

Chris & Edita Rybak invite everyone to join their 2016 Europe Tour to the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Vatican and Germany! 

The tour is scheduled from September 11 - 23 and will feature the beautiful scenery of Europe, an audience with the Pope, churches, castles, Munich Oktoberfest, wine and beer tastings, shopping for souvenirs and music by Chris Rybak while traveling. There will also be polka parties with local bands and a dinner cruise in Prague.

"Whether you want to try the Pivo & Kolaches in the Czech Republic or visit with the Pope at the Vatican, this is a tour for you!" the Rybaks said.

Chris & Edita Rybak are established polka promoters in Texas, and Chris Rybak, sometimes referred to as the "Accordion Cowboy," performs regularly solo and with his own band all across Texas!

You'll visit ancient Rome where you can see coliseum, Venice with gondola rides, Vatican with the Sistine Chapel and the Pope, Klagenfurt with the Minimundus Park, Salzburg the birthplace of Mozart, Munich where we attend the Oktoberfest, Vizovice where they make Slivovice Jelinek, eat grilled chicken at the Koliba Vlcina party, in Lichnov search for your ancestors at the Texas museum and in Prague take a dinner cruise after touring the historic city. 

The tour includes flight, hotel accommodations, luxury bus, program, meals, drinks, professional tour guide, and music.

"Please reserve your seat today as space is limited," the Rybaks said.

For additional information, contact Edita Rybak at (512) 963-6660 or (361) 772-4703 or by email at editarybak@hotmail.com.

More info on this tour can also be found at www.chrisrybak.com or http://www.texasczechs.com.

Sing a Czech Song

By Gary E. McKee

With flood threats and warnings abounding, this writer questioned the wisdom of attending a function being held in a basement. But this wasn't any underground shelter, it was the Texas Capitol Extension Auditorium in Austin. Descending into this secure, dry, beautiful labyrinth, it was surprising the number of tourists visiting this hallowed building on such an ominous day.

          The reason for this journey was to attend the presentation of Varied and Vibrant Sources of the Czech Song in Texas  – a lecture/demo by accordionists and music scholars Frances Barton and Dr. John Novak in support of their forthcoming book. Frances and John have been compiling a collection of folk and popular songs of Czech Texas for several years and are nearing completion of their project. The finished songbook (late 2016) will contain 90 songs familiar to most people in the Texas Czech community and will include the music, chords, Czech lyrics, English translations, English lyrics if there are any, and historical and folkloric information on each song.

          The presentation, attended by over 125 enthusiastic souls, featured the origin of six popular songs, Julida Polka, Shiner Song, Wedding Song, Beer Barrel Polka, and two others. After a history of each song, Frances and/or John would perform the song on their accordions with the audience chiming in singing in either Czech or English. Those needing a little help on words could read the lyrics from a huge screen in the back of the stage. On several selections, Frances' daughter, Jubilee, accompanied Frances and John on the singing of songs in Czech. The mother/daughter harmonizing spellbound the audience.

          The event was offered in conjunction with the multi-media exhibition Texas Czechs: Rooted in Tradition, which is currently on display at the Capitol Visitors Center (112 E. 11th Street in Austin ) in Austin through June 11, 2016. It was produced by the nonprofit organization PolkaWorks and co-curated by Texas Czechs Lori Najvar and Dawn Orsak. It is being presented at the CVC by the State Preservation Board.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 11, for Big Czechs, Little Czechs, an afternoon of family activities that features food, language, kroj, music, and dance. The event will be held from 1-4 pm.

Polka Heartland Captures Polka Smiles

By Theresa Parker
From November 2015 issue of Texas Polka News

From the minute you pick up Polka Heartland to the second you finish reading it, you won’t stop smiling. That’s because it’s about polka – happy music for happy people. As a polka lover, you can relate. As a history buff, you can appreciate the immigrant story. Author Rick March and photographer Dick Blau may have based the book on Wisconsin, but you soon discover, it’s a national story.

Rick, a squeezeman and mandolin player himself, thought a comprehensive book about polka was long overdue. Not because it’s dying out, but because it’s a story that hasn’t been told.

