HERMAN SPERO

1924 – 1979

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2001

Herman Spero produced the longest-running polka television show, “Polka Varieties,” broadcast from WEWS, the ABC affiliate in Cleveland. He was at the helm of the show from 1956 to 1975. Thanks to Herman, polka-lovers could welcome their favorite bands into their homes every Sunday afternoon.

America’s Polka King Frankie Yankovic was the original band to perform on the one-hour show. Bands such as Richie Vadnal, George Staiduhar, Markic-Zagger, and Hank Haller took regular turns on “PolkaVarieties,” introduced in the early years by host Tom Fletcher and by Paul Wilcox for most of the show’s run.

Every prominent Cleveland-style polka band at one time performed on “Polka Varieties,” as well as popular Polish, Italian and Bohemian-style bands. The show was also the only television showcase for the area’s many nationality choruses and folk dance ensembles.

Herman eventually syndicated the show and”Polka Varieties” was enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of viewers in 30 major television markets.

Bill Srnick Jr.

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in

JOE STRADIOT

1926 – 2008

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1998

Joe Stradiot was at the forefront of Cleveland- Style Polkas’ architecture, helping to shape the important role drums would play in this music. Determined to be a drummer since age five, Joey got his first break from Pete Sokach at age fourteen. Irrepressible, Joey cajoled an invitation to join the Johnny Vadnal Orchestra. For nine years, Joey provid excellent vocals and the rhythmic spark that took the Vadnals to the top of Cleveland-Style charts, recording for RCA, touring the nation, and appearing weekly on their “Polka Party” TV show. Joey spent twenty-five years with the Eddie Stampfl Orchestra, regulars on “Polka Varieties” and the “Old Dutch Revue,” and backed Dottie West for three years on “Landmark Jamboree” before finally rejoining Vadnal in 1991. A dramatic vocalist, Joey recorded “Green Valley,” his signature tune, with Eddie Rodick in 1991.

JOE TASZ

1915 – 1990

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1989

A pioneer performer of Cleveland-style music in Western Pennsylvania, Joe Tasz was a major factor in making the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia a hotbed of Cleveland-style polka activity. Playing button box and piano accordion, Joe began his legendary career in 1935 and led the Joe Tasz Orchestra continuously through the 1980s. Joe personally inspired, influenced and assisted many musicians in Western Permsylvania to adopt and master the Cleveland style. The Tasz Orchestra did a live one-hour show every Sunday for station WJPA in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1950, and appeared live on “Polka Party” for WSTV television in Steubenville, Ohio, from 1960 to 1961. The Joe Tasz Orchestra has four recordings to its credit.

JOEY TOMSICK

1965

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2007

Joey Tomsick is a popular bandleader, accordionist, radio polka disc jockey, and travel host. Joey has performed Cleveland Style polkas for 25 years, since he was a teenager. He has recorded several albums including the award-winning “Smile.” He has received annual Polka Hall of Fame awards for Musician of the Year, Band of the Year, and Button Box Player of the Year. Joey is the editor of the Polka Hall of Fame’s Quarterly Newsletter, and is a founding trustee, serving the past 20 years.

TONY TRONTEL

1933 – 2022

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2014

Tony Trontel was among the best-known Cleveland-Style Polka accordionists in the Penn-Ohio area. Joining forces with his cousin Jake Zagger, their Trontel Zagger Orchestra was one of the most popular Pittsburgh-area bands of the 1960s and 1970s. The band was famous for their New Year jam sessions at the Slovenian Workingmen’s Educational Home in his hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania. Tony played the accordion by age nine and, as a teen, performed with his own polka band on radio station WPIX. He received his musicians’ union card at fourteen. He appeared with many bands before organizing the Trontel-Zagger Orchestra in 1965. Tony was a member of the Norm Kobal Orchestra, the Polka Rhythm Boys, the Starlighters and Veseli Fantje, as well as Tony Trontel and Friends. He recorded the album, “The Polka Express,” with Jake and appeared on the Grammy-nominated Penn-Ohio Polka Pals anthology. For a Bob Kravos recording, Tony was invited to perform with daughter Toni as the vocalist. Tony was proud of his heritage and visited Slovenia many times. He was active with the Slovenian Home in Sharon and the Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ). He was a founder of the United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania (UMPAPA) and the Penn Ohio Polka Pals, which chose Tony for Musician of the Year in 2003.

