History of the City Polka Boy's and The Texas Sound Check Band.

The Texas Sound Check Band, formerly known as the City Polka Boy's, began playing music in the early 1970's. Original band members Benny Okruhlik, E.J. Macik, Hubert Janak, Dennis Fajkus, James Onheiser, Harry Macik, and Wesley Matus, started the group in Houston, TX, playing for a picnic at St. Theresa's Catholic Church. The following year, radio DJ and fellow musician Lee Roy Matocha, played a copy of the bands demo on his local radio program. That demo opened the doors to many battle dances across Texas and Bill Mraz Dance Hall. Over the years, the group played many club dances, polka festivals, weddings, anniversaries, Oktoberfests, and parties across the state.

But in January of 2000, the band made many changes. The most significant was the changing of the name to the "Texas Sound Check Band". They also expanded the variety of music they play. The band now plays a variety of music, from old-time polka and waltzes, to classic country, to todays Texas country, to Ballroom, modern rock, Spanish, German, Polish, and Cajun music. The band also plays the fun songs, like the chicken dance, garden waltz, line dances, and other group dances.

The band has performed at many functions across the United States and Texas. Events such as The National Polka Festival in Ennis, the Kolache-Klobase Festival in East Bernard, the Aqua Fest in Austin, Czhilispiel, Westfest, the Caldwell Kolache Festival, the Texas Treasure Casino Ship in Port Aransas, the Crosby Czech Festival, the Fort Bend County Czech Festival, the Needville Harvest Festival, the Louisiana Czech Heritage Festival, and the Bill Mraz Dance Hall Benefit. The band has also played the Wurstfest in New Braunfels for 18+ straight years. The band has also been featured numerous times on RFD-TV on the Big Joe Polka Show and the Mollie B Polka Party. In February 2009, the Texas Sound Check Band, sponsored by ABCATS Travel and Carnival Cruises, played for the Caribbean Polka Party Cruise, which made stops in Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico.

The band still plays for many weddings, anniversaries, club dances, parties, and benefits each year. Plus they play many Oktoberfest celebrations across Texas. The band is also known for the number of Polka Masses it performs throughout the year, along with the Polka Lovers Klub. The band was recognized in 2001 for their support of the P.O.L.K. of A. and their playing of the polka masses. They have also played a number of ordinations of Deacons becoming Priests, as well as for the Cardinal and many Bishops in Texas.

The band has many years of experience under its belt. Bandleader and Band founder, Benny Okruhlik, has been playing the accordion, since he was a young boy in high school. Benny helped form the band in the early 1970's, and has continued to play over the years. Benny also plays the keyboard and sings many of the Czech and country vocals. Ben Orsak joined the band in 1994. Ben play a variety of instruments, including the trumpet, tenor sax, alto sax, flugel horn, baritone, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard, drums, and sings many of the vocals. Ben is the Co-Band Manager, music arranger, sound coordinator, and books many of the jobs. Ben previously played with the Zetka Polka Band and the Dance Hall Boy's. Larry Netardus joined the band in 2009. Larry plays the tenor sax, alto sax, bass guitar, keyboard and sings. Larry has played with the Lodge 88 Orchestra and helps out other bands as needed. Dennis Shimek joined the band in 2011. Dennis plays the bass guitar and steel guitar. He is the son of the late, Helen and Wence Shimek Malek. Dennis has played music for many years and had his own band, Southern Express. In 2014, John Paul Dornak joined the band. John, known as "the drummer boy", plays the drums for the band. John has many years of experience, dating back to the 80's with Fast Forward, the Mix, Joel Nava, and more recently, the Shiner Hobo Band and the New Texas Plainsman. The newest member to the band is Benny's nephew, Henry Machicek, who is playing accordion and doing some vocals. Henry joined the band in late 2021 and previously played with the Praha Brothers out of Temple.

The Texas Sound Check Band has produced three CD's since 2000: "A Music Makin' Good Time" (2000), "Sundown" (2003), and "It's Our Time" (2013). They have also remastered the last City Polka Boy's album, "The Okruhlik's" (1997), in memory of Ernie Okruhlik, Benny's brother. You can still get some of the old, City Polka Boy's recordings, upon request.

For more information on the Texas Sound Check Band, visit the band website at www.texassoundcheck.com or visit us on Facebook.