Stuff Your Stockings with Music!

There’s nothing better than to take down that stocking on Christmas morning to find it filled with chocolate, gift cards, AND MUSIC! Your favorite bands have new recordings just in time for holiday giving.

SqueezeBox by Request
SqueezeBox Band

Mollie B and Ted Lange have recorded a collection of 15 songs most requested by fans at their performances. And it’s a great lineup of music. Mozart’s Polka features accordion and sax and Mollie said it’s an arrangement like no other, done “SqueezeBox style.”

North Shore Polka features Ted on Polish vocals. “When performed live, it gets the crowd going,” Ted said. Rock and Roll Waltz is a classic waltz originally performed by Kay Starr, featuring Mollie's vocal talents on this fan favorite. Schneider Polka is a Six Fat Dutchmen number performed on two trumpets and sax, plus accordion, bass, and drums. A Ja Sam, a Czech song from the old country, is performed the Texas way, including dueling saxes, an accordion solo with a Tejano flair, guitar fills, and “even the ‘whoo, whoo, whoo’ influenced by our Texas friends,” Mollie said.

Crazy, a lighter ballad sung by Mollie with unique accordion and piano work by Ted, is performed in a jazz ballad style. El Rio Drive is a Verne Meisner number with a SqueezeBox twist including "soft-shoe" and Latin sections. Waltz of the Angels, is one of the band's most requested waltzes. My Heart Skips A Beat is a Buck Owens number played with a groovin’ Cajun beat.

Beer Mug Polka is one of the standards SqueezeBox plays to get the crowd going. Edelweiss is a vocal/piano ballad, sung in English and German. You will hear Mollie's classical training in this song. Red Apples Polka is the band’s version of a hoolerie – Dutchmen-style song featuring the clarinet. Polish Boyfriend Polka is one of Mollie's signature songs. The Rose, is a ballad featuring Mollie. Barbara Polka, is a traditional Czech number featuring the button box.

This new CD is the third recording for the band. Freshly Squeezed (2009) contains 20 songs including 14 polkas, 2 waltzes, and 4 fox trots/two-steps with vocals in English, German, Polish, and Czech. Squeeze Me (2007) contains 16 songs including 8 polkas, 2 waltzes, and 6 fox-trots/two-steps/slow songs with vocals in English, German, Polish, and Czech.

Order yours today!

Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B

In addition to the By Request CD, Mollie B has released two other CDs - Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B has 25 songs performed in Dutchmen and Big Band style, and Mollie B Live with Kenny, Tony, and Dana has 14 songs performed live on the Mollie B Polka Party, taped in Ennis earlier this year.

The Little Fishermen CD tracks: It’s a Small World, Midnight Waltz, Sweet Nearness of You, Elmdale Waltz, Aunt Ella’s Polka, Waltz Medley (Four in the Morning/Tennessee Waltz), Rainbow Valley Polka, Homecoming Waltz, Paper Roses, Matilda Polka, Edelweiss, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Silk Skirt Waltz, Red Raven Polka, Invisible Tears, Fritzie Polka, Snow Waltz, Stranger on the Shore, Ellen Polka, Foundling Waltz, Please Release Me, Innocence Waltz, Yellow Rose of Texas, Little Fishermen’s Waltz, and Sauerkraut Polka.

Order yours today!

Mollie B Live

Mollie B Live features Mollie on vocals, trumpet, sax, and keyboard; Kenny Brandt on sax; Tony Sabo on accordion, midi bass; and Dana Lindblad on drums. Tracks: Beer Barrel Polka, Praha Polka, Tick-Tock Polka, Slap Happy Polka, Pennsylvania Polka, Rock Around the Clock, Mozart's Polka, Save the Last Dance for Me, I Fall to Pieces, Kramer's Polka, Marie Augie's Polka, Memories of Vienna, and Quick Stop Polka. Order yours today!

Mollie is also offering a special discount to Texas Polka News and polkabeat.com fans. on her Christmas Special DVDs/CDs. She has four DVD/CD packs available. When you buy 3 packs TPN/polkabeat fans get a $5 discount; $10 when you buy 4. Shop now and be sure to type in TPN in the PayPal message section. Mollie will send you the discount via PayPal. 

