♫ Greatest All-
2006 GREATEST ALL-
Inducted 2006
“CHEESE ‘N CRACKERS POLKA”
Composer: Fred Gregorich,
Hit Recording:
Fred Gregorich and the DelFi’s
Album: Polkas A La Carte
Mlay Records LP 224
1967
Time: 2:20
Other Recordings:
Matt Cernik Band
Walter Ostanek Band
Sam Pugliano Orchestra
Gary Seibert Band
Del Sinchak Orchestra
Key: G, D
Musicians on Hit Recording:
Fred Gregorich, accordion
Lou Rosenberger, bass
Gene Casciola, saxophone and clarinet
Jimmy Jeannette, drums
Bernie Rigby, banjo and guitar
Cheese ‘n Crackers is a crowd-pleasing polka that compels people to head for the dance floor. It has an energetic first part, and kicks into high gear on the second part. Fred Gregorich was residing in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, when the thought came to him to write “Cheese ‘n Crackers Polka.” He did not base it on an existing song, just his own idea. He said, his bass player, Lou Rosenberger stopped in, and helped him fine- tune the song. Fred said that Lou tweaked a few notes and the result was the first part of what is now “Cheese ‘n Crackers.” The second part evolved from a playing job in Sygan, Pennsylvania, at the Lemon Tree establishment. Fred adlibbed a second part to one of the last songs of the evening, and Lou leaned over and told him, ‘Don’t forget this one, Gregorich.’ Fred retained the melody and used it as the second part of “Cheese ‘n Crackers.” As far as the title, several numbers on the album have food related names, such as “Ham ‘n Eggers,” and “Snack Time”polka.
Fred re-recorded “Cheese ‘n Crackers” with the DelFi’s on an album, “Good Times” in 1979 and added a kicker at the end of the song by modulating the second part up to the key of F. Through the years, many polka bands and several button accordion groups have adopted the polka.