Copper Box will be performing at the Plymouth Arts Center for the 5th Annual Plymouth Oktoberfest, Friday evening September 19, from 6 to 9pm.

Performing for audiences around the US, Copper Box has been stirring up excitement in their audiences with their upbeat show and unique arrangements. Unique? We’ve all heard this term used a million times to describe a band, but what do you think about “The Pink Floyd Polka?”

Founder of The Cover Song Podcast (www.coverville.com) Brian Ibbott commented, “Wow! I got more positive feedback about your “Comfortably Numb/The Pink Floyd Polka” cover than I've gotten about an individual song in a long time! - it truly is something great!”

However, that’s just one way of describing Copper Box. Some describe frontman, Danny Jerabek, as “the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion.” He received his first 3-row button accordion, commonly referred to as the “button box,” from his grandfather when he was 9 years of age. Inspired by his grandfather to learn Czech and German songs and later inspired by Don Cialkoszewski (“The Polish Kid”), the great Steve “Esteban” Jordan, and a love for a diverse range of music from jazz to rock and everything in between, Danny Jerabek has made a name for himself in the world of accordion greats. He is endorsed by Baldoni Accordions, which is the choice brand of accordions for other national acts such as The BoDeans, The Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, John Mellancamp, etc.

Danny shares lead vocals with his other half, Michelle Jerabek (saxophones, guitar, flute), who’s voice has often been described as a Sheryl Crow/Bonnie Raitt mix. The rhythm section consists of Kevin Junemann (bass) and Jason Van Ryzin (drums).

Where did the name, “Copper Box” come from? The “BOX” in Copper Box refers to the squeeze box, which is a key instrument in the band. There’s an old saying, “Put your copper on the table”—meaning, it’ll cost you everything you got...every copper penny in your pocket. After a late night of playing cards, Michelle got the idea that playing cards was like playing music. You got put everything you got on the table.

Fueled by raw emotion and talent, Copper Box has received 4 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) nominations in 2005 & 2006 and it was just announced in March of 2008 they are nominated in the Adult Contempory Artist of the Year, and Specialty Instrument of the Year: Danny Jerabek/Button Box categories. Copper Box filmed a music video for Sony, which received great response at the NAB (National Association for Broadcasting) in Las Vegas, NV and at many other Sony conventions worldwide. Copper Box has had 3 songs off their 1st CD (Roots) in the TOP 10 and 4 songs off their 2nd CD (Sunny Days) in the TOP 10 on www.garageband.com, voted by internet users worldwide. They have shared the mainstage at festivals across the nation with artists like, The Little River Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Little Feat, Brave Combo, The Radiators, Little Big Town, Little Texas, Lou Gramm, Marcia Ball, C.J. Chenier, W.C. Clark, and Brave Combo. They have also received regular rotations on countless college radio stations and public radio and continue to win faithful fans that will travel hours to see them perform.

Wisconsin Blues Society describes Copper Box as “…one of the favorites of the Fox Valley Blues Festival 2004. This hot Zydeco Swamp/Blues Rock outfit with a great baritone and tenor sax gal and a hot accordion man. This group cooks and swings with some of the best Zydeco-influenced groups I’ve seen anywhere in the country.”

Click here to hear a clip of their music.

GOODTIME DUTCHMEN WILL BE APPEARING AT THE 5TH ANNUAL PLYMOUTH OKTOBERFEST SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED.

An August 20, 1991 appearance of the Goodtime Dutchmen at the Dodge County Fair in Beaver Dam, WI caught the ear of many polka bands, dancers, and radio disc jockeys. After jammin’ along with the record player and following their grandpa’s band (The Bill Thull Recording Orchestra) with their parents, “the kids” just couldn’t put their music ability to rest. After many rehearsals, January 1992 marked their first public dance job at the Raveno Ballroom in Neenah, WI. The band has been pushing polkas ever since, bringing their travels to many different areas, such as: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The band received the “Horizon Award” in 1997 & “Band of the Year” in 2002 from the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, appeared on the nationally aired “The Today Show” and can be seen on the soon to be released documentary, “It’s Happiness” featuring different styles of polka music. Ralph was also awarded Bandleader of the Year by the Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders in 2001.

The Goodtime Dutchmen consists of Ralph Thull (leader) – accordion/vocals; Lynn Thull – keyboard/vocals; Russell Thull – drums/vocals; Marcia Thull – saxophone/vocals; Allie Thull – trumpet, Jon Dietz – tuba/bass guitar.

The Goodtime Dutchmen have six recordings: Kids Must Play; Autumn Spice; Who’s in Charge; Thanks to You; Going Nuts on Polkas; and the most recent - Try It, You’ll Like It.

What Cha Callums

What a funny name for a polka band. But the name isn't the only thing that makes this band unique. This group of talented musicians brings energy, fun and lots of laughs to the stage whenever they perform.

The What Cha Callums, formerly named the Little People, have been playing as a group since the late 1970s. Lorraine Leichey, who still plays with the band today, formed the original band. Today, along with other musicians, they make up the distinctive sound of the What Cha Callums. The band plays many different styles of music. From the ever-favorite German style to Czech, Dutchman, Country Western and even a little Polish, this band does it all. They'll keep you dancing to polkas, waltzes, and fox trots all night long. The band consists of Arvin Lange on accordion, Marilyn Lange on drums and vocals, Mark Birschbach on trumpet and saxophone, Don Elmer on clarinet and saxophone, Mike Thull on clarinet, saxophone, and vocals, Cedric Solie on tuba, and Lorraine Leichey on piano and banjo.

Arvin & Marilyn and the band were named the 2005 W.O.L.A. Orchestra Leaders of the Year, an award they are extremely proud of. The What Cha Callums currently have three CDs available for your listening pleasure. They are: "The What Cha Callums", "Happy Hour", and their new release "Out Behind the Barn" which was recently voted the 2006 Wisconsin Polka Music Awards "Recording of the Year". Marilyn and Arvin also won WPM's Exceptional Achievement award that same year.

The What Cha Callums have played all over Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska at some of the greatest polka fests and ballrooms, but it always comes down to one thing. They enjoy making the music that makes so many people happy! What more could you ask for?