Polka News: PACE Award Winners, West Benefit Concerts, Rescue Bank Helps West Animals, Cernoch Parker Named to PAC Board

Pace Award Winners: Congratulations to the winners of the annual People’s Choice Awards presented by Polka America Corporation.Best New Original Song Song for the People - Polka Country Musicians Best Polish Album United We Jam - Polka Country Musicians

Best Slovenian Album (2 Winners) Button Box Menagerie Part 1 & 2 - Fred Ziwich and Others Wrap Your Heart Around It - LynnMarie Best German Album Stand and Sing Ein Prosit - Alex Meixner Best Variety Album Mollie B Christmas Special - Mollie B All Star Band

“With 5,997 votes cast, I know we successfully reflected the opinion of the polka nation,” said John Ziobrowski, PAC Executive Committee president. “I look forward to next year when we will add a Czech category and move a step closer to a complete public endorsement of the polka nation’s favorite polka artists and acknowledging their accomplishments.”

Congratulations also to the winners of the PAC's Frankie Awards, named after polka legend Frankie Yankovic.

Ernie Daigle - Massachusetts Ron Nadherny - Nebraska

The Frankie Award is a national service award, given to those individuals whose efforts have been instrumental in sustaining the polka genre.

West Benefit Concerts: Two concerts are being held the week of May 6 to benefit the relief efforts for the town of West.

Dan's Silverleaf in Denton will present a concert on Wednesday, May 8, to benefit the volunteer firefighters. Music will be provided by Brave Combo, Isaac Hoskins Band, Grady Don Sandlin and other Denton music luminaries. It gets underway at 8 PM and suggested donation for admission is $10.

The Czech Center Museum in Houston will present a concert on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the museum’s Prague Hall. The concert will feature Dvorak and his Countrymen and the Lone Star College Kingwood Chorale with Nancy Curtis, soprano, Jon Janacek, bari-tenor, and Todd Miller, conductor. Wine and hors d’ouerves will be served.

The cost is $20 and $15 for seniors and students with proceeds going to the West relief efforts. RSVP at 713-528-2060 or events@czechcenter.org.

Rescue Bank Helps West Animals: Following the explosion in West, the Humane Society in Waco took in pets found wandering or provided housing for pets whose owners are currently unable to care for them. Rescue Bank delivered nine pallets of pet food to the Humane Society to help the families and pets left homeless by the explosion. Read more.

Cernoch Parker Named to PAC Board: Theresa Cernoch Parker, founder of polkabeat.com, has been named to the board of the Polka America Corporation. She will be responsible for general media. “I am honored to be part of this impressive board and look forward to this great opportunity to promote polka,” she said.

PAC encourages, supports and promotes polka music at all levels. The 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation is chartered in Wisconsin and the executive committee, board of directors and sub-committees are an all-volunteer group of polka music enthusiasts from many parts of North America. Join PAC today!

Moravians Release Debut CD

4panel.inddThe wait is over. The Moravians have recorded their first CD and will celebrate with a CD Release party from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Moravia Store. The Moravians came on the polka scene a couple of years ago and have been wowing the polkabeat nation with their mastery of traditional Czech tunes and country standards. The band, made up of high school and college-age guys from the Ennis area, is on a mission to keep Texas Czech music alive and well. Their CD is a testament to that mission. Called Czech Spirit Will Live On, the group selected 15 songs based on their fans’ input. “We put music on the CD that our supporters want to hear. For instance, U Studanky Waltz is a favorite of our trumpet player Matt Matous's grandfather, while Falling Leaves is a favorite of the Trojacek family,” said Josh Goodwin, bass and tuba player. “Overall, the CD is the very best of The Moravians.”

Indeed it is. The group did most of the arrangements with the help of Danny Zapletal, leader of Czech and Then Some. The waltzes are great, but I think the group really shows its stuff on the polkas, especially the Red Raven, Red Rose and Shiner tunes. Three more polkas – Our Katy, Musicians Come and Play and When I Sleep – feature David Slovak, also a CATS member, on tuba. And as with every law-abiding Texas Czech group, the CD includes some great country – Cowboy Rides Away, Waltz Across Texas and Lonesome Fugitive.

Congratulations Moravians on an excellent debut CD. Polka on!

Read more about The Moravians.

Donate to West Relief Efforts

Pray_for_WestThe town of West is reeling from an explosion at a fertilizer plant on April 17, which has claimed several lives and injured hundreds more. In addition to praying for the people of West, consider participating in these fundraising efforts. SPJST has set up a site to make online donations to the relief efforts. Go to www.spjst.org and read how to donate on the home page.

The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange is also accepting donations. For more information, call 979-968-9399 or e- mail: info@czechtexas.org. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 6, La Grange TX 78945.

Texas Folk Life also made this announcement: "Our hearts are with our friends up the road in West, home to some of the best Czech polka accordion music in the state. In light of the tragedy, the previously scheduled Big Squeeze Semifinal Playoffs and Concert this Saturday, April 20 (2:00-5:30) at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, will be dedicated to the relief effort for the devastated community. The event is free, but a hat will be passed and donations will be accepted for the relief effort."

Several Ennis organizations are accepting monetary and tangible donations: You can go to the websites of the National Polka Festival, KJT Hall and Sokol Hall for information on how to donate to a Pointwest Bank account. Monetary donations also can be made at the National Polka Festival food booth at the Bluebonnet Trails Festival, April 20-21 in Ennis. The KJT Hall website also has a list of needed items, such as bottle water, toiletries, clothes, etc.

