PINT SIZE POLKAS
What a year 2024 was! For Pint Size Polkas, it marked my
very first trip to the West Coast. In June, I spent two
weeks visiting libraries in Central and Northern California,
making Pint Size Polkas a true Coast-to-Coast touring act. I
also had the chance to visit some favorite stops in
Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Wisconsin and
Wyoming. In 2025, I'll be back in Iowa after a year off,
plus Texas for my first time since 2019. Looking forward to
more great travels next year!
THE MIKE SCHNEIDER BAND
Oktoberfests, festivals, the Old German Beer
Hall, and even a stop at the huge Christkindlmarkt in
Carmel, IN all contributed to another successful year for
the Mike Schneider Band. We also helped kick off one of the
largest Oktoberfests in the United States in La Crosse back
in September for the second straight year, and they've
already asked us back for 2025! I have also been invited to
be one of the regular performers at Glendale's Bavarian
Bierhaus. Plus, if all goes well, you will be able to hear
my music in a brand new venue starting in Spring 2025.
Suffice to say, this opportunity will be bringing my music
to thousands of new listeners each week, and in a format I
don't believe has ever been done before in polka music. Stay
tuned to the Home
page for details when the official announcement
is made early next year. Exciting news is just around the
corner!
MOLLIE B EVENTS
With Ted Lange taking some well deserved time
off, I had the chance to play accordion with Mollie
B and Friends as my schedule permitted this past year,
including a theater-style production in Reedsburg, and the
Helen Oktoberfest in Georgia. Between my commitments with
Pint Size Polkas and the Mike Schneider Band, it looks like
there may be a couple more opportunities to work with Mollie
B in 2025. Stay tuned for details!
PERSONAL YEAR IN REVIEW
As if 2024 wasn't exciting enough with all the
various performances and developing opportunities, behind
the scenes it was an equally amazing year! In May, my kids
competed in a National F.I.R.S.T. Lego League competition in
New Jersey and won the 2nd Place Champions Award. My wife
Heather coaches the team along with another team parent.
They do amazing work! Plus, I mentioned I went to California
in June. Well, I had to take my golf clubs, and I just
happened to get very lucky and get a tee time at Pebble
Beach, which was at the very top of my bucket list. The only
thing that could top it would be Augusta, but that's just a
little harder (i.e., nearly impossible) to get on. And then
to cap off the year and celebrate our anniversary in
November, Heather and I went to see what could very well
have been Stevie Wonder's last concert in Milwaukee. He's 71
and sings and plays like he's 39. I almost didn't go, but am
so glad we did. Another bucket list item for the books!
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. Thanks again and talk to you
soon!
Mike Schneider
The Mike
Schneider Band |
