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Mixed Materials
Polkaland Records collection, 1950-2003
- Author / Creator
- Available as
- Physical
- Summary
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Collection of sound recordings produced by Polkaland Records, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Polkaland Records recorded many polka and old-time music bands primarily based in northeast Wisconsin and Minneso...
Collection of sound recordings produced by Polkaland Records, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Polkaland Records recorded many polka and old-time music bands primarily based in northeast Wisconsin and Minnesota. The bulk of the recording were produced between 1950 and 1955. The collection primarily comprises sound recordings, most of which constitute the bulk of the label's commercial releases. These include 115 78s, 53 LPs, 153 45s, 129 audiocassettes, and 3 compact discs. The collection includes 78 audiotape reels that include master recordings of commercial releases, and off-air recordings of label artists performing on WOMT Radio in Manitowoc, WI, recorded by Myron Wiltman. A few discs were issued circa 1955 under the sub-label Pop. Release dates for the majority of the discs are inferred from matrix numbers. Series II, Paper Materials, includes a small number artist recording contracts (mainly Romy Gosz), licensing agreements wth other labels, inventories and catalogs, photocopies of documents regarding Romy Gosz's recordings for Decca Records, and a short history of Polkaland Records' operations written by Greg Leider, three posters promoting dances, and an inventory of cassettes transfers (1970).
Details
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- Format
- Mixed Materials
- Languages
- Multiple languages, English, Czech, German, Slovenian, Polish
- Contributors
- Physical Details
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- 7 Linear Feet (Two 12" audio boxes, two 10" audio boxes, six 7" audio boxes, 4 small flat archival boxes, 1 large folder)
- Arrangement
- Organized into three series: I. Commercial sound recordings, II. Non-commercial recordings; III. Paper materials. Series I is further arrranged by format; Series II is further arranged into subseries: 1. Master tapes, 2. Miscellaneous recordings, 3. Off-air television recordings
- OCLC
- on1446519114
- This collection has restrictions or is in a format that may not be accessible. Collection includes 78-, 45-, and 33 1/3-rpm audio discs; audiocassettes; and audiotape reels. Please consult Mills Music Library staff prior to access.
- Collection materials may be subject to laws governing rights. Researchers are solely responsible for determining the rights status of the materials they use. Permission may be required for some uses such as publication or reproduction.
- Processing Information: Newspaper photographs and clippings discarded.
- Materials Separated from the Resource: Dance at Turner Hall / Romy Gosz, vol. 12 (audiocassette 744); Just for you / Mark Jirikovec, vol. 4 (audiocassette 858); Battle of music / Lawrence Duchow, Romy Gosz, DG-1 (audiocassette 780); Rudy Plocar / Rudy Plocar, vol. 2 (audiocassette 762); German melodies ; Art Nickels and the Lakeshore Grenadiers (audiocassette 750A); Genial Gene Heier / Gene Heier, vol. 1 (audiocassette 726); Rudy Plocar and his orchestra, vol. 1 (audiocassette 711); Romy Gosz / Romy Gosz, vol. 6 (audiocassette 706); Romy Gosz / Romy Gosz, vol. 7 (audiocassette 705); Polka bandstand / Dick Rodgers, vol. 1 (audiocassette 721); Make mine old time / Jerry Goetsch Orchestra, vol. 2 (audiocassette 838); Old time memories II / Elroy berkholtz Orchestra, vol. 2 (audiocassette 729); Quiet hour / Art Nickels and the Lakeshore Grenadiers (audiocassette 789); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-7 (audiocassette 787); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-6 (audiocassette 786); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-5 (audiocassette 785); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-4 (audiocassette 784); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-3 (audiocassette 783); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-2 (audiocassette 782); Lawrence Duchow / Lawrence Duchow, LD-1 (audiocassette 781).
- Cuca Records collection. Finding aid forthcoming.
- KL Recordings collection. Finding aid online. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mus-mml025
- David Bensman (1913-1963) was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. While attending high school in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Bensman owned and managed the Two Rivers Free Press, as well as B&B Sound System, which supplied live sound for fairs and other outdoor events in the area. During World War II, Bensman spent time as a high school printing teacher, and was owner of Sheboygan Radio and Record Center, an audio and appliance store. Beginning in 1950, using his contacts with local musicians from providing live sound, he began recording local bands and issuing his recordings under the label Polkaland Records. The Sheboygan City Directories show Polkaland Recording Company operating from 1956 until 1964, but matrix numbers from the labels 78s reveal pressings from as early as 1951. Many of the artists Bensman recorded, such as Romy Gosz, Dick Rodgers and Dick Metko, went on to record for major record labels and became major figures in old time music. In 1955, in order to promote and have his recordings played on the radio, Bensman started WSHE radio station (950 kHz) in Sheboygan in 1955. After Bensman's death in 1963, his widow, Rose, continued distribution of existing Polkaland records to retailers and radio stations until her death in 1976. In May 1977, Greg Leider of Fredonia, Wisconsin purchased Polkaland Records. Leider continued operations of the labe. Leider continued to record area polka bands, issuing new LPs, and re-issuing Polkaland Records recordings in 8-track and audiocassette formats. He also re-issued recordings licensed from other labels such as Cuca Records, KL Recording, Wright Records, Mercury, Decca and Artists Life. .
- David Bensman (1913-1963) was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. While attending high school in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Bensman owned and managed the Two Rivers Free Press, as well as B&B Sound System, which supplied live sound for fairs and other outdoor events in the area. During World War II, Bensman spent time as a high school printing teacher, and was owner of Sheboygan Radio and Record Center, an audio and appliance store. Beginning in 1950, using his contacts with local musicians from providing live sound, he began recording local bands and issuing his recordings under the label Polkaland Records. The Sheboygan City Directories show Polkaland Recording Company operating from 1956 until 1964, but matrix numbers from the labels 78s reveal pressings from as early as 1951. Many of the artists Bensman recorded, such as Romy Gosz, Dick Rodgers and Dick Metko, went on to record for major record labels and became major figures in old time music. In 1955, in order to promote and have his recordings played on the radio, Bensman started WSHE radio station (950 kHz) in Sheboygan in 1955.
- 116 45-rpm audio discs, 22 LPs gift of Laeh McHenry, March 1991.
- Acetate discs, 2 Mono Records woodblocks, photo negatives gift of Greg Leider, February, 2001.
- 14 LP recordings, photographs, clippings, posters, contracts, and a history of Polkaland Records gift of Greg Leider, Aug., 2003.
- 42 audiotape reels (7-inch) of off-air recordings purchased from Greg Leider, 2004.
- Audiotape reels gift of Greg Leider, date undetermined.
- Other commercial recordings gifts of Ford Porter, Victor Greene, Robert Andresen and Greg Zurawski. .