Hi Friends,
It seems like just a few short weeks ago I was telling you about all the outdoor shows we were looking forward to playing this summer. Now, they’re all behind us. Where did the summer go? We sure had a great time. Albany’s National Night Out Celebration, the Crow Wing County Fair in Brainerd, Music in the Park in Pine City, the Threshing Show in Almelund, the Country Gospel Church Service in the Park in Milaca and the Nowthen Threshing Show are all wonderful venues. For the most part the crowds and the weather were fantastic although things got a little damp in Pine City for Music in the Park. I have to give them folks a lot of credit… they proved they’ll sit through just about anything to listen to good, live Classic Country Music. It rained on our way to Music in the Park in Milaca, then quit for about two hours while the Gospel Service was going on and then started up again once the Service was over and we had our equipment packed up. It felt like the Creator was providing an answer to the question posed in the Bill Anderson song “I Wonder If God Likes Country Music?” THANK-YOU to all these great venues for giving us an opportunity to come in and perform. It is truly a pleasure doing business with you. My THANKS also to everyone who came out see us at these celebrations. Because of your support, several of the venues above have already asked us to come back again next year.
One of my favorite in-door venues is “The Bridge Tavern” just north of Crosby, MN. I think we’ve played this club about four or five times now and it is just a great spot. There’s a good wooden dance floor, lots of seating, the service is second to none and I have heard nothing but compliments about the food. I can see a lot from the stage and when we are there I see a lot of smiling faces. The folks up there love to dance, they love to eat and they love good live, Classic Country Music. Jo and Russ and their staff do a wonderful job of seeing to it that everyone has a great time at “The Bridge Tavern”. Up till now we’ve been playing there about once a month on Sundays from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. Although there’s always room for more, the crowds when we play there, have been very good. As such, we have been asked to come in and perform every other Sunday. Russ Austad and his band “Family Jewels” would perform there the opposite Sundays from us. I like the idea of playing there more often, however there’s the risk of over exposure. The last thing I’d want to see is for folks to get tired of us or not come out as often since they can see us again in a couple of weeks. We’re going to give this a try for a while and I really hope it works out well. The club has been doing some great promotion and radio ads and as long as you folks keep on filling seats I think this has a chance. I do have a favor to ask. If you’re already from the area and enjoy “The Bridge Tavern”, tell some folks about it that may not be familiar with it and bring them along the next time you come out. If you’re not from the area and are looking for someplace new to go for great food, service and good live, Classic Country Music, take a drive on up to “The Bridge Tavern” some Sunday afternoon. It’s only 4 1/2 miles north of Crosby, MN.
The North St. Paul “American Legion” is another venue for which I would make the same request of you. This is a very nice club. I’m just not sure that enough folks know about it. This is another one of our Sunday afternoon gigs and we play from 2:00PM to 6:00PM there. There’s lots of seating and room to dance. Food is available… sometimes. I think a little more advertising by the club would be a great help. From my end of things, the best advertising ever is you folks. If you’ve been there and liked the place, then tell some other folks about it and better yet, bring them along the next time. If you haven’t been there, come on out and have a look. You might be pleasantly surprised.
We hear from a lot of folks who watch us on the “Polka Spotlight” TV Show. Based on the feedback we get, they must air our segments quite often. We recorded six different shows; however it’s been several years since the last time we were there. In fact, besides me, our bass guitar player Bobby Hoffman is the only original band member from those shows that is still part of the Sundown Band. Well… we’re finally going to record a couple of new shows for “Polka Spotlight” on Saturday, October 10th and you are invited to be a part of the show. We will be taping two shows that day. The way we’ve done things in the past is to ask folks to come kinda “gussied” up as these shows play all over the country. If you plan on being there for both shows we ask that you bring an additional shirt or blouse to change into for the second show as we’d like folks to be dressed differently for each show. There’s room to dance and folding chairs around the outside of the studio for when you are not dancing. John, the show’s director and his staff will let everyone know what he would like them to do before the taping starts. It’s actually a lot of fun and wouldn’t some of your friends be surprised to see you dancing on TV. The doors open at 1:00PM and taping should be over by 5-5:30PM. The address is on the front of the schedule. I hope you can join us.
More info on “Roberts Off 10” and “Paynesville American Legion” next time around.
Alan
Schedule
The information below was accurate at the time this schedule was printed. Due to circumstances beyond our control, bookings are sometimes subject to change. Therefore we recommend contacting us at the number above, or the venue if a number is listed to verify that we will be performing. Venues listed with an asterisk(*) after the name are not contracted as of schedule printing. Please contact our answering machine or website for updates on these bookings.
NORTHWEST COMMUNITY TELEVISON
THE POLKA SPOTLIGHT SHOW
Saturday, October 10, 2009 Doors Open at 1:00PM
6900 Winnetka Ave. N Brooklyn Park, MN (763)533-8196 Ext. 293
THE BRIDGE TAVERN
Sunday, October 11, 2009 4:00PM – 8:00PM
26969 State Hwy. 6 Crosby, MN (4 1/2 mi. N of Crosby) (218)546-8053
NORTH ST. PAUL AMERICAN LEGION
Sunday, October 18, 2009 2:00PM – 6:00PM
2678 7th Ave. E North St. Paul, MN (651)777-3708
ROBERTS OFF 10
Friday, October 23, 2009 9:00PM -1:00AM
2400 County Road H2 Mounds View, MN (763)432-9580
FORESTON LIQUOR STORE
Saturday, October 24, 2009 8:00PM -12:00AM
196 Washington Ave. Foreston, MN (320)294-9291
PAYNESVILLE AMERICAN LEGION
Friday, October 30, 2009 6:00PM -10:00PM
770 W State Hwy. 23 Paynesville, MN (320)243-4982
(10 Year Anniversary Celebration & German Fest with authentic German Food)
THE BRIDGE TAVERN
Sunday, November 1, 2009 4:00PM – 8:00PM
26969 State Hwy. 6 Crosby, MN (4 1/2 mi. N of Crosby) (218)546-8053
NORTH ST. PAUL AMERICAN LEGION
Sunday, November 15, 2009 2:00PM – 6:00PM
2678 7th Ave. E North St. Paul, MN (651)777-3708
THE BRIDGE TAVERN
Sunday, November 22, 2009 4:00PM – 8:00PM
26969 State Hwy. 6 Crosby, MN (4 1/2 mi. N of Crosby) (218)546-8053
FORESTON LIQUOR STORE
Saturday, November 28, 2009 8:00PM -12:00AM
196 Washington Ave. Foreston, MN (320)294-9291