Music & Dance News
July/August 2019 Page 1
July/August 2019 $3 95
Music & Dance News
The Minnesota Ballroom Operators Association Newspaper
Mike Wendolek – 55 years behind a set of drums
The Polish Playboys at a gig at Blue Note Ballroom in Winsted in 1979. Members of the band included
Dale Koktan, Bob Wendolek, Mike Wendolek, Jim Chalupsky, and Gordon Konerza.
derful people, sharing
many memorable expe-
riences.
My experiences and
stories about people,
places, and events that
occurred while enter-
taining with various
groups could fill a novel,
but I will do my best to
provide a condensed ver-
sion.
I started young
My interest in music
started very young. As
far as I can remember, I
was always interested in
singing.
My parents tell me that
when I was a very small
boy, they would entice
me to sing the “Davy
Crocket” TV show theme
song for their friends.
Apparently, I sang it as
Bee-Bee Crocket in lieu
of Davy Crocket.
My interest in drums
and percussion came in
public elementary school
music class, sometime
around the fourth grade,
when drummers like
Gene Krupa and Buddy
Rich were revered as the
best in the world.
Like everyone else
in elementary music, I
Label Here
started learning drums
with a pair of drum-
sticks, a drum pad, and
a beginner’s music book,
attending weekly les-
sons and a once-a-week
meeting of junior band
with my fellow musician
students.
I still have that wooden
drum pad with the vinyl
surface today.
First gigs
It was during this pe-
riod that I had my first
experience playing out-
side of school.
Continued on page 6
Published by
Herald Journal Publishing
PO Box 129
Winsted, MN 55395
By Mike Wendolek
When I was asked if I
would submit an article
on the history of my mu-
sic carreer, the request
made me realize that
I have been associated
with the local music and
dance community for a
very long time.
I have had the oppor-
tunity to work with some
very talented musicians.
I was fortunate to enter-
tain people in different
states, for a variety of
occasions, with several
musical groups.
I have met many won-
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