Cajun Baby
Chris Rybak, Hallettsville

This CD has the classics and original tunes to make you feel like you’re at a Cajun polka party. In addition to Cajun standbys like Jole Blon, Jambalaya, and Diggy Liggy Lo, the CD features three original tunes – Cajun Baby’s Cookin’ Tonight, written by Daniel Klapuch (who co-penned Moon Over Moravia), Going to Hallettsville, written by Daniel and Chris, and Love that Chicken From Popeyes, written by Chris. Inspiration came for the latter tune after Chris and his band performed for a party at the Popeyes headquarters in New Orleans. In addition to Chris on accordion, keyboard, and vocals, the CD features Bonnie Riley on fiddle, Jonathan Statsky on rubboard and vocals, Marvin Kremling on maracas and vocals, Ronnie Hermes on guitar and vocals, and Edita Rybak on vocals. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Chris Rybak 603 N Texana, Hallettsville, TX 77964.

Polka Time in Texas
The Moravians, Ennis

This CD features six polkas, six waltzes (including a beautiful rendition of Waltz of the Angels), the classic Spanish Eyes, and two country tunes, including Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver is smiling). The band was started in 2009, and this is the group’s second CD. Current band members consist of seven college students, five being proud Fightin’ Texas Aggies (Whoop!). The band enjoys taking trips to play in new places and looks forward to spreading the joy of polka music for many years to come. Band members: Matthew Matous (accordion, trumpet, sax, vocals), Chris Trojacek (accordion, guitar, trumpet, sax, vocals), Adam Rejcek, drums, vocals, Josh Goodwin, tuba, bass, Zachary Matous (keyboard, bass) Phillip Cryer (sax, guitar, vocals), Tyler Prasifka (trumpet, vocals). The band's first CD, Czech Spirit Will Live On, is also available at the band website and the Polka On! Store. 

Cheers to 10 Years!
Ennis Czech Boys

This CD is pure polka and waltz music, featuring 11 polkas, including Long Road to Praha, Gypsy, Music, Music, and Peanuts, and five waltzes such as the beautiful Dreamland Waltz and Owl Waltz. In the liner notes, ECB says, “It seems like yesterday we went from three guys in a garage to now eight guys having the opportunity to perform at some of the best events for the greatest people you’ll find anywhere.” Band members: Chris Trojacek (vocals, tenor sax, trumpet), Corey Mikula (drums), Frank Vrla III (tenor sax, guitar, trumpet) Jared Prachyl (bass, vocals), Jerry Petter (accordion), Michael Trojacek (alto/tenor sax, vocals), Trey Sylvester (keyboard, vocals), and Zeke Martinez (rhythm guitar). Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Trey Sylvester 2392 Intrepid Dr., Buda, TX 78610.

Let’s Have a Party! 30th Anniversary
Dujka Brothers

This CD is non-stop polka party fun! John and Mark have selected 20 great tunes to celebrate their 30 years in the polka party business. The CD features 11 polkas, including Church Picnic Polka, written by Donnie Hons, If I Were a Bird, Tick-Tock, Seven Step, and Hey Baby Que Paso, written by Augie Meyers; five waltzes, including the beautiful Katherine’s Waltz, written by Jason Keepers, Westphalia, and a waltz medley with Looking for my Sweetheart and At the Spring; three country tunes – Dark Lighted Barrooms, The Chair, and Make the World Go Away; and the fun Santa Bring Me a Tuba, written by Daniel Klapuch. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $19 (includes shipping) to John Dujka 3384 Success Dr Brenham, TX 77833.

Czech, Please!
Czech Melody Masters, Austin

If you love brass in your polka, then this is the CD for you. The band has always strived to emulate the classic brass band sound of such beloved Texas bands as the Bacova Ceska Kapela, Adolph Pavlas, and the Joe Patek and Lee Roy Matocha Orchestras. The CD features eight polkas, including Prune Dumplings, Wooden Heart, and No Beer Today; and eight waltzes, including My Darling, Rosalinda, and Waiting in the Woods. The Red and White Waltz is the arrangement as originally recorded by Baca's Ceska Kapela from their first recording session in 1929 at Okeh Records in San Antonio. The band is anchored by original members Dennis Svatek (lead trumpet, lead vocals and music arranger), Dave Bedrich (trumpet and vocals) and Thomas Durnin (stand up bass). The sound is rounded out with Frances Barton on accordion, Rob Schmidt on drums, and their newest member, Dennis’ son, Stephen Svatek on baritone and guitar (when he’s not playing with the UT marching band). Czech out the band’s website – czechpolka.com – where you’ll find the world's longest running polka podcast, since 1998!Dennis uploads new shows every two weeks, plus you’ll find 68 archived shows, for over 176 hours of free music! CD available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Dennis Svatek 2100 Mildred Dr. Taylor, TX 76574.

