This is what it's all about

This time of year always brings a lot of joy for me as a bandleader. Last night we played the Oktoberfest at the Swiss Park. We shared the stage with the Lyle Schaefer Band. I've learned a lot from Lyle and also from his late brother Lynn. Playing with Lyle's band last night was a blast! They are fantastic and we played at least as well. Most polka bands play the same material as other polka bands. It's a fact of life. Most R&B bands play Mustang Sally. Most Dixieland bands play Bill Bailey. Lyle's band and our band both play many of the same songs. We had a lot of fun with it, though. Lyle would play a song and tell the audience that he was going to "show me something." In the next set I'd play the same song and "show him what I learned." It was fun.

What was also fun was doing such a good job. I'm feeling very confident in what we're doing as a band. We're able to go out on a gig and play very well with great ease. It's a good feeling. Next weekend we're in Leavenworth again and I'm really looking forward to it.