LARRY NOVOTNY - ONE MAN BAND

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LARRY NOVOTNY

ONE MAN BAND

Larry Novotny may very well be the 8th Wonder of the World!! Larry plays the concertina, high hat cymbal, bass drum and tuba during his intriguing performance in which he also sings a large variety of old time and country music songs. The ONE MAN BAND & the NOVOTNY TRIO BAND have played at venues in North Dakota Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska and Larry has performed on radio and television stations in Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Additionally Larry Novotny was recently inducted into Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category, is an inductee into the WORLD CONCERTINA CONGRESS HALL OF FAME.

Dear Delta Dick:

One of the artists that you feature on your Website, Larry Novotny, was recently inducted into Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category. I am proud to say that I nominated him. Attached, please find my nominating letter. I am sending it to you, with his knowledge and approval, because it contains a lot of factual background information re: Larry Novotny, some of which may be of use to you, now and/or at some future date, in your continuing effort to promote “old-tyme” music. Please feel free to use any parts of it as you see fit.

N. E. Sladek, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Pharmacology

Medical School

Academic Health Center

University of Minnesota

6-120 Jackson Hall

321 Church St. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0217

September 1, 2005

Brad Skogerboe

Activities Director

Attn: Wall of Fame

Montgomery-Lonsdale High School

101 Second St. N. E.

Montgomery, Minnesota 56069

Re: Nomination of Lawrence Alvin "Larry the Canary" Novotny for election to Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category.

Dear Mr. Skogerboe:

With this communication, I wish to formally nominate Lawrence Alvin "Larry the Canary" Novotny for election to Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category because, at least in my view, Mr. Novotny, a 1967 graduate of Montgomery High School (later to become known as Montgomery-Lonsdale High School), by virtue of his historic, and continuing, participation in, and contributions to, the fine arts - specifically, the performing arts - enumerated below, is undeniably deserving of this prestigious honor.

Briefly, Mr. Novotny, during the course of his 44+-year professional career,:

•Played five vastly different musical instruments, Exhibit A, as well as provided Czech & English vocals.

•Put together six bands - for all of which he was the featured artist (concertina, and Czech & English vocals), Exhibit B. The music played by these bands includes polkas, waltzes, schottisches (including the "Circle S"), country western and novelty tunes, e.g., "The Butterfly Dance," "Dance Little Bird," "The Circle 2-Step" and "The Hokie Pokie."

•Played with sporadically, i.e., helped out from time to time, 13 additional bands, some a number of times, Exhibit C.

•Appeared in over 35 venues and in four states as the featured artist of bands that he put together, Exhibit D. Of particular note is that one or another of these bands has played at a Kolacky Days venue, most recently "The Novotny Trio" at Memorial Park, every, or nearly every, year since the early 1960s making the Novotny name virtually synonymous with the festival name!

•Appeared live on three television stations as the featured artist of bands that he put together, Exhibit D.

•Was the featured artist of three bands that he put together that have released 12 audio recordings (over 10,000 sold thus far) and one video recording, Exhibit E; the audio recordings are known to have been aired by at least ten radio stations in five different states, Exhibit F. Moreover, in 2002 "The Novotny Trio," 12 other area bands and John Grimm recorded and released a compact disk, Music From Czech Country, sponsored by KCHK and KRDS.

•Was the featured artist of bands that he put together that have been invited to play for more than 500 weddings, more than 500 anniversaries, more than 400 birthdays, at least 15 funerals and four fund raisers (Becky Shimota, Le Center; Victoria Fireman, Victoria; Georgiena "Jean" Saunders, Montgomery; Larry Novotny Jr., Montgomery).

•Accepted, as did brother John, an invitation extended by Gordy Prochaska to perform at several venues in the Czech Republic in 1998.

•Taught son Larry Novotny how to play the drums in 1980 and brother John Novotny how to play the tuba & sousaphone in 1985.

