Florian Chmielewski began playing the accordion in 1948, his first gig was playing at a neighbor’s wedding. Florian said the neighbor had just returned from World War II.

“And he said, ‘I got home now and we’re getting married. I’d like to have you play.'” Florian said he told the neighbor that he had just got his accordion and only knew four songs. The neighbor said, “Play them over and over. Who cares?” So he did.

Chmielewski’s polka ties go back to his grandfather who started playing in 1882. When Florian picked up the habit himself, he organized the Chmielewski Brother’s Polka Band. Eventually, his sons and daughter joined him on television, where his broadcast of Chmielewski Funtime Band became a national hit.

“The biggest thing was we were drawing more people than the NFL Football,” Florian said.

Over the years, Florian has received a number of awards, but he says the greatest award he’s ever won is one bestowed upon him from a school that he helped get off the ground. He received an honorary Doctorate in Law and Music from Fond du Lac Community College.

“When I received that award from Fond du Lac Community College,” he said. “I tell you, that was one of the greatest things for me.”

Chmielewski was also a Minnesota state senator for 26 years, and he attributes his love to music to his ability to write law.

The music and the [politics] are very compatible. For me, they were,” Florian said.

He may be retired from politics, but he’s not retiring from music anytime soon. Already a member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, he will soon be inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in Buffalo, New York.

“I’m glad to be going to accept the award on behalf of all of the work that we’ve done,” Florian said. “Thanking my kids for all they’ve done. My mother and dad and my grandpa Frank, and all the putting together of the shows that lasted for 70 years for us. It’s been a hilarious and a wonderful event.”