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Polka in Old Time Radio

Dancing a polka with your best girl is a celebration of life and living. Everyone can use more OmmPahPah in their life!

Polka Shows Collection

51 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 19 hours, 1208 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
21 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from January 29, 1960:

"Polka Party: Lawrence Welk Polka"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Pleasure Accordian

It is a dance for both the high-born and the low. It is just as home in a royal ballroom as it is in a beer hall or on the edge of a grain field as the harvest is coming in. The polka originated in Central Europe but quickly swept the world with its exuberance. Dancing a polka with your best girl is a celebration of life and living.

Even when you cannot dance the polka, just listening to polka music helps to bring these feelings out. Polka exploded across Europe in the mid-1800s, it was so popular that ballet academies in Paris were emptied as ballerinas were hired away as dance partners for young men wishing to learn the dance. The name of the dance comes from the Czech word "půlka" or "half" for the half steps that define the dance. According to legend, the dance was created by a young woman named Anna Slezáková who was dancing to a local folk song called "Strýček Nimra koupil šimla", or "Uncle Nimra Bought a White Horse", in 1834. Maestro Josef Neruda saw Anna performing the dance, recorded the tune on paper, and began teaching other young men the steps.

The polka swept the ballrooms of Prague in 1835, and soon nearly replaced the staid waltz in popularity in old Vienna. Great Britain was not as enthusiastic for the polka as their Continental brethren, but it became a popular ballroom dance in America after it was introduced in 1844 and remained so until it began to be displaced by two-step and ragtime dances. Polka remained popular with immigrant communities from Central Europe in the upper Midwest. The dance experienced a resurgence after WWII when many Polish refugees adopted polka as an expression of cultural unity.

Chicago naturally became a hotspot of the Polka world, and developed two distinct styles; "The Chicago Honky" and "Chicago Push".  The music for the former emphasized clarinet and trumpet while the latter supported accordion with an upright bass or bass guitar, drums, and trumpets. The area around Cleveland, Ohio, saw the rise of "Slovenian Style" polkas with bands featuring multiple accordions (which were sometimes replaced by saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards).

Polkas were an important part of Dinah Shore's repertoire. Not only were they the music of her background, the happy beats were perfect for her sunny personality. Polka rhythms seemed to be adaptable to any celebration or happy situation, with titles like "The Victory Polka", "The Oriental Polka", "The Sailor's Polka", "The Pennsylvania Polka", "The Choo Choo Polka", "The Southland Polka", "The Too Fat Polka", and, of course, "The Beer Barrel Polka".

The Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced in 2009 that the Polka Category was to be eliminated from the Grammy Awards. We think that a new Polka Renaissance is well overdue. After all, what could be better on a crisp autumn evening than a twirl around the dance floor with your best girl, followed by a frosty cold beer? Everyone can use more OmmPahPah in their life!

See also: Lawrence Welk on the Radio Collection

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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    Disappointed. There are some polka recordings, but most of the programs I heard don't seem to feature polkas. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this for anyone who is looking for a good collection of polka programs and performances in old time radio.

