Volume 2 – #9 – April 1999

April 1, 1999. My mother called this morning to tell me it was snowing in Texarkana and I fell for it (April Fool’s, you know). She lies quite convincingly. Hmmm. Then Lyle Atkinson, Brave Combo’s original bass player called to inform me that our first rehearsal was April 1, 1979. That’s probably right. Lyle’s good at remembering that kind of stuff, but we’ll just see how healthy his memory is when it comes to polkas. This year is Brave Combo’s 20th Anniversary and I guess we should milk it at least a little. I know there is significance and meaning to it all, but beyond the promotional potential, it’s just another year. However, at least one reunion concert is being planned and it will be fun, and probably funny, to see and hear the original band on stage again. Lyle’s been working with computers since he left in January of 1985 and still lives in this area. Dave Cameron, our first drummer is a physical therapist and is usually playing in two or three underground bands. He left in March, 1983 and moved to Austin, where he stayed. B.C.’s first woodwind player, Tim Walsh, jumped ship in June 1983 to pursue a career in laser light wizardry. He’s done very well nationally and internationally (half-time light shows at rodeos in Saudi Arabia, etc.), but I suspect he’s not keeping his clarinet chops up. I’ll have more on reunion plans later. It looks like Rounder wants to get involved. And so they should.

In those early days of Brave Combo, we looked even more rag tag than we do now. I was younger then and more stupid as well…..maybe. I ate all kinds of meat in 1979. I actually pulled chunks of a dead animal’s body from it’s bones and put it in my mouth, chewed on it and swallowed it. Wow! Enough about that. Someone’s going to get mad at me. This is a potentially awkward topic for a lot of people.

Hey, our swing through the Midwest in early March was a big success and polka love had a lot to do with it. Sometimes it’s polka lust, but that’s okay. Anyway, friends, fans and curious on-lookers turned out in great numbers and a healthy percentage were hard core polka supporters (dancers, musicians, disc jockeys, promoters). I feel there’s a growing passion here that can’t be stopped. It’s Brave Combo’s role to help unite and ignite the polka movement at large. Check out the young bands and musicians (Freeze Dried, The Beat, The Polkaholics, Kick, Albert Zamora y Talento, The Praha Brothers and Lynn Marie Rink, to name a few) and then try to deny it. Here’s a little message to 99% of all radio music and program directors (including NPR). You’re either narrow-minded wimps or woefully unaware of the most important musical trend happening. If you’re going to buy into the established system so shamelessly, you might as well go to work for McDonald’s or Blockbuster. Take your pick. Okay, I will now put my extended ego back in its place and close this segment with a few lines from “The Friendly Tavern Polka.” Music is playing. Dancers are swaying. Magic is in the air. Down at the friendly tavern. Everyone’s happy there.

Here’s some exciting news. Our song, “Recuerdos,” from the album, No, No, No, Cha Cha Cha, is in an Academy Award winning movie (documentary, short subject). The movie is called The Personals and was written and directed by Keiko Ibi. It’s about some Jewish senior citizens in New York putting on a play. As it turns out, Brave Combo will also be playing Ms. Ibi’s wedding reception this month. And, as it turns out, her husband -to-be, Greg Pak is also a filmmaker and used a B.C. song in one of his movies as well. Keiko and Greg must like our music. Obviously, they’re classy people.

Man, April is a busy month. Outdoor festivals in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston and Denton, as well as Muenster and Coppell, plus, some groovy club dates. On April 9 we’ll be at Rick’s Place in Denton with our friends from Austin, The Hairy Apes Butt-Moving Experience. This is Mike Dillon’s current primary musical focus. You will love the energy explosion at this show. On April 15 we’ll be at Smitty’s in Little Rock, Arkansas. All you folks in Denton should go to this. It’s only about a six-hour drive. And, take it from me, you really don’t want to miss our show on April 23 at The Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas. An amazing band from Colombia, Bloque, will be performing before us. They’re currently touring the USA in support of their new album on Luaka Bop, David Byrne’s adventurous record label. Anyway, check our itinerary for details on all of this stuff. And, remember, a good thing about outdoor festivals is that you may feel inclined to stock up on Brave Combo recordings and fashion wear to help you commemorate the event. You know the mother I mentioned earlier? She always used to say, “Carl, you have an excuse for everything.” So?

