The Chardon Polka Band

Last updated
The Chardon Polka Band
Chardon Polka Band - Columbus Oktoberfest.jpg
The Chardon Polka Band performing at the Columbus Oktoberfest
Background information
Also known asChardon High School Polka Band
Origin Chardon, OH, USA
Genres Polka
Years active2003 (2003)–present
MembersJacob Kouwe, Emily Kouwe, Mike Franklin, Mitch Lawrence, Bob Young
Past membersJoe Dahlhausen, Paul Coates, Paul "Pops" Magooch
Website http://chardonpolkaband.com

The Chardon Polka Band is an American, Ohio-based, Cleveland-Style polka band. It was started by Jake Kouwe in 2003 when he recruited four other teenagers to form a polka band at Chardon High School, and the group was originally called "The Chardon High School Polka Band" and included an accordion, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, electric guitar, and tuba. [1] [2] [3] The group got their start in the school's music room and played at local senior centers and nursing homes in the Chardon area. [4] [5] [6] Kouwe cites Weird Al Yankovic as his inspiration for playing the accordion as he started lessons on the accordion after seeing Yankovic in a VH1 special. [4] The popular satirist remains a role model for The Chardon Polka Band. [7] The band had slowly gained notoriety among Polka fans and in the Cleveland music scene in general, but got mainstream attention when they were featured in a reality show named Polka Kings on Reelz in 2015, even though the show was quickly cancelled. [4] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] The band currently plays over 200 shows a year and has grown to be one of the Cleveland music scene's most recognizable performers playing at a mixture of festivals, schools, nursing homes, and bars, but also tours nationally and headlines many of the nation's top folk festival and Oktoberfest celebrations, playing a mixture of original music, classic polkas, and covers of pop songs. [1] [3] [8] [14] [15] The band was also one of the founding members of the Cleveland revival of Dyngus Day. [16] The band has released ten full-length albums, all independently, four of which were nominated for a Polka Hall of Fame award for either the album or one or more songs.

Contents

Band members

Seasonal Member

Past members

Awards and Media coverage

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polka</span> Style of music and dance of Bohemian origin

Polka is a dance style and genre of dance music originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though associated with Czech culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brave Combo</span> American polka/rock/worldbeat band

Brave Combo is a polka fusion band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than thirty-five years. Their music, both originals and covers, incorporates a number of dance styles, mostly polka, but also some Latin American and Caribbean styles like norteño, salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha, choro, samba, two-step, cumbia, charanga, merengue, ska, etc, all performed with a rock/worldbeat energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Sturr</span> American musician

James W. Sturr Jr. is an American polka musician, trumpeter, clarinetist, saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. Media outlets have often dubbed him the "King of Polka," with his recordings having won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired more Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical polka awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Yankovic</span> Slovenian-American musician

Frank John Yankovic was an American accordion player and polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King", Yankovic was considered the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during his long career. He was not related to fellow accordionist "Weird Al" Yankovic, although the two collaborated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifton Chenier</span> American zydeco accordion player and singer

Clifton Chenier, was an American musician known as a pioneer of zydeco, a style of music that arose from Creole music, with R&B, blues, and Cajun influences. He sang and played the accordion. Chenier won a Grammy Award in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Manilow</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1943)

Barry Manilow is an American singer and songwriter with a career that spans seven decades. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", "Looks Like We Made It", "Mandy", "I Write the Songs", "Can't Smile Without You", "Weekend in New England", and "Copacabana ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Potter</span> American actress

Monica Gregg Potter is an American actress. She is known for her starring roles in the films Con Air (1997), Patch Adams (1998), and Along Came a Spider (2001). She also appeared in the horror film, Saw (2004) and The Last House on the Left, a 2009 remake film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Ostanek</span> Canadian polka musician, born 1935

Ladislav John "Walter" Ostanek, CM is a Canadian musician. He is known as "Canada's Polka King." He has received twenty-one nominations for Grammy Awards and won three.

Slovenian-style polka is an American style of polka in the Slovenian tradition. It is usually associated with Cleveland and other Midwestern cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beer Barrel Polka</span> Popular song during World War II

"Beer Barrel Polka", originally in Czech "Škoda lásky", also known as "The Barrel Polka", "Roll Out the Barrel", or "Rosamunde", is a 1927 polka composed by Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda. Lyrics were added in 1934, subsequently gaining worldwide popularity during World War II as a drinking song.

Those Darn Accordions, commonly abbreviated as TDA, are an American accordion band from San Francisco, California, originally formed in 1989 by Linda "Big Lou" Seekins.

Reelz is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. The network's programming was formerly devoted to entertainment-oriented programming focusing on the Hollywood film and entertainment industry, with programs featuring information on theatrical film releases as well as information on movies released on DVD and airing on cable television. Currently, outside a few entertainment programs, and some reality series and films, the network mainly airs original and acquired films, series, and programming relating to true crime and celebrity scandals.