The Czech Center Museum in Houston is also accepting monetary donations. Contact them at 713-528-2060 or email: czech@czechcenter.org.

Read more about the explosion.

Polka News: Polkabeat B-Day, RFD Schedule, April 15 Deadline

Happy Birthday Polkabeat! The premier polka website, polkabeat.com, is celebrating its third birthday. Thank you polka fans who have made the website and merchandise such a success. It's great to go to a dance and see all the Polka On! buttons, koozies, T-shirts and other gear. To celebrate, polkabeat fans can get 15% off your next purchase in the online Polka On! store. Stock up now in preparation for the National Polka Festival in Ennis at the end of May and for all the church picnics coming up this summer. That Bohemian Air Conditioner will come in handy at the picnics! The offer runs through April 30. All you have to do is fill up your cart and enter the Code: POLKAON when you check out. This includes 15% off CDs, DVDs and the 20 Polka Bands book/CD. Perfect timing for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts. Learn more about polkabeat.com got its start. RFD Debuts Ennis Polka Party. Tune into the Mollie B Polka Party at 9 PM (central) on Saturday, April 13, to see the first show from the tapings done in Ennis in February. The first show features Czech and Then Some, Polka Nuts, Kenny Brandt, Pan Franek and Alpenfest. The show at 6 PM (central) on Wednesday features Das Ist Lustig, Texas Sound Czech Band, SqueezeBox, Benji’s Polka Pac and Jerry Haisler and the Melody 5. Check the schedule for future shows.

Vote for Your Favorites Deadline. April 15 is the deadline to send in your tax return, but more importantly it's the deadline for voting for your favorite polka albumns in the Pace Awards. Read more.

Vote for Your Favorite Polka Albums

2013votelogoThe Polka America Corporation (PAC) is accepting votes from the polka-loving public for its annual PACE Awards in five categories -- Best New Original Song, Best Polish Album, Best Slovenian Album, Best German Album and Best Variety Album. Voting is open until April 15 and the awards will be announced a few days later. I asked PAC President John Ziobrowski about the absence of a Czech Album category. "We allow the categories to self generate. We add a category when we receive six submissions of a specific style of polka music. We would love to have a Czech category," he said. Don't stress. I am on the case and will make sure there is a Czech music category next year!

You'll see some Texas bands in this year's categories -- Brave Combo, Das Ist Lustig, Czech and Then Some and Jodie Mikula and some favorites of Texas fans -- Mollie B, Alex Meixner, Jimmy Sturr and Lynn Marie.

PAC is a nonprofit organization that encourages, supports and promotes polka music at all levels. Chartered in Wisconsin, the executive committee, board of directors and sub-committees are an all-volunteer group of polka music enthusiasts from many parts of North America.

John explained the awards are completely people’s choice. "The voting is tabulated by an outside agency. PAC has no involvement with nominations or picking the winners, we just provide the format for the polka nation to support their favorite artists."

Cast your vote today!

Polka On at the Tomball German Heritage Festival

It's a party with polkabeat.com and Alex Meixner...and a boot full of bier! Photo by Mark HiebertThe Tomball German Heritage Festival just keeps getting bigger and better every year! The 13th edition of the festival will be held this weekend, March 22-24, in downtown Tomball. Polkabeat.com is proud to once again sponsor the appearance of Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner on the Ziegenbock Stage Friday and Saturday, beginning at 6 PM and Sunday, beginning at 1 PM. Stop by the Polka On! table next to the stage to purchase must-have polka items, sign up to receive my newsletter, bring me a bier, or just to say hello. You're invited to help us get the party started on Thursday at a special Acoustic Alex set at Cactus Music in Houston beginning at 5:30 PM. St. Arnold's will provide the beverages.

All five stages will be alive with great music. Check out the line-up featuring Das Ist Lustig, Chris Rybak, Eurofest, TubaMeisters and a whole stage devoted to Bluegrass music. You'll also want to catch some of the performances by high school German Clubs, including Clements High School in Sugar Land, who won first place at state for German folk dancing! Kingwood and Friendswood High School groups will also be performing, along with German polka bands from Reagan and The Woodlands College Park High Schools.

The festival also features 150 vendors selling everything, including great food and ice cold bier. The contests are also great to participate in and/or cheer on your favorites. New this year is the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest on Saturday at 10 AM and the Doggy Costume Parade and Contest at 12:45 PM on Sunday. Other contests: Chicken Dance, Yodeling and Best Dressed German. Find out more.

Polka On Tomball!

Thank you, Jimmy Brosch!

181_PB_SPJSTSigning_20111030_ByHiebert_WR.sizedToday, I said goodbye to Jimmy Brosch. I knew the day would come. After all he was 89 years old. But somehow it hit me hard. I cried through most of the Polka Mass held in celebration of his life. And what a life! He was a pilot, motorcycle rider, speed boat captain, railroad switchman, egg salesman, car salesman, horse rider, bull charmer, molasses maker, boxer, fiddle player, harmonica player, saxophonist, band leader, dancer, singer, entertainer, writer, artist, comedian, beer drinker, Catholic, Democrat, businessman, friend, husband, dad and grandfather. And I probably forgot a few. He packed a lot into those 89 years. I had known about Jimmy all my life as my dad had all of his albums. I was formally introduced when he came to my dad's funeral in 2009 and played some of my dad's favorite polka tunes on his harmonica. Jimmy, as I would learn, never left home without his harmonica. You never knew when the mood would strike for a polka or country tune. Then I saw Jimmy at a dance at Lodge 88 in Houston. I had just started polkabeat.com in honor of my dad and planned to start a "legends" column and wanted Jimmy to be the first person I wrote about. He agreed to be interviewed and invited me to come over to his house. While we were talking, he said, "Why don't we write a book? I have these polka bands I want to write about. People have forgotten them and I think their stories need to be told."

