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Mollie Busta has been performing polka music all her life. Mollie started her career performing with the Jim Busta Band, while she continues to perform with the Jim Busta Band, she also performs with SqueezeBox, and many other ensembles. Mollie not only has performed on over 35 recordings, she has shared her many talents with fans in over 25 states and eleven countries and continues to inspire young musicians with her love for music. Between the Jim Busta Band's practices and recording sessions, music always filled the Busta household in small-town Minnesota while Mollie was growing up. She started singing in the band at age three and joined on piano when she was eight-years-old. For years to follow, Mollie played several instruments both in the school bands and choirs, as well as in her father’s band.

During her high school years, Mollie arranged songs for the school’s band and choir programs, the Jim Busta Band, and even found time to create her own original compositions. Mollie also served as the student-director for her high school band rehearsals and concerts.

Mollie went on to continue to develop her love of music and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music (trumpet and voice) from Luther College (Decorah, IA). Mollie’s senior paper was on polka music which gave her a chance to educate her classical music professors and colleagues about the music dear to her heart. Mollie also received a Master of Arts in Instruction from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona, MN). In 2005, Mollie joined Ted Lange's Bratwurst Boys. In 2007, Ted and Mollie changed the name to Squeezebox. SqueezeBox showcases Mollie's versatility on several instruments, as well as her talented vocals.

In July of 2011, the first Mollie B Polka Party aired on Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV. Mollie was a creative director and co-producer of these shows. The Mollie B Polka Party currently airs in over 55 million homes on RFD-TV on Wednesday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 10:00pm ET.

In 2017, Wisconsin Public Television released the documentary called "POLKA!" Mollie is the host of this 90-minute long documentary about celebrating life with polka music in the state of Wisconsin.

Mollie’s talents have also been showcased in front of a live audience during The Mollie B Christmas Shows both at RFD-TV the Theatre and the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Missouri; as well as the CAL Center in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The holiday special took place in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017. Mollie has performed, directed, wrote, produced, choreographed, and hosted these 2+-hour live performances. Mollie’s cast has featured up to 33 renowned musicians and artists in front of audiences up to 1300. Portions of the earlier shows are aired during the holiday season on RFD-TV and the complete shows are available for purchase on DVD and CD by clicking HERE.

Mollie has won the title of the “Favorite Female Vocalist” award numerous times, both from the United States Polka Association and the International Polka Association. She has also won multiple awards from the Polka America Corporation for her polka recordings with Ted Lange. Additionally, Mollie has won the "2013 Polka Promoter of the Year" award, from the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Iowa Polka Hall of Fame in 2015.

Some of Mollie’s most note-worthy performances as a vocalist, instrumentalist, actress, and/or music arranger include: Caribbean Cruises (2001, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013-2018), Norsk Hostfest (Minot, ND, 2013-2018), Mollie B Christmas Show at the CAL Center in Reedsburg, WI (2017-2018), Rhythm Cats at Silver Star Theater (Mesa 2017), Maggie Mae Show in Reedsburg (2016-2017), Maggie Mae Christmas Shows (2016-2017: Crystal Grand, WI Rapids Performing Arts Center, Hartford Scheuer Center), Mollie B Christmas Concert at the Jim Stafford Theatre (2016), Toledo Symphony (Bryan, OH, 2010 & 2016), Jimmy Sturr Show on RFD-TV (2012-2016), Penny Gilley Show on RFD-TV (2012-2015), Wurstfest (New Braunsfels, TX, 2009-2013, 2015-2016),  Anniversary Mass with Daniel O’Donnell (Moline, IL, 2010), Big Joe Polka Show on RFD-TV (2005-2008), Iowa Governor Culver’s Inauguration Gala (Iowa City, IA, 2007), “American Folk Arts Festival” (Bangor, ME, 2006), President’s Palace in the Dominican Republic (2004), Sound of Music (Spring Grove, MN, 2003), Library of Congress (Washington, DC, 2002), Kennedy Center of Performing Arts (Washington, DC, 2002), “Polka Passion” (National PBS special, 2001), and Handel’s “Messiah” & Mozart’s “Requiem” (Decorah, IA, 2000). In addition, she has performed with award-winning bands and artists, such as the Rhythm Cats, Heartland Country Band, Karl and the Country Dutchmen, the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Bruce Bradley Band, Gary and the Ridgeland Dutchmen, Music Connection, Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen, the Out-of-Town Czechs, the Polka Nuts, John Gora and Gorale, Toledo Polka Motion, Polka Family, Klancnik and Friends, the Don Wojtila Band, George Staerkel, Kenny Brandt, Steve Meisner, Kevin Solecki, Alex Meixner, Hank Guzevich, Fred Ziwich, Lenny Gomulka, Al Piatkowski, and more.