Polka Roots and Scoot the Boots
Off the Grid, Austin

This is the group’s first CD providing a mixture of cover tunes with some originals written by bandleader Joe Klaus. Tunes include Paint It Black (yes, Rolling Stones), which Joe converted to a polka after sitting with a rock band from Austin; Polka Medley, with some of the group’s favorite German and Czech tunes; Cortina, named after Lake Cortina in Northern Italy, which Joe was inspired by the beauty of the lake surrounded by the Italian Alps while on a boat ride; Paula's Cuckoo Waltz, an original tune written for Paula Kager from the Kuckucknest German Store in Fredericksburg; No Beer Today, no explanation needed; Baumerwald, features Joey Schwab on baritone; In Heaven There Is No Beer- sung in English, German, and Spanish, with some Polish la-las thrown in; Ooh La La, an adaptation of a Rocking Sidney Zydeco tune; and Swingtown, a polka version of the Steve Miller rock tune, a OTG favorite and one of their most requested tunes. Available in the Polka On! Store or send $18 (includes shipping) to Mike Campasso 8100 Manassas Dr. Austin, TX 78745.

Your Connection to Great Polka Music

Expand your music search to polkaconnection.com where you’ll find simply the best collection of fine polka music from around the world. Owner and musician Chuck Stastny has been collecting this fine polka music for 25 years, 10 years on the web. His catalog now features 2,500 different CDs and DVDs for sale, and the website has over 34,000 song samples. "We've provided all the best high-quality polka classics, along with the newest artists for your listening pleasure," said Chuck, who has been loving the music since age 0. “Grandpa played the button box and mom played piano accordion.” He invites you to browse the catalog of more than 2,500 titles, listen to samples, and buy online and pay no domestic shipping.

Accordion Cowboy Chris Rybak Says Na zdraví, Y'all!

By Gary E. McKee

Chris Rybak, a Hallettsville native, was surrounded by music from day one, as he was born into the sounds of his father's band, the Leroy Rybak's Swinging Orchestra, a fixture on the polka scene for over 40 years. Leroy’s wife, Joyce, and toddler Chris were also fixtures at most of Leroy's gigs around the Polka Belt. Chris would hop up on stage playing a plastic trumpet. When he reached the advanced age of six, he started learning music by ear on a small keyboard.

By the ripe old age of 12, Chris received his first accordion and soon played solo at a family event. (Chris still has this $50 accordion and considers it his most prized of his collection of more than 20 accordions.) Playing several instruments with his father's band through junior high school, Chris joined the Hallettsville High School marching band, and was the first student to play an accordion. The highlight of the halftime show was when he and the bass player would play a brief solo (using a new, state-of-the-art wireless sound system). They always received a standing ovation.

When it came time to graduate, the school counselor asked Chris what direction he wanted to take his life. “Music,” he said without hesitating. The counselor suggested he think about pursuing a different career, and perhaps later in life he could play music. Heeding this sage advice, Chris worked in a print shop for a very short period of time before taking a giant leap of faith to follow his passion and become a fulltime musician at the age of 18.

“There was no guaranteed paycheck to pay for gas to the next gig, no guarantee of anything except the concept of focusing on the music and my audience,” Chris said.

Julius Tupa, founder of the Texas Polka News and the Texas Polka Music Association, saw the potential, as he awarded Chris the TPMA New Horizon Award in 1993.

With the basics of music firmly in hand, the next lesson he needed to master was the art of self promotion. At the Yoakum Country Opry, Chris brought along a box of 50 cassette tapes,
thinking he might be able to make gas money by selling them. He sold all 50. Lesson learned.

