Trustees Honor Roll

Vallus, Eddie

Accordionist, Bandleader and Composer (1936)

Eddie Vallus may be of Slovak descent and a native of Youngstown, but the Cleveland-style polka has been an important part of his life since 1953. Eddie along with Joe Fedorchak, played the accordion in Johnny Butchko's Polka Band for 11 years. In 1963, Eddie formed his own band which stayed together for 18 years. He took a hiatus and regrouped in 1992, with the debut of a new band, Eddie Vallus, II. A charter member of Penn-Ohio Polka Pals, Eddie was chosen their Man of the Year in 1993. He has recorded seven albums, and some single tunes. Eddie has written 48 polkas and waltzes, and published five songbooks. He has been accordion teacher for nearly three decades.

November 29, 2003