The concert is free to the public, but a freewill offering will be accepted to support the many charitable programs Trinity Episcopal offers, including scholarships, Sunday Supper, a food pantry, housewarming supplies for Habitat for Humanity, and more.

The CAR Trio consists of Cadarette (the “C” in CAR), Alexander Zdan (the “A” in CAR), and drummer Rick Staeb (the “R” in CAR).

The band plays a variety of music in several genres, putting their own twist on familiar tunes.

“The style of music is very, very hard to describe,” Cadarette said. “We are going to be doing not just the instrumentals that The CAR Trio is known for, but we will be doing some vocaling, which will be easy-listening and lounge music.”

Courtesy Photo The CAR Trio, from left, includes Rick Staeb, Carole Cadarette, and Al Zdan, who will perform a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church, with special musical guest Eddie Siwiec.

She said the instrumental lead is the piano, which she plays.

“We’re doing the old-time singalong type things that most of the older folks remember, but maybe people still sing around campfires,” Cadarette said. “It’s going to be several different styles of music. You may hear a song that’s typically country, but we take it to the next level.”

She explained much of the performance will just depend on what strikes her in the moment, and the guys play along, following her lead.

“You’ve got to be there to find out what it is we’re going to do,” Cadarette said.

About Carole Cadarette

Cadarette has been a member of Trinity since 1942. She sings and plays her Yamaha keyboard, which she calls “Miss Yamaha.”

“Miss Yamaha is the lead instrument,” Cadarette said.

She grew up in a musical family and learned to play the piano by ear, although she did take some lessons as a girl. She started playing in her family band when she was 14. She also got an accordian that year. When her father died in 1964, she gave up music for a while, but returned to it in 1979, when she said “the autoharp found me.”

She played autoharp in a group called Three on a String and another group called Ladies’ Choice.

In the 1980s, her brother said she should learn to play bass because there were not enough bass players in the Alpena area. So she did, adding another instrument to her repertoire.

The Yamaha keyboard has been her main instrument since 2011.

She is happy to still be performing regularly in the Alpena area.

“I’m 83 years old,” Cadarette said. “If we’re gonna do this, we’ve gotta get ‘er done.”

About Alexander “Al” Zdan

Zdan has been a staple in the music scene in Alpena and around the state, as he has been playing bass guitar for 72 years. He has participated in at least 11 bands, performing country, polka, rock, bluegrass, gospel, lounge, and big band.

As of right now, Zdan is playing with The Almost Country Variety Band, The Saddle Tramps Band, The Suchey Family Band, and others where he is needed to fill in.

“From the parking lot of the Long Lake Supermarket as a teen, to every other place you can imagine, find Al an outlet to plug his bass amp into, and away we go,” Cadarette said. “Prepare yourself to be entertained.”

About Rick Staeb

Staeb, born and raised in St. Clair Shores, first played the drums with his sixth-grade band class.

“Hoping to reap his dreams of being a rockstar, Rick responded to a drum audition in his sixth grade band class, but was told he didn’t have the rhythm to cut it,” Cadarette said in a written statement about Staeb. “The instructor suggested a reed instrument instead. Rick dodged all the rigamarole when his reluctant instructor relented. Rockin’ on the drums was finally a reality!”

He then went on to play drums in his high school marching band at Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores.

After graduation, he served in Vietnam, graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts, got married and had two children with his wife, Deb, who grew up in Alpena (maiden name LeFave).

Staeb enjoyed a radio broadcasting career spanning over 40 years, with jobs including disc jockey and manager.

He had not touched his drum kit since high school graduation, for over 30 years, when he was offered a place on a regional concert band. After revitalizing his drum skills, he stumbled across the Almost Country Band at the Maplewood Tavern in Alpena. He auditioned for drummer and played with the band for several seasons before The CAR Trio was born.

About Eddie Siwiec

Siwiec is a seasoned polka musician who has received numerous awards and accolades for his talented work. He plays clarinet, tenor and alto saxophone, and trumpet, and he also sings. He was named to the International Polka Association and the Polka Music Hall of Fame in 2005, was elected to the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame in 2008, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Polka Association in 2020.

“Eddie Siwiec is a man that I would say is everyone’s friend in music, and it doesn’t take long to figure out he is one of the most sincere people you will ever meet,” Cadarette said in a written statement. “His love of polka music is evident in the accolades of awards and the sheer number of bands he’s played with and the recordings he has been involved in.”

Siwiec’s musical talent extends beyond just polka. He also performs rock, gospel, big band, and easy listening.

“If it’s been written, Eddie can play it,” Cadarette said. “His playing finesse is a treat to a listener’s ear.”

Siwiec has a rich history of playing with countless bands, recording music, and both radio and television appearances.

He found his way to Maplewood Tavern, Cadarette’s home base, around 2015, as he and his wife Shirley have a cottage on Grand Lake.

Siwiec did not have a lot of formal training or lessons. He took three years of clarinet, and just a year-and-a-half of saxophone lessons. In high school, he played in the orchestra, concert, and jazz bands. One of his TV appearances that he counts as a highlight is “The Mollie B. Christmas Show” on RFD TV, Branson, Mo.

“My finding Eddie as a true friend, both personal and music-wise, is your find, too,” Cadarette said.

She added that the concert on Saturday is not only a musical gift from the CAR Trio, but a special chance to hear Siwiec share his talents. She hopes attendees sit back, enjoy, and make a new musical memory to take with them as the concert concludes.

Reach News Community Editor Darby Hinkley at 989-358-5691 or dhinkley@TheAlpenaNews.com.

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