Spielmannszug Bock Beer Fest - 2009

Last night's Bock Beer Fest was a lot of fun. Take a look!!

2009 Grand Prix der Volksmusik

Well, it is that time of year where the nominees for the annual Grand Prix der Volksmusik competition has started. As many of you know, each country (Austria, Germany, Sudtirol & Switzerland) will have a preliminary (vorentsteid) competition in their own countries and then send the top 4 to the final competion being held in Munich on August 29, 2009.

Happily, Vincent & Fernando are competing this year for Sudtirol again. Last year their song, Glaube an Gott was in a tie with the Klostertaler, and after 2 tie breakers they lost out. Hopefully, they will be successful this year. These talented brothers were the first entertainers I interviewed when Tim was still hosting the Stimmung Stunde. That interview aired in April 2004 and you can still hear it by CLICKING HERE. We certainly hope they make number one this year.

Also, Reiner Kirsten, from Germany, is competing. He was the featured entertainer on Ted Hierl's Hawaii Cruise in 2008. Many of the passengers enjoyed the Schwarzwald boy's beautiful songs and his charming personnality on that cruise and I know they will be rooting for him.

If you go to the Grand Prix website here are a few things to make note of. You might note the name Fabio Omero under Komponist and/or Text, that is name Rudy Giovannini uses to write under. Even Vincent & Fernando's song is from him this year. Also, note that Sauguat is competing this year ... again (they were disqualified last year).

The Germany listing shows Gunther Behrle as the author of the song that Claudia Dechant sings, Nimm diesen Ring. Judith & Mel's song, Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt, was written by Mel Jersey. The music for the song that Benjamin Grund sings, In nomine patris, was written by Benjamin Grund. Claudia & Alexx are again among the contests and have gotten very close in the past. Those of you who watch German TV will notice that Florian Fesl is in the competition. He was on the Immer Wieder Sonntags show all summer and lost the competion the very last week.

Switzerland's Maria Da Vinci sings Jeder Herzschlag fuer dich. The music and text were written by Mario Wolf & Christoph Purtscheller, who are in the Alpentrio Tirol. I wonder why they did not have an artist from Austria perform their song.

Each country has announced their nominees and you will find them listed below or go to the Grand Prix website for more details. Note there are links to the singers' webpages below. Some of them even have samples of their songs at their websites that you can listen to.

Austria

Austria's vorentscheid will be May 30.

Natalie Holzner -- Alles fuer's Herz

Helga Frank -- Das Karussell dreht sich weiter

Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum -- Das Leben...

Die Jungen Zillertaler -- Drobn auf'm Berg

Die Grubertaler -- Du darfst beim Autofahrn'n nit auf die Maedels schau'n

Bernd Roberts -- Hoer auf den Herz

Melanie -- I g'hoer nur dir

Zillertaler Gipfelstuermer -- Ich moechte mir Dir die Sunn aufgehn sehn

Leona & Swen -- Mach das nochmal mit mir

Yves -- Mama

Dunja -- Meine Liebe zu dir

Zellberg Buam -- Sing ma no oan

Andreas Gabalier -- So liab hob i di

Die Aufgeiger -- Sommerfieber

Steirerbluat -- Wir sind alle keine engel

Germany

Germany's vorentscheid will be on May 21

Vladimir Boldt -- Alle Sterne schaun Dir zu

Isartaler Hexen -- Brave Maedchen kommen in den Himmel

Zipfelbuben -- Das gibt sich bis 70

Bergkameraden & Oswald Sattler -- Ich traume von der Heimat

Benjamin Grund -- In nomine patris

Florian Fesl -- Lass uns wieder Freunde sein

Judith & Mel -- Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt

Claudia & Alexx -- Mama, danke

Licht -- Mut zur Liebe

Claudia Dechant -- Nimm diesen Ring

Reiner Kirsten -- Signora Come stai

Rico Seith -- Tausen Augen Hoffnung

Schlagerfeuer -- Unsere Erde

Dorfrocker -- Unter'm Tanzboden sitzt der Teufel

Bel Amis -- Vaterunser

Sudtirol

Sudtirol's vorenscheid will be May 8.