I jumped at the chance and we set on our way to write about 10 Texas Czech Polka Bands. Then Jimmy increased it to 15 and finally 20 legendary polka bands. For a year and a half, we traveled to the homes of the families who shared their stories, photos and hospitality. Little did Jimmy's wife, Lucy, know this would become her project, too as she drove Jimmy to many of the appointments. We also were joined by Mark Hiebert who documented the visits with his camera.

Helen Shimek and Laddie KurtzThese were interviews, but they seemed more like visits - remember how people used to go visit friends and spend the afternoon talking? I had the privilege of not only breaking a kolache or two with some of the most down-to-earth people I have ever encountered, I was there for personal concerts - Jimmy jamming with Alfred Vrazel, singing and jamming with Helen Kurtz Shimek and Laddie Kurtz, playing harmonica to Clarence Baca's percussion, singing while Dan Pavlas played accordion and Bernice Migl Dobecka played piano and watching June Krenek on the dulcimer.

Once all the interviews were done, I started getting the calls. Have you written any of the chapters yet? Do you have some more for me to read? I would tell people at polka dances, "Don't tell Jimmy I was here. I'm supposed to working on the book!" I worked with Jimmy's son, Jeff, who designed the wonderful cover for the book and laid out each chapter. To keep Jimmy busy while we were working on the book, I suggested he create a companion CD to the book featuring a song from each band. After all, we were writing about music, you should be able hear it!

Book_Cover_Final-1Jimmy liked telling people, "While you're reading a chapter on Joe Patek you can cue up his song and listen to his music." He researched printing shops and calculated and recalculated what we should charge for the book and the combo price for the book and CD. And hardly anyone qualified for a "free" copy of the book. I had to pay for mine!

We enjoyed the book signings. The best was at Cactus Music. Folks were lined up to get his autograph on the book. Some brought albums they wanted him to sign. All had a story about how his music touched their lives, or the lives of their parents. It was a great day! Jimmy always signed the book, "To my good friend..."

Dance and performance at the Czech Community Center in the Houston HeightsI will miss Jimmy's early Saturday morning calls to give me his "weekly report" about how many books he had sold and how the stores on his route were doing in selling our book.

The Polka Mass was wonderful. I lost count of how many musicians showed up to play one last song - the Corn Cockle Polka. You've heard the saying, "they played their hearts out." Well, they did. It was a rousing version and we didn't want it to stop. I was so glad to hear Willie Bohuslav announce that the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum will plant a bed of corn cockles in Jimmy's honor.

Polka Mass for Jimmy BroschI feel very honored to have known and worked with Jimmy and wonder who he's rounding up for his heavenly band -- Joe Patek, Lee Roy Matocha, Henry Brosch, Bill Mraz, Wence Shimek........

See Remembering Jimmy Brosch. See Jimmy's Last Polka Dance. Read the Houston Chronicle story.

Thanks for Promoting Polka Mister John!

John Zavadil, polka DJ at KCTI Gonzales has discontinued his polka show due to health concerns. John, known as "Mister John" by his listeners underwent gall bladder surgery and complications and had spent time at Gonzales Memorial. Methodist San Antonio and New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation hospitals. The 1450 Polka Club with the most "live" polka music in Texas for 17 years, five days a week, three hours a day.

In a statement issued by KCTI 1450 Program Director Egon Barthels said, "Mister John will be dearly missed by all of us. I want to thank John for his many years of service to KCTI AM 1450 and the Gonzales County community. We have enjoyed many great moments with Mister John as the host of the 1450 Polka Club. Mister John was also a huge asset in helping gather community news, rainfall reports, birthdays and anniversaries, obits as well as helping with day-to-day operations at the station."

John received the Texas Polka Music Awards (TPMA) Polka DJ of the year in 1996 and was nominated again in 1997.

John is of Czech, German and Swiss heritage. He served his country for 10 years with the 36th Infantry Division Army NG at Fort Hood and Fort Polk obtaining the rank of Sgt E-5.

John taught public school 30 years, all in Gonzales County, never using a "sick leave" day.

John married Erlene Kubečka Pšenčík December 17, 1997 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gonzales.

Mister John and ErleneA very proud moment for John and Erlene was receiving the 100 years Family Land Heritage certificate presented to the Zavadil Ranch south of Gonzales from Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples on November 8, 2012. The ranch was founded in 1910 by Inocenz Zavadil.

I will miss Mister John's polka show. He was one of the first to get onboard with what I was trying to do in establishing polkabeat.com. He promoted my site and helped Jimmy Brosch and I sell lots of our book -- Jimmy Brosch Remembers Twenty Legendary Texas Czech Bands. It would be a shame to not play the impressive library of music Mister John built. That's why I was glad to get an email from Egon saying the polka tradition continues with the KCTI-AM 1450 Polka Club airing between 5 and 7 PM every day. He says the reason for the time change is because it was the only way he could conduct his daily operation duties but still keep the tradition of having polka music on KCTI-AM 1450. AND I was glad to hear he still does "Dance Dates" from polkabeat.com just like Mister John! Thanks Egon and thanks for keeping polka alive on KCTI! For more information go to kcti1450.com.

