In recruiting musicians, I have found it's sometimes best to go to High School and College students who are already studying hard on their instruments and expose them to our music. If we can encourage them by utilizing them on gigs and getting them into the scene it definitely increases the pool. As developing musicians, they also contribute ideas that help me to grow as a musician and help to continue the evolution of our genre. Right now, I'm lucky enough to have some great young pro players from throughout the country that are really into the different polka styles that my band plays. (at the same time, I'm also extremely lucky to have guys on the roster that have grown up with polka music, as I have, to round out the band and/ or give another perspective to my new guys!)

I think it might be great to have a posting here for musicians looking for opportunities to play-- either for paying gigs or jam sessions... never know if there's somebody close by or in some kind of shooting distance to get together with....

Hello all..

My personal opinion, is that if you want to recruit new musicians, and/or younger musicians, you have to find a way to get more "newbies" involved in the music in general. (I know... sounds obvious)... I believe that if there's enthusiasm about a style of music, young people will try to emulate it and will want to learn to play it.

I believe that one of the key problems with trying to get in touch with that younger crowd is that there are no (or very few) younger bands out there for these kids to have any interest in. We live in a visual society where looks do matter, and I think that's especially true in the music world. Let's face it, when you look at the bandstand for most of the bands out there, you see overweight, usually middle-aged men in matching shirts.... and often times older than middle aged.... (BTW: I fall into that overweight category and sometimes the matching shirt category myself). There's no "sex appeal" in polka music, unlike most other popular genres of music. It only adds to the stereotype that people already have in their mind. "6 fat guys and a tuba". "you play in a polka band? Like John Candy in the back of the u-haul van?"

Something to consider: Would it make a difference at least in the realm of appeal if there were bands out there that were full of good looking/in-shape/stylish guys/gals? I personally think it would make a difference. Granted, that's only one small piece of the puzzle, but a piece that I think is often overlooked. When I look back at pictures from the polka scene from the 70's-90's, I noticed that a majority of the musicians were younger. The crowds were also younger. Coincidence?

Mollie Busta frequently has private students of hers (and their parents) show up to gigs where we're playing. They're not polka fans, and neither are the kids' parents, but the students admire Mollie, for she has (in my opinion) the complete package: Musical Talent and Ability, Personality, and Looks. I think it also helps that we (Squeezebox) don't play all "polka music". We've played several weddings in the past couple years, for young, non-polka people. They booked us because of the variety music that we play. However, they also wanted us to do a couple polkas, to which, the crowd responded in a way that I had not expected. They loved it. And now, some of those folks are coming to our "regular gigs". They aren't die-hard polka fans, but they still come and support what we do, and when they do that, the hall/fest makes more money and can afford to keep having dances.

(and now addressing that age old debate): Although I personally enjoy the songs that are sung in their “native tongue”, I think everyone can admit it’s not for everybody, and I don’t know how Polish/German/Czech lyrics are going to connect to new young people, unless they understand the language. I just don’t see how that could possibly be appealing to any young person that has never heard polkas before. However, in another realm, that may be a positive if your goal is to pursue the Spanish speaking population (over 34 million people in the US as of 2006).

What about advertising to the younger crowd? Would it be possible to put together some sort of national advertising campaign to promote polkas and to change the stereotype that the word “polka” currently carries?... and when I say national advertising campaign, I don’t mean putting flyers on all the tables at the existing polka dances…. Could enough money be generated to produce and air commercials on prime-time TV to promote polkas? A Super Bowl ad? Purchase national radio advertising to be played on top40/rock/country/etc. stations? It’s my opinion that the polka world needs to catch up with what everyone else is doing, instead of sticking its head in the sand and continuing on like it has for the past 20+ years.

I would think that certainly everyone here has heard of what a viral video is, but in case you haven't: (A viral video is a video clip that gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or Instant Messaging). Is there any way to connect to young people in a "viral" way that would change the age old stereotype of polka music?

What’s the bottom line for a lot of the things listed above? Time, Money & Unification. How do we generate enough interest (across all the genres of polka music) to get as many polka people “on one page”, to make an attempt to move forward in a common goal, which is promoting and preserving our art form? Are there enough people left to even support some of these ideas, both in regards to time and money? What’s that old saying? It takes money to make money?

