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Sterling Heights On April 20,
2008, the Michigan State Music Hall of Fame, Inc. inducted five new members
into the Michigan Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions in
the field of Polka and Ethnic Music at the Carpathia Club in Sterling
Heights, Michigan. This year's recipients were all of German and Austrian
descent.
The white linen table cloths were adorned with a vase of Astromaria flowers
of yellow, white and green with a black bow. After a short invocation prayer
by Marilyn Kwolik, a delicious German dinner was served family style to the
340 guests attending.
President, Dan Coppens, opened the induction program with a short history of
the formation, workings and purpose of the Michigan State Music Hall of
Fame.
Induction ceremonies began with Heidi Wagner introducing the first honorees:
Arnold and Katie Richlich of Sterling Heights, Michigan; musicians and
co-band leaders who grew up with ethnic and polka music in each of their
families. Both have played with several bands prior to forming their own
band, the Vagabonds", after the two were married in 1975. Katie began her
musical career by forming an all girls band called the Carousels". The group
played together for over 30 years and still remain good friends. After
serving two years in the U.S. Army, Arnold joined Horst Buller's Melodias"
band where he played for a few years. In 1969, Arnold purchased a night club
which he called Arnold's Cabaret", featuring both Polka and Jazz styles of
music.
The second recipient, Antonia (Toni) Marie Jarvis, of Pinckney, Michigan,
was introduced by Marianne Rauer. Toni has been playing accordion for over
50 years and is also an accomplished Organist and Piano player. In her
earlier years she taught music to augment the family's income. She was also
an accomplished singer and was one of the founding members of the Sweet
Adeline Chorus of Ann Arbor. Her greatest notoriety comes from playing for
the German Park Schuhplatters at various German functions for over 50 years.
Her Father, Anton (Tony) Vetter, founded and was the first President of the
Ann Arbor German Recreation Club (aka the German Park) in 1939.
The third recipient, Herbert (Herbie) Langegger, of Clinton Township,
Michigan, was introduced by his daughter, Heidi Fisher-Cole. Herbie
Langegger was born of Austrian decent and was encouraged by his father, Emil
Langegger, to continue his interest in music. Herbie immigrated to the
United States bringing with him, his desire to sing, play the buttonbox and
accordion. Herbie formed his own band called the Happy Wanders" Band and
recorded one album featuring authentic music and yodeling songs from the
Alps and Europe. He was also one of the first bands to play the Frankenmuth
Bavarian Festival.
The fourth recipient, Anton Tony" Johann Schuster, Sr. (Deceased) was
honored by his son, Tony Schuster, Jr. and Diane Schuster. Tony, Sr. was
born in Bavaria, Germany and immigrated to the USA in 1950. He quickly began
using his trade which he learned in Germany - an electrician. In 1956 he
formed his own company called A. J. Schuster Electric Co. in Detroit, which
later relocated to Warren, Michigan. At this same time the German-American
immigrants were making their homes on the east side of Detroit. Tony opened
up the White Horse Inn" which became the Stammtisch" for the newly arriving
German-American immigrants. Tony loved his music and was a great entertainer
himself. Tony later formed his own band known as the Tony Schuster Band".
Tony was always involved with the German heritage and music. He was one of
the founding members of the Frankenmuth Bavarian
Festival. Tony married Diane Christoffersdon and had a son, Tony, Jr.
(Little Tony). Tony and Diane along with Herbert Monschau, and Gerhard Kahn
purchased the GACC (German-American Cultural Center), later called the
Bavarian Chateau. Tony Schuster passed away on March 25, 1990. The German
community was saddened by the terrible loss of a great ambassador and
driving force in the preservation of his culture and music.
The fifth recipient, Tommy Schober, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, was
introduced by his daughter, Dr. Megan Schober. Tommy was born in Grosse
Pointe Shores, Michigan. and began playing music at a young age. He first
took lessons on the accordion, which did not work out. He then switched over
to the Clarinet and later to the Saxophone. Tommy played in bands from grade
school to high school and German-American youth bands. Tommy's musical
career, not only included german and polka music, but rock 'n roll as well.
He was a member of the rock band, Marquis 4" and Die Gruppe". In 1972 Tommy
formed his own band with Karl Peters, Eric Seitz, and Karl Eberspacher and
called themselves Die Sorgenbrecher Band". Tommy has played throughout the
Midwest and beyond such as Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and
of course Michigan. They also played in Austria, Germany, the Caribbean
Islands, Hawaii and Japan. He has managed to juggle his daily work schedule,
his family and his home life all for the love of playing music.
Each recipient was presented a plaque and biography scrolls by President,
Dan Coppens. Other past Hall of Fame Inductees present at the induction
ceremonies were introduced. They were: Marianne Rauer, Richard Wagner,
Wendell Bauer, Adam Madel, Uli and Giesla Kirstein and Dan Coppens. The
Michigan State Music Hall of Fame Committee was acknowledged and introduced.
They were: Barbara Bruckner, Terry & Al Bagrowski, Frank & Marilyn Kwolik,
Hans & Marianne Rauer, Ingrid Stein, Maryellen Kouba and Barbara Conti.
Following the Ceremonies, all danced to the music of Dick Wagner and Die
Rhinelanders" with a special performance by the Ann Arbor Schuhplatters and
Dancers under the direction of Toni Jarvis and son, John.
Dan Coppens |