Polka News: Final Mollie B Lineup

Thursday, February 21: Music from 1:00 - 10:00PM1:00 Squeezebox (OH) with Abby Broeniman (WI) 1:30 Squeezebox with Jim Busta (MN) 2:15 Matt Hodek & the Dakota Dutchmen (ND) 4:00 Die Kurtzbuam (GA) 5:00 Karl & the Country Dutchmen (WI) 6:00 Squeezebox (OH) 6:45 Chris Rybak (TX) 8:00 Czech & Then Some (TX) 9:00 Max Baca & The Texmaniacs (TX) GRAMMY WINNER

Friday, February 22: Music from 1:00 - 9:00PM 1:00 Shiner Hobo Band (TX) 2:00 The Red Ravens (TX) 3:30 Das Ist Lustig (TX) 4:30 Texas Tribute Band (TX) 5:30 TubaMeisters (TX) 6:15 Eurofest (TX) 7:15 Texas Sound Czech Band (TX) 8:15 Jerry Haisler & Melody 5 (TX)

Saturday, February 23: Music from 1:00 - 10:00PM 1:00 Polka Nuts (CO) 2:30 Polka Nuts w/ Mollie B 3:00 The Moravians (TX) 4:00 Texas Dutchmen (TX) 5:00 The Bohemian Knights (OK) 6:00 Jodie Mikula Orchestra (TX) 7:00 David Farias & the Farias Brothers (TX) GRAMMY WINNER 8:00 Ennis Czech Boys (TX) 9:00 Brave Combo (TX) GRAMMY WINNER

Sunday, February 24: Music from 1:00 - 9:00PM 1:00 Squeezebox with John Gora (Ontario, Canada) GRAMMY NOMINEE 1:50 Squeezebox with Al Piatkowski (NY) GRAMMY WINNER 2:15 The Royal Klobasneks (TX) 3:15 Conjunto Kidz (TX) 4:00 Kenny Brandt (WI) 5:30 Walburg Boys (TX) 6:30 Yesey G & Her Stars (TX) 7:15 Alpenfest (TX) 8:15 Czech Harvesters (TX)

Polka News: Mollie B Update, ECB On Air, Big Squeeze, and Cowboys

mollie_b_tix_example_1Mollie B Update: Looks like a great lineup for Mollie B’s Polka Party taping at Sokol Hall in Ennis February 21-24, featuring 29 bands and five special guest appearances. Buy tickets!

Thursday, February 21 1:00 SqueezeBox with Abby Broeniman (WI) 1:30 SqueezeBox with Jim Busta 2:15 Matt Hodek & the Dakota Dutchmen (ND) 4:00 Die Kurtzbuam (GA) 5:00 Karl & the Country Dutchmen (WI) 6:00 SqueezeBox 7:00 Chris Rybak (TX) 8:15 Czech & Then Some (TX)

Friday, February 22 1:00 Shiner Hobo Band (TX) 2:00 Red Ravens (TX) 3:30 Das Ist Lustig (TX) 4:30 PM Texas Tribute Band (TX) 5:30 TubaMeisters (TX) 6:15 Eurofest (TX) 7:15 Texas Sound Check (TX) 8:15 Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5 (TX)

Saturday, February 23 1:00 Polka Nuts (CO) 2:30 Polka Nuts with Mollie B 3:00 The Moravians (TX) 4:00 Texas Dutchmen (TX) 5:00 The Bohemian Knights (OK) 6:00 Jodie Mikula Orchestra (TX) 7:00 Ennis Czech Boys (TX) 8:00 Brave Combo (TX) 9:00 David Farias & the Farias Brothers (TX)

Sunday, February 24 1:00 SqueezeBox with John Gora and Al and Robbie Piatkowski 2:15 The Royal Klobasneks (TX) 3:15 Conjunto Kidz (TX) 4:00 Kenny Brandt (WI) 5:30 Walburg Boys (TX) 6:30 Yesey G & Her Stars (TX) 7:15 Alpenfest (TX) 8:15 Czech Harvesters (TX)

ECB CDEnnis Czech Boys on the Air: The Ennis Czech Boys and their new CD "You Have The Right To Polka" will be featured on Ray Zalokar’s American Polka Hour on Monday, February 18 at 8 PM Central. The program will be streamed live on www.247polkaheaven.com. The CD can be purchased online in the Polka On Store at polkabeat.com.

2013_thebigsqueeze_headerThe Big Squeeze Is Calling Young Accordionists: Texas Folklife announces its seventh annual Big Squeeze accordion contest for up-and-coming Texas musicians, 21 years of age or younger. The non-profit that endeavors to preserve and promote Texas’s diverse cultural heritage is looking for great players in any genre of accordion-based music, including zydeco; Cajun; German, Czech, and Polish polka; Tejano; conjunto; and norteño; as well as other genres.

The popular contest kicks off its 2013 season with two auditions in Houston! On Saturday, February 23, the audition will be held at Talento Bilingüe de Houston. Registration and auditions will begin at 3:00 p.m. An accordion jam will follow with former Big Squeeze champ and Houstonian Johnny Ramirez and Tina Vega of Promesa Mortal, a young, energetic Houston-based family band. The next day, Sunday, February 24, the action moves to The Big Easy Social Club. Again, registration begins at 3:00 p.m. and auditions begin at 3:30 p.m. Zydeco squeezeboxers will lead the accordion jam to follow the auditions—former Big Squeeze champ Keyun Dickson and finalist Ruben Paul Moreno. The Big Easy will host the National Zydeco Foundation’s Accordion Jam at 8:00 p.m., but it is only open to those accordionists 21 years and older.

