Polka News
News -
December, 08
It was an honor to meet so many people in Cleveland.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to me.
Please keep in touch, John Hasper (Polkas.nl)
November, 15
YES! It’s true. We’re flying to Cleveland for the Thanksgiving Polka Party & Award Show 2008. We hope to see all of you. We’ll be there! Want to find us? We are staying at the Marriott Hotel, please ask reception!
John & Jeanne (polkas.nl)
November, 04
News from Denny Anderson.
Hi to all,
For those of you that will be heading to different regions of the country this winter, I wanted to let you know now of this great spring event, so you can plan accordingly.
This will also be sent out early in 2009, as a reminder!
“The International Main Street Polka Band” will be appearing at “The Beckster Fest” in Amana, Iowa, on May 29 & 30, 2009 and Sunday May 31st , 2009 at the “Croatian Club” in Joliet, Illinois.
For more information regarding our date at the “Croatian Club” in Joliet, Illinois.
Call 815-
Mark Your Calendars Now for these grand spring events!
“The Beckster Fest” is arranged and presented by Becky Livermore, “Barefoot Becky”.
You can view the Beckster Fest band schedule at www.barefootbecky.com/becksterfest.htm
October, 20
National Cleveland Style Polka Hall Of Fame NEWS
2008 TRUSTEES HONOR ROLL RECIPIENTS
TONY FORTUNA
Accordionist and bandleader from Cleveland.
Tony played accordion with the Al Markic
band in 1984 before forming his own band in 1989.
VIOLET RUPARCICH
Vocalist, radio host, and record promoter from Pittsburgh.
Violet released her first
album in 1961. She has recorded seven Slovenian recordings and three Tamburitza/Croatian
recordings.
DICK SODJA
Accordionist and his Sodja music store business from Arizona.
Dick played with Kenny Bass for 15 years. He was in the music store business for more than 30 years. Dick played on more than 200 recordings.
LOUIS SPEHEK
Pioneer accordionist from Cleveland.
Louis was born in Slovenia, but emigrated to Cleveland. He began recording in 1913. He died in 1966.
BOB TURCOLA
Accordionist and bandleader from Youngstown.
Bob started in polka bands in 1961. He has had his own polka band since 1967. Bob has seven albums.
DAVE WOLNIK
Drummer from Wickliffe.
Dave played in 84 different polka bands for 50 years before his passing in 2008. He played with Frankie Yankovic, Bob Timko, Joey Miskulin, and Joe Fedorchak. Dave played drums on many polka recordings.
Click here for the nomination list
October, 14
National Cleveland Style Polka Hall Of Fame NEWS
2008 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES ANNOUNCED
At the Preview Meeting of the American
Slovenian Polka Foundation held October, the election results show that the members
chose Frankie Mullec and Eddie Rodick to receive the organization’s highest honor.
FRANKIE
MULLEC is one of the accordionist/bandleaders of the late 1940s and 1950s, who helped
make Cleveland style polka music popular throughout the country. He sold a quarter
of a million records with hits such as “Tell Me a Story,” “Cleveland Polka,” and
“Because Your Blue Eyes Blink.” Frankie, 88, attended the preview meeting and was
thrilled to be named as an honoree. He said, “I’m glad you didn’t wait much longer.”
EDDIE
RODICK has been an accordionist/bandleader since his teen years, which adds up to
more than 40 years in polka music. Eddie said, “This is a great honor and words can’t
express how I feel.” Eddie is currently the Band of the Year winner. His band has
been voted Band of the Year previously in 1990 and 1992.
Frankie and Eddie will receive the Crystal Trophy at the Awards Show, 2 p.m., November 29, 2008, at the Slovenian National Home auditorium, 6409 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland.
Click here for the nomination list
October, 05
Accordionist and Bandleader Art Perko has passed away on Oktober, 03 at age 73 in Cleveland OH.
October, 02
News from Denny Anderson.
“St Croix Casino Polkathon 3”
Just a note to let all of you know I’ll be appearing at the St.Croix Casino in Turtle Lake, WI. On Saturday October 11, 2008 with The “Scott Bixby Band” 11am to 3pm. On Sunday October 12, 2008 with “Steve Meisner” 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
Join us for two days of POLKA MUSIC at the OCTOBER POLKATHON.
Mark these dates on your calendar. Hope to see all of you there.
Denny Anderson
The International Main Street Polka Band
PO Box 43394 Brooklyn Park, MN 55443-
imspolkaband@comcast.net
September, 23
News from Wackie Jackie.
