Peter & Paul Wendinger
How we began . . .
Peter & Paul Wendinger, sons of Herbert & Eleanora Wendinger, grew up on the family farm near St. George, MN. Their parents’ connection with numerous old tyme bands and their love of concertina music was instilled in the hearts of their two “boys”.
On Polka Day, 1962, Peter & Paul’s father bought their first concertina from Christy Hengel’s display in New Ulm. Their first playing engagement was for the wedding reception of their neighbors, George and Marian Altmann. As compensation, each young man received a pair of black socks! Their first actual payment was on January 15, 1964 for the John Deere Day in Gibbon, Minnesota. They received $5.00 for the event!
Peter & Paul were recipients of the Minnesota Music Academy Award and the Minnesota Ballroom Old Tyme Band of the Year Award. In 2005, the brothers were inducted into the World Concertina Congress; and in June of the following year they were inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame at Ironworld in Chisholm, MN. The highlight of their career came about in 2007 when they were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in their hometown of New Ulm.
For almost 50 years, Peter & Paul’s unique style of music with two concertinas, accompanied by brass and rhythm sections and four part harmony, captivated audiences of all ages. The younger of the brothers, Paul Wendinger, passed away on November 20, 2010 at the age of 59 years.
Present day musicians with the Wendinger Band are Peter Wendinger, Bandleader – concertina; Steve Moran – trumpet, trombone, keyboard, vocals; Mike Simon – trumpet, trombone, vocals; Gary Schroeder – trumpet, baritone, tuba, baby bass, Larry Roepke – trumpet, trombone, tuba, vocals; and Justin Beranek – percussion & vocals. On occasion, Tom Moran, Steve’s son, joins the band, playing concertina at various events.
The Wendinger Band’s radio show at 12:30 PM is part of the Sunday Polka Parade on KNUJ (860 AM) and knuj.net, keeping them in touch with listening audiences throughout the world-wide web.
Celebrating over 50 years of the rich, musical heritage of New Ulm, Minnesota; the Wendinger Band enjoys entertaining you with their gift of “MUSIC” – the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE!
Click on photo & read about the Wendinger Brother's story printed in the Connect Business Magazine.
Wendinger Band Recordings
# 25 - Miles of Smiles - WB2014
Wir Kommen von Der Bergen (German Polka); Milwaukee Waltz; L-O-V-E (Two-Step); For the Good Times (Two-Step); Overcoat Polka; Dance Me Loose (Waltz); When (Two-Step); Puppet on a String (Two-Step); Grain Belt Polka; Lauri's Laendler; To Know Her (Two-Step); Burger Dance
#24 - Following Dreams -WB2013
110 Polka; Beloved Be Faithful (Waltz); Follow That Dream (Two-Step); Mississippi Valley Polka; How Soon (Two-Step); Honey Bee Waltz; Darktown Strutter's Ball (Two-Step); Does Your Heart Beat For Me (Two-Step); Hoop Dee Doo (Polka); Silver Slipper Waltz; Why Polka; Dos a Beer (Polka)
#23 - Wind 'er Up - WB2011
#23 - Wind 'er Up - WB2011
Grandfather's Clock Polka; Bobby's Polka; Some Sunday Morning (Two-Step); Homeless Polka; You Can't Be True Dear Waltz; Red Raven Polka; Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Two-Step); Beautiful youth Waltz; Laughing Polka; I want to Dance with You (Two-Step); Hopeless Polka; Morning Glow Waltz; Rainbow Valley Polka; Don't Be Angry (Two-Step); Nebraska Polka; Thanks for the Wonderful Polka Show; Tribute to Paul Wendinger (What a Wonderful World; Amazing Grace
#22 - Merry-Go-Round of Music P&P2009
Merry-Go-Round Polka; Foot Steps (Two Step); Somewhere, Somebody's Waiting For You (Waltz); If Jesus Was Norwegian (Polka); Dream Lover (Two-Step); I Owe You (Mother's Day Song); Antone of Tirol (Polka); In the Garden (Two-Step); Lapp Land Polka; Four in the Morning (Waltz); Schmaltz Polka; My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You (Two-Step); Greet the Folks at Home "Helsa" (Waltz); Who the Heck is Johnny? (Polka); God Bless America, Again (Patriotic Song)
#21 - What Do They Do In Minnesota - P&P2004
What Do They Do In Minnesota (Polka); Waltz of the Bells; Policeman’s Polka; White Sport Coat; Bill’s Waltz; Polka Radio; Who the Heck is Alice (Polka); Blue Skirt Waltz; Down by the Riverside (Fox Trot); Clarinet Laendler; Auggie’s Polka
#20 - Sometimes I Wish I Was Czech - P&P1999
#20 - Sometimes I Wish I Was Czech - P&P1999
Clock on the Steeple Polka; Black Smith Waltz; Prune Dumpling Polka; Long Way To Prague Polka; Clover By The Water Polka; Red Handkerchief Waltz; When I Sleep Polka; "Muziky Muziky" Polka; "Heska Holka" Polka; Prune Song Waltz; Dance Hall Polka; Red Rose Polka; White Horse Polka; Song of Bohemia Waltz; Tinker Polka.
