Polka News
News
2013. www.polkas.nl -
Just Released, 2 brandnew CD's from Canada's Polka King Walter Ostanek.
The compilation Polka Celebration, 50 Years Of Friendship from Walter Ostanek & Joey Miskulin contains a collection of songs they have recorded together over the years. The other new CD called Carefree, Polkas And Waltzes, this album from Walter Ostanek And His Band has 22 new songs in the original Ostanek style!
Golden Double Jubilee
Today on Tony Petkovsek’s daily radio program he was presented with a very special
memento from polkas.nl. Recently Tony Petkovsek announced that he will be semi-
After getting to know Tony I learned that one of his all-
During the 50th Thanksgiving Polka Party Cecilia Dolgan, president of the National
Cleveland-
John Hasper.
www.polkas.nl
Eddie Liszewski (Eddie & The Slovenes) passed away January 26, 2012 at age 80. Our sincere sympathy to his family, friends, and many fans. He will be missed, but never forgotten!
Friends will be received on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm at
the Bowser-
Just released a new album from Bud Hyrczyk called Dapper Dan The Polka Man. Bud Hyrczyk has recorded 18 button box tunes, featured 13 new compositions. Check the New CDs page on polkas.nl to see list of songs and to order.
News from the National Cleveland-
Cecilia Dolgan retires as President,
Cecilia Dolgan, President of the American Slovenian Polka Foundation, has retired
from the position at the April meeting of the Board of Trustees. She will continue
on as a trustee of the organization, which operates the National Cleveland-
Joe Valencic Leads Polka Hall of Fame,
At the 11th meeting of the American Slovenian Polka Foundation, the Board of Trustees
unanimously voted for Joe Valencic to take over as President of the organization.
Joe replaces Cecilia Dolgan who has led the organization since 2000. Cecilia will
continue on the Board of Trustees. Joe Valencic is a founding trustee of the National
Cleveland-
Direct from North Olmsted, OH. comes a brand new button box release! Button Box Menagerie
is a two CD recording featuring Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine along
with special guests: Kathy Hlad, Ted Lange, Matt Frank and Julie Tabaj. 23 songs,
over 80-
Karl J. Gmur, age 73, of New Glarus, WI, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Karl started playing polka music with the Russ Wilson Orchestra and spent the majority of his musical career playing with the Roger Bright Band. He also spent time playing bluegrass with Down From The Hills Band. He played with many other groups through the years, filling in as needed. In these past years he was very proud to have organized “Another Memorable Occasion”, playing with Grant Kozera and friends for local New Glarus festivals. Karl was thrilled to have included his longtime friend Jay Broderson “the tallest banjo player in the Midwest” in this past year’s polka fest.
Karl was born November 16, 1938 the son of Franz and Emilie Freida (Keusch) Gmur. Karl graduated from Argyle High School in 1956. He served in the United States Navy from 1956 until 1959. Karl attended Wisconsin School of Electronics, while working at Swiss Colony. He was united in marriage to Sheila McDonald in 1966. They were blessed with three children: Monika, William, and Kristopher. Karl was united in marriage to Kaye Luchsinger in 1982. Karl worked at Miniature Instruments in New Glarus, and also at Federal Industries for 40 years officially retiring on 09/09/09. His latest career included working as a courier for the Bank of New Glarus and also assisting RPM Motors in New Glarus with vehicle pickups.
Karl is survived by his wife, Kaye; three children: Monika (Bobby) Pernot, William
(Lynnette) Gmur, and Kristopher (Teresa Kazmerzak) Gmur; four grandchildren: Trisha
(Steve Miller) Pernot, Trevor (Danielle Wittmann) Pernot, Jakob and Josef Gmur; his
first great-
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 338 South Harrison Street in Belleville, WI, with Rev. Michael Moon officiating. Casual attire is requested for the visitation which will be held Friday, August 24, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Schuetzenhaus (Shooting Park Barn), N8754 County Highway O in rural New Glarus. The Erickson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Argyle is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
Accordionist George Staiduhar has released a new compact disc. George has been playing and recording in a band on and off for more than 40 years in Cleveland, Ohio. On Staiduhar's Finale there are 24 polkas and waltzes, including 5 vocal songs. Check the New CDs page on polkas.nl to see list of songs and to order.
New on CD.
Johnny Pecon -
3 brand new Classic Records CDs. The great Pecon-
2012 Thanksgiving Polka Weekend
The 2012 Awards Show will be held at the Euclid High School Auditorium,
711 East 222nd Street, Euclid on Saturday, November 24, 2012.
The 2012 Polka Party will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Downtown, Cleveland, November 22, November 23, 2012.
The Polka Mass & the Meet The Winners Dance will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Downtown, Cleveland, November 24, 2012.
