German Fest in Milwaukee is almost here

I have not posted much about German Fest this year. I did not feel the need, because they have finally started using their website and posting much more information than they ever have in the past. If you are looking for deals or specials on some of the days, please be sure to go the the German Fest website. However, I did not want disappoint some of my readers and give you a little more info about the info this year. Also, I like to provide links to the artists' webpages, so if you would like more info on some of them it is available. (German Fest website does not provide them). I am not going to list the local acts this year, because it would just take too much space.

30th Anniversary Showcase - When you see this in the program it will include only entertainment from Europe. Such as, Claudia & Alexx, Francy B, Geschwister David, Golden Sixties Band, Max Lechner, Armin Stoeckl, and Regina Thoss

Claudia & Alexx - Those of you who attended the Christmas show in Milwaukee (or in Chicago) will notice that Claudia has a NEW Alexx. I am providing a picture taken by my friend, Maria Olligies, who sent this to me in April. Most of the previous advertising from German Fest did not provide this info, but I am happy to see that they updated their website recently. Also, here is a link to YouTube where Claudia is doing a single, Lass uns Fliegen. Personally I think she does not need to be a Duo. Her voice is very strong and can stand alone, but I guess everyone needs a gimmick. Click Here for Claudia's facebook page.

Francy B - This is a new name to me. I have not seen her on German TV, asked my friend in Germany about her and she is unfamiliar to her also. Not sure what kind of music she does, so it should be interesting.

Geschwister David - Recently the Geschwister David have been on Stefan Mross's Immer Wieder Sonntag's TV show, where they competed with their new song, Ach wär doch immerzu nur Sommer. It should be a treat to see these two talented girls. They usually seem to wear dirndls but I don't know if they yodel.

Golden Sixties Band - Again, this is band I am unfamiliar with. Robert Deglau has been advertising on his Continental Showcase that, of course, they play the oldies. He has played some cuts on his radio show and they sound very good.

Max Lechner - Max Lechner has appeared several times in the Chicago area, courtesy of Armin Homann, who is a DJ there. Max also brings other entertainers with him that he manages, such as Armin Stoeckl. Max was in Milwaukee for the Christmas show in 2008 and is happy to return to Milwaukee. Robert Deglau has invited Max to co-hosting the radio show, Continental Showcase, on Saturday, July 24, from the festival grounds.

Armin Stoeckl - The first time I saw Armin Stoeckl was in 2007 at Lake Villa. He was in a show with Romy, who has been on many German TV shows. Armin has some very nice songs and Robert Deglau has been playing them faithfully every week on his radio show, Continental Showcase. Robert invited Armin Stoeckl to do a Christmas show in Milwaukee in 2008. Max Lechner organized the Christmas tour and also had Birgit Pless in the show. This same show appeared in the Chicago area and there are many people in our area who have seen Armin Stoeckl in the past. Robert has been telling everyone to be sure and catch Armin's rendition of Elvis; he says it is a show stopper.

Regina Thoss - I do not know this entertainer either, but I like her website. It is easy to move around in and she looks like she has been around a long time. I saw a picture of her with the late Ted Hierl† (whom she identifies as Fred Hierl) in 1993 when she was in New Jersey. So this is not the first time she has been to the US.

Biba und Die Butzenmaenner - This is a group from Germany, but is not part of the showcase listed above. They were at German Fest about 2 years ago. They play a little more American style music and is there for the younger crowd. If you are over 50, don't expect to sing along with the songs they play. The picture to the left was taken when they were at German Fest last time. Elmar drove them around last time and found them polite and appreciative. Although the old like I had for these guys has been changed, when they arrived, I asked for the new web address. So just click on the link above & you will go straight to their website.

Lisa Holzmann is Finalist in Kinder Grand Prix

Lisa Holzmann, who is the daughter of Josef Holzmann, is a finalist in the Kinder Grand Prix that is being held on July 11. We reported a few month ago that Lisa Holzmann was competing on the well known German TV show, Krone der Volksmusik, singing My Boy Lolliepop and asked our German readers to vote for this very talented young girl. As previously stated, Lisa's father, Josef Holzmann, was at Armin Homann's German Music Festival in Lake Villa last year.

For more info about the Kinder Grand Prix, go to Anneliese Breitenberger's website at: http://www.gpvolksmusiksuedtirol.it/ge/content.asp?CID=10008%2C10060 Lisa will be singing a song composed by the famous Gunther Behrle. Gunther Behrle is most famous for his hit, Patrona Bavarea and most recently last year's hit for Vincent & Fernando, Glaube an Gott. Lisa will be sining, Immer nur die Mailbox. We wish this very talented teenager success on July 11 when she competes in Sud Tirol.

Toi, Toi, Toi.

Lake Villa German Music Festival

I was disappointed I was unable to attend Armin Homann's German Music Festival when it was in Milwaukee on June 27, but I was lucky enough to be able to see the show in Lake Villa, Illinois on June 28. I am so glad I was able to see the show, it was fabulous. The entertainers, Veronika Lenz and Heinz Koch, were very talented and soon had the audience singing along with old favorites.

