Texas Polka News - February 2015 Volume 27 | Isssue 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Texas PolkaFounded in 1987News - A Polkabeat Inc. Publication

2 Bohemian Princess Report Homegrown Opry Experience Tweety, Red Raider Sax and By Gary E. McKee Polka On! Story on Page 8-9 3 Editor’s Log Gary E. McKee Accordion: Bagpipe with Pleats 3 From the TPN Archives 5 Winter Tours Awesome Alex and Barefoot Becky 6-7 In the News Cowboy Gathering, Sausage Fest, Remembering Big Joe 8-9 Featured Story Gary E. McKee Homegrown Opry Experience 10-11 Dances, Festivals, Events, Live Music, and National Festivals 12 PoLK of A Royalty, Ready to Promote Polka! 13 Czech Exhibit 14 New Release Brave Combo @ Blob's Park 16 Texas Sound Check Benny O Tells a Story 17-18 Dance Notes 20 Polka Smiles! Page 2 Texas Polka News - February 2015 I missed the official first battle Texas Polka News Staff Bohemian Princess dance of the year between Ennis Report Czech Boys and the new band, Theresa Cernoch Parker, Publisher All Around Czechs, in Ennis on Gary E. McKee, Editor/Photo Journalist Saturday, Jan. 3. I look forward to Jeff Brosch, Artist/Graphic Designer Contributors: learning more about this young Julie Ardery Alec Seegers group. I attended the second battle Bill Bishop Will Seegers dance of the year on Sunday in Mark Hiebert Karen Williams Rosenberg and enjoyed the music Mark Karasek John Roberts of Texas Sound Check and Red Julie Matus Earline Berger Okruhlik Ravens. It was great to see Ben By Theresa Cernoch Parker Contact

Hope everyone’s new year is off to Theresa Parker, Texas Polka News a good dancing start! John and I P.O. Box 800183 • Houston, TX 77280 281-836-5362 made sure we stepped into 2015 on [email protected] | Gary: [email protected] the right foot by dancing to Mark Halata & Texavia on New Year’s Eve at the KC Hall in Houston. It was Ads/Media cold and rainy outside but warm and Articles, ads, letters to the editor deadline: 5th of the month for the next month welcoming inside. Of course we had Orsak’s daughter, Kelsey, join the Ad Rates 1/3 page: $170 1/8: $55 our favorite table partners with us – band on sax. She is a member of the Full page: $455 1/4 page: $115 1/16: $35 1/2 page: $255 3/16 page: $75 Harold and Mary Lou Lawson. Fighting Red Raider Band at Texas I remembered one of Harold’s Rates above are for one-time, black-and-white ad placement. Discounts available Tech. Polka on Kelsey! for multiple runs. Additional charge for color. Combo deals available for ads in many talents from several years ago Unfortunately, I missed the TPN and polkabeat.com. when my son, Alec, and I traveled annual installation of officers and Contact Theresa Parker for information. with them and my folks to Colorado. royalty coronation of the Polka We attended a polka fest headlined Lovers Klub of America Texas On The Cover by Ann Marie. Everywhere we Chapter, held Jan. 11 in Sealy. I stopped for refueling, if they had one was at home with one of those fun Gary E. McKee captured this photo of the Jordan Sisters at the Fayette of those stuffed animal claw games, respiratory infections. I served as County Country Music Opry at the KC Hall in La Grange on December 15, Harold played AND WON! Alec executive secretary of the Polka 2014. came home with several new stuffed Klub for the past two years and am stepping down this year because About Texas Polka News of my new duties as publisher of TPN. Thanks to Joyce Bohuslav The Texas Polka News was started by throughout Texas and the U.S. John for stepping up to take my place. Julius Tupa of Houston in 1987 with stepped down as editor in June 2014 to the mission to preserve and promote care for Marlys’ failing health. Marie It has been an honor to work with polka music and dance. When Julius sold the paper to Theresa Cernoch the board to find ways to promote passed away in 2002, his wife, Marie, Parker, who resumed publishing the polka music and dancing. And I still continued as publisher, and his friend, paper in September 2014. Theresa also plan to do that, just not in an official John Rivard, took the reins as volunteer founded polkabeat.com in 2010 to editor. John’s wife, Marlys, was a regular honor the memory of her dad, Willie board capacity. contributor to the paper, and the couple “Bill” Cernoch, to promote polka music I am looking forward to working were always on the floor at dance halls and heritage. with Lori Najvar and Dawn Orsak of Polkaworks as their exhibit Texas Get/Give The Texas Polka News Czechs: Rooted in Tradition opens at the Czech Center Museum Houston. Continue the polka tradition! Give your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews a subscription to Texas Polka News. We’ll extend your current TPN The exhibit will run through April subscription one month for each subscription you designate as a family gift. Published animals. Well, Harold’s still got it, at 25. Photographer Mark Hiebert monthly. One year (12 issues) for $25. age 91. It only took him a few coins Clip this out & mail check for $25 (outside U.S. $40) to The Texas Polka News and I will deliver a presentation on P.O. Box 800183 Houston, TX 77280. Or click on the TPN link on polkabeat.com to to win a Tweety Bird for me from the Saturday, Feb. 21, called "Working subscribe or renew online with a credit card. machine at the KC Hall. He won’t with a Legend to Create a Book reveal his secret for beating these About Legends." We will talk about Name ______machines, but that’s okay. I’ll just the process of creating the book Street ______make sure to have Harold with me Jimmy Brosch Remembers Twenty when I just can’t live without one of City ______ST ______Zip ______Legendary Texas Czech Polka Bands. those cute animals! February is for lovers, so grab Ph ______Email______

your sweetheart and Polka On! ❏ New ❏ Renewal ❏ Gift ❏ Address change (include old address) Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 3 From the TPN Archives: April 2006 The Chinese cultural migration Editor's Log into eastern Russia over the centu- Accordion: Bagpipe ries collided with European musi- with Pleats cians visiting Russia in the 1700s. As the story goes, they returned with shengs and began modifying them to integrate the instrument into their music. Another origin account is that the English, in the 12th and 13th centuries, developed a portable, miniaturized pipe organ By John Rivard bands provided an excitement and “buzz” The Big Joe Polka Show taping with Texas that kept things moving. It was all a big that a musician strapped to his body bands at the Big Red Barn in February was adventure. It was new and different. By Gary E. McKee and through an early keyboard and Polkadate February 2015. The editor a true polka adventure, and good for polka Even the polka dancing regulars bellows system produced musical in Texas. found it new and different. Choose which explores the history of the instruments that The Big Joe Show on RFD-TV has days you want to go, depending on your entwine (most of the time) to create the notes. This produced a C-major a large viewing audience, and apparently band preferences. Make arrangement for music that we dance to and sing along with. diatonic scale of one octave with an many of them in Texas. Looking around staying in motels, or drive in daily. Walk the hall, we saw many people (and met around the hall, and meet more people added B-flat. For the non-musicians, some) who had never actually been to you know than you do at the Praha picnic The iconic instrument in a polka this allows for easy instrument tun- a polka dance before. Some were avid (and that takes some doing!). Vie to get band is the accordion. The basic ing and playing. watchers of the Big Joe Show. Others selected as “featured dancers” for a spot on mechanics of this instrument is the had heard about the event in various the TV show. ways, including the TPN, band and DJ Yes, it was an adventure, and good same as horns, which is that air is promotions, or word of mouth. Regardless for polka in Texas. moved over a series of reeds (thin of how they got the word, they were there, There will be more dancers in Texas strips of material), which vibrate at a dance, many for the first time. halls because of the Big Joe Show. We And they were enjoying the event. have already met two who were at Corpus and generate a sound. As a child, They found it exciting. Some called it Christi, then Inez. They’re hooked. There you might have plucked a blade of Chinese Sheng awesome! The constant change of will be more. grass, cupped it in both hands, and

