2012 Photos

Polka Hall of Famers Eddie Rodick, Cecilia Dolgan and Dick Flaisman perform the all-time polka hit, “Red Lips and Red Wine,” before a crowd of 1,000 at the 25^th annual National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show on November 24, 2012, in Euclid Auditorium in Euclid, Ohio.

Wisconsin Bandleader Steve Meisner joined his late father Verne Meisner as an inductee for lifetime achievement into the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame on November 24, 2012.

Forty musicians from the U. S. and Canada joined in on a polka music jam session at the Thanksgiving Weekend Polka Dance Party, hosted by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, November 22, 23 and 24, 2012.

Joe Valencic, President of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, led a tour of the music museum for Her Excellency Ljudmila Novak, Vice President of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister for Slovenians Abroad. She was accompanied by Dr. Zvone Zigon, past Consul General of Slovenia in Cleveland and Jure Zmauc, the current Consul General. Mrs. Novak was a presenter at the 25th annual Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show on November 24, 2012, and gave recognition to the organization for its work in preserving Slovenian heritage in the United States.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Eddie Vallus. Eddie Vallus is the leader of one of the best-known Cleveland-Style polka bands in the Youngstown area and has been a long-time promoter of the music through his activities with the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Father Frank Perkovich (The Polka Mass Priest) . Father Frank Perkovich popularized the Polka Mass and turned it into a new traditon at nationality festivals around the country. His "Songs and Hymns from the Polka Mass" recordings are the most widely-sold Cleveland-Style polka albums in recent decades.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Steve Meisner.  Steve Meisner leads one of the most high-profile Cleveland-Style polka bands in the Midwest. He has earned a living playing polka music since the age of 16. He also joins his father as a Lifetime Achievement honoree in the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Musemum.

Winner - Cultural/Heritage Award Fred Martin SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH.

Winners - Support/Promotion Joe Gabrosek & Gene Kovack

Winner - Button Box-Individual/Duo Joey Tomsick

Winner - Button Box Group - Fairport Jammers

Winner - Vocalist of the Year - Dale Bucar

Winner - Sideman of the Year - Mark Habat Sr. (Fred Ziwich ISM)

Winner - Sideman of the Year - Frank Okicki (Bob Kravos Band)

Winner Sideman of the Year - Al Bambic *Accepting* Dave Skrajner

Winner Best New Original Song - George Staiduhar

Tribute to Cecila Dolgan - left to right Joe Valencic, Cecila Dolgan, and Ray Somich

The Tony Petkovsek Award - Presented to Ray Somich (left) by Tony Petkovsek (right)

Recording of the Year Award - "Staiduhar's Finale" George Staiduhar

Band of the Year Award - Joey Tomsick "JTO" left to right Jim Penko, Phil Hrvatin, and Joey Tomsick (not pictured Hank Guzel)

Accepting for Musician of the Year/Individual - Eddie Rodick and Don Wojtila for Brian O'Boyle

Trustees Honor Roll Receipent - Rose Frohnhoffer for Jack Frohnhoffer

Trustees Honor Roll Receipent - Lud Hrovat accepting daughter Lynn Marie Rink and Hrovat family

Trusttees Honor Roll Receipent - Ken Tomsick Sr.

Trustees Honor Roll Present - Trustee Joe Novak

Trustees Honor Roll Receipent - The Yankovic Show Band: (Tops Cardone, Buddy Griebel, Al Leslie, and Carl Paradiso) *pictured* Buddy Griebel

Trustees Honor Roll Receipent Vocalist - Ray Young

Trustees Honor Roll Receipents - Zeke and Charlie (Eddie Vrtovsnik and Charlie Vrtovsnik) *Accepting* Charlie Vrtovsnik Son and Mrs. Vrtovsnik

Presenters - Slovenian Man and Woman of the Year - Philip Hrvatin and Alice Kuhar