Don Peachey

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Don Peachey
Born1933 (age 90–91)
Burnett, Wisconsin, United States
GenresPolka, waltz foxtrot, swing
Occupation(s)Musician, recording artist
Instrument(s)Accordion
LabelsCadet

Don Peachey (born 1933) is an American band leader, accordionist, musician and recording artist who has been performing and recording since the 1950s with The Don Peachey Band, aka Don Peachey and His Orchestra.[1] Peachey was elected to the International Polka Hall of Fame in 2011 by the International Polka Association.[1][2]

Early years[edit]

Don Peachey is from Burnett, Wisconsin. He started playing the accordion at age 14, taking lessons from the Beaver Dam Music Center. While he was a junior in high school, he formed his own polka band and their first paying engagement was at the Fairwater Civic Center in the Village of Fairwater, Wisconsin[3] in June 1951, the same year Peachey graduated from Horicon High School, Horicon, Wisconsin. He then spent two years in the Army, serving in the 1st Cavalry Division and stationed in Japan. He then returned to his home in Burnett.[1] and resumed his musical career. Peachey released his first recording in 1957.[4] The group has continued to perform and record for over 50 years.[1][3][4]

Recording artist/performer[edit]

Don Peachey has led music groups by two names during his professional recording and performing career; Don Peachey and His Orchestra and more recently, The Don Peachey Band. Peachey has recorded 18 Albums/CDs, including a popular novelty song called "Horsie Keep Your Tail Up."[4] Peachey made an early name for himself in the late 1950s and early 1960s as Billboard Magazine frequently covered the band through its "Talent Topics" section covering bands' touring and performing schedule [5][6][7][8] and also gave the songs, No No Polka and Morning Star Polka 4 Star Reviews.[9] In 1959 Billboard Magazine labeled the band's recordings of the Jigsaw Polka 45 RPM record as "Sprightly... Polka themes given a springy instrumental treatment."[10] The band has toured the United States from Wisconsin to Texas for over 50 years.[11][12] They appeared with Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News during a Patriotic Special and have performed at the largest Polka Venues in the United States.[1][13] Don Peachey has said he believes his success is directly related to how much he practices even after over 50 years of performing. As Peachey stated "(I) heartily agree with piano player Victor Borge's observation," "If I don't practice for a day, I can tell the difference, If I don't practice for two days my critics can tell the difference, and if I don't practice for three days, my audience can tell the difference."[3] Don Peachey has been a guest performer on RFD-TV with Molly B[14][15] and numerous other telecasts over the years.[16] Peachey helped start Volksfest in Waupun, Wisconsin. His band averages one to three engagements a week and has five to six members, including his son John Peachey.[3]

Awards[edit]

Peachey was elected "Bandleader of the Year" by the Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association in 1973[11][17] and was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame twice in 1998 as a recipient of both the Lifetime Achievement and the Senior awards.[11][18] In 2011 he was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in the "Pioneer" category for "significant contributions in the advancement of polka music."[1][19][20] In 2011, Peachey received a special citation from the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin recognizing his achievements and accomplishments in the music field.[21] He is listed in The Heritage Registry of Who's Who.[22]

Discography[edit]

The Don Peachey Band[23][24][25]

  • Peachey Dancing (Cuca Records)
  • 1959, Happy Polka Dance Party (Domino Records #100)
  • 1961, Happy Polka Dance Party, Volume II (Cadet Records #101)
  • 1966, Dance and Swing Out (Cadet Records #102)
  • 1971, Musically Yours (Cadet Records #103)
  • 1973, Early Hits and Bandstand Favorites (Cadet Records #104)
  • 1973, Lucky Polka Favorites (Cadet Records #105)
  • 1974, Collector's Choice (Cadet Records #106)
  • 1976, Let's Go Dancing (Cadet Records #107)
  • 1980, Dancing On A Cloud (Cadet Records #108)
  • 1983, Pretty Rainbow (Cadet Records #109)
  • 1986, No Dance Like a Polka Dance (Cadet Records #110)
  • 19??, We Love Christmas (Cadet Records #111)
  • 19??, Music Does It (Cadet Records #112)
  • 19??, Music on The Move (Cadet Records #113)
  • 2004, What Goes on Here? (Cadet Records #114)
  • 2007, Some Funtastic Fox Trots ... and Other Treasures (Cadet Records #115)
  • 20??, A Picture in Time (Cadet Records #116)

45 RPM records[edit]

  • Don Peachey: "Jigsaw Polka/Red Wine Polka"
  • Don Peachey and His Orchestra: "For You My Love; Thanks For A Wonderful Evening" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey and His Orchestra: "Last Chance Polka/Forsaken Love Waltz" (Domino Records)
  • Don Peachey and His Band: "Singing In The Kitchen / Paloma Blanca" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey and His Orchestra: "Dixieland Polka / Last Night On The Back Porch" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey and His Orchestra: "Good Morning Polka / Mayme's Polka" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey and His Orchestra: "Country Boy Polka / Doodle Doo" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey: "After Sundown – Polka / Swiss Lullaby"
  • Don Peachey: "Cherry Pickers Polka/Without a Thin" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey: "Don't Cry Anna/No Beer Today" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey: "I love Everybody/Skirts" Cadet Records
  • Don Peachey: "Jolly Musicians Polka/She Don't Wanna" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey: "Spanish Two Step/You Can't Take It With You" (Cadet Records)
  • Don Peachey: "Swill Lullaby/After Sundown Polka"

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Don Peachey". Internationalpolka.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  2. ^ "Don Peachey Inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame". www.thecherokeean.com. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Just Peachey : Beaver Dam Daily Citizen". Wiscnews.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Don Peachy". Polkamart.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  5. ^ Billboard Magazine. March 23, 1963. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  6. ^ Billboard Magazine. March 23, 1960. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  7. ^ "Billboard". May 1961.
  8. ^ Billboard Magazine. August 29, 1964. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  9. ^ Billboard Magazine. December 25, 1961. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  10. ^ Billboard Magazine. June 29, 1959. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Tom Brusky. "Don Peachey". Wisconsin Polka Music. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  12. ^ "Don Peachey at Schroeder Hall". The Victoria (Texas) Advocate. March 7, 1991.
  13. ^ "Feed mill owner inducted into International Polka Hall of Fame". Wisfarmer.com. January 12, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2014.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "Mollie B Polka Party | Rural TV Music About Videos". iHigh.com. October 30, 2013. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  15. ^ "Mollie B Polka Party This Weekend". Rfdtv.com. August 19, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  16. ^ "Don Peachy Band". Mad Toast Live!. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  17. ^ "Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders of the Year". Wiorchestraleaders.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  18. ^ "Inductees". Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  19. ^ "Hall of Fame". Internationalpolka.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  20. ^ "Don Peachey inducted into Polka Hall". Iwantthenews.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  21. ^ "Don Peachy". Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  22. ^ "Don Peachey Orchestra". Heritage Registry of Who's Who. March 28, 2013. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  23. ^ "Don Peachey". Polka Connection. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  24. ^ "That's All Rite Mama: Don Peachey on Domino". September 27, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  25. ^ "FolkLib Index - Wisconsin Polka Discography". Folk Library Index. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
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