FLORENCE UNETICH

1921 – 2010

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1999

Florence Unetich never imposed a limit in giving her time and talents to the American-Slovenian community. Born to sing, Florence pursued her avocation across every spectrum-– solo to ensemble; opera to drama; sacred to commercial; ethnic to All-American; professional to charitable-–even giving her own concert in 1947. Her most notable affiliations were over sixty years with Jadran Singing Society, where she served in many capacities including seventeen years as President, and with Angela Zabjek as the “Jadran Songbirds” performing at concerts,on radio and television, and on their own LP album. A pillar in the community, Florence joined the Board of the Progressive Slovene Women of America in 1975, becoming President in 1983; was Cultural Trustee and chaired the Nominations/ Awards Committee of the American-Slovenian Polka Foundation from 1988 to 1997; was a Trustee for the Slovene Home for the Aged; was on the Executive Committee of Slovene Izseljenska Matica; and served with many other cultural and civic organizations.

JELSE VOS

1961

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2010

Polka DJ and promoter Jelse Vos (1961) was born in the north east province of Drenthe in The Netherlands. As a boy he listened to the music of his father who was always playing Frankie Yankovic polkas. Since those early years polka music has been a part of his life. In order to share his love of this music Jelse started his own radio station so he could play Cleveland-Style polkas. In addition to his radio station, Jelse has also been responsible for publishing more than 20 polka 45s and cd’s – yes they are still a hit in The Netherlands – as well as several CDs. He has also organized three polka festivals in the Netherlands with special guests from Cleveland. For the past 15 years he is a well-known participant in Cleveland at the Thanksgiving polka weekend. In 2007 Jelse was asked to present the Lifetime Achievement Award for his deceased friend and polka hero Gaylord Klancnik. Jelse will be remembered as the “Biggest Dutch Polka Fan” as there are three polkas named in his honor – Jelse’s Polka (Stan Blout), Jelse’s Polka #2 (Ron Pivovar) and Jelse Pelse Polka (Alex Meixner).

PAUL WILCOX

1925 – 2010

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2003

Every Sunday afternoon, Paul Wilcox introduced polka music into living rooms in Northeast Ohio on the one hour, television show “Polka Varieties.” He hosted the popular weekly show for 27 years, from 1956 to 1983. Paul, who was a distinguished flyer in the United States Air Force in the Korean War and World War II, had a broadcasting career that spanned five decades. He began on radio in 1947, and retired from radio in 1990, in Florida, where he now resides.His radio career included, the Paul Wilcox Polka Radio Show, which he hosted from 1973 to 1988 on various stations in Cleveland. Paul and America’s Polka King Frankie Yankovic teamed up as escorts on more than sixty polka tours worldwide.

MILLIE WOJTILA

1931 – 2007

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2007

Joe and Millie Wojtila raised a family of popular Cleveland musicians. Millie introduced music to each of her seven children, by teaching them to play the piano. She was a piano teacher for 50 years and an organist at St. Paul’s Church for 35 years. She directed the Wojtila family musicians in Polka Hall of Fame Award Show numbers. Joe was a member and officer of many Slovenian organizations, including SNPJ Farm, Slovenian Workmen’s Home, Slovenian Men’s Club, and SNPJ Lodge Loyalites. He volunteered for the United Slovenian Society Band, the Polka Hall of Fame, and East 185th Street Festivals. He assisted and promoted his sons’ Wojtila polka bands.

RAY YOUNG

1927 – 2019

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2012

Ray Young has sung and recorded with some of Cleveland’s most popular polka bands for the past 60 years.  Ray first joined the Sokach-Habat Tunemixers in 1949.  Late, he recorded nine singles with Eddie Habat’s orchestra on Decca Records.  Through the years, Ray has sung with the Kenny Bass band, Ernie Benedict, Hank Haller, and Fred Ziwich, and performed at many of the old polka haunts such as Mae’s Musical Lounge Bar, Yankovic’s, Golden Goose, Twilight Gardens, the Gay Cosack, and the Hof Brau Haus.  Ray’s hit song is the “Erica Waltz,” for which he wrote and English lyrics and recorded the song with Hank Haller’s ensemble.  He recorded on nine albums with Hank and wrote lyrics for several songs.  Ray continues to sing with swing bands, and has served as councilman in Middleburg Heights, Ohio since 1970.

