(bright electronic music) ♪ Let's polka ♪ - [Announcer] Welcome to "Let's Polka One More Night", a musical special celebrating your favorite polka performances, including Box On, Lenny Gomulka, Alex Meixner and Squeeze Box.

Prepare for a night of toe-tapping fun all next on "Let's Polka One More Night".

(audience applauding) "Let's Polka One More Night" is made possible with support from viewers like you.

- Hello and welcome to "Let's Polka One More Night".

I'm your host, Greg Catlin.

Back in 2009 when WSKG started production of "Let's Polka", we had no idea how popular it would become.

There was nothing better than seeing our studio filled with diehard polka fans, watching the bands they loved.

With the help of our longtime host Bill Flynn, we've been able to work with the best performers from across the country.

Over the next hour, we'll showcase some of your favorite tunes over the past few seasons of the program.

Our first performance comes from one of the most famous names in polka history.

Tony Blazonczyk has followed in his father Eddie's footsteps all the way to the International Polka Hall of Fame.

Here's Tony and his band, New Phase, performing their original song, "For the Love of the Music", on "Let's Polka One More Night".

(audience applauding) ♪ One other Monday ♪ ♪ It's no wonder I am tired ♪ ♪ After a Sunday ♪ ♪ When we got a little wild ♪ ♪ We had a party had a few ♪ ♪ And made some memories ♪ ♪ All of them can take a toll on me ♪ ♪ And now I'm paying ♪ ♪ 'Cause the weekend wore me out ♪ ♪ I'm not complaining ♪ ♪ 'Cause that's not what I'm about ♪ ♪ Sometimes it ain't easy ♪ ♪ But good things never are ♪ ♪ It's simply living ♪ ♪ I want this in my heart ♪ ♪ It's for the love of the music ♪ ♪ It's deep inside my soul ♪ ♪ The love of the music ♪ ♪ And I am not alone ♪ ♪ So if somebody asks me why ♪ ♪ I do the things I do ♪ ♪ It's for the love of the music ♪ ♪ And those who love it too ♪ ♪ Good friends and music ♪ ♪ Mean the good times are in store ♪ ♪ And when we have them ♪ ♪ I want there to be more ♪ ♪ They bring me joy and happiness ♪ ♪ And mean so much to me ♪ ♪ I'm in the state of where I wanna be ♪ ♪ Polish tradition is the way I wanna play ♪ ♪ I learned this music ♪ ♪ This is what I have to say ♪ ♪ First my dad then my brother ♪ ♪ Now it's up to me ♪ ♪ Join me in a dance and you will see ♪ ♪ It's for the love of the music ♪ ♪ It's deep inside my soul ♪ ♪ The love of the music ♪ ♪ And I am not alone ♪ ♪ So if somebody asks me why ♪ ♪ I do the things I do ♪ ♪ It's for the love of the music ♪ ♪ And those who love it too ♪ - Well thank you everybody, and it's an honor to be here.

We're gonna do a tune right now that was recorded by my dad back in 1973.

Here's one called "The Girls Girls Girls Polka".

♪ Everywhere that I go a girl is waiting ♪ ♪ I tell them sweet things when we go dating ♪ ♪ I whisper things in their ears like you're my only ♪ ♪ And you will never ever be lonely ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ They're all made to love ♪ ♪ Made to kiss and hug and take advantage of ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ All have one goal in life ♪ ♪ To some single fella and become his wife ♪ ♪ Whoo hoo ♪ ♪ There's this girl way out east her name is Terri ♪ ♪ I tell her someday that we might marry ♪ ♪ Way out west there's this girl her name is Betty ♪ ♪ She's crazy about me we're going steady ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ They're all made to love ♪ ♪ Made to kiss and hug and take advantage of ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ All have one goal in life ♪ ♪ To get some single fella and become his wife ♪ ♪ Way up north there's this girl that I call Honey ♪ ♪ She's not so pretty but she's got money ♪ ♪ Way down south where it's warm I've got my Sandy ♪ ♪ And when I'm lonely she comes in handy ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ They're all made to love ♪ ♪ Made to kiss and hug and take advantage of ♪ ♪ Girls girls girls ♪ ♪ All have one goal in life ♪ ♪ To get some single fella and become his wife ♪ ♪ Whoo hoo ♪ (audience applauding) - We're gonna do the most popular polka of all time, a little song written Jaromír Vejvoda, called "Skoda Lasky".

Some people call it (speaking in foreign language), some people call it "Rosamunde", but here in the United States we call it "The Beer Barrel Polka", two, three, four.

