I know this article is about graphics, but you left out polka's strong influence south of you. The spanish 'Tejano' music, which is very popular latin music, is a great mix of spanish music styles with the German accordion polka. The late Texas latin pop singer Selena (www.selena.org) sang mostly Tejano before her pop stardom. The most popular radio station in Texas is Tejano. So polka alone may be quite boring, but when you mix it with other flavors (graphically too), you get a great result.
Thanks for the fine article on the polka. I'm an illustrator, but I'm also a musician. When In the late 1950's, I was a lead guitarist in a polka band, "Johnny Woytaszek & The Thunderbay Polka Jax". I had some great times and, while I didn't appreciate that experience at the time, I sure do now. It is an infectious, good-time music and is vastly underrated.
-Elwood H. Smith
Submitted by Mr. Smith on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 15:52.
You left out polka's major influences
I know this article is about graphics, but you left out polka's strong influence south of you. The spanish 'Tejano' music, which is very popular latin music, is a great mix of spanish music styles with the German accordion polka. The late Texas latin pop singer Selena (www.selena.org) sang mostly Tejano before her pop stardom. The most popular radio station in Texas is Tejano. So polka alone may be quite boring, but when you mix it with other flavors (graphically too), you get a great result.
Love a good polka!
Hi Gene,
Thanks for the fine article on the polka. I'm an illustrator, but I'm also a musician. When In the late 1950's, I was a lead guitarist in a polka band, "Johnny Woytaszek & The Thunderbay Polka Jax". I had some great times and, while I didn't appreciate that experience at the time, I sure do now. It is an infectious, good-time music and is vastly underrated.
-Elwood H. Smith