ONE-MAN BAND
Chris developed a one-man show, ready to "play at the opening of an envelope." This refers to working musicians’ daily gigs of performing at car dealerships, grocery stores, and other businesses that would hire popular entertainers to perform as a public draw. Most of these events happened during the 8 to 5 timeframe. Bob Wills and Adolph Hofner grew their fan base this way.

Chris said the most rewarding of these type of shows were performances at senior citizen centers. “It’s always a great deal of satisfaction to watch folks’ eyes light up and smiles spread across their faces as, maybe for the last time, they are hearing the Julida Polka sung in Czech, as they recollect dancing the night away decades ago,” he said.

Another facet of this solo life is the equipment needed to make it work. Chris, who has been playing a conventional accordion for 25 years can make a joyful sound, but to enhance the performance, a band was needed. In 2007, musical powers-to-be smiled upon Chris. Roland Music Corp. had just developed the first digital (electronic) accordion and was ready to unveil
it to the music industry at the next NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention, which was going to be held in Austin.

Roland located Chris through an Internet search. They offered him a "free" chance to own the first digital accordion. As with all things "free," there was a catch. He had three days to learn how to play this revolutionary instrument and then wow the music store owners at the
convention. Chris was successful, so successful that Roland made him an advisor and flew him to Italy to assist with the introduction and design of a new model.

The digital accordion has allowed Chris to have the sound of a back-up band while playing all music live, not a preprogrammed music track. Life with Roland has been very good exposing
Chris to many different cultures as the company sends him and his accordion to venues throughout the U.S. and overseas. One of Chris’ proudest moments was to perform for the Czech Republic president, prime minister, and other government dignitaries.

POLKA PARTNERSHIPS
Chris has always been on the lookout for assistance in procuring gigs, and two of the most supportive have been John Hybner and Jimmy Mauric, past and present brewmasters of the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner. “These guys and all of the staff at Shiner have always helped
promote my music,” Chris said. He showed his gratitude with a CD called Shiner Time, produced in 2010.

The Shiner Time song features a chorus recorded at the brewery with Shiner staff singing along, “Well, we’re drinking beer in Shiner, Texas. The party’s here, so drink one with us. We’ve all got friends in Shiner, Texas. The party never ends when you’re drinking with us.”

Chris has also reached out for collaboration with other artists, the most notable being his friendship with conjunto accordionist Santiago Jimenez Jr. The duo has toured on educational
jaunts and heritage festivals, and collaborated on a CD – Two Kings of Accordion, recorded in 2012. The Czech-Mex tracks take turns featuring Czech classics like Clarinet Polka, and conjunto favorites, like Viva Seguin Polka, written by Santiago Sr.

ZICKE ZACKE ZICKE ZACKE HOI! HOI! HOI!
Chris’ brand of “let’s get everyone together to dance, drink some pivo, and have a good time,” fits in well with festival entertainment. He is a much sought-after performer at festivals that
promote all kinds of heritage – Czech (Westfest in West, Kolache Festival in Caldwell), German (Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, German Heritage Festival in Tomball, where Chris has his own party stage), Polish (Houston Polish Festival), Tejano (Big Bang Salsa Fest in Three Rivers), and Cajun (Fiddlers Frolics in Hallettsville).

The latter had hometown boy Chris headlining Cajun Night this year. “My family always went to this event and my dad would say, ‘One day, you’re going to play here.’ He didn’t get a chance to see me play (his father passed away in 2012), but I think he had a hand from above in getting me in the lineup,” Chris said. He debuted his latest CD Cajun Baby at this year’s festival. It features the song Going to Hallettsville, which tells the story of going to the Fiddlers Frolics.

Chris has also been a mainstay at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville at the Arborhaus Biergarten since 2005. He was the first and only accordionist there for a while, although the fest now features other accordionists. He also brought his wireless mike to the
biergarten, which was frowned upon by other festival acts, wanting to remain true to the period and not introduce today’s technology. Chris reported most of the other stages now usewireless. “Yeah, we changed the landscape of the Ren Fest,” Chris joked.

Depending on the event, Chris recruits other musicians to round out his band. Mainstays include guitarist Marvin Kremling, who played in Leroy’s band, and drummer Jonathan Statsky.
Of course, Chris’ wife of 16 years, Edita, also joins in on vocals, offering authentic pronunciation of Czech lyrics since she hails from Slovakia. Chris also brings in brass, reeds, tuba, fiddle – whatever is needed to keep the polka party going.

