Polka Legend Passes Away

The world of old time music got a little quieter with the recent passing of a musician and supporter of polka music. Mel's Polka Stars frontman Melvin Bronstad passed away on May 29.

Mel was 89. The funeral was June 5. According to the obituary, "Melvin I. Bronstad was born September 29, 1927, on a farm near Chetek, Wisconsin, son of Ingval and Julie Bronstad. Melvin was baptized in 2005 at Ostrander. He went to school until the 8th grade. Melvin went into the United States Army from 1942-1944. On July 21, 1950 Melvin married Lucille Hanson at the First Baptist Church in Albert Lea, MN. He farmed most of his life. In 1978 Melvin quit milking, and began to do something he loved which was music. He started his own Polka Band Mel’s Polka Stars. During this time he continued cash crop farming for a number of years. Melvin enjoyed dancing, playing old time music, fishing, traveling, telling jokes, and making casino trips." See the complete obituary here.

In tribute to Mel and his music, KDHL will be playing many of his songs during the polka hours on Friday, June 9.

Here is Mel doing a cover of a popular country song.