Additional dates include: March 2: Edinburg at the University of Texas—Pan American March 3: Corpus Christi at Hacienda Records March 8: San Antonio at Gallista Gallery in partnership with Conjunto Heritage Taller March 23: Tomball at the German Heritage Festival, Bluegrass stage March 24: Dallas at the Latino Cultural Center Auditions are free and open to the public. Contestants may register on site or in advance by calling Texas Folklife at (512) 441-9255 or online at www.texasfolklife.org. Those who cannot attend the audition may mail or e-mail their entries to arrive at Texas Folklife no later than April 1, 2013. The complete contest rules and entry forms are available online or by calling Texas Folklife.

Semifinalists selected by audition or mailed entries will be hosted in Austin to take part in the Semifinals held on April 20 at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. At that time, up to four finalists will be selected. The finalists will be awarded a cash prize and hosted in Houston to compete for the title of The Big Squeeze Grand Prize Winner at the Accordion Kings & Queens Festival on June 1.

The Big Squeeze 2013 Grand Prize Winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $4,000, including a cash prize, a brand new Hohner accordion, performance opportunities in Austin and Houston, publicity, professional development, and other professional opportunities.

cowboyIt’s All About the Cowboy: “If you don’t come early and stay late, you’re gonna miss something. And don’t worry about the weather—you’re not getting stuck—we just go indoors as we did with 7 inches of rain last year!” That’s the message for the public from the originators of the captivating 5th Annual Best Little Cowboy Gathering planned for March 5-7. This celebration of cowboy culture (with proceeds going to youth scholarships), held at the Fayette County Fairgrounds (one mile north of La Grange on Highway 77) has become not only a tradition but an educational venue to those that may have not ever embraced that “cowboy persona.”

A full day of activities has been added to this rapidly growing event that is earmarked with incredible music, trick ropers, fiddling, cowgirl ball, all-star swing band, horse clinic, the “Best Little Cook-Off in Texas,” the Brazos Valley Cowographers, Single Action Shooting Society, Cowboy Art, Exhibit Booths, church wagon exhibits cowboy art, dutch oven cook-off, and loads of children’s events, food, arts and crafts. If you know nothing about the history, culture, and climate of the cowboy, you’ll leave with some lasting memories through music, demonstrations, and activities for all ages—and all at a small cost for the entire family that can’t be beat. Check out the great music schedule!

Polka News: Mollie B Taping Lineup UPDATE

mollie_b_tix_example_1Here's the latest from Mollie B:Taping for the Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV will be held February 21-24 at the Sokol Hall in Ennis. Each day is filled with bands from 1 to 9 PM. It's shaping up to be a great 4-day polka party with a variety of bands.

Thursday, February 21 Squeezebox with Mollie B, Matt Hodek and the Dakota Dutchmen, Karl Hartwich and The Country Dutchmen, Chris Rybak Band, Czech and Then Some Special feature: SqueezeBox has young guest vocalist from Wisconsin joining them: Abby Broeniman. She sings regualarly with Dorf Kappelle . One of the songs she will sing with Squeezebox is “Forever & Ever” which was a hit off of Dorf Kappelle’s recording.

Friday, February 22 Squeezebox with Mollie B, Shiner Hobo Band, Red Ravens, Texas Tribute Band, Das Ist Lustig, Eurofest, TubaMeisters, Texas Sound Check, Jerry Haisler & Melody 5

Saturday, February 23 Polka Nuts, Texas Dutchmen, Milo Shedek & the Bohemian Knights, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Ennis Czech Boys, Brave Combo Special feature: SqueezeBox will be joined by Jim Busta of the Jim Busta Band.

Sunday, February 24 Squeezebox, Kenny Brandt Band, Conjunto Kids, The Royal Klobasneks, Yesey G and Her Stars, Alpenfest, The Moravians Dance lessons from 10-11:30 AM, led by Valina and Ross of Das Ist Lustig. Advanced tickets are $15/day and $20 at the door. $50 for a 4 day pass.  Buy tickets. Special feature: SqueezeBox will be joined by Grammy-nominated John Gora of Canada. New to Sunday's lineup: The Walburg Boys

Polka News: Jazzy Polka, Mardi Gras Polka, Mollie B Polka

Jazzy Polka: Jazz musician with polka roots, Ben Pokluda, will bring his band Jazz Forever, to SPJST Lodge 88 on Sunday, January 27, from 1 to 6 p.m. Big band dress code applies (sigh). Ben is originally from Flatonia and has studied trumpet with a Rice University professor. His group fuses traditional New Orleans Ragtime with Big Band music. Maybe he'll even slip in a polka or two!!! Mardi Gras Polka: It only makes sense that happy music such as polka should be part of Mardi Gras madness. Two performances in Texas on Fat Tuesday (February 12) give you the chance to have your polka and swing to it to! In Dallas, Brave Combo will perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center with the Dallas Wind Symphony at 8 PM. Buy tickets! In New Braunfels, Alex Meixner Band will perform at the Brauntex Theatre at 8 PM. Buy tickets!

