WISCONSIN POLKA: Ray Dorschner / Schmaltzie Music / Mono 014 / 1957

Raymond W. Dorschner was born on December 20, 1929, in Zittau, WI. Ray was largely self-taught on clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet and started his own polka band in 1950. Two of Ray’s brothers, Larry and Ted Jr., played in the band in the first years, and his three sons, Randy, Steve, and Jim all played in the band in later years. Ray led the band for over 60 years and was inducted into the Wisconsin and International Polka Halls of Fame.

Ray attended what is now UW-Oshkosh and the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton. He was employed by Marathon Corporation as a testing lab technician and worked for the company for 40 years. In 1951, he married Donna Steffens and they remained together until Ray’s passing on June 11, 2019.

[Schmaltzie Music, Ray Dorschner, Mono 014, recorded 1957, matrix HO8W-0489]

[CountryDJDave]

❤ I didn't realize Ray kept his day job all the while traveling around with his band.