BEYOND "OOM-PA-PA'; FRITZ'S POLKA BAND, CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, PLAYS A MIX OF STYLES THAT APPEALS TO "JUST ABOUT EVERYONE'.(Neighbors Madison) - The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)

Byline: Meghan Rubado Contributing writer

In 1978, Fred Scherz started a family project that turned into a community treasure.

He took his new son-in-law, Gabe Vaccaro, to buy a bass guitar one Saturday morning in October and organized Fritz's Polka Band's first gig for later that night.

Fred Scherz played lead accordion, and his son, Fritz, then 8, played second accordion. They added a trumpet player and created the original lineup of a group that still entertains people all over Central New York and the Northeast.

This year, the Verona-based Fritz's Polka Band (FPB) celebrated its 25th anniversary, received proclamations from Congressman Sherwood Boehlert and Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo and secured a sponsorship from Jagermeister.

'It just keeps getting busier every year,' said Fritz Scherz, now 33. 'This summer we played 23 gigs in 18 days. We even did our first triple: three gigs in one day.'

During the summer, the band traveled around the cities and towns of Central New York, playing at parks. It's their most hectic time of year, but lately, the rest of the year has become nearly as busy, Scherz said.

'We've had to turn down some gigs,' Scherz said. One man called to book the band for his daughter's wedding reception and asked when the group would be free to play. He based the wedding date on FPB's availability. He said, 'We want you for the reception. That's the most important thing,'' Scherz said. 'It was unbelievable.'

Scherz said the strong and growing popularity of the group his father started makes him feel lucky.

'We have a lot of fun, make a lot of people happy, and that gives us the best feeling,' he said.

Vaccaro agreed.

'A lot of bands break up because of family pressures or for one reason or another, but this band is family,' Vaccaro said. 'It's tough to break up family. That's why we've been around so long.'

The band has grown to include six members, including Fred and Fritz Scherz, Vaccaro, Rick Szczyt on drums, Tom Campbell and Frank Nelson. Nelson and Campbell play guitar. They alternate performances and sometimes play together, Vaccaro said.

'It works out really well,' Vaccaro said. 'We always have such a good time together, wherever we go.'

Fritz Scherz writes a lot of the music FPB plays. He described the music as 'a real mix.' They play mostly original songs and some covers. FPB plays songs rooted in country, classic rock and contemporary styles.

'We can tell people are usually surprised when we play,' Scherz said. 'They expect that oom-pa-pa stuff, but we're really different. We appeal to just about everyone.'

Their unique style earned FPB a role in the upcoming film, 'The Manchurian Candidate,' a remake of the 1962 classic. The band went to Nyack in September to shoot a scene for the movie, Vaccaro said.

In the scene, FPB plays Scherz's 'All Night Long.'

'It's one of my favorites,' Scherz said. 'It's a lively song. It really cranks.'

Scherz said he isn't sure that the scene will make it into the film, but if it does, it will mean national recognition for the band.

'We just have to hope that we make the cut,' Scherz said.

Most recently, the band traveled to Manhattan to play a standing-room-only Christmas concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

The event Dec. 12 was hosted by Glen Burtnik, former bassist for the Styx. It also featured Steve Augeri - lead singer of Journey - Billy J. Kramer and others.

'Everybody there was awesome,' Scherz said. 'It was incredible to be there with all those musicians.'

Vaccaro said he also felt fortunate to be able to meet so many famous artists.

'I got to talk to a lot of the people I listen to and read about,' he said.

FPB's performance went over well, Vaccaro said.

'People were clapping and cheering for us,' he said. 'It was such an honor just to be there with the band.'

The band plans to continue playing as long as good health and good luck allow them to do so, Vaccaro said.

'As long as they last, I hope to be there,' he said.

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PHOTO

File photo/Al Campanie, 1999

MEMBERS OF FRITZ'S POLKA BAND include (from left) Tom Campbell, Fritz Scherz, Rick Szczyt, Gabe Vaccaro and Fred Scherz. Frank Nelson, a guitarist, also plays with the band occasionally. The group is shown at its fan club picnic in 1999. That was the year the group became the first polka band to play at a Woodstock festival - thus the tie-dye shirts. Color.

PHOTO

Photo courtesy of Fritz's Polka Band

FRITZ'S POLKA BAND members Rick Szczyt (left) and Fritz Scherz (right) pose with Journey lead singer Steve Augeri Dec. 12 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. The band and Augeri were among the performers at a Christmas show that night at the club. Color.