Preface by Joan Grauman: Chris Brettschneider, originally from Maryland, now resides in Port Charlotte, Florida. I met Chris several years ago at an AAA Festival in Virginia, and I have totally enjoyed hearing him play in several restaurants near my home in Florida. The touching story Chris tells below beautifully exemplifies the incredible power of music.

The person on the gurney is Bob Heckmann’s father. He had a hip replacement done in early February 2016 and was a professional accordion player and in a coma as a result of the hip replacement. He was a true German gentleman. 

Jackie Tholotowsky and I were hired by the nursing home where he was a resident.  We were asked to “stroll” through the hallways of the nursing home to drum up interest in a concert we were hired to perform, during which time Bob Heckmann tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we could play the Beer Barrel Polka for his dad which we gladly did. 

After being totally unresponsive in a coma for about 10 days, upon hearing the Introduction to the Beer Barrel Polka, woke up and sat up on his gurney and sang the song with us.  When we finished the song, Mr. Heckmann went back into his coma and passed away a few days later.

I would not have believed this story if I had not experienced it for myself. It was 6 years ago that Bob had a camera in his hand and took that picture.  I forgot the exact date, but I will never forget the experience. ~ Chris Brettschneider