Parker Donates TPN to Czech Center
Theresa Cernoch Parker (left) donated the Texas Polka News publication and polkabeat.com website to TCHCC in August. Read more about the paper’s history below.
HISTORY OF THE TEXAS POLKA NEWS
In the Beginning: Julius & Marie Schultz Tupa
It all began with Julius and Marie Schultz Tupa. Marie and her husband, Julius Tupa, made their home in Houston. In fact, they first met at Bill Mraz Dance Hall, and that’s where he proposed to her as well. She jokingly said she wouldn’t marry him if he was going to be a musician. He told her he would give it up. Both of them knew that wasn’t going to happen. “Music was his life,” she said.
Julius went on to form three bands – Sagebrush, Night Shift, and Sound Connection. He also hosted a polka radio show on KYND in Houston. In 1987, Marie and Julius, together with seven other couples, formed the first Texas chapter of the Polka Lovers Klub of America (PoLK of A) in 1987. The Tupas served as the group’s first king and queen. Also, that year, Julius united the statewide polka community when he began publishing The Texas Polka News, with the mission to preserve and promote polka music and dance.
When Julius passed away in 2002, Marie had a decision to make – continue publishing the paper or stop the presses. She knew how much the paper meant to Julius, and with the help and support of John Rivard as volunteer editor, she took on the role of publisher. John’s wife, Marlys, also was a regular contributor to the paper, and the couple were always on the floor at dance halls throughout Texas and the U.S.
When John stepped down as editor in the summer of 2014, Marie once again was faced deciding the fate of the paper. She decided to sell the paper to Theresa Cernoch Parker. “I am happy to announce the sale of the paper and see Julius’ legacy live on,” Marie said in the September 2014 issue of the paper. “I can’t thank John enough for his dedication and friendship over the years. And I can’t think of a more fitting person to take the publication to the next level than Theresa.”
Theresa Cernoch Parker
Theresa Cernoch Parker is a third-generation Texan and native Houstonian born to a German mom from Weimar (Florene Helmcamp) and Czech/Irish dad from Dubina (Willie “Bill” Cernoch). She grew up within walking distance of SPJST Lodge 88 in the Heights area and remembers going to dances with her parents at the lodge and Bill Mraz Ballroom.
Theresa used her journalism degree from the University of Houston to write for newspapers, magazines, and communications departments at major corporations. She founded polkabeat.com in 2010 to honor the memory of her dad, a passionate polka promoter. The site is the only online source for a compilation of dance schedules of Texas polka bands, festivals, and church picnics. The site also has a Polka On! store featuring T-shirts, koozies, magnets, and other novelty items, along with a large selection of CDs. Almost 2,000 subscribers enjoy receiving a weekly e-newsletter listing the weekend lineup of dances, as well as photo and video coverage of festivals, band news, and a weekly laugh. The polkabeat Facebook page has more than 2,000 fans who appreciate the sharing of polka news, as well as information on all types of Texas music.
In 2011, Theresa collaborated with musician Jimmy Brosch to publish the book Jimmy Brosch Remembers Twenty Legendary Texas Czech Polka Bands. More information on Julius Tupa can be found in the book.
The New TPN
Theresa purchased The Texas Polka News in July 2014 and resumed publication of the paper in September 2014. After three years of publishing under the guidance of Theresa and Editor Gary E. McKee, the paper has been hailed as the premier polka publication in the nation.
Gary uses his background as a Texas historical author and photo journalist to bring to life the history of bands, instruments, and dance traditions. Theresa brings her Czech/German heritage and years as a journalist/writer to promote Texas musicians, bands, and dance halls.
Polka lovers are also dance lovers, and Theresa and Gary have continued the tradition, started by John, of covering other genres of music, including Country, Western Swing, and Cajun. And the paper has stepped up coverage of oprys and other live music venues across the state. It’s a tribute to Texas roots music.
The newly designed, full-color newspaper debuted in January 2015 with polka legend Alfred Vrazel as the first cover story. Jeff Brosch, musician, artist, and son of Jimmy Brosch, led the redesign efforts, and headed the art department.
TPN stays true to featuring a calendar listing of dances and festivals, and has broadened the list to include live music events. Thanks to advertising partners Janak’s Country Market in Hallettsville and Slovacek’s in West, the paper also has expanded coverage of church picnics, and features “polka smiles” photos every month. Special editions include Spring/Summer Fest Guide (March), Oktoberfest Guide (August), and Christmas Gift Guide (November).
TCHCC Takes Over
The Texas Polka News has entered a new chapter! On August 1, 2020, Theresa Cernoch Parker donated The Texas Polka News to the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center. Without this extraordinary beacon, Texas rich musical history would be jeopardized. The TCHCC is humbled by Mrs. Parker’s donation and would also like to thank the subscribers and advertisers of The Texas Polka News and PolkaBeat.com and look forward to keeping this publication one of the best musical outlets in the state! TCHCC has partnered with the Fayette County Record to produce the paper and other supplements to the paper.
PolkaBeat.com will continue to have the latest music schedule updates, photos & videos of festivals & dances, and listings of church picnics, as well as festivals in Texas and throughout the US. Visit polkabeat.com for more info. TCHCC is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization, incorporated in 1997. All profit from the TPN and its supplement publications will go directly to TCHCC’s operating account, ensuring the mission of the Center for the future with the promotion of heritage and culture.
Please consider a subscription to The Texas Polka News or give a gift subscription and see for yourself! Subscriptions are available at texaspolkanews.com or polkabeat.com. You can also call TCHCC at 888-785-4500 or mail a check for $25 to Texas Polka News, PO Box 6, La Grange, TX 78945. Polka On!