Now you’re in for a treat. Following, are two Grammy reports from Jeffrey and Bubba. They acted as Brave Combo Ambassadors of Whatever and willingly walked into the valley of lost souls for the cause. Get ready to understand more about why and what.

Have a laid back and productive month. Don’t hesitate to make yourself clear. Try to communicate even painful feelings. When you open your eyes in the morning, look around and remind yourself that, although it’s a new day, it’s really just a few hours later than when you went to sleep. Maybe your whole life is just one long day that keeps getting interrupted by bodily needs (sleep, eating, bathroom, etc.) and the predictable actions of the solar system and the whole darn universe. It’s Polka Time
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WHAT I DID ON MY GRAMMY VACATION

by Jeffrey Barnes

Tuesday morning was clear as a bell. My wife Gina and I had smooth, easy flights through Denver. She let me have the window seat. The landscape of the West far below us beautifully evidenced the powerful forces working beneath its surface.

We landed at LAX, shuttled to the Biltmore Hotel, and exchanged hellos in the lobby with Kathy Fink who, along with her partner Marcy Marx, is a big Combo fan and a Grammy award-winning children’s recording artist (not this year though, as it turns out).

I had stayed up late packing, so I took a nap when we got to our room. Gina, not one to waste a moment, went to an art museum.

When she got home and I got up, we dressed up cocktail-style and shuttled to the Science Museum for the Nominees’ Reception. We presented our credentials and I received my second groovy brass medallion – our schmoozing ticket, which Gina has had framed for our dining room wall. We spent a long time in lines to get our photos made and to get tickets to tomorrow’s Awards ceremony. After that we could wander and dig the Museum’s exhibits, including a rig which simulated space docking and a gyro-bike you could ride on a rope Wallendas-style over the precipice of the lobby. Sorry, we didn’t do these.

Instead we met Bubba by a bar, where he introduced us to the great Lenny Gomulka and his trumpet-player Kevin Adams, formerly with Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones. Lenny is a virtuoso clarinetist / trumpet-player / arranger, a man I admire and respect, and one of our competitors for the Polka Grammy. An older man interspersed himself as we talked, declared himself a polka conservative, was curious about Brave Combo’s ethnicity, and was suspicious that we weren’t taking polka seriously. I assured him that we were and asked if he had heard us. He hadn’t. Lenny and I agreed that he should.

People came up twice that evening saying, “Carl? Carl Finch? Damn, I’m glad to meet you !” – before I could dash their hopes and tell them it was only me.

I talked to Marcia Ball, my former boss, who was up for the Contemporary Blues Grammy, and Jeff Coffin, a North Texas alumnus who plays saxophone (marvelously) for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Then I discovered we were cash-poor – our money was in traveller’s checks – and we needed to tip the bartenders, of course. I noticed the Museum store was open and bought a Wiggly Giggly Ball ™, a spherical object which makes weird noises when rolled or jostled. I pocketed the change.

We noshed, guzzled, and schmoozed a brief while longer, then caught a shuttle home. On board, Walter Ostanek and the Del Simchak Band were exchanging good-natured insults. I introduced myself to Mr. Ostanek, but I don’t think he heard who I was. Later they turned and asked the same question they do in prison: “…and what are you in for, kid?”

“The Polka Grammy, same as you,” I admitted. Mr. Ostanek brought out miniature covers of Brave Combo recordings for me to autograph, and an 8×10 glossy of another polka band.
“Who’s that ?” I asked.
“Throw him off the bus!” cried the Del Simchak Band. (It was a picture of them.) Everybody signed my ball.

Later, Gina and I met with Lenny and Kevin and their wives and went to the Conga Club, where we heard Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, and Arturo Sandoval play, and saw Bubba Hernandez dance. They were all magnificent, of course. I asked Lenny if he listened to this kind of music, and he said that he did, as I suspected. He said he listened to everything except current rock. Well, I don’t either, with a few exceptions, and Lenny is one year older than me (48). I asked if he went to music school and played Mozart, Weber, et al. He said he just played with Blazonczyk and other polka bands since he was a teenager. He is a natural musician, a bonified polka hero, who has been nominated for the Polka Grammy nine times and has never won. He works for the phone company and may not do music too much longer, he says.

