BOB BLECHA & THE BOUNCING CZECHS
Cousins Bob Blecha of Pawnee City, and Bob Blecha of Table Rock, with Bob Stepanek, put the band together in 1963. They've been playing ever since.
Pawnee Bob Blecha and cousin Table Rock Bob Blecha, who organized the band in 1963. Photo 10909.
Bob Blecha & the Bouncing Czechs playing at the 3rd Annual Blecha Bash, at the Table Rock Theater. 2023.
Photo 10905.
2016 -- Birthday & Anniversary party
In June 2016, the band played at the anniversary party of Bob & Fran Blecha -- that would be cousin "Table Rock Bob Blecha."
Pawnee City Bob and his son Greg were joined for some sets by Bob Stephan on bass horn, Donna Svanda on drums, Galen Beck on brass, and Steve Hergenrader on accordion along with others who filled in, like Table Rock Bob with his tenor sax, Trey Blecha on accordion, and more.
Here are interviews of bass horn player Bob Stepan, who is in the Polka Hall of Fame, and drummer Donna Svanda.
And here is the full band playing some of the many that they played that night.
Pawnee City Bob and his son Greg were joined for some sets by Bob Stephan on bass horn, Donna Svanda on drums, Galen Beck on brass, and Steve Hergenrader on accordion along with others who filled in, like Table Rock Bob with his tenor sax, Trey Blecha on accordion, and more.
Here are interviews of bass horn player Bob Stepan, who is in the Polka Hall of Fame, and drummer Donna Svanda.
And here is the full band playing some of the many that they played that night.
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Leona Pepper says,
Sharla, so glad you do these interviews. Donna and I go way back to those Virginia dances and her folks let me tag along to many other dances too. |
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the march 2022 polka party
at the zcbj hall
Photo 10910
Photo 10914
Photo 10911
Photo 10912
THE 2023 JAMES GANG BASH
September 2, 2023
DuBois, Nebraska
Dale and Jean Blecha James were married on September 5, 1948. After their 25th anniversary, their kids started celebrating with a free polka dance on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. At first it was every 5 years, then every 2 years, and then they couldn’t stand it! For about the last 15 years, it has been every single year. Dale and Jean are gone, but if they were still with us, their 75th anniversary would be 3 days hence.
The James kids in question know how to have fun, although they aren’t spring chickens anymore. Dale, Jr. and wife Diane, Dan and his wife Deb, and Denise and her husband David Hunzeker, and the youngest kid, Debbie. I chatted with Dale, Denis, and Diane on the front steps of the ZCBJ Hall in rural DuBois as Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs dashed off polka after waltz after polka with their usual zest.
“My first dance, they didn’t have electricity here,” said Denise. “They used a generator,” The generator was powered by a tractor. Dale said, “There was no air conditioning, and it can be hot in there!” He gestured through the open double doors to the dance floor where kids whirled with each other, with parents, with grandparents. “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,” sang Greg Blecha, originally a rather naughty song that has been modified into innocence. “I had my wedding reception here,” someone said from near the steps.
Came another voice, “I did, too. But now I’m divorced, so….” We chatted under the stars a while then went back into the hubbub.
The concession stand had a steady business of selling their delicious burgers. Consistent with a polka dance at the Hall, there was also beer involved. Meanwhile, people danced. Grandpa carried a tiny baby, gliding along, hopefully imprinting on that tiny brain the good feelings that go with a good dance. Older kids, teenagers, middle-aged, and even…old people smiled as they danced. Greg Blecha from time to time would go, “Wooo!” and hear answering calls from the floor. “Is everybody happy?” he would yell. Loud responses, including some “wooo” calls, came. In the middle of the Beer Barrel Polka, Greg yelled out, “Make some noise!” and everyone did.
There was the polka “Out Behind the Barn,” and that pretty politically-incorrect “Poopsie Woopsie,” and then there was the Chicken Dance. At a polka. Well, why not? The James family was celebrating a wedding, even if one that happened 75 years ago, before almost everyone at the Hall was born. Exceptions included Bob Blecha, who was up on the stage, and his sister Ilah, who sat at a table and watched, quietly pleased.
It was a good night, a very good night. I’ve never seen so many young people at a polka dance, and they were bright and exuberant. The James family is passing along their heritage to the next generation, hurray!
Anyone who wants to dance and to see the multiple generations out on that beautiful maple dance floor can go to the next James family dance. Remember, the Saturday of each Labor Day weekend.
And I have to add, polka lovers can also come to one of the Polka Parties at the Hall this Spring, one a month, with the lineup being the Leo Lonnie Orchestra in January, the Kenny Janak orchestra in March, Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs in March, and the season closer, the Mark Vhylidal Orchestra.
DuBois, Nebraska
Dale and Jean Blecha James were married on September 5, 1948. After their 25th anniversary, their kids started celebrating with a free polka dance on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. At first it was every 5 years, then every 2 years, and then they couldn’t stand it! For about the last 15 years, it has been every single year. Dale and Jean are gone, but if they were still with us, their 75th anniversary would be 3 days hence.
