Mike Schumacher

MIKE SCHUMACHER

Mike grew up with a dancehall is his back yard. His parents owned and operated the former Poplar Tree Ballroom near Marathon City, Wisconsin. From grade school thru his high school years, attending weddings, and other dances nearly every weekend between March and November. Many of Wisconsin’s finest polka bands played there at one time or another. Mike’s first instrument was trumpet played in grades 5-8. Upon hearing for the first time, a polish style polka band called “The Jolly Harmony 7” from the central Wisconsin area featuring the push style polkas, accordion was the next instrument in line. The following Christmas, Santa delivered an accordion. Upon receiving some lessons from excellent musician and good friend, Brian Barnetzke, many hours were spent listening and playing along with recordings of great polka bands like the Versatones, Chicago Push, Dynatones, and The Sounds. Also, Mike’s father was a very accomplished concertina player who had a 2 piece band for many years. Mike has many fond memories playing alongside his father in the family owned tavern. In Mike’s high school years, he learned the guitar and in his senior year played lead guitar in the school Jazz band. On the vocal side, Mike was a 4 year member of the high school swing choir.

One polka Sunday afternoon at the Hatley Hotel, Mike jammed with a couple young local musicians named Ron & Wally Raczkowski. Soon after, the Polish Connection Band was born. Mike performed on the band’s first recording, “Shot in the Dark” and on “Good Clean Fun” (2008).