MUSIC UNDER THE STARS
33RD ANNIVERSARY SEASON
BUTTERMILK PARK
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC BY LOCAL ARTISTS
Music Under the Stars is a showcase for local and area bands, coordinated by the FdL Area Musicians, Inc. and co-sponsored by the City of Fond du Lac.
Even as the pandemic is winding down, masking and social distancing are still strongly encouraged. You will be happy to note that, at this point at least, the concession stand will be available. In case of bad weather, if there is a cancellation, it will NOT be moved indoors, nor will it be rescheduled. Follow us on Facebook Music Under the Stars FDL.
For additional information or questions, call Anne Abel 920-979-5186 or Bob Shirek at 920-921-1167
2021 SCHEDULE
All concerts located at Buttermilk Creek Park,
7:00 pm Monday EveningS
JuNE 7 | Jerry Schneider Band
The Jerry Schneider Band was formed in June of 1967. This year marks 54 years of providing polka, waltz and big band entertainment by the band. They have a large library of German selections as well as Czech polkas and waltzes. Most of the tunes are sung in one, two and three way harmony plus many instrumentals. The band performs with five musicians with a combination of trumpets, saxophones, clarinet, button accordions, keyboard, drums and tuba. The band plays for many summer picnics, county fairs, polka festivals and German Fests in Wisconsin and surrounding states including the well known Milwaukee German Fest. Highlights for the band over the years include entertaining on three Caribbean Oktoberfest cruises, and being selected to entertain at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on May 2nd 1992 for "The Tribute to Germany Festival.” Jerry also hosts his own live radio show every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon on 1450 KFIZ Fond Du Lac, and on 7 other radio stations in Wisconsin.
JuNE 14 | Shady Grove
Shady Grove was founded twenty years ago, out of a pure enjoyment for acoustic music. Four guys brought together their musical talent after meeting at jam sessions and getting together to work out new songs.
Highlighting the sound are Bob Berger’s clear vocals and great mandolin leads mixed with Bruce Hahn’s rich voice and reliable rhythm guitar. Add John VandeZande’s steady hand on the banjo and smooth dobro accompaniment as well as Dennis Krempian’s jazzy bass lines and you’ve got a great sound. Their set list includes an eclectic mix of songs from old time fiddle tunes, Bluegrass, Folk, Cowboy to 60’s, 70s popular songs and original works.
The band consists of John Van de Zande on banjo, Bob Berger on mandolin, Bruce Hahn on guitar, and Dennis Krempion on bass. The guys met over twenty years ago at jam sessions, then sponsored by the Fond du Lac Acoustic Musicians Association (FAMA).
JuNE 21 | LIQUID COURAGE
Liquid Courage is an area band that plays a wide variety of mostly danceable tunes, from 70s and 80’s and 90’s rock, but with a wide variety of genres in between. Liquid Courage is an extreme variety band. Their passion is to play danceable songs, sometimes playing upwards of 50 songs a night. One will hear songs from Artist's like, Elvis, Bodeans, INXS, Blink 182, Tom Jones, Violent Femmes, Billy Joel, Poison, Green Day, AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac....just to name a few.
Band members are: Larry Brown on vocal leads and harmonica; Ron Stageman on lead guitar; Matt Gau, drums and vocals, Shauna Bowe on saxophone, Brett Stageman, rhythm and lead guitar; and Jason Pugh, bass and vocals.
The band claims Dundee as its hometown.
JUNE 28 | NORTHSOUL
Northsoul features Travis on upright bass and Trevor on mandolin. Two talented vocalists with a unique folk-rock acoustic twist., Travis & Trevor are Fond du Lac natives with a rich and varied history of collaboration.
With their quick rise all over Wisconsin, Northsoul is a folk-ified force to be reckoned with. Trevor Lindgren (mandolin/vocals) and Travis Worth (upright bass/vocals) are much more than just two friends wielding acoustic instruments... their combined songwriting abilities showcase some outstanding vocal harmonies, lyrical depth, and inspiration drawn from an array of genres.
One of the popular new bands in the area, two voices and twelve strings strong, Northsoul is focused on folk rock and folk-ified pop through stripped down, acoustic performances and authentic songwriting. They met in 6th grade through Theisen’s Orchestra program and have been playing together ever since. They took a break while getting college degrees, Trevor from UW-Oshkosh, Travis from UW_Madison, and reunited back in FdL to start Northsoul in 2018.
July 5 | Groeschl Band
The Groeschl Band, Formerly the Syl Groeschl band, is led by Matt Lavey on Trumpet and Dale Mueller on Drums. Others in the band are: Roger Gerner on Sax & Clarinet , Mark Birschbach on Trumpet & Sax, Mike Ludwig on Tuba, and Valeria (Groeschl) Buechel vocalist and piano. Roots of the Groeschl Band go back to 1870 in Austria when earlier generations of the family began entertaining.
Valeria’s dad let the Tony Groeschl band during World War II, and his son led the Syl Groeschl Band from the 1960s until 2003. His band recorded frequently and in 2002 Syl was awarded Bandleader of the Year by the Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association. Today they specialize in parades and ballroom dances. Six CDs are available and “Herman Take Me Home” is his best known recording. The songs "Over Three Hills" and "Laughing Polka" are available on the Old Time Dance CD.
July 12 | Thelen SISTERS
Three-sisters groups have always been popular through the years. There were the McGuire Sisters, the Andrew sisters, the Lennon Sisters, etc. When the three sisters sing in three-part harmony, they have similar voices, it often sounds like the same person singing all three parts. Now we have the Thelen Sisters, the daughters of Paul Thelen, well-known musician and leader of his own quartet.