When we left, we met Jimmy Smits at the door. Don’t worry, folks; He’s not dead – he’s big and friendly and positively glows with health. Mrs. Gomulka and Mrs. Adams had their pictures taken with him.

Gina and I went back to the Biltmore and crashed.

Wednesday was Awards Day. I got up and did nothing (I do it so well!). Gina window-shopped and explored.

Then we got dressed up formal-style and went to the shuttle. As we waited, I introduced myself to Gerald Wilson, a jazz arranger whose music I love and whom I voted for. I have no idea how old he is, but he worked with Count Basie over fifty years ago. We talked about Texas tenors (“Ornette Coleman?” asked Gina. “Arnett Cobb,” said I. “Illinois Jacquet [and about five other famous names],” said Gerald.). We also talked about Denton (Gerald has visited U.N.T.), polka (he likes it!), and our chances (i.e. slim ; “My competition is fierce,” he said.). I think he is one of the nicest, sweetest gentlemen that I have ever met.

The Awards Ceremony comes in two parts – pre-televised and otherwised. All in all, it is a nine-hour marathon.

We waited on the sidewalk for a long time, and then were paraded in front of a paid crowd on bleachers who cheered our arrival for the cameras. At this point some people saw me walk past a camera where E network was interviewing somebody. Fame, at last!

We sat through interminable categories while I polished my acceptance speech and edited it down to less than a minute. When the Polka category was announced, the mention of our name produced a cheer in some sections of the auditorium. This was encouraging, but…we lost. Jimmy Sturr had garnered his tenth Grammy out of a possible twelve. Well, nine-and-a-half, anyway; He had tied with Eddie Blazonczyk one year. His powerful Nashville voting block had put him over once again.

Afterwards, I tried to get to the payphones to spread the sad news of our defeat, but they were jammed with other losers, so I rented binoculars and we took our seats in the balcony.

You all saw the show, so I won’t bore you with the details except to say Rosie O’Donnell was even funnier during the commercial breaks and the stage crew and security were a show in themselves. I let Bubba have the binoculars from time to time so he could better appreciate Jennifer Lopez and Shania Twain. After I had done so, of course.

We had trouble busting through the crowd to get to the shuttle, but finally we were back at the Biltmore. The post-Awards party was in full swing. I talked to Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel (a former Grammy winner) and passed Isaac Hayes and his entourage on the way in. We saw Bubba and David De La Garza, keyboard player for La Mafia, went downstairs, saw Pancho Sanchez, and then Celia, Tito, and Arturo did their marvelous thing again. In between we went upstairs and saw the Bar-kays. They played “Soul Finger” and Gina and I danced like crazy. They were Otis Redding’s band, of course, and played all his hits, a big blast from my past. After a while the crowd began chanting “Otis Redding, we love you!” and I teared up and had to leave. I’ve lost three musicians I’ve known in three separate plane crashes.

During the night I offered consolation to my fellow losers:
Lenny and Kevin accepted defeat with equanimity, having been there many times; Kevin just wished they’d publicize the votes so he’d know how close Lenny and he had gotten.

Walter Ostanek (who got one of the non-Sturr Polka Grammies) said, “Well, maybe with hard work and perseverance we’ll get it next year.”

Del Simchak, who probably knew he wouldn’t win, still looked kind of disheartened. I know exactly how he felt. The wife of one of the band members opined that “at least Jimmy Sturr should show up and accept his award”. I think so, too.

Gerald Wilson, who had been hanging with Tom Scott, came up beaming, shook my hand, and said, “Well, we lost, didn’t we ? I was watching for you”. I told him there are no losers here.

Marcy Marxer had the funniest line: “At least you didn’t lose to a rag with a hand up its butt.” (She had been defeated by a Muppet.)

All these people signed my Wiggly Giggly Ball ™, as did Flaco Jiminez, who won two Grammies this year.

