THE FIRST OF STEVE MEISNER'S
ACCORDIONS AND EQUIPMENT NOW FOR SALE
May 3,
2024
Many have been respectfully asking and waiting for some of Steve Meisner's
equipment to become available. While some may just look at it as the tools
Steve used to earn a living, there is also sentimental and star value that
goes along with many of these items. Imagine owning one of the accordions
Steve played on stage or the microphone he sang into or equipment he recorded with. Also available will be some of the
equipment he used both on stage and in his personal recording studio. The
current list of equipment is now available here on the Steve Meisner website
on the new FOR SALE PAGE. A detailed listing of
some of the items including photos and video is also
available
here. If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please
contact Steve's wife Barb by using the contact page.
See the items for sale here
THE STEVE MEISNER LEGACY LIVES ON
January 1
2024
Life during the second half of 2023 was different and sometimes difficult
without seeing Steve Meisner and hearing his music. Although we have
already surpassed the 6 month mark since Steve's passing, in some ways it
feels like it has only been a few weeks since we heard the tragic news.
The members of Steve's band, along with help from other musicians and
friends, realized their goal of fulfilling all of the performance dates
that remained on Steve's schedule. With only a few exceptions, all of the
fairs, festivals, Oktoberfests, weddings, parties, restaurants, and bars
kept the Steve Meisner Legacy Band on their schedule so fans could enjoy
the music as originally planned - just as Steve would have wanted. The
epic celebration of Steve's life we all hoped for was realized on August
19 when some of the best polka musicians in the USA came to Milwaukee to
perform at Meisnerfest. Barb
Meisner along with her family continue to be very grateful for the
outpouring of support from the many friends and fans. Only two events
remain from Steve's original schedule on June 1st: The Sailaway
Polka Cruise coming
up in a few weeks and the Illinois Polkafest during the first weekend of
February. Barb is excited to be attending both of them. Thankfully,
Steve's legacy will not end in February as the Steve Meisner Legacy Band
has agreed to book events throughout 2024. The schedule continues to take
shape and will be detailed on Steve's website soon. While the number of
performances will be a fraction of the yearly schedule Steve used to
maintain, music lovers will still be able to enjoy some Meisner music
played by the guys from his band. Keep an eye out right here and in
Steve's newsletter as the schedule continues to build.
EXCITING NEWS FOR THE STEVE MEISNER
LEGACY BAND
November 15,
2023
We are very pleased and excited to announce that, following persistent
audience encouragement and with full support from Barb Meisner and the
Meisner family, the Steve Meisner Legacy Band has decided to continue on
stage for select performances throughout 2024. Meisner fans and family
have made it clear throughout the last several months that they would
like the band to continue fostering Steve's Legacy for at least another
year. While Steve had recently been performing nearly 90 times each year,
the Legacy Band will carry a schedule closer to one or two dozen
performances - mostly at larger events, festivals, fairs, and Oktoberfests. As
with the majority of performances in 2023, the band members will consist
mainly of Steve's regular musicians including: Don Hunjadi, Jerry Bieniek,
Chris Doszak, and Tom Brusky, joined by John Wudtke, along with a few
others. The 2024 schedule is being assembled and will be avaiable on
Steve's website early next year. Any festivals or other events looking to
book the band should contact
Don Hunjadi for
details. Steve Meisner will never be replaced but his music and legacy
will carry on.