#19 - Highways are Happy Ways P&P1997
Highways are Happy Ways Polka; Kathy's Waltz; Redbird Polka; Isabella Waltz; Strawberries & Raspberries Polka; Vienna Dreams Waltz; Sweet Nearness of You; Cid's Waltz; Learning To Smile All Over Again Polka; Tulips in Amsterdam Waltz; Mary Lou Polka; Remembering Your Wedding Day Waltz; Howard Polka; Faded Rose Waltz
#18 - Modern Melodies P&P1997
San Antonio Rose; Daddy's Little Girl; Good Hearted Woman; Please Maria Don't You Cry; I Can't Help It; Your Cheatin’ Heart; Cab Driver; Bye Bye Love; Born to Lose; Tie A Yellow Ribbon; Skirts; Harbor Lights; Squaws Along The Yukon; Bye Bye Bis Morgan
#17 - A Classic Taste P&P1995
#17 - A Classic Taste P&P1995
Ole' Ole' Polka; Waltzing In the Snow; Julida Polka; Dutch Festival Waltz; Four Henrys Polka; Mariechen Waltz; Schnapps Polka; From A Window Polka; Tell Me Whose Girl Are You Waltz; Tante Anna Polka; Laendler #11; Come Over Polka; Larry's Schottische; Snow Man Polka
#16 Castle Full of Memories - P&P1996
How Married Are You Mary Ann Polka; Norwegian Waltz; Unhappy Lover Polka; Tennessee Waltz; Hallo Frau Nachbarin Polka; Trumpeter's Laendler; Button Accordion Polka; I'll Send Roses Waltz; Skip Polka; El Rio Drive Polka; Brewer's Waltz; Beer Bucket Polka; Herzilein Waltz; Kari's Polka; Evening Shadows Waltz; Loveless Polka; Summertime Waltz; Dick's Polka
#14 - Basically Buttons (1991) & #11 - Small Small World (1988)
It's a Small, Small World Polka; Wild Rover Waltz,; Pa Pa the Accordion Man Fox Trot; One Eyed Jack Polka; Blue Eyed Dolly Waltz; Fraulein Fox Trot;
I'll Be the One Polka; Say Thank You Dear Waltz; When the Snow is on the Roses Fox Trot; Three Yanks Polka; Seaman Fox Trot; Flutophone Polka, One Eyed Jack Polka; Goosetown Polka; Pepper Pot Polka; Flutophone Polka; Andy's Polka; Green Is Green Polka; Sharpshooters March; Saddle Horse Polka; Lee's Polka; Elsie's Waltz; Echos In The Hills Waltz; Oh Marie Waltz; Swedish Waltz; Old Man's Waltz; Roller Coaster Polka; Barn Yard Polka Concertina Recording by Peter & Paul & Karl Hartwich
#13 - Partners In Old Tyme P&P1991
#13 - Partners In Old Tyme P&P1991
Let's Have a Party Polka; So Ein Tag Waltz; All in My Love For You Polka; Meadowlark Waltz; Dance With Me Once Again Darlin’ Waltz; Cherry Polka; My Darling Ann Waltz; Stand and Sing Ein Prosit Polka; Yes Dear Waltz; Trumpeter's Echo Polka; You Take Me for Granted Waltz; Where Do The Good Times Go Polka; Kim Marie Waltz; When I Get To Heaven Polka;
Twilight in Bohemia Waltz
#12 - Oktoberfest P&P1990
Ein Prosit; Innsbruck I Love You; Anneliese Polka; Kufstein Lied Waltz; Kleine Kinder; Schnitzel Bank; In Leben; Aber Dicht Gibts nur Eimal Furmich; Dance Little Bird; Bubi Bubi noch Eimal Waltz; In Himmel Gibt's Kein Bier Polka; Hatten Wir Lieber Das Geilt ver Grabben; Edelweiss Waltz; Beer Barrel Polka; Schnee Walzer; Seeman; Erika Waltz; Lichtensteiner Polka; Bohmerwald; Fraulein; New Ulm Waltz; Mussidenn; Say Thank You Dear Waltz; Lili Marlene; German Medley; Auf Wiedersehn