blew into them creating a high- pitched whistling sound. Another From Our Readers method is moving air over a hole, which creates a more low-pitched Nice change in Texas Polka News format. My wife, Jeanette, and I enjoyed being a sound. After reaching the legal Love it! Here’s my renewal. Keep up the part of the honorees at the Texas Czech good work! Heritage and Cultural Center’s gala in drinking age (ahem) you might Bob Becker, Fargo, ND December. I saw many of the people from have blown over the top of a bottle the Hi-Toppers’ dances many years ago of Shiner, this is the same princi- Thank you so much for the great TPN. and also several of my fellow musicians You are doing a great job. Everything you from years past. It was so nice to be ple. The concept of moving air over publish is positive news. No more negative honored. different sizes of reeds to create Archeologists have recovered column. Thank you for that and keep up We were very pleased to meet you different notes is the basis of the the good work. and were so happy to see that you are a similar-in-theory instrument at Johnny & Irene Vrabel, Coupland continuing the Texas Polka News as its accordion and many other “wind” Pompeii, Italy, that was preserved publisher. I have the copy which you instruments. with volcanic ash in 79 AD. Congratulations! I love the way you have provided and have decided that I need to Chinese legend tells a story reformatted the Texas Polka News. You order a subscription. Thank you again for By the 1600s, various styles of and your staff keep up the great work. visiting with us. We appreciated it very that several thousand years ago, bellows (hand pumping of air-driv- Enjoy reading the articles, photos and much. supposedly an emperor commis- information on bands and band members. Darvin Dietert, New Braunfels en organs) had been developed and Please renew us for another year. sioned a man named Ling Lun to were in wide use, including the Bible Jan & Charles Preuss, Katy Nice look on the revised Texas Polka create an instrument to simulate organ that could be disassembled to News. I'm reading nearly every word and the sound of the mythical Chinese The new look is dobre, wundebar. enjoying it! be carried from church to church. Bohemian Princess, you’re a girl after my Chuck Stastny, polkaconnection.com, phoenix bird. Lun developed the Books were a lot bigger then. own heart. Just keeps getting better. Good Clive, IA sheng, an instrument composed of The modern accordion (accor- write-up on Alfred Vrazel. I’d “friend” you a series of bamboo pipes fabricated if I did Facebook. Y’all do excellent work. I enjoy the Texas Polka News much, diOn, not accordiAn), is generally Linda Ann Marek Winn, Temple and would love to come down and take to different pitches. When air was credited to Cyrill Demian, Vienna, in some of the church festivals, as I blown through the sheng a sound Austria. Demian, an organ and pi- Thank you for doing a great job on the can almost taste the food all the way to was created. Whatever the story is, Texas Polka News. Jeff Brosch made the Minnesota. From the top of Minnesota to ano maker, was granted a patent to paper come alive and made one read it the tip of Texas, Happy Holidays to you actual shengs have been recovered an instrument which he called the from cover to cover. Fantastic! Best one all. from 2,000-year old archeological ever. Don Roers, Watkins, MN Continued on page 4 Lawrence Malek, Houston sites in China. This instrument is still played today in various forms. Page 4 Texas Polka News - February 2015 Editor's Log accordions. Th is is the home to a (laborers, farmers, shopkeepers, with all the “fi rsts” there are several great accordion museum and they etc.). Eff orts by manufacturers and a claims to inventing the piano key Accordion: Bagpipe have a fascinating Facebook page, few classically trained musicians to style accordion. Vienna and Paris with Pleats simply named “accordion museum make the instrument “respectable” both claim ownership but it is in Castelfi dardo, Italy.” were mostly unsuccessful and still Continued from page 3 known that craft sman Mattäs Bauer are today. When I mention that I am was promoting his version in 1854. writing a brief history on accordions, accordion in 1829. Th e name derives Th e simplifi cation of playing and the replies from the general public from the 18th century German word its relation to a piano stimulated its and too many musicians are pretty akkord meaning musical chord, or a rapid growth in Europe. However it much the same: a smirk and a joke. harmony of sounds. Approximately wasn’t until the early 1900s that it However, in Russia, the government the same time, Christian made it to the Americas, but that’s encouraged the instrument and it Buschmann, who manufactured another story that can be found in was taught in schools. harmonicas, is also credited as the the next issue of Texas Polka News. As migration to America inventor of the accordion as we know and Latin America by all ethnic it today. Th e harmonica operates on persuasions grew, the accordion Hurray for Sausage the same principle as an accordion. Th e fi rst Schulenburg Sausagefest came along with other instruments. However, instruments using this was such a success last year, they're However, the accordion provided same theory were being “invented” going to do it again! Th e folks in While there were thousands of a one-man band, so that folks throughout Europe in the early that town will pay homage to this accordions in Europe by the mid- gathering at a function could be 1800s. delicacy on Saturday, March 28, 1800s, it was still regarded as a “folk” entertained at a moment’s notice, Castelfi dardo, Italy, emerged as from noon to 10 p.m. in downtown instrument learned and played by without having to assemble a band, a center for making and developing Schulenburg, no matter the ear by the “lower” class of people which was diffi cult and expensive in weather! You may recall it being a the mid-1800s, as it is today. bit nippy last year. Th e diatonic accordion, which is The International Dance Club Th e fest will feature music by the in Colorado Springs invites you to the popular with Cajun music and Shiner Hobo Band, Mark Halata Norteno (Mexican accordion and & Texavia, Los Kolaches, and just bajo sexto centered) music produces Mardi Gras Fest added before press time, Holub diff erent notes when the bellows are Polka Band. March 20-21-22, 2015 squeezed and then opened. Th ese are Enjoy the arts and craft s booths, Friday, March 20 Saturday, March 21 Sunday, March 22 the basis of “button” accordions. antique cars and tractors, children's Doors open 2:30 p.m. Doors open 10:30 a.m. Doors open 11 a.m. Opening ceremony 3:30 p.m. Rick Borger 11:30-3:30 Top Notchmen 12-4 activities, dancing in the street, and Larry Olsen Band 3:30, 7:30 Top Notchmen 3:30, 7:30 Closing ceremony 4 p.m. Top Notchmen 5:30, 9:30 Larry Olsen Band 5:30, 9:30 of course, great food. Reservations 3-days $40 per person For information about the Contact Judy Nelson @ 719-598-9774 or [email protected] fest or to sign up for the sausage- At door Fri $16, Sat $21, Sun $10 Food/beverages available * Cash bar (no BYOB) making contest, call the Greater Motel, campground and church service info available. Schulenburg Chamber of Club located at 2422 Busch Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Commerce at 979-743-4514 or check internationaldanceclub.org out schulenburgsausagefest.com. Th e chromatic accordion, which produces the same notes with the

Bobby Flores press and the draw of the bellows, Performances came into use ca. 1850. A musician named F. Walter, requested that this Feb 12 Canton Canton Civic Center 7th Western Swing 2-4 p.m. & 8-10 p.m. 800 Flea Market Rd Valentine Party 800-243-6502 style be built for him creating a more Feb 14 Bandera The Farm Country Meals on Wheels 8-11 p.m. controlled method of playing and a Club Fundraiser 830-589-2276 wider range of notes. Others quickly Mar 7 Belton Belton Expo Center 19th TX Western Swing Showcase noon-5 p.m. 301 W Loop 121 Showcase/Dance Dance 8/254-939-8390 copied variations on this style. In Mar 13 Houston SPJST Lodge 88 Dance 8-11:30 p.m. Russia, a style known as the Bayan 1435 Beall St 713-869-5767 Mar 14 Ft. Worth Stagecoach Ballroom Dance 817-831-2261 was developed in city of Tula, which 2516 E Belknap had been mass-producing accordions

For more info on Bobby, the band and his record company, please visit since the 1830s. bobbyflores.com and YellowRoseRecords.com Accordions at this time used Or call toll free: 1-866-264-2400 buttons to control the sound. As Jackie Machac/Gary E. McKee photo Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 5 Awesome Alex and to check out the Valentine drink band, the Ivanhoe Dutchmen. Th is underway on Sunday, Feb. 15, at specials like Chocolate Cherry Cha- is the 11th year for the band to take the Eagles Hall in New Braunfels. Barefoot Becky Are in Cha. a winter break from Iowa weather Hosted by the Goodtime Polka Texas! Alex will be featuring tunes and tour Texas. “We enjoy playing & Waltz Club, the dance starts from his new CD Happiness Texas because of the friendly at 3 p.m. Becky and her Ivanhoe is a Choice (Meixner Music Alex Meixner was making the people. Th ey are very receptive to Dutchmen then head to the Valley Productions), including Why Die trip to Texas for the 3rd Annual our music and like to dance,” Becky to perform in Mission, Harlingen Th irsty?During his performances, Fat Tuesday Party at the Brauntex says. She reports the band has a and Pharr for the Snowbirds, Feb. he always tells the audience, “If Th eatre in New Braunfels on Feb. new CD in the works and will be 16-20. Th e Iowans will land in you drink, you’re going to die. If 17, so he thought he’d drop in on introducing some new songs at their Houston on Saturday, Feb. 21, at you don’t drink, you’re going to some other cities along the way. He die. Why die thirsty?” His mantra Texas shows. SPJST Lodge 88, and wrap up the will bring his unique style of polka, is now a song, thanks to Randy Th e Barefoot Becky tour gets tour on Sunday, Feb. 22, in Elgin. jazz, zydeco, rock and country to Koslosky (Pittsburgh). Alex reports Houston on Friday, Feb. 13, at SPJST his most requested song from the Lodge 88. Special admission price of new CD is Amazing Grace. It’s only $5 for high-schoolers! performed on a hoseaphone and begins as a solemn performance and ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ends with screaming trumpets.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

On Saturday, Feb. 14, Alex will head north to Ennis for a Valentine Soiree at the KJT Hall. Alex Meixner Party goers 21 and up get four Fri. Feb. 13 drink tickets with $15 admission. SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St, Houston Special admission price of $8 for 20 Becky Livermore will be 8-11:30 p.m. | 713-869-5767 and under and polka lovers 12 and barefootin’ across Texas with her under are admitted free. You’ll want Sat. Feb. 14 KJT Hall - 1216 South Paris St, Ennis Barefoot Becky 7-10 p.m. | 972-875-7982in Texas! And the Ivanhoe Dutchmen Sun. Feb. 15 2015 Winter Tour TBA - Check PolkaBeat.com for updates Sunday New Braunfels Eagles Hall 3-7 p.m. 830-626-3303 Feb 15 Tues. Feb.17 Monday Mission Mission Bell RV Resort 7-10 p.m. 956-585-4833 Feb 16 Third Annual Fat Tuesday - Brauntex Theatre Wed Harlingen Sunshine RV Resort 7-10 p.m. 956-425-7448 290 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels Feb 18 7:30 p.m. | 830-627-0808 Thurs Mission Riverside Club 2-6 p.m. 956-581-1033 Feb 19 Friday Pharr Pharr South Park 7-10 p.m. 612-327-8992 Feb 20 612-327-7592 Experience Alex’s unique variety of polka, jazz, Saturday Houston SPJST Lodge 88 8-11:30 713-869-5767 zydeco, rock, country and much more! Feb 21 p.m. 713-861-0223 Sunday Elgin SPJST Lodge 18 3-7 p.m. 512-281-3711 Feb 22 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Check for updates on barefootbecky.com.

AlexMeixner.com Page 6 Texas Polka News - February 2015

7TH ANNUAL Time to Gather for ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Best Little ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Great Texas Music All cattle trails will be leading to the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Cowboy Gathering La Grange the second full weekend of March (12-15.) Th e long weekend in Texas begins Th ursday aft ernoon and Thursday-Sunday is chock-full of cowboy-fl avored March 12-15 entertainment, church, arts and Fayette County Fairgrounds craft s and food. Billy Mata, Jody Nix, Th e Survivors La Grange, TX A BBQ cookoff and numerous (featuring Curtis Potter, Tony Awesome entertainment expanded to 3 stages this year! food booths will keep your craw Booth, and Darrell McCall) and fi lled and artists and craft smen will Heybale!. Th e youthful side of the Schedule have jewelry, vintage furniture and music trail is represented by Amber Thursday The Survivors clothing to help fi nd unique gift s. Digby and Lake Travis Fiddlers. Curtis Potter, Musically, this is a big round-up Th e LTF are an ensemble of middle (Dance Hall) Tony Booth, 3 p.m. Rance Norton Darrell & school and high school 7 p.m. The Survivors Mona McCall students who perform Friday fi ddle music to raise Featured Female Artist Mikki Daniel money for their school orchestra. (Dance Hall) Noon Heybale Other musicians 4 p.m. Jeff Woolsey performing have 8 p.m. Jake & Tommy Hooker pedigrees of (Exhibit Hall) performing with Merle 4 p.m. Shoot Low Sheriff Haggard, Asleep at 8 p.m. Amber Digby & Justin Trevino the Wheel, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Th e Saturday Byrds, Buck Owens (Outside Main Stage) and Glen Campbell to 10 a.m. John Wayne impersonator JR “Jake” Edmondson (New this year!) 11 a.m. KR Wood Band name just a few. 1:30 p.m. Jody Nix Fiddle Extravaganza Th e depth and 3 p.m. Lake Travis Fiddlers Lake Travis Fiddlers quality of music 4:30 p.m. Billy Mata & Floyd Domino w/special guest Carolyn Martin is unsurpassed, so mark your 6 p.m. Texas Wildfire! (Mikki Daniel & Hailey Sandoz, featuring KR Wood Band) of noted Texas musicians primarily calendars for a great time in La (Dance Hall) focused around fi ddlers and western Grange and remember “Any cowboy 4 p.m. Jody Nix swing. A third stage has been added can carry a tune. Th e trouble comes 8 p.m. Billy Mata w/special guest Carolyn Martin this year to showcase even more when he tries to unload it.” (Exhibit Hall) great performances. Artists include