“Polka is danced and played a lot, but its story is seldom written,” he said. “Polka will never totally die out. It goes through ups and downs – it was up with Frankie (Yankovic) after WWII, down after Elvis and rock and roll, for example. Polka music and dancing is generational. Kids whose parents love the polka, still do it at a wedding, they haven’t rejected it completely. It’s cool and retro.

“The polka has had, along with waltz, the greatest longevity as a general participation dance. You can dance it as an expert, or just get up on floor, and if you don’t bump into any one, you’re fine. The Charleston and Lindy are still known, but the polka has staying power,” Rick explained.

Rick served as the State Folklorist for Wisconsin from 1983 to 2009, and was the radio host of Down Home Dairyland on Wisconsin Public Radio for 14 years. He has started recording his show again for community AM stations. No Internet streaming yet, but he said it will be soon. He noted he enjoys listening to Texas polka radio stations on the Internet.

Polka Road Trip!
Rick and Dick spent nine months traveling to dances and festivals capturing the various styles of polka – Czech, Slovenian, Polish, Dutchman, even Mexican. As the photographer, Dick said his goal was not to teach readers anything, but to get them to feel something. He calls his work “ethnography of the feelings.”

“I wanted to make pictures that bring a song to mind, bring an experience to mind. See if I can get this silent medium to charge up the eyes and ears. I want the viewer to be invited in without being stopped by the frame,” he said.

Dick accomplished his goal. And this isn’t his first polka party book. He also provided the photography for Polka Happiness, published in 1992 by Temple University Press, and authored by Charles and Angeliki V. Keil.

The historic chapters of Polka Heartland are supplemented with extras called Polka Interludes, in which Rick explains such things as the difference between concertina and accordion (it’s like canoe/kayak, he writes), how beer and polka just go together, and the origin of the polka Mass.

Rick hesitated to name his favorite polka, but finally relented and said, “The Wisconsin National Anthem – In Heaven There is No Beer.”

He has been to Texas a few times to attend conventions and perform at the Accordion Festival in San Antonio. “You have smoother dancers in Texas. You just slide across the floor, and we’re up here hopping up and down,” he said.

Order the book.

Then And Now Shows V-E Versatility

By Theresa Parker
From November 2015 issue of Texas Polka News
 

Music Publishers of America (MPA) has released Then and Now, a CD based entirely on music from its Vitak-Elsnic (V-E) portfolio. The CD is the company’s first venture into recording V-E music, part of its objective of reintroducing the V-E brand to a new generation of music lovers.

It’s getting lots of attention with airtime on both Internet and traditional radio stations, steady sales, and even interest from the Grammy screening committee. The entire Then and Now album is being considered for best album in the American Roots category, which includes blues, bluegrass, folk, and regional roots (such as polka) music. The single track recording of Snow Waltz, featuring amazing vocals by Abby Broeniman, is being considered for best regional roots performance.

Something for Everyone
“This album has a little bit of something for everyone, including people not that familiar with polka music,” said MPA President Steve Harris. There are 14 songs on the CD, with some played as originally published by V-E decades ago, such as Helena Polka (1925), Crackerjack Polka (1949), and Holzauction Schottische (1926). Others, such as Red Raven Polka, Rain Rain Polka, and Schneider Polka, are completely new arrangements from Alex Meixner, Grammy-nominated performing and recording artist, music producer, and MPA Vice President.

“And there’s another twist,” Steve said. “We’ve added brand-new English lyrics to some songs that either never had them or that were originally in Czech or Polish.” 

Steve penned the new lyrics to Snow Waltz, Rain Rain Polka, Tinker Polka, Julida Polka, Chicago Waltz, and A Night in May Waltz that are on the album.

Steve has written a novel in an earlier life, but this was his first foray into song writing. Where Czech or other lyrics already existed, he enjoyed researching the original meanings of the songs, which served as the muse for his lyrics.

All-Star Band
The Vitak-Elsnic All-Star Band, led by Alex, was pulled together specifically for this project. “Each musician brought a unique style and skill set to the studio, and the end result turned out beautifully,” Alex said. In addition to Alex, Grammy-nominated Hank Guzevich of Polka Family, as well as recording veterans Michael Morris (Praha Brothers), Ed Klancnik, Don Hunjadi, Joe Tierney, Richard Watson, and Sam Broeniman round out the band. Alex, Hank, Michael, and Abby perform vocals. “Abby is simply awesome,” Steve stated. “She sings from the heart and really delivers.”

