John Gora and Gorale

CD:  Polka Playin' Fool

2009 KoronaMusic.com

Producer:  John Gora

Recorded at Peppermint Studios, Youngstown, OH.

Engineer:  Gary Rhamy

Musician Credits:  John Gora, Johnny Winarz, Greg Winarz, Robbie Piatkowski, Ted Lange, Kyle C. Pacey, Jack Beachly, Tommy Wanderlich, Josh Szymczak.

Vocalist Credits:  John Gora, Ted Lange, Mollie Busta, Kyle Pacey.

Composer Credits:  John Gora ~ SOCAN (BMI); Joe Rodgers; Holly Dunn; Leonard Cohen (BMI); Dave Loggins, Lisa Silver, Don Schultz (BMI); Marv Green, Duane (Bjorklund) Steele (BMI); Eddie Blazonczyk ~ Pulaski Publ. (BMI); Bobby Vinton, Jimme Davis, Charles Mitchell (BMI); Skeeter Davis, Bobby Bare (BMI)

Graphic Designers:  Patrick Angielczyk, Michelle M. Eron

Photography:  Ted Wolinski

Manufactured & Printed By:  VCR Active Media, Mississauga, ON, Canada

From The Producer, John Gora:  Dear Friends, Here's our 8th CD for your listening and dancing pleasure.  We hope you will enjoy these song selections done in our unique and diversified style.  Thank you for your unconditional support throughout the years.  Dziekujemy ~ Merci.  Biggest thanks goes to our families for letting us pursue our musical endeavors.  And finally to God above for all the gifts bestowed upon us.  Special thanks to so many people that made this project possible.  First of all to the musicians:  Johnny, Greg, Robbie, Kyle, Ted, Jack, Tommy Wanderlich on the clarinet work and Mollie Busta with vocals and Josh Szymczak on fiddle for Daddy's Hands.  Janek Dycha, Marysia Dycha, Bernie Gora for  help with lyrics, Nicole Regnier for French lyrics, Joe Rodgers for "Polka Playin' Fool" lyrics, Ted Szymanski for help with band practice, Don Pieczynski from IV Stallions in Cheektowaga NY, Steve Wingrove of Alder Creek Music in N. Tonawanda, NY for fixing my sax on the go, Joanie & Louie Foltarz for doing mail runs and band van maintenance, Gary Rhamy and Ted Lange for going the "extra mile."  Now a big thank you to the Special Friends that have helped me with the production of this CD:  Eugene Swick, John & Dottie Margavitz, Florece Steffen, Helen Baier, Adam & Angela Biskup, Andy Nessner, Dr. Sat Saggu, Bill & Pamela Moote, John and Barbara Bialczyk and Burnie & Elaine Klin.

Gaylord Klancnik

CD:  RR-0060

2009 Ed Klancnik and Ranch Recordings

Producer:  Ed Klancnik

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at Ranch Recordings, Allen Park, MI ~ Nashville, TN.

Engineers:  Ed Klancnik & Bryan O'Boyle.  Asst. Engineer:  Nick Moran

Musician Credits:  Gaylord Klancnik, Ken Klancnik, Ed Klancnik, Brian O'Boyle, Jerry Zagar, Jeff Lewis, Brian Wiater, Joey Miskulin, Alex Meixner, Tony Paoletta, Gene Rabbai, Bob Hatter, Adam Bell, Julien Labro, Eric Stehle, Tim Lorsch, Ron De La Vega, Dave Rosin, Tina Mitchell, Judy Cox.

Notes:  Joey's accordion was recorded at Musicwagon Productions, Nashville, TN ~ Engineer:  Joey Miskulin; Alex's trumpet was recorded at River's Band Recording, Laurys Station, PA ~ Engineer:  Al Meixner; Vinyl restoration of Track 19 by Peppermint Productions, Youngstown, OH ~ Engineer:  Gary Rhamy; The Crowd:  Mary Lou Downs, Charlie Tomecek, Andy Minch, Cecile Minch, Denny Uhlik, Brian Waiter, Anna Klancnik, Betty Klancnik, Laura Klancnik, Tom Eastwood, Austin Jacobs, Alissa Jacobs. 