Das Schlernsextett -- Andreas Hofer

Vincent & Fernando -- Der Engel von Marienberg

Die Vaiolets -- Die Blume die im Herzen blueht

Die 4 Suedtiroler -- Ein ganzes herz voll Jahresringe

Patrick & seine Freunde -- Ein gutes Wort

Konrad Goller & Corinne -- Farben der Liebe

Bergfeuer -- Himalaya

Samira Dalnodar -- Kinder und Blumen

Sauguat -- Mein Reschen am See

Die Pustertaler -- Ohne die Musig

Graziano -- Romantica

Die Hopfenmusig -- Sudtiroler Marsch

Volxrock -- Wenn du kannst

Alex & die Groedner Alphorn Blaeser -- Wenn i auf Bergeshoehen steh

Etschland Express & Marion -- Wenn ich die Berge seh

Switzerland

Switzerland's vorenscheid will be April 25.

Sarah Jane -- Bliib doch bi mir

Geni Good & seine Glarner Oberkrainer -- Chlefeler Schtimmig

Stefan Roos & Saengerfreunde -- Das Herz einer Mutter

Salvo -- Grad wie im 7. Himmel

Gruppe Plauschler - Ich kann nicht aufhoern dich zu lieben

Christian Duss -- Das Liebeslied der Berge

Maria DaVinci -- Jeder Herzschlag fuer dich

Roman Peters -- La vita e bella

Orig. Voralpen-Express -- sag mir das, sag mir was

Yasmine-Melanie -- Schenk' mir heut' ein bisschen Zeit

Pascal G -- Tu Mi Corazon

Michelle & Philipp mit Wirbelwind -- Wenn du mein Herz beruehrst

Siegfried and Roy Final Performance in Las Vegas

Many of you have probably watched the 20/20 show on abc tonight that did a special show featuring Siegfried & Roy's final performance in Las Vegas. When Roy Horn was mauled by a tiger during a performance, many thought he would never be on stage again. Roy has made a fabulous recovery and although he is very limited he was able to take the stage again with his beloved partner Siegfried at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. What a tribute to the strong friendship these superstars have displayed. I found several clips on YouTube that have various cuts from their fabulous career and have links listed below.

This clip is the news release on abc that shows several clips from the 20/20 show that was broadcast tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQN8VOs24A

Here is a clip that was aired in Germany on their news station: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYYF5qTcQ3I

Here's a clip from interviews with stars that attended the final performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZwKlxY0TlM

This clip is from the Discovery Channel that analyizes the attack on Roy by the Tiger during that fateful night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HHPo3qxomQ&feature=related

Here is the interview that Siegfried & Roy with Barbara Walters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-K5l1jUHGY&NR=1

German TV visits Siegfried & Roy at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCBUpKcyoWA&feature=related

When you get to YouTube just do a search on Siegfried & Roy to see what other videos you might find.

European Spring Tour

If you are looking for a great tour this Spring, take a look at the flyer to the left (click on flyer to enlarge). This 2 week tour of Germany, Austria and Slovenia/Czech Republic takes place May 6 - May 20. This escorted tour includes hotels, bus transportation with Bilingual tour guide, all breakfasts & dinners, admissions to several attractions (see daily iterary at our Events page), and entertainment galore.

I found out about this fabulous tour from friends we met on Ted Hierl's German-American Radio Cruises. Otto and Sieglinde wrote those terrific reports in the New Yorker Staats Zeitung about the Hawaii Cruise in 2008 and the Carribean Cruise in 2007.

This tour is being offered by Gisela Lewis of New Jersey. Gisela has provided German entertainment all over the United States and the Milwaukee German Fest. And now she has put together this music filled tour with Peter Matthai of Thuringen Germany. Some of you may remember Peter when he was at the Milwaukee German Fest with his band Die Sandler. You will experience several boat tours (one is on the Danube), Passau and Vienna. But that is only a small sample of what this tour has to offer.

