March, 2002

About time! Yeah, that's what I mean: it's about time, that the summer comes back and all the exciting festivals and gigs we will go to. Also, it's about time, that I add some more news here, so you know what's going on. Die Schuhplattler had a great 2001, and we ended it with a wonderful party at the Horizon Center in Saginaw, and joined our "Marv Herzog" on stage at his New Years dance. This years bookings are coming in already, and we are happy to announce that we are now a permanent part of the Summer Music Festival in Frankenmuth. Now we are there for eight shows on both weekends (see schedule). We will be on stage with the fabulous Hubcats and other "great" names. I was so busy with writing the webpage for the "Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival", that I almost had no time to take care of this little News Section, sorry, but it was worth it, go check it out  www.bavarianfestival.com. I hope seeing you around, Bis bald, und Aufwiedersehen!

September and October, 2001

Oktoberfests everywhere That's the scoop. We are on the road and on the road........... It's incredible how many Festivals want us for their Oktoberfest Events. We are having fun........... I will tell you more, when this busy time is over with! Oh, one more thing: not to forget, our "Thomas" from Gunzenhausen, Germany is here for a couple month. He is an excellent Trumpet player and he is with us for a couple of weeks. Thanks to Thomas, we sound even more German now!!

Juli und August, 2001

It's time for Music Festival July was very calm, and we all enjoyed a lot of different excitments. Dave got finally married, Greg and Steph had another baby, and we did a lot of practising when the heat or wifes allowed it. Michael got appointed to the Board of Directors of the Frankenmuth CEC (Civic Events Council), this is the organization who is also in charge of the Bavarian Festival. We are very proud of this announcment, and now we have two people in our group which are/where actively involved in running the Bavarian Festival. A while ago, Greg was the President of the CEC and in charge of the Festival. Michael will mostly be in charge of the 2002 Entertainment and future CEC Webpage, and also bring in some "German" influence and a lot of experience from his 27 year stage live. But now, it's August and it's Music Fest in Town - the best Polka and Music Fest we know, and we are so lucky to be right here in Frankenmuth. We are honored as every year, to perform at the opening ceremony and "play" bartenders for the Keg of Beer, Marv Herzog sponsors for his 69th Birthday. Later at night we will have a "real" show coming up. It's very unique, that we are a part of the Music Festival, since we are not a "real" band, but Marv and Theresa think, we have to be a part of it, since we are like them; "upkeepers of the German Heritage"; and they ask us back every year. This year is very special for all of us. The City of Frankenmuth and all of the Frankenmuther's decided to name the August 9th from now on to "Marv Herzog Day". There is a beautiful rock with a plaque in front of the Heritage Park, and the area right behind it is named from now on the "Marv Herzog Festplatz" to honor Marv and all he has done for the town and the German Music. Marv is one of our biggest supporters, took us on the road with him, and tought us so much. Big thanks to you Marv, we admire you and wana be like you: always smiling, and "the show must go on"........... ..........."one more time......." that is what he always told us, when we where dancing...... Marv, "one more time.....", we are one of your biggest fans - Happy Birthday Marv Herzog!!

Juni, 2001

Time for Bavarian Festival Yes, finally, we were looking forward to this great event in Frankenmuth. The Bavarian Festival 2001 called us to order and we have about 21 shows to go to and can't wait. The Bavarian Festival means a lot to us. For instance, it was the reason, that Michael, our leader came over in the early 80's to perform her. The Frankenmuther's brought him and his Munich Group for about 5 years in a row to their town, to show his art to the American Audience. Hope to see you there-------------------

May, 2001

Frühling in Amerika Frühling (Spring) !!!!!! yeah, finally, the sun is back and we had our first outdoor show. Again, the third year in a row, we represented the State of Michigan, and Frankenmuth in Chicago to promote Michigan Travels. Early morning Gigs at WGN and a couple live appearances at the "Daily Placa" right Downtown Chicago rounded the trip up. More and more bookings are coming in, which will send us all over again. It seems the word is out - the "Schuhplatter" are coming............. Irene and Wally Bronner (you know, they folks with the Christmas Store) are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in June. In fact, Wally just called me, and said: "Hey Mike, you wana bring your Bells and Wife and play a couple songs at our Anniversary, you know, 50 years ago, I married my Irene, and I was the "Bestman" at my own wedding" (I just love his humor, there is always a joke on his lips). It will be my honor, to give my best and entertain the Bronner's Guest at their party. Wally Bronner was always my supporter, he was one of the people which actively helped me to immigrate and stay in this beautiful country. Good Luck Wally and Irene HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - and God Bless You

April, 2001

We're getting HIGH TECH!! Finally we make it easier to contact us and to call our web page. Two new Domains have been registered for your convenience, please use: www.plattler.com or www.ein-prosit.com to find our homepage. We are so proud to finally becoming a part of the internet. If you wana go to our "Schedule" or straight to the "News", just type "News" or "Schedule" instead of the "www". You can even leave this funny "www" away just enter plattler.com and here you go, right there at our site. Contacting us is even easier, just use the name of one of us and add @ein-prosit.com (e.g. Michael@ein-prosit.com), it comes right to us, wow, we are so modern now. The next big project will be, to finally finish the page and add pictures from our shows and so on. Not to forget, finally the season started, we are practising hard............. The first shows have been done, and boy, let me tell you, we did not forget, it seems, the winter break made us even "better". Michael plays a couple new songs on his cow-bells, and now he is in deed the fastest guy on the bells, he plays the fastest song on the cow-bells, he is letting his bells "yodel"..... well, come and see it yourself. The festivals are on their way, and the bookings are in, we're ready, are you.....

March, 2001

Oh ja, Jan got the new accordion. It's a brandnew Hohner Alpina, really wonderful. Helikon Bass, just like Greg's; now their instruments look and sound so much alike. It could not be any better. If you hear them both play, you really feel like back "home" in good old Germany.

Feb., 2001
Well, the 2001 season starts soon, and we are all busy getting ready, a lot of practising, and taking care of all the new booking inquiries
Jan will leave for Germany, picking up a new accordion so she can match Greg, this is now her 4th one, can you imagine!!

And here the newest news from the "Plattler's"......
our Dave is getting married in June 2001........
he proposed to his lovely girlfriend Andrea and bought her a beautiful ring.
Also he finally gratuated from Michigan Tech University as a Civil Engineer.