I like to think of The Big Joe Polka Show as polka’s answer to American Bandstand. Just replace the TV studio with a large plywood dance floor in an Elk’s Lodge, the awkward teens with polka dancing seniors, and Dick Clark with the charming “Big Joe” Siedlik and his loud, accordion-patterned vests.
For more than 25 years, Big Joe was a polka radio king, spinning a popular mix of Polish, Czech and German polka records for listeners in the Midwest. After retiring from radio, he moved to television and now showcases live polka bands and dancers on his program which airs nationwide on RFD-TV, “Rural America’s Most Important Network.”
Later this month, Big Joe will film a series of shows at the RFD-TV Theater in Branson, Missouri. It’s a big deal for the bands chosen to perform and they’re coming from all over the country — the Polka Chips from Alaska, Smilin’ Scandinavians from Washington, Phocus from Buffalo, and many more.
One of polka’s biggest promoters, Big Joe likes to say that “polka tots make polka teens, and polka teens make adult human beings.” This clip is proof of that, as Big Joe welcomes (and teases) the younger members of Colorado’s Polka Nuts:
56 Comments:
THIS IS A VERY GOOD BAND, HOPE WE GET TO SEE THEM IN PERSON VERY SOON. WE LOVE THE BIG JOE SHOW. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
by Ella corris on May 9th, 2007
WE LOVE THE POLKA NUTS HOPE WE CAN GET TO
SEE THEM IN PERSON SOMEDAY. WE LOVE THE BIG JOE SHOW VERY MUCH.
TAKE CARE ,
ELLA
by Ella corris on May 9th, 2007
This is classic - thanks!
by Knuckles on May 13th, 2007
I love the Big Joe Polka Show watch it as often as possible. My birthday is June 2, l927. I have reserved tickets to attend the show on June 2nd which is about two weeks off. I’m very excited about coming to Branson for the show.
May 17 Pearl McArthur
by Pearl McArthur on May 17th, 2007
That’s fantastic, Pearl! Have fun at the show!
by Chris on May 17th, 2007
Hi from NY. I just love Big Joe’s Polka show, play an accordian too !!
I think the accordian player from Rhythm Playboy’s is awesome, energetic, and GORGEOUS !!!
I’d love to meet him someday !
Keep up the good work !
by Kathy M. on May 28th, 2007
Thanks Kathy! I’ve never seen the Rhythm Playboys, but I’ll have to keep an eye out for their “gorgeous” accordion player.
by Chris on May 28th, 2007
Love Big Joe Polka show,but after a year Dish Network took it off of our sattelite,which is what most of rural Alaska watches.I,m an old accordian player in Alaska,started playing in the bars here when I was 16.So glad it is still popular today.
Dean
by Wm D Kvasnikoff on June 4th, 2007
My wife and I watch Big Joe’s Polka Show for laughs. Probably some of the worst musicians and bands are on this show. I have been a polka musician for 60 years, still playing, and I would be ashamed to work with most of the “bands” Keep up the good work, I need a laugh.
by Lou Howard on June 11th, 2007
Big Joe’s polka show set polka music back 40 years.No wonder many people,especially the younger, generation, those under about 40, laugh at polka music.
by Marianne Hoff on June 11th, 2007
Please bring back the Polka Nuts. I miss not hearing from them in a long time. The Big Polka Show is great!
Keep up the good work!
by Pauline Baum on June 24th, 2007
jeannie is great at interviewing, she is startiing to learn how to hold the mic right,,,I like joes hair in this clip..one of the dancers on the shows looks just like captain kangaroo! JOE ROCKS and I am a urban resident!
by Ellie Robs on July 8th, 2007
I love the Dutch Hop music very much and this is a good band to listen to for that kind of music. I have watched this band perform in northern Colorado several times, and they gave a good performance each time I watched.
by Budi T. on July 26th, 2007
where are god bless america usa
america beautiful
by Chris kurek on September 17th, 2007
What about Polka Paul?
by Earl H. on November 1st, 2007
Are you talking about Paul Belanger from Rhode Island? I’ve heard of his radio show — does he have a TV show, too?
by Chris on November 1st, 2007
The Polka Nuts are always a welcome ans enjoyable part of the Big Joe polks Show
by JOE BARINAS on November 12th, 2007
hi the polkanuts are a great band we lover them we watch BIG JOES POLKA whenever its on its wonderful
by Leon Bradley&Theresa on November 21st, 2007
I know Polka Paul from Nebraska, and he says Big Joe does more for Polka music than anyone….Polka Paul looks like Captain Kangaroo. Jeannie rocks….she is the future of the industry….Thanks big joe,,you and the nuts rock…
by Stuart on November 21st, 2007
Kevin is such a cutie, he reminds me of my grandson, Milawsz, I even cut his hair in haircut like that. I am Big Joe Show fan. We are watch Polka nuts many time. I am go to Big Joe Show one day. I am 74 years old and I like the beginning of big joe show where Polka Paul says ‘Big Joe does more for Polka than anyone else’. I am thank you.
by Ludy Lou Kozlowski on November 25th, 2007
Below is an email I just sent off to the Polka Nuts and a cc to the president of RFD:
Dear Polka Nuts,
Thanks to RFD and Big Joe, I recently “discovered” your band and I just ordered your two DVDs. I wanted to let you know that your music is wonderful!! The sound is so rich and the dulcimer has a wonderful sound–a marvelous addition in Polka music.
