Anton "Tony" Blau and Merie Mohelnitzky Blau and their eight children lived north of Plain, Wisconsin (later the Anliker farm), until 1963. Anton's father, Joseph Blau, emigrated from Gleissenberg, Bavaria, Germany, as a baby in 1862 with his parents, Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier. In 1863, they settled in Franklin Township. Joseph was married two times, first to Anna Brueckl (Brickl) and second to Anna Gruber. Anton, a son from the second marriage, loved to sing and taught himself to play the violin. He passed his love of music to his children.
Anton and Merie (Mohelnitzky) Blau family, Christmas Eve, December 24, 1953.
Anton and Merie (Mohelnitzky) Blau 25th wedding anniversary party, September 30, 1956. Soundless movie.
Anton and Merie (Mohelnitzky) Blau 35th wedding anniversary party, October 1, 1966. Music provided by some of their sons. Soundless movie.
Anton and Merie (Mohelnitzky) Blau 40th wedding anniversary party, September 26, 1971. Music provided by some of their sons. Soundless movie.
Blau Reunion in Plain, Wisconsin. September 11, 1994. Music provided by Blau brothers.
Blau brothers and sister perform at a wedding reception, September 23, 1995.
Dean Blau plays some favorite accordion songs, December 25, 2002
They played for church picnics, house parties, barn raisings, garage dances, and weddings during the mid- to late-1920s into the 1930s. Their "band" didn't have a name. Also joining them were George Blau (Tony's brother) and Ed Laubmeier. More info plus the famous Lieber Anton song
Tony and three of his sons (Dean, Duane and Harlan) played for events around Plain as soon as the boys learned to play instruments, around 1951. They played at dances, church picnics, amateur contests, talent shows, farewell parties, house warmings, and wedding receptions. About 1953, Tony's youngest son, Alan, joined the group at age 6. Alan went on to play in rock and roll bands, and formed a country music band in Fond du Lac.
This band existed from 1950 to 1954. Original members were Dean Blau, Harlan Blau, Louis "Louie" Nachreiner and Joseph Wankerl. Duane Blau, Joseph "Merle" Alt, and Anthony "Pat" Dischler also played with the band at times. The Squeeze Box Serenaders played for contests and other events in and around Plain, Wisconsin.
The Blau Family Hour was a live musical show broadcast on WRDB radio from Reedsburg from March 8, 1953, to Nov. 21,1954. The group performed old-time country songs, waltzes and German songs. Listeners could call in to request their favorite tune.
Members of the Blau Family Hour were:
Anton "Tony" Blau, age 49, played fiddle and sang
Dean Blau, age 20, played accordion and sang, left for military service in June 1954
Duane Blau, age 19, played guitar and sang, left for military service in June 1954
Harlan Blau, age 18, played accordion and sang
Jacqueline Blau (Eckhardt), age 16, played saxophone and sang
Alan Blau, age 6, sang
Anthony "Pat" Dischler, age 32, cousin of the Blau family, played guitar and sang
Martin "Marty" Mittlesteadt, age 20, friend of Blau family, played guitar, joined June 1954
Mary Peasall (Huebing), a friend of the Blau family, played accordion, joined June 1954
The Midnight Suns originally began in 1954 as a band that entertained troops at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska. The group was formed by Plain, Wisconsin, locals Dean Blau and Duane Blau and a Texan, Robert Baker. Once discharged from military duty in 1956, Dean and Duane Blau and their brother Harlan Blau played as the Midnight Suns in taverns around the Baraboo and Plain areas until 1961.
For more information about these bands, including photos, diary entries, newspaper articles, and more, contact me.
Old Franklin Township Historical Society and Museum: History of Area Music & Bands
Page updated 27 Aug 2021