If you would like more info about this tour, give Gisela Lewis a call at: (732) 528-5135. If you prefer talking to the booking agent, call Hans at Murray Hill International (Global Travel Solutions): (800) 776-4655. Hans can book this tour for you and if you would like him to help you book your air flight, he will be happy to help you. By clicking our Events button on the left sidebar, you will find a detailed list of where this tour will go day by day.

We received the following e-mail from Armin Stockl. Armin was here in Milwaukee (and Chicago) in November 2008 along with Birgit Pless and Max Lechner. They did a fabulous Christmas show and if you are wondering what he is up to, here is an update. In March, he is planning to release a new CD and will be touring with his own Band. Robert Deglau of Continental Showcase has been playing Armin's music and was responsible for bringing this talented young man to Milwaukee. If you are planning to go to Germany, checkout Armin Stockl's website to see his tour dates.

Viel Gefühl und jede Menge Sehnsucht -
das neue Album von ARMIN STÖCKL

"Ich möchte bei dir sein" - so wird sie heißen - die NEUE von Armin Stöckl. Und damit möchte Armin ganz nah seinem Publikum sein mit einer einzigartigen unverwechselbaren und echten Stimme und einer Ausstrahlung mit viel Persönlichkeit, Authentizität und Lebensfreude. Der Schlagerromantiker ist etwas reifer geworden, hat aber nichts von seinem jugendlichen Eifer und Charme verloren. Im Gegenteil! Neben ergreifenden Balladen und Texten mit Sinn und Gefühl, wie "Haus am See", "Überall denk ich an dich" oder "My love can change", lassen sich auch absolut tanzbare Diskoschlager mit den Namen "Du hast Klasse" oder auch die hitverdächtige Albumtitelnummer "Ich möchte bei dir sein" finden. Doch jeder der 14 Titel birgt eine kleine Überraschung in sich...

Und so soll es auch bleiben! Zumindest bis 23.Mai 2009. Ein Termin, den sich alle Fans von Armin Stöckl dick im Kalender anstreichen sollten. Im Kursaal von Bad Griesbach, im berühmten Bäderdreieck, wird Armin Stöckl mit seiner CD "Ich möchte bei dir sein" Premiere feiern. Da ist es sicher ein gutes Omen, dass gerade ZDF-Hitparadenmoderator UWE HÜBNER durch den stimmungsvollen Abend führen wird! Außerdem werden viele musikalische Freunde von Armin Stöckl mit zum Gelingen des musikalischen Feuerwerks beitragen. Live wird Armin mit eigener Band begleitet werden!

"Ich möchte bei dir sein" wird übrigens die neue Single des charismatischen Sängers werden, die Mitte März erscheint. Quasi ein kleiner Vorgeschmack mit großem Hitpotenzial!
Das neue Album versprüht eine herrliche Leichtigkeit und wurde mit sehr viel Fingerspitzengefühl vom neuen Produzententeam produziert. Die Texte, die Musik und der Gesang ergeben ein besonders harmonisches Klangbild.

http://www.armin-stoeckl.de/-> nur noch ein paar Tage bis sich die Homepage im neuen Design präsentiert.....!

Rheinischer Verein - Weiberfastnacht

Date & Time
February 19, 2009 - Time: 5:11 pm

Ticket Info
Ticket Cost: (details forthcoming)
Call: Mark Semrow 262-549-6557 or Larry Domine 414-527-0962 for tickets or any other information you would like about the Rheinischer Verein.

Description
The Weiberfastnacht presented by the Rheinischer Verein annually is a favorite in Milwaukee. This is a Ladies only event, but that is, if you are DRESSED like a woman. It is a lot of fun and you may not recognize some of your best friends at this event.

