Steve Rodgers
Steve was born into a polka music family.
His dad, Dick Rodgers, ran a very successful band, and in addition to playing
dances and issuing recordings, also had a weekly Midwest syndicated Sunday noon
TV show, the Dick Rodgers Show. This was Steve’s introduction into the polka
limelight as, at the age of 3, Steve got to sit in front of his dad’s band with
his toy trumpet.
Steve began taking piano lessons at the age
of 8 and followed that up with trumpet in the local grade school band program.
At the age of 11, Steve played trumpet and sang on his first recording for his
dad’s band, and later, at age 12, joined his dad’s band fulltime. Steve
arranged and composed music for his dad’s band and continued to perform and
record with his dad’s band until 1976, at which time Dick decided to retire as a
bandleader.
In 1976, Steve did a short stint with the
Alvin Styczynski Orchestra, before forming a new band with his brother Tom,
titled “Rodgers and Friends”. Rodgers and Friends continued very successfully,
recording five albums, and playing throughout the country, until 1984.
For his next musical endeavor, Steve became
the sixth member and charter accordion player for a then recently formed group,
entitled “Polkatown Sound”. This group became very successful and led Steve
again to performing around the country until 1987, and back again in 1989
fulltime with Polkatown Sound. In 1990, Steve took a hiatus from full-time band
commitments due to his family, and the purchase of his dad’s insurance agency
business in Pulaski, Wisconsin.
In 1997, first known as The Pitt Crew, and
later as “AKA”, Steve was co-founder of a very talented group of musicians to
play both traditional and progressive polka music. AKA was an enjoyable and
successful group and allowed Steve to push his musical boundaries in composing
and arranging.
Early in 2002, prior to the breakup of AKA,
Scott & Roger Majeski from the Harmony Kings had contacted Steve to help out
their group, which he gladly did. Later, he was asked to perform steady with
the group, which Steve accepted. Several years later, Steve became a charter
member of Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze and then in 2006, Steve became a full-time
member of Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones, where he continued until the end of the
Versatones at the end of 2011.
With the start of 2012, Steve is excited to
be working with Polish Connection and enjoying not only working on accordion,
but also trumpet, clarinet, and keyboards.
Steve’s love for music, especially polka,
has literally been a lifetime. Beside polka music, Steve has helped out and
been a member of local rock bands, church musical services, been a school solo
and ensemble volunteer accompanist, a Pulaski Community Band ensemble member,
and a Christmastime volunteer for a Brass Choir that goes to nursing homes and
various places in the area.
Steve currently resides near Pulaski,
Wisconsin with his wife, Sheryl, and owns Rodgers Agency in Pulaski.
Dick Rodgers TV Recording Orchestra:
Twirl Your Partner
Stop-Inn Saturday Night
Polka Varieties
Newtime-Polkatime
A Polka Concert
The Dick Rodgers Story
Hall Of Fame
Tale of the Tape
Bishop:
Just a Thought/Wake up Sunshine 45rpm
The Cords/Spirit of Isaiah:
Love Life
Alvin Styczynski:
Rodgers and Friends:
Listen Everyone
Dance, Dance, Dance
Polka Show Beam
Polka Village
Polkatown Sound:
Classics Edition
Made To Order
AKA:
In Cognito
Roger Majeski and the Harmony Kings:
One of a Kind
Let’s Party
Eddie Blazoncyzk’s Versatones:
Bears cd
Tribute to Wally (not yet released)
Slippery When Wet (not yet released)