JOHN ZIPPAY

1944 – 2007

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2013

John Zipay performed as the featured saxophone player in top Cleveland-Style Polka bands from the 1960s on. The Cleveland native played clarinet and sax through high school and at Kent State.  In the 1970s he enjoyed a long run with the George Staiduhar Orchestra and was on two albums. He was then associated with the Harry Faint Revue and two albums of songs, including the original version of the classic “Mozart’s Polka.” With the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, John served as music arranger and in the Awards Show stage band. He also arranged for Gene Fedorchak among others. He was a music teacher and assistant director of the All-Ohio State Fair Band for 25 years.

IVAN ZORMAN SR.

1858 – 1912

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1997

Ivan Zorman, Sr. was the “Johnny Apple (strudel) seed” of Slovenian music. Born in Slovenia and a student at the Conservatory of Music in Vienna, Ivan played in the orchestra of Johann Strauss, Jr., the world-famous Waltz King. Coming to America in 1883, Ivan founded the first Slovenian orchestras in the U.S. (Calumet, Michigan –1895; the “Austrian Cornet Band,” Cleveland – 1897) and served as an organist, choir director, teacher, and bandmaster in Slovenian-American communities around the country, including Leadville, Colorado, and fly, Minnesota, before finally settling in Cleveland circa 1903. Based primarily at St. Paul’s Church, Ivan composed religious and secular music, founded several Slovenian singing societies, organized a brass band, and taught vocal and instrumental music. A major thread in the fabric of Slovenian-American culture, Ivan Zorman, Sr. nurtured the music that would become the basis for Cleveland-Style Polkas.

LOUIS SPEHEK

1882 – 1966

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2008

Pioneer accordionist, Slovenian-born Louis Spehek embraced his new home in the United States by entertaining on the button accordion, and becoming the first Slovenian-American recording artist.  Louis arrived in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1902, but soon moved to Cleveland (1905) where he could play for larger audiences. Louis first recorded on Victor Records in 1924,in Cleveland, Ohio, teaming with Math. Arko (Matt Hoyer) on two 78s. During the same session he recorded another recording with singer-actress Augusta Danilova. Louis signed with Columbia Recording  and recorded six 78s, in 1928.Both of Louis’ sons, Louis and Frank, learned to play the accordion and joined him in playing for weddings, baptisms, and lodge events. Louis, who owned a fencebuildingcompany, introduced the “Pillow Dance” (Povster Tanc) to American-Slovenians.

EDDIE STAMPHL

1926 – 2001

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1997

Eddie Stamphl developed a unique Cleveland- Style Polka sound leading his own orchestra for over twenty-five years, while adding a touch of show business with his patented “Flying Accordion” maneuver. A regular with his band on the “Polka Varieties,” “Style Crest,” and “Old Dutch Polka Revue” II television shows and on polka tours to the Poconos, Europe, and the Caribbean, Eddie also played and recorded with Waiter Ostanek, Chester Budny, Cecilia Dolgan, and Georgie Cook during his illustrious Cleveland-Style career. An unselfish advocate for Cleveland- Style Polkas, Eddie was a three-time president of the Pol-Kats Social Club and often gave of his time and talents at nursing homes, children’s homes, and other charitable events. Moving to Las Vegas, Eddie curtailed his playing to one regular club date, jam sessions, and occasional Polkafests.

AL STRUKEL

1926 – 2000

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2011

Many top names in Cleveland-Style polka music got their start in the orchestra led by Al Strukel. The accordionist boosted the careers of future bandleaders Al Markic and Joe White and young performers, such as Paul Yanchar, Frank Mahnic, Bob Gospich and Mirk Yama. Al learned the button box at age nine and often jammed with childhood friend Johnny Pecon, his neighbor in Cleveland’s Collinwood district. After service in the Navy, Al organized his band featuring Polka Hall of Famer Al Markic. The group performed at local night spots, like the Welcome Tavern, the Bank Bar and the White Horse Tavern. Al’s orchestra was the very first to appear on radio station WSRS. In 1948, Al recorded tunes for the Continental label, including “Tonight by Candlelight,” “Rob ’em Blind,” and “A Night in May.” He opened and closed every engagement with his theme song, “Thinking of You.” Illness forced Al to sideline his entertaining in the mid-1950s, but he returned in the 1980s to host polka bus tours with Milan Racanovic. He was made a life member of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians.