Hi Polkateers,
Join Mrs. Wackie and me, Wackie Jackie "Z." this Sunday 9-
Steve Meisner, Polka Hall of Fame winner, has received numerous other awards and nominations including "Musician and Band of the Year", "Favorite Polka Artist", "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Maryland Accordion Club, and resides as the 9th inductee to the Ironworld Polka Hall of Fame. In addition he was the 2005 "Honor Roll" inductee to the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. Polkateers, you won't want to miss this show!!
The Tribute starts at 2PM (EST)...........Come on, "Let's have a Polka Party!"
“Keeping Polkas Alive on 88.5”
Also, join Bobby Doszak Jr. this Sunday 9-
September, 20
More Sad News! Lou Trebar, known as “The Waltz King” has passed away at age 88 in
Cleveland, Ohio. Visitation Tues. 2-
September, 16
Sad News! Vocalist Eddie Kenik has passed away at 5.45 am this morning in Cleveland.
September, 03
More news from Danny Anderson.
Just another “Polka Reminder”. I’ll be appearing with “Steve Meisner” at the
St Croix Casino in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin on Sunday September 7, 2008 starting at 2:00pm. Join us for an afternoon of great music.
Hope to see you there!!
Denny Anderson
The International Main Street Polka Band
PO Box 32757
Minneapolis, MN 55432-
September, 01
News from Danny Anderson.
Just a reminder that “IMSPB” will be appearing in: Jefferson, WI for “Gemuetlichkeit Days” on Saturday September 13, 2008 from 8pm to midnight. Also at Sturtevant, WI at “The Hiawatha Ballroom” on Sunday September 14, 2008 from 2pm to 6pm. Join us at both locations; we look forward to seeing you.
Available beginning September 13th a New Release “POLKAS HOT” by “The International Main Street Polka Band”
Please Visit www.imspb.com
Hope to see you soon.
Denny Anderson
The International Main Street Polka Band
PO Box 32757
Minneapolis, MN 55432-
August, 08
www.slovenianmelodies.com NEW polka web site. Radio Show "Slovenian Melodies" is
in the air on Sunday from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM on 91.3 FM, WAPS in Akron, Ohio.
AJ Hite bring the best in Cleveland-
Click here and listen on the internet.
August, 06
Accordionist and Bandleader Ray Champa has passed away.
Raymond F. Champa, age 79. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Locke); dear father of Raymond
G. (Joan), Kenneth (Sheila), Gregory (Martha), Jerome (Marilyn); grandfather of Kimberly,
Kristina (Brandon) Raybourne, Marissa, Kenneth Jr., Patrick, Maureen, Thomas, Brian,
Andrew, Catherine, Veronica, Byron Chen. Died August 4, 2008. Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday August 7 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Church, 15519 Holmes Ave., Cleveland,
OH. Interment All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends at BRICKMAN BROS. FUNERAL
HOME, 37433 EUCLID AVE. (WILLOUGHBY), WEDNESDAY 5-
August, 04
News from Johnny Koenig.
Hey Everyone!
Just giving you an update of what's going on with me -
Johnny Koenig
(440)-
jmk3388@gmail.com
http://www.johnnykoenig.com
August, 02
News from Steve Meisner.
Dear Friends,
HAPPY SUMMER! For all of you in the Wisconsin Dells area, This evening I will make a special guest appearance with the swing crew starting with the Street Performance at 7:00pm and then at the Showboat Saloon at 10:20pm. I look forward to seeing you if you’re in the area. There have been updates to the August schedule so, please disregard your old copies. Also, time is running out to sign up for the Frankenmuth bus trip & the Fin & Feather showboat cruise. If you’re thinking about joining the fun don’t delay in sending your payments to me at the address below. If you need the brochures please visit my website and you can print them for there.
Thanks!
August
Fri 1st St. Lawrence Croatian Club, (with Polka Quads) Steelton PA 8:00pm
Sat 2nd Steve Novosel’s Polka Palace 1ST Anniversary Dance,
Acme Club, 230 Herron Ave, Cheswick PA 5:00pm (call Steve Novosel for reservations
724-
Sun 3rd MUSIK FEST, Bethlehem, PA 12:00 Noon
4th & 6th WISCONSIN STATE FAIR, Budweiser Pavilion, West Allis, WI 11:00am
Thu 7th CONCERT IN THE PARK, Veterans Park, West Allis, WI 7:00pm
12th -
call Steve for tour info. 262-
Sat 16th CHERI SHEPARD CANCER BENEFIT, Moose View Bar, 10640 Big Arbor Vitae Dr, Arbor Vitae, WI 5:00pm
Tue 19th STREET SHOW, Wisconsin Dells, WI 7:00pm (special guest with the Swing Crew)
www.swingcrew.com
Tue 19th SHOWBOAT SALOON, Wisconsin Dells, WI 10:20pm
(Special guest with the Swing Crew) www.swingcrew.com
Thu 21st AMERICAN SERB HALL, 51st & Oklahoma, Milw., WI 1:00pm
Fri 22nd KOCHANSKI’S CONCERTINA BEER HALL, 1920 S 37th St, Milwaukkee, WI 8:00pm
Sat 23rd FIN-
(call Steve 262-
Sun 24th CROATIAN CULTURAL CLUB, 1503 Clement Ave, Joliet, IL 6:00pm
29th -
Steve Meisner
N7547 W Lakeshore Dr
Whitewater, WI 53190-
262-
www.stevemeisner.com
Augustus, 02
Sad news, drummer, singer and Polka Hall Of Famer Joe Stradiot has passed away.