In addition to performing, Mollie has taught music to all levels (age 3 through adults) at the following schools: Lanesboro Elementary & High School, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, West Salem Elementary & Middle School, and St. Patrick’s Catholic School (Bryan, OH). Furthermore, for 15 years, Mollie taught private music lessons (teaching up to 52 students/week).

When Mollie finds herself away from the stage & teaching, she enjoys dancing, exercising, playing with her nieces & nephews, family time, and traveling.

AWARDS & HONORS

2009 - United States Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2010 - Polka America Corporation - Best Contemporary Polka CD of the Year: "Freshly Squeezed" by SqueezeBox

2010 - United States Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2011 - United States Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2011 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2012 - Polka America Corporation - Best Variety Polka Cd of the Year: "2011 Mollie B Christmas Special"

2012 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2013 - National Polka Festival Parade, Ennis, Texas - Parade Marshall

2013 - Polka America Corporation - Best Variety Polka CD of the Year: "2012 Mollie B Christmas Special"

2013 - Wisconsin State Polka Hall of Fame - Promoter Category

2013 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2014 - Polka America Corporation - Best Variety Polka CD of the Year: "2013 Mollie B Christmas Special"

2014 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2015 - Polka America Corporation - Best Variety Polka CD of the Year: "2014 Mollie B Christmas Special"

2015 - Polka America Corporation - Best Polish-Style Polka CD of the Year: "Polkas On My Mind" (Emily Bizon)

2015 - Iowa Polka Hall of Fame - Promoter Category

2015 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2016 - International Polka Association - Best International Polka CD: "SqueezeBox by Request"

2016 - International Polka Association - Favorite Female Vocalist

2016 - International Polka Association - Best International Polka CD song: "North Shore" from "SqueezeBox by Request"

2017 - Bavarian Blast Parada, New Ulm, Minnesota - Co-Parade Marshall

2017 - International Polka Association - Favorite International Female Vocalist

2018 - International Polka Association Hall of Fame

DISCOGRAPHY

1992 - "Jim Busta with Family & Friends" CD - Jim Busta Band, Vol. 2

1997 - "Golly Gee... Mollie B" CD - Jim Busta Band Band, Vol. 3

1998 - "Mollie B.  A Song for Everyone" CD

1999 - "Boys Day Out" CD - Karl & the Country Dutchmen

2000 - "Just Playin' Round"  CD- Jim Busta Band, Vol. 4

2000 - "Handel's Messiah" CD - Luther College

2001 - "West Coast Tour" CD - Luther College Nordic Choir

2001 - "Have a Jolly Mollie Christmas" CD

2000 - "Polka Passion" - Documentary Video & Audio CD - National Public Television

2002 - "Come, Let's Sing Joyfully to the Lord" CD - Jim Busta Band

2006 - "Solecktive Sounds" CD - Kevin Solecki

2007 - "Squeeze Me" CD - SqueezeBox

2008 - "Polka Playin' Fool" CD - John Gora & Gorale

2009 - "Freshly Squeezed" CD - SqueezeBox

2010 - "Well... It's About Time" CD - Jim Busta Band, Vol. 5

2011 - "2011 Mollie B Christmas Special" CD/DVD

2011 - "Enjoy Yourself" CD - Marty Nachreiner

2012 - "2012 Mollie B Christmas Special" CD/DVD

2012 - "Partners, Brothers, and Friends" CD

2013 - "2013 Mollie B Christmas Special" CD/DVD

2013 - "Kris & the Riverbend Dutchmen LIVE" DVD

2014 - "Polkas On My Mind" CD - Emily Bizon

2014 - "2014 Mollie B Christmas Special" CD/DVD

2015 - "40th Anniversary" CD - Karl & the Country Dutchmen

2015 - "Jim Busta Band LIVE on the Mollie B Polka Party" DVD

2015 - "Ave Maria" CD (single)

Feb 2016 - "Power of Polka" DVD - Alaska Polka Chips (live)

June 2016 - "The Holidays through Music" CD - Tom Brusky

OCt 2016 - "The Little Fishermen Orchestra featuring Mollie B" CD - Gordy Prochaska's Little Fishermen

Oct 2016 - "SqueezeBox by Request" CD - SqueezeBox

Nov 2016 - "Mollie B LIVE with Kenny, Tony, and Dana" CD

Dec 2016 - "2016 Mollie B Christmas Concert" CD/DVD

March 2017 - "POLKA!" - Documentary DVD - Wisconsin Public Television

May 2017 - "Ryan & Karl" CD

June 2017 - "Party All Night" CD - DynaBrass

July 2017 - "Enjoy Yourself" CD - Kris & the Riverbend Dutchmen