The James kids in question know how to have fun, although they aren’t spring chickens anymore. Dale, Jr. and wife Diane, Dan and his wife Deb, and Denise and her husband David Hunzeker, and the youngest kid, Debbie. I chatted with Dale, Denis, and Diane on the front steps of the ZCBJ Hall in rural DuBois as Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs dashed off polka after waltz after polka with their usual zest.
“My first dance, they didn’t have electricity here,” said Denise. “They used a generator,” The generator was powered by a tractor. Dale said, “There was no air conditioning, and it can be hot in there!” He gestured through the open double doors to the dance floor where kids whirled with each other, with parents, with grandparents. “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,” sang Greg Blecha, originally a rather naughty song that has been modified into innocence. “I had my wedding reception here,” someone said from near the steps.
Came another voice, “I did, too. But now I’m divorced, so….” We chatted under the stars a while then went back into the hubbub.
The concession stand had a steady business of selling their delicious burgers. Consistent with a polka dance at the Hall, there was also beer involved. Meanwhile, people danced. Grandpa carried a tiny baby, gliding along, hopefully imprinting on that tiny brain the good feelings that go with a good dance. Older kids, teenagers, middle-aged, and even…old people smiled as they danced. Greg Blecha from time to time would go, “Wooo!” and hear answering calls from the floor. “Is everybody happy?” he would yell. Loud responses, including some “wooo” calls, came. In the middle of the Beer Barrel Polka, Greg yelled out, “Make some noise!” and everyone did.
There was the polka “Out Behind the Barn,” and that pretty politically-incorrect “Poopsie Woopsie,” and then there was the Chicken Dance. At a polka. Well, why not? The James family was celebrating a wedding, even if one that happened 75 years ago, before almost everyone at the Hall was born. Exceptions included Bob Blecha, who was up on the stage, and his sister Ilah, who sat at a table and watched, quietly pleased.
It was a good night, a very good night. I’ve never seen so many young people at a polka dance, and they were bright and exuberant. The James family is passing along their heritage to the next generation, hurray!
Anyone who wants to dance and to see the multiple generations out on that beautiful maple dance floor can go to the next James family dance. Remember, the Saturday of each Labor Day weekend.
And I have to add, polka lovers can also come to one of the Polka Parties at the Hall this Spring, one a month, with the lineup being the Leo Lonnie Orchestra in January, the Kenny Janak orchestra in March, Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs in March, and the season closer, the Mark Vhylidal Orchestra.
Photo 10906, Greg Blecha with Bob Blecha in foreground
Photo 10907
the 2023 blecha bash
October 28, 2023
Table Rock, Nebraska
]Last Saturday, the Blecha family came together for their 3rd annual bash, a free dance at the Table Rock Theater, augmented by tables of food. Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs was the band joined by friends and family. The core band of Bob and Greg Blecha and Bob Stepanek was augmented by Jim Masty of Dwight on accordion, Gary Veprovsky of Dorchester on drums, and Larry Skarka of Grand Island on trumpet. Stepping in for various sets were Lennie Blecha, Jr., on drums, Adam Blecha on tuba, and, on accordion, Trey, Lavon, and “Table Rock Bob” Blecha. The audience swelled over the afternoon and included notable musicians of the past such as Joe Stehlik, Elsie Tomek, and Milan Tomek.
The bash has gone on three years but is actually the fifth gathering of the Blecha clan for a free dance open to the public. The first was a party that celebrated the 80th birthday of Table Rock Bob Blecha and the 30th wedding anniversary of Bob and his wife Fran. The second celebrated the 80th birthday of Bob’s brother Lavon “Larry” Blecha. The parties being too fun to stop with just two, and birthday celebrations of round numbers not being in the immediate future, the extended family decided to hold an all-out, all-inclusive Blecha Bash.
The bash was in the historic Table Rock Theater, with the band framed by the gorgeous red-velvet curtains donated by the Elk Creek Alumni Association a couple years ago.
The history didn’t stop with the venue. The Bouncing Czechs were started in 1953, 70 years ago this year. Bob, Bob, and Bob were original members. Bob Blecha of Pawnee City, his cousin Bob Blecha of Table Rock, and their friend Bob Stepanek of DuBois. The two Bob Blechas had some experience together because they had an earlier band together, the Polkateers. Pawnee Bob was still in high school at the time. After that, Table Rock Bob played a lot with the Lad Trecek Orchestra and Pawnee Bob played a lot with the Steve Stastny Orchestra before finally getting together the Bouncing Czechs. Another piece of history: The first wedding dance that the Bouncing Czechs played was the wedding of Lennis Blecha, Sr., and Glenda Alderman.