Abby has been featured on RFD-TV’s Mollie B Polka Party. She’s now attending college in Wisconsin and comes from a polka music family. Her grandfather, Ernie, is an outstanding tuba player, who has developed many tuba players, including his son, Sam, Abby’s dad. Sam performed with the U.S. Army Band and with his dad’s group, Dorf Kapelle. You can hear Sam on tuba on Then and Now.

As Seen on Mollie B
The Broenimans are snow birds who reside in Mission, Texas, during the winter. That’s where Mollie B first heard Abby sing on a Dorf Kapelle CD that was playing while riding for a day trip to Mexico with Steve and others.  Mollie was wowed by Abby’s voice, and immediately signed her up to appear on the Mollie B TV show.  Abby also has appeared on Mollie’s Christmas program on RFD-TV.  And all that while still in high school!

In addition to the rave reviews on Abby’s Snow Waltz, another cut is gaining a following - Nina Bailando/Pretty Dancing Girl, which features Michael and Hank on vocals. Michael wrote the Spanish lyrics. Alex has been playing some of Then and Now tunes at his gigs, and reports Pretty Dancing Girl is by far the favorite.

“Then and Now celebrates the legacy of the Vitak-Elsnic Music Publishing Company. It’s definitely not a normal ‘Alex album’ – but it’s a really special album to me,” Alex said. “It allowed me to revisit some classic polka tunes and perform them in an old school, traditional Midwest style, as well as update a few of them into more contemporary arrangements. I hope you’ll enjoy checking out the album as much as the boys, Abby, and I enjoyed making it.”

Order the CD.

Support Your Local Church Picnic

In addition to being Dairy Month, June is also the core of the picnic season. There are over 100 church-related picnics yearly and a good many of them occur in June through August. So please attend at least one local picnic and then plan a trip to a new one.

By Gary E. McKee

The Singing Priest

Father Joe Hybner joins the Incredible Music Makers to sing a Czech song or two in Praha./McKee photo

The Dancing Priest

Father Ed Karasek at the Prazska Pout./McKee photo

Picnic Essentials

Bring a chair AND a fan to Dubina picnic./McKee photo

Family Time

Edwin "Buck" Boehm (second from right) of Shiner at Praha with his family./McKee photo

Polka On!

The Shiner Hobo Band entertains at quite a few picnics during the year./McKee photo

Patriotic Raven

The musicians, like Daniel Jobb of the Red Ravens, get into the spirit./McKee photo

Too Pooped to Picnic

After a long day at the picnic./McKee photo

To a visitor from Elsewhere, USA, the idea of a picnic might conjure up images of plaid blankets on the ground with a wicker basket of cold food beside a lake containing a canoe and a delicate lady shading herself with a parasol as a gentleman tries to woo her by playing his accordion. Well pardner, come on down to the Polka Belt, and be prepared to immerse yourself into the alphanumeric drone of Bingo, an auctioneer’s rapid fire patter, the clinking of plastic rings on liters of soda water, the enticing smell of homemade food cooking, the alternating rhythms of polka bands, and the delightful sound of laughter as friends and family reunite in a yearly homecoming.

The summer picnic season runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend with a few picnics scattered on both sides to symbolize more agrarian times of the year, i.e. planting and harvest times. The term "picnic" is an anachronism from days of old bringing to mind the first image above without fire-ants. While church fundraisers dominate the picnic calendar, many organizations have sponsored them.

Father Ed Karasek was raised attending picnics from probably day one as his parents were in charge of making the potato salad at the Frenstat picnic. His early memories were of playing the Teddy Bear wheel trying to win one. The ball/bottle throw was a popular booth with a winner getting either a cigar or pack of gum depending upon the winner’s age. The Gil Baca or Sil Krenek Bands provided the music. This is where the “Dancing Priest” learned to polka. A “community builder” is how Fr. Ed describes the church picnic, bringing families together and providing entertainment for the kids. Now tending to his primarily Hispanic flock in Lockhart at St. Mary of the Visitation, Fr. Ed is heavily involved in their yearly picnic, named Jamaica, now in its 40th year of food, music and fellowship. This year's picnic will be held July 24 and 25.