Composer Credits:  A. Perko ~ Jomley Music Publishing (BMI); R. Champa, F. Champa ~ Matinee Publishing Co. (BMI); L. Slak, R. Timko, G. Klancnik; F. Gregorich ~ Danmel Publishing Co. (BMI); J. Miskulin; L. Trebar ~ Musicwagon Pubishing Co. (BMI); F. Kramer ~ Lake Erie Music (BMI); E. Habat; K. Bass ~ Lake Erie Music (BMI); N. Schmidt, J. Gibbons; W. Ostanek ~ (SOCAN); S. Blout; J. Vadnal ~ Lake Erie Music (BMI); F. Spetich ~ Q-Cue Music; J. Lewis ~ Big Lew 50 Music (BMI); A. Brumley; Brown, Timm, Vejvoda, Zeman (BMI).

From The Producer, Ed Klancnik:  It's interesting the way destiny and fate may ultimately play a role in the lives we live.  On October 15, 2005, I was helping my father refinish a wooden deck on the back of his house.  It began to rain and our outdoor project came to a sudden halt.  Stranded and with nothing else to do, I proposed that we go to the basement and record some of the songs that he had been playing with his band so I could hear what they sounded like on tape.  My eventual goal was to pick a few of them for what was supposed to be his final CD release the following year.  In just under two hours he and I had finished 16 polkas and waltzes.  No real care was given to the way things were recorded, or how the songs were arranged.  These cuts were only meant to be "pre-production" tracks and were never going to get released.  I simply placed a microphone in front of his accordion and we began playing the songs that he called off, one right after another.  Understanding that no one would ever hear what we were doing that day, Gaylord played with a very aggressive and creative approach, taking risks and attempting things that he probably would not have done in a normal studio environment.  The next month we were in Cleveland, performing for Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving Polka Party when, as fate would have it, Dad and I had an after hours "jam session" with a young accordionist that we had seen before but were not too familiar with.  Needless to say, things went very well.  After everyone else had left, my father looked me straight in the eye and said with all seriousness, "That's the guy I want to replace me."  I walked away and quickly dismissed his comments, completely unaware of the gravity of his statement.  Three weeks later, Gaylord Klancnik was gone, tragically killed in an automobile accident near his home.  I am honored to also feature Brian O'Boyle on accordion, just as my father had requested over three years ago.  Driving back from the last gig I ever played with my dad, I remember him asking his brother, Ken, if he would become a full-time member of the band, again.  Kenny accepted and it was the happiest I had seen the two of them in quite a while.  That night, however, would be the last time they performed together as well.  Gaylord was only 60 years old when he died.  Coincidentally, this is also the sixtieth full-length album that I have worked on.  It's not the way I envisioned his last project would be but, in many ways, it has turned out much better than the one I had planned.  Recordings are merely moments which are frozen in time.  They are also one of the only ways we have to relive certain memories that are unique to each of us.  This CD was destined to be released for, had it not rained that October day, this project would not have been possible.  I hope you enjoy listening to it, and that it brings back some fond memories, whatever they happen to be. 

Squeezebox

CD:  Freshly Squeezed

2009 MolTed Spotlight Records

Producers:  Ted Lange & Mollie Busta

Recorded & Engineered: T-MOs County Road Studio, Ridgeville Corners, OH., Ted Lange, Mollie Busta, Chris Pacer & Sarah Meyers.