Listening to your music and watching the dancers on Polka Joe’s show remind me so much of when I was a kid growing up in Roseland on the South Side of Chicago back in the 1950’s and my church would hold a big social. The Polka music would be playing, the adults would be dancing, and I could run around the church basement without getting yelled at–those were good times.
Keep up the good work and let me know when your next DVD is released.
Many thanks,
Pete Bausys (RoselandPete)
by Peter Bausys on November 28th, 2007
Please patron them directly. Big Mike will share the 411 on what he can.
Not everything seems as it appears!
The Truth Seeker
by The Truth Seeker on November 29th, 2007
Of all the polka bands on Big Joe, yours is our favorite. I would like to purchase one of your DVDs. Where can I order it? Norm & Sadie Bicknell
by Sadie Bicknell on December 4th, 2007
my parents watch your progam wed. and sat.
nights. yes, we often dance in the kitchen.
they love all of your bands but their favorite is
the Polka Nuts. It’s their 60th wedding anniv.
this coming April- it would be great to see you at a
Polka show.
thank you for giving us so much happiness.
by dottie renier on December 5th, 2007
Sadie: you can find the Polka Nuts (and other Big Joe Polka Show) DVDs at polkacatalog.com.
by Chris on December 7th, 2007
My husband and I love Big Joe’s Polka Show on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. When Lawrence was in the hospital this last weeks, I bragged that I got to see Big Joe. Being originally from Wisconsin, its a pleasure to watch, because the South has no idea what Polka Music is all about. Sure would like to see Brian Brueggen on his show, and Larry Olsen.
Thank you
Janet Holmes
839 Lake June Road
Lake Placid, Florida 33852-8925
by Janet Holmes on December 16th, 2007
I would rather see two real “professional” bands on the show than five or six fair to lousy. There’s more to polka than Czech, German and Polish. I have been in and around it since I was old enough to walk.
by Dan Larson on December 24th, 2007
Get on board the big joe polka train! big joe IS polka! And he has alot of fans as you can see in the intros to the show. Like Polka Guy from Nebraska says in the intro “Big Joe Siedlik does more for Polka music than anyone”. He is right! Who else in this wonderful country has such love for the music and has it on such a great channel like RFD. Keep it up Big Joe—YOU ARE A POLKA LEGEND! See you at your next Minnesota gig!
by Clyde Holz on December 30th, 2007
We really enjoy all the polka music on Big Joe’s
shows. Is there a schedule as where the dances
are held and when?
by Jean Pratte on January 2nd, 2008
Jean, check Big Joe’s website; it looks like there’s a taping coming up in Texas next month.
by Chris on January 2nd, 2008
Joe
Let me know what I have to do to get on one of your RFD filming shows.
by Tony Sydzyik on January 8th, 2008
If you like polka music watch the Jimmy Sturr show on RFD-TV every Friday at 5:00PM. The show repeated on the following Sunday morning.
by Darwin Mainwaring on January 19th, 2008
I lived in brighton, Colo for a long time and could throw a stone at the county court house. I lived there untill 1992 and moved to MO. I love the Polka nuts. they are fantistic. Lin
by Linda winfrey on January 22nd, 2008
We would like to hear more tapes of the Polka Nuts
by virgil thomson on February 3rd, 2008
Would like to see the Polka Nuts on your TV show again. Is the band still together? I’d like to see new shows of them.
by Gary Streck on February 4th, 2008
I love the Polkas that you play on the t.v, I move the table and dance up a storm. Just like Big Joe says, I ‘kick up a rug’. I will be on your show one day, because I am learning to dance even better. Does Janie have a boyfriend?…Thank you, Eugene
by Eugene K. Merrill on February 6th, 2008
We love Big Joe Polka. We wish it came on earlier in the evening during the week. It used to be on at noon and that was a good time. I think that for the older people 4AM is kind of a bad time. We know a lot of people like the horse shows but we feel it is over done. You should cater to more people than just the horse people. What dates are you taping Big Joe in July of 2008 and where.