Gina and I went to bed, consoled each other, got up, had breakfast, and went back to Texas.
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THE BUBBA GRAMMY EXPERIENCE

by Bubba Hernandez

It wasn’t long before my first brush with a celebrity. On the flight to Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards, I ran into Futureman, who plays that funky little drum machine with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. He and his teammates had been nominated and later would win a Grammy for best instrumental composition. We had once shared the stage at a festival at Ft. Smith Arkansas. So, I gave him a Polka Party cassette. We would run into each other often later on.

When I arrived in the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel in LA, I visited with Sunny Ozuna, Augustin Ramirez, and Freddie Martinez who along with Carlos Guzman, not present at the time, had been nominated for Best Tejano Music Performance for Leyendas y Raices. Sunny had hit the top of the American charts in the early ‘60s with his hit, “Talk to Me,” which led to performances on American Bandstand and the Ed Sullivan Show. I also saw Phil Ramone and Michael Greene walking by. Phil Ramone produced just about every major album from the late ‘60s through the ‘70s. Michael Greene is the Chairman and CEO of the Academy. Once in my hotel room, I phoned my brother and talked with him about the purpose of being here: to make acquaintances, seal friendships, and find fresh inspiration. With this in mind, I proceeded to get ready for the nomination party. What to wear??? I spend one hour trying on various combinations of all my clothes. Dressed in black boots, black jeans, black T-shirt, and black tux coat with Texas belt, and hair down, I headed out. At the Aviation Museum where the party was to be held, we were directed into a conference room for the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Walter Ostanek, fellow polka nominee, invited me to sit with his group. I approached their side of the room where I was greeted by a group of polka musicians and fans, including a contingency from the Del Sinchak band. “My kids will be so excited about this,” as I signed an autograph. “They listen to your music.”

The presentation paid homage by emotional and awesome video clips of Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, Mel Torme, Gamble and Huff, Leiber & Stoller, and Lerner & Lowe. I especially enjoyed the Otis Redding clips. June Carter Cash accepted the award for Johnny, who has been suffering with Parkinson’s disease. She was very warm and charming and honest in her acceptance. I had the pleasure of meeting her after the program. This made my evening.

Upstairs, there was food and drinks galore. I ran into Lenny Gomulka and spent some time with him. I introduced myself to members of El Tri from Mexico who had been nominated for Best Latin Alternative performance. I caught up with Bela Fleck and the remaining Flecktones. I also met Joe Zawinul and I saw Whitney Houston. Later, I bumped into fellow Texans Joe Ely and Marcia Ball and, finally, Jeffrey Barnes of Brave Combo.

I got wind that the Latin academy was sponsoring a show at the Conga Room, featuring Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Arturo Sandoval. There I met members of Los Super Seven and Jimmy Smits. I offered to teach Lenny Gomulka to salsa but his wife said he only swivels his hips in private. Woo-hoo!

At last, I enjoyed a nightcap with members of La Mafia and Del Sinchak band.

On Wednesday when I returned from a little jog, everyone in the lobby was dressed for the main event. Jaime De Anda of Los Chamacos asked if I was going in my sweaty gear. “Of course. Let’s go!”

I approached the elevator as Del’s pianist performed “Down Mexico Way.” I went closer, still sweaty and grungy from the jog, and she accompanied me on “Cheek to Cheek.”

I went to my room to dress for the show. I wore my velvet feathered serpent jacket combined with some tux accessories.

In the shuttle to the ceremony, I began conversing with a gentleman named Bill Ivey who had been nominated for best liner notes. He has been writing about African American Women in country music. He handed me his card which said National Endowment for the Arts, Chairman. At the Shrine Auditorium, fans lined along the rails waiting to take snapshots of their favorite stars. We walked on a red carpet to the entrance which was divided into two lines, one for guests and one for artists. In the artist line were representatives of many television stations for shows such as Entertainment Tonight, CNN.