Walt Groller was an American polka musician. He was generally considered one of the premier polka musicians in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Leaf Boys</span> 4 Members

The Pine Leaf Boys is an American Cajun and Creole band from South Louisiana, United States. Members include Wilson Savoy, Chris Segura, Drew Simon, Jean Bertrand (guitars), and Thomas David (bass).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polka in the United States</span>

Polka is a music and dance style that originated in Bohemia in the 1830s and came to American society with immigrants from Europe. A fast style in 2
4 time, and often associated with the pre–World War II era, polka remains a dynamic "niche" music in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">"Weird Al" Yankovic</span> American comedy musician (born 1959)

Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American musician, comedian, and actor. He is best known for writing and performing comedy songs that often parody specific songs by contemporary musicians. He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, as well as polka medleys of several popular songs, most of which feature his trademark accordion.

<i>Lets Kiss: 25th Anniversary Album</i> 2004 studio album by Brave Combo

Let's Kiss: 25th Anniversary Album is an album by the American polka band Brave Combo, released through Dentone Records on October 28, 2004. In 2005, the album won Brave Combo the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album.

<i>Śmigus-dyngus</i> Celebration held on Easter Monday in Poland and Central Europe

Śmigus-dyngus or lany poniedziałek is a celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. The tradition is widely associated with Poland in English-speaking countries and is observed by Polish diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. The tradition is also deeply rooted in Hungary.

Blue Northern was a country rock band active between 1977 and 1982. They released four Top 40 singles in Canada; in their final year they were nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award.

The Elevation Group is a music, sports and event management and production company based in the United States. The firm started in November 2002 following the acquisition, by Steve Lindecke and Denny Young, of IMG Motorsports from Mark McCormack’s IMG. Today, the firm focuses on music artist management, concert and festival production and sports marketing. Elevation is based in Cleveland, Ohio United States with additional personnel spread across offices located in Charlotte, Detroit and New York.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ain't too proud to polka: The really cool people are dusting off their accordions and having a wunnerful, wunnerful time". Cleveland.com. 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  2. ↑ "Chardon Polka Band to star in new reality TV show this January". Cleveland.com. 2014-09-18. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  3. 1 2 "Chardon Polka Band - Wurstfest". Wurstfest. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lange Mosser, Tami (2015-03-28). "Long live polka: Band popular in Wooster getting its own reality TV show". www.woosterweeklynews.com. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  5. ↑ Bonchak, Jean (2014-02-14). "The Chardon Polka Band to star in reality TV show on Reelz". News-herald.com. News-Herald. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  6. ↑ "Chardon Polka". Bestpolkabands.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  7. ↑ "The Unlikely Comeback of Polka". ideastream. NPR. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  8. 1 2 3 "polka fever: how hip new bandleaders are keeping traditional music alive and well in c-town". Cleveland - Freshwater Media. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  9. 1 2 3 "Most Interesting People 2015: Jake Kouwe". ClevelandMagazine.com. Cleveland Magazine. 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  10. 1 2 "Geauga's Jake Kouwe rejuvenates polka: My Cleveland (photos, video)" . Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  11. 1 2 Traciy Reyes. "Polka Kings: The Chardon Polka Band New Show Season Premiere Tonight On Reelz". Inquisitr.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  12. 1 2 "Live Music – Chardon Polka Band from Cleveland". Hofbrauhaus Newport. 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  13. 1 2 Rich Heldenfels (2015-04-02). "The HeldenFiles: Chardon Polka Band ready for its TV closeup - Rich Heldenfels". Ohio.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  14. ↑ "Cleveland Invasion!". polkabeat.com. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  15. ↑ "Chardon Polka Band | Cuyahoga County Fair". Cuyfair.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  16. ↑ "Cleveland's first annual Dyngus Day". polkabeat.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  17. ↑ Tomsick, Joey (Summer 2011). "Polka Quarterly" (PDF). Vol. XXII, No. 4. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  18. ↑ "Nominees/Winners 2013 - Polkas.nl". Polkas.nl. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  19. 1 2 "Nominees / Results - ClevelandStyle.com". ClevelandStyle.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  20. ↑ "I.P.A. 2016 "International Style" Album of the Year Submissions - IPApolkas.com". IPApolkas.com. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  21. ↑ ""Lights! Camera! Polka!" : Excerpt from episode 101 (pilot) - YouTube". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  22. ↑ "TheChardonPolkaBand - YouTube". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  23. ↑ "A Polka Revival In Cleveland". hereandnow. NPR. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  24. ↑ "Ohio: Polka Plane Plunge". Travel Channel. 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  25. ↑ "PBS Western Reserve - Regional Productions: Arts Specials". PBS Western Reserve . Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  26. ↑ Mark Meszoros (2021-01-08). "The Chardon Polka Band released two albums, made TV-bound documentary in 2020". News-Herald.com. The News Herald. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  27. ↑ "The Chardon Polka Band's Holiday Extravaganza debuts Thanksgiving weekend". PBS WOUB-TV. 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  28. ↑ "55th Annual Great Lakes Emmy® Awards". Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards . Retrieved 2024-06-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.