Mollie B Polka: Mollie B and Ted said their Squeezebox Texas Tour was GREAT!!! In fact, they say Texas would be a great place to live. Well, yeah! Come on down! After Mollie and Ted get back from their cruise, they'll be taping Mollie B's Polka Party in Ennis from February 21-24. Eight bands each day from 1 to 9 PM. Red Ravens have just been added to the lineup, which includes Squeezebox with Mollie B, Czech and Then Some, Kenny Brandt Band, Matt Hodek and the Dakota Dutchmen, Jerry Haisler & Melody 5, Ennis Czech Boys, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Jim Busta Band, Das Ist Lustig, Texas Tribute Band, Chris Rybak Band, Shiner Hobo Band, Alpenfest, Texas Dutchmen and The Royal Klobasneks. Valina and Ross of Das Ist Lustig will provide dance lessons on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 11:30 AM. Valina says dancers will learn some fun social folk dances that will be part of the live taping. Cool! Tickets to Mollie B's Polka Party are $15 a day ($20 at the door) or get a 4-day pass for $50. Buy tickets!

The Band Played, The Rain Came Down and the Cars Slowly Sunk

By Gary McKee

When asked what was one of the most memorable gigs that he had played, Texas Sound Czech Band leader Bennie Okruhlik told the story of a church picnic in East Houston. Bennie and his band were doing what they do best, playing the music that makes folks dance away their worries and enjoy the moment. So good, in fact, that nobody, staying dry under a tent, had thought about the buckets of rain that had fallen until it was time to pack up and leave. Some of the band's vehicles had sunk up to their frames and a tractor had to pull each vehicle (and the band trailer) to the paved road several hundred yards away.

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See Texas Sound Czech and Red Ravens at the American Legion Hall in Rosenberg, Sunday, January 6.

Praha native, Bennie Okruhlik, began his love affair with the accordion when his father brought home a two-row button accordion that he had purchased from a fellow in Moulton for $15. By the age of 12, he was playing solo music at church picnic cake walks. The term cake walk comes from when you actually walked around a table while music played and when the music stopped you won the cake in front of you, much like musical chairs.

His father, aware of his natural talent, soon purchased a trumpet for Bennie, which he then shared with his younger brother, Ernie, who demonstrated similar musical talent. A polka legacy was born as the two brothers traded instruments back and forth and learned how to play the music that they heard played by the Vrazel and Patek bands of the 1950s.

When Bennie graduated from St. Mary's school in Praha to Flatonia High School, Flatonia was in the process of forming its first school band. Bennie, playing trumpet, experienced for the first time, the feeling of performing in front of a large crowd as the town watched the band's first performance. Soon, his brother, Ernie, started attending FHS and the brothers broadened their playing skills by performing structured pieces of music as opposed to learning by ear the music of their Czech culture. The brothers also learned to balance the responsibilities of family and playing music as they were unable to stay after school to play at extracurricular activities as they had to be at home in the evenings to work on the farm. These limitations failed to dampen the brothers love of music.

After high school graduation and military service, Bennie was living and working in Houston. By attending dances at the legendary Bill Mraz Ballroom, Bennie's desire to play music was rekindled, and he soon purchased a piano keyboard style accordion from Chic Spencer's music store for $75.

In the mid 1900's it was difficult to meet a Czech who did not play music or was in a band. Many family functions had “bands” made up of brothers, cousins, fathers and sons who had never played together as a group, providing the entertainment. At one such event Bennie and his wife Earline Kaase, met family members who shared Bennie's love of music. Most of these relatives lived in Houston and it wasn't long before a more formal band was rehearsing and they performed at St.Theresa's parish picnic in Houston. Their first paycheck was not monetary, but all the food they could eat. At a New Year's Eve dance at the Houston S.P.J.S.T. Hall, the seven-piece band was paid $100 total (you do the math). Needing a name for themselves they decided on the City Polka Boys (CPB) and a legend was born.

Bill Mraz heard the buzz in the polka community about this new band in town. He summoned them to his ballroom for an audition. At first listen, he was not impressed. Mraz thought they sounded very nervous, and told them to go visit the “refreshments” area for a while and then come back to audition again. The libations must have helped as he listened to them a second time, then thanked them, and sent them on their way. They packed up their equipment and went home not sure of what Mraz had thought of them. Their uncertainty was soon resolved as they were booked for several nights at the ballroom.

Leroy Matocha, the Fayetteville Flash, soon heard about this new polka band in Houston. He requested a reel-to-reel audio tape of them to listen to and possibly play on his radio show. After figuring out how to record themselves, they sent him a tape which he liked and played. The public wanted to hear more of this great band and they went into the studio and recorded the vinyl album “Long Road to Praha” which was released in 1970. Wes Matus was the only band member who could read and arrange this music and began transcribing the notes as the band members played their parts helping ensure that the music would live on.

Ernie Okruhlik, had kept playing music after school and began playing various instruments in the Bobby Jones Band. The popularity of the band soon had Ernie playing three to four gigs every week which upset the balance between his love of music and his successful real estate business. To relinquish the balance he later joined his brother in the CPB which generally played about twice a week.

The original City Polka Boys stayed together 16 years before life intervened and older members retired and new ones joined. The CPB played for about 14 more years with revolving members and changing sounds. After successfully maintaining the equilibrium of personal life, job and music for thirty years, Bennie still wanted to keep playing music that keeps people happily dancing. With his original drummer, E.J. Macik, they formed the Texas Sound Czech band, who along with present members, Ben Orsak, Larry Netardus and Dennis Shimek, delight crowds from Wurstfest to the Ennis National Polka Festival to Mollie B.'s television show to rural church picnics throughout Central Texas. Over the years this sound has evolved from all horn-type arrangements to guitar, keyboard and saxophone blends to compliment the accordion and the changing tastes of the audience. Bennie and the group have kept step with the evolution of music technology from the reel-to-reel tapes to the digital recording of the bands's latest CDs.