("Beer Barrel Polka") (Alex singing in foreign language) Everyone in English.

♪ Roll out the barrel ♪ ♪ We'll have a barrel of fun ♪ ♪ Roll out the barrel ♪ ♪ We've got the blues on the run ♪ ♪ Zing whoo harara ♪ ♪ Sing out a song of good cheer ♪ ♪ Whiskey wine or beer ♪ ♪ Now it's time to roll the barrel ♪ ♪ For the gang's all here ♪ (audience applauding) - What a performance from Alex Meixner and his band.

You never know what you're gonna hear from Alex.

It could be a cover of a famous pop song, it could be an old time classic, like "The Beer Barrel Polka".

A truly unique artist, and we thank him for appearing on "Let's Polka One More Night".

Next up is a band that really got our studio dancers moving.

Dennis Polisky & Maestros Men have been together since 1996, and they were named favorite polka band of the year and the amazing 11 times in a row, by the International Polka Association.

Here's Dennis & the Maestro Men performing a pair of songs, including a barn-burning rendition of "The Clarinet Polka".

- One, two, three.

("Black and Blue Oberlek") (audience applauding) - Thank you, the "Black and Blue Oberlek".

Well this next tune, we get many requests for this one.

It's called "The Old Clarinet Polka", and we recorded this on one of our earlier CDs.

And we'd like to do it right now, and especially send it out to dear friends in the audience here, Steve and Adele Litwin.

So going out your way, here we go, "The Clarinet Polka".

One, two.

("The Clarinet Polka") (audience applauding) - Welcome back to "Let's Polka One More Night".

We promise to keep your toes a-tapping with this next segment.

Featuring a band from across the Canadian border.

John Gora's infectious charm has captivated polka fans for close to 40 years, and this Grammy-nominated musician put on a fantastic show back in 2018.

Here's John and his band performing "Valentina", and the traditional "Blue Skirt Waltz".

(audience applauding) ("Valentina") (John singing in foreign language) ♪ Valentina ♪ ♪ Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) ♪ Valentina ♪ ♪ Oh Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) - Oh yeah, nice.

(John singing in foreign language) Everybody.

♪ Valentina ♪ ♪ Oh Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) ♪ Valentina ♪ ♪ Oh Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) ♪ Valentina ♪ ♪ Oh Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) ♪ Oh Valentina ♪ ♪ Valentina ♪ (John singing in foreign language) Oh yeah, Valentina baby.

Johngora.com, that's where you'll find our CDs.

(audience applauding) Hey, "Valentina".

All right, for all you waltz dancers, let's slow it down.

Here we go, "The Blue Skirt Waltz".

Ladies and gentlemen, sing along, here we go.

♪ I dream of that night with you ♪ ♪ Lady when first we met ♪ ♪ We danced in a world of blue ♪ ♪ How can my heart forget ♪ ♪ Blue were the skies and blue were your eyes ♪ ♪ Just like the blue skirt you wore ♪ ♪ Come back blue lady come back ♪ ♪ Don't be blue anymore ♪ Sing along everybody.

♪ I dream of that night with you ♪ ♪ Lady when first we met ♪ ♪ We dance in a world of blue ♪ ♪ How can my heart forget ♪ ♪ Blue were the skies and blue were your eyes ♪ ♪ Just like the blue shirt you wore ♪ ♪ Come back blue lady come back ♪ Come on, all the ladies, help me out.

All the guys, you'll do.

♪ I dream of that night with you ♪ ♪ Lady when first we met ♪ ♪ We dance in a ♪ Oh, you're not a lady.

♪ How can my heart forget ♪ ♪ Blue were the skies and blue were your eyes ♪ ♪ Just like the blue skirt you wore ♪ ♪ Come back blue lady come back ♪ ♪ Don't be blue anymore ♪ Mr. Alec Gongowski on accordion.

("The Blue Skirt Waltz") (audience applauding) There you go, "The Blue Skirt Waltz".

All right folks, thank you very much.

(audience applauding) ♪ Whoo ♪ (singing in foreign language) - Thank you, whoo.

(audience applauding) - What a wonderful performance from the Eddie Foreman Orchestra here on "Let's Polka One More Night".

Eddie's yet another International Polka Hall of Famer who put on a spectacular show for our dedicated fans.

I wanna take a moment to thank all the fans and dancers who made every "Let's Polka" episode something special.

I know they were quite delighted when this next band visited in 2019, Squeeze Box with Ted Lange and Molly B are quite simply one of the best polka bands in the world.

