HOME

SCHEDULE

BIO

TRAVEL

MERCHANDISE

NEWS

PHOTOS

VIDEO

LINKS

CONTACT

 

The Latest Meisner News


THE STEVE MEISNER LEGACY LIVES ON
January 1 2024
Life during the second half of 2023 was different and sometimes difficult without seeing Steve Meisner and hearing his music. Although we have already surpassed the 6 month mark since Steve's passing, in some ways it feels like it has only been a few weeks since we heard the tragic news. The members of Steve's band, along with help from other musicians and friends, realized their goal of fulfilling all of the performance dates that remained on Steve's schedule. With only a few exceptions, all of the fairs, festivals, Oktoberfests, weddings, parties, restaurants, and bars kept the Steve Meisner Legacy Band on their schedule so fans could enjoy the music as originally planned - just as Steve would have wanted. The epic celebration of Steve's life we all hoped for was realized on August 19 when some of the best polka musicians in the USA came to Milwaukee to perform at Meisnerfest. Barb Meisner along with her family continue to be very grateful for the outpouring of support from the many friends and fans. Only two events remain from Steve's original schedule on June 1st: The Sailaway Polka Cruise coming up in a few weeks and the Illinois Polkafest during the first weekend of February. Barb is excited to be attending both of them. Thankfully, Steve's legacy will not end in February as the Steve Meisner Legacy Band has agreed to book events throughout 2024. The schedule continues to take shape and will be detailed on Steve's website soon. While the number of performances will be a fraction of the yearly schedule Steve used to maintain, music lovers will still be able to enjoy some Meisner music played by the guys from his band. Keep an eye out right here and in Steve's newsletter as the schedule continues to build. 


EXCITING NEWS FOR THE STEVE MEISNER LEGACY BAND
November 15, 2023
We are very pleased and excited to announce that, following persistent audience encouragement and with full support from Barb Meisner and the Meisner family, the Steve Meisner Legacy Band has decided to continue on stage for select performances throughout 2024. Meisner fans and family have made it clear throughout the last several months that they would like the band to continue fostering Steve's Legacy for at least another year. While Steve had recently been performing nearly 90 times each year, the Legacy Band will carry a schedule closer to one or two dozen performances - mostly at larger events, festivals, fairs, and Oktoberfests. As with the majority of performances in 2023, the band members will consist mainly of Steve's regular musicians including: Don Hunjadi, Jerry Bieniek, Chris Doszak, and Tom Brusky, joined by John Wudtke, along with a few others. The 2024 schedule is being assembled and will be avaiable on Steve's website early next year. Any festivals or other events looking to book the band should contact Don Hunjadi for details. Steve Meisner will never be replaced but his music and legacy will carry on. 


STEVE MEISNER MEMORIAL IS A HUGE SUCCESS
September 1, 2023
Saturday, August 19, turned out to be the exact party and celebration we were all hoping for and are certain Steve would have been proud of. An estimated crowd of around 500 people attended the Meisnerfest event at the Schwabenhof to celebrate Steve Meisner. Many hundreds of photos from throughout Steve's life and career were displayed in the pavilion together with Steve's many awards from throughout the years. The accordion that Steve has been playing for many years was on display along with his button box. Over 40 musicians performed during the event, some traveling from as far away as Washington state, Nashville, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and St. Louis. Family, friends and music lovers were able to reunite and reminisce during the day. The Meisner family all assembled on stage in tribute to Steve ending with a toast in his honor. Steve's wife, Barb, spoke from the heart to the crowd saying, "Friends and family, I could absolutely not get through all of this without all of you, my polka family. He is our legacy, he is our life, and you are our people." Following the event, Steve's daughter Lindsey added, "So much love. So much gratitude. So many tears. So many hugs. So many laughs. So many songs. My dad would be proud." Thanks go out to everyone involved, to the many musicians, and to all of Steve's friends and fans who attended. If you have access to social media, especially Facebook, be sure to check Steve's Facebook Page for hundreds of photos and dozens of videos from throughout the day.


CELEBRATIONS FOR STEVE SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 17 & 19
July 1, 2023 - Updated August 9, 2023
The dates have been set and plans are underway for two special events following the passing of Steve Meisner on June 1, 2023. The first will take place on Thursday, August 17, at 3:00 PM at First English Lutheran Church, 401 W Main St, in Whitewater, Wisconsin. This will be a church service that will include special music in honor of Steve. There will be no visitation proceeding the service. Then, on August 19, a celebration of epic proportions will happen at the Schwabenhof, 14750 Silver Spring Dr, in Menomonee Falls. The pavilion will open at 12:00 noon with music, dancing, food, beverages, and fun lasting until the evening. A short presentation will be made during the day. Photos and other memorabilia will be displayed. Most of all, this will be an epic party that Steve would truly be proud of. Scheduled to perform are the Eddie Rodick Band, Klancnik & Friends, LynnMarie along with Kathy from Canada, the Mike Schneider Band, Jeff Winard, the Jimmy Monsen Band, Brian McCarty, Garrett Tatano, the Steve Meisner Legacy Band, plus others (performers are subject to change). This memorable event will give Steve's family, friends, and fans, a chance to be together, share stories, and enjoy the day - all in honor of Steve Meisner. The Schwabenhof will provide a full bar as well as cash and carry festival food throughout the day. Although no formal hotel blocks have been established, here are a few area hotels near the Schwabenhof you may consider. The band schedule is also included below but is also subject to change.

Hyatt Place
11777 W Silver Spring Dr.
414-462-3500
Hampton By Hilton
5601 N Lovers Ln
414-466-8881
Holiday Inn Express
10831 W Park Pl
414-979-0250
Hilton Garden
11600 W Park Place
414-359-9823

 

Meisnerfest Schedule

TIME BAND
12:00 PM

Grounds Open

12:30 PM Jimmy Monsen Band - Milwaukee
1:15 PM The Mike Schneider Band - Clinton
2:00 PM Eddie Rodick - Cleveland
2:45 PM Jeff Winard Orchestra - Milwaukee
3:30 PM Garrett Tatano - Pittsburgh
4:15 PM Short presentation with the Meisner Family
4:30 PM A special toast to Steve
4:30 PM Steve Meisner Legacy Band - Wisconsin
5:15 PM Meisner students, past Meisner band members, and others will join the Legacy Band
5:45 PM Klancnik & Friends - Nashville, Cleveland, Colorado, Michigan
6:30 PM Full stage jam session with all professional musicians in attendance
7:00 PM LynnMarie joined by Kathy from Canada - Nashville, Ontario
7:30 PM Brian McCarty along with Klacnik & Friends - Kansas City
8:15 PM Closing jam
9:00 PM

Event ends

Schedule is subject to change

 


View the Meisner News Archives

 

 

Next Steve Meisner Legacy Band Performances
 

May 12
Croatian Cultural Club - Joliet, IL
 

More Information and Dates
 

 

join the Steve Meisner
Monthly Newsletter mailing list

 

Subscribe to the mailing list
You can unsubscribe at any time in seconds!

* indicates required

 

 

Facebook   

 

 

Last Updated on Monday January 01, 2024   © 2012-2024 Steve Meisner  Site maintained by HG Studio

HOME

SCHEDULE

BIO

TRAVEL

MERCHANDISE

NEWS

PHOTOS

VIDEO

LINKS

CONTACT