Joey Tomsick Sweeps Major Polka Hall of Fame Awards
Bandleaders Art Perko and Del Sinchak Earn Lifetime Honors at 22nd Hall of Fame Presentation
CLEVELAND, OH -- Accordionist Joey Tomsick and his orchestra swept major categories at the 22nd annual awards ceremony presented by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 28, 2009. The Joey Tomsick Orchestra won Band of the Year and Recording of the Year for "Polka Funhouse." Tomsick received trophies for Best Musician and Best New Song for his album's title cut, written with Frank Doblekar. Tomsick band members bassist Hank Guzel and saxophonist Phil Hrvatin were named top side musicians of 2009, along with saxophonist Jack Tankovich of Bob Kravos' Boys in the Band.
Other winners were Clevelander Ron Likovic for Button Accordionist; the Fairport Jammers of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, for Button Accordion Ensemble; polka tavern proprietors Helen and John Kuzman of Girard, Ohio, for Support and Promotion; and the SNPJ Heritage Center in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, for Culture and Heritage. John Ross scored his first Vocalist of the Year award with his eleventh nomination.
Bandleaders Del Sinchak of Youngstown, Ohio, and the late Cleveland accordionist Art Perko were inducted into the Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in polka music. Voters also selected two all-time hit songs, both waltzes from the 1970s which are standards today: "Waltz of Love," written by Cleveland bandleader Stan Blout, and "Glas Harmonike (The Happy Accordion)," first composed by Lojze Slak for his trio in Slovenia which then became popular across North America. Master of ceremonies Ray Somich was honored for his 20 years as awards show host.
The awards, as voted by the membership of the Polka Hall of Fame, were presented in a gala ceremony in Cleveland's historic Slovenian National Home auditorium before an audience of 900. The awards show saluted musical influences on the Cleveland-Style Polka from other nationalities, including Polish, German and Italian. The musical show is the traditional high point of the Thanksgiving polka music weekend hosted each year by Cleveland radio host Tony Petkovsek.
"Cleveland-Style polka music has tremendous crossover appeal with other nationalities," said Cecilia Dolgan, president of the American Slovenian Polka Foundation which maintains the Polka Hall of Fame. "This year's show highlighted how other polka expressions enriched the Cleveland sound."
The Singing Slovenes from Minnesota opened the show with an ensemble of 20 entertainers and musicians. Award presenters included the Hon. Jure Zmauc, the Cleveland-based Consul General of Slovenia, and Luka Zibelnik, visiting professor of Slovenian language studies at Cleveland State University.
The stage orchestra was under the direction of bandleader Jack Tady with musical arrangements by Fred Gregorich, both prior Hall of Fame inductees. A reception and dance at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland followed the program, along with a Polka Mass celebrated by Cleveland Auxiliary Bishop A. Edward Pevec and Fr. Frank Perkovich of Minnesota, best known for popularizing the musical service.
"This is our fourth trip to see the Polka Hall of Fame show," added Ed Tomsic from Denver, Colorado. "My wife and I just love it. Whether you like to dance or listen, there's no other polka experience like it." Seven buses, from as far as Minnesota and Ontario, brought polka fans to the event.
Trustees of the Polka Hall of Fame also acknowledged five individuals and one institution for their contributions to polka music with placement on the organization's Honor Roll: Florida bandleader Ron Luznar; button accordion player Kathy Hlad and the late Mirk Yama, both of Cleveland; Milwaukee polka radio deejay Greg Drust; the late saxophonist Johnny Spetich of Barberton, Ohio; and SNPJ Farm in Kirtland, Ohio, a top polka dance spot since 1939.
Musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations founded the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum in 1987. Each year, the organization's 1,500 members vote for top musicians and best album. In November, the Polka Hall of Fame's Awards Show ceremony celebrates this style of American dance music. The museum traces the story of the city's home-grown sound from its roots in the Slovenian neighborhoods a century ago to nationwide popularity in the decades after World War II. Displays include audio exhibits, historic photographs and original instruments, including an accordion belonging to Frank Yankovic, America's Polka King. The museum archive preserves 3,000 vintage recordings, some dating back to the World War I era.
The Polka Hall of Fame is located at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio. Museum and gift shop hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5:00, and Saturdays, 10:00 to 3:00. Admission is free. For more information, call (216) 261-FAME, toll-free (866) 66-POLKA, or check the website, www.polkafame.com.
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