Volume 2 – #13 – August 1999

First things first. Our new CD, POLKASONIC, will be released this month on Cleveland International Records and should be in stores by early September. However, we plan to have CDs and cassettes at our shows in August.

Well, what can I say. Brave Combo’s 20th Anniversary Reunion Extravaganza #1 was an enormous success. Almost 800 friends and fans packed the Czech Club on July 24 and we sincerely appreciate the show of support. We owe our existence, at least from a practical point of view, to all the people that come to our shows and buy our CDs and we were truly humbled by the force of love that engulfed us that night. The mood was so upbeat it was almost embarrassing, but what do you expect from an event that’s built on polka. It blows my mind that this goofy little combo is twenty years old. In a way, time has stood still for me. I still feel the same way about the uniqueness and freshness of polka music as I did in the beginning. I’ve always felt that Brave Combo’s greatest strength is in the material itself (“The Clarinet Polka” will always rock, dude), and July 24th reconfirmed that to me. I’m not really talking about our original songs, though, I guess there are a few good ones in there as well. I’m primarily referring to music that, for one reason or another, pushes our special buttons. And we think our audiences might like it, too. So we work out some groovy arrangement and just play the song with as much conviction as possible. There are about 700 songs in our repertoire right now and we add to it constantly. I’m sure part of this is short attention span, but, maybe not. There are a few songs we play almost every show and have for years and we don’t get tired of them. We’ll alter them here and there in subtle ways and keep our interest up. But, I have veered from the topic: the reunion show. It was a blast that went by in a flash. Everyone sounded great and it seemed to be an important thing for all of the musicians. An interesting, but not surprising circumstance added a special dimension to the night. Dave “Tito” Cameron, our original drummer called from Waco about 6:00, which was the arrival time for sound check. His car had broken down, but he hoped to get to the gig before it started. About 8:00 he called again. He had towed his car back to Austin, which is two hours the opposite direction and was calling to say he wouldn’t be able to make it. This was unacceptable to many people, especially me. So, I persuaded him to try. He said he would. And he did. The funny thing is that we had rehearsed only songs Tito picked out. So he had to be there, period. He and his wife, Leigh Ann, roared in about midnight, which was okay since we played until 1:30 AM. So, the original lineup performed together for the first time in 17 years. Tim Walsh, original woodwind player, read some stuff from a diary that he kept quite faithfully for the first three years. Lyle wore his fanciest shirt from the past (pink with polka dots). Mitch Marine, our second drummer, who was with us nine years, was there in all his glory. He still has plenty of fans out there. Of course, Joe Cripps was there. In fact, he played with the Bubba, Carl, Jeff, Mitch version off and on for several years before helping us form the new Brave Combo after Mitch left. Third drummer, Phil Hernandez and fourth drummer, Greg Beck, were not present. But we hope they will join us for the really big reunion at Westfest in early September. Speaking of that show, you’re an idiot if you miss it. Well, maybe that’s a little harsh, but there will be no more reunion shows until we turn 25. Maybe I’ll design a family tree T-shirt before Westfest. Okay, this is starting to gross me out a little bit. The next thing you know, we’ll have that theater in Branson with a gift shop attached.

The current Brave Combo (Jeff, Alan, Carl, Danny and Bubba) will continue to carry the torch. We’re excited about the future, perils and all, and want you to hear our brand new songs. There are lots of them. “Funiculi, Funicula,” “Hungarianella,” “America, the Beautiful (Polka),” “Fear Of Flying,” “Golden Opportunity,” “Cowering Mess,” “My Tears Are Nothing,” “Moulin Rouge,” “I Don’t Mind,” “Little Lulu,” “Glow Worm Cha Cha Cha.” Plus, we have hot new arrangements of some old favorites: “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Trollslanden,” “Echo Polka,” “Come Back To Sorrento,” “Castanets Cumbia.”

August, 1999 should be interesting, at least. There will be bizarre moments in Cleveland, Chicago, Alsip, IL, Milwaukee, Lincoln, NE, Ft. Worth, Denton, Austin, Oklahoma City, and, of course, Desoto, TX. Check our itinerary for all the important details. And by “bizarre” I mean “bizarre.” Sometimes I find weird little things in the parking lot at convenience stores. Just think, every exit off the interstate is a potential gold mine. There’s a reason for living and even enjoying life in practically everyone’s backyard. One time when I was very young I found some stagnate water near my house and looked at it under a microscope. It freaked me out, yet thrilled me. When I was a little older I got a telescope. And although I imagined more than I really saw, these two tools for more extended vision helped me realize the unlimited possibilities. That’s why music is so amazing. Any beautiful song can, and probably will, be written.

A downer note to end on. Sorry. My wife, Jane, and I lost our most precious thing recently. Our little boy in a dog suit, Tiny, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 14. We’re both devastated.

Have a nice and confusing month.