We are a 2-4 piece variety father and son polka band. We play a very unique country infused style of polka music that we developed in the mid 1970's converting songs like Hank Williams Jr's "Family Tradition" and Gene Watson's "Got No Reason Now For Goin' Home" to a polka and have also written some material in the same fashion. We also play Slovenian Style Polka Music leaning toward the Verne Meisner sound and also Frankie Yankovic. AJ & I are both very fond of old country and 50s rock n roll, so we play alot of that as well. I play a Zupan M.I.D.I. accordion and keyboard which gives me endless sounds like guitars, organs, pianos and many basses, including tuba for playing oompah music. I grew up enjoying all of the various styles of polkas and, (not to blow my own horn), learned to play each of the styles pretty well. I've always been able to side man with any type of group on several different instruments. I play most of the typical stage instruments. When I record an album, I play most of the instruments myself, and before my son started drumming and singing, I did the drumming on the recordings too and would just bring someone in to sing. I'm in both the Minnesota and Wisconsin Polka Halls of Fame and have been broadcasting the Northwoods Polka Jamboree for 20 years. My son and I have both played with many bands like "The Music Connection" from Wausau, "Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty", "Red Higgins & Yankee Train", "Bobby Seifert & Country Gold" and others. We play out alot just like we record....Just the 2 of us, but its nice to have a 3rd piece like a banjo/guitar/vocalist from time to time. We are even able to pick up a couple of trumpet players and do a polish band gig, and still play all of the variety. My radio show is on our website and we have over 20 recordings.
We have been very successful combining our polka background with Red & Lisa Higgins and their background in country music. They are featured on RFD-TV's "Midwest Country" television show frequently. In summary, we can book out as a Polka variety band, or a Country variety band or just one or the other. The gigs that have been reviewed are gigs we did with Red & Lisa. A lot of variety and all age groups are happy!! We are looking forward to our 2nd year with Gigmasters and our promise to you is that you will get exactly what you ask for and probably more if you book our band.
We prefer to not be in a position to have to play current music, although we do play some of the latest country, not much. We travel with a K-Array PA system which is similar to the Bose L1, so anything requiring more than 450 watts per side subs and 230 watts per side tops, we would require sound. We don't drink or drug, so anyone hiring us would not have that worry.
We are also willing to attempt to accomodate a playlist within reason. Neither AJ or I are above learning new material if we can. We will do our best to give you a versatile show that will be above and beyond what you expect. If you go to our website you will frequently hear our recorded music and often LIVE!! performances of the band on our radio show "The Northwoods Polka Jamboree".
So, as you can see, as long as you agree to, or accommodate the terms of our PA system, we can be the perfect variety band for your occasion.