Two of his daughters play instruments in the group – Ellie Thelen on saxophone and Eva Thelen on violin – daughter Elise (Thelen) Winkle joins in with the vocals. Paul is on keyboard and sings with his daughters at times. Two additional musicians accompany the quartet -- Phil Schmahl on bass and Bob Milanowski on drums.
The Thelen Sisters ensemble does a wide range of tunes from the 1930s through the 1990s. Styles include jazz standards, popular music and opera. The repertoire includes music of Neil Diamond and standards by the Andrew Sisters, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.
July 19 | THREE CARD STUD
“Three Card Stud” consists of three fun-loving area musicians who love to entertain, love to vocalize, love to share old country and rock n’ roll, and love to laugh. Fred Ferguson, Jim Vollmer and Rob Peterson will entertain you, and make you go home happy! All three have had solo careers in recent years and so this show gives them the opportunity to combine their different styles of entertainment into one ninety minute show, full of variety, musicianship and humor.
July 26 | JON DIETZ & JOLLY BREWERS
In 1994, at the age of fourteen, Jon bought his first concertina and started his own band called The Twin Lakes Trio. They became popular and traveled throughout Minnesota playing everything from garage parties to polka festivals. In 2004, Jon moved to Wisconsin where he began playing tuba with the Goodtime Dutchman.Since then, Jon has brought back the awesome big band sounds of New Ulm MN style Polka music. The original Jolly Brewers Orchestra performed along with The Six Fat Dutchmen, Whoopee John, and other great bands of the Dutchmen style. Now Jon has purchased this historic music library and is taking Wisconsin and the Midwest by storm. An exceptional concertina musician himself, Jon has filled the band chairs with other seasoned veterans on trumpets, saxes, tuba, drums and especially clarinets… the easily identifiable sound of the Dutchmen Style.
AUGUST 2 | PAGE FOUR
Page Four, a Fond du Lac-based band plays typical wedding dance variety music -- 1950s-60s tunes, modern-day songs, polkas and waltzes.
Bandleader Anne Abel started the band years ago when she and fellow band member Sharon Vollendorf were competing in softball tournaments throughout Wisconsin and at national tournaments. Their passion for music caused them to take their instruments on the road with them where they would perform unexpectedly (just for the fun of it). Nancy Johnston, soon joined them in the band.
Eventually they officially formed the Page Four band which has played at hundreds of area weddings, public events and back-yard parties.
Page Four, later hired drummer Mark Hintz. Abel plays the keyboard, Johnston plays bass guitar and is the lead singer, and Vollendorf is on the guitar, banjo and sings solos. Highlights of their concert usually includes Johnston singing "The Auctioneer."
August 9 | Remington's Ride
Remington’s Ride is a five-piece band based in Fond du Lac, specializing in vintage western swing and roots country music of the 1930s to 1970s. “Western swing is an exciting blend of Americana, honky-tonk, blues, big band and roots country,” says bandleader Steve Miller. “Asleep at the Wheel” is one of the only nationally known bands currently performing this style of music.
Miller plays lead guitar and vocals. Other band members include; Daniel “Dutch” Baker on drums, “Marshall” Matt Morse of Pickett, on upright bass, steel guitarist Jory Simmons from East Troy, and Allan Sanders from Neshkoro on fiddle.
AUGUST 16 | MarIachi Mexico International
With pride, Jose Alberto Cardenas says that during his 25 years in Milwaukee, his mariachi bands are the most representative of Mariachi Music in Wisconsin. They are the main provider of music services of mariachi, performing at festivals, schools, universities, Restaurants, Casinos, Corporative and Private parties. In Milwaukee they perform at the Marcus Center of the Performing Arts, Pabst Theatre, Mexican Fiesta, Summer Fest and many other venues.
Beautiful pieces of music such as, Boleros, Ballads, Beguines, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Polkas, Paso Dobles, Valses and more. Apart from the traditional Mexican music, they play music of many other cultures.
Maricha music is recognized as a “Heritage of humanity” by UNESCO. Jose Cardenas has won much recognition for his efforts to bring the authentic sound of Marichi to the Midwest. He was the Wisconsin Arts Board Winner 2013-2014, and is the instructor of many juvenile and adult groups in the Milwaukee area. His Mariachi bands include guitars, Vihuela, violins, Guitarron (Bass), and Trumpets.
AUGUST 23 | EVERGREEN BY REQUEST
Formed in the 1970s, this Dodge County based band is known for its variety of music styles and strong vocals. It has played in the Fond du Lac area for more than 30 years. Originally a four-piece band, it regrouped as a two-piece act in the 1990s. Vicki Belleville leads the band and plays keyboard and does vocals. She is joined by Casey Carney of Beaver Dam on bass guitar, lead guitar, ukulele, banjo and vocals. Original member Jim Vollmer will occasionally join the group on sax and vocals. Belleville often performs solo as “Miss Vicki” at many different occasions.
AUGUST 30 | COMIN’ IN HOT
When each of his kids hit 4th grade, Jerry Ward made sure that they all took violin lessons. As they progressed into the high school years, some of them learned other instruments and played in the school band. Jerry was a guitarist, playing in many area bands during those years… Jerry and the Jesters, The Telstars, Jim Sabel’s band, Maynard’s Playboys, Heartbeats in the Holyland, and many single gigs. Now years later, Jerry has pulled his own family together, and “Comin in Hot” is now in its 2nd year, enjoying the thrill of performance of music with their proud dad. The band is made up of seven performers on many instruments, including; guitar, bass, harmonica, mandolin, viola, Drums, trumpet, flute, piccolo, saxophone magic accordion, dobro… and in addition, they all are vocalists!! They wow their audiences, playing a mix of country, old rock ‘n roll, Bluegrass, originals… “and an occasional Polka”. One wonders… with all those violin lessons, was this Jerry’s plan from the start?