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Volume 21-10
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 the Mike Schneider Band
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
Uncle Mike and his Polka Band |
