He joined Marv Herzog and the Bavarian Polka Band from Frankenmuth, MI from 1994-1995.  While a member of the Marv Herzog Band, Ted took over the bandleader responsibilities and filled in for Marv while Marv took some time off due to illness, and continued performing at all the band’s commitments, keeping that “Herzog Sound” alive with his interpretation of Marv’s unique Cordovox playing and rich German vocals.

 

During that time, Ted also started hosting his own radio show on 1280AM, WONW, based in Defiance, OH.  For two years, Ted broadcasted polkas every Sunday morning from 11am-1pm, often needing to pre-record the show due to his scheduled performances.  Ultimately, the station changed management and was bought out by Clear Channel and the ethnic programming ceased on that station, but that would not be Ted's last broadcast.

 

After performing with Herzog, Ted moved on to the Grammy Nominated Toledo PolkaMotion from 1995-2001, and recorded 6 albums with TPM.  While a member of TPM, Ted appeared in the Warner Brothers movie entitled "Welcome to Collinwood", (2000), and appears on the movie soundtrack.  He was also a recipient of the Great Lakes People's Choice Awards with TPM 4 times for Ethnic Musical Group of the Year.   

                

After TPM, Ted performed 2 years with previous Grammy Award Winner Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones, (Chicago, IL), and the following year joined another Grammy Nominated Polka Band, "John Gora and Gorale' " (Burlington Ontario, Canada).  While a member of John Gora and Gorale', he was nominated for a Grammy award for his work on “Pangora’s Box” released by the band in 2004.  Ted received his second Grammy nomination also with John Gora for his work on “Bulletproof Polkas” in 2007.  In addition to performing with John Gora, Ted also performed with a Toledo based "Polish Style" band named "Change Of Pace from 2004 through 2006 and recorded 2 CD's with them. 

 

Ted's reputation for being able to step in as a side musician due to his keen musical ear, in addition to his vast polka music knowlege and ability have made him one of the "first calls" for any band seeking a quality fill-in on accordion, concertina or drums.  He has performed with a wide variety of bands including:  The Polka Family Band, The Alex Meixner Band, Brave Combo, Karl & The Country Dutchmen, Polka Country Musicians, Fred Ziwich and the ISM, The Jim Busta Band, Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push, Gary's Ridgeland Dutchmen, The Dynatones, Frankie Liszka & The Brass Connection, Gerry Kaminski's Merrymakers, Mark Janson and the Brass Express, Ed Guca & The Polish Canadians, Henny & The Versa J's, The Polka Nuts, and Eddie Biegaj & Crusade in addition to many more.

 

In the late 1990's, Ted formed the band "The Bratwurst Boys" with other members of Toledo Polkamotion, which later became the band now known as "Squeezebox".  Since 2005, the dynamic duo of Ted Lange and Mollie B have taken Squeezebox from 8 local engagements a year, to as many as 100 performances a year all over the United States with thousands of fans and supporters reaching every corner of the U.S. and beyond.

 

In addition to performing, Ted has been an avid promoter through the years with involvement in several different festivals in different capacities.  For 6 years, Ted promoted and booked all the entertainment for the Hamler Summerfest in Hamler, OH.  He is also a past president of the Ohio Polka Boosters, and organized dances and special events for the membership and the general public.  He has remained a member of the United States Polka Association and the International Polka Association, in addition to countless other polka related organizations and publications.  He has served on the board of the "Polka America Corporation" and has been a valued resource for other promoters, fans and musicians. 

 

In March of 2011, Ted joined Mollie B as a co-producer of the all new "Mollie B Polka Party" on RFD-TV and FamilyNet.  

The show had its first taping in June of 2011 and the show aired for the first time on July 2, 2011 showcasing a variety of polka bands from all over the United States.  Since then, the hour-long show has aired at least 4 times a week and received rave reviews and great Nielsen ratings.  The “Mollie B Polka Party” airs on RFD-TV on Wednesday at 6:30 pm EST, Saturday at 10:00 pm EST, and Monday at 4:00 am EST.  It is also on FamilyNet at Thursday at 9:00 am EST and 10:00 pm EST on Saturday nights.  