Several years ago, the band's self-penned song “The Wild Goose Waltz” won the Texas Polka Music Association's song of the year. Every polka band scrambled to learn this new traditional-styled waltz as playing popular music that people want to hear and dance to is the reason that these bands Polka On.

©Gary E. McKee 2012 for Polkabeat.com

Polka News: Mollie B Loves Texas, Larry the Cable Guy Loves Polka, Gene Loves His Work and Bob Loves Fruitcake

Mollie B Loves Texas: Mollie B and the Squeezebox Band are touring Texas in January. They start at the KJT Hall in Ennis on Wednesday, Jan. 16 then head south to Mission for a dance on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Riverside Club and Friday, Jan. 18 at Mission Bell Resort. On Saturday, Jan. 19, they'll be at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Rec Center in Granger and wrap up the tour at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston on Sunday, Jan. 20. Check their schedule page for details. Larry the Cable Guy Loves Polka: Chris Rybak and his band were asked to play for a special party hosted by Larry the Cable Guy. Can't say what it was for until next March. Sigh! Chris and Edita said Larry was a lot of fun and would like for them to join him for a party in Tennessee soon. I, of course, being THE polka reporter for Texas, will need to accompany the Rybaks to cover the story! Check out Chris' Facebook page for more photos.

Gene Loves His Work: Gene Hackemack at the Tomball German Christmas Market asks, "You mean I also get paid for this?" See more photos and videos from the market, which saw record crowds last weekend.

Bob Loves Fruitcake: Bob Suttie and the Texas Legacy Czech Band is playing for the annual Christmas party at the Taiton Community Center. Besides lots of great music and dancing, there will be chicken noodle soup, by Freddy Vacek and a large dessert table on which almost everyone who comes brings a dessert. Bob will once again bring some fruitcake. He thought he was the last person on earth who likes fruitcake and thought he'd probably get to bring most of it home from past parties. WRONG! "There are other people on earth who laugh at fruitcake jokes, but still secretly like it," Bob said. "I've never brought ANY FRUITCAKE HOME from the Taiton Christmas party. So, for all you (secret) fruitcake lovers, I'll bring fruitcake again this year." You're a wild man Bob!

Polka News: Best of German Fest, CZ Sub, Have a Blue (Room) Christmas, Mollie B in Texas

Best of German Fest: The Tomball German Christmas Market is this weekend Friday-Sunday. Great place to do some unique Christmas shopping, have some German food and beer and of course POLKA! Three stages will feature all kinds of music genres: German and Czech, Cajun, Bluegrass, Country, Christmas just to name a few. Check out the performance schedule. Three contests this year: Best Dressed Christmas Character at 8:30 PM Friday, Chicken Dance Contest at 3:45 PM Saturday and Best Dressed German at 8:15 PM Sunday. CZ Sub: Garrett Neubauer will join the Czechaholics on accordion this Saturday at Lodge 88 subbing for Mark Hermes, who will be performing his other job as manager of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. The Center is having its Christmas Open House during the day and its annual fundraising gala that night honoring the Rudy Kurtz, Frank Kubin and John Rejcek Orchestras. Music by David Slovak, Andy Mikula and Mike Marek.

Have a Blue (Room) Christmas: Have you bought your tickets yet to the Blue Room Party at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston? It's quite possibly the best deal in town for a holiday celebration. For $25, you get a steak dinner, dance with music by the Ennis Czech Boys AND open bar. Don't let the name fool you. No sadness here! The name comes from when members and their guests could be served liquor in the Blue Room "lounge." And of course the Blue Room is next to the Red Room, which is the dining room. Give the lodge a call at 713-869-5767 to reserve your tickets. Deadline is December 10.

Mollie B in Texas: Yay! The Squeezebox Band will be in Texas in January, which is National Polka Month. Schedule so far is Thursday, January 17 at Riverside Club in Mission and Sunday, January 20 at the SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston. Still working on bookings for Friday and Saturday.

Polka News: Czechs in Germantown, Chris in Yorktown, Tomball Is Christmastown

Czechs in Germantown: The Czech Melody Masters will play for a Christmas party dance this Saturday, December 1 at Austin's Saengerrunde Halle, beginning at 7:30 PM. The annual dance is open to the public and is one of several German Christmas events in Austin this coming weekend sponsored by the Austin Saengerrunde and German Free School. Sunday Dec. 2 is the Saengerrunde Christmas Concert at 2:30 PM at the hall, featuring the Seangurrunde choirs and St. Louis Catholic church bell choir. The hall is one of the oldest halls still in regular use in Texas, having been built in 1879. The Austin Saengerrunde organization is Austin's oldest continually existing social/fraternal organization.

Czechs in a German Hall? CMM leader Thomas Durnin says his group has been playing German Oktoberfest events for the past two months, either with the full band or trio version, mostly in the Austin area but also Fredericksburg and Minden, LA, for the second year in a row for their Fasching Festival. "What I've noticed over the past few years are more Texas Czech bands performing at various German events such as the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest and at Wurstfest. I guess to most people they don't notice the difference and/or don't really care. Technically, we've got two Germans in our band," Thomas said. That qualifies!

Watch for a new CMM CD coming soon, which they recorded live at Saengerrunde Halle. "It's one of our most favorite places to play, since the acoustics are so good, given that it was built for choral performances and the wooden dance floor is superb." Thomas said.