Mixed and Mastered:  John Zelasko - Studio Z

Musician Credits:  Ted Lange, Mollie Busta, Dave Burner

Vocalist Credits:  Ted Lange, Mollie Busta

Composer Credits:  James Rogers, Paul Osborn, Jerry Sartain ~ CSP Publishing; Patsy Montana; C. Putman, D. Cook, K. Whitley; L. Rink ~ Music Wagon Publishing (ASCAP); Sidney Prosen; Mollie Busta; Brian Holfeldt; J. Carter, M. Kilgor, J. Cash; Jimmy Holiday, Eddie Reeves; E. Blazonczyk ~ Pulaski Publishing (BMI); Jimmy Brosch; Bob Willis; Mullec-Hocevar ~ Ronsen Press (BMI); Frankie Kramer ~ Lake Erie Music (BMI); Sheb Wooley, Dick Feller.

Graphic Design:  Michelle M. Eron

Manufactured & Printed By:  Discmakers, Pennsauken, NJ

From The Producers Ted Lange & Mollie Busta:  This CD is dedicated specifically to our parents, Paul & Glenadine Burner, Jim & Mary Lou Busta, and Don & Betty Lange.  Thank you for raising us with this wonderful music that we hold dear to our hearts.  Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!  We love you!  Thanks to Ed Klancnik, Craig Ebel, and Jon Koenigs in helping us research songs.  Laddie and Rosie Pecka for helping us with the arrangement of "At The Spring."  Mark Halata for providing us with Czech lyrics.  John Gora for his help with the Polish pronunciation and input.  To our "guest engineers," Sarah Meyers and Chris Pacer.  Michelle Eron for her artwork expertise, not only on this CD, but in past projects as well.  John Zelasko for his knowledge and patience with the mix and recording.  To all the IJ's and DJ's who play our music for people all around the world to hear.  And to the promoters, clubs, and organizations who have brought SQUEEZEBOX to perform for their events.  To all of our fans for their support, and encouragement and the promotion they have helped us with.  We are truly blessed by having some of the greatest fans.  A special thanks goes out to our families (our children, our parents, our siblings, Grandma Lange, and Lynette Burner) for putting up with our crazy travel schedules and time away from home and work.  Your understanding and support means so very much to us.  Our gratitude is impossible to express through words.  In addition, there are a few friends that we would like to recognize that have been there to support us through thick and thin:  Robbie Piatkowski, Luke and Heather Rohrs, and Teresa Herzog.  And we give our biggest thanks to GOD, the one that makes this all possible...the safe traveling, the music, the friendship, and the good times.

die SchlauBerger

CD:  Looking Back

2009 Wise Guy Records (A Division of Wise Guy Records & Productions, Inc.)

Producer:  Thomas Staab for Wise Guy Records

Recorded at Studio Ray, Maspeth, NY; Courtesy Studios, W. Hempstead NY; & Lyric Studios, Garden City Park, NY.

Engineers:  Ray Balconis, Thomas Staab

Mixed, Edited & Mastered:  Ray Balconis, Studio Ray, Maspeth, NY

Asst. Sound Engineer:  Russ Miskiewicz

Musician Credits:  Klaus Staab, Tom Staab, Kevin Barbitsch, Pat Farrell, Mark Boschen, Rob Rom, Brian Cardwell, Jorge Lopez, Frank Pena

Composer Credits (may include Trademark info):  Quanz, W/ Weber, B ~ Rheinisher Musikverlag Kuhl-CO (GEM); WGALP Publishing (BMI); Otten (Koein), H/ Ebeler, G - Gerhard-Ebeler-Verlag, Edition (Gemma); Karl Berbuer ~ Berbuer -Karl Musikverlag - CO (Gemma); Stanzi, W/ Schmidt, G/S. Gussmann, S ~ Melodie Der Weit J Michel KG Musikverlag (Gemma); Lindemann, W; Stein (DE 1), W/ Schmitz (DE 1). ~ J -Schmitz Jupp Musikverlag (Gemma); Feltz, K/ Schmitz (DE 1), W/ Schmitz (DE 1), J - Schmitz Jupp Musikverlag ~ (Gemma); Busch, F / Wagner, J F ~ Roland Edition Musikverlag und Musikproduktion (Gemma); Zeman, V V / Vejvoda, J ~ Musikverlag Joh Hoffmann-s WWE (Gemma); J. Schrammel; Dahl, A/ Buhr; RIchard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein; Yankovic, Shelto-Shelton, Robin W/ Universal Music Corp (ASCAP); Siegfried Breuer, Rolf Olsen; Kreissl-Wurth, H ~ Donnerkeil Edition (Gemma); Luedtke, C / Luedtke, B ~ Hansa Musik Verlag (GMBH); Grill, Andi ~ Date Edition (Gemma); Kartheinz Ruppich, Uwe Busse ~ Dino Music; Butterstein, K ~ Butterstein, K Musikverlag (Gemma).