•Taught Russ Dietz a number of Czech songs, their English translation, and how to sing them and others while simultaneously playing the concertina; the "apprenticeship program" was funded by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. "Russ Dietz and The Stray Cats" have since recorded and released a cassette featuring Dietz playing his concertina and singing a number of Czech vocals.

•Was awarded, by the Library of Congress, Washington, DC on March 2, 1990, the copyright to a song, Larry's Morgandome Polka, that he composed.

•Was featured (more specifically, "The Original One Man Band" is) featured on the 'DELTA DICK' OLDE TYME MUSIC INTERNET SHOW heard world-wide via the Internet on www.247polkaheaven.com.

By way of background, Mr. Novotny's earliest interest in what was later to become his avocation was probably initiated by his parents - his mother played the button accordion, often accompanying herself as she sang Czech folk songs; his father did not play an instrument but had, and still does have, a great interest in old-time music. Mr. Novotny was only 11 years old when his parents started taking him to concertina displays put on by Tony and Betty Wolf in the Montgomery area, and in April, 1960 his parents purchased the first concertina - a 1959 double reed, key of "C" Arnold - that he was ever to own. Concertina virtuosos who served as role models at the time because he liked their playing style were Jerry Schuft, Ernie Coopman and Elmer Scheid.

Teaching him how to play the concertina beginning in April 1960 was Sister Valeria (born Prchal in Credit River Township, Scott County, Minnesota; died in 1985 at the age of 103), then in charge of all musical activities at the Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Montgomery. Sister Valeria, who lived to be more than 100 years of age, taught many children of that time how to play the piano and more than a few how to play the piano accordion and concertina. Practices and lessons were during recesses and the noon hour. She was almost unanimously deemed to be a very good teacher, albeit very demanding and not one to coddle a student - she did not hesitate to rap the knuckles of a student, who in her judgment was less than fully prepared and/or attentive, with the metal edge of her ever present 12 inch ruler.

Czech vocals were first taught to him by his mother and by his paternal grandparents. Later, he added to his library of Czech vocals by listening to the recordings of other artists.

Mr. Novotny's first public appearance was at Charley Hruby's 3.2 bar/Downtown Hall (upstairs) in Montgomery, Minnesota on Election Day evening (1st Tuesday of November) 1960 (John F. Kennedy elected president of the United States). He was 11 years old at the time. His drummer, brother John, was 10 years old.

Mr. Novotny's first "job" was at Bud Callahan's new barn northeast of St. Thomas in 1961. He was 12 years old at the time. His drummer, brother John, was 11 years old. They were each paid $2.00 for playing.

"The Original One Man Band" was given life in 1988 when Mr. Novotny, practicing in the basement of his home, began playing the concertina with his hands and, simultaneously, the bass drum with one foot. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Novotny added the "high hat" cymbal and the tuba, playing the former with his uncommitted foot and the latter with his mouth. The tuba presented the biggest challenge. Ordinarily, the fingers of one hand are used to manipulate its three valves and produce the desired notes when the musician blows into the mouthpiece. As both hands were already committed to playing the concertina, Mr. Novotny had to learn how to "lip" all of the tuba notes. Integrating the three - reed (concertina), brass (tuba and percussion (drums & "high hat" cymbal) - required a "divided attention/concentration" and, predictably, also proved to be daunting, but Mr. Novotny persevered and "The Original One Man Band" is now very much in demand as a novelty act.

Presently, Mr. Novotny plays a quadruple reed, key of "C" Hengel concertina purchased in December, 1995; it was only the second one ever made by the team of Jerry Minar and Christy Hengel (Hengel had constructed many concertinas - viewed as the Cadillacs of the genre - by himself in prior years but yearned to retire; Minar bought the business; Mr. Novotny's present concertina was constructed during the transition period).