The 3rd Annual Blecha Bash was a good one. At one point, six Blechas stretched across the stage on accordions. Lennie Blecha sat in on drums for a set, Lavon Blecha sat in on accordion for a while. Trey Blecha often stood at the back, joining the accordion force of Pawnee Bob and Jim Masty. One set followed another. Greg Blecha called out names between songs. “Elsie Tomek! It’s her birthday! Everyone make some noise for Elsie!” “Joe Stehlik is here, make some noise for Joe!” Greg was on a roll and called out more and more names, and finally laughed, “Now I don’t know how to stop!” “Don’t forget Mary and Norm Barker!” I said, and Greg was off again!
There were many Du Bois people in attendance and that makes sense because DuBois was a cultural center for Czech music, with the 102-year-old ZCBJ Hall in rural DuBois long the place to be. And oh, the memories! Many an octogenarian fondly remembers going as a child and falling asleep on coats in the cloak room or spread across chairs. Table Rock’s comparable venue was the Legion Hall, which is no longer available for dances, but the ZCBJ Hall continues on. Table Rock’s latest venues for polka dances include the bandstand in the public square, site of an annual battle of the polka bands, and the Table Rock Theater. The likes of Mark Vhylidal, Jim Kucera, Angie Kriz, and Addie Hejl have brought their bands to those venues. But the band with the longest history and bringing the most fun is the Bouncing Czechs. It is thus no surprise that when the Blecha clan gathers music and fun abound and everyone is welcome.
Table Rock, Nebraska
]Last Saturday, the Blecha family came together for their 3rd annual bash, a free dance at the Table Rock Theater, augmented by tables of food. Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs was the band joined by friends and family. The core band of Bob and Greg Blecha and Bob Stepanek was augmented by Jim Masty of Dwight on accordion, Gary Veprovsky of Dorchester on drums, and Larry Skarka of Grand Island on trumpet. Stepping in for various sets were Lennie Blecha, Jr., on drums, Adam Blecha on tuba, and, on accordion, Trey, Lavon, and “Table Rock Bob” Blecha. The audience swelled over the afternoon and included notable musicians of the past such as Joe Stehlik, Elsie Tomek, and Milan Tomek.
The bash has gone on three years but is actually the fifth gathering of the Blecha clan for a free dance open to the public. The first was a party that celebrated the 80th birthday of Table Rock Bob Blecha and the 30th wedding anniversary of Bob and his wife Fran. The second celebrated the 80th birthday of Bob’s brother Lavon “Larry” Blecha. The parties being too fun to stop with just two, and birthday celebrations of round numbers not being in the immediate future, the extended family decided to hold an all-out, all-inclusive Blecha Bash.
The bash was in the historic Table Rock Theater, with the band framed by the gorgeous red-velvet curtains donated by the Elk Creek Alumni Association a couple years ago.
The history didn’t stop with the venue. The Bouncing Czechs were started in 1953, 70 years ago this year. Bob, Bob, and Bob were original members. Bob Blecha of Pawnee City, his cousin Bob Blecha of Table Rock, and their friend Bob Stepanek of DuBois. The two Bob Blechas had some experience together because they had an earlier band together, the Polkateers. Pawnee Bob was still in high school at the time. After that, Table Rock Bob played a lot with the Lad Trecek Orchestra and Pawnee Bob played a lot with the Steve Stastny Orchestra before finally getting together the Bouncing Czechs. Another piece of history: The first wedding dance that the Bouncing Czechs played was the wedding of Lennis Blecha, Sr., and Glenda Alderman.
The 3rd Annual Blecha Bash was a good one. At one point, six Blechas stretched across the stage on accordions. Lennie Blecha sat in on drums for a set, Lavon Blecha sat in on accordion for a while. Trey Blecha often stood at the back, joining the accordion force of Pawnee Bob and Jim Masty. One set followed another. Greg Blecha called out names between songs. “Elsie Tomek! It’s her birthday! Everyone make some noise for Elsie!” “Joe Stehlik is here, make some noise for Joe!” Greg was on a roll and called out more and more names, and finally laughed, “Now I don’t know how to stop!” “Don’t forget Mary and Norm Barker!” I said, and Greg was off again!
There were many Du Bois people in attendance and that makes sense because DuBois was a cultural center for Czech music, with the 102-year-old ZCBJ Hall in rural DuBois long the place to be. And oh, the memories! Many an octogenarian fondly remembers going as a child and falling asleep on coats in the cloak room or spread across chairs. Table Rock’s comparable venue was the Legion Hall, which is no longer available for dances, but the ZCBJ Hall continues on. Table Rock’s latest venues for polka dances include the bandstand in the public square, site of an annual battle of the polka bands, and the Table Rock Theater. The likes of Mark Vhylidal, Jim Kucera, Angie Kriz, and Addie Hejl have brought their bands to those venues. But the band with the longest history and bringing the most fun is the Bouncing Czechs. It is thus no surprise that when the Blecha clan gathers music and fun abound and everyone is welcome.
Larry Skarka of Grand Island often plays with the band. Greg Blecha is on the right. Photo 10902
Bob Blecha in the foreground.
Far right Greg Blecha, Gary Vetrosky on drums, Bob Stepanek is behind that tuba. Photo 10903.
