C H A R M C I T Y S O U N D
Mike Matousek (Leader, Bass, & Vocals)
Mike has
been playing polka
music for over thirty-eight years. His
professional career beg
an in 1970 with a band he co-founded called The Polka
Cousins. He went on to perform and record
albums and CD’s with The Royal Cavaliers and The Brass Works in the
1970's, The Boys From Baltimore in the 1980's, The Hylites in the 1990's, and Charm City
Sound in the 2000's. Mike was the “voice” of The Boys when the band was
awarded Favorite Band and Favorite Album honors in 1989 and 1990 from the United States
Polka Association (USPA). That band also starred in Paramount Pictures’ major motion
picture “He Said, She Said”. Under his
leadership, Charm City Sound has also been recognized by the USPA with Favorite
Song and Favorite Band awards for 2001 and
2003. Mike continues to serve as a Director of the International Polka
Association (IPA) representing the state of Maryland.
Over the years Mike has also performed with polka bands that include Lenny
Gomulka & The Chicago Push, Happy Louie, The Brass Connection,
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones, Polka Family, Freeze Dried, and many others.
In August of 2008, Mike was inducted into the Polka Music Hall of Fame.
Along with Lenny Gomulka, Jimmy Weber, Al Piatkowski, Mike Stapinski, and Roger
Malinowski, Mike enjoys recreating the classic sounds of The Tones, The
Naturals, The Ampolaires, and others in a group called Full Circle. He also
enjoys touring with The Boys, starring Frankie Liszka, Ted Borzymowski, Al
Puwalski, Jeff Yash and Mike Evan. Along with Mike Ziemski, Mike co-hosts
Polkamotion by the Ocean, a four-day polka festival held in Rehoboth Beach, DE
every September. Mike and Mike also host the Internet polka variety
show, "The Mikes Are On!" located at www.247polkaheaven.com.
On weekends when he's not traveling, Mike plays with the praise and worship
band at his church. Mike and his wife Ann Marie have been married for 21 years and have three children; Amanda
(19), Matthew (16), and Amy (12). He
also has two older children; Mike Jr. (28) and Melissa (25). Mike works at
the corporate headquarters of the U.S. Postal Service in Washington DC as a team
leader in Stamps Services. His hobbies include watching his kids play
sports, routing for the Orioles and the Ravens, cooking, channel surfing, and
entertaining friends at his home.
Contact Mike at mike@charmcitysound.com
Nick DiSebastiano (Accordion, Keyboards, & Vocals)
Nick is a veteran Baltimore
musician with over thirty-two years of experience playing with top ethnic
groups. He has written, sung and recorded songs with The Hylites and Charm City
Sound including the hit song "Marina" that won the USPA's Favorite
Song Award for 2001. He
likes to inject some of his European culture into his compositions and
arrangements. A few
examples are Marina, Cheating Maria, and Quando, Quando,
Quando.. For
recreation, Nick enjoys horseback riding, hunting, archery, and cruising
in his Corvette. He also loves to cook and drink fine wines. Nick
spends much of his free time at his country home with his wife Amanda and their baby, Marcus.. Nick has three older children: Angela
(29) Rosanna (26) Nick (24)..
Contact "Nicky" at nick@charmcitysound.com
Dave Burnatowski (Drums)
Dave has been playing the drums since 1995. Since that time, he has had the opportunity to travel extensively and perform all over the country; even playing for our troops at the Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. Dave has performed with many bands featuring a variety of different styles. In addition to Charm City Sound, Dave currently tours with the Polka Country Musicians. When away from the stage, Dave enjoys classic and antique vehicles and is currently in the process of restoring a 1978 Ford F-150 custom truck that he takes to shows during the summer months. Flying is another of Dave’s passions. He is a pilot and is employed as an airplane mechanic near Philadelphia. Dave and his bride Linda live in Zionsville, PA..
Contact Dave at dave@charmcitysound.com
Mike Ziemski (Trumpet, Fluegel Horn, & Vocals)
Mike is the former leader of the Fullswing Band and over the years has also played with TKO, The Brass Works, and the Johnny Haas Orchestra. When available, he also performs with The Rheinlanders, the "house" band at Blob's Park in Jessup, MD. Along with Mike Matousek, Mike hosts "Polkamotion by the Ocean", an annual four-day polka fest held at Rehoboth Beach, DE every September the week after Labor Day. He also co-hosts the award-winning Internet polka show, "The Mikes Are On!." During the week, Mike is employed by Carefirst as a Training Specialist. Mike and his wife Joanie live in Owings Mills, MD.
Contact Mike at mikez@charmcitysound.com
Stephen Kaminski (Sax, Clarinet, Keyboards, & Vocals)
Stephen joined Charm City Sound after releasing his own project CD “Back To Polkas” with the “Dream Team” that featured 20 polka musicians from across the country.. He has played with the Magitones, Jimmy Sturr, The Polish Gentlemen, TKO, and was the music director and arranger for the Jan Lewan Orchestra for 14 years earning Jan a Grammy nomination in 1995. Stephen graduated from Berklee College of Music in ’87 and now composes and produces music for TV and films. He is one of the composers who writes the music for the animated series “The Shaman King” on FOX Saturday mornings. Stephen is employed by Citigroup in New York City. Stephen, his wife Lynn (USPA Queen of 1998-99), and two daughters Aleya and Hadley, live in Monmouth Junction, NJ.
Contact Steve at steve@charmcitysound.com
John
Miconi (Trumpet, Fluegel Horn)
John has played trumpet professionally since the age of 15 playing in many local variety bands throughout the Baltimore area, notably the Royal Cavaliers, TKO, Full Swing, Rich and the Roadrunners, and the Majestics. John is a member of the 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band which has played for the 50th Anniversary of "D" Day in France, The President of the United States, the Maryland Governor's inauguration, and many other state and local local activities. John remains grateful to his friend, mentor, and teacher, Thomas Mayernik, who brought music into his life. He also credits two very special friends, Gary Zawodny and his late Dad Chester Zawodny, with giving him his first opportunity to play professionally. John, his wife Carol, and son John Jr. live in Baltimore, MD.
Contact John at mac@charmcitysound.com