    Steve Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    51 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 1208 min
    51 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 19 hours, 1208 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 51 shows – total playtime 19 hours, 20 minutes
    2. Al Trace And His Silly Symphonists 440406 American Polka.mp3
    3. Al Trace Orchestra 440406 American Polka.mp3
    4. Andrews Sisters 441231 Bing Crosby And Gabby Hayes.mp3
    5. Bergen Mccarthy 540117 Liberace.mp3
    6. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 161 Fiddle Polka.mp3
    7. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 521017 Beer Barrel Polka.mp3
    8. Bill Kemp Show 570000 24 Rock And Roll Polka Afrs.mp3
    9. Burns Allen 421208 J10 Being Neighborly.mp3
    10. Call For Music 480608 16 Bride And Groom Polka.mp3
    11. Call For Music 480629 20 Bride And Groom Polka.mp3
    12. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special.mp3
    13. Country Hoedown 580000 064 Southland Polka.mp3
    14. Cowboy Hit Parade 480109 Smoke Smoke Smoke.mp3
    15. Fitch Bandwagon 430926 Afrs 009b Alvino Rey Abrupt End.mp3
    16. Gi Journal 450629 101 Choo Choo Polka.mp3
    17. Ginny Simms Show 440606 Victory Polka.mp3
    18. Glenn Miller Glenn Millers Music 390630 Barrel Polka.mp3
    19. Grand Ole Opry 510127 Red Foley Tennessee Polka.mp3
    20. Guest Star 409 550123 Martha Wright.mp3
    21. Guest Star 461 560122 Janet Blair.mp3
    22. Guest Star 530719 0330 Marilu Polka.mp3
    23. Guest Star 540509 372 Pizzicata Polka Tony Bennett.mp3
    24. Happy Gang 390729 Happy Gang.mp3
    25. Heres To Veterans 0732 Guzuentite Polka.mp3
    26. Hobby Lobby 490122 Cooking With Cold.mp3
    27. Johnny Mercers Music Shop 440901 39 Highway Polka.mp3
    28. Korn Kobblers 001 Ziv Village Tavern Polka.mp3
    29. Korn Kobblers 002 Ziv Tinker Polka Needs Hand Declick Only.mp3
    30. Kraft Music Hall 430930 Victry Polka, Phil Silvers.mp3
    31. Light Crust Doughboys 480000 1218 Barrell Polka.mp3
    32. Lightcrust Doughboys Fishermans Polka.mp3
    33. Little Matchmaker 520800 Audition.mp3
    34. Magic Key, 361115 058 Rembrandt.mp3
    35. Martin Lewis Show 511228 053 Dale Evans.mp3
    36. Melody Roundup 0432 Cowpoke Polka.mp3
    37. Music On Deck Second Song I Don T Wanna Mambo Polka.mp3
    38. Nash Kelvinator Musical Showroom 450902 Penns Polka.mp3
    39. Paul Whiteman Paul Whiteman Presents 430718 Lou Holtz.mp3
    40. Pinto Pete In Arizona 30000x 27 Wont You Be My Honey.mp3
    41. Polka Party 600129 261 Lawrence Welk Polka.mp3
    42. Polka Party 600219 264 Beer Barrel Polka.mp3
    43. Polka Party 600408 271 Cradle Polka.mp3
    44. Polka Party 600506 275 Pelican Polka.mp3
    45. Polka Party 600716 285 Twirl Your Girl Orebic.mp3
    46. Roy Rogers Show 511207 Getaway.mp3
    47. Sons Of Pioneers 460000 35 Texas Polka.mp3
    48. Soundoff 440815 417 Texas Polk Aafrs.mp3
    49. Ten Two Four Time 450830 Texas Polka.mp3
    50. Tifh 491025 303 059 Hopscotch Polka.mp3
    51. Vposb 430723 Afrs 107 George Olsen, Victory Polka 107.mp3
    52. Your Rhythm Revue 530000 Ghunziet Polka Spike Jones.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    51 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 1208 min
    51 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    531 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 20 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 51 shows – 531 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 20 minutes
    2. Al Trace And His Silly Symphonists 440406 American Polka.mp3
    3. Al Trace Orchestra 440406 American Polka.mp3
    4. Andrews Sisters 441231 Bing Crosby And Gabby Hayes.mp3
    5. Bergen Mccarthy 540117 Liberace.mp3
    6. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 161 Fiddle Polka.mp3
    7. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 521017 Beer Barrel Polka.mp3
    8. Bill Kemp Show 570000 24 Rock And Roll Polka Afrs.mp3
    9. Burns Allen 421208 J10 Being Neighborly.mp3
    10. Call For Music 480608 16 Bride And Groom Polka.mp3
    11. Call For Music 480629 20 Bride And Groom Polka.mp3
    12. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special.mp3
    13. Country Hoedown 580000 064 Southland Polka.mp3
    14. Cowboy Hit Parade 480109 Smoke Smoke Smoke.mp3
    15. Fitch Bandwagon 430926 Afrs 009b Alvino Rey Abrupt End.mp3
    16. Gi Journal 450629 101 Choo Choo Polka.mp3
    17. Ginny Simms Show 440606 Victory Polka.mp3
    18. Glenn Miller Glenn Millers Music 390630 Barrel Polka.mp3
    19. Grand Ole Opry 510127 Red Foley Tennessee Polka.mp3
    20. Guest Star 409 550123 Martha Wright.mp3
    21. Guest Star 461 560122 Janet Blair.mp3
    22. Guest Star 530719 0330 Marilu Polka.mp3
    23. Guest Star 540509 372 Pizzicata Polka Tony Bennett.mp3
    24. Happy Gang 390729 Happy Gang.mp3
    25. Heres To Veterans 0732 Guzuentite Polka.mp3
    26. Hobby Lobby 490122 Cooking With Cold.mp3
    27. Johnny Mercers Music Shop 440901 39 Highway Polka.mp3
    28. Korn Kobblers 001 Ziv Village Tavern Polka.mp3
    29. Korn Kobblers 002 Ziv Tinker Polka Needs Hand Declick Only.mp3
    30. Kraft Music Hall 430930 Victry Polka, Phil Silvers.mp3
    31. Light Crust Doughboys 480000 1218 Barrell Polka.mp3
    32. Lightcrust Doughboys Fishermans Polka.mp3
    33. Little Matchmaker 520800 Audition.mp3
    34. Magic Key, 361115 058 Rembrandt.mp3
    35. Martin Lewis Show 511228 053 Dale Evans.mp3
    36. Melody Roundup 0432 Cowpoke Polka.mp3
    37. Music On Deck Second Song I Don T Wanna Mambo Polka.mp3
    38. Nash Kelvinator Musical Showroom 450902 Penns Polka.mp3
    39. Paul Whiteman Paul Whiteman Presents 430718 Lou Holtz.mp3
    40. Pinto Pete In Arizona 30000x 27 Wont You Be My Honey.mp3
    41. Polka Party 600129 261 Lawrence Welk Polka.mp3
    42. Polka Party 600219 264 Beer Barrel Polka.mp3
    43. Polka Party 600408 271 Cradle Polka.mp3
    44. Polka Party 600506 275 Pelican Polka.mp3
    45. Polka Party 600716 285 Twirl Your Girl Orebic.mp3
    46. Roy Rogers Show 511207 Getaway.mp3
    47. Sons Of Pioneers 460000 35 Texas Polka.mp3
    48. Soundoff 440815 417 Texas Polk Aafrs.mp3
    49. Ten Two Four Time 450830 Texas Polka.mp3
    50. Tifh 491025 303 059 Hopscotch Polka.mp3
    51. Vposb 430723 Afrs 107 George Olsen, Victory Polka 107.mp3
    52. Your Rhythm Revue 530000 Ghunziet Polka Spike Jones.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    51 recordings on 21 Audio CDs. Total playtime 19 hours, 20 min
    51 recordings on 21 Audio CDs
    total playtime 19 hours, 20 min