Technical mastery (the residue of hard work and innate talent), a genuine "feeling" for the music that he plays, and the ability to engage almost everyone in his audience collectively make Mr. Novotny the outstanding entertainer that he has been and continues to be, and account for Mr. Novotny's unsurpassed popularity with his many fans.

As stated at the outset, Larry Novotny is clearly more than worthy of election to Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category.

Sincerely,

N. E. Sládek, '57

5608 Gate Park Road

Edina, MN 55436

Office Phone: 612-625-0691

Home Phone: 952-926-5267

Fax: 612-625-8408

e-mail: slade001@umn.edu

PS: Please contact Mr. Novotny at 106 SW 4th St., Montgomery, Minnesota 56069 (telephone: 507-364-5045) for a picture in the event that he is selected for this honor.

Exhibit A. Instruments that Mr. Novotny has played professionally, i.e., for payment:

•Concertina (reed)

•Button Accordion (reed)

•Tuba (brass)

•Rhythm Guitar (string)

•Drums/cymbals (percussion)

Exhibit B. Bands that Mr. Novotny put together and for which he was the featured artist:

•1961 - 1978 - The Novotny Brothers (Larry, John, Dave)

•1979 - 1980 - The Larry Novotny Band (Larry, Ed Hruby, Frank Hruby)

•1980 - 1984 - Larry Novotny and the Rhythm Masters

(Larry, Ed Hruby, Frank Hruby, Don Tupy, Mert Hoover)

•1985 - present - The Novotny Trio (Larry, John, Larry Jr.)

•1985 - present - Larry Novotny, The Original One Man Band (Larry)

•1994 - present - The All You Can Eat Band

(Larry, John Novotny, Jared Novotny, Bob Shimota, Justin Deutsch, Mike Budin, Jim Reeder, Lawrence Smisek, Helen Smisek, Dale Pexa Sr., Fran Pexa, Joe Shimota (deceased), Becky Shimota (deceased), Bob Kahle, Elmer Lehrs, Kathy Krocak, Bob Benzick, Dick Ginn, Carl Volberg, George Korbel, Ken Pomije, Rodney "The Frogmeister" Ceplecha, Dann Segna, Roman Kalina, Gordy Prochaska,

Jerome "Butch" Krocak, Tom Goetzinger (emcee))

Exhibit C. Bands with which Mr. Novotny has played sporadically, i.e., helped out from time to time, some a number of times:

•The Ben Barta Band - Montgomery, Minnesota - Concertina

•Gordy Prochaska's Little Fisherman - Montgomery, Minnesota - Concertina, Tuba

•Blanche (Havel Zellmer) N' The Waltz Kings - Montgomery, Minnesota

Concertina, Drums

•The Czech Lites (Jim Reeder) - Montgomery; New Prague, Minnesota - Concertina

•The Billy Bartusek Band - New Prague, Minnesota - Concertina

•The Joe Novotny Dance Band - New Prague, Minnesota - Tuba

•The Eddie Shimota Band - Webster, Minnesota - Tuba

•LaVerne's Concertina Band - Owatonna, Minnesota - Concertina, Tuba

•The George Dushek Band - Owatonna, Minnesota - Tuba

•The Ivan Kahle Band - Cologne, Minnesota - Tuba

•Lester Schuft - Hutchinson, Minnesota - Concertina, Tuba

•The Cletus Goblirsch Band - New Ulm, Minnesota - Tuba

•The Russ Skala Band - Crete, Nebraska - Tuba

Exhibit D. A grossly incomplete listing of the venues at which at least one of the bands that Mr. Novotny put together, and for which he was the featured artist, have appeared:

BALLROOMS & BARS

•The Legion Club - Montgomery, Minnesota

•The Downtown Hall - Montgomery, Minnesota

•The Hilltop Hall - Montgomery, Minnesota

•The Palace Bar - Montgomery, Minnesota

•The Brass Rail - Montgomery, Minnesota

•Heidelberg Liquors - Heidelberg, Minnesota

•The Park Ballroom - New Prague, Minnesota

•Mystic Lake Casino - Prior Lake, Minnesota

•The CSPS Hall - St. Paul, Minnesota

•Glockenspiel Restaurant - St. Paul

•The Gibbon Ballroom - Gibbon, Minnesota

•The Inwood Ballroom - Spillville, Iowa

•Art's Concertina Bar - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

FAIRS

•Le Sueur County - Le Center, Minnesota

•Scott County - Jordan, Minnesota

•Rice County - Faribault, Minnesota

•Minnesota State (as part of Education Day) - St. Paul, Minnesota

FESTIVALS

•Kolacky Days - Montgomery, Minnesota

•Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant - Montgomery, Minnesota

•Holy Redeemer Church Fall Festival - Montgomery, Minnesota

•Dozinky - New Prague, Minnesota

•Community Days - Lonsdale, Minnesota

•Lake Mazaska Monster Watch - Shieldsville, Minnesota

•Arlington Polka Fest - Arlington, Minnesota

•Czech & Slovak Festival - St. Paul, Minnesota

•Gibbon Polka Fest - Gibbon, Minnesota

•Bird Island Polka Fest - Bird Island, Minnesota

•Traer Polka Fest - Traer, Iowa

•Czech Days - Wilber, Nebraska

NURSING HOMES

•Mala Strana Health Care Center - New Prague, Minnesota

•Central Health Care Center - Le Center, Minnesota

•Pleasant Manor - Faribault, Minnesota

•Belle Plaine Lutheran Home - Belle Plaine, Minnesota

•Senior Home - Mankato, Minnesota

•Cedarview Nursing Home - Owatonna

TELEVISION

•Channel 12 (KEYC) - Mankato, Minnesota

•Channel 6 (KAAL) (Cancer Fund Raiser) - Austin, Minnesota

•Channels 2 & 17 (TPT; Almanac) - St. Paul, Minnesota

Exhibit E. Records, cassettes compact disks and videos released by bands that Mr. Novotny put together and for which he was the featured artist:

RECORDS

•Polka Serenade - The Novotny Brothers - 1973

•Czech Music - The Novotny Brothers - 1976

CASSETTES

•Volume 1 - Old Time Favorites - The Novotny Trio - 1990

•Volume 2 - 30th Anniversary with Larry & John - The Novotny Trio - 1991

•Double Album Special (Polka Serenade + Czech Music) - The Novotny Brothers - 1991

•Volume 3 - Fishin' Minnesota 200% - The Novotny Trio - 1993

•Larry Novotny, The Original One Man Band - Larry Novotny - 1994

•Volume 4 - Featuring The Most Requested Songs - The Novotny Trio - 1996

•Volume 5 - Party With The Novotny Trio - The Novotny Trio - 2004

COMPACT DISKS

•The Best Of The Novotny Trio, Volume 1 - The Novotny Trio -1998

•The Best Of The Novotny Trio, Volume 2 - The Novotny Trio - 2002

•The Best Of The Novotny Trio, Volume 3 - The Novotny Trio - 2004

VIDEOS

•Larry Novotny, The Original One Man Band - Larry Novotny - 1994

Exhibit F. Radio stations that are known to have aired, some thousands of times, recordings of one or more of the bands that Mr. Novotny put together and for which he was the featured artist:

RADIO STATIONS

•KCHK - 1350 AM - New Prague, Minnesota

•KRDS - 95.5 FM - New Prague, Minnesota

•KDHL - 920 AM - Faribault, Minnesota

•KDUZ - 1260 AM - Hutchinson, Minnesota

•KNUJ - 860 AM - New Ulm, Minnesota

•KASM - 1150 AM - Albany, Minnesota

•KCZQ - 102.3 FM - Cresco, Iowa

•KMMJ - 750 AM - Grand Island, Nebraska

•KNON - 89.3 FM - Dallas, Texas

•Unknown AM Radio Station - Wisconsin

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