TAKING THE PARTY ACROSS THE POND
Chris and Edita have added another dimension to their entertainment business by organizing European tours for their fans. Since 2008, they have taken music fans overseas 14 times, and
this past September took travelers to Europe for a tour of Italy, Vatican, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. On February 12-19, 2017, they will host a Valentine Polka Cruise to Belize, Cozumel, and Mahogany Bay with several polka dances scheduled. On May 1-15, 2017, Chris and Edita will host another Mediterranean cruise tour; their first was held earlier this year. “It was so popular, we decided to do it again,” Edita said. Many polka fans have toured with the couple more than once. “It’s just a great time and the people you meet on the tour become lifelong
friends,” said Dennis Pustejovsky of the Waco area.

“It’s great when we go to an event like the Praha Picnic and see a group of people who have toured with us. They immediately raise their drinks and greet us with ‘Na zdraví,’ because we are always toasting to each other’s health (with slivovitz) on our tours,” Edita said.

CONTINUING THE RYBAK TRADITION
In the spring of 2011, Chris became the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Kristina Nicole, who is already walking in her father's bootsteps. She is showing much interest in music and has even appeared in national newspapers and television programs, such as the Mollie B Polka Party and early morning news programs.

Chris Rybak is an excellent example of the American Dream, a small-town kid who stuck by his accordion, and followed it halfway around the world many times. Looking back, Chris said he
wouldn’t change a thing. “I think back to those who said, ‘You’ll never make a living playing accordion.’ I’m glad I didn’t listen,” he said.

This writer wonders if he has ever played Frank Sinatra's immortal (I did it) My Way.

Chris' CDs are available in the Polka On! Store.

Encore Time: Schroeder Hall Reopens!

By Gary E. McKee

Schroeder Hall, the legendary South Central Texas dance hall, built in the late 1800s, has reopened its doors after a brief respite and will be featuring Chris Rybak, on Saturday, July 16. Schroeder, still owned by Doug Guller, Austin-based restaurant and dancehall owner, has a new manager, Corrine Abbott. Corrine is a native of El Campo, and has a degree in food and beverage management from the University of Houston. She has brought her Wharton County roots to Schroeder and is presently booking polka bands to perform on a regular basis. In between polkas, the hall will be appealing to different genres of Texas music - contemporary country, Red-Dirt Country, indie rock and nationally recognized touring acts.

          On November 19th, all cattle trails and roads will lead to the hall as Schroederfest will commence a day-long celebration of BBQ cookoffs, adult beverages (full bar), vendors, singing in the courtyard with Jon Stork, and culminating with The Charlie Daniels Band that evening.

          As the cooler months come around, Marty Haggard and Kevin Fowler will perform on the same stage that has seen a variety of legends. Bob Wills, Adolph Hofner, George and Tammy, Jimmy Heap, Roy Clark, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry Joe Taylor, and Robert Earl Keen top the long list of music heroes.

          Chris, the Accordion Cowboy, is a natural fit for this venue as it resides in the early Spanish ranching grants that date back to the late 1700s. Cattle were driven from this area to Louisiana to feed the Spanish forces fighting the British during the American Revolution.

          As the cattle industry evolved and German/Czech immigrants migrated south, many of them found work on the Tex/Mex ranches and brought their music with them. They began jamming with their Mexican co-workers (Nortiño music) and the blending of the two musical cultures produced a unique sound (Tejano). The accordion-driven Tejano music was absorbed by Tex/Mex/Czech musicians such as Santiago Jimenez, Johnny Rodriguez, and Adolph Hofner.

          Chris' influences have been a combination of Myron Floren and the Jimenez brothers – Flaco and Santiago – with a strong Hank Williams flavor.

          This Slavic/Hispanic sound will be channeled by Chris in this old hall (now air-conditioned) that has its roots in a community that was once named Germantown. During World War I, the name was changed to a little less Teutonic-sounding name, Schroeder, which was in honor of a resident killed fighting the Germans in Europe.

          Visit schroederhall.com for the soon-to-be weekly dance and event schedule at one of the last vestiges of Texas rambling dancehalls. Also appearing in July are Jake Worthington on the 9th; George Navarro on the 23rd; and Jarrod Birmingham on the 30th.