When I entered the auditorium, the pre-telecast ceremony was in full swing. There was a group of categories of “no show” winners. They got to the Latino categories quickly. George Duke was late to issue those awards so Faith Hill handed them out. I can’t remember who handed out the polka category awards, but when he did he announced, “ And now, the fun stuff, the polka category.” I suppose there are two ways to deal with this moment. You take a deep breath and let it out slowly if you don’t win, or you take that deep breath and you let it out quickly and head to the stage if you win. “Nominees are: For best polka album, Polka Party with Brave Combo – Live and Wild! Brave Combo.” I heard a couple of yelps and I felt a hum in the room. Not every category had that feel. Of the bands in our category, we were the only ones that had it. I was happy to know that there was an awareness. He went down the list of nominees and announced, “And the winner is – Dance…” I left the room. I was unhappy and disappointed, not because we didn’t win, but because the same artist has won for the tenth time in a row. The recognition of polka music due to having a polka category in the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences is potentially a very good thing, but this is not good for the polka category – a young category. Anyway, I head over to the telephones to inform home bases. On the way, I pass Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. I would have liked to have met them, but not a good time. I ran into a Tejano artist who was disappointed by the same phenomena. So, me and my fellow loser head to the pizza stand to eat our frustrations away. As people began leaving the pre-telecast ceremonies for concessions, I met up with Little Joe Hernandez , a hallmark of Tejano music, La Mafia, and Lyle Lovett. We all had some fun small talk.

A little time goes by and David of La Mafia says, “Hey, check it out, its Brian Wilson.” I said, “What?!” “You know, Beach Boys.” I was stunned. He was heading 12:00 in my direction. We headed toward each other, I stuck my hand out and he met it. I was flabbergasted and speechless. I said something like, “I hope you have a wonderful night.” He replied, “I hope you do too.” I said, “This is a real honor and pleasure for me.“ He said, “Me too.” It was the apex of the whole event, the whole trip. I kept hearing “Still Believe In Me” over & over in my mind. Wow! About this point, I’m feeling better about life and I’m ready to be entertained by a greatest show on earth. I took my place on the lower upper balcony next to……………….Jeffrey Barnes of Brave Combo fame. I hadn’t seen him since the night before.

People scurried to their seats as Rosie O’Donnell put the screws to those taking their time. She was hilarious. Especially, during the TV breaks.

Aerosmith sounded good despite the fact they had no monitors. The audience didn’t know until Rosie said so on the break. I like the song, “ I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”

Jennifer Lopez – Hubba Hubba – Baby got back! Jeffrey right on time with the binoculars.

Shania – Cute girl. Cute song. Man, I Feel Like A Woman. The double electric fiddles sounded cool. I kept thinking of “Your Still The One” though. That’s a nice song. Jeff, the binoculars again, please.

Pavarotti – The hair on my head just about spiked up. Luciano is the voice of the century.

Duke Ellington Orchestra – featuring Wynton and special guest Clark Terry. I was sad to see Mr. Terry in a wheel chair. He still blew very, very well.

Alanis – She did a very good job with a full orchestra.

After the show I headed to the shuttle back for the big shebang at the Biltmore. I had a brief chat with Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel about the nature of Grammy awards then boarded the bus.

We arrived at the party via the red carpet and with the help of spot lights. Upon entering I immediately headed to the first room with food. I ate all I could eat of Japanese fare. And headed to the music.

I heard BR549 briefly. ( We played with them in NYC at Central Park Summer Stage.) But, went over to the Latin all-stars featuring Poncho Sanchez and once again, Tito, Celia and Arturo. I had some dance partners so I did some of my famous booty shaking. Jimmy Smits was dancing close by and very well I might add.

On the way out I stopped to hear the Barkays. They were so funky I could hardly stay in the same room. Jamming it up big-time.

La Mafia and myself ended up at our favorite little bar near the entrance of the hotel. We ran into Flaco Jimenez and his lead singer, Nunie. We sang, laughed and teased each other and had a fun little time closing down the bar. We were gently escorted out by five or six large men with those little hearing aids. We saw a couple of Dixie Chicks close by. I was going to give them a pat on the back but they were being almost backed into the wall by some drunk cowboy in tux clothing. A responsible gentleman escorted them out of that scene. So, I didn’t get to say howdy from Texas.

The Tejano delegates, wishing for a night cap, all headed inside an elevator. We really got hysterical on that ride. I think they enjoyed my little princes Lea look I made for myself with a couple of roses in my hair.

Even though it was after hours, we finagled a bucket of iced down brews from tejano fans doubling as service workers. Not a bad deal for some autographed photos and a couple of roses.