Band members from left are, Fritz Scherz, Frank Nelson, Tom Campbell, Mike Faraino, and Gabe Vaccaro.
(Verona, NY) Jagermeister-sponsored, Fritz’s Polka Band (FPB) from Verona has been nominated for a National Award by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio. FPB’s original song, ‘Come Home Safe,’ which was written by Fritz Scherz is on the group’s recording, “Tribute,” which was released in 2009, is up for the New Original Polka or Waltz award. The winner will be announced at the Crystal Awards Show XXIII, held at the Slovenian National Home at 6409 St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.
“The guys in my band are happy that ‘Come Home Safe’ has been nominated,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader. “I wrote that song in honor of my friend of many years, Mike Bolton in mind, as he was deployed overseas serving our country at the time I wrote it. I’m pleased to say that he did come home safe.
We want to thank all our fans, the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, the media, and of course our great sponsor Jagermeister for making this nomination possible!”
Fritz’s Polka Band (FPB) was formed in 1978 by lead accordionist, the late Fred Scherz Sr., and his 8-year old son, Fritz, for whom the band was named. Sadly, Fred passed away on Nov. 14, 2009, but Fritz is going to try to keep FPB going.
FPB performs an eclectic mix of musical styles, including modern polka, country, fox-trot, waltz, and more! Fritz’s Polka Band is NOT an oompa pa band or the stereotypical “polka” band. In fact, FPB is known for breaking the stereotype regarding “polka” music. FPB is the first polka band to perform at a Woodstock Festival, making history.
On Sept. 15, 2007, FPB made history again by becoming the first polka band to perform at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.
FPB has made 17 recordings and even appears on “The Manchurian Candidate” DVD, which was released in July 2004.
FPB previously won a Just Plain Folks Music Award in the Best Polka Song category for Bialczak’s Polka in 2008. That same year, FPB won their first Upper State Independent (USI) Award in Syracuse in the International Category.
In June 2009, Fritz’s Polka Band won its first ever Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY) in the Best Recording: Other Styles category for their “Reflections” recording. In early November 2009, FPB won its second USI Award in Syracuse, in the International Category.
For more information on the Awards Show, call (216) 261-FAME, or call toll-free at (866) 66-POLKA.
For more info on Fritz’s Polka Band, visit www.fritzspolkaband.com and/or www.jagermusic.com/fritzspolkaband or visit them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fritzs-Polka-Band/33855844892.
