For Immediate Release
Date: 2/5/00
Contact: Steve Meisner
205 N. Hazel StreetWhitewater, WI 53190-2119 
(262) 473-7184 or e-mail "Steve Meisner"


STEVE MEISNER GOES HOLLYWOOD!
by Ann Marie Stevens

On January 14th, 1999 Steve Meisner made a cameo appearance with his group performing two songs in a new motion picture called "Chump Change". Steve Burrows, (writer, director and star), along with Tracy Lords, Tim Mathison, Jerry Stiller, Ann Meara, Clancy Brown, Abe Vigoda, A.J. Benza, Roger Clinton and Fred Willard headline the cast. In one of the final scenes filmed in Milwaukee, WI at Russ & Darlene's Dance Club, Steve Burrows & Tracy Lords bring their love for each other together dancing to Steve Meisner and his band.

Steve's band, hand picked for this occasion, consists of 3 very talented musicians. Gary Hendrickson, from Monroe, WI on guitar, Dale Stelzer, from Milwaukee, WI on saxophone, and Bill Micale, from Milwaukee, WI on drums, bring a magical moment to this pivotal scene in the movie. Steve Burrows said "When I began looking for a polka band for this scene, I never expected to get a group as versatile and professional as Steve's. Steve and his musicians truly made the scene a magical moment. I guess that's why they call it Meisner Magic!"

"Chump Change is basically a comedy with a romantic twist" says Steve Burrows. Half of the movie was filmed on location in California and the other half in various locations around the state of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin segments tie in an old fashioned aura with the romantic Meisner sounds. Beside Steve's appearance in the film, four original Meisner compositions are featured including "Doreen Waltz", by Verne Meisner, (Steve's Dad), and "Mysterious Stranger, Jeffery's Polka and the Tundra Serenade", by Steve Meisner. The "Tundra Serenade" was composed by Meisner for Chump Change and it's title was named by Meisner and Burrows for it's final scene placement. "When I originally sent this tune to Steve for his review, I sent him 3 completely different versions. I never had a clue as to what he would do with them, or if he would even be interested in them at all", said Meisner. In fact, Burrows liked the song so much that he found two places in the film for two versions of the song. Burrows said of Meisn er's contributions to his film, "All I can say is four simple words, God Bless Steve Meisner!".

The movie is slated for release this year with a Milwaukee premier in the works later this spring. Burrows intends to have Steve Meisner and his "Tundra Cats" perform for the premier. The movie will also debut on the film festival circuit.