Picnic evolution
Let’s go back a few years and take a brief look at picnics, bazaars, and celebrations to see how they have evolved. In September of 1902 the Texasky Mir, No. 10 S.P.J.S.T. Lodge of Shiner held a Feast and Picnic in Hilderbrandt’s Park with children’s games being the prominent feature of the day, along with “Orators of Repute delivering address on Questions of Vital Interest to Our People.”

Politicians utilized these large gatherings of voters to campaign and connect with the “common” people. At some picnics literately thousands of people would stand in the weather (generally hot) and listen to the politicians for hours, an inconceivable event nowadays. Not all were on Sundays as the S.P.J.S.T. lodge of Snook announced that it will give a picnic on Easter Monday, April 8, 1912 at their new hall.

The Brenham St. Peter’s Church held a picnic in May of 1915, with wagons transporting those wishing to attend to the “beautiful spot adjoining the Giddings place about one mile north of town. The members of the Women’s Guild have charge of the picnic and will take care of the children who wish to attend without their parents. All members of the Sunday school and congregation are expected (editor’s emphasis) to go and take their friends if they wish.”

Picnic during the week
The Schwertner (NW of Granger) Biennial Picnic in June of 1936 was a community happening that was held on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Among the bands performing those two days were Joe Buzze’s Orchestra of Waco, and Louis Welk’s Eleven Piece Orchestra. Two years later the Shimek Brass Band performed. The July 4th weekend of 1926 was a busy period, as it is now, in the Fayette County area, picnic and celebration wise. Hostyn’s feast hosted one of the largest political gatherings in Texas as Governor “Ma” Ferguson and Farmer Jim Ferguson were scheduled to speak. With a noon vehicle count of 3,300 vehicles, the crowd was estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000 folks, the Schulenburg Sticker reported. The crowd stood for hours in the sun listening to the Ferguson speeches.

Politicians and baseball
Dubina’s celebration drew several thousand people to hear a well received political speech by Senator Gus Russek (Schulenburg) and Method Pazdral, a former local attorney of Czech origin. The Ammansville Snappy Orchestra played a dance that was attended by 2000 people with 300 tickets being sold to young men. From what this writer can deduce from the ads, during this time period, to actually dance, a ticket was needed, while some venues sold a lesser price ticket for “spectators” as one ad put it, People traveled to see Shiner play Schulenburg in baseball, hear Governor Dan Moody talk, and dance that evening to “most excellent band music” in Shiner.

Two weeks later High Hill had a feast that kicked off with the Blessing of the new Parish House by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Drossaerts of San Antonio followed by solemn High Mass. Afterwards a grand chicken and barbecue dinner was served by the ladies of the parish. That afternoon speeches by various politicians will be given followed by a baseball game between Dubina and High Hill. Concert Music was provided by the Ammansville Brass Band and singing by the High Hill Mannerchor. In the evening The High Hill Dramatic Club provide entertainment, accompanied by the previous band and choir (no dance.)

June of 1959, St. Martin’s Parish, in Tours (NE of Waco) held a “Fun for Everyone” picnic with “Something for Everyone to do - All Afternoon and Evening – Ride the Train – Play Games – SUPPER SERVED 4:30 to 9PM – Fried Chicken, Roast Beef and Baked Ham;” that evening Slim Haisler and His Play Boys of Temple provided the dance music.

Don't just drive thru
While the picnic format has evolved into the fairly formulaic state, that is, church service, meal, and then simultaneously live music, games for children, Bingo, a long auction, and family visiting; it has changed from an event on any day or days of the week to a Sunday for six to eight hours, with a few exceptions like the St. John Fourth of July Picnic and the Prazska Pout (Praha Feast) always held August 15 on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

The Fourth of July Picnic at the S.P.J.S.T. hall in West was discontinued in 1966 due to diminishing crowds. Air-conditioning, television, and newly built lakes nearby were to blame, the West News opined. In the pre-automobile days, crowds would gather in town and led by a band march en masse to the picnic grounds. While picnics seem to still attract a large number of folks, it is my observation that the drive-through dinner option of picnics, while increasing the financial income, has diminished the communal bonds that the picnics have built up over the years.

