Occasional Podcast with music, commentary and fan information for the band FreezeDried from Chicago. http://www.fdried.com Thu, 5 May 2011 18:32:56 -0500 Thu, 5 May 2011 18:32:56 -0500 FeedForAll v1.0 (1.0.2.0) unlicensed version Copy the text: [http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast.xml] and paste it into your iTunes Podcast subscriptions (Advanced>Subscribe To Podcast...). Thu, 5 May 2011 05:40:04 -0500 Danny O Sr., AJ Okrzesik, Andrew Okrzesik and Jeff sit down with Al Zawislak to talk about his life and growing up with polkas. This podcast is a great way to familiarize yourself with FreezeDried's good friend Al. Many Versatones and FreezeDried songs can be heard. The show is 79 minutes and 36 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/050611-FreezeCast.mp3 Thu, 5 May 2011 05:40:04 -0500 Jeff interviews AJ and Andrew Okrzesik for Sandy Lewandowski's Center Stage. The show was originally aired in 2010 on the Polka Jammer Network. The show is 29 minutes and 32 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/aj_and_andrew_center_stage.mp3 Thu, 22 May 2010 05:40:04 -0500 Teddy O Jr. (Hat Guy), Danny O Sr., Johnny O Sr., and AJ O along with Indiana Al and Jeff sit down to discuss the DegenerationGap CD. The entire recording is played in the background while interesting stories are shared for each song and the CD as a whole. Entertaining and amusing dialog thoughout. This podcast was originally heard on Sandy Lewandowski's Center Stage on the Polka Jammer Network. The show is 56 minutes and 50 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/122109-FreezeCast.mp3 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:00:04 -0500 This is the three-b of a three-part FreezeCast series with Ted Sr. and Gennie “O” Okrzesik in which we celebrate Ted's 70th birthday on July 29, 2007. Appearing on this podcast are FreezeDried’s own Hat Guy (Ted O Jr.) and Johnny O (both sons of Ted and Gennie) along with cousin and polka drummer Timmy O and of course your host, Jeff. In this podcast, we discuss Ted's tavern, the Omen along with the Windy City Brass. The WCB songs featured are: "Polka Overture"; "Dreamboat Waltz”; and “Up The Hill”. The show is 42 minutes and 10 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/052808b-FreezeCast.mp3 Fri, 30 May 2008 01:00:04 -0500 This is part three-a of a three-part FreezeCast series with Ted Sr. and Gennie “O” Okrzesik in which we celebrate Ted's 70th birthday on July 29, 2007. Appearing on this podcast are FreezeDried’s own Hat Guy (Ted O Jr.) and Johnny O (both sons of Ted and Gennie) along with cousin and polka drummer Timmy O and of course your host, Jeff. In this podcast, we discuss Ted's tavern, the Omen along with the Windy City Brass. The WCB song, "Going Back Home” is featured. The show is 39 minutes and 31 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/052808a-FreezeCast.mp3 Wed, 28 May 2008 01:00:04 -0500 This is the second of a three-part FreezeCast series with Ted Sr. and Gennie “O” Okrzesik in which we celebrate Ted's 70th birthday on July 29, 2007. Appearing on this podcast are FreezeDried’s own Hat Guy (Ted O Jr.) and Johnny O (both sons of Ted and Gennie) along with cousin and polka drummer Timmy O and of course your host, Jeff. In this podcast, we go back to the beginnings of Ted’s musical career – growing up in Chicago, starting the Polkaliers polka band with brothers Joe and Bob, their LP album “Sparkling Polkas”, and meeting Genevieve Bocian – who would later become better known as Gennie “O”. Polkaliers songs featured are: "Pinkle Pinkle Hop"; "Little Grandpa Polka”; and “Pijmy Oberek”. The show is 47 minutes and 29 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/072907-FreezeCast.mp3 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 01:00:04 -0500 This podcast is the first part of a three-part series with Ted Sr. and Gennie "O" Okrzesik in which we celebrate Ted's 70th birthday on July 29, 2007. Appearing on this podcast FreezeDried’s own Hat Guy (Ted O Jr.) and Johnny O (both sons of Ted and Gennie) along with cousin and polka drummer Timmy O and of course your host, Jeff. In this first podcast, we discuss what’s going on in their lives today, including their band, "The Next Step" as well as their children and grandchildren. Songs heard are, "Mox Nix" by the Windy City Brass; "Summer Wind"; "Mountaineer"; and "Cyganeczka" by Gennie O and the Next Step. The show is 38 minutes and 46 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/072007-FreezeCast.mp3 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:00:04 -0500 This pre-USPA podcast is highlighted by an interview of Danny Jerabek, leader of the Copperbox band from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Jeff caught up with Copperbox at a restaurant/bar called Piece in downtown Chicago on April 20. Kevin and Jeff discuss recent FreezeDried goings on as well