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
Don Kotnik was a free-spirited, fun-loving, and carefree guy, whose greatest joy
was playing the accordion an appreciative audience. A native of Cleveland, Don started
his first band while in high school in the late 1940s. A term in the U.S. Army during
the Korean War put a hold on his polka career. In the mid 1960s, the Don Kotnik orchestra
made its debut, playing on Polka Varieties television show. Don was a fixture at
Gorse's Tavern, a popular polka place. He recorded an album "Polka Life," in 1970,
writing several polkas with Jimmy Udovich, the saxophonist in the orchestra. He began
recording a second album, but died before completing the project. Don was buried
with his accordion.
Inducted in 2003
www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605
East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.
