Fritz Scherz, Jr. stands by his dad on stage, and in the face of cancer

VERONA, October 1, 2009 -- For the last 31 years, Fritz Scherz and his father Fred Scherz Sr. have shared a band, a love of music and a bond that a mutual love for art has strengthened.

So when Fritz had to take the stage without his father, he says the sound nor the feeling was the same as it had been for the last three decades. 

"First of all you can hear the difference," Fritz said. "He's a great musician, and a lot of the things he does are missed." 

The two founded the Fritz Polka Band, when Fritz was just 8-years old, and they have ridden a journey together that has taken them to the stage of Woodstock '99, various New York City Nightclub and into the studio for 16 recordings. 

However, earlier this year, Fred Sr. found out he had bone cancer. The ailment ad took up much of his time, and he wasn't able to make the stage for some performances. 

Fred Scherz, who started Fritz's Polka Band with his son 31 years ago, plays the accordion during the band's performance at VVS High School on September 27, 2009.(PHOTO BY LAURA C. LAUREY / UDN)

Even with his sickness, Fred Sr. said it was always a goal of his to get back on the stage with his son and his band. 

It started with an idea, from his son who knew the band would be playing at J.D. George Elementary school in Verona, and he told his father that he should make the gig if he was up to it. His father did make the gig, and his son got glassy-eyed during the performance. 

"I actually started to tear up," Fritz said. "I knew what he was going through and I knew he a surgery come up and not only was he back, it sounded better than ever." 

Fred Sr. said he was honored to join his son. He knew in the back of his mind the whole time that if he was healthy enough he was going to stretch the accordion again, because that's what he's always loved to do. Not only being on stage with his son, but the reception he got when he was introduced gave the local music legend chills, he said. 

"It just felt good to be back," he said. "Just to hear the audience and the reception they gave me was a special moment for me." 

It was a moment both men say they won't forget. However, for Fred Sr., it was as much about family as music, and as much about counting his blessings as displaying his talent. 

"I have a good family, I'm lucky," he said. "When you've got the friends and family I have, it's hard not to be happy." 

Fred Sr. has joined the band in some of its performances since. He sits on a stool for the most part. But he and his son, who he taught the genre to, play their accordions side by side by side, often exchanging smiles between notes. The experience has taught Fritz to appreciate the contribution his old man makes to his life and his band. 

"Sometimes it just slows you down and you don't take anything for granted," Fritz said. "Not that I have before, I've always appreciated him, but this just reenforces that even more."