Fritz Scherz: 2018

Monday, November 26, 2018

FRITZ'S POLKA BAND TO RELEASE 19th RECORDING!

Fritz's Polka Band (FPB) from Verona, NY, will release their 19^th recording, “Hey!” on November 30, 2018. “Hey!”

was recorded at SubCat Music Studios in Syracuse, NY and features 12 original tunes of which over half are polka and waltz, yet also includes other styles. “Hey!” also features the following special guests: Rocko Dorsey, Ron Keck, and Todd Kerns (from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, TOQUE, Age of Electric and more!). It will be available at FPB gigs, by direct order from FPB namesake, Fritz Scherz, as well as on CD Baby, iTunes, and other on-line outlets as well.

"I’m thrilled that this recording is finally being released," said Fritz Scherz, bandleader of Fritz’s Polka Band. My initial plans were to release a double album in honor of our 40^th anniversary. However, due to a scheduling conflict with a friend who was going to be a special guest on a tune of mine, plans changed. Thus, I decided for now to put out a recording of 12 original FPB tunes and hold off on plans for that friend to record for us. I’m very excited that Rocko Dorsey, Ron Keck and Todd Kerns will be special guests on this new recording! Rocko was a special guest on our 2005 release, “FPB On Tap” and was featured earlier this year by Gretsch Guitars on their website. Ron is owner of SubCat Music Studios, and has been a musician for most of his life. Meanwhile, Todd has toured the world many times over with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators and was recently inducted into the British Columbia Entertainers Hall of Fame! A special thanks to the Woods Family and Woods Valley Ski Area for supporting this new recording!”

October 14, 2018 marked the 40^th anniversary of Fritz's Polka Band! FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival. FPB appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004. In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’. In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. In August 2018, FPB and each band member were again nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

For more information on Fritz’s Polka Band, view the band’s website: www.fritzspolkaband.com, Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/fritzspolkaband, their Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzspolkaband, and/or their Instagram at: www.instagram.com/fritzspolkaband.

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Sunday, November 25, 2018

COUNCILMAN FRITZ SCHERZ TO HOLD 9th ANNUAL TOWN-WIDE HOLIDAY PARTY!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board, will hold his 9^th Annual Holiday Party for all Town of Verona residents on Sunday, December 2^nd from 1pm to 3pm at the Verona Fire Hall (5555 Volunteer Ave.) in Verona. Preceding the holiday party will be a mini parade starting at 12:30pm from the Verona Fire Hall, going through Virdon Village via Merry St., east on Route 31 to Main Street past J. D. George Elementary School and onto Volunteer Ave. back to the Verona Fire Hall. Folks are encouraged to line the parade route to wave to Santa Claus as he makes his way to the event.

“The last eight years I’ve held this community event, it’s been a success because of the big crowd of children and adults that attended, as well as the volunteers, businesses, and media that helped,” said Scherz. “To me, it’s a Christmas party, as my family enjoys celebrating that holiday. However, I call it a holiday party as I want folks who don’t celebrate Christmas to know that they are still welcome to attend. Although I’m not finished putting together the complete fun-filled lineup of activities and guests, as with prior years I plan on having kid-oriented activities, such as arts, crafts, painting, musicians, and more! There’ll be story telling by some special guests, too. Family-oriented fun will continue to be part of this holiday event, including face painting by Bingo & Dingo (clowns) and there will be an increased presence of live music. Hopefully, Santa Claus will take time out of his busy schedule to attend. I also want people to know that as with the last eight years I’ve held this event, no town funds are being used for it whatsoever as this is not a government-based event. I encourage all residents of Verona, no matter what your age is, to stop by and take part in the festivities!”

The Holiday Party for all Town of Verona residents has free admission and snacks will also be available. If able, attendees are asked to bring a canned good, as a collection will be taken and given to the Verona Food Pantry. For more details, go to: www.fritzscherz.com and/or contact Fritz at: fritz@fritzscherz.com and/or (315) 363-3509. If any businesses want to inquire about making a donation, please contact Fritz.

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Sunday, October 28, 2018

COUNCILMAN FRITZ SCHERZ TO HOST 8th ANNUAL THANK YOU DINNER FOR VETERANS!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board, will hold his 8^th Annual Thank You

Dinner for all Town of Verona Veterans and their families on Sunday, November 11^th from 5pm to 6pm at the Verona Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6811 (4928 Spring Rd.) in Verona.