Music: Johnny Hoffman and His Herzbuben Band

For more info, go to the Karnevals Gesellschaft Rheinischer Verein Gruen-Weiss website. http://www.mardigrasmilwaukee.com/

Location
Bavarian Inn (Map)
700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI

German Fest News

I just got an e-mail from Manfred Schuster of the Widderstein Buaba. They were at the 2007 German Fest in Milwaukee and teamed up with the OBERALLGÄU MUSIKANTEN, who sent a nice Christmas greeting this year. Those of you who saw this band remember that they were quite lively and had a lot of fun on stage. If you go to either one of their websites (links provided above), you will see a large collection of pictures of their 2007 performance in Milwaukee at German Fest. Maybe you are even in one of those pictures. I am sure they will have a lot of new music for all of you to enjoy. If you check the website, http://www.germanfest.com/, you will see that the Entertainment page has the same info as I have listed below.


As I receive more entertainment news, I will post it on my EVENTS page. I will keep a running list and links to the 2009 German Fest entertainment. But keep an eye on their website, they might be posting it too.

Their motto says it all: „Good music and much fun.“

It’s a combination that has made Widderstein-Buaba an audience
favorite at Oktoberfests in Canada, Philadelphia, Munich and Florida
as well as events throughout their homeland of Austria.

Now the band brings a unique brand of traditional folk, - dance and
Oktoberfest music to Milwaukee during their second appearance .

6 fun loving musicians look forward to your visit and a super party!!

A last good bye to Joe Bittner

Today the DCS Shooters paid tribute to their buddy, Joe Bittner. It was held at the Boxhorn Gunclub where Joe spent a lot of time shooting trap with his DCS Shooters teammates. We want to thank Rick & Debbie Schim for offering to let us hold this at their gunclub. But especially Debbie for making this a very special day for all of us.

As reported on this website, Joe passed away on December 22, just 2 days before his mother's 80th birthday. He had just returned from a trip to Peru and came home to Wisconsin with a pile of snow waiting for him. He started up his snowblower, but never finished. Neighbors saw him in his front yard and it was already too late. Joe passed away at the young age of 56. The irony was that his father had passed away at the very same age.

The DCS Shooters: Uwe Brunn, Hans Buchert, Pete Aschenbrenner, Elmar Kretschmann, Stefan Brunn and Roland Schneiker along with their family members and friends gathered at Boxhorn Gunclub to celebrate the life of Joe Bittner.

Joe's mother, Mary Bittner, and his brother, Frank, joined the group for this celebration. Mary brought a big basket of "kipfel" along for all to enjoy. Joe was not a fancy guy, so this wasn't a fancy party, but we think it was the way Joe would have liked it. A couple pizzas and a lot of beer, but most of all there was a lot of laughter and fun remembering Joe.

Below is a short story that Mary Buchert told about Joe when he was best man at their wedding. Joe remained a big part of the Buchert family and kept his close ties to them throughout the years. Just click on the video to watch Mary tell this story. There were other amusing stories, but I wasn't able to catch them all on tape. To say the least, Joe was a very colorful guy and you just could not help smiling when you were around him.

Tim Kretschmann delivered and wrote the Eulogy. He has many fond memories of Joe and brings to light the great love Joe had in his beloved hobby, trap shooting. You can click on the video below, but if you have some trouble with the audio, a copy of the Eulogy is printed below.

I've been asked today to say a few words about our friend, Joe Bittner. It's hard, though, to sum up a life in a “few words” and though no one would accuse Joe of being a chatty-Cathy, Joe could talk about his favorite subject at length, so why would we want to give him short shrift? Hans tells me that on occasion the bar would be closed and still the discussion continued in the parking lot. If you really had some time on your hands, mention the Schwabenhof to him and wait out the storm.

Fact be told, anytime Joe entered a room, you would know it. He filled a room and you would hear him from any corner of the room. I don't think he would ever whisper. He spoke from deep within him and nothing was hidden...it all came out...unfiltered and true.

Joe traveled a lot for his job at Falk. But Joe was not some distinguished James Bond socialite type floating around the world. (Let's face it: Joe had a boob hat that said “Let's see a pair” and one hat that said “Pull. Bang. Shit.”) No, Joe wasn't one of those refined travelers that looked his nose down at everything other than his homeland, nor was a snob with his smattering of tastes around the world. Joe was a generous traveler. He would share his knowledge for his job and quite often, he shared his love of his sport, shooting trap, with the people he would meet. I know that he would often find gun clubs while abroad to continue his love affair with those orange clay birds he was so fond of shattering.

