Album Notes

Czech band leader Jimmy Brosch named
one of his albums Believe It Or Not. And
so, in response to the many inquiries I've
had about Texavia's next CD release, I am
announcing, believe it or not, "Amerika."
Our third CD started in a place called
Kingsville, Texas, in September 2006, when
the Boys of Texavia got together to record.
Now it has found its way back to the sages
of southeast Harris County, Texas by way
of Kyle, Texas and Houston's Heights.
Although this 17 song collection on Amerika
is still predominantly Texas Czech polka
waltz, you will find a taste of American folk
and Cajun zydeco thanks to my brothers
in the Romeo Dogs and Mike Vee of the
Zydeco Dots. This is still only a few of the
many styles of the squeeze box in America.
I didn't grow up in a musical family similar
to those who lived around the dance circuit,
but I did grow up in a hard-working family
that was always proud of its Czech heritage
and faith. Polka DJs Joe Gavranovic and
Lee Roy Matocha provided that variety of
Texas Czech music that my Dad loved to
listen to, a love that I inherited. With my
sister's accordion, an admiration for Texas
Czech music, and lessons from Dennis
Forester, this music found a place in my life.
Friday or Saturday evenings at the Moravia
Store, where every table held a game of
dominoes, functions at the KC Hall, church
picnics, family reunions, birthdays and
weddings; the accordion took our minds
somewhere else for a while. The Czech
sing-alongs were always special. "Hey
Mark! Got your squeeze box?"
Former KPFT DJ and longtime friend
Frank "Mr. Telephone Road" Motley turned
me on to other forms of accordion music
throughout the years. When I was 16,
Frank took me to see zydeco king Clifton
Chenier at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
in southeast Houston. I received a true taste
of zydeco music and Gulf Coast culture
that night.
Thank you Helen Shimek Malick for letting
me sit in with you and Wence when I was
just a little twerp.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by three
fine musicians, Jeff Brosch, Bruce Brosch
and Mark Rubin. Texavia would not have
been a success without them. The Brosch
brothers' polka influence, along with their
talent on drums and guitar, gives the
band its rhythm. Mark Rubin's tuba and
electric bass create a strong popular
rhythm bottom.
As Alfred Vrazel put it, "Where there's
polka, there's a party." Thank you to all of
you listeners and dancers who have come
out to enjoy Texavia. This air conditioning
mechanic needs your support.
In Amerika, people love preserving their
language, their music, and their faith.
Texavia has been fortunate to bring its
style of Texas Czech polka to the Texas
Folklife Festival, Accordion Kings Festival,
International Accordion Festival, and all
the way to Lowell, Massachusetts for the
National Folk Festival.