WIN USI — Fritz’s Polka Band, shown at its 30th Anniversary Dance on Nov. 1 in the Town of Lee, has won an Upper State Independent (USI) Award in the International category. The awards show was held at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse, Nov. 8. From left, Rick Szczyt, Tom Campbell, Gabe Vaccaro, Fritz Scherz, Frank Nelson, and Fred Scherz Sr. See www.usiawards.com and www.fritzspolkaband.com (Photo submitted)

Fritz’s Polka Band from Verona, has won an Upper State Independent (USI) Award. Fritz’s Polka Band won in the International category. The awards show was held at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse, Nov. 8.

"The members of Fritz’s Polka Band are thrilled to have won this award," said Fritz Scherz, bandleader of FPB. "We want to congratulate all the other winners, and want to thank our great fans, the organizers of the USIAwards, djs, music critics, the media, and of course, our great sponsor, Jagermeister for making this possible."

Fritz’s Polka Band has been performing for over 30 years, and made history in 1999, when it became thefirst polka band to perform at a Woodstock Festival in Rome. On Sept. 15, 2007, FPB became the first polka band to perform at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

It has 16 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD which was released in July 2004. It was recently nominated for Best Original Song (Walter’s Polka) by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

On the net: www.usiawards.com

www.fritzspolkaband.com

www.jagermusic.com/fritzspolkaband