    Polka Shows Collection Disc A001

    1. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 161 Fiddle Polka
    2. Heres To Veterans 0732 Guzuentite Polka
    3. Korn Kobblers 001 Ziv Village Tavern Polka
    4. Korn Kobblers 002 Ziv Tinker Polka Needs Hand Declick Only
    5. Lightcrust Doughboys Fishermans Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A002

    1. Melody Roundup 0432 Cowpoke Polka
    2. Music On Deck Second Song I Don T Wanna Mambo Polka
    3. Pinto Pete In Arizona 30000x 27 Wont You Be My Honey

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A003

    1. Magic Key, 361115 058 Rembrandt

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A004

    1. Glenn Miller Glenn Millers Music 390630 Barrel Polka
    2. Happy Gang 390729 Happy Gang
    3. Burns Allen 421208 J10 Being Neighborly

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A005

    1. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A006

    1. Paul Whiteman Paul Whiteman Presents 430718 Lou Holtz
    2. Vposb 430723 Afrs 107 George Olsen, Victory Polka 107
    3. Fitch Bandwagon 430926 Afrs 009b Alvino Rey Abrupt End

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A007

    1. Kraft Music Hall 430930 Victry Polka, Phil Silvers
    2. Al Trace And His Silly Symphonists 440406 American Polka
    3. Al Trace Orchestra 440406 American Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A008

    1. Ginny Simms Show 440606 Victory Polka
    2. Soundoff 440815 417 Texas Polk Aafrs
    3. Johnny Mercers Music Shop 440901 39 Highway Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A009

    1. Andrews Sisters 441231 Bing Crosby And Gabby Hayes
    2. Gi Journal 450629 101 Choo Choo Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A010

    1. Ten Two Four Time 450830 Texas Polka
    2. Nash Kelvinator Musical Showroom 450902 Penns Polka
    3. Sons Of Pioneers 460000 35 Texas Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A011

    1. Light Crust Doughboys 480000 1218 Barrell Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A012

    1. Cowboy Hit Parade 480109 Smoke Smoke Smoke

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A013

    1. Call For Music 480608 16 Bride And Groom Polka
    2. Call For Music 480629 20 Bride And Groom Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A014

    1. Hobby Lobby 490122 Cooking With Cold
    2. Tifh 491025 303 059 Hopscotch Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A015

    1. Grand Ole Opry 510127 Red Foley Tennessee Polka
    2. Roy Rogers Show 511207 Getaway

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A016

    1. Martin Lewis Show 511228 053 Dale Evans
    2. Little Matchmaker 520800 Audition
    3. Bewleys Chuckwagon Gang 521017 Beer Barrel Polka
    4. Your Rhythm Revue 530000 Ghunziet Polka Spike Jones

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A017

    1. Guest Star 530719 0330 Marilu Polka
    2. Bergen Mccarthy 540117 Liberace
    3. Guest Star 540509 372 Pizzicata Polka Tony Bennett
    4. Guest Star 409 550123 Martha Wright

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A018

    1. Guest Star 461 560122 Janet Blair
    2. Bill Kemp Show 570000 24 Rock And Roll Polka Afrs
    3. Country Hoedown 580000 064 Southland Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A019

    1. Polka Party 600129 261 Lawrence Welk Polka
    2. Polka Party 600219 264 Beer Barrel Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A020

    1. Polka Party 600408 271 Cradle Polka
    2. Polka Party 600506 275 Pelican Polka

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Polka Shows Collection Disc A021

    1. Polka Party 600716 285 Twirl Your Girl Orebic

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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