07/07/2025
Excited to share this post with all of you! This is Mark, the owner of Bavarian Clothing & Imports, he works hard to keep the German clothing available in Frankenmuth.
This recognition is indicative of his dedication the German heritage. We are very excited to share his accomplishment.
Congratulations, Mark!
The IPA would like to present the bio of one of the 2025 Inductees into the Polka Music Hall of Fame - Mark Janson.
Mark Janson was born December 17, 1959 to late Erna (Bender) Janson and Albert Janson. Mark is the youngest of four children, twin sisters Karen and Sharon, and a brother, Robert. Mark has been a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frankentrost where he attended grades 1-8. Mark is a 1978 graduate of Frankenmuth High School. He married Valerie Maurer on May 29, 1994. Val was one of the original members of the band and performed with the band until 1995. Mark and Val have two sons, Tyler and Zachary.
Mark’s affiliation with polka music began in the mid 70’s when Mark, along with grade school friends, Scott DuRussel, Valerie Maurer and Nathan Reinbold, started their first band called the “Partytime Polkateers.” The band’s first public dance appearance was at a dance in May 1977. Because all of the members were still in high school, they attracted an exceptional young following. The PartytimePolkateers recorded an album in 1978 entitled, “Through the Years.”
In 1982, the band’s name was changed to The Brass Express when two trumpet players were added to the group. Because of the Brass Express’s similar style to the Harold Mitas Orchestra and along with Harold’s help they quickly gained jobs throughout Michigan, Northern Ohio and Indiana. The Brass Express was different than most other polka bands in the area because they not only played polka, waltzes and oberek’s but also added rock & roll, country and slow music to their repertoire. Thus, they played for many of their friends’ weddings and other functions other than just polka events. The Brass Express recorded several albums including: “Introducing Mark Janson and The Brass Express, 1983,” “Polka Time” 1984,” “Brass Expressions,” 1989, “When We’re 64,” 1991, “Dance to the Music” 1993,” “15th Anniversary” 1993, “WRS Presents a Very Merry Christmas” 1993, “Turning Point,” 1995, and “Hey Di**le Di**le,” 1997. Some of the most requested and remembered songs from the recordings were, “Larry’s Polka,” “When I’m 64,” “A Beer-Drinking Medley,” “Dupa Polka,” “Latest Babes of Polka Music,” and “Hey Di**le Di**le.” Mark led the band and was the drummer for 25 years before turning the leadership over to long-time band member and friend, Darrell Weltin. The band is now known as “The New Brass Express.”
The promotion of polka music was always an ambition and goal of Mark’s. He volunteered for Marv Herzog and Harold Mitas, the originators of the Summer Polka Fest, which began in 1977. Mark began to host dances at the Golden Glow Ballroom in Saginaw, Michigan in the early 1980’s as well as New Year’s Eve parties. In 1987, it was announced that there was no longer going to be a Summer Polka Fest in Frankenmuth, so Mark and Tim Elbers formed, “Frankenmuth Festival of Polkas,” and coordinated a 10-day festival in August of 1987 in Frankenmuth. In 1988, Mark Janson and Marv Herzog formed the parent corporation RAM Productions, Inc., and thus, began the Summer Music Fest. Frankenmuth is Michigan’s #1 tourist destination, and the Summer Music-Fest soon became known as one of the premier polka events throughout the United States. On an average, music fans from over 25 states and several countries travel to Frankenmuth the second full weekend of August to attend the Summer Music-Fest and enjoy the nation’s top polka entertainers, as well as other styles of music and concerts. The Fabulous Hubcaps were one of the mainstays of the event as many listen, reminisce and enjoy their performances to the music of the 50’s and 60’s. Christian performers such as Mercy Me, Third Day, Jeremy Camp and many others performed at the Summer Music-Fest. One of the largest crowds ever to perform the event was when Bobby Vinton along with Jimmy Sturr shared the stage. Through the years other main stream artist to perform have been Marie Osmond, Tony Orlando, Brenda Lee, The Lettermen and Little Jimmy Dickens just to name a few. Mark purchased Marv and Teresa Herzog’s shares in RAM Productions in 2002 soon after Marv was diagnosed with cancer. Marv died December 12, 2002. Along with Val, Tyler, Zachary and festival coordinator, Pam Mossner, they have continued to host this grand event. Mark Janson and RAM Productions also sponsors the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest which takes place in September and celebrates Frankenmuth’s German heritage. The Frankenmuth Oktoberfest has been recognized as one of the most popular Oktoberfest’s in the United States and in 1996 Lord Mayor Christian Ude and the German Parliament from Munich, Germany gave an official proclamation that the Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest was declared the first and only Oktoberfest to operate with the blessing of the original Oktoberfest in Munich.
In addition to the Summer Music Fest and Oktoberfest, Mark also held many dances at the ever popular “Pulaski Hall” in Bay City, Michigan where many of the nation’s top bands performed. Mark and Val also hosted for many years a popular weekend event “Polka Ka-Ching” held in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula city of Saulte Saint Marie at the Kewadin Casino featuring Slovenian music. That event hosted Slovenian artists such as America’s Polka King Frankie Yankovic, Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostenak, Vern & Steve Meisner, Ga***rd Klancnik and many more.
Mark’s been a DJ since 1978, when he co-hosted the WKCQ Saturday Morning Polka Show and Bavarian Hour as well the WKCQ evening polka shows. Currently, Mark rotates with other DJs on WKCQ’s sister station, WSAM 1400 and WSAG 92.3 FM, in keeping the polka music heard loud and clear throughout all the mid-Michigan area Sunday from 10 a.m. till noon. For a time, Mark was an IJ on the Polka Jammer Network, where he produced the “Nine Hour Drive” show, Mark also served as a Polka Jammer board member.
Mark was inducted into the “Michigan Polka Music Hall of Fame” on May 16, 2010. On May 27, 2017 Mark received the “Life Time Achievement Award 2016” from the United States Polka Association.
Mark attributes his accomplishments to his parents for their Christian values and work ethic, his wife, Val, sons Tyler and Zachary, as well his family for their continued love and support and his polka mentors, Harold Mitas, Marv Herzog, Eddie Blazonczyk and Lenny Gomulka for their endless conversations, advice, and respect for polka music. He also attributes his accomplishments to the past band members as well as the many bands that have played the many events Mark has been involved in. Above and beyond all, Mark wants to the thank the many people that followed and promoted the Brass Express, all the people that have volunteered through the many years for all his events, the most gracious sponsors and MOST of all the people that attend the events in which he is and has been affiliated with. All of you are the reason he most graciously and humbly accepts his induction into the International Polka Associations Hall of Fame.