Thursday, November 22
Linda Lee Brown
Ed Klimczak
Dan Peters
Joe Novak and Friends
Alpine Sextet
Polka Hall of Fame Legends
Steve Meisner Band
Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band with Walter Ostanek
The Polka Pirates
Chardon Polka Band
Friday, November 23
St. Clair Avenue Boys
Fritz's Polka Band
Martin Brothers Band
The Casuals
Polka Hall of Fame Legends Band
Ultimate Jam Session
Karl Lukitsch/Autobahn
Steve Meisner Band
Button Box Buddies
Hank Thunander
Saturday, November 24
Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show
Polka Mass
Meet the Winners Dance
Joey Tomsick and the JTO
Steve Meisner Band
Fritz's Polka Band
Click here for more information
Joe Fedorchak from Youngstown, Ohio died after a short period of illness He passed
away at age 76 on August 28 at The Hospice House on Market St. in Youngstown, Ohio.
Joe produced, arranged and recorded six albums. He was also a charter and diligent
member of the “Penn-
We have lost another Polka Legend, Jim Kozel. His musical talents were very unique.
Jim passed away at age 84 on September 01 in the Slovenian Home for the aged in Cleveland.
He died after a short period of illness. He served as the music director of the Polka
Hall of Fame Awards Show for 11 years. Jim Kozel is on the Trustees Honor Roll of
the National Cleveland-
National Cleveland-
Results for 2012 -
Lifetime Achievement.
Steve Meisner, recording artist, bandleader, composer, arranger & accordionist from Whitewater, WI.
Frank Perkovich, the polka priest from Minnesota, produced "The Polka Mass" album
with estimated sales of 100,000 albums, the best-
Eddie Vallus, teacher, recording artist, bandleader & accordionist from Younsstown, OH. Grammy Award nominee, has written 50 polkas and waltzes, recorded 7 albums.
Trustees Honor Roll.
Jack Frohnhofer (deceased), Saxophone and Bandleader from Pittsburgh, PA.
Lud Hrovat (deceased), Tavern owner, bandleader & accordionist from Maple Heights, OH.
Ken Tomsick, polka promoter & polka events volunteer, from Euclid, OH.
Ray Young, vocalist, recording artist with Johnny Pecon, Eddie Habat & Hank Haller from Middleburg Hts OH.
Eddie Vrtovsnik (deceased), Zeke and Charlie: popular button box & banjo duo for 40 years.
Charlie Vrtovsnik (deceased), Zeke and Charlie: popular button box & banjo duo for 40 years.
Frankie Yankovic Sidemen:
Anthony "Tops" Cardone (deceased), accordion.
Carl Paradiso (deceased), guitar, banjo, and vocals.
Al Leslie (deceased), bass.
Arthur "Buddy" Griebel, piano.
Greatest All-
Red Lips And Red Wine Polka.
(E. Benedict, F. Zajc, J. Glass, D. Brandon) Original recording by by Johnny Eager And His Eager Beavers, with the Ernest Benedict Quartet.
Tic-
(Words by S. Guski, R.j. Martino / Music by G. Lama) Original recording by Frankie Yankovic And His Yanks.
The other Award winners will be named at the Awards Show , at 2 p.m., November 24, 2012, at Euclid High School Auditorium.
FRANKIE SPETICH 1924 -
After a short period of health problems Frankie Spetich from Barberton, Ohio died suddenly on Tuesday morning December 04, 2012. May he rest in peace.
Polkas.nl would like to remember Frankie Spetich
Just released a new compilation album Welcome Back Fun Fest -
February 9, 2:00 PM: CD premiere Steve Meisner, Meisner Time! at Rick's Eastside Pub and Grill, Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Sweet Jennie Lee, Granish Polka, A Wink And A Smile, Geno's Polka, Cecily's Waltz,
Seebis Polka, There's Yes, Yes In Your Eyes, Waddling Duck, Anna Marie, Baskovic
Polka, So Much Love, Doc Perko's Polka, Springtime In Love, Up The Hill To Magic
City, Will You Love Me, Stop And Go Polka, Flirt With The Girls, I'll Dream Of You
Again.
The International Polka Association has announced the 2013 inductees of the IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame Awards.
Winner Hall Of Fame Pioneer Category -
Tony and other winners will be honored at a banquet on August 3, 2013, during the International Polka Festival and Convention in Independence, Ohio.
Frank Stanger Anniversary Dance & New CD premiere.
May 19, 2013 (1:00 pm) SNPJ Lodge 106, Imperial, Pennsylvania.
The Frank Stanger Orchestra is back with its first new recording since the early
1990's (re-
Just released a new CD from Ron Pivovar called Yikes! More Polkas & Waltzes From Otter Creek. 22 great tracks played on the Diatonic Button Box Accordion. Check out this fine original button accordion CD!
In Loving Memory
Rudy Meulen, 1958 -
We learned that the Dutch polka fan, Mr. Rudy Meulen has passed away. He died of a heart attack. Rudy brought with enthusiasm his knowledge of polka music. Unfortunately, a very special personality has gone. Farewell Rudy.
In Loving Memory
Sam Pugliano 1932 -
Sam Pugliano from Pennsylvania has passed away at age 80 on June 13. In 1950, Sam started his own polka band. He played piano accordion and button box and presented from 1965 his polka program on the radio. Sam's Polka Party was on the radio for 48 years! Farewell Sam, rest in peace.
Polkas.nl would like to remember Sam Pugliano.