The big news around here is, of course, Brave Combo did not win the Grammy for the second time. Some people call their grandmother “Grammy.” I never knew my grandmother on my father’s side. But, I used to spend almost every afternoon with my mother’s mother when I was in grade school and junior high school. She would let me eat snacks and watch monster movies. There was a kid’s show on the local television station called Captain Talltower (Texarkana’s television station bragged about their tall transmitting tower) and they would show all of the great B sci-fi and horror movies from the fifties, like Attack of the Crab Monsters and The Creeping Unknown. I didn’t call my grandmother “Grammy,” though. And, like I was saying, we did not win the Grammy. However, we do appreciate all of the support and encouragement we’ve received since the nominations were announced and we’re still psyched and ready to go. Our new T-shirt says it all. POLKA 2000. I’m committed to do whatever it takes to do whatever needs to be done, whatever that is. So, dear friends and fans, you can sleep comfortably at night knowing that I’m thinking, planning and fretting.

Speaking of the Grammies, Bubba and Jeff attended the awards show and the groovy parties and met some famous people and hung out with other losers. They have some funny stories, so ask them to elaborate. I can tell you this. Bubba shook Brian Wilson’s hand and saw Elvis Costello in the restroom. The Combo swings with the big boys.

In related news, sort of, we have a song in a movie that’s been nominated for an Academy Award in the documentary, short subject category. The film is called The Personals: Improvisations On Romance In The Golden Years and the director is Keiko Ibi. The song is “Requerdos,” from our album, No, No, No, Cha Cha Cha. I’ve seen the movie and it’s cool. Humans are strong creatures.

On other fronts, Brave Combo has finished recording the new album. It’s kind of a pop/rock/latin thing, designed to snag more radio airplay. All of the songs are original except for a sultry cha cha version of “Double Vision,” the old Foreigner hit. One of the songs is called “Denton, Texas,” and that may be the album title also. We hope to have this released by Summer, but time is moving too fast. It’s March already, people. Get out there and do stuff. Lift that bail and tow that barge and be kind to animals. They’re stuck here and, in most cases, at the mercy of some human. If you think you must have an Emu flock, at least feed them while they’re alive. And if you have pets, spend some time with them. They probably really want your approval and attention. My wife and I have several dogs and they like to bark and eat and lick.

Not speaking of animals, I have essentially finished the Time/Life polka compilation. The final version will contain about 35 songs by polka masters through the ages. If you pay attention to polkas at all most of the cuts will be familiar to you. I have no idea when this will be released, but I think it might be available by the 1999 holiday season. Boy, that’s a chilling thought - the 1999 holiday season. Paranoia runs deep. However, we do know where we will be on New Year’s Eve. It’s confirmed. An offer was made that we couldn’t refuse. More on that later.

Teletubbies controversy: Nothing matters. This is of no concern to anyone. Don’t look beyond the beauty of innocence. Don’t make it clever or crude. Challenge yourself to be innocent as well. Laa Laa has a ball. Dipsy is the funkiest dancer. Po is the sweetest. Tinky Winky is the tallest. That’s it.

Hey, if you live near the following metropolitan areas, we’re coming your way this month. Check our itinerary. The lucky cities are Houston, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis. And for all you folks living in unlucky cities, be patient. We’ll be there soon.

Closing thoughts. Val Cormier tells me that March is a blue moon month. Brave Combo plays “Blue Moon” as a cha cha. And don’t forget, March comes in like a pizza and goes out like a table. I’ll be back when it becomes a table. Til then, think about polkas, of course.