BAD NEWS ABOUT BERNIE GORAK AND CLASSIC CHICAGO
ron raczkowski
Ballroom Rosholt WI yesterday Sunday October 10th 2004. He hired our
band The Polish Connection Band from Wausau and Stevens Point WI to
play alternating with his band. Bernie arranged for us Polish
Connection to finish the last half hour of the dance so he and the
guys can pack up their equipment for the long drive back to Chicago.
But Bernie and the guys take off without saying goodbye and oh ya and
paying Polish Connection $300 for playing all day. We call him on the
phone and he states that we never had an agreement to get paid. What
kind of band sets up a dance hires a band and then like the song goes,
"TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN"?
All we have to say to you Bernie is that God knows what you did and
soon everyone else will know. We just want to make sure that you never
do this to any other polka band out there. We trusted your word. Now
we now you are nothing more than a low life thug. And for the other
musicians that played in your band yesterday, I have one question for
you.
Why would you want to be associated with a thief?
Ron Raczkowski
dabutc...@yahoo.com
written contract. Guess that won't happen again!
ron raczkowski
I would like to apologize to Bernie Gorak and Classic Chicago and the
other musicians that played with him on October 10th at Merryland
Ballroom. I should not have called him a low life and a thief and for
that I am truly sorry. I should also have not aired this dirty
laundry on this site. I have always found this site to be for the
betterment of polka music. This unfortunate situation whould have
never happened if the booking was with a written contract. Verbal
agreements sometimes lead to miscommunications.
Ron Raczkowksi
www.polishconnection.com
www.polkabarn.com
Kathy Raczkowski
> It really amazes me that band's still book engagements without a
> written contract. Guess that won't happen again!
Your right, Polish Connection learned a valuable lesson and will never
play at a dance again without a written contract. They are a trusting
bunch of guys and took his word on the verbal agreement. They love
playing polka music and entertaining the crowd, but don't like getting
lied to! The Polish Connection Band (and their wives) have met alot of
wonderful people in the polka industry throughout the years but have
never met one individual as bad as we met last Sunday. This guy seems
to have some serious issues, not only with PCB but others as well and
should get help. The one I feel sorry for is his son. What a talented
kid! I thought polka people were trustworthy and honest but apparently
not all are.
I hope this will be the end of this awful experience and everyone can
POLKA ON!
Junior_Samples_Hee_Haw
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Was Ron threatened by & subsequently ascared of a libel suit? If I
were him, I would have let the polka world know about the behaviors of
a delinquent promoter (and it woulda made me madder than a grounded
white eagle).
I would like to hear what Bernie Gorak has to say in this forum.
Bernie?
(Psst,Bernie...your answer here--> ________________________________).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
wildwilson
people can be dishonest and it seems to keep getting more and more in
our soceity! - the Wildman
dabutc...@yahoo.com (dabutc...@yahoo.com) wrote in message news:<b040d64c.04101...@posting.google.com>...
Caveat Emptor Nostradamus
>Junior_Samp...@Yahoo.com (Junior_Samples_Hee_Haw) wrote in message news:<ffe3b38e.04101...@posting.google.com>...
>This is what happened:
>I contacted Wally of the PCB at Bel-Aire Days this year, and told him
>that I was wanting to run a dance ( having both bands play) at
>Colonial Ballroom (WI), he said unless you are Jeff Heinz you won't
>get it. So he gave me Merryland Ballroom to do the dnace at.
>About three weeks before the gig, PCB called me and cancelled out
>becuz of a benefit dance going on at Merryland the night before. I had
>contacted Frank at Merryland and informed him that the dance might not
>happen becuz of this benefit dance.
>Received a few emails about the dance (that I was running,) and only
>to see that PCB was playing. So I called Wally and he said that
>Merryland owner Frank called him Friday and told him that PCB HAD TO
>PLAY!
>So needless to say both bands ended up playing that SUnday. The
>problem was that the agreement was that I would pay my guys first (150
>each)and PCB would keep the rest. I never in any way shape or form
>agreement to pay Wally a certain price. Wally also said that we could
>draw 100/150 people that day. But we didn't. There was about 60 people
>that showed up, and @$10 pc that came to $600. The problem that
>happened next was that Wally's wife told me she could work the gate
>that day, but she never showed up. So me & Wally watched the gate as
>the other played. At one point Wally handed me $350.00, and that was
>the last I seen of any money. Yes after the job I left, I wasn't
>feeling good as we had to play outside, the sun was out but not the
>heat. This was another problem that we ran into, becuz at the last
>minute Frank (owner Merryland) changed his mind and said we have to
>play outside , but when it was booked I stated the inside hall. The
>problem is that I only seen $350, and when I ask about the other $250
>no one has an answer except to post crap on the site, and bad mouth
>others.
>As far as Ron's apologie, that is fine and dandy but the damge is
>already out there. I can forward emails that was sent to me by PCB
>about making threats. Wally has also left me several voice messgaes
>making threats!
>Why has Wally not posted something, it seems like everyone else is.
>
>The truth of the matter is that no one got stiffed on any money, and
>why would I drive 250 miles and guarantee someone money? As it was I
>didn't even make the money I was looking for.
>
>Bernie Gorak
Did anyone sign a contract with the venue?
--
Read my polka CD reviews:
http://www.nostradamus.net/polka_page.htm
Gary W. Brueggen
This was truly a sad event for EVERYONE involved. On behalf of
myself, I had the pleasure of working with Bernie and the band last
month at the Orlean's Hotel and Casino while playing a Polka Fest in
Las Vegas, NV. Only meeting and talking many times with Bernie on the
phone, we met in Vegas and had a BLAST! Even though I'm a Packer Fan,
and he's a Bear's fan, I play Dutchmen/German style, and he plays
Polish style, WE HAD A BLAST!
