Chet and Dolores Schafer |
Chet Schafer celebrated his 65th anniversary as a polka DJ with a remote WCEV broadcast from 1 to 2 pm Sunday April 3 at Glendora Banquets, 10225 South Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge IL. Music was provided by the IPA Tribute Band with guest vocalist John Gora. The dance was sponsored by the Let’s Polka USA club and the International Polka Association, and attracted more than 250 fans and well-wishers.
The polka career of Chet Schafer began in 1950 when, together with Lil Wally Jagiello, their voices were heard on a half-hour polka program on radio station WCRW in Chicago. Things didn’t roll for Chet until he started his own “Polka Hit Parade” program on WTAQ in LaGrange IL in 1951. Spinning best-selling polka records, getting the idea from the popular TV show “Your Hit Parade”, the request and dedication idea caught on, and his 10 o’clock Sunday program was flooded with mail. In 1954, he expanded to another hour long Sunday program from 1 to 2 pm. His remote broadcasts took him to festivals, carnivals and dances all over Chicagoland.
When WTAQ was sold and changed to an all-Spanish programming, Chet joined WOPA in Oak Park, IL, which then changed to all-black programming. He was then invited to be a co-host on the polka segment of the “Polonia Today” TV show on WCIU channel 26. When the TV show ended, he latched onto WCEV radio, which opened its airwaves to polka shows. Together with his wife, they did the Dolores and Chet Schafer Show from 1 to 2 pm on Sundays. Since the passing of his wife in 2004, he continues the program till today with the help of his children.
In addition to his radio activities, Chet owns a recording company under the label name of Chicago Records. Since 1952, he had produced 10 inch 78 rpm records, 45s, 8–tracks, cassettes, LPs and eventually CDs. He has released over 100 different CDs.
Living category inducted 1976
Chet Schafer on Zoominfo
Discography
Puls Polonii - CD w hołdzie Kościuszce
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