Button Box Buddies
(see Polka Play Mates page)

Our musical group was formerly known as the BUTTON BOX BUDDIES & PLAY MATES and in 2006 we recorded the beautiful CD "Pure Jam" under that name.  However, to better reflect the talents and makup of the band we changed the name to POLKA PLAY MATES.  For those who don't know, a button box is a diatonic button accordion and most of us play these instruments, but we also have members of our group who play beautiful piano accordions which gives the music that we play a more rounded and mellow sound.  We have been adding more piano accordion to our mix so felt that a name change was in order.

BUTTON BOX BUDDIES:  Charlie Tomecek, Mary Lou Downs, Dennis Uhlik, and Andy Miinch

PURE JAM CD

In 2006 we got together at Trace Recording Studios in Chatham Ontario - seven friends just getting together to jam and have fun.  Over pizza, chicken wings and lots of beer, we made a truly unique and wonderful CD.  

Players on the PURE JAM CD: Andy Miinch, Charlie Tomecek, Terry Vanderiviere, Ted Bachmeir, Rob Deblander, (front) Mary Lou Downs, Dennis Uhlik