Music & Dance Music-Dance News Sept-Oct '19 | Page 16

Music & Dance News September/October 2019 Page 16 Ray Sands continued the Bel Rae Ballroom in St. Paul, and since I was used to playing there, I backed the trailer up to the door we normally used, grabbed some equipment, and opened the door. To my surprise, I heard 40 young girls scream loudly, because it was their dressing room for the pageant. My face turned beet red, and I quickly closed that door.” Current band members Rick Keane of Pine Island was a high school junior when he joined the Polka Dots in 1971, play- ing trumpet and singing. Almost 50 years later, he’s still with the band. Manton Steberg, who’d bor Phil,” filmed in “Without Rick, I been with the band for Zumbrota. The band still plays at couldn’t be doing this 50 years. anymore, because he Radio, film, festivals several county fairs, and does most of the driv- The Polka Dots have in 2018, played two days ing, a lot of the setup played on “Prairie Home at the Minnesota State and takedown required Companion” radio show, Fair. for each show,” Ray ex- KEYC TV in Mankato, They’ve played at cor- plained. taped a televison show porate events in Denver, Current band mem- with Molly B at the a polka fest in Las Ve- bers include Ray, Rick, Medina Ballroom, and gas, and in front of 2,500 Gene Eiden on trumpet played at the Marion people at the Kennedy (music director at Roch- Ross Theater in Albert Center in Washington, ester Lourdes), and Na- Lea. DC, where they were than Davidson on brass They’ve played in joined by two busloads (Kasson Mantorville show productions with of old-time music fans band director). Chanhassen actors, and from Minnesota. Ray’s daughter, Kristy, been on the Jonathan “It was a tremendous and Myron Muelbauer or Paddleford Steamboat in honor when Senator Rod Grams asked the Polka Jerry Kahl divide saxo- St. Paul. phone playing. In 2014, they had a Dots to be the featured The drummer is Dave musical role in the fea- Perry, who replaced ture movie, “His Neigh- Continued on page 17 WENDINGER BAND & TRAVEL, INC. Wendinger Band & Travel September Band Schedule Sat. 7 – Hermannfest, New Ulm, MN Sun. 8 – Polka Mass & Festival, St. George Catholic Church, St. George, MN (mass 8:30 am) Sun. 15 – St. John’s Parish, Jordan, MN (10 am Polka Mass, festival noon to 3 pm) Sat. 21 – Oktoberfest, Delano, MN Sun. 22 –Polka Mass, Montgomery, MN Sat. 28 – Webster, SD October Sat. 5 – Oktoberfest, Best Western, New Ulm, MN Sun. 6 – Oktoberfest, Atwater, MN Sat. 12 – Oktoberfest, Best Western, New Ulm, MN Sat. 26 – Oktoberfest, Remsen, IA Sun. 27 – Hope United Methodist, Polka Service (10:30 am), Pochantas, IA Travel Tours Autumn Time in England Including Niagra Falls, NY City, Boston Sept. 23-Oct. 5 • Price $2,498 Christmas in Branson Featuring Daniel O’Donnell’s Christmas Show Nov. 11-15 • Price $899 Hostfest ft. Daniel O’Donnell Sept. 24-27 • Price $849 Wendinger Band & Travel • 38483 631st Ave. • New Ulm, MN 56073 • [phone] • wendingerbandtravel.com • [email protected]