Bernie Roberts and his Orchestra
Pageant Records 710
Juneau, Wisconsin
1962
The Bernie Roberts Orchestra began in 1944 and their recording career began in 1949 when they hit it very big with their first recording of the Jolly Musicians Polka.
At the age of 15, Bernie started playing the accordion and soon was playing for house parties, birthday parties, and for anyone who would listen. At 19, he joined a four piece band from Beaver Dam called Shorty and the Rhythm Ramblers. After World War II started, two members of the band were drafted and the band broke up. For two years he played for other bands in the area, getting valuable experience. Then at age 22, Bernie and a bass playing friend, Norbert Neis, decided to start a new band with a new sound. The result was the Bernie Roberts Orchestra. Two of his brothers and two of his sisters joined the band. In 1949, the band released its first recording with the Pfau Recording Company in Milwaukee; in 1952 with the Decca Recording Company; and two years later, Bernie became a member of the American Society of Composers,
On Oct. 31, 1999, Bernie and the band were elected to the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. From 1972 to 1999, he was a harness horse trainer, owner and driver, racing at tracks in the Midwest, Colorado and California. Bernie passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004 in Anaheim, Calif.
(Source of info : alt.music.polka forum)
Blondie Roberts played first trumpet on all the recordings
of his brother besides being the featured vocalist
wow that link died fast. missed it oh well
ReplyDeletemaybe it will be in your next V/A mix
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