Al was a police lieutenant in Wickliffe, Ohio. One night he stopped Johnny Vadnal, who was driving home from a late-night gig. Johnny didn’t recognize him at first and Al took advantage of the situation. When Johnny couldn’t produce any identification to verify he was the famous bandleader, Al made him get out his accordion to prove it. It was a tale they both enjoyed telling.

GENE TEBO

1931 – 2005

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2005

Gene Tebo has had a music career spanning 60 years. He played in the Lawrence Duchow Red Raven Inn orchestra in Wisconsin. He is a drummer, but is better known for his outstanding vocals. Gene was a member of the Roger Bright orchestra for 29 years, and recorded 12 albums with the group. He wrote the lyrics for songs, such as “Alone Again”, “In My Green Valley”, and “Come to the Mountain.” He was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame in 2001. Gene says he loves Slovenian-Style music more than any other because of its beauty and phrasing.

(CLARENCE) KEN TOMSICK, SR.

1926 – 2016

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2012

Ken Tomsick has been involved in the Cleveland cultural scene for decades as a singer, cultural committees, videographer, and polka promoter.  Ken’s videotaping of the first three Awards Show of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame starting in 1988 to help preserve the events for posterity at a time when video cameras were something new.  Ken was a member of the Slovenian barbershop quartet “Four Feathers in the mid-1940s.  The groups sang on the KennyBass Television show, and at cultural programs.  Ken served as treasurer of the United Slovenian Society of Cleveland in the 1980s.  He joined Tony Petkovsek’s Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club, where he and his late wife Anne volunteered for many years.  Ken’s five sons are all musicians, and he has been very supportive of his youngest son Joey Tomsick and the JTO band.

BOB TURCOLA

1939 – 2020

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2008

Accordionist and bandleader, Bob Turcola, better know as “Turk,” has been on the polka scene in the Youngstown areafor almost six decades.  He started playing piano accordion at age five, and studied with Hank Racich. Bob joined the Al Hreno Band in 1960.  Since 1964, Bob has led the Bob Turcola orchestra.  Bob has six Cleveland style albums to his credit and one Slovak album.  Bob feels his greatest achievement as a musician is the sponsorship of an annual dance to benefit Tod’s Children’s Hospital in Youngstown.  Over the past 30 years, he has donated over $100,000 to the Hospital. Bob enjoys polka jam sessions during the summer at his trailer at the SNPJ Campsite in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania.

JOE VALENCIC

1954

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2007

Joe Valencic is a founding trustee of the Polka Hall of Fame. Joe is the Polka Hall of Fame’s historian and museum director. He creates the exhibits for the museum and traveling displays. He also writes the biographies for the Lifetime Achievers and Trustees Honor Roll. He has served on the boards of many Slovenian organizations, promoting Slovenian and polka events. Joe is the long-time President of the Cleveland SNPJ Federation of Lodges. Joe writes, lectures and produces television documentaries on Slovenian-American history and culture, both in the United States and in Europe.

CHARLIE VRTOVSNIK

1928 – 2006

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2012

Brothers Zeke and Charlie brought music and fun wherever they would go, with Zeke playing the button box, Charlie on the banjo, and both on the vocals.  The duo would sing Slovenian songs or parody polka songs and the folks songs with their own humorous lyrics. The band started out in the 1960s playing for friends and relatives and called themselves “The Unknowns.” As Zeke and Charlie, they soon attracted dedicated followers and were invited to jam sessions, festivals and parties. They were center stage at the North American Folk Music Alliance conference in 2000 in Cleveland’s Music Hall. Zeke and Charlie released one album and guested on a recording with the SNPJ Slovenian Junior Chorus.

AL WISH

1905 – 1999

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1989

Devoting his life to charitable causes, businessman and promoter Al Wish produced one of the most delightful Cleveland-style polka shows in television history. Teaming up with the Johnny Pecon Orchestra and well-known emcee Paul Nakel, Al sponsored and co-hosted the “TV Auction Party,” a live, fast-paced weekly show combining outstanding music and dancing with merchandise auctions and studio audience participation. Within this forrmat, Al often furthered his charitable pursuits, sometimes taking the entire production to the Paraplegic Veterans Hospital with gifts and stage money for the patients. On another show he donated 200 Braille watches to the blind. “TV Auction Party” ran intermittently on Cleveland TV from 1957 through 1961 on station KYW, Cleveland.

