First things first. Our new CD, POLKASONIC, will be released this month on ClevelandInternational Records and should be in stores by early September. However, we plan tohave CDs and cassettes at our shows in August.

Well, what can I say. Brave Combo’s 20th Anniversary Reunion Extravaganza #1 was anenormous success. Almost 800 friends and fans packed the Czech Club on July 24 and wesincerely appreciate the show of support. We owe our existence, at least from a practicalpoint of view, to all the people that come to our shows and buy our CDs and we weretruly humbled by the force of love that engulfed us that night. The mood was so upbeat itwas almost embarrassing, but what do you expect from an event that’s built on polka. Itblows my mind that this goofy little combo is twenty years old. In a way, time has stoodstill for me. I still feel the same way about the uniqueness and freshness of polka music asI did in the beginning. I’ve always felt that Brave Combo’s greatest strength is in thematerial itself (“The Clarinet Polka” will always rock, dude), and July 24th reconfirmedthat to me. I’m not really talking about our original songs, though, I guess there are a fewgood ones in there as well. I’m primarily referring to music that, for one reason oranother, pushes our special buttons. And we think our audiences might like it, too.So we work out some groovy arrangement and just play the song with as much convictionas possible. There are about 700 songs in our repertoire right now and we add to itconstantly. I’m sure part of this is short attention span, but, maybe not. There are a fewsongs we play almost every show and have for years and we don’t get tired of them. We’ll alter them here and there in subtle ways and keep our interest up. But, I haveveered from the topic: the reunion show. It was a blast that went by in a flash. Everyonesounded great and it seemed to be an important thing for all of the musicians. Aninteresting, but not surprising circumstance added a special dimension to the night. Dave“Tito” Cameron, our original drummer called from Waco about 6:00, which was thearrival time for sound check. His car had broken down, but he hoped to get to the gigbefore it started. About 8:00 he called again. He had towed his car back to Austin, whichis two hours the opposite direction and was calling to say he wouldn’t be able to make it. This was unacceptable to many people, especially me. So, I persuaded him to try. He saidhe would. And he did. The funny thing is that we had rehearsed only songs Tito pickedout. So he had to be there, period. He and his wife, Leigh Ann, roared in about midnight,which was okay since we played until 1:30 AM. So, the original lineup performedtogether for the first time in 17 years. Tim Walsh, original woodwind player, read somestuff from a diary that he kept quite faithfully for the first three years. Lyle wore hisfanciest shirt from the past (pink with polka dots). Mitch Marine, our second drummer,who was with us nine years, was there in all his glory. He still has plenty of fans out there. Of course, Joe Cripps was there. In fact, he played with the Bubba, Carl, Jeff, Mitchversion off and on for several years before helping us form the new Brave Combo afterMitch left. Third drummer, Phil Hernandez and fourth drummer, Greg Beck, were notpresent. But we hope they will join us for the really big reunion at Westfest in earlySeptember. Speaking of that show, you’re an idiot if you miss it. Well, maybe that’s alittle harsh, but there will be no more reunion shows until we turn 25. Maybe I’ll design afamily tree T-shirt before Westfest. Okay, this is starting to gross me out a little bit. Thenext thing you know, we’ll have that theater in Branson with a gift shop attached.

The current Brave Combo (Jeff, Alan, Carl, Danny and Bubba) will continue to carry thetorch. We’re excited about the future, perils and all, and want you to hear our brand newsongs. There are lots of them. “Funiculi, Funicula,” “Hungarianella,” “America, theBeautiful (Polka),” “Fear Of Flying,” “Golden Opportunity,” “Cowering Mess,” “MyTears Are Nothing,” “Moulin Rouge,” “I Don’t Mind,” “Little Lulu,” “Glow Worm ChaCha Cha.” Plus, we have hot new arrangements of some old favorites: “Fly Me To TheMoon,” “Trollslanden,” “Echo Polka,” “Come Back To Sorrento,” “Castanets Cumbia.”

August, 1999 should be interesting, at least. There will be bizarre moments in Cleveland,Chicago, Alsip, IL, Milwaukee, Lincoln, NE, Ft. Worth, Denton, Austin, Oklahoma City,and, of course, Desoto, TX. Check our itinerary for all the important details. And by“bizarre” I mean “bizarre.” Sometimes I find weird little things in the parking lot atconvenience stores. Just think, every exit off the interstate is a potential gold mine. There’s a reason for living and even enjoying life in practically everyone’s backyard. Onetime when I was very young I found some stagnate water near my house and looked at itunder a microscope. It freaked me out, yet thrilled me. When I was a little older I got atelescope. And although I imagined more than I really saw, these two tools for moreextended vision helped me realize the unlimited possibilities. That’s why music is soamazing. Any beautiful song can, and probably will, be written.

A downer note to end on. Sorry. My wife, Jane, and I lost our most precious thingrecently. Our little boy in a dog suit, Tiny, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heartattack on July 14. We’re both devastated.

Have a nice and confusing month.