Joe has visited the Artic Circle, Czech Republic, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, Bali up on the volcano, and Peru. While in the army, he was stationed in Japan and actually spoke a little Japanese with an entertainer at German Fest a few years back. But his most famous voyage, the voyage of which no one would ever forget, happened in the small hamlet of Ulm in Germany. The voyage included a very special bus that was in constant need of...well, let's call it fuel. Joe was always up to the task to help out.

For me, I can hardly even picture Joe without a cigarette in his hand (until he had to put a beer in that hand) or out shooting trap. I don't think any of us had any idea when we went out to the old Junker farm to shoot trap those times with Donauschwaben Jaeger Verein how much trap would come to be a part of Joe's and by extension all of our lives.

Some people don't know about the softer side of Joe. He was well known as the beer-drinking gun aficionado, but his philanthropic side goes unremembered.

Joe started by donating for diabetes at the Boxhorn's shoot. He changed those donations to breast cancer. He became involved in breast cancer due to his friend's daughter Katie Buchert's battle with this dreaded disease. The first year Katie had the disease, Joe came over at Christmas with a penguin from Happy Feet with a card inscribed “To the person with the Happiest Feet I know.”

Joe Bittner was also an organ donor. His bones and skin were used to help over 60 people. Even in death, Joe's generosity lived on and he helped so many.

Joe was one of the founders of the Damn Crappy Shooters that shot here at Boxhorn's as often as he could. Joe was probably the namer of the group; but that is the stuff of legend. If he was in the state of Wisconsin, he was out with the Krieghoff to show us all what he could do. He would take vacation for the state and national shoot each year—it was the only type of vacation he wouldn't let be pre-empted.

Now, we all know I can't shoot trap to save my life, but this has made me a fairly attentive fan of those that can. I have noticed with most people that take up trap there are two phases in trap shooting. You start by being excited every time you hit one. As your skills grow, though, you enter a new phase and in this phase, you grow disappointed with each one you miss. The goal, of course, at that phase is not to miss. Joe would be frustrated with each miss, no doubt, and some of the language he would use when missing would make the next bird think twice about crossing him.

My point is, Joe would take great pride in helping his friends go from the thrill of each hit to the disappointment of each miss. Now, we all find ourselves with a great disappointment—as we all miss Joe Bittner. His open mouth smile. His full body laugh. And his huge heart. We'll miss that most of all.

The video above is when 12 shooters, including Joe's brother, Frank, the DCS shooters, and friends of Joe. They each shot 3 rounds as a tribute to their friend, Joe Bittner.

Good bye Joe. You will be missed.

2008 Hawaii Cruise Report

If you can read German, here is a report of last year's cruise to Hawaii on the Golden Princess with Reiner Kirsten. This article was published in the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung on January 3, 2009, written by fellow cruisers, Otto und Sieglinde (pictured to the left). It gives a detailed account of our cruising experience with this fun group of people. The article is all in the German language, so just click here to read the whole article. Also, you can take a look at our Hawaii cruise page and see all the pictures we took on this fabulous cruise by clicking HERE. The New Yorker Staats-Zeitung would appreciate your support and we thank them for letting us reproduce this article here on our website. If you would like to help support this fine German Language newspaper, please subscribe.

Die New Yorker Staats-Zeitung oder die California Staats-Zeitung koennen unter der folgenden zollfreien Telefonnummer bei Frau Margita Baldeweg bestellt werden: 1-877-818-6201 or send an e-mail to, NYStaatsZ@aol.com

If you are interested in this year's cruise with Ted Hierl to the Southern Caribbean, please take a look at our Southern Caribbean cruise page featuring the Original Naabtall Duo. We have some links to YouTube, if you want to see what this talented Duo can do.

Here are the opening paragraphs of the newspaper article, if you would like the complete article CLICK HERE.