Thanks,
Virginia Lumbrezer
P.S.: Our 3 year old granddaughter Madison loves Big Joe Polka. We would like to bring her to one of the tapings this summer.
by Virginia Lumbrezer on February 11th, 2008
Joe: Where are other tapeings going to be this year, other than Texas? We were planning to go to Minn. or Branson, but can’t find any information on dates at those locations.
by Sammy Mayes on February 13th, 2008
Sammy, there will be another taping July 24-27 at the Medina Ballroom in Medina, MN. Keep checking Joe’s site (polkacatalog.com) for updated info.
by Chris on February 15th, 2008
Just a question. Of all the shows I have watched I have yet to see audience or band member play a STUMPF FIDDLE. My uncle who has not pasted had several. Would love to see one played again, as the whereabouts of those STUMPF FIDDLES are a mystery.
by garry walton on February 16th, 2008
Just to pass on some sad news,
Ralph E. Herman, long-time frontman for the Rhythm Playboys, passed away unexpectedly at his home in rural Osseo on Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. His charismatic stage presence and unique style delighted audiences throughout the country for over 50 years. Ralph was the accordian player and vocalist. Copy and paste the following link for more info:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/obituary.asp?id=BFT9J6J4ATT
by Gordie Twerberg on February 27th, 2008
I would like a dvd of some of the shows that are on The Big Joe Polka Show. Do you offer them. My father loves polkas and he doesn’t have cable or dish to get your show. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Doug
by Doug Francetic on March 18th, 2008
Is RFD TV still carrying BIG JOE??
If not what happened???? Big Joe is great. Does anyone know why RFD is not broadcasting Big Joe? I hope his health is OK. If anyone knpws anything please let me know.
thanks
by Ray J on March 22nd, 2008
What happened to Big Joe? We watch him on Wed and Sat and has missed his show. been replaced by some old polka shows, when will he be back? Polka Vic from Monmouth Oregon 97361 Phone 503-838-1009
by Vic Satterlund on March 22nd, 2008
I heard there’s a contract dispute between Big Joe and RFD-TV, which is why he isn’t currently on the air. Hopefully it’ll be settled soon — check Big Joe’s site for updates.
by Chris on March 25th, 2008
Doug: You can order Big Joe Polka Show DVDs through Big Joe’s website at polkacatalog.com.
by Chris on March 25th, 2008
Hey Big Joe I just wanted to say that watching your show is the highlight of my week. I only wish that I could be there live swinging and kicking my heels while listening to that sweet Polka beat.
by Vicki Prichard on March 26th, 2008
Big Joe, I can’t remember a program I’ve enjoyed more than Big Joe Polka. When the clock strikes ten in my home in Louisa, Kentucky, everyone knows to step out of my way and make sure my recliner is empty because that’s where I settle in for an evening of quality entertainment! I’ve been known to spring to my feet and dance a jig across the floor myself, just wishing I were live on Big Joe’s! Someday!
by Vince Doty on April 6th, 2008
I love your show, but I have a question, I have a very old vinage Wurlitzer Accordion, would love to sell it but I can not find anyone here in Vegas that is interested. If you know some one that would love a beautiful piece please contact me.
Thank Very much,
A true fan
Robert Sacco
702-882-2087
by Robert Sacco on April 19th, 2008
I would like the schedule for Big Joe’s polka party at Medina, Minn in July
by Eugene Rohrbach on April 29th, 2008
Eugene, check our calendar listing.
by Chris on April 30th, 2008
Wil Big Joe ever come to Chicago? There is a Huge Polka loving contingent here and Polka Joe could pull all of em’ out of the woodwork. Let me start the chat…’We want joe’, ‘we want joe’, ‘we want joe’!!!!! Any Chance?…..ps: there are alot of hotels here for the fans to stay at.
by Raymond Zags on June 2nd, 2008
Hey Joe! When can we get to see the Polka nuts on your show again?? What a great group of performers! Kevin is FANTASTIC on the dulcimer. Would sure like to see them play more than one song when & if they ever get on again. Love your show especially the Slovenian stle like Virgil Baker.&&&& the Alaska Polka Chips.Marge & her group hold a big place in my heart. Keep up the good work!!
by Barb Gajeski on June 7th, 2008
I was trying to see if there was a change in band schedule for Medina Fest. but can’t find anything out. Do try and get the Polka nuts back for some taping. They were great back then. Do they still play or not. Just wondering.
by Phyllis Gerhartz on June 18th, 2008
Phyllis, check Big Joe’s site for the latest information.
by Chris on June 22nd, 2008
On Aug 23 from 10 t0 11, I watched your show. You had a band called Buttons and banjo from Madison Wis. I would like a cd from them. Is there any way you can put me in touch with them. Either by e-mail or phone. Thank you, Jakob Unger Sr.
1416 Laconia St.
Sebastian, Fl. 32958
772-589-6152
by Jakob Unger Sr. on August 24th, 2008