8 p.m. Jason Roberts Band

Sunday 11th Texas Music Festival 10 a.m. Cowboy Church Saturday, March 7, 2015 3-11 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall General Admission: Thursday $15, Friday $20, Saturday $25 1390 U.S. 90 Sealy, TX 2-Day and 3-Day Passes Available Music by Mark Halata & Texavia (afternoon) and Texas Dream (evening)

Find out more and buy tickets online at BestLittleCowboyGathering.org All-Day Admission only $10 or call 979-702-0086 or 979-249-3033 for more information. Hourly Door Prizes * Limited Live Auction Silent Auction (items accepted day of event) BBQ Sandwiches Served All Day Demonstrations: Blacksmith, Dutch Oven, Andalusian Horses Hall opens at 2 p.m. Exhibits: Chuck Wagons, Western Arts & Crafts, Children's Events For more information contact: Free parking for self-contained RVs. BYOB - beer and set ups available. Brian Svetlik (979) 541-6166 or Clyde Cantrell (830) 456-4721 texaspolkamuseum.com Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 7

says Roy Haag, Litt’l Fishermen Joe's daughter, Sue Siedlik Spohn, She is asking for a little bit of time Polka Fans Bid and Bohemian Dutchmen. “We posted the following on the Big Joe to get things reorganized. She also Farewell to Big Joe should be forever grateful to him for Facebook page on Jan. 10: I want wants to Th ank everyone for all the exposing polka to so many people to let everyone know that Big Joe's support you have given. She wants through recordings, radio and wife, Martha Siedlik, "Marty," will to continue keeping Polka Music television shows.” continue polkacatalog.com. alive. Former TPN Editor John Rivard agrees. “Big Joe did much to promote polka music and dance, notably his very popular show on RFD-TV, as well as the polka festivals that he produced to support that show. In his dealings with Th e Texas Polka News, Big Joe was always honest and trustworthy, and I considered him a Texas polka fans were saddened to friend. He was good for polka, and hear of the passing of Joe Siedlik, who he was good for Texas!” died of cancer at an Omaha, Nebraska Joe served in the U.S. Army from hospital in January at the age of 80. 1956 to 1958. He was a chef and once Better known as Big Joe, his radio made a birthday cake for President polka show aired for more than 25 Dwight Eisenhower. He owned a years on stations across the country. nursery in the late 1950s and the Presents Th e Big Show Polka Show was also business sponsored a polka show on Our Summer 2015 seen on Nebraska TV stations and he KOIL radio in Omaha. His career as European Tour! brought the show nationwide on a polka promoter began when he sold May 31-June 12 RFD-TV in 2002. the nursery and moved to Columbus, Th e show was taped on location Nebraska. He married Martha Germany at Big Joe Polka Fests, including “Marty” Monteforte of Snyder, EXHBITION Czech Republic EE X H I B I T I O N one in Texas, held in February 2006 Nebraska, in 1960. Poland in Round Top. (See From the TPN He is survived by Marty, Archives, page 3.) His goal was to three daughters, two sons and several Visit Nuremberg, Prague, Karlovy bring “happy music for happy people” grandchildren. Read more about Big Vary, Frenstat, Moravia, Krakow, Czestochowa, Auschwitz to listeners and viewers. Joe at bigjoefamilyshows.com. ______Round trip from DFW Intl Airport “I feel like he has done more Genealogical research & than any other one person in the USA Th ere are no bad polka bands, some side trips available to promote ‘our’ type of polka music,” are just better than others. - Big Joe czechheritagetours.com Steavy Jakubik / Renee Valek [email protected] The Chandelier 972-878-2929 Ballroom 219 W. Ennis Ave Ennis, TX 75119 1435 Beall Street

Houston 77008 Mike’s Texas Polkas

Saturday Moonglow Orchestra Big Band l Dress Code $15 Celebrating 12 years of Feb 7 Continuous Sunday Red Ravens Polka, variety l 2-6 p.m. $10 broadcasting on Polkas Feb 8 Friday Alex Meixner Polka, variety $10 Waltzes Feb 13 Cajun Saturday Charles & Fabulous 4 Country $10 Feb 14 Tejano Saturday Barefoot Becky & Polka, variety $10 Feb 21 Ivanhoe Dutchmen Friday Jeff Woolsey & Country $15 Feb 27 Dancehall Kings www.live365.com/stations/hungerfordmike Dances 8 - 11:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Mike Konvicka, Hungerford Texas, 979-532-3117 All dances are open to public and singles welcome. Email: [email protected] 713-869-5767 l lodge88.org Page 8 Texas Polka News - February 2015

people continues today in the form of Homegrown Opry small town opries throughout Central Experience Texas. Though not directly associated By Gary E. McKee with Nashville, each opry is operated differently to achieve a common There is a growing phenomenon cause. The formats are similar, there in Central Texas small towns of is a house band composed of veteran weeknight concerts in public halls musicians, with local guest volunteer given by area entertainers and performers who have been vetted. emerging stars seeking an outlet for This gives local people of all ages, their music. with talent, an opportunity to stand The term “Opry” originated at in front of a crowd that is not their WSM, an AM Nashville radio station family and friends, with the spotlights that first went on the air in 1925. in their eyes, and a crack band backing WSM would broadcast a classical them up, to see if they have what it music and opera show followed by takes to become professional. Some of WSM Barn Dance. The story goes that that “You have just heard opera. Now radio microphone “… For the next the performers are youngsters, which in December of 1927, at the end of the you’re going to hear opry.” With that three hours, we will present nothing makes this a good proving ground. first hour of classical music, the sound introduction, DeFord Baily played a but realism. It will be down to earth On the flip side, many folks have no of a rushing locomotive filled the classic train song on his harmonica in for the ‘earthy’.” desire to “make it big,” but just love to airwaves, and George D. Hay started contrast to the previous symphonic The show was soon renamed perform and this is their opportunity. his Barn Dance Show by announcing orchestra. Hay then spoke into the Grand Ole Opry and country music The Fayette County Country was changed forever. For the country Music Opry in La Grange is managed music impaired readers, the Grand Ole by a small group of citizens who Opry on high wattage WSM was heard 14 years ago decided that the town hundreds of miles from Nashville. The needed an affordable live music venue. show provided inspiration to hundreds Every third Monday of the month, of future country music stars listening anywhere from 200 to 500 people to it on the family radio (pre-television gather at the rented KC Hall, a special guest performs with a paid back-up band. Frenchie Burke, the Cajun fiddler, was there recently, and the Dujka Brothers played in December. At a recent performance the Jordan Sisters, Minnie (17) and Ella (14), blew the crowd away with their intertwining melodies and intricate fiddle work. It's coming... Check them out on Facebook. the 2nd Annual Schulenburg Sausagefest February will see a Johnny Cash tribute with an impersonator Saturday, March 28, 2015 days.) After the show was moved to performing the “early” Cash music. the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Admission is $5, which after expenses, 12:00 PM-10:001/8 Page PM Vertical Nashville, these Opry inspired leaves very little money in the kitty, Don't miss it! musicians would go 2.45” x 5.5967” on to change music. Sausage-Making Contests Maybe you have Music by: heard of them, they The Shiner Hobo Band Mark Halata & Texavia Los Kolaches had names such as Dancing in the Street Arts & Crafts Booths Johnny Cash, Bill Antique Cars and Tractors Children's Activities Monroe, Dolly Great Food Souvenirs Parton, Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Downtown Schulenburg on historic North Main Street Ernest Tubb, and For information call the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce hundreds more. 979-743-4514 or 866-504-5294 or E-mail [email protected] This tradition www.schulenburgsausagefest.com of bringing country music to the “earthy” Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 9 however the proceeds are plowed back are fortunate into a pool. This pool is used to pay to have WWW.247POLKA for performers with different musical the Flag HEAVEN.COM styles to display their music to Central City Opry

Texians. The City of La Grange and in Edna, local merchants provide assistance every third POLKA in various forms. This opry is truly a Tuesday of MUSIC 24/7 work of love for Violet Zbranek, Cathy the month, Walla, Geri Mendel, and Donella to see Your Favorite Cernosek the ladies who make this experienced Music & Shows show possible. musicians Log on to the World’s Giddings, in Lee County, has the backing up Most Listened to Lone Star Opry, which kicked off in such artists Polka Network at www.247polkaheaven.com 1993. This opry is sponsored by the as Justin local Rotary Club. What started out Trevino, as a fundraiser for the club has turned Amber The Alaska Polka Chips into their most successful “community Digby and Tony Booth. Shane Lala, Traditional country music is alive and service” project. Proceeds are used to of the Red Ravens, is a frequent well in Central Texas thanks to the Present 2 New DVDs fund scholarships for deserving high performer or band member. hard work of many people. Mark your “Live from Minnesota” school students in Lee County. During Local church and 4H groups sell calendar for these great shows. “Live on Mollie B” the past 18 years, the club has awarded refreshments and gate proceeds, after $20 each or 2 for $35 plus dozens of $1,000 scholarships. expenses, go to local hospices. First Monday On the first Monday of each month The Fayetteville Country Music $5 shipping for 1 or 2 Lone Star Opry an average of 500 people attend the Show, shepherded by the Peevler Giddings show, with a large percentage being brothers, Mark and Greg, recreates the Send check or money order to: lonestaropry.com, 979-366-9341 The Alaska Polka Chips from out of town. They come in early, old style “hoot-nanny and barn dance” PO Box 92294 save their seats, and then shop or eat in of yesteryear. The Peevlers spent their First Tuesday Anchorage, AK 99509 town, contributing to local economy. childhood playing music with their The Gathering Music Show [email protected] l 907-561-6862 cousins Geronimo, 512-825-2180 who had thegatheringmusicshow.com a popular western First Thursday swing Farm Street Opry band, The Bastrop Country farmstreetopry.com, 512-332-8981 Cousins, in the mid Third Monday KBEC

