Accordionist gears up for hometown show

 

By Brian C. Louwers

C & G Staff Writer

     WARREN —Warren is a long way from Los Angeles and the glitz and glamour of the Grammy Awards.

     Still, accordionist Kevin Solecki said he very much enjoys playing for crowds in his hometown. 

     Solecki, nominated for a Grammy last year for his debut solo polka album, “Solecktions,” is coming back to Warren for a set of shows at Michelle’s Restaurant and the adjacent Sweetheart Bakery, on Van Dyke, later this month.

     Though Solecki, who currently lives in Pittsburgh, won’t be bringing a Grammy with him — the 2006 Grammy for Best Polka Album went to Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, for “Shake, Rattle and Polka!” — he will bring a lot of talent on the accordion. It all comes just in time for Paczki Day on Feb. 20.

     “All my family members live there, my mom and dad still live in Warren. My sister and her husband just had their second child, so it gives me an extra incentive to come there,” Solecki said. “I’ve been playing [at Michelle’s] for years, especially at the Paczki Day celebration. It’s a good crowd.”

     Solecki said he’ll treat patrons to classic Polish polka music for the holiday. He said the mix would include Polish waltzes and other dance selections, as well as some old standards, like the “Pennsylvania Polka” and the “Beer Barrel Polka.”

     “I try to mix it up a bit. I try to play a variety of music while I’m there,” Solecki said.

     Judy Gorney, manager of the Sweetheart Bakery and Michelle’s Restaurant, said having Solecki perform is a special treat for patrons, who’ll also enjoy a Polish buffet and, of course, up to eight varieties of paczki.

     “He was like 16 when he started with us. He was still in high school. It’s been a long time,” Gorney said. “They love him.”

     Solecki said he plans to record the follow-up to “Solecktions” later this year.

     He said he also planned to attend the 49th Grammy Awards, in Los Angeles, despite the fact that he’s not eligible for a nomination this time around.

     ‘It was a wonderful experience. It was a dream come true being nominated,” Solecki said.

     Solecki is scheduled to perform at Michelle’s Restaurant from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Paczki Day Feb. 20.

     Michelle’s Restaurant and the Sweetheart Bakery are located at 31920 Van Dyke, between 13 Mile and 14 Mile roads, in Warren.

     You can reach Brian C. Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com