www.polkas.nl/joestradiot
June, 17
News from Steve Meisner.
Special Schedule Update
This Thursday June 19th at 7:00pm
WTKM and the Schauer Center present an evening with Lynn Marie & the Boxhounds
featuring a special guest appearance by Steve Meisner. For tickets call 262-
or visit www.schauercenter.org
May, 15
News from Wackie Jackie.
Hi Polkateers,
Join Mac the Polka Guy and Wackie Jackie Z. this Sunday, May 18th, 2008 on the Polka
Party Express, from 2-
“Keeping Polkas Alive on 88.5”
May, 10
The "Roger Bright Memorial Festival Band / The International Main Street Polka Band" will be appearing June 13th & 14th, 2008 in New Glarus, WI for the 7th annual "Roger Bright Memorial Polkafest". (See the Events Page, for more details by clicking here.) "The International Main Street Polka Band" will have their latest recordings available "Town & Country Polkas" and "Thanks for Christmas". Also a new release available in the fall of 2008.
In addition, Dave Austin and Craig Ebel will have their current recordings available.
Visit ( www.imspb.com) "The International Main Street Polka Band" for band information, schedules, other web links and a great photo page.
May, 06
News from Wackie Jackie.
Dear Polkateers,
On Sunday, May 4th, 2008 WMNF held their Annual Awards Dinner to Honor outstanding performance by their volunteers and programmers. At that dinner, Wackie Jackie Z. from the Polka Party Express was awarded the BEST NEW PROGRAMMER AWARD for 2007.
This award belongs to all the Polkateers who have supported the show and spread the
word that "We're Having a Polka Party" every Sunday afternoon from 2-
May, 02
News from Wackie Jackie.
Hi Polkateers,
Join us this Sunday, May 3rd 2008 on the Polka Party Express, from 2-
Mrs. Wackie will be the Co-
“Keeping Polkas Alive on 88.5”
April, 24
ONE YEAR POLKAS.NL
One Year Anniversary.
Thank you for visiting polkas.nl Please come back soon. To promote polkas, I’ve taken one more step foreward “click here for the first polkas.nl YouTube Videos.”
John.
April, 15
News from Johnny Koenig -
Hello Everyone! I hope this news finds everyone well. This is to give you an update
on what Johnny Koenig has been up to, and what he has coming up for this year. NEWS
-
Musicially Yours, Johnny.
March, 25
News from Phillip Nadvesnik -
SLOVENIAN FESTIVAL MELBOURNE 2008 VIDEOS.
The Slovenian Festival of Victoria is held every second year, for two days. This
time it was the turn of Slovenian Club "Jadran" to host the festival. Along with
the fun was Ansambel Sneznik from Slovenia, and an afternoon of "Show What You Know",
or "Pokazi Kaj Znas"
If you would like to watch videos of the occasion or missed out
on the day, please click here.
March, 20
News from Steve Meisner -
THERE WILL BE A FRANKENMUTH SUMMER FESTIVAL THIS YEAR!!!!
Steve Meisner will be performing August 11th & 12th and the annual bus trip leaving Milwaukee will also take place. Steve will have information available shortly, please check the website for updates. Also, due to the tremendous response of fans turning out for the March 1st & 2nd Pennsylvania appearances we’ll be back Aug. 2nd to the Acme Club and Aug. 3rd to the Bethlehem Musik Festival. Bob & Janet Mirt & Larry & Cindy Placek have invited us back in March 2009.
Best wishes,
Steve Meisner (www.stevemeisner.com)
March, 04
Karl Lukitsch is currently writing and arranging for his new cd. This new album wil be released summer 2008.
