2010 ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (Elect 1, unless otherwise noted) CULTURAL/HERITAGE MUSICIAN OF THE NEW ORIGINAL American Slovenian Citizens Assoc. YEAR - INDIVIDUAL OR WALTZ (ACME Club) Bob Kravos Brian O’Boyle Bella Luna Waltz (Dick Tady) Glasbena Matica Singing Society Eric Noltkamper Dick Tady Come Home Safe Polka Slovenian National Home East 80th Joe Novak (Fred Scherz, Sr.) SNPJ Heritage Room BAND OF THE YEAR Donuts Polka (Alex Meixner) Joe Valencic I’m Here Waltz (Jerry Kernz) Klancnik & Friends SUPPORT/PROMOTION Bob Kravos & the Boys in the Band GREATEST ALL TIME Joe Gabrosek & Gene Kovack Joe Novak & Friends -STYLE Kathy Paulenich & Kay Sefcik Eddie Rodick Orchestra HITS Val Pawlowski Dick Tady Orchestra (elect 2) Fred Ziwich ISM Jack Tady Polka Place Give Back My Heart Waltz United Musicians Polka Assoc. of RECORDING OF THE YEAR (Daj, Daj Srcek Nazaj) PA (UMPAPA) Happy Days Polka Pam & Jerry Zagar “It’s Never Too Late” (Jerry Kernz) “Best of Cleveland” (Bob Kravos) Iron Mike Polka BUTTON BOX- “Jammin” (Fairport Jammers) Kamnik Polka INDIVIDUAL/DUO “Stay All Night” (Alex Meixner) No Beer In Heaven Polka Pony Tail Polka Joe Grkman, Jr. Dick Tady “Timeless” () Red Lips Red Wine Polka Ron Likovic Joey Tomsick BEST SIDEMEN Squeezers Polka Joe Novak Fred Ziwich (elect 3) BUTTON BOX - GROUP LIFETIME Gary Byndas (Fred Ziwich ISM) ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Fairport Jammers Bob Ferritto (Joe Novak & Friends) (elect 2) Magic Buttons Joe Gill (Dick Tady Orchestra) Mahoning Valley Button Box Club Ed Gould (Dick Tady Orchestra) Fred Kuhar Bob Timko Polka Pirates Steve Grkman (Joe ‘Grkmania’ Dick Sodja Fred Ziwich Western PA SNPJ Button Box Club Grkman Band) Hank Thunander Phil Hrvatin (Joey Tomsick Orchestra) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Brian O’Boyle (Jack Tady) Christine Hibbs John Ross Frank Puskar (Karl Lukitsch) Nancy Novak Dick Tady Mike Yanek (Joe Novak & Friends) Kim Rodick Brian Zupancic (Joe Novak & Friends)