 

Ted also co-produces the “Mollie B Christmas Special” at RFD-TV the Theatre in Branson, Missouri every November since 2011.  In addition to performing, Ted also has arranged several of the pieces on the show each year.  Following the stage show, you'll find Ted in the studio doing touch-up work for many of the musicians, as well as contributing to the final mixed audio from the show.  This showed is aired on RFD-TV, and has been available on DVD and CD.  

 

In 2013, an opportunity to create a polka show on Sirius/XM radio was presented, and Ted co-hosted and co-produced the "Mollie B Polka Party Radio Show" on Rural Radio, Channel 80 on Sirius/XM Satellite radio. 

 

Most recently, Ted has continued his life long passion of performing, recording and promoting polkas by performing with his band "Squeezebox" in addition to filling in with various bands across the US.  He currently performs over 130 dates a year, sometimes covering as many as 20 states a year, covering all areas from the West Coast to East Coast and from Florida to Canada.  His studio, "Powerbox Records" has also kept him busy, recording other bands, editing audio and even mixing other bands projects both in his home studio, as well as with his mobile recording equipment.  In his free time, Ted enjoys spending time with his daughter, Alli, in addition to working on various recording projects, tinkering with his music equipment, and relaxing at home on "off weekends."

 

Discography

​

• "The Mule" - Movie - Warner Brothers - Starring Clint Eastwood- Squeezebox - 2018

• "A Day To Say Thank-you" from the Warner Brothers Movie "The Mule" - Squeezebox - 2018 - Ted and Mollie co-wrote this song, and Ted also recorded, edited and mixed this song.

• "Getting Better with Age - 20th Anniversary" - Czech and Then Some - 2017 - Ted performed as a guest musician on this recording in addition to co-engineering and co-mixing this recording.

• Mollie B Christmas Concert - 2016 - Ted also recorded, edited and mixed this recording

• The Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B - Gordy Prochaska's Little Fishermen - 2016 - Ted played the drums, piano and keyboard in addition to recording, editing, and mixing this recording.

• SqueezeBox by Request – SqueezeBox - 2016 - Ted also recorded, edited and assisted with mixing this recording

• And The Road Begins - The Dynabrass - 2016 - Ted performed as a guest musician on this recording and recorded and mixed this recording.

• Butterfly - John Gora & Gorale - 2013 - Ted Co-Engineered this recording in addition to performing on it.

• Mollie B Christmas Special – Mollie B All-Star Band ~ 2013

• Mollie B Christmas Special – Mollie B All-Star Band ~ 2012

• Button Box Menagerie Volume 1 - With Fred Ziwich and Friends - 2012

• Button Box Menagerie Volume 2 - With Fred Ziwich and Friends - 2012

• Mollie B Christmas Special – Mollie B All-Star Band ~ 2011

• "We're Gonna Have A Polka Party" - Mollie B Polka Party Theme Song - 2011, Ted wrote, recorded, and played every instrument on this theme song for the "Mollie B Polka Party" on RFD-TV.

• Freshly Squeezed ~ Squeezebox - 2009

• Polka Playin' Fool ~ John Gora & Gorale - 2009

• SQUEEZE ME ~ Squeezebox - 2007

• Bulletproof Polkas ~ John Gora & Gorale ~ 2007   **Grammy Nominated**

• Raising The Bar ~ Change Of Pace ~ 2006

• You'll Be Back ~ Change of Pace ~ 2004 

• Pangora's Box ~ John Gora & Gorale'  ~ 2004    **Grammy nominated**

• Peggy's Pie Parlor ~ Ralph's World, Ralph Covert ~ 2003 ~ Guest Artist on Accordion

• I've Just Seen A Face ~ Ted Lange & Power Supply ~ 2003

• All Night Long ~ Toledo Polkamotion Compilation CD ~ 2003

• The Beat Goes On ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 2002

• Timeless ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 2001

• The Bratwurst Boys - Self titled Recording, Limited Release - 2000

• Just Playin’ Around ~ Jim Busta Band ~ 2000 ~ Guest Artist on Accordion

• Welcome To Collinwood ~ Movie ~ Warner Brothers ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 2000

• No Illusion ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 2000

• Holy Toledo Live ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 1997

• Blackjack ~ Toledo Polkamotion ~ 1996

• Lustige Musikanten in Frankenmuth, U.S.A. ~ (VHS) ~ Marv Herzog ~ 1995