So, please support your local picnic, whether it be in Seguin, Dubina, Wallis, Frenstat, Granger, Shiner, Stoneham, Ennis, Cyclone, or Houston. And please park your vehicle and make new friends or discover extended family members. Check out the listing of Church Picnics at polkabeat.com.

Donnie Hons and the Church Picnic Polka

By Gary E. McKee

It’s picnic season again, time to check the tire pressure in the car, and head down the road to a church picnic. To help get you in the mood, order Donnie Hons’ single song cd The Church Picnic Polka from the PolkaBeat store. Also available as a digital download.

Donnie is a singer – songwriter with deep Lavaca County roots. He grew up in the polka/waltz culture, but his musical tastes guided him to an old-school type country music style which perfectly suits his baritone voice. While still in high school, Donnie started singing with the legendary Bobby Lee Nightriders in the Victoria area. Since then he has performed with many country bands and sat in with all flavors of bands at numerous picnics and venues singing and plying his bass. The Nightriders still perform four times a year at Da Costa Hall to packed dance floors as they provide “country and western dancing the way it was meant to be.”

Inspiration in a deer blind         
John Rivard, the former writer for TPN instilled an idea into Donnie’s mind that he should write a song about the church picnics of the area. The idea kept floating around in his brain, until one slow day in a deer blind in the Hill Country, he started jotting down some words for a song. While searching for a melody to put them to, the obvious choice would be a polka beat as that sound is what sets most picnics apart from other gatherings. After smoothing out the lyrics, he enlisted Tommy Detamore of Cherry Ridge Studios in Floresville who contributed his studio and his steel guitar to help bring it together. Chris Rybak showed up to provide the accordion sound and Daniel Jobb of The Red Ravens paired with Donnie’s bass to make the backbone rhythm.

The resulting single, The Church Picnic Polka, is a lively trip around Central Texas as the singer and his date attempt to dance their boots off at all the picnics from Prazska Pout in Praha to Shiner to Hostyn (where Donnie sang the song with the Czechaholics at the recent picnic.) The melody, like the lyrics, incorporates many of the musical styles that will be heard this summer: polka, country steel guitar, and conjunto. You can hear this song on radio shows hosted by Alfred Vrazel, Danny Zapletal, Clinto, and TKO on Texas Thunder.

Where the music's gone
In 2010, Donnie teamed with Joel Nava to record a single “Where the Music’s Gone” which laments the lack of old style country music being played on the radio today. In an interesting twist, he was contacted by Dorin Marincash of Romania (the European country) to get a copy of this song written by Donnie. Dorin is a radio producer that goes by the name “The Transylvanian Cowboy.” Old school country and Texas music has always been by far more popular in Europe than the U.S.

One of Donnie’s next projects will be in the Cowboy Poetry category collaborating with Bobby Flores to record Donnie’s moving poem about a snow-bound Montana Cowboy in 1880 writing a letter back home to his folks at Christmas time.

Donnie Hons can be contacted on Facebook and be seen performing with Gone Country at the Sweet Home Dance Hall, so get a hold of his Church Picnic Polka cd and see how many of the picnics that he sings about you can make this summer. Check out the list of church picnics on polkabeat.com.

New pages, advertisers on polkabeat.com

Polkabeat.com is tickled pink to announce some cool additions to the website. First, welcome to new home page advertisers Texas Slavic and German Warehouse and John Dujka's Saturday Morning Polka Show on 1390 KULP in El Campo. TSG has a great online store filled with all things Polish (Polska), Czech, German, Texan, and everything for your home bar and man cave! John Dujka is now flying solo on the KULP Saturday morning polka show. His wife, Julie, decided to pursue other interests after 11 1/2 years of co-hosting the show with John. He says you'll love the new format and encourages requests submitted by Thursday evening to be included on the Saturday show. Contact him at johndujka@mac.com or call 979-830-0309.