1900s. Fayette County Country Music Opry Polka Party Mark’s La Grange, 979-966-3568 with Danny Zapletal daughter, Sundays 9-11 a.m. Listen online @ kbec.com Amanda, Third Tuesday continues Flag City Opry Send your requests for birthdays, the family anniversaries & other celebrations to Edna [email protected] tradition Jordan Sisters in La Grange/Gary E. McKee photo flagcityopry.com, 361-782-9211 by singing both solo and with her Previous shows have highlighted Billy father and uncle. This opry performs Danny Zapletal Comal Country Music Show invites you to listen every Mata and Ken Brothers. every last Monday of the month in New Braunfels, 830-379-0602 Saturday 1-3 p.m. The Silver Wings Ballroom the Shelby American Legion Hall. Czech Polka 1 p.m. central in Brenham is the home of the Proceeds from the show go to various Third Thursday Bluebonnet Opry, organized n 1998. veteran assistance programs. Texas Czech Polka 2 p.m. central Bluebonnet Opry Every third Thursday, guest artists If you like “picking and grinning Brenham, 979-836-4347 Contact information: Danny Zapletal, 6635 FM 879 perform with a great band, that TPN with the chickens,” then the Farm friendsofblubonnetopry.org readers will recognize two members: Street Opry in Bastrop is right in your Ennis, TX 75119 [email protected] John Dujka and Duane Wavra. Every barnyard. This show is held in the Fourth Monday year the Bluebonnet Opry donates Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center. Fayetteville Country Music Show $5,000 – $6,000 to the local Brazos Recently, the Peevler Family from the Shelby Valley Hospice. Fayetteville Opry opened for Bobby tfcms.webs.com, 281-684-4082 The Gulf Coast region music lovers Flores (TPN December 2014). www.wrjqradio.com

Page 10 Texas Polka News - February 2015 DANCES - FESTIVALS - EVENTS - LIVE MUSIC

Friday, January 30 PEARLAND NEW BRAUNFELS Houston Accordion Association Jam @ HOUSTON Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 6P Off the Grid Band @ Alpine Haus, 6-9P Pizza Inn on Mangum & 18th, 6P NEW BRAUNFELS Bobby Flores @ SPJST Lodge 88, 8-11:30P East River Band @ American Legion on Saturday, February 7 Saturday, February 14 3rd Annual Fat Tuesday Party @ Parker Rd, 6:30-10P ENNIS BANDERA Brauntex Theatre: Alex Meixner, 7:30P NEW BRAUNFELS Ennis Czech Music Fest - Czech & Then Meals on Wheels Fundraiser Comal Country Music Show @ KC Hall, 7:30P Off the Grid Band @ Alpine Haus, 6-9P Some, Czech Harvesters, Ennis Czech Bobby Flores & Yellow Rose Band @ Farm Boys, Moravians, Jodie Mikula @ Sokol Country Club, 8-11P SEABROOK Hall, 1-10:30P Saturday, January 31 ENNIS Mike Gest & Nite Session @ Bay Area CONROE HOUSTON Alex Meixner @ KJT Hall, 7-10P Convention Center, 7-10P Moonglow Orchestra (Big Band) @ SPJST Texas Roadrunners @ Conroe Activity GRANGER #88, 8-11:30P Wednesday, February 18 Center, (Hosted by 60+ Senior Dance Club), Jason Roberts Band @ Cotton Club, 9P 6:30-10P PEARLAND HARLINGEN HOUSTON Barefoot Becky @ Sunshine RV Resort, SAN ANTONIO Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 5P Charles & Fab 4 @ SPJST #88, 8-11:30P 7-10P Off the Grid Band @ San Antonio Bier ROUND TOP J.E.M. Dandy Legends @ Parker Rd HOUSTON Garden (behind Hyatt on Riverwalk), 2-6P Round Top-Carmine Education American Legion, 2-6P – Sirloin & Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner’s, 6-10P Foundation Fundraiser Lost Cause @ Liederkranz, 6-10P sausage meal, 4-6P, Live auction, 6P, Dance SCHULENBURG Sunday, February 1 JOHNSON CITY HOUSTON w/Charles & Fab 4 @ Rifle Assoc. Hall, 8P Pettit Brothers @ Sengelmann Hall SAN ANTONIO Hill Country Science Mill Grand (downstairs), 7:30-9:30P Loose Change @ VFW #10352, 2-6P Opening & Benefit Off the Grid Band @ San Antonio Bier Bobby Flores & Yellow Rose Band @ Hill Monday, February 2 Garden (behind Hyatt on Riverwalk), 2-6P Thursday, February 19 Country Science Mill, 4-6P BRENHAM GIDDINGS SEALY PEARLAND Bluebonnet Opry @ Silver Wings, 7:30P Lone Star Opry @ Giddings High School, Donnie Wavra @ American Legion, Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 5P BUDA 7:30P (Hosted by Sealy Dance Club), 7:30-11:30P ROSENBERG Off the Grid Band @ Onion Creek Senior Texas Sound Check (Hosted by Happy Open Dance, 6-9P Tuesday, February 3 Sunday, February 8 Cousins Dance Club) @ American Legion, MISSION GERONIMO GERONIMO 8-11:30P The Gathering Music Show featuring Billy Czechaholics @ VFW Hall, 3-6:30P SAN ANTONIO Barefoot Becky @ Riverside Club, 2-6P Mata @ VFW, 7P HOUSTON Off the Grid Band @ San Antonio Bier Friday, February 20 HOUSTON Glen Lenderman @ VFW #10352, 2-6P Garden (behind Hyatt on Riverwalk), 2-6P BRYAN German Singing Society @ Liederkranz Founder’s Day Celebration Hall, 7P Red Ravens @ SPJST #88, 2-6P Sunday, February 15 Das Ist Lustig @ Murphy’s Law Pub & Brauhaus, 6:30-10:30P Houston Accordion Association Jam @ SWEET HOME HOUSTON Denny's, 6969 Gulf Freeway, 6:30P Gone Country @ Community Center, 2-6P East River @ VFW #10352, 2-6P CONROE Dusty Spur @ Conroe Activity Center WACO NEW BRAUNFELS Spur City Rounders @ Sul Ross Center, 7P Tuesday, February 10 (Hosted by 60+ Senior Dance Club) Barefoot Becky (Hosted by Goodtime Polka & 6:30-10P HOUSTON Waltz Club) @ Eagles Hall, 3-7P NEW BRAUNFELS Wednesday, February 4 German Singing Society @ Liederkranz SEATON/TEMPLE HOUSTON Hall, 7P Off the Grid Band @ Alpine Haus, 6-9P Jerry Haisler & Melody 5 @ Sefcik Hall, PEARLAND Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner’s, 6-10P 6-10P SCHULENBURG Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 6P Wednesday, February 11 SWEET HOME PHARR Pettit Brothers @ Sengelmann Hall SCHULENBURG Neon Cowboys @ Community Center, Barefoot Becky @ Pharr South Park, 7-10P (downstairs), 7:30-9:30P Pettit Brothers @ Sengelmann Hall 2-6P TAYLOR (downstairs), 7:30-9:30P WALLIS Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 @ SPJST #29, Thursday, February 5 PoLK of A Fundraiser @ American 7:30-11:30P BASTROP Thursday, February 12 Legion: Red Ravens, 2-6P Farm Street Opry @ Bastrop Convention CANTON Center, 7P Saturday, February 21 7th Western Swing Valentine Party Monday, February 16 ANHALT THE WOODLANDS LA GRANGE Bobby Flores & Yellow Rose Band @ Billy Mata & Texas Tradition @ Anhalt Glen Lenderman @ The Woodlands Fayette County Country Music Opry @ KC Canton Civic Center, 2-4P & 8-10P/Also Hall, 8P-Midnight Friendship Center (Hosted by 60+ Senior Hall, 7:30P performing: Landon Dodd & Dancehall AUSTIN Dance Club), 6:30-10P Drifters, Jody Nix & Texas Cowboys, MISSION Off the Grid Band @ Ben Hur Shrine, 8-11P Jake Hooker & Outsiders, Jeff Woolsey & Barefoot Becky @ Mission Bell RV Resort, HOUSTON Friday, February 6 Dancehall Kings 7-10P Barefoot Becky @ SPJST #88, 8-11:30P BRYAN THE WOODLANDS PEARLAND Chris Rybak @ Murphy’s Law Pub & J.E.M. Dandy Legends @ The Woodlands Tuesday, February 17 Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 5P Brauhaus, 6:30P Friendship Center (Hosted by 60+ Senior AUSTIN ROUND TOP EAGLE LAKE Dance Club), 6:30-10P Ameripolitan Awards @ Paramount Lazy Farmers @ Eagle Lake Community Theatre: Jason Roberts Band, 8P Das Ist Lustig @ Scotty & Friends, 5P Center, 7:30-10:30P Friday, February 13 EDNA SAN ANTONIO ENNIS HOUSTON Flag City Opry @ Jackson County Services Off the Grid Band @ San Antonio Bier Ennis Czech Music Fest Pre-Party Jam Alex Meixner @ SPJST #88, 8-11:30P Building, 7P Garden (behind Hyatt on Riverwalk), 2-6P @ Sokol Clubroom, 7-11P River Road Boys @ Carriage House HOUSTON WALLIS NEW BRAUNFELS Restaurant, 6:30-9:30P German Singing Society @ Liederkranz Texas Sound Check (Hosted by Wallis Dance Off the Grid Band @ Alpine Haus, 6-9P Hall, 7P Club) @ American Legion, 8-11:30P Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 11 DANCES - FESTIVALS - EVENTS - LIVE MUSIC

