Don Peachey is an American band leader, accordionist, musician and recording artist who has been performing and recording since the 1950s with The Don Peachey Band, aka Don Peachey and His Orchestra. Peachey was elected to the International Polka Hall of Fame in 2011 by the International Polka Association.
Early years
Don Peachey is from Burnett, Wisconsin. He started playing the accordion at age 14, taking lessons from the Beaver Dam Music Center. While he was a junior in high school, he formed his own polka band and their first paying engagement was at the Fairwater Civic Center in the Village of Fairwater, Wisconsin in June 1951, the same year Peachey graduated from Horicon High School, Horicon, Wisconsin. He then spent two years in the Army, serving in the 1st Cavalry Division and stationed in Japan. He then returned to his home in Burnett. and resumed his musical career. Peachey released his first recording in 1957. The group has continued to perform and record for over 50 years.
Recording artist/performer
Don Peachey has led music groups by two names during his professional recording and performing career; Don Peachey and His Orchestra and more recently, The Don Peachey Band. Peachey has recorded 18 Albums/CDs, including a popular novelty song called "Horsie Keep Your Tail Up." Peachey made an early name for himself in the late 1950s and early 1960s as Billboard Magazine frequently covered the band through its "Talent Topics" section covering bands' touring and performing schedule
and also gave the songs, No No Polka and Morning Star Polka 4 Star Reviews. In 1959 Billboard Magazine labeled the band's recordings of the Jigsaw Polka45 RPM record as "Sprightly... Polka themes given a springy instrumental treatment." The band has toured the United States from Wisconsin to Texas for over 50 years. They appeared with Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News during a Patriotic Special and have performed at the largest Polka Venues in the United States. Don Peachey has said he believes his success is directly related to how much he practices even after over 50 years of performing. As Peachey stated " heartily agree with piano player Victor Borge's observation," "If I don't practice for a day, I can tell the difference, If I don't practice for two days my critics can tell the difference, and if I don't practice for three days, my audience can tell the difference." Don Peachey has been a guest performer on RFD-TV with Molly B and numerous other telecasts over the years. Peachey helped start Volksfest in Waupun, Wisconsin. His band averages one to three engagements a week and has five to six members, including his son John Peachey.
Awards
Peachey was elected "Bandleader of the Year" by the Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association in 1973 and was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame twice in 1998 as a recipient of both the Lifetime Achievement and the Senior awards. In 2011 he was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame in the "Pioneer" category for "significant contributions in the advancement of polka music." In 2011, Peachey received a special citation from the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin recognizing his achievements and accomplishments in the music field. He is listed in The Heritage Registry of Who's Who.
