National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum

605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123

USA

 

E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com

Phone: 216-261-3263

Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA

Fax: 216-261-4134

 

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame

 

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

 

DENNY BUCAR

 

1952

 

 

 

 

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Born July 3, 1952 in Bay Village, Ohio to parents Edward and Emma Bucar, Denny's love for polka music came at an early age growing up in the Collinwood neighborhood always having polka music in the home.

      

His father Edward, played upright bass in a polka band.  Denny would listen to the many band rehearsals which was instrumental for Denny becoming a musician at an early age.

       

At age seven, Denny began taking guitar lessons.  Age thirteen switched to bass guitar and joined his first band called "The Blades" playing the dances at the Junior High School and teen dances at local Knights of Columbus halls.

       

The year 1969, Denny was asked to become a member of the Bob Oblocki Band and by doing so this became the start of his lifetime love affair with polka music.

       

At age seventeen, the excitement of walking into a recording studio for the very first time with Bob Oblocki, Eddie Rodick, Gary Fisher, Bob Tanko and Bob Bohinc which would lead the way to perform and record with many bands through the years.

       

1971 through 1976 he performed with George Staiduhar which led to Denny's first album recording, many television appearances, performances in many states and two tours to Europe.

       

In January of 1977 he was asked to become a member of The Dave Wretschko Band, playing many weddings, lounges, festivals, dances, picnics, hosting Caribbean Cruises along with many bus trips performing with the band in his fourteen years with Dave.

       

He was a member with Mike Wojtila and the Entertainers 1990 to 1992, the Eddie Rodick Band 1992 to 1995 and Bob Kravos and the Boys In The Band 1997 to 2006.

       

Known as a sideman,  Denny has added his musical talent recording with Georgie Cook,  George Staiduhar, Pol-Kats, Fairport Ensemble, Dave Wretschko, Gaylord Klancnik, Milan Racanovic, Eddie Stampfl, Kathy Hlad, Ron Likovic, Lynn Marie Rink, Mike Wojtila & The Entertainers,  Al Battistelli,  Joey Tomsick, Hary Faint, Bob Kravos and the Boys In The Band, Eddie Rodick,  Zeke and Charlie, Wayne Tomsic, Magic Buttons, Mahonning Valley, Sam Pecorilla, Frank Svet, Frank Stanger, Ron Sluga, and Walter Ostanek Canada's Polka King adding up to fifty-two recording projects to date.  Thirteen of these were nominated for a Grammy on Walter's projects with Denny's highest recording achievement was being on a Grammy award winning recording with Walter.

        

Through all the years, he has performed on stage with over seventy groups and has had the honor to even perform with the late Lojze Slak.  He has appeared on television and recorded video's with various bands through the years, hosted and performed on tours to Slovenia and various countries, Caribbean Cruises, bus trips and played throughout the United States and Canada.  He still performs, promotes and records to date.

     

His forty-five year career as a Disc Jockey began at an early age as well. He was taught by his dad to share the duties of the radio shows along with his brother.  He is brother to Dale Bucar, known for hosting Bucars International Polka & Croatian Program every Sunday morning for the past 46 years on WINT 1330 AM and is also known for his vocalizing. The Supper Hour Polka Show was turned over to Denny which he hosted and produced for thirty-two years from 5:00 to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday.  The show was a household favorite on 1330 AM.

    

Currently Denny is heard every Saturday on "Polka Radio" over WINT Radio 1330 AM and 247Polkaheaven.com.  Tony Petkovsek, longtime friend asked Denny to Co-Host with him along with Joey Tomsick and Joe Valencic 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM.  He also produces and hosts "Bucar's Polkas"on 247Polkaheaven.com since its inception four days a week which allows him to promote and support polka music by all the bands, various fund raisers, festivals, dances, dinners and polka events sponsored by Slovenian lodges, Churches and Slovenian organizations.

      

He is a Founding and Lifetime member serving as a trustee since the inception of the Polka Hall of Fame. He had served as Vice President for many years, still an active trustee and serving on the Executive Board.

       

Over the years, Denny has been honored with the Crystal Award from the Polka Hall of Fame for Support and Promotion, Vocalist of the Year, Sideman of the Year, Band of the Year, Recording of the Year and Trustee's Honor Roll.  He was named Musician of the Year in 1991 by the Collinwood Slovenian Home and was an active long time member of The Pol-Kats during their existence.

       

For the past eight years Denny has served on the Board of Directors for the Slovenian National Home at 65th and St. Clair Ave. working and promoting the many functions that are sponsored by the home.  Denny worked thirty-three years for the City of Euclid retiring as Assistant to the Director on December 31st, 2010.

        

Denny feels he has been blessed as a musician and radio personality who is proud to promote the Slovenian Community, take part on various committees, MC various events, promote our Slovenian music over the airwaves or his performances with numerous bands, whether live on stage or in the studio on recordings that so many love, have brought happiness to fans worldwide.

          

He would also like to acknowledge and thank all the musicians that he performed or recorded with and to the band leaders that allowed him to add his talents whether on bass or as a vocalist. To his family, especially the early years, for their support and understanding. To all the friends that have supported him through all the years.  He is especially proud of his son Brandon Bucar who is employed by Live Nation who produces many concerts for today's music industry.  Brandon has even produced two Polka Hall of Fame Shows.  He also acknowledges his significant other Debbie Davidson for her continued support.

 

Inducted in 2014