ACHIEVEMENT - continued from page 1 PREVIEW PARTY AND Timko’s Polka Place was a popular Cleveland night spot. Timko recorded MEMBERSHIP MEETING three albums, and two CDs. Fred Ziwich plays , button Thursday, October 14 - 7 p.m. box, clarinet, and saxophone. He started his own band at age 17. He became a Euclid City Hall professional musician in 1973, joining Council Chamber the Hank Haller orchestra. Since 1977 585 E. 222nd Street Fred has led the International Sound Machine. He is heard on 24/7 Polka Euclid, Heaven. He recorded 16 cassette albums for World Renowned Sound, and has The Board of Trustees cordially invites 2010 Lifetime Achievement Honorees recorded 20 albums of his own, plus all members of the National Cleveland- will also be announced, as well as the recording with Walter Ostanek and Style Polka Hall of Fame recipients of the Trustees Honor others. Fred is a past music director of to attend a Preview Party Roll. the Polka Awards Show, and serves on the Board of Trustees. at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, The two Greatest All-Time PHOF members will vote for two October 14, 2010, at Euclid Hit Songs voted in by our candidates for the Lifetime Achievement City Hall Council Chambers members will be performed Award. Announcement of the 2010 585 East 222nd Street. by your favorite musicians. inductees will be made at the Preview Annual Awards nominees Refreshments will be served. Meeting on October 14. will be introduced. The We hope to see you there. Paul Wilcox, Polka TV Icon, 1925 - 2010 Every Sunday afternoon, polka fans across the Midwest invited In Memoriam Paul Wilcox into their homes. The television and radio personality hosted the hour-long “Polka Varieties,” syndicated from WEWS Ed Romp in Cleveland for 27 years, from 1956 to 1983. The show featured Polka enthusiast, PHOF member, and writer for various popular bands that played Slovenian-style and the Polka Times, Ed Romp passed away, at age waltzes, Polish, German, Italian and Czech-style music. Wilcox 80, on May 29. Ed was a great supporter of polka led the only television program for polka music in the U.S. at that music and attended National Cleveland Style time. He passed away in Florida on Friday, June 18, at age 85. Polka Hall of Fame events, took photographs From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., families and polka-lovers tuned their TV and wrote follow-up articles on a regular basis. dials to Channel 5 to enjoy top names in Slovenian and nationality Ed lived in the Toledo area with his wife of 56 music, such as Richie Vadnal, Johnny Pecon, Cilka Dolgan, Wally years, Dorothy. His in-depth articles in the Polka Chips and Ed and Gilda Cifani. “America’s Polka King,” Frankie News gave readers a good idea of up and coming Yankovic and his Yanks were the first band to perform on the polka bands, as well as favorite musicians, and a show and remained popular guests throughout the run of the fine report on the events he attended. program. Our sympathy to Dorothy, his five children, Wilcox also introduced performances by local Slovenian cultural and extended family. groups, including the Zarja Singing Society, the Kres Dancers, and Fran Prijatel the SNPJ Slovenian Junior Chorus. During its later years, “Polka Polka Hall of Fame member, Fran Prijatel Varieties” reached 30 television markets and broadcast Slovenian passed away in June. She was 90. Fran was a entertainment into thousands of homes. button accordion player with the Buttonnaires. Wilcox and Yankovic teamed up to lead more than sixty polka She gained fame in a photograph on the front tours to Slovenia and worldwide. For his promotion of polka and page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper at nationality music, Wilcox was added to the Trustee Honor Roll of the opening of the new Polka Hall of Fame and the Polka Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003. Museum location, in 2002. Fran appeared in a “Paul Wilcox was a legend in polka television,” said radio color photo wearing a Slovenian costume, along host Tony Petkovsek, chairman of the American Slovenian Polka with her daughter Joann Bowman.. There is a Foundation which operates the Hall of Fame and Museum. plaque in the entrance of the PHOF Gift Shop “He was also a great fan and promoter of Slovenian music and with the photo and article. Each year Fran and culture.” Joann would dress in Slovenian costume and Wilcox was a distinguished flyer in the United States Air Force march, passing out candy to spectators, with in World War II and a POW during the Korean Conflict. He began the Polka Hall of Fame float at the Memorial on radio in 1947. His career included the “Paul Wilcox Polka Radio Day parade in Euclid. Our deepest sympathy Show,” which he hosted from 1973 to 1988 on various stations to her four children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great- in Cleveland. He was also a news and sportscaster at WEWS, grandchildren, and sisters Mitzi Urbanic and Cleveland’s ABC affiliate, in the 1960s. He retired to Florida in Ann Barbish. 1990. Wilcox will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

For many years, polka bands from record. The song is on the Slak album Cleveland have adapted melodies “Triglav,” The album states that that were composed and recorded by “Triglavski Valcek” was based on bands from Slovenia. old themes, with new lyrics by Leo The story of “Triglavski Valcek” Svetek, while all of the other songs are or “Triglav Waltz” is a case of a folk original melodies by Slak. song going full circle, from Slovenia That Lojze Slak LP album “Triglav” to Cleveland and back to Slovenia. has supplied much material for The Hoyer Trio first recorded the American Slovenian button box song in 1926. Pecon-Trebar later players, and the songs are part of their called it the “Whispering Waltz” The main melody, with some alteration, standard repertoire. The five songs on a Capitol recording. The Lojze became the “Whispering Waltz” on the are: the title cut “Triglav Polka” (not to Slak Ensemble recorded the song Pecon-Trebar for Capitol (#57-90021). be confused with the waltz), “Pozdrav as “Triglavski Valcek” on Jugoton Pecon and Trebar added two different Z Dolenjske” (called “Old Timer’s records in 1969. second parts of their own. The flip side Waltz” by Pecon-Trebar), “Mamici” The Hoyer recording of “Triglavski featured “An Old Fashioned Polka”, (a tribute to Slovenian mothers), “Ta Valcek” on Columbia Records, and both were released on 78 and 45 Sosedov Francelj” (My Neighbor (#25044) had two main melodies recordings. Frank), and Polhar Polka. Special based on folk songs that Matt Hoyer Where this gets interesting is that Thanks to John Hasper, and his web remembered from growing up in “Triglavski Valcek” was not recorded site WWW.Polkas.nl for supplying Europe. in Slovenia until 43 years after Hoyer‘s some of the above information. Polka Vibes from the Gift Shop