DAVE WOLNIK

1935 – 2008

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2015

Dave Wolnik’s steady beat as a drummer was so much in demand that he performed with at least 85 different Cleveland-Style Polka orchestras throughout his lifetime. His ready smile and cheerful disposition, gave personality to his every appearance.

In a career spanning 50 years, Dave played and recorded with bands led by Polka Hall of Fame legends like Bobby Timko, Joe Fedorchak, Al Markic, Lou Trebar, Joey Miskulin and a 36-year association with America´s Polka King Frankie Yankovic. His solid rhythm base can be heard on countless polka recordings, including those releases by Eric Noltkamper, The Miss-Tre Orchestra and many others.

Dave earned an invitation from Frankie Yankovic to perform on his album, 70 Years of Hits, which won the first Grammy Award in the Polka catagory. He also shared the spotlight with Yankovic on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Dave a native of Cleveland, was added to the Polka Hall of Fame Trustee Honor Roll in 2009. He won the Sideman of the Year award in 2001.

JOHN ZALAR

1914 – 1997

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1999

John Zalar’s life’s work centered around making, repairing, and playing accordions. John learned the trade working in Nick Skorka’s shop to pay for the button box and lessons he obtained there. After his apprenticeship, John opened his own shop in 1935 before moving to East 52nd and Superior, the home of Zalar’s Accordion City for over forty years. Plying his musical skills, John played piano and accordion as a studio musician for WJAY in Cleveland and teamed with Chuck Tuttle as the Sharpshooters duet. John’s Custom Craft Accordions were renowned for their craftsmanship and sound, and his glowing reputation gained the trust of customers from across the nation including many prominent Cleveland-style musicians. John’s slogan said it all-– “Dollar for dollar, you can’t beat Zalar.

BOBBY ZGONC

1941 – 2018

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2018

“Slovenian Soul” best describes Bobby’s original playing style. Born of Slovenian parents in Westmoreland City, Pa., he always was surrounded by Slovenian button-box music since his grandfather, father and three uncles also played. At age 11, he picked up a borrowed accordion and taught himself. With heavy influence from his uncle John Adamic, Frank Baloh and the Johnny Pecon/Lou Trebar recordings, he went on to perform as a child and teen at countless polka events in the Pittsburgh area. During this time, not owning an accordion, he would borrow accordions until he won money on an SNPJ raffle ticket. At 17, he drove straight to Trebar’s home and they went shopping for his first accordion. Another uncle, in ill health, then sold him a 1928 Mervar that he plays to this day. Bobby’s heartfelt style brings a tear to the eyes of old-timers just as it brings a tapping of the feet from the youngsters.

In 1960, he joined the legendary Al Morouse Orchestra, also playing the chromatic accordion, delivered their first hit, “SNPJ Polka.” Many recordings followed, most recently recording with the famed Bob Timko.

His contributions to Slovenian culture extend well beyond recordings. He performed at concerts, picnics, festivals and funerals, most often for free, often at events that had nothing to do with Slovenes, simply to spread the music. He was president of his SNPJ Lodge and Slovenian Home at 19 and was past president of the American Slovenes of Western Pennsylvania and the “Slovene Radio Program.” He was one of the original directors involved in the purchase, building and development of the Westmoreland SNPJ Picnic Grove in Evanstown-Herminie, Pa. In 1973, Bobby initiated the Grape Festival, which continues to be the largest cultural event of the year.  For 20 years he did the Slovenian segmant , co-hosting with his wife, Vlatka, the “Sounds of Yugoslavia” radio program.

Bobby has also been a driving force within the Slovenian community, helping and encouraging others to do as he has done. He has instituted several testimonials and benefits for deserving Slovenes.

It remains easy to find Bobby and his button box at festivals and charitable functions. Each year, too, he teams up with old friends Frank and Daryl Valencic at Slovenefest.  