Sunday, February 22 Sunday, March 1 NEW BRAUNFELS March 21 ELGIN HOUSTON Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 (Hosted by CAJUN FESTIVAL Barefoot Becky @ SPJST #18, 3-7P Country Jim & The Allstars @ VFW Goodtime Polka & Waltz Dance Club) Anhalt Hall, Spring Branch, Texas HOUSTON #10352, 2-6P @ Eagles Hall, 7-11P 210-355-1157 / anhalthall.com Texas Roadrunners @ VFW #10352, 2-6P PEARLAND SEALY PEARLAND Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 10A-2P The Old Rascals @ American Legion, March 27-29 Das Ist Lustig @ King’s Biergarten, 5-9P & 5-8P (Hosted by Sealy Dance Club), 7:30-11:30P TOMBALL GERMAN HERITAGE SCHULENBURG SAN ANTONIO FESTIVAL Central Texas Sounds (Hosted by Swiss Alp Bexar County Czech Society Dance Sunday, March 8 5 stages / Tomball, Texas ELGIN Dance Club) @ KC Hall, 3-6:30P Ennis Czech Boys @ Martinez Social Club, 281-379-6844 / tomballgermanfest.org Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 @ SPJST #18, 3-7P SWEET HOME 2-6P HOUSTON Charles & Fab 4 @ Community Center, SWEET HOME J.E.M. Dandy Legends @ VFW #10352, March 28 2-6P Boogie Allen Band @ Community Center, 2ND ANNUAL SAUSAGE FESTIVAL 2-6P VICTORIA 2-6P HUNGERFORD 3 bands / Schulenburg, Texas Polka & Country @ Da Costa Hermann KJT-KJZT Benefit Dance @ Hungerford 866-504-5294 / schulenburgsausagefest.com Sons: Bobby Lee & Nightriders and Red Monday, March 2 Hall: Red Ravens, 1-5P Ravens, 1-7P GIDDINGS Lone Star Opry @ Giddings High School, SWEET HOME April 24-26 4TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN DELLS 7:30P Gone Country @ Community Center, 3-7P Monday, February 23 POLKA FEST SHELBY Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells Fayetteville Country Music Show @ Tuesday, March 3 10 bands, workshops, jam sessions American Legion, 6:30P GERONIMO The Gathering Music Show @ VFW, 7P 2015 800-659-6811 / [email protected] Tuesday, February 24 HOUSTON U.S. Music Events HOUSTON German Singing Society @ Liederkranz April 24-26 German Singing Society @ Liederkranz Hall, 7P 40TH ANNUAL GERMANFEST Hall, 7P Houston Accordion Association Jam @ 3 stages / Meunster, Texas Denny's, 6969 Gulf Freeway, 6:30P February 6-7 940-759-2227 / germanfest.net Wednesday, February 25 ENNIS CZECH MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHULENBURG Wednesday, March 4 HOUSTON Sokol Hall, Ennis, Texas - 5 bands April 24-26 Pettit Brothers @ Sengelmann Hall 972-878-4748 / ennisczechmusicfest.com SPRING POLKA FEST (downstairs), 7:30-9:30P Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner’s, 6-10P Wahoo, Nebraska SCHULENBURG 4 bands, including Texas’ Czech & Then Pettit Brothers @ Sengelmann Hall February 10-12 Friday, February 27 24TH ANNUAL Some (stayed tuned for bus ride info!) AUSTIN (downstairs), 7:30-9:30P SOUTHWEST POLKA PARTY 402-443-3533 / starliteballroom.org Jason Roberts Band @ Broken Spoke, 9:30P BURNET Thursday, March 5 The Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada BASTROP 701-367-9696 / southwestpolka.com May 1-3 Off the Grid Band @ Masonic Lodge, 6-8P 12TH ANNUAL SPRINGTIME Farm Street Opry @ Bastrop Convention HOUSTON MUSIC & POLKA FESTIVAL Center, 7P February 28 J.E.M. Dandy Legends @ Conroe Activity 4 bands / Osseo, Wisconsin THE WOODLANDS 30TH ANNUAL POLKA FEST Center (Hosted by 60+ Senior Dance Club), Sokol Hall, Corpus Christi, Texas 715-533-1968 / rhythmplayboys.com 6:30-10P Glen Lenderman @ The Woodlands 3 bands / 361-960-3220 Jeff Woolsey & Dancehall Kings @ SPJST Friendship Center (Hosted by 60+ Senior May 21-24 #88, 8-11:30P Dance Club), 6:30-10P March 1 21ST ANNUAL MUSIC FEST PEARLAND CZECH HERITAGE FUNDRAISER 9 bands / Lake Benton, Minnesota Friday, March 6 507-368-9627 / larryolsenband.com Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 6P HOUSTON ENNIS CZECH BOYS

Saturday, February 28 Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner’s, 6-10P Martinez Hall, San Antonio, Texas NEW BRAUNFELS 210-648-2681 May 22-24 AUSTIN 49TH ANNUAL NATIONAL Off the Grid Band @ Alpine Haus, 6-9P Billy Mata @ Broken Spoke, 9:30P POLKA FESTIVAL PEARLAND March 12-15 CORPUS CHRISTI BEST LITTLE COWBOY GATHERING Ennis, Texas 30th Polka Fest @ Sokol Hall, 10A-7:30P Enzian Buam @ King’s Biergarten, 6P IN TEXAS 888-366-4748 / nationalpolkafestival.com Czechaholics, Red Ravens, Majeks Saturday, March 7 3 stages / La Grange, Texas HOUSTON BELTON bestlittlecowboygathering.org May 22-24 UNITED STATES POLKA Donny Broussard & Louisiana Stars 19th Texas Western Swing Showcase & ASSOCIATION CONVENTION (Hosted by CFMA) @ KC Hall #2917, Dance @ Belton Expo Center March 20-22 7:30-11:30P Professional Fiddlers’ Showcase, noon-5P; MARDI GRAS FEST Strongville, Ohio SAN ANTONIO Dance with Bobby Flores & Yellow Rose Colorado Springs, Colorado 440-238-0170 / uspapolka.com/convention Off the Grid Band @ San Antonio Bier Band, 8P-Midnight 719-598-9774 / internationaldanceclub.org Garden (behind Hyatt on Riverwalk), 2-6P CYCLONE May 29-31 YOAKUM BECKSTER FEST Red Ravens @ SPJST Flag Hall, 7-11P March 20-22 5 bands / Amana, Iowa Los Kolaches (Hosted by Pearl City Dance HOUSTON SOUTH TEXAS POLKA AND Club) @ Turner Hall, 8P-Midnight 877-499-7133 / barefootbecky.com Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner’s, 6-10P SAUSAGE FEST Moonglow Orchestra @ SPJST #88, Hallettsville, Texas Add a dance/festival: [email protected] 8-11:30P 361-798-2311 / [email protected] Go to PolkaBeat.com every week for updates. Page 12 Texas Polka News - February 2015 Po. L.K. of A. Texas in Wallis. See details in our ad PoLK of A Royalty Randy and Kathy have been below. It will be an enjoyable event. together for 17 years, married for It is not too early for Klub Ready to Promote five. “We grew up with music in members to inform either their our families and Randy has played children or grandchildren that are Polka music since he was 5 years old on seniors in high school about our tin cans and wore out a coffee table,” scholarship program. Members Kathy says. By Clinton Ellebracht, President are requested to submit names

and mailing addresses of potential We are beginning a new year with scholarship recipients they wish to several new board members. Joyce sponsor to James Freytag, P.O. Box Bohuslav is replacing Theresa Parker 296, Moulton, TX 77975, or via as Executive Secretary. Theresa e-mail to [email protected] has embarked on a new venture by March 1, 2015. The Scholarship as publisher of The Texas Polka Committee will mail the application News, and we wish her well. She information directly to the The new king and queen of the has done an outstanding job for our graduating seniors. Polka Lovers Klub of America Klub. Marilyn Adamcik and Randy If you are not acquainted with Texas Chapter, Russell and Barbie Randy & Kathy Cernosek/Gary E. McKee photo Cernosek are new directors who the Texas Chapter of Po.L.K.of A are replacing Bennie Stolarski and Loitz of Sugar Land, were crowned “Today, he continues to play by and want our German and Czech at the Klub’s January meeting in ear the drums, base, piano and Weldon Shulte. Bennie and Weldon heritage to continue through Sealy. Randy and Kathy Cernosek saxophone. My family always went were good dependable directors its great music, I encourage you of La Porte will continue to serve as to church picnics and Bill Mraz who were very helpful to me. to check out our Klub and also I also want to thank Willie and the Polka Lovers Club of Texas prince and princess. Both couples Dance Hall. When we got too tired, Josie Milberger who are stepping Museum. look forward to promoting the Klub mom would put a pallet down for down as King and Queen. They and its mission to keep the polka us on the floor under the table. I represented our club well over tradition alive and well. grew up dancing on daddy’s feet and the past several years. Russell and “We love the Klub’s goal in then eventually was able to really Barbie Loitz are the new King making sure our heritage and love dance with him. Polka is part of and Queen and Randy and Kathy of dancing is passed on to the next our heritage and growing up and we Cernosek continue on as Prince and generation,” Barbie says. would not change that for anything Princess. Read more about these couples on this page. “We like attending the dances, in the world. I get asked all the time I encourage the public to attend parades, church picnics and where did you learn to dance? And our fundraiser on February 15, festivals,” Kathy says. “Representing my answer is always on my daddy’s 2015, at the American Legion Hall the Klub brings recognition and new feet!” members to the organization when As for favorite songs, it’s Black first of all they see the crowns and Gypsy Waltz for Barbie. “The Red second ask about the red and white. Ravens always play it for me, at least The people start asking questions I take it they play it just for me.” Klub Fundraiser and some eventually become Russ likes Pretty Dancing Girl. members and enjoy the organization Kathy’s faves are Pivo and Sunday, Feb. 15 2-6 p.m. as much as we do. Even if we were Kolaches and Moon over Moravia, American Legion Hall in Wallis not royalty we would still do all the and Randy likes Young Girl Polka above.” and Blue Skirt Waltz. Music by Red Ravens Both couples come from family In their new roles, Russell and

50/25/25 raffle * entertainment basket raffle * silent auction tradition of polka. “Russ and I met Barbie plan to spread the word – Hamburgers will be available starting @ 1 p.m. on a dance floor and have been “The Klub gives you a chance to $10/person dancing for 34 years now. We both meet new people, make lasting Polka Lovers Klub of America! came from dancing families and friendships and dance to music that Annual Dues: Couple $24 Single $12 grew up with the Pateks, Vrazels we grew up on. We are truly blessed

Klub newsletter 2 times/year, with board reports, Klub activities, parade and meeting and Majeks,” Barbie says. “Our by wonderful dancing friends who schedules; 2 free dances/year; free meal @ January meeting; shared activities with Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum/La Grange wedding song was Waltz Across we see more than our families, who For more information on Texas Chapter 1 contact Texas and we have covered quite a pray for you when in need and make Clinton Ellebracht, President, 830-305-9667 Kathy Cernosek, Membership Secretary 281-471-7672 few good wood floors since then.” you laugh when you need a good polkabeat.com > Po.L.K. of A. Texas Chapter I laugh.” Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 13

