Laddie Batla is my Papaw. I would love to say he is this old decrepit vampire from Czheckoslavakia that migrated here in the mid 18th century but alas he is nothing more than a Cotton Farmer from Wall Texas.
 If he was a Vampire he would have to be a Hybrid to be able to plow on his ole John Deere tractor with out getting sunburned in the Texas sun. My Grandfather LADDIE FRANK BATLA who inspired me and encouraged me in music Hank Williams meets Elvis Polka style and Loved me enough to put up with my wild imagination. With out his Love I wouldn’t be a Music man but a genuine person whose word is Golden. He was a Good man, a veteran of WWII and the Father of 3 Kids Laddie James, Diane and Maryland. He was married to my Grandmother Annie who had flaming red hair and red lipstick and you can only Imagine. She played guitar in  the  kitchen with her lyric sheets clothes pinned to the laundry line as she baby sat my sister Cheryl and I. She and my grandpa would sing together at family gatherings . My Papaw was a Good man that had a Hard Life, but he made the best of it and always was there for his family and I can hear them singing in Heaven together finally in Peace. After He retired he started the Laddie Batla polka band and toured the Old folks homes and played his music to his peers and had a blast. I dedicate this musical journey to Him and my Grandmother.