The Don Peachey Story

Accordionist Don Peachey was inducted into the Poka Hall of Fame in 1999 after may years of pleasing audiences and personal appearances at all the leading ballrooms.  The Don Peachey Band played their first public dance in June of 1951 and released their first recordings in 1957.  Except for 2 years in the army, the Orchestra has kept a busy schedule playing for many loyal fans mostly in Wisconsin but they make a yearly tour to Texas and have played in 11 states.

Something different describes Polka Hall of Famer Don Peachey and the Band. They are one of the popular musical groups in the country, (and they're pretty good in town too)! When it comes to great dance music, they are right up on top and that would be attested to by thousands of fans and friends, and many of them have followed Peachey's career closely.

No strangers to any stage where polka and dance music is played, the Don Peachey Recording Band has it's own way of playing almost every song and it has built a sterling reputation during the years the band has performed throughout the areas. (Don was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame in 1999).

From left.  Jane Peachey, Ken Jacobs, Ron Meitner (bass), Kootie Jambura, Jiggs Mannigel, Don Peachey, and Rose Giedlinski.

Down through the decades they have accumulated an impressive list of songs that were best sellers, some of which were novelty songs like (the one that really took off) "Horsie Keep Your Tail Up", "Last Night on the Back Porch", "Singing In. The Kitchen", and "Don't Bring LuLu". Other standouts were "That's Where My Money Goes", "I Love Everybody", "Skirts", and "Spanish Two-Step".

From left.  Jane Peachey Shirek, Ken Jacobs, Bob Shirek (bass), "Kookie" Bob Jambura, George Godfroy (drums), Don Peachey, and Rose Giedlinski

New instrumentals that were introduced are "Oklahoma Polka", "Wait For Me", "Donna Waltz", "Wolf River Waltz" and "Kimberly Polka''. Two songs that are currently being promoted by the crew are "Won't You Ride in my Little Red Wagon" and "Tulips From Amsterdam" and they are on the most recent CD, "Music on the Move". They also have a Christmas CD called "We Love Christmas" that has become a favorite at Christmastime for many families.

Members of the band are: John Peachey, who plays a lot of instruments, and sets those smooth, flowing rhythms on drums, banjo and also plays a style-setting trumpet; Mary Peachey Dittrich who plays the saxophone and is the featured vocalist; Bill Anding who is a master of all the reed instruments from tenor sax and clarinet to alto and baritone; Leroy Godfroy renders those 'can't sit this one out' tempos on drums and he has more than one birthday a year; Brett Schroeder is the keyboard guy who has the piano parts down pat for this 'band of a 1,000 times'; and on the big bass horn is Bernie Hoppe who people like to hear belting out a good bass run or bombastic bass solo.

Actually Bernie & Don first met in the U.S. Army in Japan where they both served in the 1st Cavalry Division. With Don on his Pan-Jet accordion, it's a fun band and a fun loving troupe.

From left, back.  Bernie Hoppe, John Peachey, Mary Peachey Dittrich, Leroy Godfroy, Bill Anding.  From left, front. Brett Schroeder and Don Peachey.

Have songs, will travel, and they sorta go where the music takes them including regular yearly excursions to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas with periodic appearances in 14 states altogether.  Easy to dance to and fun to listen to ... their truly danceable touch makes good dancers better and persuades even non-dancers to trust themselves on the floor. Through their recorded music (14 albums) and their touring in the polka circuits, they have become one of the most visible bands from Wisconsin. Questions, comments, call 1-888-689-2111.