New Direction Polka CDs Follow Directions T.K. Frank's Polka Records Golden Tones Long Overdue! John Stevens Joe Timmer Polka Rascals Kickin' Polkas Hit Parade Expose Yourself Overlooked Peoples Choice Bud Hundenski Going to a Dance Polka Fun for Everyone Best Of Everyones Having Fun Back by Popular Demand Joe Walega Best Of Tower City Drive Most Requested OPM Just Like Us Casey Homel Working Like Dogs Bill Rebeck Polka Saturday Night OPM Y2k w/Conn. Stas Beautiful Folk Melodies Freddy K Stephanie Rhythm & Sound There's a Reason for It All Honky Polka Favorites Feel the Rhythm, Hear the Sound 30 Years Knewzs Varitones 1 CD $15 / 2 for $25 / 3 for $30 Knewz Flash Good Times Polka + $2.40 shipping and handling New Tradition Walt Solek Depending on ad response, we may need to All Tuned Up Tribute substitute a CD if it's out of stock Out of the Box Windy City Brass Twin Cities Sound IV Send check to T.K. Frank's Records Greeters at the 2014 Czech Heritage Society Springfest in Houston, TX - Katie and Madeline Lebman Intrigue Suchry Brothers (Frank Proszowski) stand on either side of Anna Krpec at the SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston, TX./PolkaWorks photo Charm City 25th Anniversary PO Box 321, Conshohocken, PA 19428 celebrations, food, Sokol and more. Turn on the Charm 610-828-5573 Texas Czechs Exhibit Several workshops and Now at Czech Center presentations during the exhibition’s run will feature local Texas Czechs Musuem Thru April and be held at the CCMH. Th e fi rst is a presentation by writer Th eresa Th e nonprofi t organization Parker and photographer Mark PolkaWorks is pleased to announce Hiebert about the process of creating the opening of its multi-media the book Jimmy Brosch Remembers exhibition Texas Czechs: Rooted in Twenty Legendary Texas Czech Tradition in Houston. Th e exhibition Bands. Th e presentation will be held will be on display at the Czech on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 6 PM Center Museum Houston from Polka Sunday Dance!!! HOUSTON LIEDERKRANZ and is free admission. January 25 through April 26, 2015. Th e exhibition is made possible Geronimo Sweetheart Exhibition co-producers are Texas with major funding from Humanities VFW Post 8456 Czechs Lori Najvar and Dawn Orsak. Texas, KJT-Catholic Union of Texas, Western Dance Czech culture has played an Sunday, Feb. 8 KJZT-Catholic Family Fraternal of Sat., Feb. 14 6-10 p.m. instrumental role in shaping the 3-6:30 pm Texas, and individual sponsors. It is Music by Lost Cause Band iconic Texas landscape and its presented in Houston in partnership Czechaholics From New Ulm sights, sounds and tastes can still playing that good ol’ country music with the Czech Center Museum Good dance floor, smoke free, be found throughout Texas on any $10/members $12/nonmembers Houston and is also supported by A/C, kitchen opens @ 2 p.m. Kids 12 and under admitted free given day. Like many immigrant 6808 N Highway 123. (From I-10 at BBQ will be available for sale SPJST Lodge 88, Czech Heritage Seguin, go north about 5 miles) groups, Czechs brought dance, Society - Harris County Chapter, Liederkranz Hall food, music, language, and other Info: 830-305-8829 the Kolache Factory, St. Arnold’s To reserve a table of 8 call 830-379-1917 5100 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX cultural traditions with them. Th e or email [email protected] 713-957-9004 HoustonLiederkranz.com Brewing Company and individuals. Texas Czech community maintains and passes on its sense of identity Let's Polka! by continuing to practice those DANCEHALL MUSIC Sunday, March 1 traditions and creating some SOUNDS CITY 2-6 p.m. particular to Texas Czechs. SWEET HOME, TX Award-Winning DJ Music by Ennis Czech Boys Th e exhibit captures this activity Allen Pollard on 11 photo montage panels, Brings you traditional February Martinez Social Club presenting a contemporary picture recorded country dance 8 Gone Country 7791 FM 1346 @ FM 1516 music of the diversity and richness of 15 Neon Cowboys San Antonio 78220 22 Charles & Fabulous 4 Texas Czech culture today. It also Two-step, polka, waltz & specialty dances March Admission: $8 includes photographs, artifacts and 1 Boogie Allen Band Sausage in a bun, kolaches short documentary fi lms shown in a Available for your next Dances are 2-6 p.m. $8 Sponsored by multi-media “station.” Topics include public or private dance party unless otherwise noted. 361-459-4033 FM 531, off Alt. 77 Bexar County Czech Heritage Society taroky, music, language, community [email protected] sweethomehall.com 210-648-2681 Page 14 Texas Polka News - February 2015 New Release: Brave Brave Combo celebrated its 35th Mitch Marine and Jeffrey Barnes of my favorite performances didn't anniversary all year long last year (still with the group). have anything to do with career Combo @ Blob's Park with shows at various venues. The band recently released a new advancement, just art, like when we The most anticipated that didn’t CD – Live at Blob’s Park (denTone). By Theresa Parker marched in Macy's Thanksgiving disappoint was the band’s sold-out All part of the 35th anniversary Day Parade or when we played on performance at the Kessler Theater celebration? “We had not planned the Labor Day Telethon and Jerry in Dallas in August. It was the only to record an album this year, but we Lewis introduced us, or when we performance by the original band hadn't planned to not record one played at The Simpsons 200th members – Carl Finch, Tim Walsh, either,” Carl says. episode party on Sunset Strip. Our Lyle Atkinson and Dave Cameron. first few gigs in NYC were amazing Three more reunion shows in THE Place for East Coast Polka and really humbling. This list of December featured Carl and early Live at Blob’s Park is a good news/ oddball gigs could go on for days,” band members Bubba Hernandez, bad news release. The good news: it he says. showcases some of the band’s best Brave Combo's history is full party tunes. The bad news: it marks The Czech Polka Bands of Ennis of strange, unique events. They the end of an era as two weeks after Invite you to the 9th Annual played a concert in Holland with a their performance, the popular Brave Combo tribute band, named Blob’s Park dance hall in Jessup, Strange Combo. And on their first ENNIS CZECH MUSIC FEST Maryland, was razed to make way for a mega church. trip to Japan, they were presented Blob’s Park was built by Max with the same kimonos as The Sat., Feb. 7, 2015 Blob in 1933. It became THE place Beatles were presented when they 1-10:30 p.m. to play for Northeast polka bands performed in Japan. “The same Sokol Activity Center like the Rheinlanders. Brave company sponsored both the Beatles 2622 E Hwy 34 Ennis, TX 75119 Combo had been playing rock tour and ours. Our promoters had JODIE MIKULA ORCHESTRA 1 p.m. venues in the DC/Baltimore area super high hopes,” Carl says. CZECH & THEN SOME 3 p.m. and had built a good fan base in both cities by the time they had Westfest Is Best MORAVIANS 5 p.m. their first gig at Blob's. “A lot of our Back in Texas, Brave Combo is ENNIS CZECH BOYS 7 p.m. fans up there really love to dance. always a big draw at the National CZECH HARVESTERS 9 p.m. And many of them are quite good Polka Festival in Ennis every Only $7/person l Ages 13 and under FREE at it. So, Blob's was a perfect spot for Memorial Day weekend and Doors open @ noon l No reservations many reasons. It was between the Westfest in West every Labor Day Kitchen open l Cash bar l Raffle prizes two cities in a quiet and safe area, weekend. Dress casual or wear your kroj! had a great dance floor and lots of “Our very first gig at Westfest Feb 6th FESTIVAL PRE-PARTY parking,” Carl recalls. was a mind-blower,” Carl says. “We 6-11 p.m. in Sokol Clubroom (back entrance) Doors open @ 5 p.m. No cover. As Brave Combo continued to talked C.W. Cernosek into letting us Featuring Ennis’ newest & youngest polka band OUT OF THE BOX at 6 p.m. play at Blob’s, their audience grew set up in a corner of a little tent on followed by Polka Jam Session @ 8 p.m. and the little ol’ band from Texas Stay tuned to KBEC Polka Party 9-11 a.m. every Sunday on KBEC 1390 or kbec.com plywood. People went immediately became one of the best draws at nuts. That was a very important ennisczechmusicfestival.com l [email protected] l 972-878-4748 the club, pulling in polka fans and moment.” non-polka fans. “Playing at Blob's A moment that would establish meant you had made it in a certain Brave Combo’s acceptance by the Valentine Dinner & Dance Benefits corner of the polka market. That Holy Cross traditional polka community. was definitely gratifying,” Carl says. Life Teen The current band features Carl, Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 Jeffrey, who has been with the BC Oddball Gigs KC Hall 3070 Hamman Rd Bay City, TX for more than 30 years, Alan Emert Brave Combo, whose music has 6:30 p.m. Social * 7 p.m. Catered Grill Chicken Dinner by A&A Mansfield and Danny O’Brien who been described as nuclear polka BBQ * 8-8:30 p.m. Live Auction (5 spectacular packages) * joined in the early 1990s and Little Dance following auction and polka on acid, has had many gratifying moments during the past Jack Melody who has been with the Music by The New Texas Plainsmen 35 years. Carl says it’s impossible to band since 2009. $35/person, $70/couple (Adults only) narrow it down to a Top 10. “All our Blob’s Park CD is available at Deadline to purchase tickets: Friday, Feb. 6 No tickets sold at door. polkabeat.com > Polka On! Store. Call Terri Busha @ 979-479-4788 to reserve your tickets! performances are important and stand out for different reasons. Some Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 15

music, according to Harris. MPA Launches New The Vitak-Elsnic collection Website consists of literally thousands of Get your heart on with songs. Music in the Czech and By William Seegers Polish traditions predominate, but German, Hungarian, Lithuanian Alex Meixner Music Publishers of America and other European styles are also (MPA), which recently acquired at the available in the vast collection. the iconic Vitak-Elsnic library Selections are available for accordion, of polka and other ethnic music, Sweetheart Soiree piano, small band or orchestra and has launched a brand new website From Polkas to Ballroom to Rock ‘n Rollka! now concert bands. (musicpublishersofamerica.com). Vitak-Elsnic also published What does this mean for the average hundreds of songs for concertina Saturday, February 14 polka music lover? players. MPA has stopped actively “Our first priority was to make selling concertina music and, in fact, 7 p.m. the website user friendly and also is looking for a buyer of that part of KJT Auditorium provide easier access to polka sheet the business. “We have to prioritize 1216 S Paris St Ennis, TX 75119 music and folios by making a large where to devote our attention,” part of the inventory available for Harris said, “ and we’ve decided the instant download,” according to Admission concertina portion of the business Steve Harris, MPA’s President. 21 & up $15 l 20 & under $8 l 12 & under FREE is not compatible with our current “Our next objective is to make this Guests 21 & up receive 4 drink coupons with admission business plan.” beautiful music available to a wider (excludes import beer & call drinks) Harris also noted that much audience,” Harris said. “We’ve of the value of the business lies For more information: 972-875-7982 engaged the services of Ernie in the fact that the Vitak-Elsnic Broeniman to arrange over 30 of the copyrights are still active. “We’re songs for concert band, and with a looking for ways to unlock that full conductor’s score.” Broeniman value by licensing out performance is the founder and artistic director Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center or republication rights where the Genealogy Library of Wisconsin’s famed Dorf Kapelle, use will optimize awareness of the Reception Hall described by new MPA Vice Period Houses genre,” Harris said. MPA plans to Amphitheater President Alex Meixner as “one of Museum Exhibits build upon the Vitak-Elsnic platform the best blaskapellles (brass bands) in and is looking for new music to be the USA.” acquired from other composers or Gift Shop - Featuring Many Things CZECH! Growing up in Deshler, Ohio, arrangers. Variety of music CDs * Cookbooks * Books * Kolace candles music has always been a part of The digitization of the Vitak- Czech crystal * Garnet/Czech crystal jewelry * Aprons * Wooden toys Harris’ life and that of his siblings. Accordions * Baby bibs * T-shirts * Rosaries * Czech multicolored blown- Elsnic collection is essential in In 2009 younger brother Todd glass and painted-egg ornaments * Czech magnets * Czech greeting cards keeping classic polkas circulating. And more! Harris acquired the assets of Vitak- MPA isn’t stopping there, either. 250 W. Fairgrounds Road La Grange, Texas Elsnic Company from the Browns Harris hopes to use the polka music www.czechtexas.org [email protected] 979-968-9399 1-888-785-4500 of New Ulm, Minnesota, who had Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. / Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. genre as a model for what MPA can themselves acquired the business in do for other legacy genres of music. 1986 from the Vitak-Elsnic family. There are other music publishers MUSICAL VARIETY If you’ve ever heard a polka in out there, but one look at MPA’s for the America, there’s a good chance that website will reveal their vision and BUTTON BOX its arrangement was influenced in definitive collection of polka music. ACCORDION some way by Vitak-Elsnic. Learn Polka, Waltz, Schottische, Founded in 1895, V-E music was "Well, there was a guy, a blacksmith, in Abbott, 2-Step, Latin, Swing played for decades by bands all across and he and my granddad both had blacksmith's jobs. I hung around there a lot. And he had a - Chord stamp method books and cassettes the United States, including famous family band. He just let me play because he knew I - Easy to read, for 3 & 4 row accordions performer “Whoopee John” Wilfahrt wanted to work and needed the work. So, I played - For beginning thru advanced students Polka music on your a guitar in a big polka band with a lot of horns and - Internet instruction available computer 24 hours a day and many others. While the number everything. So, fortunately, no one ever heard me, of full-time touring bands has because I wasn't that great. But I was nine or 10 Send for flyer. Marge Ford - Plus many LIVE and years old and making eight to 10 dollars a night. Old Time Music Co. declined in the last 20 or 30 years, So, it was easier than picking cotton." P.O. Box 92294 Anchorage, AK 99509 pre-recorded shows there is still a healthy demand for the --Willie Nelson on National Public Radio 907-561-6862 l [email protected] www.polkajammernetwork.org Page 16 Texas Polka News - February 2015