Graphic Design & Art:  Kevin Barbitsch & Satie Lekhram

Music/Medley Arrangements:  Klaus Staab

Photography:  Kevin Barbitsch & Larry Planet

Manufactured and Printed By:  Cas Digital, Hicksville, NY

From dSb (die Schlauberger):  To our sponsors, Ralph & Fred at Hofbrau, Peter and Joann at Killepitsch, Willie at Karl Ehmer and Dan at Suburban Vacuum.  We are very proud to represent such industry leading companies.  Life on the road for any musician is demanding and would not be possible without the love and support of our families.  To our crew:  All the drivers (Ricky Schneider & Ernie Fink), engineers, tech's, sales assoc. (Cindy, Lisa, Heather, Kay and Christine), booking agents (Jeff Fink), publicists (Bonnie Green at SendMe Communications - Website - Lori Young), etc.  Getting the band from one venue to another can be challenging.  Many do not understand what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to move dSb.  Your dedication and professionalism keeps the machine running smoothly.  This recording is dedicated to all the dSb fans that have at one time or another asked the band to "Turn it Down....It's too Looooouuuuuddddd" or "Slow it Down......It's too Faaaasssssttttt."  "Looking Back" is as traditional as dSb gets and gives you a journey down memory lane and we hope you enjoy it!!!!

John Gora and Gorale

CD:  Polka Playin' Fool

Composer:  Joe Rodgers

Composer:  John Gora

Performer:  John Gora and Gorale

Vocals:  John Gora, Ted Lange

Lyrics: 

Yes I'm leaving tonight for Albany

And you say that you'll be lonely without me

Well you know sure as heck I'll miss you too

But playing music's what I love to do

There'll be women on the road and in the bars

I might even meet some famous movie stars

You've got to know dear that I'll always be true

'cause I'm a polka playin' fool for you

Cause I'm a polka playin' fool for you

You made me love you - now there's nothing I can do

I play in all the towns and miss you when I'm thru

I'm just a polka playin' fool for you

I've been on the road three days now with this band

And it seems like this trip will never end

I keep thinkin' of our next rendezvous

'cause I'm a polka playin' fool for you

When we're playing in Ohio or PA

My love for you will never fade away

So don't ever disbelieve me 'cause it's true

I'm just a polka playin' fool for you

Now there's many-a pretty girl that I meet

Who says you play so nice

and you're sure so sweet

But I just tell them

"Sorry" I can't go with you

There's someone at home

I've promised to be true

How Was The Song "Polka Playin' Fool" Born?  John Gora tells us, "I had called Joe Rodgers and asked him if he had any old songs to revive, or if he had written any songs lately.  Joe came up with a song about the life and sacrifices of a traveling musician.  Joe sent me a cassette to listen to.  I changed a few words to make it rhyme better, but I wasn't crazy about the melody.  I got out my accordion, and modified the melody a bit.  I also added a tag between the verses, and wrote the minor verse just before the last chorus.  My guys were kind-of iffy about the song at first, but as we played it more, we decided that the song had a good "hook."  It is easy listening, with a catchy chorus, pleasing chords and tag.  That's how the song (Polka Playin' Fool) was born for us."