as the upcoming USPA Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. This podcast was recorded at Kevin's house on May 18, 2007. Songs heard are, "Spider and The Fly" from Copper Box's latest CD, "Backyard Party"; "Tijuana" a brand new song recorded live at Piece on April 20 (this was the first time the song was played live at a gig); "Cavalier" as recorded live by John Gora and Gorale featuring FreezeDried's John Krawisz and Kevin Altenburg, as well as Eddie Biegaj on vocal; and "Off My Line" by FreezeDried. The show (which has been separated into 2 parts) is 50 minutes and 2 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/051807-FreezeCast.mp3 Fri, 18 May 2007 20:00:04 -0500 FreezeDried's official "eighth-man" Rich Benkowski stopped off for a visit in Chicago with his wife and daughter. A get together was held at the Krawisz residence to chat and listen to some tunes. The pizza was awesome! Songs heard are: "If Looks Could Kill"; "Now You See Her, Now You Don't"; "Big Brown Eyes"; a scratch-track version of "Iko Iko" with drummer Mike doing the scratch track vocal; and "Dancin' In The Street" as performed at a practice with the Icicles in August, 2006. The show is 44 minutes and 30 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/041607-FreezeCast.mp3 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:00:04 -0500 This show is from the PBS Recording done in 2006. The show consists of most of the interview portion, and two songs. Songs heard are: "Ordinary Joe" and "Bertha". The show is 18 minutes and 12 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/030507-FreezeCast.mp3 Wed, 05 Mar 2007 01:00:04 -0500 This is the second of four installments from a FreezeCast recorded in Johnny O's basement on December 27, 2006. A new FreezeCast feature: "HowBoutDat" is featured. Songs heard are: "Pretzels and Beer For Santa" as recorded acapella that evening; "Innocent Eyes" by The Brass Connection; and "You Smell Like Turtles" by PolkaTown Sound. The show is 26 minutes and 57 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/020707-FreezeCast.mp3 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:00:04 -0500 A post-Christmas gathering was held at Johnny O's basement on December 27, 2006. Sitting around the bar were Jeff, Hat Guy, Johnny O, Johnny K, Kevin, Mike and Danny O with bartenders John O'Brien and Alan Zawislak. This first of four installments includes, "Chicago Cares About The Bears" as recorded Live by the Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones at the IPA January Dance in 1986; "Eight Polish Foods of Christmas" by the Veggie Tales; and Hat Guy being interviewed by Chicago DJ, Jonathon Brandmeier in September. The show is 32 minutes and 06 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/FreezeCast/013107-FreezeCast.mp3 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:45:04 -0500 Johnny O and Jeff again at Chrome Pierogi Studios with their Christmas episode. History of Chet Kowalkowski and the Polish Carolers is discussed (The photo above is from Chet's Polish Caroler Retirement dance. How many musicians do you recognize?). The New Year's Eve when the Windy City Brass performed on a live TV show is also discussed. A round of FreezeDried "Name-That-Tune" is played. The show is ended with a FreezeDried Fund Drive. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Pojdzmy Wszyscy Do Stajenki" as sung by the Polish Carolers; "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"; "Snow Miser/Heat Miser Medley" from Year Without A Santa Claus; "Let It Snow" by Gennie O and The Next Step; and "Oh Holy Night" as sung by Elizabeth Okrzesik. The show is 47 minutes and 32 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/121106-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:00:04 -0500 Johnny O and Jeff have a visit at Chrome Pierogi Studios and have the Year in Review of FreezeDried. With Thanksgiving a few days away, a few holiday type songs are played. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Give My Girl A Goose"; "Dashing Sleighs"; and "Clarinet" as played by Dennis Polisky and the Maestro's Men. The show is 30 minutes and 21 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/112206-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 10:40:04 -0500 On August 12, 2006, FreezeDried played the Frankenmuth Music Festival. The brought backup singers, "The Icicles", which turned out be a huge hit for the weekend. The three girls, Mitzi, Storm and Maressa sang along with FreezeDried for about ten songs that night. Several of which can be heard on this podcast. