Today’s pull because it is Ash Wednesday, which, along with its more popular sibling holiday Fat Tuesday, is a BIG DEAL in Milwaukee, home to the descendants of what seems like a zillion Polish, German and Italian Catholic immigrants, as well as many Serbs and Croatians. That immigrant history vaulted polka in general and the accordion in specific to massive regional popularity, especially in the mid-20th century.

Quoting myself: Micale [Italian by heritage] grew up in a Slovenian, Croatian, and
Serbian neighborhood and began playing accordion when he was seven years old.
He too was influenced by [Frankie] Yankovic’s Slovenian style as well as the musical
traditions of his neighbors and in 1948 began playing professional gigs in
Milwaukee. During the 1950’s, Micale and his group often performed with [Verne] Meisner’s band. Impressed with the quality and production of the first Meisner
album, they recorded “Smile Awhile with Spike Micale” (K2006), an LP
of standard polka hits and some original tunes by Micale, in 1963…Cuca Records recorded approximately 2,000 45 rpm singles
and 150 LP’s by 80 rock groups and 100 Wisconsin polka bands during the label’s
existence. Cuca issued other musical varieties too, but demand was largest for these two
styles in Wisconsin during this era [1959-1973].

“Smile Awhile” features several standard polka hits as well as original pieces like “Billy Boy” and “Bobby’s Polka,” both written by Spike. For his contribution to the polka genre, Spike was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame in 1999, two years after its formation.  [Sidenote: I did some work for the WI Polka Hall of Fame from about 1998-2001, assisting Spike with ballot counting and the inductee ceremonies, and met many Wisconsin polka superstars. I still find this kinda hilarious given my usual tastes for music, i.e. NOT polka.]

Polka is ridiculously cheerful and infectious, albeit in small doses, and it is best appreciated live. Though it has been quite awhile since I’ve attended a rural Wisconsin wedding, it was unthinkable to NOT have a polka band playing at the reception. You’d see the old retired farmers who looked feeble and infirmed pull away from their broasted chicken dinners, hit the dance floor and float the night away, three-stepping lightly with as many dance partners as were willing.

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