February, 26
Cleveland’s Polka King Johnny Vadnal, 84, died Feb. 25 2008 at Lake West hospital. He was born March 14, 1923 in Cleveland; resident of Mentor for the past 8 years. Survivors are his wife Alice; father of Gail Ann Herbert, John (Tina) Vadnal of Forest, Va. & Michael Vadnal of Cooper City, Fl.; grandfather of Don, Scott & Josh; brother of Richie (Elaine) Vadnal; and sister in law of Mary Vadnal; Many Nieces & nephews and among whom is his sometime accordion playing buddy & family musical protege: Butch Fortuna. Son of the late Anton & Anna Vadnal; and brother of the late Tony, Valerie & Frankie.
CLICK HERE for the Johnny Vadnal Memorial Page
February, 02
DAVID FRANCIS WOLNIK, 72, died Jan. 31, 2008. Dave played drums in Frankie Yankovic’s
band for 36 years. Beloved husband of Karen Ann (nee Keba); father of Amy, Brian
(Marisa), Andrea, Dan (Jane) and Joel (Pam); grandfather of Samantha Ann, Maggie
Rose, Stephen, Darryl and Brianna; son of Jacob and the late Esther (nee Miller);
brother of Kenneth Wolnik (Jean) of N. Royalton, OH., and Rosemary Junke (Al) of
Hinckley, OH. Survived by two nephews, Jon and Kenny. Family will receive friends
MONDAY 1-
Click here to leave your well wishes or memories for Dave’s family.
January, 10
News from Phillip Nadvesnik -
Hello everyone,
I'd like to let you know that videos of the Slovenian Hunter's Picnic from 2006 at
the Slovenian Club Melbourne (Research, Eltham) have been played on a Slovenian internet
television show "Pot poti/Pot-
Click here for Part 1
Click here for Part 2
Also seen on E TV, Moj TV, Sponka TV, Gorenjska TV, RTS Maribor.
January, 06
DON’T FORGET, COMING UP Sunday January 27th, 2008 Another great POLKA EVENT!!
“The International Main Street Polka Band”
(IMSPB) will be appearing at the Withrow Ballroom & Events Center in Hugo, MN.
We will be alternating with
The Music Connection
visit the Withrow Ballroom & Events Center web-
THE ILLINOIS POLKAFEST -
Check out the Naperville 2008 flyer for the band line up for 2008.
"The International Main Street Polka Band" is part of the line up in 2008.
We would like to thank the host of the Illinois Polkafest, Bob Dozak for inviting us.
Visit the Polkafest page at the primetime polkas web-
Or E-
December, 28
Have you made your New Year’s Eve reservations to join Steve Meisner for the “end all, end of the year bash”?
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
The Knights of Columbus, 1800 S 92nd St in West Allis, WI has a limited amount of
reservations left for this gala New Years Eve event.
Your package includes;
A limited time complimentary bar
A delicious buffet dinner
Music by yours truly till the cows come home
A midnight buffet
Champaign & party favors
Call Dale at 414-
If you still haven’t had enough party New Years Eve be sure to join me New Years Day at Rick’s Eastside Pub & Grill, E Milwaukee St in Whitewater, WI for Rick & Ellie’s Customer Appreciation Party & Polka Jam. Doors open at 9:30 AM for the Badger game, food & refreshments will be served, & music will start around 2:00 PM featuring the Meisner’s, Hartmann’s, and many more talents in harmony the rest of the afternoon.
Don’t miss your chance to bid the old year a gala farewell & the New Year a hardy welcome
with Steve Meisner.
Happy New Year from Steve!
December, 15
OKTOBERFEST IN MARCH 2008
Cape Coral, Florida, March, 7 -
With Walter Ostanek, Denny Anderson, Frank Moravcik, Ron Sluga, Ed Klancnik, Dan Yarnick,
Joe Fedorchak, Hank Haller, Bob Turcola.
Click here for the flyer.
December, 13
Grammy Awards (February, 10, 2008)
Walter Ostanek & Brian Sklar & The Western Senators are nominee for the album Duelling Polkas.
November, 14
THE 17th ANNUAL 2008
SOUTHWEST POLKA PARTY
February 12, 13 & 14, 2008
Las Vegas -
With:
Stan Blout Orchestra
Sam DeFazio's Goodtime
Band
Julie Lee & her White Rose Band
Del Sinchak Band
Rhythm Playboys
Master of Ceremonies:
Roman Possedi
The Orleans Hotel & Casino
www.orleanscasino.com
Room Reservations: 1-
For More Information:
Visit
www.southwestpolka.com
November, 04
The Ed Klancnik Band has finished producing The Korby's Polka for Canada's Polka King, Walter Ostanek. The song will appear on Walter’s next major release in 2008. The tracking took place at Ranch Recordings and mixing was done by Gary Rhamy at Peppermint Productions.
November, 02
Just launched on the web site a much better Johnny Pecon -
(Many thanks to Carl for his help)
November, 01
Recently released the 3th album by the Penn-
21 bands on this new project.