STEVE MEISNER MEMORIAL IS A HUGE
SUCCESS
September 1,
2023
Saturday, August 19, turned out to be the exact party and celebration we
were all hoping for and are certain Steve would have been proud of. An
estimated crowd of around 500 people attended the Meisnerfest event
at the Schwabenhof to celebrate Steve Meisner. Many hundreds of photos
from throughout Steve's life and career were displayed in the pavilion
together with Steve's many awards from throughout the years. The accordion
that Steve has been playing for many years was on display along with his
button box. Over 40 musicians performed during the event,
some traveling from as far away as Washington state, Nashville,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and St. Louis. Family, friends and music
lovers were able to reunite and reminisce during the day. The Meisner
family all assembled on stage in tribute to Steve ending with a toast in
his honor. Steve's wife, Barb, spoke from the heart to the crowd
saying, "Friends and family, I could absolutely not get through all of
this without all of you, my polka family. He is our legacy, he is our
life, and you are our people." Following the event, Steve's daughter
Lindsey added, "So much love. So much gratitude. So many tears. So many
hugs. So many laughs. So many songs. My dad would be proud." Thanks go out
to everyone involved, to the many musicians, and to all of Steve's friends
and fans who attended. If you have access to social media, especially Facebook,
be sure to check Steve's
Facebook Page for
hundreds of photos and dozens of videos from throughout the day.
CELEBRATIONS FOR STEVE SCHEDULED
FOR AUGUST 17 & 19
July 1,
2023 - Updated August 9, 2023
The dates have been set and plans are underway for two special events
following the passing of Steve Meisner on June 1, 2023. The first will
take place on Thursday, August 17, at 3:00 PM at First English Lutheran
Church, 401 W Main St, in Whitewater, Wisconsin. This will be a church
service that will include special music in honor of Steve. There will be
no visitation proceeding the service. Then, on August 19, a celebration of
epic proportions will happen at the Schwabenhof, 14750 Silver Spring Dr,
in Menomonee Falls. The pavilion will open at 12:00 noon with music,
dancing, food, beverages, and fun lasting until the evening. A short
presentation will be made during the day. Photos and other memorabilia
will be displayed. Most of all, this will be an epic party that Steve
would truly be proud of. Scheduled to perform are the Eddie Rodick
Band, Klancnik & Friends, LynnMarie along with Kathy from Canada, the Mike
Schneider Band, Jeff Winard, the Jimmy Monsen Band, Brian McCarty, Garrett
Tatano, the Steve Meisner Legacy Band, plus others (performers are subject
to change). This memorable event will give Steve's family, friends, and
fans, a chance to be together, share stories, and enjoy the day - all in
honor of Steve Meisner. The
Schwabenhof will provide a full bar as well as cash and carry festival
food throughout the day.
Although no formal hotel blocks have been
established, here are a few area hotels near the Schwabenhof you may
consider. The band schedule is also included below but is also subject to
change.
Hyatt Place
11777 W Silver Spring Dr.
414-462-3500 |
|
Hampton By Hilton
5601 N Lovers Ln
414-466-8881 |
|
Holiday Inn Express
10831 W Park Pl
414-979-0250 |
|
Hilton Garden
11600 W Park Place
414-359-9823 |
|
|
Meisnerfest Schedule
TIME |
BAND |
12:00 PM |
Grounds Open |
12:30 PM |
Jimmy Monsen Band - Milwaukee |
1:15 PM |
The Mike Schneider Band - Clinton |
2:00 PM |
Eddie Rodick - Cleveland |
2:45 PM |
Jeff Winard Orchestra - Milwaukee |
3:30 PM |
Garrett Tatano - Pittsburgh |
4:15 PM |
Short presentation with the Meisner
Family |
4:30 PM |
A special toast to Steve |
4:30 PM |
Steve Meisner Legacy Band - Wisconsin |
5:15 PM |
Meisner students, past Meisner band
members, and others will join the Legacy Band |
5:45 PM |
Klancnik & Friends - Nashville,
Cleveland, Colorado, Michigan |
6:30 PM |
Full stage jam session with all
professional musicians in attendance |
7:00 PM |
LynnMarie joined by Kathy from Canada -
Nashville, Ontario |
7:30 PM |
Brian McCarty along with Klacnik &
Friends - Kansas City |
8:15 PM |
Closing jam |
9:00 PM |
Event ends |
|
|
|
Schedule is subject to change |