Ray Stolzenberg and The Northern Playboys Band Advertising Card

Ray Stolzenberg
and the
Northern Playersby Mary Katherine May

For some reason Ray Stolzenberg (1915-2010), as little I know about him, has touched my heart.  Mr. Stolzenberg was born in Johnsburg, Minnesota, and lived most of his life in Austin, Minnesota. He formed a band with eight musicians including himself as the drummer, and they played all over the midwest. He married a gal from Red Wing, who worked as head nurse at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin.  Ray's story was featured in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul on local channel 5 by Jason Davis. 

I think what moved me to be sentimental about this man is first that I recall the dances our church would sponsor a few times a year, where we could come together as a church family in the hall next door to the church, to have a good time. We would dance the polkas and waltzes, the Schottische and the Bunny Hop, Hava Nagila, with familiar Ukrainian music thrown into the mix. Young and old, children, moms and dad, grandmas and grandpas of families who had known each other for what seemed forever.  Later on in the years, there was a band whose members included my cousin, Pat, and of course that was really special because I knew they played with a heart and soul of joy for music.

Very touching in Ray's story is that when he retired and moved to Arizona, his band moved, too.  Nobody will do that for someone without deep care and respect for that person.  And, it seems, that was the kind of person Ray was.

Here are two links with some more information about Ray Stolzenberg.

International Polka Association

Obituary for Ray Stolzenberg

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