          Schroeder Hall is roughly between Goliad and Victoria and has a self-contained RV park across the road for those travelers who wish to stay the night and explore this history-filled area of Texas.

Rybaks Hosting European Tour in September

Kristina Rybak (pink hat) had a great view of Pope Francis on the last tour; Rudy and Bea Patek partied with the Rybaks at last year's Oktoberfest in Munich.

Chris & Edita Rybak invite everyone to join their 2016 Europe Tour to the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Vatican and Germany! 

The tour is scheduled from September 11 - 23 and will feature the beautiful scenery of Europe, an audience with the Pope, churches, castles, Munich Oktoberfest, wine and beer tastings, shopping for souvenirs and music by Chris Rybak while traveling. There will also be polka parties with local bands and a dinner cruise in Prague.

"Whether you want to try the Pivo & Kolaches in the Czech Republic or visit with the Pope at the Vatican, this is a tour for you!" the Rybaks said.

Chris & Edita Rybak are established polka promoters in Texas, and Chris Rybak, sometimes referred to as the "Accordion Cowboy," performs regularly solo and with his own band all across Texas!

You'll visit ancient Rome where you can see coliseum, Venice with gondola rides, Vatican with the Sistine Chapel and the Pope, Klagenfurt with the Minimundus Park, Salzburg the birthplace of Mozart, Munich where we attend the Oktoberfest, Vizovice where they make Slivovice Jelinek, eat grilled chicken at the Koliba Vlcina party, in Lichnov search for your ancestors at the Texas museum and in Prague take a dinner cruise after touring the historic city. 

The tour includes flight, hotel accommodations, luxury bus, program, meals, drinks, professional tour guide, and music.

"Please reserve your seat today as space is limited," the Rybaks said.

For additional information, contact Edita Rybak at (512) 963-6660 or (361) 772-4703 or by email at editarybak@hotmail.com.

More info on this tour can also be found at www.chrisrybak.com or http://www.texasczechs.com.

It's a Free For All!

Accordion Wrestling
By Gary E. McKee

The Hot Peppers: (L-R) Bill Seim, Bob Ascott, Rambie Briggs, Rollie Revering at the 2014 Free-For-All./CTAA photo

The Central Texas Accordion Association will host its 15th annual Accordion Free-For-All, Tuesday, June 7, at 7 pm. The program is being held in the Lamar Senior Activity Center on 2874 Shoal Crest Ave, Austin.

          The crowd-pleasing program features 10 to 12 accordionists who are given approximately 10 minutes each to showcase their skills, as well as one or two accordion bands. This year's event will feature special guest Chris Rybak, the Accordion Cowboy. All genres of music, such as country and western, big band, polkas, and European styles will possibly be performed. Some accordionists perform solo and some have a rhythmic backing musician.

          "We also have had yodelers, singers, concertinas, diatonic accordions, and piano accordions, says CTAAA President Rollie Revering. "Musicians of various talent levels play while still keeping close to a professional level. And of course, a jester of some kind to bring a few laughs.

         The CTAA, 40 members strong, meets monthly at Casa Chapala Mexican Restaurant for programs and jams. The Association was a sponsor of the Texas Folklife's Big Squeeze Contest promoting youth accordion skills and is a chapter of the National Accordion Association.

          Remember June is National Accordion Month so come on down to see what all this squeezing is about.

Polka bands close out 2013 with new CDs

Several Texas polka bands introduced new recordings at the end of the year. Chances are you got one for Christmas. If you didn’t, they are now available online in the Polka On Store. To celebrate National Polka Month, all January orders will receive a free polka bumper sticker.                        

Chris Rybak
Texas Our Texas

If you’re a proud Texan (and who isn’t) you will want this CD for your collection. Chris said he’s proud to be a Texan and wanted to bring the feeling and flavor of Texas to everyone through music. There are 14 great tunes. “These songs have always been my favorites. I wanted to include songs of the Wild West, some campfire songs, the state song ‘Texas Our Texas’ and two college fight songs for UT and Aggies,” Chris said.

The CD is pure music. No vocals. Chris spent six months working on the music, playing all the parts of each piece. “I wanted to focus on the instruments. I wanted people to feel the music,” he said.