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Vamos"; "Breakfast"; "Ain't No Turnin' Back"; "Lean On Me"; and "Put A Little Love In Your Heart". The show is 23 minutes and 8 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/082206-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Mon, 22 Aug 2006 1:40:04 -0500 Jimmy Weber was inducted to the IPA Hall of Fame on August 5, 2006. Jimmy performed with FreezeDried the following day at the Freeze Drowie picnic. This podcast includes several songs with Jimmy along with FreezeDried as well as an interview with him as well. We also caught up with Charm City Sound leader Mike Matousek who was also on hand at the picnic. We have a quick interview with him as well. Rick Rzeszutko (and his upside down trumpet), Richie Benkowski, Danny Okrzesik and Jake Mikrut also sat in for quite a few songs. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Raindrops"; "Mountaineers"; "At The Table"; "Under The Bridge"; "Puka Jasiu"; and a few others. The show is 45 minutes and 13 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/080706-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Mon, 08 Aug 2006 2:20:04 -0500 We were tossed out of the Graphic Pallet office by Johnny O who was again engineering some more "Fear of Rubber Cushion" tracks. So this time the show was recorded in the "Graphic Pallet" warehouse. We honor Jimmy Weber who will be inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in August 2006. The creation of the song "Breakfast (Three Eggs) Polka" is explained. We also debate the Top 5 Cartoons (classic and modern). Songs heard in this podcast are: "Olaf's Polka" by The Boys From Baltimore; "Peanuts" as recorded by the Sounds and Herb Alpert; a different studio mix of "Angelina" by FreezeDried; "Crazy About Polkas" LIVE as recorded by the Chi-Town Xpress; and a little "Iko Iko" by Dr. John. BTW ... sorry about the varying hiss ... the computer fan is at fault! The show is 43 minutes and 14 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/050806-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Mon, 08 May 2006 3:45:04 -0500 Richie Benkowski is in town to record concertina on three tracks for FreezeDried's upcoming CD release. Rich's daughter Krystin who drove Rich to the recording session sits in with Mike Maduzia, John Krawisz and Jeff as the recording is being made. CD teasers are shared and Jeff helps Krystin with her poem assignment. Click here for the link to her poem. Later in the show, John Okrzesik, who'd been engineering the recording joins the conversation with Rich and we discuss FreezeDried's influence on polka music. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Reggae Dancing" by Joey Derus with the Flapjacks; "Life Can Be Beautiful" by the Tones; and "Under the Oak Tree" LIVE with Ethnic Jazz. The show is 42 minutes and 6 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/040506-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Thu, 04 Apr 2006 3:45:04 -0500 After a long delay since our last podcst, we go on the road to with Mike Maduzia, Katie Angel, Ted Orkzesik, and Jeff. We announce the nominations for the name of the next FreezeDried CD. Dinners are ordered and served. FD stuff is discussed. Late in the program the final name of the CD is announced. The last 16 minutes or so is a hilarious journey with Mike and Ted recorded in September of 2005 going home from a FreezeDried practice. This is not to be missed. Songs heard in this podcast are: "Clubhouse" by the new NewPhaze band; "Linda's Mix" with the Tones and FreezeDried; "Floating Rock" the Polish version with CMA; and a three-song Medley by FreezeDried. The show is 51 minutes and 10 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/030306-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 3:45:04 -0500 This episode starts with an introduction by host Jeff followed by a LIVE recording FreezeDried playing the song "Hopscotch". Then the interview with Ryan begins. The interview is split in three parts. Durin the first break we hear Ryan at the age of 3 singing the song "Scolding Mother". During the next break, Ryan is heard LIVE with FreezeDried from August 6, 2005 with the song "Big Brown Eyes." After the interview, we read some emails along which includes a LIVE recording by FreezeDried of the song, "I've Just Seen A Face". A LIVE version of "Esau/Chainsaw" is heard, plus some short news-briefs are also included in this show. The show is 47 minutes and 9 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/082505-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Fri, 25 Aug 2005 3:45:04 -0500 This episode starts with an introduction by host Jeff immediately followed by the LIVE recording of Eddie Siwiec along with FreezeDried playing the song "Life of A Drunk". Then the interview with Eddie Siwiec begins. The interview is split in two parts with another LIVE song, "Polka A-Go-Go" played as an intermission song. After the interview an email is read with a possible celebrity version of "After Hours". Some short news-briefs are included in this show. The show is 34 minutes and 14 seconds long. http://www.fdried.com/BigFD_Podcast/081205-BigFD_Podcast.mp3 Fri, 12 Aug 2005 3:45:04 -0500