Many Talents, Even More Women: Stefan Mross Turns 50 - How a borrowed trumpet launched Stefan Mross’s 30-year folk music reign
Stefan Mross has been a leading figure in German folk music for over three decades. Born in Traunstein, he rose from humble beginnings to become a celebrated trumpeter, singer and TV host. His career took off after a chance discovery at just 14 years old.
Mross first picked up the trumpet at 13, borrowing one from a local music school because his family couldn’t afford an instrument. A year later, he was spotted by presenter Karl Moik while playing at a wedding. This led to his television debut on Wie die Alten sungen and marked the start of his solo career.
At 14, he passed the entrance exam for Salzburg’s Mozarteum University but chose music over formal training. His big break came in 1989 when he won the Grand Prix der Volksmusik for Austria with Heimwehmelodie. The victory cemented his place in the genre, and he went on to secure second place in the same competition in 1994 and 1995.
The 1990s became his most successful period, with hit songs and growing fame. Offstage, he met his future wife, folk singer Stefanie Hertel, in 1991. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2001 and married five years later.
In 2005, Mross took over as host of ARD’s Immer wieder sonntags, a role he initially doubted but has held ever since. Despite his success, he remains closely tied to his hometown of Traunstein.
Mross’s journey from a borrowed trumpet to folk music stardom spans more than 30 years. His television work and chart successes have made him a household name in German-speaking countries. Today, he continues to perform and host, maintaining his status as one of the genre’s biggest stars.