Here they are, performing a special American polka medley, as well as an original tune, dedicated to all the service men and women across the country and around the world, here is Squeeze Box.

(audience applauding) ♪ Just because you think you're so pretty ♪ ♪ And just because you think you're so hot ♪ ♪ And just because you think you've got something ♪ ♪ That nobody else has got ♪ ♪ You caused me to spend all my money honey ♪ ♪ You laughed and called me old Santa Claus ♪ ♪ I'm telling you honey I'm through with you ♪ ♪ Because just because ♪ ♪ Tick tick tick tock goes the clock on the wall ♪ ♪ As we're dancing the evening away ♪ ♪ Tick tick tick tock goes my heart ♪ ♪ With the clock beating time while the music is gay ♪ ♪ Tick tick tick tock is the rhythm it plays ♪ ♪ And I know it won't make you feel blue ♪ ♪ Tick tick tick tock goes my heart with the clock ♪ ♪ 'Cause they know I am dancing with you ♪ ♪ Here we go ♪ ♪ Strike up the music the band has begun ♪ ♪ The Pennsylvania polka ♪ ♪ Pick out your partner and join in the fun ♪ ♪ The Pennsylvania polka ♪ ♪ It started in Scranton it's now number one ♪ ♪ It's bound to entertain you ♪ ♪ Everybody has a mania ♪ ♪ To do the polka from Pennsylvania ♪ ♪ In heaven there is no beer no beer ♪ ♪ That's why we drink it here ♪ ♪ And when we're gone from here ♪ ♪ All our friends will be drinking all our beer ♪ - Sing along out there.

♪ Ooh la la la la la ♪ ♪ Oh ooh la la la la la ♪ ♪ Ooh la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la la ♪ And now for the most famous polka of all time, sing along as we do one called "Roll Out the Barrel".

♪ Roll out the barrel ♪ ♪ We'll have a barrel of fun ♪ ♪ Roll out the barrel ♪ ♪ We've got the blues on the run ♪ ♪ Say whoo harara ♪ ♪ Sing our song of good cheer ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's time to roll the barrel ♪ ♪ For the gang's all here ♪ (audience applauding) - This song that you're now gonna hear and to enjoy is a song that we wrote for that movie, "The Mule" with Clint Eastwood, and this is a song that Ted and I co-wrote.

It's our one and only song we've ever co-written, and this was a song that Clint Eastwood chose to have in this movie.

So it's "A Day to Say Thank You", and I wanna know where our veterans are here today.

I know there's a veteran there, and a few more around.

(audience applauding) Well, thank you, thank you for your service, thank you.

So as we play this song, on camera I wanna let you know that we are playing it for you, 'cause it's always a day to say thank you.

♪ Oh it's a day to say thank you ♪ ♪ And it's time to have fun too ♪ ♪ The sky is blue the grass is green ♪ ♪ And the birds are singing too ♪ ♪ Oh my friends I say thank you ♪ ♪ It's not often that we hear ♪ ♪ A lot of thanks for those who leave ♪ ♪ And few remember those who won't return ♪ ♪ It's our patriotic duty to honor those who serve ♪ ♪ And give to you the phrase that you deserve ♪ ♪ Oh it's a day to say thank you ♪ ♪ And it's time to have fun too ♪ ♪ The sky is blue the grass is green ♪ ♪ And the birds are singing too ♪ ♪ Oh my friends I say thank you ♪ ♪ Oh it's a day to say thank you ♪ ♪ And it's time to have fun too ♪ ♪ The sky is blue the grass is green ♪ ♪ And the birds are singing too ♪ ♪ Oh my friends I say thank you ♪ ♪ This freedom in America it isn't always free ♪ ♪ Preserved by those who serve unselfishly ♪ ♪ They leave behind their lives their homes ♪ ♪ And all their families ♪ ♪ Their sacrifice is made for you and me ♪ ♪ Oh it's a day to say thank you ♪ ♪ And it's time to have fun too ♪ ♪ The sky is blue the grass is green ♪ ♪ And the birds are singing too ♪ ♪ Oh my friends I say thank you ♪ ♪ Oh it's a day to say thank you ♪ (audience applauding) - You're watching, "Let's Polka One More Night", a look back at some of our favorite performances from the program's history.

I'm your host, Greg Catlin.

We still have a little bit of time left, and this next legend really needs no introduction.

Lenny Gomulka has been one of the biggest names in polka for more than 40 years, and he visited with his band, The Chicago Push, back in 2019.