Ok… I’m done rambling about that for now…. But I would be curious to hear your thoughts….

Ted Lange
Squeezebox
http://www.squeezeboxband.com
ted@squeezeboxband.com

Now, on a different note: I've been thinking about some possible things I could do, and have come up with a thought for a program that I’ve been investigating and I would be curious to hear your thoughts about its merit/potential/etc....

Would it be possible to put together some sort of program to go into the schools to "teach" polka music? Provide a quality representation of the music and teach polka dancing? Display the different instruments used in polka music. Let the kids come up and try out some of the instruments.

Upon the conclusion of the program, could CD's with various artists' songs be passed out to all the kids? Maybe have all the bands' websites and polka organizations' websites listed on the CD artwork so any kids that are interested know where to find more info?

Are there grants, individuals, organizations or corporations out there with money to support someone doing this type of thing? (or cover part of the cost?) How would or could this be funded?

I remember as a child, we used to have "assemblies", where the school (elementary and jr. high) would bring in everything from different musical groups, (one I specifically recall was a group from the Toledo Symphony that came in, and even let us try playing some of the less traditional instruments) to magicians and I even recall a guy that came in and demonstrated his abilities with a bow and arrow. I remember how it created some excitement for me to try to do those things after I saw them in the assemblies. Those things still stick out in my mind, and my JR high days were around 20 years ago.

Regarding the CD's: Would there be enough bands that would be willing to put a song on the CD and pay a little bit to have the CD's pressed? Just some numbers here, but if there were 5000 CD's ordered in jackets, and if we were able to put 20 songs on the CD, assuming the pressing cost $4,000, that would come out to $200.00 per band to have their song on this giveaway CD. Would the bands be willing to put up that kind of money to support this kind of thing? Would there be an organization or grant, or individual who would be willing to help offset that cost? Is that a reasonable way to promote our music to a younger generation, and do you think it would yield any results?

I wish I knew the answer to the problems with attendance and lack of new musicians and new followers…. But maybe I’ve posted some thoughts and ideas that will get people thinking….

Curious to hear what you all think.

Ted Lange
Squeezebox
www.squeezeboxband.com
ted@squeezeboxband.com

In response to Ted L's idea about a "viral video" or something of the sort which could attract and inspire youth, I would suggest that the best single candidate for such a video would be Alex Meixner and his group. Alex, in addition to being a fantastic musician, projects a very exciting, youthful image himself, as do his associates, and, with an awesome background as a music educator, he is an expert at working with and inspiring musically oriented youth. His work, while incorporating some of the best features of various ethnic musical traditions, is international in appeal, with plenty of English vocals and instrumental brilliance that speaks for itself. For all these reasons he would be the best possible model for any effort to reach out to youth for the benefit of polka music.

Thank you guys. These idea's are creative and by design they could surface good prospects. i wonder what we can do more expediently rather than 1-2+ years down the road. I ask this because after all, most of us are playing nearly every weekend, raising families, working jobs during the week and running our own bands. I tend to think we need to streamline an effort in key areas. Does this make sense?

Lenny Gomulka

There was talk at Pulaski Polka Days of a very possible project involving 3 of the most talented kids coming up in the polka field.It is in its infancy, but everyone is very excited about it. I dont want to talk too much until plans go forth more, but I think it could be huge in getting younger kids involved. All I have to do is learn how to play bass guitar.....

Go Tim!

I hope this inspires kids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IehcthZpADs

Hi Lenny,
I am a long time favorite in polka music and played with Doc Lula and the Polish Brass for about 2 years until the band broke up. I am moving back to the Illinois area in Jan. 2011 and definately want to start up a polka band again. I am a drummer and was a next door neighbor to Stas Bulanda and learned much from him in regards to the recording process. I am a Versatones style drummer and definately want to get a group started. I miss all the excitement of being on stage performing. I am truly a fan of yours and remember you with the Versatones. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Tim C.

To Tim C. and anyone else out there in Polka World, I happen to love Polkas. In Fact, I have told all my friends that I am going to run away and join a Polka Band. I also loved seeing John Candy and his Polka Band in the back of a truck, although it was obvious that he doesn't play the clarinet. I do however play clarinet and Sax. I own an awesome Bass Sax that was made for Polkas. Any takers?