New pages on the site will make it easier than ever to keep your dance schedule up to date. The Church Picnics page lists the events during picnic season in Texas held from April through October. The Texas and US Festivals page keeps tabs on music festivals throughout the year. Great resource to plan your travels.

To launch the Church Picnics page, we put together a video to the tune of Church Picnic Polka, written and performed by Donnie Hons. His new song is available on CD single or digital download in the Polka On! Store. Get yourself a cold pivo and some fried chicken and enjoy the video!

26th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens June 6

Texas Folklife will bring its annual celebration of the state’s accordion roots music to Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre on Saturday, June 6, at 7:00 p.m. In keeping with its mission to preserve and present Texas’s diverse musical heritage, the festival will feature stars and legends in polka, Cajun zydeco, and conjunto. This year’s accordion stars will include Debra Peters and the Love Saints, Jerome Batiste and the Zydeko Players, and the Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs and special guests National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, and Rick Treviño. The accordion stars will be joined onstage by this year’s Big Squeeze Grand Prize Winners: Elizabeth Kelley (Cajun/Zydeco), Brandon Hodde (Polka) performing with the All Around Czechs, and Rito Peña (Conjunto). 

The Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs hardly need an introduction. The band is comprised of founder Max Baca on bajo sexto, Josh Baca on accordion, Noel Hernandez on electric bass, and Daniel Martinez on the drums. Los Texmaniacs won the 2010 Grammy award for Best Tejano Album, Borders y Bailes, on the Smithsonian Folkways label. Their sound has been called “hip music everybody can relate to” and is comprised of conjunto, rock, and rhythm and blues. Los Texmaniacs will be joined onstage by National Heritage Fellow Flaco Jiménez, who recently won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been called the “King of Conjunto,” Augie Meyers, and Rick Treviño. It will be a special night as the new Texmaniacs CD, Americano Groove, will be released. The album was produced by Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos), and includes vocals from a roster of Texas music royalty: Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Kevin Fowler, and Rick Trevino. Additional guest musicians include David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Steve Berlin, and Augie Meyers. It's a mix of five traditional conjunto tracks, three country tracks, and four others that blur genres between rock and TexMex.

Jerome Batiste and the Zydeko Players will bring the Cajun/zydeco beat to the festival this year. Batiste has described himself as a “Creole Cowboy,” and has described the type of music he and his band play as a little bit of everything—Cajun, Creole, jazz, zydeco, blues, rock & roll, and reggae. Based in Crosby, Texas—on the Louisiana side of Houston—the band spreads the gospel of Zydeco Nation throughout the region.

Debra Peters and the Love Saints hail from Austin where they perform a mix of sounds—blues, zydeco, polka, western swing, and classic country. The band has traveled around the globe playing their blend of Texas roots music. Ms. Peters is also an educator. She has created a series of educational videos and teaches the accordion with a special emphasis on encouraging young women to take up the national instrument of Texas.

This year’s event will again be co-emceed by writers and radio hosts Joe Nick Patoski and Tony Diaz. The festival is free and open to the music-loving public. Festivalgoers wanting seats in the pavilion area can pick up their free tickets the day of the festival at the Miller Box Office or become members of Texas Folklife and receive reserved tickets in advance.

One of the important ways Texas Folklife carries out its mission is by introducing the culture bearers of the past to the culture bearers of the future. This will be on display at the 26th annual Accordion Kings & Queens Festival as the three young winners from the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest take to the stage to play with these powerhouse performers. Not only will the young players benefit from this joyous musical connection, but those lucky enough to be in the audience will have the opportunity to witness this generational passing of the torch.

“We are very much looking forward to this year’s Accordion Kings and Queens Festival,” said Executive Director Cristina Ballí. “The concert was started with the idea of promoting the accordion and its role in the different genres of roots music found throughout the state. It has become a full-out celebration of that music, featuring musical legends and stars, and it also has become the breeding ground for the next generation of squeezeboxers with our newly crowned Big Squeeze Champs taking to the stage. And we are thrilled that Los Texmaniacs is using the Festival this year to release their new CD. It will be a joyous night of celebrating all things accordion—with dancing and merry-making, all under the stars in Houston, Texas. Put on your dancing shoes or boots and join us!”