Steve Meisner 25th Anniversary in the Music Business

Photos from the Celebration - Updated 6-9-03

What Steve's Fans had to say

For Immediate Release

Date: 3/10/03

Contact: Steve Meisner 262-473-7184, email; MeisnerS@cni-usa.com

Steve Meisner Celebrates 25 Years

Steve Meisner, one of polka music’s hardest working citizen’s, is celebrating 25 years in the music business

this year. His quarter of a century career began at age 17 with the formation of his first band and

performance in Jefferson, WI for the Gemuetlichkeit May Ball. Steve has been pumping his bellows for a

living and delighting audiences ever since. "When I was 5 years old and strapped on my first accordion I

knew I would do this forever. There were times when baseball, football and childhood dreams of being an

astronaut gave music a run for the money. Deep down, though, I always knew that music would be my life’s

work."

Steve has accomplished what so many musicians in any genre of music strive to achieve. "Stability and future

revenue is never easy to achieve on you own in any art form. However, with a little luck, many devoted fans,

and a desire to make a living doing the thing that I love I’ve been able to prosper in my business and support

my family. Of course, now days two income families are a necessity and thanks to my wife, Barb, we have

worked well together for the security of our family."

Steve & Barbara are celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary in May and are raising 3 children, Whitney-

17, Lindsey-15, and Austin-10 years old. "One of my greatest and most difficult accomplishments is being

a full time musician, traveling most of the year. I’ve managed to stay married to the same woman for 17

years, which many people in my business cannot say. I believe that says a lot about the woman I married!"

"I try to keep a reasonable balance between business and family, which doesn’t always work. However, I

make the effort and know that my kid’s realize who Dad is."

Steve is a part of the legacy known as "The Meisner-Hartmann Dynasty" titled by Wisconsin Arts Board’s

Richard March in his textbook feature "Down Home Dairyland". This southeastern Wisconsin family

dynasty produced two generations of musical offspring that have been entertaining music lovers for over

50 years. Growing up as the prodigy son of one of Wisconsin’s music legends was never easy - Steve had

big shoes to fill. "Sure, living up to the standards my father, Verne Meisner, set was always intense for me,

but I never let that slow me down. I considered it a blessing and an advantage. I learned from his example

how to successfully operate my business, excite an audience, and with pride do my own thing." "My entire

family has been an inspiration to myself and many other musicians. With that said, I've always aspired to

take the music I learned from them to new level’s while trying to maintain a respect for my roots."

Taking his music to new levels is just what Steve Meisner has done! Over the past 25 years his many

accomplishments and accolades are a testament to his hard work. His original compositions have been

featured in two motion picture sound tracks and one short film, and featured on a Grammy nominated

recording and TNN’s Crook & Chase Show. He has won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s "Favorite

Polka Artist" award 3 years, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame’s "Band of the Year" award, the Bar Street

Journal’s "Favorite Band" award, and several other awards and nomination’s from other music organizations

too numerous to list.


Steve has recorded 17 LP/CD releases, 6 Single releases, and 7 video releases, produced 6 audio and 4 video

recordings, and co-produced 9 audio and 2 video recordings. He has appeared in several television

broadcasts across the nation including last years ABC Network broadcast "In Search of America, A 4th of

July Celebration", and has performed in a motion picture recently purchased by Miramax, a short film that

traveled last years film festival circuit, and made 3 feature programs for Wisconsin Public Television. Steve

and his band were chosen to represent the state in 1998 for Wisconsin’s sesquicentennial celebration at the

Smithsonian Folklife Festival held in Washington, D.C. His international performances have taken him from

Branson Missouri’s Lawrence Welk Theater and festivals in Las Vegas to Canada and Europe averaging as

many as 250 dates per year. He has reserved his place in written history in at least 5 textbook features. "I’m

proud of my accomplishments and have been blessed with many opportunities, but I'm also proud to have

been associated with so many talented artists and musicians who have taught me so much and graciously

given of themselves for the sake of making music."

On March 29th & 30th, 2003 Steve will throw a "big bash" to celebrate his 25 years of making music with

a 2-day event featuring musicians who have worked with him over the past quarter of a century. The event

will also feature a guest performance each day by Eric Noltkamper and his band from Cleveland, OH. "Eric

is a multi-talented musician I have called friend and have respected for years who has traveled and recorded

with me. I’m honored to have him perform at the celebration, and I’m looking forward to seeing my many

friends and fans."

The two-day bash will begin on Saturday March 29th at the American Legion, 292 S. Wisconsin St. in

Whitewater, WI at 8:00 PM - admission is $10.00 at the door. "In the beginning of my career Dwight Maasz

& Linda Rea Troemel formed the Steve Meisner Band Fan Club Dance held in my home town at the Legion

Hall. It seems fitting to start this celebration at home in Whitewater." On Sunday March 30th the celebration

will continue at the Knights of Columbus, 1800 S. 92nd St. in West Allis, WI at 5:00 PM - admission is $10.00

at the door. "My families roots and musical history run deep in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Janesville, WI

triangle. I hope everyone makes a point attend this, once in my career, music filled celebration."

For more related information about Steve Meisner or his 2003 tour schedule visit his web page @

"www.stevemeisner.com" or "www.polkas.com/stevemeisner".