home a two-row button accordion and sons who had never played The Band Played, The that he had purchased from a fellow together as a group, providing the Rain Came Down and in Moulton for $15. By the age of 12, entertainment. At one such event Cars Slowly Sank he was playing solo music at church Benny and his wife, Earline Kaase, picnic cake walks. Th e term cake met family members who shared By Gary E. McKee walk comes from when you actually Benny's love of music. Most of walked around a table while music these relatives lived in Houston and When asked what was one of the played and when the music stopped it wasn't long before a more formal most memorable gigs that he had you won the cake in front of you, band was rehearsing and they played, Texas Sound Check Band much like musical chairs. performed at St.Th eresa's parish Leader Benny Okruhlik told the story His father, aware of his natural picnic in Houston. Th eir of a church picnic in East Houston. talent, soon purchased a trumpet for fi rst paycheck was not monetary, Benny and his band were doing what Benny, which he then shared with but all the food they could eat. they do best, playing the music that his younger brother, Ernie, who At a New Year's Eve dance at the make folks dance away their worries demonstrated similar musical talent. Houston S.P.J.S.T. Hall, the seven- and enjoy the moment. So good, in A polka legacy was born as the two piece band was paid $100 total (you fact, that nobody, staying dry under a tent, had thought about the buckets brothers traded instruments back do the math). Needing a name of rain that had fallen until it was and forth and learned how to play for themselves they decided on time to pack up and leave. Some of the music that they heard played by the City Polka Boys (CPB) and a the band's vehicles had sunk up to the Vrazel and Patek bands. legend was born. their frames and a tractor had to pull When Benny graduated Bill Mraz heard the buzz in each vechicle and the band trailer to from St. Mary's school in Praha the polka community about this the paved road several hundred yards to Flatonia High School, Flatonia new band in town. He summoned away. was in the process of forming its in front of a large crowd as the them to his ballroom for an Benny, a native of Praha, fi rst school band. Benny, playing town watched the band's fi rst audition. At fi rst listen, he was Texas, began his love aff air with the trumpet, experienced for the fi rst performance. Soon, his brother, not impressed. Mraz thought they accordion when his father brought time, the feeling of performing Ernie, started attending FHS sounded very nervous, and told and the brothers broadened their them to go visit the “refreshments” playing skills by performing area for a while and then come back structured pieces of music as to audition again. Monarch opposed to learning by ear the Th e libations must have helped music of their Czech culture. Th e as he listened to them a second time, brothers also learned to balance then thanked them, and sent them Printing the responsibilities of family and For the Finest in on their way. Th ey packed up their Quality Printing playing music as they were unable equipment and went home not sure in the Houston area to stay aft er school to play at of what Mraz had thought of them. extracurricular activities as they Th eir uncertainty was soon resolved had to be at home in the evenings to as they were booked for several Evelyn & Larry Maresh Easy to find in SE Houston at work on the farm. Th ese limitations nights at the ballroom. Owners & Polka Promoters 6605 McGrew, Houston, 77087 713-645-2845 failed to dampen the brothers love Lee Roy Matocha, the of music. Fayetteville Flash, soon heard about Aft er high school graduation this new polka band in Houston. He 625 N. Main, Schulenburg, TX and military service, Benny was requested a reel-to-reel audio tape of 979-743-4752 living and working in Houston. By them to listen to and possibly play Open Thurs, Fri, Sat 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. attending dances at the legendary on his radio show. Aft er fi guring texaspolkamuseum.com Bill Mraz Ballroom, his desire to out how to record themselves, they play music was rekindled, and he sent him a tape which he liked and Annual Fundraiser Sat, March 7, 2015 Sealy KC Hall soon purchased a piano keyboard played. Th e public wanted to hear Music by Mark Halata & Texavia and Texas Dream style accordion from Chic Spencer's more of this great band and they The Museum honors Texas Polka Bands of European ancestry - Czech, music store for $75. went into the studio and recorded German Polish - and polka DJs. Select from over 75 different CDs plus In the mid 1900s it was diffi cult TPMM CD collection (Volumes 1, 2 & 3), Czech song books (one w/music), the vinyl album “Long Road to TPMM shirts (T and polo) and caps. to meet a Czech who did not play Praha” which was released in 1970. music or was in a band. Many For more information contact: Wes Matus was the only band Herb Schneider, Home (281) 807-3244, Cell (832) 477-0648 family functions had “bands” made Continued on page 19 or Brian Svetlik (979) 541-6166 up of brothers, cousins, fathers Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 17 and the menu Dance Notes includes a full Polka On in Ennis meal of sausage, sauerkraut, Th e Czech bands of Ennis invite you to the 9th Annual potatoes, green Ennis Czech Music Fest on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Sokol beans and bread, Hall. Doors open at noon and the Jodie Mikula as well as chicken Orchestra kicks off the music at 1 p.m. followed by noodle soup Czech & Th en Some, Moravians, Ennis Czech Boys and BBQ beef and Czech Harvesters. Th e bands started the fest the sandwich. weekend following the Super Bowl and it has become a You’ll also great tradition. Consider it a warm-up to the National enjoy the country Polka Fest in May. store, raffl e, silent Th e party actually gets started on Friday night, Feb. auction, and, of 6, in the Sokol Clubroom. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the course, kolaches. newest and youngest polka band, Out of the Box, will Heritage Society start playing at 6 p.m., followed by a polka jam session President Randy at 8 p.m. See the ad, page 14. Sykora estimates 2,500 kolaches Polka and Country in Da Costa Czechaholic Brian Klekar and his dad, Red will be sold. He’s not sure of the most requested fl avor. Polka bands play their share of country tunes and Raven Eugene Klekar at Corpus Polka Fest. “But my favorite is poppy seed,” he says. “Come join us Th eresa Parker photo country bands usually have one or two polkas they play for a few beers, great food, dancing and just a genuine during a performance, but how about a dance where South Texas good time.” See ad, back page. you get a full complement of polka AND country? Th e HOUSTON stage is set for this fi rst of a kind event in Texas history Valentine Fundraiser for Holy Cross VFW POST (we think) on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Da Costa Hermann Take your sweetheart to a dinner and dance AND help 10352 Sons Hall in Victoria. Th e Original Bobby Lee Sunday Afternoon 2-6 p.m. Nightriders will play the country and the Red Ravens a good cause. Th e New Texas Plainsmen will provide Country/Variety Dance $7 adm. the music on Friday, Feb. 13, at the KC Hall in Bay City. will play polka from 1-7 p.m. See ad, back page. February Doors open 01 Loose Change at 6:30 p.m., 08 Glen Lenderman dinner is served 15 East River 22 Texas Roadrunners at 7 p.m., live March auction with 01 Country Jim & The Allstars fi ve spectacular 08 J.E.M. Dandy Legends packages starts 16035 Waverly Drive at 8, then dance Houston, TX 77032 Non-Smoking l BYOB the evening 281-443-2023 away. Proceeds westerndancinggala.com benefi t the Life Teen program HOUSTON at Holy Cross Church. Cost AMERICAN is $35/person LEGION and deadline POST 586 to purchase Country/Variety Dance $7 adm. tickets is Fri. January 30 Catch a Wave @ 30th Annual Polka Fest Friday, Feb. 6. No tickets will be sold at the door. See ad, 6:30-10 p.m. Congratulations to the South Texas Czech Heritage page 14. East River Band Society for reaching the 30th anniversary of the Polka Fest at Sokol Hall in Corpus Christi. Th is year’s event Polka in San Antonio Sat. February 14 is set for Saturday, Feb. 28. Doors open at 10 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. Th e Bexar County Czech Heritage Society invites you J.E.M. Dandy Legends music will be provided by Czechaholics, Red Ravens to a polka dance from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, and Majeks. Th e Majeks, who are based in Corpus, 708 E Parker Rd at Martinez Social Club. Th e Ennis Czech Boys will have been playing the fest since the fi rst one, and Houston, TX 77001 provide the music as you feast on sausage in a bun and Non-Smoking l BYOB the CZs and RRs joined the lineup in 2009. Great 713-691-7741 food will once again be prepared and served by the kolaches. See ad, page 13. Between I-45 N & Airline Knights of Columbus of St. Th omas Catholic Church Continued on page 18 (near Gallery Furniture exit) Page 18 Texas Polka News - February 2015

