OKTOBERFEST
What an Oktoberfest season it’s been! Lots of
calls, date changes, last minute bookings, regrettably a
cancellation or two, and other behind-the-scenes chaos.
Sometimes I even get to play my accordion! Get all the
details on this Fall’s remaining events by consulting the
schedule below. There are many private gigs, but numerous
public shows, all of which are listed. Live in the greater
Milwaukee, Madison or Chicago areas? We'll be playing near
you soon! Live in Champaign, IL? We'll even be there! Live
in Timbuktu? Maybe next year! Plus, looking ahead to
November, I’ll be making my first appearance at the La
Crosse Bierhaus on November 5-6. Can’t wait to get my “off
season” started at an awesome new venue!
NEXT YEAR
Looking ahead to 2022, I normally have somewhat of a feel
for how my summer is going to look. But unfortunately, the
current situation with COVID is causing too much uncertainty
to be able to make any kind of prediction at this point.
It's a frustrating time to be a small business owner. And as
someone who travels for work, it's further complicated by
trying to keep up with any local restrictions or mandates
that might be in place. Keep supporting your small and local
businesses, because we need it now as much as ever!
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
On that note, it's never too early to start shopping for
Christmas! Whether you need something that perfectly
encapsulates your love of polka with the Holidays in
"Christmas Kielbasa," or would like some music for your
year-round listening in any of my other titles, the
Music page
has you covered! And if you're still reading this,
congratulations! I'm even going to give you a
super-exclusive deal: Place an order for any two of my CDs,
get a "Christmas Kielbasa" CD for FREE. Ordering Christmas
gifts for friends and family? Great! Then order two
“Christmas Kielbasa” CDs and get a third for FREE! There is
no mention of this deal on my website or social media pages,
but if you order two CDs now through the end of October,
you'll get some free "Christmas Kielbasa" to go with it!
Happy shopping, and thank you helping support my small
business!
THE POLKAMASTER
Joey Klass was a tremendously talented, yet equally humble,
accordion player and friend of mine who passed away this
past summer. He was among the first major polka musicians to
come out and hear me perform (at the Cedar Creek Inn in
Cedarburg), and was very kind in the words he shared
regarding those early performances. The kindness continued
when he played for our polka wedding reception in 2007 along
with Dick and Don Hunjadi, longtime Joey Klass band members,
and our friend Mark Wenzlaff.
I was saddened to hear of Joey's passing. I last spoke with
him this past winter, and offered to give his accordion a
workout any time he wanted as he was no longer able to play
much. Unfortunately, that was our last conversation and the
meeting never transpired.
However, in late August, Joey's daughter and I got in touch,
as the family had decided Joey's accordion could not sit on
a shelf or in a case in a closet somewhere. It needed to be
played again! So, I am now the proud owner of a 1955 Italo-American
Polka Master. More importantly, I have my friend Joey's
accordion. Hopefully I'll have a video to share with this
special instrument sometime this winter. I can't wait to
help continue Joey's musical legacy through his accordion of
more than 65 years. I plan to play it at select events. Stay
tuned!
And if you're a Baldoni fan like I am, worry not! My
American Polkas along with my Dad's Baldovox will still see
the bulk of the action. They are awesome accordions!
As always, be sure to join
our growing list of fans on Facebook
here, or for Pint Size
Polkas
here. Once you’re there,
click the Like button at the top of the page.
That's all for this month. Until next time, happy
Oktoberfest!
Mike Schneider
The Mike
Schneider Band |