A couple of new CD releases are now the DVD includes a glimpse of the are made of ceramic with sayings available at the Polka Hall of Fame Gift appearance. such as: “Not Only Good Looking but Shop: Button Box Magic by Dick Tady, Billy Frank, Don Srnick, Phil Yan, Slovenian Too,” and others such as and a trip down nostalgia lane with and Tony Verch are some members of “Born to Polka.” Walter Ostanek and Frankie Yankovic the Hoboes. Currently in stock are large signs in the album “The Two of Us.” Tom Back to school time may be a good stating “PARKING FOR SLOVENIANS Brusky has a brand new, versatile CD, opportunity to purchase some novel ONLY” Others Will Be Towed at $6.50. called “The First Forty Years”. For fans musical gifts for the youngsters in The price for the items does not include of the “Hoboes” and a new audience, the family. The PHOF Gift Shop has postage. Order on-line through Paypal the garage-style band harmonicas for $4.50 and kazoos for at www.Polkafame.com, or call toll-free has issued a DVD. The $3.50. Young and old music lovers can 866-66POLKA. Hoboes performed get into the spirit of polkas with a Jingle Fred Ziwich will be a special guest on the original Gong Wristband at $4.50. at the Gift Shop October 23, special Show in the 1970s, and A full-stock of nationality magnets discounts that day, no admission. The National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Founded to showcase artifacts and memorabilia and to trace the evolution and history of Cleveland-Style Polka Music from its Slovenian origins with colorful displays and audio/visual presentations. Complete retail sales of cassettes, CDs, videos and Polka souvenirs. Accessible from downtown Cleveland via Interstate 90. Exit East 222nd Street, proceed North to 605 E. 222nd Street. HOURS FOR POLKA HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP: Noon till 5 p.m., Tuesday thru Friday • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., on Saturday • Closed Sunday and Monday www.polkafame.com • (216) 261-FAME (3263) • Toll Free 1-866-66POLKA

the “QUARTERLY” National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame 605 E. 222nd Street • Euclid, Ohio 44123

Summer 2010 SUMMER 2010 Vol. XXII, No. 3 Polka Hall of Fame Slovenian Sausage Festival Returns to SNPJ Farm, Wednesday, September 15 Vote for the best Slovenian klobasa Milan Racanovic, the Penn-Ohio Polka Meats, Raddell’s at the 7th annual Slovenian Sausage All-Stars, the Al-Ray Combo, the Polka Slovenian Sausage Shop and Maple Festival, hosted by the National Pirates, Magic Buttons, the Fairport Heights Catering. Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, Jammers and Canada’s Polka King Advance tickets at $7 are available at Wednesday, September 15. This year, Walter Ostanek. the Polka Hall of Fame, 605 East 222nd your favorite polka bands and sausage- You can sample sausages from Street, in Euclid. Admission at the gate makers return to SNPJ Farm for seven several makers and then vote for your is $8. SNPJ Farm is at 11000 Heath Road hours of non-stop music and munching, tastiest choice. A variety of treats and in Kirtland, Ohio, off Chardon Road from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. refreshments awaits you between (Route 6), three miles east of Route 306. Dance to the finest Cleveland-Style musical numbers. The 2010 King of Call the Polka Hall of Fame for tickets orchestras, including Joey Tomsick, Klobasa is announced at 6:00 p.m. This and details, (216) 261-FAME or toll-free the Chardon Polka Band, Hank Haller, year’s entrants include Azman Quality (866) 66-POLKA. Five Candidates Up for Election for Lifetime Achievement By Cecilia Dolgan Five accordionist-bandleaders have nander have appeared on the ballot music in the 1960s, and recorded his been nominated for Lifetime Achieve- previously. first album in 1972. He played with the ment in the National Cleveland-Style Impact in the field of polka music is Frankie Yankovic orchestra for Midwest Polka Hall of Fame. They are: Fred one of the criteria considered for this engagements. Hank has recorded seven Kuhar, Dick Sodja, Hank Thunander, Award, and all of the nominees have albums. He hosted a polka radio show Bob Timko, and Fred Ziwich. Mem- made their mark nationally or region- for ten years. He was inducted into the bers will vote for two inductees to ally. Ironworld Hall of Fame in 1993. receive the organization’s highest honor Here are some of their accomplish- Dick Sodja joined the Kenny Bass in 2010. Fred Kuhar and Hank Thu- ments, nominees listed in alphabetical band at age 17, and was the lead order. accordionist for 15 years. Dick has Fred Kuhar had a polka band continu- written polkas and was the arranger. ously for 38 years. He recorded a series He then performed with Frankie of five albums with his band playing Yankovic’s TV band on a regular basis. Pecon-style of polka music. Fred pro- Dick joined Al Markic in the late 1960s duced seven Johnny Pecon “live” per- to form the Almars Orchestra. He formance CDs, and preserved the Pecon operated a music store for more than 30 sound for posterity. Fred also served years. Dick played on more than 200 the as president of the American Slovenian recordings. He later formed the Dick Polka Foundation for nine years, and Sodja band. “QUARTERLY” initiated transferring 78 polka record- Bob Timko is considered to be one SUMMER 2010 ings to CDs. of the premier accordionists born in Hank Thunander has made a major Cleveland, Ohio.. For many years, Bob Joey Tomsick, Editor contribution to Cleveland style polka was an accordionist and sometime bass music on the Iron Range of Minnesota player with the Kenny Bass orchestra. In 605 E. 222nd St. and neighboring states. Hank was born the late 1960s, the Bob Timko orchestra Euclid, OH 44123 in Michigan to parents of Swedish and became one of the hottest Cleveland- Italian heritage. He began playing polka style polka groups in the Midwest. continued on page 2