Cheese 'N Crackers Polka

National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum

605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123

USA

E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com

Phone: 216-261-3263

Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA

Fax: 216-261-4134

Inducted 2006

♫ Greatest All-Time Cleveland-Style Polka and Waltz Hit ♫

www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605 East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.

2006 GREATEST ALL-TIME HIT SONG

“CHEESE 'N CRACKERS POLKA”

Composer: Fred Gregorich,

Hit Recording:

Fred Gregorich and the DelFi's

Album: Polkas A La Carte

Mlay Records LP 224

1967

Time: 2:20

Other Recordings:

Matt Cernik Band

Walter Ostanek Band

Sam Pugliano Orchestra

Gary Seibert Band

Del Sinchak Orchestra

Key: G, D

Musicians on Hit Recording:

Fred Gregorich, accordion

Lou Rosenberger, bass

Gene Casciola, saxophone and clarinet

Jimmy Jeannette, drums

Bernie Rigby, banjo and guitar

Cheese 'n Crackers is a crowd-pleasing polka that compels people to head for the dance floor. It has an energetic first part, and kicks into high gear on the second part. Fred Gregorich was residing in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, when the thought came to him to write "Cheese 'n Crackers Polka." He did not base it on an existing song, just his own idea. He said, his bass player, Lou Rosenberger stopped in, and helped him fine- tune the song. Fred said that Lou tweaked a few notes and the result was the first part of what is now "Cheese 'n Crackers." The second part evolved from a playing job in Sygan, Pennsylvania, at the Lemon Tree establishment. Fred adlibbed a second part to one of the last songs of the evening, and Lou leaned over and told him, 'Don't forget this one, Gregorich.' Fred retained the melody and used it as the second part of "Cheese 'n Crackers." As far as the title, several numbers on the album have food related names, such as "Ham 'n Eggers," and "Snack Time"polka.

Fred re-recorded "Cheese 'n Crackers" with the DelFi's on an album, "Good Times" in 1979 and added a kicker at the end of the song by modulating the second part up to the key of F. Through the years, many polka bands and several button accordion groups have adopted the polka.