Hall of Fame
Gary Brueggen inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame!
Gary was born in Cashton where at the young age of 2 he became captivated by polka music he heard on the radio. Recognizing his potential, Gary's parents bought him his first set of drums at 5 years old, and by the time he was 9 he played his first job with the Ridgeland Dutchmen.
At 10, he was given his first concertina, which began his magical career with the bellowed instrument. Gary eventually took over leadership of the band with his Father & Uncle, and they became a favorite throughout the Midwest.
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They toured nationally and internationally and went on to record 16 albums and 2 DVDs for the Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV.
Along with concertina and drums, Gary taught himself to play the piano, button box, tuba, trumpet and valve trombone. He's proud to represent the 17 generation of the Brueggen family musical legacy. Over the years he also found time to perform and record with a host of other bands and to broadcast polka music on various radio stations.
For his many accomplishments in the Polka industry, Gary, known as "Wisconsin's Concertina Kid", has been deemed deserving by the Electorate of the International Polka Association for induction in the the Polka Music Hall of Fame.