The Pateks – A Passion for Polka

Adolph Hofner. The Baca Bands. The Bill Mraz Ballroom. These and many more are a big part of Texas polka history. But perhaps no name is more prominent in Texas polka history than that of the Patek Bands from Shiner, TX.

Present day polka Texans instantly recall the Joe Patek Orchestra, which played its last performance in 1982. But Joe was only one in a procession of Patek musicians who have marched into Texas polka history.

The story begins with John Patek Sr. who loved music and was a talented musician. John developed his interest in music as a young boy in Czechoslovakia. He immigrated to America in 1889 at the age of 20 and continued his musical talent by playing in community bands. As time went on, he taught his sons to play musical instruments. John formed the Patek Band of Shiner, Texas in 1920.

The Patek Band played for many weddings, picnics, special occasions and weekend dances in various communities. The Patek Band became very well known in Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth and in smaller town between these major Texas cities.

In the early 1940’s, Joe, the youngest son took over the Patek Band. It later became the Joe Patek Orchestra. At first the band traveled by car taking two cars to carry all the members and instruments. In the mid 1940’s, the band members rode in the back of a panel truck on long benches, and some years later in station wagons pulling a trailer for the instruments. The trailer, with its large Shiner Beer emblems on it, became a familiar sight traveling along the highways of Texas.

The Joe Patek Orchestra is synonymous with “The Shiner Song,” a Texas polka that in 1995 received special recognition by the Texas Polka Music Association as an “All Time Favorite Song.” This was one of only two such awards ever given (the other went to Jimmy Brosch for “Corn Cockle Polka”).

The Patek Orchestra was always popular, but became very popular starting in the 1950’s. Most of the time the band was booked for every weekend a year or more in advance. The Patek bands began recording music in 1937 on Decca label and later were recorded on various labels that were available on single records, record albums, eight track tapes, and cassette tapes. A collection of their music became available on CD in 1999.

Beginning in the mid 1940’s, the Patek Orchestra had an hour show on Radio Station 1450 KCTI, Gonzales, Texas. The broadcast was done live every Sunday afternoon for several years from Bluecher Park, now known as American Legion Hall, in Shiner Texas. Later on, due to the orchestra’s busy schedule and longer trips, the broadcast known as the Patek Hour continued with recorded music until 1985.

The Patek Orchestra officially retired at the end of 1982. At the last dance, the Annual Fireman’s New Years Eve Dance on December 31, 1982, the “Patek Era” came to a close. Hundreds of folks crowded around the stage of the American Legion Hall to witness the final few songs. There were tears in the eyes of many, as the Joe Patek orchestra played “The Shiner Song” to close an era of Czech culture music. The handshakes, hugs and congratulations that followed were all saying, “Thanks for the Memories”.

Joe Patek died in 1987. The Texas Polka Music Association honored him in 1991 with a posthumous “Lifetime Achievement Award” for “Development of a unique sound in Texas Polka Music.” Part of that sound was Joe on the clarinet and sax, and brother Charlie on the tuba, never stronger than when performing their trademark “Shiner Song.”

Click here to hear and purchase music from the Joe Patek Orchestra.