My faves are The Yellow Rose of Texas, Waltz Across Texas, Red Rive Valley and Cotton-Eyed Joe. Sorry, as a University of Houston grad, I can't endorse the UT and Aggie fight songs, although they are classic.

Red Ravens
Playin’ Old Classics

The drought is over, at least for new Red Raven music. It has been five long years since the guys’ last CD Polka Cruisin’. Enjoy 17 songs, including my faves Little Goose Polka, Muziky Muziky Polka, Katherine’s Waltz and Chappell Hill Special. Red Raven Shane Lala said you won’t find any of these tunes on their other CDs. “We produce a new song list every time we record,” he said.

Texas Sound Check
It’s Our Time

Another long time in coming is a new CD by Texas Sound Check. The group made a list of 200 possible tunes to record and whittled it down to 24. Maybe that’s why it took so long :-) It was worth the wait. Band Leader Benny Okruhlik and this group of musicians have been playing together for a few years and they decided it was time to record, hence the CD title It's Our Time. My faves: Amerika Polka, Mountain Valley Waltz, Dreamboat Waltz and Polka Celebration.

Czech Melody Masters
Live at Saengerrunde Halle

Lots of great polka party songs on this CD, including my faves No Beer Today, In Heaven There Is No Beer, Corn Cockle and Beer Barrel polkas and great waltzes like Westphalia and Blue Skirt. This group bills itself as Austin’s Only Authentic Czech Polka Band. Thomas Durnin, the group’s bass player, has a show called Czech Melody Time on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin every Sunday from 9-10 AM. Trumpet player Dennis Svatek also produces a 90-minute Internet radio show each month called, appropriately enough, The Polka Show, which features Dobre Muziky.

Incredible Music Makers
Keepin’ the Tradition Alive

This CD has been out a while, but is new to the Polka On Store. It features 17 all-time favorites: Czech songs and more. My faves are If I Were a Bird, Barbara Polka, Haunted Garrett Waltx and in the “more” category, there are some great Hank Williams hits like Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hey Good Lookin’ and Jambalaya. IMM bills itself as A Texas Polka Band from Across the Land (that’s Flatonia, Moulton and Port Lavaca). These guys are great and the only polka band that wears purple shirts (I love purple!)

Shop now! Remember proceeds from the Polka On Store allow polkabeat.com to reinvest in the polka community by sponsoring festivals, dances and bands.

Polka News: Mollie B Loves Texas, Larry the Cable Guy Loves Polka, Gene Loves His Work and Bob Loves Fruitcake

Mollie B Loves Texas: Mollie B and the Squeezebox Band are touring Texas in January. They start at the KJT Hall in Ennis on Wednesday, Jan. 16 then head south to Mission for a dance on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Riverside Club and Friday, Jan. 18 at Mission Bell Resort. On Saturday, Jan. 19, they'll be at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Rec Center in Granger and wrap up the tour at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston on Sunday, Jan. 20. Check their schedule page for details. Larry the Cable Guy Loves Polka: Chris Rybak and his band were asked to play for a special party hosted by Larry the Cable Guy. Can't say what it was for until next March. Sigh! Chris and Edita said Larry was a lot of fun and would like for them to join him for a party in Tennessee soon. I, of course, being THE polka reporter for Texas, will need to accompany the Rybaks to cover the story! Check out Chris' Facebook page for more photos.

Gene Loves His Work: Gene Hackemack at the Tomball German Christmas Market asks, "You mean I also get paid for this?" See more photos and videos from the market, which saw record crowds last weekend.

Bob Loves Fruitcake: Bob Suttie and the Texas Legacy Czech Band is playing for the annual Christmas party at the Taiton Community Center. Besides lots of great music and dancing, there will be chicken noodle soup, by Freddy Vacek and a large dessert table on which almost everyone who comes brings a dessert. Bob will once again bring some fruitcake. He thought he was the last person on earth who likes fruitcake and thought he'd probably get to bring most of it home from past parties. WRONG! "There are other people on earth who laugh at fruitcake jokes, but still secretly like it," Bob said. "I've never brought ANY FRUITCAKE HOME from the Taiton Christmas party. So, for all you (secret) fruitcake lovers, I'll bring fruitcake again this year." You're a wild man Bob!