for a dance from 2-6 p.m. Admission to the dance is

SPJST #18 Hall Dance Notes $10/person. Continued from page 17 Elgin, TX Alex Meixner will arrive from Florida on Friday, Sunday, 3-7 p.m. * $8 Polka Sunday in Geronimo Feb. 13. You don’t want to miss this Grammy- nominated artist’s performance! Admission is $10 and Kitchen Open The Czechaholics will provide the music for dancing special rate for high-schoolers is only $5! at the VFW Hall in Geronimo from 3 to 6:30 p.m. February 15 Valentine Valentine’s Day is for country lovers as Charles & Dance on Sunday, Feb. 8. Call Lea Phelps at 830-379-1917 to the Fabulous 4 will be in the house. On Saturday, Feb. Dujka Brothers reserve a table of eight and bring the gang! Kitchen 21, Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen will be opens at 2 p.m. and have you ever known food at a in town from Iowa to bring their Midwest style of polka February 22 VFW to be bad?!?!?!? See ad, page 13. Barefoot Becky and country. The Lodge will close out the month with a Sweetheart Dance Planned in Houston country dance on Friday, Feb. 27, by Jeff Woolsey & the March 8 Dancehall Kings. See ad, page 7. Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 Best kept dance hall secret in Houston! The Liederkranz Hall on Ella Street has a great dance floor. You're invited Sunday Country @ Houston VFW 702 Highway 95 N * 512-281-3711 to try it out on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Sweetheart Football is over and VFW Post 10352 in Houston has Western Dance from 6-10 p.m. The Lost Cause Band the perfect way to meet your resolution to become from New Ulm will be playing country classics and BBQ more active – go dancing every Sunday. The hall hosts Cajun Dance will be available for sale. Admission is $10 for members, a country/variety dance each Sunday from 2-6 p.m. CFMA Houston $12 for nonmembers and kids 12 and under are admitted Great lineup for February: Loose Change on the 1st free. See ad, page 13. And congratulations to Liederkranz (you'll be home in time for Super Bowl action), Glen 4th Saturday every month for celebrating 90 years in Houston! 7:30-11:30, KC #2917 Lenderman on the 8th, East River on the 15th and

Valentines, Becky and Fritz in Elgin Texas Roadrunners on the 22nd. See ad, page 17. February 28 l Valentines Donnie Broussard & Bring your sweetheart to the Valentine’s Dance on CFMA Says Be Mine! Louisiana Stars Sunday, Feb. 15, and dance to the Dujka Brothers The Cajun French Music Association in Houston hosts March 28 at SPJST Lodge 18 in Elgin. Barefoot Becky will be a monthly Cajun Dance the fourth Saturday of every Johnny Sonnier & on stage Sunday, Feb. 22, as part of her annual Texas month, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., at the KC Hall #2917. New Cajun Heritage tour. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 8, for Wood dance floor, smoke free! Bring your sweetheart to the dance on Feb. 28, get Fritz Hodde & the Fab 6. All dances are from 3-7 p.m. 607 E. Whitney Dr. off Airline your picture taken, and dance to Donny Broussard & For info call Helen 281-256-3097 Admission is only $8 and the kitchen will be open. See Louisiana Stars. See ad, this page. http://www.facebook.com/ ad, this page. CfmaHoustonHeritageChapter CFMA is the Swing Time with Bobby Flores Cajun French Music Association Bobby Flores and the Yellow Rose Band will perform at the 7th Annual Western Swing Valentine Party on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Civic Center in Canton. On Saturday, Feb. 14, the band will be in Johnson City to Polkas Free Catalog help dedicate the Hill Country Science Mill, then later that evening will be in Bandera for a Meals On Wheels * CDs Contact us Benefit. See ad, page 4. * DVDs today! Sweet Home Sundays PolkaConnection.com You'll have a chance to see Charles & the Fab 4 in Houston on The Sweet Home Community Center has a good lineup Your connection to polka music Feb.1/8 14 and SweetPage Home Verticalon Feb. 22/Karen Williams photo of country dances on Sundays in February. Gone from around the world. Jam Packed2.45” Februaryx 5.5967” at Lodge 88 Country will perform on the 8th, Neon Cowboys on the 15th, and Charles & the Fabulous 4 will be in the Call Toll Free (866) 901-6138 February may be a short month, but SPJST Lodge 88 house on the 22nd. Admission is $8 and all dances are in Houston has packed it full of great dancing. The from 2-6 p.m. See ad, page 13. Moonglow Orchestra brings big band sounds on Saturday, Feb. 7. Let's Two-Step at American Legion On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Lodge celebrates Founder’s Go country at the American Legion Hall at 708 E. Day in recognition of 50 years at 1435 Beall Street . Parker Road in Houston! East River Band will play on Doors open at 11 a.m. and volunteers start serving Friday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-10 p.m. and J.E.M. Dandy chicken and dumplings and chili at 11:30 p.m. Cost for Legends will be on stage Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2-6 ❤ a bowl of either is $8 and $4 for child 12 and under. p.m. Wow! You have a chance to take your sweetheart The Lodge 88 Czech Orchestra and Choral Group to a dance in the afternoon then hit another Valentine will perform from noon to 1:45 p.m. and a special dance that evening! See ad, page 17. presentation will be made at 1 p.m. to recognize past ❤ active members. TheRed Ravens will provide the music Texas Polka News - February 2015 Page 19 The Band Played, The Rain Came The Twilights The Down and Cars Slowly Sank Variety Dutchmasters Continued from page 16 Dance Music Music for all occasions

member who could read and arrange this music and began Weddings Anniversaries Club Plus transcribing the notes as the band members played their parts Dances Parties Festivals DJ music helping ensure that the music would live on. Eugene Janis 713-569-6270 [email protected] Ernie Okruhlik, had kept playing music aft er school and A.J. Drabek began playing various instruments in the Bobby Jones Band. “Rusty” Uhyrek CDs 713-729-6097 Th e popularity of the band soon had Ernie playing three to 281-240-4229 Available four gigs every week which upset the balance between his love Accordion Cowboy of music and his successful real estate business. To relinquish Texas Legacy "The New" Texas the balance he later joined his brother in the CPB which Chris Rybak Czech Band Plainsmen generally played about twice a week. Polkas & Waltzes Th e original City Polka Boys stayed together 16 years Polka & variety Playing your favorite Country & Western in the polka, waltz & before life intervened and older members retired and new Cajun & Tex-Mex Texas Tradition variety music ones joined. Th e CPB played for about 14 more years with 270 County Rd. 201 revolving members and changing sounds. Aft er successfully Hallettsville, TX 77964 Don Merta maintaining the equilibrium of personal life, job and music 361-772-4703 or 512-963-6660 Bob Suttie [email protected] 832-781-8888 281-460-5273 for 30 years, Benny still wanted to keep playing music that [email protected] Czech out chrisrybak.com [email protected] keeps people happily dancing. With his original drummer, E.J. Macik, they formed the Texas Sound Check band, who along with present members, Ben Orsak, Larry Netardus Texas Sound Cloverleaf Incredible and Dennis Shimek, delight crowds from Wurstfest to the Check Band Music Makers Ennis National Polka Festival to Mollie B's television show Orchestra to rural church picnics throughout Central Texas. Benny Okruhlik Polka * Big Band Polkas/waltzes, country & 5314 Tatum Lane Country * Variety Over the years this sound has evolved from all horn- Spring, TX 77389 281-353-5892 variety for any occasion type arrangements to guitar, keyboard and saxophone Ben Orsak Fred Baetge New CD & T-shirts blends to compliment the accordion and the changing tastes 3511 Margaret 830-625-4915 available. of the audience. Benny and the group have kept step with Needville, TX 77461 or cell 830-660-4385 979-793-7828 the evolution of music technology from the reel-to-reel tapes [email protected] Jason Bartos (361) 865-2167 texassoundcheck.com [email protected] to the digital recording of the bands's latest CDs. Several years ago, the band's self-penned song Th e Wild Goose Waltz won the Texas Polka Music Association's Kovanda’s Czech Melody Charles & The song of the year. Every polka band scrambled to learn this Czech Band Fabulous 4 new traditional-styled waltz as playing popular music that Masters Texas Czech, people want to hear and dance to is the reason that these Authentic Czech Polka All the classic bands Polka On. and Waltz Music German & Western Swing country/western &

Bookings polkas/waltzes Thomas Durnin 512-296-1397 Sign on a farm fence: Kathryn Jolly (713) 728-3750 [email protected] 2204 Whitestone Dr Charles Marburger Th e farmer allows walkers to cross the fi eld for free Recordings Austin TX 78745 979-249-5285, but the bull charges. Steven Kutra (979) 885-7144 979-249-6976 (c) [email protected] [email protected] kovandasczechband.org czechpolka.com charlesandthefabulous4.com Litt’l Fishermen/ Continue the polka tradition! Central Texas Kenny James Bohemian Give your children, grandchildren, Sounds Dutchmen great grandchildren, nieces and nephews a For a Variety 9 or 6 piece subscription to Traditional of Music German/Czech polka band Country & Western 281-997-7456 or 10 piece Texas Polka News. We’ll extend your current TPN Polkas & Waltzes ballroom & variety subscription one month for each subscription you Roy G Haag, 1334 Rivercrest designate as a family gift . For band bookings and info call Dr, New Braunfels TX Larry Sodek 979-378-2510 or “Solo accordionist with 78130-3438 830-625-8262 Joey Krchnak 979-357-2436 the sound of a band.” [email protected] Page 20 Texas Polka News - February 2015 POLKA SMILES!

Houston - Charlie and Barbara Brossman Rosenberg - Ed and Karen Zapaloc met at Rosenberg - Fred and Trudy Helweg at the Rosenberg - Rose Wilshire, Mike Gest, Dolores Newman and C.J. fi rst New Year's Eve as husband and wife. the January Battle Dance 12 years ago. Happy Cousins Dance Club dance. Jozwiak at the Battle Dance.

Tomball - Letty Bukvar and Jackie Hallettsville - Th e place was packed on a Th ursday evening to see SqueezeBox with Mollie B Shelby - Mike Marek and Lawrence Svetlik get ready for Meyers at the Tomball German and Ted Lange. Ted poses with two other great accordion players, Garrett Neubauer and Dutch the Big 3 concert. Christmas Market. Schorre.

Battle Dance - Sun., Feb. 22, 2015 30th ANNUAL POLKA FEST

Polka & Country Sat., Feb. 28, 2015 FEATURING Sokol Hall The Original Bobby Lee Nightriders 5502 Kostoryz Rd Corpus Christi, TX ★ ★ ★ ★ & The Red Ravens ★ ★ ★ ★ Presented by Czech Heritage Society of South Texas

Czechaholics 11:30A-2:30P

Red Ravens 2-5P The Majeks 4:30-7:30P

1:00pm - 7:00pm Da Costa Hermann Sons Hall - Victoria, Texas Czechaholics Red Ravens Majeks

This will be a major event that has never happened before in the Czech Fun, Food & Dancing history of both bands and is sure to be a day to remember. Sausage & sauerkraut meal, chicken noodle soup, BBQ beef sandwich $8 Admission * Country Store * Raffle * Silent Auction * Kolaches 361-960-3220