‘Extremely blessed’

Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductees come from wide variety of musical styles

NEW ULM -- The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inducted five new members this year from a wide variety of musical genres.

Friday was the 34th Annual Induction Ceremony held by the MMHF. Over 200 members have been inducted into the hall. The new members include The Jolly Huntsmen, Rebecca "Becky Buller," The Del Counts, Gwen Mathews and Father Jan Michael Joncas.

The Jolly Huntsmen is an Old Tyme band that has performed since 1961. The group specializes in German and Alpine music and is considered one of the best polka entertainment in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas. The band was formed by the Retka family. Brothers Tom, Dan and David Retka were present to accept the award.

Tom Retka said they had been a family band for 60 years and said his brothers were some of the finest musicians he's ever played with. Tom thanked his parents for investing in his children's talent.

They purchased many musical instruments and music lessons for the family.

Tom thanked the others inductees for their inspiration and thanked others who played with the Jolly Huntsmen over the years.

"Nothing feels better to me than to make good music with my brothers," Tom Retka said.

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Becky Buller is an American Bluegrass singer, writer, fiddle, banjo player and music teacher. She is the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Award and the first artist to win awards in vocal and instrumental categories in the same year. Buller is a St. James native who currently lives in Tennessee with her family.

Buller was unable to attend the induction ceremony, but her brother Michael was present to accept the award on her behalf. Michael Buller read a speech written by Becky. She said her "heart was up here with you in Turner Hall in New Ulm."

Buller had frequently played bluegrass music with family and friends during the annual rendezvous event at Turner Hall. Buller thanked her family; especially her parents who supported them and helped her pursue music.

"Thank you for making it possible to follow my passion," she said.

Buller thanked the MMHF and said she did not accept the award lightly, "It comes with great responsibility and I will do my best to make all of you very proud."

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Gwen Mathews is an international recording artist, producer, singer and songwriter. She began her career in Minneapolis and has received awards for best female R&B, Gospel, Pop and Jazz. She won the MN Black Music Award twice. Mathews is the first solo African American female artist inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

"This is the most incredible thing to be honored here in New Ulm at the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame," Mathews said in accepting her award. "I am feeling extremely blessed."

She thanked the MMHF for the honor because she has been in the music business for 60 years and acknowledged it is not easy work.

"We do it because we love it, we do it because we are creative, we do it for the art of it, we do it because when I give back, you give back," she said. "Life has a funny way of paying off after years of being diligent when you live in your creativity. Allow yourself to do what you were born to do no matter what."

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Father Jan Michael Joncas is a composer, author, liturgist, professor and priest. He is best known for composing music. He has written over 50 hymns. His most famous song is "On Eagles Wings." He attended the University of St. Thomas, Notre Dame and earned his doctorate in Rome.

Fr. Joncas was unable to accept the award in person, but Fr. Jerry Meidel was able to accept the ward on his behalf. Meidel explained that Joncas was the first wave of Catholic composers to create liturgical musicals following Vatican II.

Meidel said Joncas was unable to perform music on his guitar, but is still composing and he was honored to accept the award in his name.

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The Del Counts are the longest-running rock and roll band in Minnesota, with 61 years of history. The band has opened for many recording artists and can still be found on stage opening for national acts. The current lineup is Charles Schoen, Chris Castenada and Mark Medcalf.

Charles Schoen's son Jon accepted the award on the band's behalf. His father was unable to attend because he was sick. Jon said his father wanted to thank the MMHF for the honor. He also wanted to congratulate all the inductees.

Jon said his father is probably one of the most humble people and would frequently say his musical talent was a gift.

"The only thing he really cared about was playing music," Jon Schoen said of his father. "He loved the people who came to see him and he made the people dance."

Jon said at the end of every performance, his dad would ask the same thing: "Do you think they have a good time?"

Jon said his father would like to thank every fan who ever came to a Del Counts show as well as every band member they played.

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A special showcase event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at 27 N. Broadway St. to honor the new inductees and premier displays dedicated to each.

CMYCMMYCYCMYKJanuary 2 New Ulm.ai 1 4/3/2023 9:19:32 AM