Ted

Ted Lange

Ridgeville Corners, OH

ACCORDION, BASS, VOCALS, BAND MANAGER

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(Click on any of the pictures below to open them in a larger window)

Ted Lange got his start in Polka Music at a very early age with his parents’ band, "The Buckeye Polka Band", a Polka/Variety Band in Northwest Ohio, and at age 5, started playing drums with them. His parents' band was quite popular in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, and performed nearly every weekend, and Ted enjoyed traveling with the band, and at that age, really enjoyed packing up the equipment. (GRIN) As he grew older and more experienced, he began filling in on accordion and drums with many of the local Northwest Ohio Polka bands including The Maumee Valley Polka Band, The Happy Times Polka Band, Bette's Polka Band, and The Polka Brats, to name a few.

Ted in 1978 - Nice HAT!

Ted creating headaches for his parents and babysitters in 1978

Ted was also very active throughout his school years with numerous musical groups. He was a member of The Junior Choral Society of Northwest Ohio, a select treble ensemble of students ranging in age, from 5^th grade to 9^th grade. While a member of “JCS”, Ted and two classmates were selected to perform lead roles in “The Magic Flute”, with the New York City Metropolitan Opera with Renee’ Fleming as the female lead in the production. Also while a member of JCS, Ted had the honor to perform with the Bowling Green State University Chorus, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and attended the Interlochen Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Additionally, Ted formed his first band in Junior High, performing for school concerts.

While in High School, Ted organized an Accapella contemporary Christian group named “The Unknown”. This group performed for school concerts, athletic events, corporate parties, youth camps and at many churches across Northwest Ohio. While in the high school marching band, Ted even played a halftime show featuring polka music, with Ted playing accordion along with the marching band.

He graduated from Archbold HS in 1994, and began playing accordion for Marv Herzog and the Bavarian Polka Band from Frankenmuth, MI from 1994-1995. While a member of the Marv Herzog Band, Ted took over the bandleader responsibilities and filled in for Marv while Marv took some time off due to illness, and continued performing at all the band’s commitments, keeping that “Herzog Sound” alive with his interpretation of Marv’s unique Cordovox playing and rich German vocals.

Halftime Show with HS Band in 1993

After Playing with Marv, Ted moved on to the Grammy Nominated Toledo PolkaMotion from 1995-2001, and recorded 6 albums with TPM. While a member of TPM, Ted appeared in the Warner Brothers movie entitled "Welcome to Collinwood", (2000), and appears on the movie soundtrack. He was also a recipient of the Great Lakes People's Choice Awards with TPM 4 times for Ethnic Musical Group of the Year.

Ted's first job with Marv Herzog in 1994, Saginaw, MI

After leaving TPM, Ted performed 2 years with previous Grammy Award Winner Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones, (Chicago, IL), and the following year joined another Grammy Nominated Polka Band, "John Gora and Gorale' " (Burlington Ontario, Canada). While a member of John Gora and Gorale', he was nominated for a Grammy award for his work on “Pangora’s Box” released by the band in 2004. Ted received his second Grammy nomination also with John Gora for his work on “Bulletproof Polkas” in 2007. In addition to performing with John Gora, Ted also performed with a Toledo based Polish Style band named "Change Of Pace from 2004 through 2006 and recorded 2 CD's with them. Lastly, in 2007, Ted performed and traveled with the award winning “Polka Family Band” from Bloomsburg, PA.

Summer Music Fest 1995

Most recently, Ted has kept busy by filling in with various bands across the US, and performing with his own band called “SQUEEZEBOX”. He currently performs over 100 dates a year in 20 states a year, covering all areas from the West Coast to East Coast and from Florida to Canada. In “SQUEEZEBOX”, Ted plays accordion, sings, and plays bass in addition to his duties as band manager. In his free time, Ted enjoys spending time with his 10 year old daughter, Alli, and relaxing at home on "off weekends."