Songs added on CD:
Bye Bye Bis Morgan (Two step); So Ein Tag (Two- Step); Hallo Frau Nachbarin (Polka); Herzilein Waltz; Schnapps Polka; Tante Anna Polka; Isabella Waltz
#10 - Gold Tyme Memories (1986) & #9 - Brewed In New Ulm (1984)
Oh Baby Mine Polka; Could I Have This Dance Waltz; Girls, Girls, Girls Polka; Waltz Time Waltz; In Leben Polka; Horses Don't Bet on People Waltz; One Dozen Roses Polka; Squirly Shirley Polka; Good-Bye Polka; Memories Waltz; Black Crow Polka; Oh Studanke (Czech Waltz); Christmas Toy Polka; Oklahoma Waltz, Happy Anniversary; Hello Mary Lou Polka; Moonbeams Waltz; Kleine Kinder (Little Children); Fishin' Minnesota; You & Me; Eviva Espania Polka; Blackbird Waltz; Dream, Dream, Dream; Opice Polka (Monkey Polka); Starlight Waltz
#8 - Bellows & Brass With Class P&P1982
#8 - Bellows & Brass With Class P&P1982
Bright Star Polka; Oh Lord It's Hard to be Humble Waltz; Hatten Wir Lieber Das Gelt Ver Grabben Waltz; Mussiden (Wooden Heart) Polka; Memories are Made of This Fox Trot; Pepper Pot; Waltz Across Texas; Invisible Tear Fox Trot; Old Man's Waltz; She's Too Hot for Me Polka; The West a Nest and You Dear Waltz; When I Sleep Polka; Pearl of Tirol (Das Kufstein Lied) Waltz; Fiddlin' Bones Polka; Beautiful, Beautiful Brown Eyes Waltz; Like a Rose Polka; Welcome to My World Fox Trot; Hangover Waltz; Schneider Polka; Forever and Ever Waltz; My Little Corner of the World Fox Trot; Foolish Polka; Midnight Waltz; Pioneer Schottische; Sliphorn Laendler
#7 - Everywhere You Go P&P1980
Everywhere You Go Polka; Come Waltz With Me; Strip Polka; Little Village Waltz; New California Polka; Dreamy Fish Waltz; Reh Braune Augen Waltz; Essig Polka; Lucille Waltz; Little Dick’s Polka; Going Back to My Homeland Waltz; Polish Girlfriend Polka
#6 - Sing the Polka Mass P&P1979
The Angelus; Prayer of the Faithful; At the Sacrifice; Chapel in the Valley; Lord Have Mercy; Under the Skies of Blue; We Come to You Oh Lord; Lord I'm Not Worthy; Hail Mary; Adio; God Bless America; Let The Sun Shine In; We Offer Bread and Wine; Amazing Grace
#5 - Music from New Ulm P&P1977
#5 - Music from New Ulm P&P1977
Dance Hall Polka; New Ulm Waltz; Fritzie Polka; Over Three Hills Waltz; Let The Sun Shine In Polka; Snow Waltz; Lapp Land Polka; Lili Marlene; Prune Dumpling Polka; This Is My Heart Laendler; Apples Peaches; Pumpkin Pie Polka; Play More Waltz; Red Head Polka; German Medley Waltzes; Happy Hour Waltz; White Horse Polka; Stone Heart Polka; Putzig Polka; Joe The Dandy Schottische; Blue Skirt Waltz; Who’d You Like To Love Ya Polka; Paloma Blanca Polka; Beautiful Rose Waltz; Happy Wanderer Polka; Maybe She’s Lonesome Waltz; Long Way To Prague Polka; Waltz Of The Angels; Auf WiedersehnOpice Polka
#1 - Peter & Paul Wendinger Twin Concertina P&P1968
Johnny’s Knocking Polka; Adrian Polka; Helget’s Waltz; Echo In The Hills Waltz; Clarinet Laendler #1; La Golandrina Waltz; Dutch Maid Waltz; When I Sleep Polka; New California Polka; Heska Holka Polka; Our Mike Polka; Tavern Waltz