JOHNNY SPETICH

1923 – 2000

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2009

A band leader can not make good music without good sidemen, and Lifetime Achievement Winner, Frankie Spetich, had a great saxophone and clarinet player, his brother, Johnny Spetich. Johnny played in the Spetich band from 1946 until he retired in 1994. In fact, the last six years after developing a lung illness, Johnny played piano in the Spetich Orchestra. Throughout the years with his brother Frankie, Johnny could be heard vocalizing, playing sax, clarinet, bass, piano and drums. When full-time drummer Frankie Zupec would play button box, Johnny would put down the sax and clarinet, and slide behind the drums and play along. Johnny was featured along with the orchestra as they made their way through the 1960’s and 1970’s at the polka hot spots in Ohio and Pennsylvania, along with trips to Europe. They also were a favorite on “Polka Varieties” and at the Slovene Center in Barberton, Ohio. Johnny also was a part of over 20 recordings with his brother Frankie and the band and also composed lyrics to a few songs including “Half and Half Polka”. He was also the saxophone player that many other polka bands wanted as a sub, but he didn’t have the time to help them out because of his commitment to his brother and his band. As the band slowed down a bit, he enjoyed playing piano with the Magic City Button Box Showcase and was featured in that role on their first LP in the 1980’s. Johnny was a versatile musician who also loved to play jazz and big band music, something that many polka fans and promoters did not know. Johnny was never one who wanted to be in the spotlight. He enjoyed being sideman for his brother and enjoyed the Cleveland-Style Polka for almost 50 years on the bandstand.

FRANK STERLE

1924 – 1986

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1989

Realizing his dream of building a Slovenian chalet, Frank Sterle created one of the finest restaurants in Cleveland. Four years after arriving from Slovenia in 1956, Frank purchased a small corner cafe in Cleveland’s old Slovenian neighborhood. With expansion after expansion, Frank Sterle’s Slovenian Country House grew to occupy a substantial part of the block. One of Slovenian music’s greatest promoters, Frank featured Cleveland-style orchestras three nights a week and would sponsor a visiting ensemble from Slovenia each year-–donating all of the profits to charity. Frank’s crowning achievement came in 1985 when he brought his friend, Slavko Avsenik, and the world-renowned Avsenik Ensemble to the U.S., culrminating the Country House’s 25th anniversary celebration with a sold-out concert at Cleveland’s Music Hall.

FRANK SVET

1946 – 2024

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2019

Frank Svet has been playing accordion since age 7. Born of a Slovenian father and Croatian mother, Frank began performing Slovenian and Croatian music in public at age 12 in Upstate New York. His first steady musical performances began at age 15, at the Cornfield Hall, a Slovenian Club near Cooperstown, NY. From this beginning he expanded his entertainment venues throughout Upstate New York, playing every weekend at Lake Resorts in the Adirondack Region, and a variety of taverns, and Country Clubs throughout the region.

Enamored by the Cleveland-Style Polka sound, Frank studied and emulated the styles of performers such as Frank Yankovic, Johnny Pecon, Lou Trebar, Ray Champa, Eddie Habat, Walter Ostanek and others. Moving several times with his day job across country, Frank had the opportunity to meet and play with a number of Cleveland-Style performers in Chicago, St. Louis, Pennsylvania, Florida and Washingon state.

In 2011, Frank with help from Walter Ostanek, released his first CD, followed by 2 more CD releases, both of which were nominated for album of the year by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. Frank is a Lifetime Member of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and a High Note Society Patron. Frank performs and promotes Cleveland-Style Polkas and Waltzes regularly throughout Ohio, Florida and Upstate New York.

Wayne Tomsic

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in

JOE TORISKIE

1939 – 1997

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1997

Joe Toriskie played polka music professionally for 45 years, from high school through 1977.  Joe and the JT Trio were regulars at many of Cleveland’s polka spots, including 11 years at Zabak’s Tavern.  Joe formed the Casuals orchestra and made gained popularity on the Cleveland-style scene.  His Casual Time radio program attracted a large following for bus trips, tours, and live appearances.  Joe chaired the Holy Family Home polka committee, raising more than $30,000 for the cancer home through polka dances.

JOSEPHINE TURKMAN

1911 – 1999

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1992

Josephine Turkman has played a key role in perpetuating the musical roots of Cleveland-style polkas. A member of Zarja Singing Society since 1932, Jo directed the group for more than 20 years, leading her singers to success with tours of the homeland, recordings and engaging concerts at the Slovenian Society Home in Euclid. With a grant from the Ohio Arts Council, Jo documented Slovenian musical traditions with Zarja. Slovenia bestowed the Gallus Award upon her and the chorus for their cultural endeavors. She has served on the boards of many organizations, including the Progressive Slovene Women, the Slovenian-American National Art Guild, the United Slovenian Society and the Ivan Cankar Drama Society. For years, Andy and Jo Turkman’s Tivoli Imports was the leading source for new recordings and sheet music from Slovenia that revitalized the Cleveland sound in the 1960s.

