Work Being Completed On Brand New Meisner Music Release
November 22,
2024
You may have seen some rumors and video clips
that hinted at the possibility of a new Meisner recording project being
worked on. We are thrilled to say that those rumors have now been
confirmed and it's official: A new recording is coming in early 2025
featuring never-released songs from Steve together with brand new material
just recorded. Members of the Legacy Band have been hard at work recording
songs to help augment some other tunes that Steve started working on more
than a dozen years ago. Even more exciting, through the magic of
technology, the guys were able to use Steve's vocal tracks from various
performances to allow him to actually sing with The Legacy Band on several
of the new songs! In all, Steve will play and/or sing on 10 of the 16
songs. And, yes, you'll hear him whistle and talk to his music lovers too.
A couple brand new songs will be included featuring lyrics from Steve's
brother, Dan, who wrote the words to many of Steve's songs. Although work
on some of the songs is still underway, the plan and hope is to release
this brand new CD at the 2025 Illinois Polkafest in Schaumburg, Illinois
on February 7. Of course it will also be available to all of Steve's many
music lover fans. Keep watching as more information is released..
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.