As usual the American Aid Society prepared the food for the event and there were long lines. The grounds were packed and a blaskappele from Germany played on the outside stage. The blaskappele will also be performing on July 4 at Lake Villa.

Veronika Lenz has been the headliner at Disney's Epcot center for many years and is an accomplished yodler. She also did a song for us using the cowbells.



Heinz Koch had a great voice and did several new songs that I really liked. Later when we spoke to him, we found that comes from an area where Elmar's family lives. So the 2 Schwobs hit it off very well, but I got the smooch.

Weihnachts Show presented by Robert Deglau

Saturday night was the Weihnachts Show presented by Robert Deglau of Continental Showcase. A big thank you to Robert for inviting Elmar & I backstage before the show so we could meet the performers personnally. We already knew Armin Stoeckl from 1-1/2 years ago in Lake Villa German Music Festival held the last weekend of June each year that is hosted by Armin Homann, but it was nice to talk to Max Lechner and Birgit Pless. Max told us about the last time he was in Chicago and had a serious heart attack that hospitalized him. Therefore this will be his farwell performance on this tour and then go into retirement, concentrating on managing Armin Stoeckl's career.

The show was a 2 part program. The first part featured popular schlager and heimat lieder performed by all three entertainers. First was Max Lechner and he sang several songs composed by Robert Jung. Max charmed the audience with many old favorites and many were singing along with him. Next, Birgit Pless sang both new and old favorites, more the schlager type of song. Then Armin Stoeckl came on stage and surprised everyone with his beautiful deep tones. Recently, Armin won the Deutsche Rock & Pop award and performed his popular Lady Manana along with popular songs. Then the very talented band played some music while the performance made a costume change.

The second half of the show was the Christmas program. Again, Max Lechner started off the show and soon had the whole audience singing along with him. When Birgit Pless appeared in her cute little Santa outfit you saw all the men stretch their necks to get a better view. She sang her popular Christmas song entitled Weihnachtsrose. When Armin Stoeckl came on stage she made sure that he looked a little more festive. She had a pair of Santa boxer shorts for him that actually matched her outfit very well and topped him off with a Santa hat.

At the end of the show the 3 performers lead the audience in a medley of favorite old Christmas songs and even got Armin Homan and Robert Deglau to join them on stage. And of course, the last song was Silent Night (Stille Nacht).

After the show the 2 man band played music for the dancing pleasure of the audience. As always the German performers made themselves very available for pictures, audigraphs, and just chating with the fans. It was a very nice evening and a nice way to start off the Christmas season. We hope that Robert Deglau will be able to continue to bring German entertainers to Milwaukee.

Below you will find a slide show of pictures taken both during the show and afterwards. If you want to download any of these pictures, just go to the Slideshow website and download them for free.

Lake Villa German Musik Festival

We just got back from the German Musik Festival in Lake Villa, Illinois that is hosted by Armin Homann. There were about 400 people there. If you love German music, and you were not there, you really missed a great show. The entertainment this year was just outstanding. The headliner was Gunther Behrle and he did not disappoint anyone. He told us that he was celebrating 20 years since his Hit, Patrona Bavaria, came out and that over 20 million copies have been sold. Both Petra Boeck and Josef Holzmann were great entertainers and really had the crowd going. If you ever see either of these 2 names, be sure to see them. It will be hard to wait till next year to see what Armin Homann lines up to entertain us. Take a look at some of the pictures we took.

Lake Villa German Music Festival - June 22, 2008

This annual German Music Festival is hosted by Chicago radio announcer, Armin Homann. Armin Homann has been the host of Deutschland Echo in Chicago many years and once a year he brings wonderful German entertainment to the pavilion in Lake Villa that is owned by the American Aid Society.

The doors open at 11 am and food is available for purchase from the American Aid Society. The afternoon promises 2 performances and the first one is at 1 p.m.

The headliner is famous singer and song writer, Guenther Behrle. Mr. Behrle wrote "Patronia Bavarea" and has again written some great songs that are in this year's Grand Prix der Volksmusik. Captain Cook will be performing "Ich denk so gern an meine Mutter" representing Germany. Mr. Behrle is the Prodozent for Captian Cook so be sure to click on the "fanbereich" button to see Mr. Behrle's comments. Vincent & Fernando will perform "Glaube an Gott" for Sudtirol. They are one of my personal favorites because they were the first entertainers that gave the Stimmung Stunde an interview. If you click on the link I provided above, you can go to their website and hear a sample of the song they will be singing. We have seen them perform live many times and think they have a great chance in Zurich, Switzerland on August 30.

Filling out the program will be Petra Boeck of Austria, the M & M Musikanten from Bavaria and Josef Holzmann. There is a picture of Josef Holzmann on the right side of this posting and a link to his website for information about this talented singer from Bamberg. Chicago's own Perlen will provide dance music for the afternoon. If you are not sure where Lake Villa is located, just click on the link below and you will see a map. It is located west of 6 Flags - Guernee, Illinois.

American Aid Society Pavilion - Lake Villa
259 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa, Illinois (Route 132, 1 mile west of 83)

For more information, call Armin Homann: 1-847-583-1941.