Alaska Button Box Gang

Members of the Alaska Button Box Gang are sad to learn of the passing of Frank Vidergar, the force behind the Far West Button Accordion Jamboree in Fontana, California for 26 or so years. He was not only a wonderful button accordionist, but he was also a great friend of our group. This past summer he and his wife, Mary Lou, attended the National Accordion Association Button Box Festival in Yukon Oklahoma. When they discovered that our group and the Alaska Polka Chips were to be taped for the Big Joe Polka Show, he and Mary Lou drove from Yukon to Branson to cheer us on and dance to our music. Unfortunately, that was about when his illness was diagnosed.

Ron Pivovar has written a wonderful tribute to Frank that you can read here.

Mary Lu, Nancy (hidden) and Mary Lou talking with Frank Vidergar at the National Button Accordion Festival
Yukon Oklahoma May 2007

Frank always like to give out awards at the Far West Button Box Jamboree and he couldn't pass up a chance to give one to Ron Pivovar this past May at the National Button Accordion Festival Yukon Oklahoma May 2007

Mary Lou and Frank receive awards at the
Far West Button Accordion Festival 2002

Frank leading a jam at the
Far West Button Accordion Festival 2002