RUDI “VINCENT” UJCICH

1911 – 1993

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1993

With his dual Slovenian-Croatian heritage, Rudy Vincent Ujcich bridged the gap between traditional Croatian melodies and Cleveland-Style Polkas. Best known for his rich Croatian vocals, Rudy was also a talented guitarist, leading his own Cleveland-Style orchestra for nearly 20 years and working with many of Cleveland’s finest. Comfortable in either musical setting, Rudy recorded one vocal album backed by Tamburitzans and two with Cleveland-Style bands. Immortalizing his most popular hit, Rudy sang “Blues Eyes Crying in the Rain” on a 1965 Columbia recording with Frank Yankovic. An accomplished classical musician, Rudy won a scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Music and performed with the Men’s Singing Club at Severance Hall, the Cleveland Tamburitza Symphony at Blossom Music Center, the Cleveland 500, and the company at Karamu House.

EDDIE “ZEKE” VRTOVSNIK

1932 – 2004

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2012

Brothers Zeke and Charlie brought music and fun wherever they would go, with Zeke playing the button box, Charlie on the banjo, and both on the vocals.  The duo would sing Slovenian songs or parody polka songs and the folks songs with their own humorous lyrics. The band started out in the 1960s playing for friends and relatives and called themselves “The Unknowns.” As Zeke and Charlie, they soon attracted dedicated followers and were invited to jam sessions, festivals and parties. They were center stage at the North American Folk Music Alliance conference in 2000 in Cleveland’s Music Hall. Zeke and Charlie released one album and guested on a recording with the SNPJ Slovenian Junior Chorus.

DAN WOJTILA

DAN WOJTILA – 1953

AL BAMBIC – 1953

DAVE SKRAJNER – 1954

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2019

Al, Dave and Dan have performed in Cleveland-Style polka bands together since the 1970s. They played in two of the first groups to feature bold, young Baby Boom musicians raised on rock and roll. The three teamed with Don Wojtila in the dynamic, original Eddie Rodick Orchestra, where they perfected their close, three-part vocalizing. When Don started his own band, they helped him create the lively and versatile Don Wojtila polka sound. They still go strong with Dan on sax and clarinet, Dave on bass and vocals, and Al on drums.

DAVE WRETSCHKO

1954 – 1990

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 1991

Before his untimely death in 1990, Dave Wretschko had successfully led his popular Cleveland-style orchestra for 24 consecutive years. Starting in 1966 as the Rivieras and participating in the first “Polka Band of Tomorrow” contest in 1968, the Wretschko Orchestra carne into its own in the 1970s, becoming one of the mainstays of the Slovenian sound in the Greater Cleveland area. Devoted to the home of Cleveland-style polkas, the Wretschko Orchestra paid tribute to Cleveland in two of their three LP recordings, “Cleveland-Style Polkas and Waltzes,” released in 1977, and “Our Town,” released posthumously in 1991.

ANGELA “ANGIE” ZABJEK

1921

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2011

For nearly thirty years, Angie Zabjek sang harmony to Florence Unetich’s lyric soprano voice as the popular duet from the Jadran Slovenian Singing Society. They first teamed in 1972 and appeared with the chorus and as a specialty act around Cleveland and Slovenian communities in nearby states. The “Jadran Songbirds,” as they were known, recorded an album, “Echoes of Slovenia.”  Angie began singing at age 10 and graduated to the Jadran chorus as a teenager. As a soprano, she had the lead in the operetta, Die Fledermaus, and performed in regular concerts until the chorus ended in 2000.  Angie has served on the auxiliary of the Slovenian Workmen’s Home for 15 years, working at the weekly dinner. She was honored as 1994 Woman of the Year by the Cleveland Federation of Slovenian National Homes.

JACKIE ZORC

1908 – 2007

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Trustees Honor Roll Recipient

Inducted in 2006

Jackie Zorc was one of the most popular bandleaders from the late 1920s to the late 1930s, in Cleveland.  He was known for his smile and showmanship. His pleasing demeanor is said to have inspired Frankie Yankovic to adopt a crowd-pleasing personality. The by-word of the time was ‘I’m going wherever Jackie Zorc is playing.’  He is said to be one of the first to expand the polka band from a trio by adding a saxophone player to play more American pop tunes.  Jackie excelled on the chromatic accordion, and his Carro accordion is in the collection of the Polka Hall of Fame.