Chris in Yorktown: Chris Rybak has added a date to his calendar. He'll be at Yorktown Community Center this Sunday, December 2, from 2-6 PM. Yorktown Community Center is on State Highway 72 and Coleto Creek, 75 miles east of San Antonio and 36 miles northwest of Victoria.

Tomball Is Christmastown: The schedule is set for the Tomball German Christmas Market, to be held December 7-9. Das Ist Lustig, Chris Rybak, Dujka Brothers, TubaMeisters, Alpenfest are just some of the great bands performing throughout the weekend.

Polka News: CZs Are 10, GutenTights Gig, Fun at the Opry

Czechaholics Are 10: Congrats to the CZs on their 10th anniversary. They'll be celebrating Saturday, November 24, at Moravia Store where it all started. Welcome to new member Mayo Walker, who also plays with Southern Express. Mayo took Randy Majek's place. Hated to hear that Randy retired from the band, but hope to see him join a jam from time to time. Thanks to Brian Klekar for sharing these great photos of the group.

GutenTights Gig: You'll want to check out this group on Sunday, November 25 at Shooter's Saloon in Brenham, from 3-6 PM. The GutenTights is composed of Allison Crowson, Gene Hackemack, Ricky Weiss, Daniel Cendalski - a complete mix of German, Czech, Polish plus Allison's famous American Classics. Gene "Doc Hack" says it should be a riot! "The big draw will be Daniel. He is one fantastic lead guitar player and fiddle playing Polak from Chappell Hill – and a real nut and well liked," Gene reports.

Fun at the Opry: Polkabeat reporter Julie Matus enjoyed a night at the Fayette County Opry held November 19 at the La Grange KC Hall. "What a great evening!!! Chris Rybak and Santiago Jimenez, Jr. put on a fabulous show, as always! The House Band, including John Dujka, is really a great group. There was quite a crowd there too! And the hamburgers prepared by the KC Members were good as always," Julie says. The opry is held the third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (979) 968-5117.

Polka News: Wurstfest Wrap

Congrats to Polka Contest Winners: Lee Roy and Gwen Petersen of Plantersville took first place, Nick and Shirley Macik of Austin came in second and David and Chelsea Smith of New Braunfels took third place at the 2012 Wurstfest. Herb Skoog, Director of Wurst Relations, says attendance looks like another record. "We had a great Wurstfest this year with attendance and sales up for each day, which is wonderful when you consider that 2011 was a very great year. It will be some time before we have the final figures but from all I've heard everyone had a great time and are looking forward to next year when 'Salute to Sausage' will be from November 1 - 10, 2013." Herb says this was his last Wurstfest as Director of Wurst Relations, a post he has held since the salute to sausage began in 1961. I wish you the best on your retirement and thanks for all the great work in promoting this one-of-a-kind event!

Roll Out the Scholarships: On November 8, polka maven Alex Meixner presented a $2,000 donation to benefit the Wurstfest Association Scholarship Trust. The proceeds were generated by a portion of the sales from Meixner's wildly popular $5 Wurstfest Music Sampler, "Stand and Sing Ein Prosit". According to Meixner, "Amidst all of the fun of the festival, it's great to be able to do something positive for the community and help students get access to higher education in German language, culture and music."

Polka News: Wurst Waltzers, Pre-Turkey Day Polka Party, Los Kolaches & 50-Cent Pearl Beer & More!

Wurst Waltzers: Congrats to the winners of the Waltz Contest at Wurstfest. First place went to Pat & Doris Mollenhauer from New Braunfels. Second place to David and Diane Liska of Ennis. Third place to Gwen and Lee Roy Petersen of Plantserville. Check out more Wurstfest photos. Pre-Turkey Day Polka Party: If it’s Thanksgiving, it’s time for the Praha Brothers annual Thanksgiving eve party at Sefcik Hall in Seaton. Dance from 8 to midnight to ring in the 2012 holiday season.

Los Kolaches in Pearl City: The 10th Annual Night in Old Pearl City will be held Saturday, November 17 at Turner Hall in Yoakum. Los Kolaches will provide the music. Band leader Howard Gloor describes the band as South-Central Texas Heritage music. “We play a mix of Mexican, shaken with Czech, with a dash of rhythm and blues and a sprinkle of country, rock and soul. But of course, the main ingredients are amore and you,” he says. Sounds great! You’re invited to join the polkabeat table for a night of dinner, dancing and 50-cent Pearl beer. Woo hoo! Send me an email theresa@polkabeat.com and you’re in!

Pre-Pearl City Party: Join the polkabeat gang for a 3 PM tour of the Shiner Brewery on Friday, November 16. Then head over to Antiques, Art & Beer for happy hour with polkabeat and Chris Rybak. This will get you warmed up for Night in Old Pearl City on the 17th. It’s shaping up to be a beer weekend! Friday at Shiner Brewery, then AA&B, which has 170 beer brands and NIOPC, featuring 50-cent Pearl beer. Polka on!

On a Sad Polka Note: Jerry Haisler reports that this Saturday’s dance at Geneva Hall in Waco, will be the Melody Five's last at this great dancing venue. “It has a great dance floor and spacious accommodations, but I’m sorry to say this will be our last booking there. Unfortunately the crowds for all their dances have been poor and the hall is really struggling. It is a great venue that we have played at since 1966. Hoping that live entertainment can continue there. We will be considering other alternatives in the Waco area,” Jerry says. Sigh.