In another event while at the Orleans, one of his musicians due to the
hurricaine season in Florida couldn't make the trip to Las Vegas for
the Polka Fest. The night before it was all suppose to happen, Bernie
asked if I could help out and fill in for the 5th person. I agreed
and Bernie treated me with respect AND he also paid me. We hadn't
agreed to any dollar amount. But I know that if the shoe was on the
other foot, I know I would have been taken care of. Thanks again
Bernie for taking care of me in Las Vegas, and hope that our 2 bands
can get together and jam again sometime.
Polkatively,
Gary W. Brueggen
"Wisconisn's Concertina Kid"
ron raczkowski
Let us clear up a few things up here Bernie.
#1.
First of all Bernie you are correct like you said, it was your dance,
quote ">Received a few emails about the dance (that I was running,)".
You were responsible to bring someone to watch the door which you did
not. You were responsible to compensate our band at the end of the
night which you did not. Merryland Ballroom provided the facilities
and took the bar and you were responsible to take care of the bands.
If anyone doubts what I am saying feel free to contact Frank Konkol
from Merryland Ballroom, www.merrylandballroom.com 715-592-4266
#2
There were not 60 - 65 people at the dance more like 35 - 40 people.
Again, if anyone doesn't believe my count, ask Frank Konkol from
Merryland Ballroom www.merrylandballroom.com 715-592-4266 or anyone
else that was there that day.
#3
As far as voice messages and making threats, let's tell the true
story. My brother and I were the ones who had to notify the
authorities in order to get you to stop all of your threatening phone
call messages and hang ups to our residences. If anyone doesn't belive
me it is public record, Marathon County Sherrifs Department Wausau WI.
#4
In your response to why Wally has not posted anything is because Wally
wants this issue to end. We made a bad mistake ever talking to you and
we never want to talk to you again. Wally and his wife do not want
anymore threatening phone calls or e-mails.
#5
The truth of the matter is yes we did get stiffed on money that day.
Our band did not recieve a dime for playing. And this whole issue has
nothing to do about money. It is about trusting someones word and
being lied to.
#6
You have never played here in central wisconsin before, but let me
tell you something about how bands treat each other up here. The last
hour of the night when the last band plays the other band supports
that band. Then ususally during the last 20 minutes both bands get up
on the stage and give the crowd what ever they want to hear, including
a couple of combined numbers with both bands playing at the same time,
something we did not get a chance to experiance with your band because
by the time we were to the last 10 minutes you were on the road and
well on your way home without ever saying " see you guys, gotta go".
If you had an issue with money we certaninly would have worked
something out with you but you never even gave us a chance to discuss
that because you felt the need to just ditch us without even talking
about it. What goes around comes around Bernie, and you won't be
around in this area for a long time to come.
Ron Raczkowski
www.polkabarn.com
www.polishconnection.com
YoYoMaTka
field of polka music and it's associates.
Not knowing whom was right or wrong, I think, in my
humble own opinion this shouldn't be "aired" in a public
forum, because it lowers the standards of the polka field.
Are you right about what happened... we as the public
may agree or not.
Are you wrong about what happened... we as the public
may agree or not.
But, what seems weird is the subject header, which at first
w/o knowing makes you think something like for example,
an illness or accident or maybe worse death, is what the
thread looks like before you even click on it.
I say you guys should be men, stand up and have a debate or conversation like
grown men and settle it between yourselves.
I can understand that you don't want a situation like what
had happened, to happen to other groups/musicians.
But with all the indifferences we have in the world today,
why not get together and maybe throw a benefit/charity dance
and show the polka world that it's not always about the
money/dolare' and donate the procedes to a group of people
that could probably use it, with the cold weather and holidays
upon us it could help the needy. If you make a decent amount spread a little of
the dough (to make up your loss) that you seem deserved of, shake hands, have a
piwo or rootbeer and call it a night.
You don't have to like eachother before during or after that, but it will show
others that you can let bygones be bygones and
live on without having a "chip" on either of your shoulders.
Just wanting to make the polka world above the rest of the
music fields and this is another way to do that.
This is just what I feel, my "so called" editorial.
Good luck to you both and hope to hear of a
"happy ending".
IMHO,
YoYoMa_Tka
ron raczkowski
Thank you for the nice editorial. You make a lot of sense, the end....
Bernie Gorak
Ron
First of all it is on record in Bourbonnais, IL Police Dept that you
and Kathy did email threats. And then there is two calls from Wally
maiking threats. #2 Wally and his wife said she would work the door,
since I didn't know anyone up near Merryland Ballroom.
#3 the truth is you never got stiffed on any money, if anyone did it
was me by believing the Polish Connection band about who many people
would be there. The PCB said they have a great following about 100-150
people for every job, where did they go, the Packers wern't even
playing that SUnday. So i believed the PCB which will never happen
again.
#4 never made any calls to Ron's house , don't even have his number,
sent a few emails to response to his dirty posting on this site! Also
emailed Kathy becuz I thought she had a medical degree but she can't
find it. Just like the money Wally kepted working the door.
Lastly if there was only 30-35 people, that don't figure up either
becuz if you ask Wally he told me on the phone he was glad he didn't
give me all the money becuz he was afraid to be stiffed. Ask Wally
that one, and lets see if can tell the PCB the truth.
Don't forget the Classic Chicago will be perfoming Jan 16-2005 for the
IPA January dance at Glendora Chicago Ridge, IL many bands to be
performing
trkblondie
HAAAAA, THIS IS HYSTERICAL!! BETTER THEN DESPARATE HOUSEWIFES!!! STAY TUNED.