Obwohl es im Lied heißt, daß es in Hawaii kein Bier gibt, konnten die Reiseteilnehmer von Ted Hierl’s German American Radio Cruise bei der kűrzlichen Kreuzfahrt selber feststellen, daß das nicht den Tatsachen entspricht. Es gab viele Sorten von Bier, sogar deutsches Bier aus Műnchen, auf dem stolzen Schiff „Golden Princess“ und auch auf den vier Inseln von Hawaii, die das Schiff anlief.

Die Hauptattraktion auf dieser Traumreise war der deutsche Star und Schlagersänger Reiner Kirsten aus Freiburg im Schwarzwald. Er sang außer neuen deutschen Schlagern auch viele, immer so gern von den Deutsch-Amerikanern gehörten, deutsche Volkslieder. Alle sangen kräftig mit! Er forderte auch die Leute zum tanzen auf, was von vielen gerne befolgt wurde. Reiner Kirsten ist ein außerordentlich gut aussehender junger Mann, der es mit seinem sonnigen Lächeln und seinen wunderschönen blauen Augen allen Damen angetan hatte. Der talentierte Kűnstler schreibt viele seiner Lieder selbst. Alte Schlager, wie „Heimat deine Sterne“ wurden von den Zuschauern mit begeistertem Applaus bedacht. Als er erwähnte, daß bei seinen frűheren Auftritten ihm oft eine Dame ein Glas Rotwein zur Bűhne brachte, stűrmten gleich drei Damen aus dem Publikum mit vollen Gläsern zu ihm hin.

Reiner Kirsten wurde von den Original Elstertaler Musikanten, den Stimmungsmachern aus Thűringen, unter Leitung von „Semmi“ meisterhaft unterstűtzt. Die Elstertaler haben schon öfters bei den vielen Kreuzfahrten, von Ted Hierl und Clark Travel veranstalteten Schiffsreisen, aufgespielt. Clark Travel, zusammen mit Ted Hierl, hatte zu Beginn der Kreuzfahrt zu einer Begrűßungsparty geladen mit freien Getränken fűr alle Teilnehmer. Auch bei der Abschiedsparty gab es freie Drinks. Bei dieser Feier erschien sogar der Kapitän des Schiffes, John Foster. Er stieß mit Ted Hierl und Reiner Kirsten mit einer Flasche Spatenbier an. Wieder einmal gelang es den Elstertalern die Stimmung hochzuschrauben. Bei einer großen Polonaise schlängelte sich eine lange Reihe Deutschamerikaner und Bundesbűrger aus der alten Heimat durch die Vista Lounge, lautstark singend. An dieser Polonaise nahmen sogar einige philippinische junge Kellner teil, die den Anfang der langen Schlange űberműtiger Menschen bildeten. Unsere Reisegesellschaft hatte immerhin 340 Teilnehmer; 85 davon aus Deutschland, hauptsächlich Thűringen. ... CLICK here to finish reading this article.

Lisa Holzmann will be on Krone der Volksmusik this Saturday

You might remember when Josef Holzmann appeared in Lake Villa, Illinois last June at the German-American Musik Festival. He is a very popular singer in Germany and spent a week in the Chicago area along with Gunther Behrle & Petra Boeck. Well Josef also has a very talented 11 year old daughter, Lisa. Gunther Behrle who also appeared at the German-American Musik Festival , and is famous for writting "Patrona Bavarea", recommended Lisa join a competition, which she won!

Lisa will be appearing on Saturday, January 10, on the Krone der Volksmusik. It is being broadcast LIVE on ARD at 20:15 German time. For those of you who subscribe to Shift TV be sure to record this program. We certainly will be watching and hope that this talented 11 year old does well. Lisa has often appeared with her dad on stage, but this performance will be ALL LISA. The people in Germany will be able to vote for their favorite Newcomer, so let your relatives know in Germany to vote for Lisa Holzmann.

Fur unsre Deutsch Sprache lesser, bitte vote fur Lisa Holzmann als Newcomer an Samstag, an Die Krone der Volksmusik . Toi Toi Toi, Lisa!

Here is a picture of Lisa's proud parents, Josef & Beate Holzmann, when Josef was performing at Lake Villa, Illinois (near Chicago) in June.