“I have great admiration for Veterans and thought this would be a nice way to thank them once again,” said Scherz. “The last seven years I’ve held this event, there was a good turnout. It is always great to see Veterans of various ages attend, share their stories with each other, and even make some new friends. This year, though, we will miss a friend of the Scherz family for over 40 years, WWII Veteran, Louie Trunko, who recently passed away. I want folks to know that as with last seven years I’ve held this dinner, no town funds are being used for it whatsoever as this is not a government-based event. Rather, I am personally covering the cost because this is just something I thought would be nice to do again. My family always looks forward to this annual event. We even have a surprise special guest lined up to attend. So, if you’re a Veteran from the Town of Verona, I sure hope to see you and your family at my Thank You Dinner!”

While reservations are not required, Veterans who plan on attending are asked to contact Fritz at

fritz@fritzscherz.com and/or (315) 363-3509 by November 8^th so he can better plan on how much food to have. Plus, if folks have any food allergies, Fritz wants to plan accordingly. For more information on Fritz, go to: www.fritzscherz.com, Fritz’s Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzscherz, and/or his blog at: www.fritzscherz.blogspot.com.

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Sunday, October 21, 2018

FRITZ'S POLKA BAND RECEIVES LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION BY NEW YORK STATE SENATOR, JOE GRIFFO!

Fritz's Polka Band (sponsored by Coldcock Whiskey) from Verona, NY was presented with a State of New York Legislative Resolution by New York State Senator, Joe Griffo on October 19. De Anna Stafford (from Senator Griffo’s office) handled the presentation prior to Fritz’s Polka Band performing that night at Copper City Brewing Company in Rome, NY. The resolution read in part as follows: “Whereas, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those musicians who have brought entertainment and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and Whereas, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of Fritz’s Polka Band…”

“This was quite an awesome surprise,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader of Fritz's Polka Band (FPB). “For my band to receive statewide recognition for our 40^th anniversary by the legislature is quite amazing! Big thanks to Senator Griffo for making this happen! Joe has been a friend of ours for many years and has always been there for us…whether it was putting in a good word for us with Michael Lang prior to Woodstock ’99 or doing an Oneida County proclamation to honor my band for our 25^th anniversary back in 2003 or when he honored my Dad, (the late Fred Scherz Sr.), for being the first person in New York State to be inducted into the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio in 2004. It’s truly an honor be friends with Joe!”

October 14, 2018 marked the 40^th anniversary of Fritz's Polka Band! FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival. FPB has made 18 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004. In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’. In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. Last year, FPB was nominated for three Just Plain Folks Music Awards and each member was nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame (CSPHOF). In August 2018, FPB and each band member were again nominated for national awards by the CSPHOF.

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Saturday, August 18, 2018

FRITZ’S POLKA BAND AND ALL FRITZ’S POLKA BAND MEMBERS NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS!

Fritz's Polka Band (FPB) from Verona, NY, as well as all FPB members have been nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame (CSPHOF) in Euclid, OH. FPB has been nominated in the “Band of the Year” category. Original remaining founding FPB members, Fritz Scherz (accordionist/vocalist) and Gabe Vaccaro (bassist/vocalist) have both been nominated in the “Musician of the Year” category, while fellow FPB members, Frank Nelson (guitarist/vocalist) and Mike Faraino (drummer) have been nominated in the “Sideman of the Year” category. The winners will be announced during the CSPHOF Awards Show on Saturday, November 24^th at the Cleveland (OH) Downtown Marriott Hotel as part of the annual Thanksgiving Polka Weekend.

“The guys in my band were already eager to play again in Cleveland on November 24^th and 25^th, as we always have a great time there,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader of Fritz's Polka Band. “Now, with FPB as well as each FPB member nominated for national awards, this has increased our anticipation for Thanksgiving Weekend! To think we get to play twice that weekend AND attend the awards show as nominees is an incredible feeling! We encourage our friends to join the CSPHOF right away and vote for us!!! This yet another cool thing happening this year as we celebrate our 40th anniversary!!!”

This year, Fritz's Polka Band is celebrating 40 years of performing! FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival. FPB has made 18 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004. In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’. In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. Last year, FPB was nominated for three Just Plain Folks Music Awards and each member was nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

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