The Toe Tappers to celebrate 50th Anniversary as they join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends May 10 for Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation fundraiser

The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. They will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends, members of several former local bands who are reuniting for their second consecutive year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon to allow for more room for dancing, additional seating, food (cash sales), and beverages.

The Toe Tappers have been entertaining the tri-state area for over 50 years, but due to COVID never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone, until this event. They will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are once again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF).

“Joe Sweeney was at our event last year, and we ended up talking in the parking lot out back after the benefit. That’s where the idea of doing something together in 2024 was born. I’ll never forget it,” explains Bill Withers Jr., Event Coordinator. “There were many nights The Toe Tappers were playing in town the same time our guys were playing somewhere else in town, and it never occurred to us to try something together... until now.”

Joe Sweeney of Waukon has been the one concrete member of the Toe Tappers for the band’s 50-plus years of existence. He began drumming at an early age, following a family tradition. His grandfather, Mike Sweeney, played the drums, as did Mike’s two sons, Ralph and Ray Sweeney.  Ray, Joe’s dad, played in the Tyrolians band for decades, and then Joe joined a band and started his music career.  Joe recently purchased a drum set for his own grandson, Emmet, to start to learn to play.

“I started playing with Luigi and the Troubadours in 1965, which included Luigi Meyer and Lloyd Weber,” stated Joe. “I played the drums but was never much for singing, but Luigi told me I had better learn a song, so I began singing ‘Tiny Bubbles’ at dances, which sort of became my claim to fame, you might say, and that one will be on our play list that night.”

“Then a few years later, Cora Ostrander (piano) and Lloyd Weber (saxophone and accordovax) and I started the Toe Tappers,” continues Joe. “When we first started, we didn’t know what to call ourselves. Cora explained that whenever she looked around, everyone was tapping their toes, so she suggested we call ourselves, ‘The Toe Tappers,’ and it stuck for all these years.”

The Toe Tappers have had several members in the past 50-plus years. “A few years after forming our band, Cora Ostrander moved to La Crosse, so Howard Sorenson (guitar) from Waterville joined the band for 10 years. Gordy Tangen (guitar) from Dorchester was the next member who joined, playing with us for 35 years,” explained Joe. “Then in 1992, Lloyd Weber and his wife, Elaine, lost their lives in an airplane crash. Lyle Hanson also lost his brother, Carmen, who he had played with in the Carmen Hanson Band for 35 years. So we asked Lyle to join us, playing his saxophone and guitar, and he is still with us today! Our newer members, Dean Mielke and Sis Stemper, will also be joining Lyle and I at this benefit show.”

Attendees will enjoy waltzes, polkas, Schottisches, ‘40s music, as well as old and new country songs, thanks to The Toe Tappers, and songs from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, both country and rock, thanks to BBF.

BBF members are pleased to help The Toe Tappers celebrate this milestone and share the celebration with them that night. Joel Anderson of BBF states, “I am really looking forward to adding The Toe Tappers this year. Joe Sweeney and I are cousins, and I remember him letting me sit in when we were at family get-togethers. Rising Sun and The Toe Tappers even played at my parents’ (Gladwin and Darlene) 40th wedding anniversary at the Opera House. There is so much talent coming together, and for a great cause!”

Jim Withers, Bill’s brother, adds, “There is a ton of musical history associated with Allamakee County and surrounding areas... it’s neat to be a part of that story as well as breaking some new ground in terms of coming together for the first time with The Toe Tappers to play this fundraiser.”

“It’s an honor to get back to Waukon, help raise money for a deserving cause, and being able to share the night with The Toe Tappers is incredible,” adds BBF member Brad Prestemon.  “They have, I’m sure, entertained more folks than any other band in the tri-state area during their long run. Can’t wait!”

Joe Sweeney shares the sentiment, “I am honored to be asked to play as part of the Bandmates, Brothers and Friends second reunion. We are looking forward to it. We will have plenty of room for dancing and hope that we have a great crowd.”

Free-will donations will be accepted at the door that night, as well as online, to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation in the purchase of a new Pyxis medication dispensing system for the Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.

“Over 50 years for The Toe Tappers, and over 45 for a number of our BBF guys.  What an honor to share the night with them,” concludes Bill Withers. “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate around a great cause!”

The Toe Tappers will play the first set, beginning at 6 p.m., with two BBF sets following, ending at 11 p.m.  Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, with cash food and beverages sales to the public beginning at that time as well.