Welcome!
The Jolly Ramblers welcome you to our home on the internet!
Time passes so quickly, and we’re hoping to capture the moment and then ride it as long as we can. We’re not getting any younger, and it won’t be too long before “the boys” graduate and create their futures.
Here’s an update on where we are today:
Chuck, who plays concertina and leads vocals, is a second generation member with the band since 1962. I became a full-time member in 1968. Lord willing, retirement isn’t in my plans.
Jason is third generation and started with the band in 1989. He became a full-time member in 1995. Starting on drums, he transitioned to keyboard and also plays trumpet and sings harmony on many songs and takes the lead on a few more. He arranges most of our music and also lays keyboard and drum tracks for many songs so that when we go as a smaller group we can sound like a larger band.
Jason’s sons make up Generation IV:
Jacob (age 17) started playing drums at age five and became a full-time member in 2020. As well as he plays drums, he’s just as good or even better on trumpet. He’s an exceptional musician! Jacob often plays second trumpet so that Noah can play lead. He adds amazing “schticks” to the music that surprise us all. Jacob will graduate in 2026 and plans to be an airplane pilot.
Noah (age 15) sat in on drums with the band for a few years. Now, Jacob and Noah team up on trumpets, and occasionally, Jason will join them with a laid keyboard and drum track for a full six-piece band with four musicians. He’s a pretty quiet young man… except when he picks on me which is constant. He’s very protective of my “accordions”. Smooth on the trumpet, it’s fun to watch him team up with Jacob.
Thirteen-year-old Benjamin, who spent his early years as the band’s roadie, is now our regular drummer, and he is really good. He has a good ear for music and works hard to get tempos right. This past year he started taking lessons on the saxophone and has already played a few tunes alongside his brothers.
Ken Schmidt who’s been with the band since 1971 has had a few health issues the past couple of years but still makes occasional appearances with the band.
Jacob, Noah and Benjamin pick much of the music we play on any given show. They have their favorites, and sometimes their choices pleasantly surprise me. They don’t always agree, so I’ll remind them that not everyone likes the same songs. Get over it!
Christian ministry through music is still a major part of our schedule, and we’re still adding to our list of churches. The band has released five Christian CD’s and has been at many churches annually for 20-25+ years.
“It’s a Family Tradition” is our latest (and final) release (August 2020). The Jolly Ramblers have recorded 20 albums/cassettes/CDs.
If you’re looking for entertainment, please check us out. We can come as a two-piece group or anywhere up to six with the boys. Special events and shows are a hit when “the boys” hit the stage.
I still book the band and coordinate paperwork before passing it on to Jason. (I’m not allowed to touch the website or weekly updates.) Other than extensive solo work at nursing homes and assisted living residences, no dates are booked without checking with Jason for availability for himself and the boys.
The Jolly Ramblers have a nice advantage over many bands. We can go out with options from two to six musicians depending on a client’s needs and who’s available from the group. With the flexibility of the boys, sometimes it’s a matter of who can play a date and who might have other plans for an evening. Whatever the combination, we’ll be solid.
If you’d like to get our Weekly Email Update, it comes out every Wednesday morning at 6:00 AM. You can register on the bottom left of our home page or send me your email address and I’ll get you on the list.
Jolly Ramblers Appear on Polka Spotlight!
In April 2025, the Jolly Ramblers recorded two shows for CCX Media’s Polka Spotlight in Brooklyn Park. The shows are currently in rotation on CCX Media in the Twin Cities metro area, but you can watch them on our website!
Jolly Ramblers’ CD Sales
With the obvious changes in the music industry the past two years and the loss of many of our favorite venues, it’s time for us to say thank you for your continued support as we transition with an offer I think you’ll appreciate. Click here to find the complete list of all recordings.
Here’s the Special Offer:
“It’s a Family Tradition” CDs and all other Jolly Ramblers’ CDs are just $5.00 each plus $8.00 postage and handling for any size order. No limit!
Mail orders and online orders now accepted! Be sure to include $8.00 postage and handling for any size order.
All sales final… no refunds!
Register Online for Tours!
For your convenience: We’ve added online shopping for tours! Now you can order your Jolly Rambler CDs and register for tours at the same time… all at one convenient site. Click here to register online! Tour registrations will be confirmed within one day.
Subscribe to our Weekly Email List!
Every Wednesday morning, Chuck and Jason send out a weekly email update. In it, you’ll find a list of music dates for the next month, a complete listing of tours, and any other new information. You’ll never stay more informed than with this email update!