(audience applauding) - Come on dancers, don't be shy.

Get out there on the floor.

We're gonna have some fun here right now.

(singing in foreign language) (bright happy polka music) (audience cheering) ♪ Somehow I'm not getting through to you ♪ ♪ And you don't treat me like you used to do ♪ ♪ I see a faraway look in your eyes ♪ ♪ And I'm afraid that we're saying goodbye ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I dreamed that someone else was holding you tight ♪ ♪ Another's arms were holding you ♪ ♪ Another's lips were kissing you ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I dreamed that someone else was holding you tight ♪ ♪ Another's arms were holding you ♪ ♪ Another's lips were kissing you ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ Oh I don't hardly know you anymore ♪ ♪ And you don't act the same as before ♪ ♪ Hold me close and whisper I love you ♪ ♪ And that my bad bad dream won't come true ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I dreamed that someone else was holding you tight ♪ ♪ Another's arms were holding you ♪ ♪ Another's lips were kissing you ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ ♪ I dreamed that someone else was holding you tight ♪ ♪ Another's arms were holding you ♪ ♪ Another's lips were kissing you ♪ ♪ I had a bad bad dream last night ♪ Here's John on the concertina.

(bright happy polka music) (audience applauding) - That was Lenny Gomulka and the Chicago Push, performing their original tune, "I Had a Bad Dream Polka".

This last hour certainly hasn't been a bad dream, considering all the great polka music we've heard.

It's hard to believe the amount of talent that's been featured on "Let's Polka" through the years, and we feel fortunate to have been able to bring these performances to you.

We thank you for watching "Let's Polka One More Night", and we end with a true polka family affair.

Rick Vanecki met his wife Alicia while they were in separate bands back in the 1980s.

Now they perform all across the country with their children as Box On.

Here's their rendition of "She's My Baby".

(audience applauding) ♪ Brown hair and blue eyes my baby ♪ ♪ She's full of pep and personality ♪ ♪ Yes she lives uptown she's my lady ♪ ♪ And she don't love no one but me ♪ ♪ Five feet and so sweet my baby ♪ ♪ Her eyes they light up with mine ♪ ♪ When I tell my baby ♪ ♪ There just ain't no maybe ♪ ♪ That my baby soon will be mine ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ That is what they say ♪ ♪ When they see my baby sway ♪ ♪ That is what they say ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ She is sure okay ♪ ♪ And she is my baby now ♪ - Come on everybody.

Box On, Box On, Box On, whoo.

♪ Brown hair and blue eyes my baby ♪ ♪ She's full of pep and personality ♪ ♪ Yeah she lives uptown she's my lady ♪ ♪ And she don't love no one but me ♪ ♪ Yes she's five feet and so sweet my lady ♪ ♪ Her eyes they light up with mine ♪ ♪ When I tell my baby ♪ ♪ There just ain't no maybe ♪ ♪ That my baby soon will be mine ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ That is what they say ♪ ♪ When they see my baby sway ♪ ♪ That is what they say ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ She is sure okay ♪ ♪ She's my baby now ♪ Come one everybody (whooping).

(audience applauding) - Hey, hey, thank you very much.

We're Box On, we're happy to play some happy polka music for you today.

We're gonna play another song, a happy snappy tune, and we would like to have your participation if we could.

Put your hands together and clap with us.

(audience and band clapping) (singing in foreign language) ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Tra la la la la ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Tra la la la la ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Tra la la la la ♪ Come on everybody, help us out.

Box On, Box On.

(singing in foreign language) ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Tra la la la la ♪ ♪ Everybody hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Tra la la la la ♪ ♪ Yee ha ha ha ♪ ♪ Oh hee hee hee ♪ (audience applauding) ♪ Polka songs we love to hear that driving beat ♪ ♪ Share that snappy music with all those you meet ♪ ♪ Sing it loud and proud and raise your glasses high ♪ ♪ Hope that's deep within our hearts will never die ♪ ♪ It's that polka music sing it every day ♪ ♪ It's that polka music makes me feel this way ♪ ♪ It's that polka music helps you feel just fine ♪ ♪ And you're gonna sing that tuneful music one more time ♪ All right everybody help me out, here we go.

Box On, Box On.

(singing in foreign language) ♪ It's that polka music sing it every day ♪ ♪ It's that polka music makes me feel this way ♪ ♪ It's that polka music helps you feel just fine ♪ ♪ And we're gonna sing that tuneful music one more time ♪ (audience applauding) (uptempo cheerful polka music)