EUCLID, OH -- The Eddie Rodick Band of Cleveland enjoyed a twin win for Polka Band of the Year and Polka Album of the Year at the 20th annual awards ceremony presented by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, November 24, 2007. Band member Kim Rodick was also named Best Vocalist, as voted by the membership of the Polka Hall of Fame. The all-star anniversary presentation was held at Euclid Auditorium in Euclid, Ohio, before an audience of 800. The gala program was the high point of the annual Thanksgiving polka music weekend hosted by Cleveland radio personality Tony Petkovsek.

 

Instrumentalist Dick Flaisman of Cleveland and the late Detroit bandleader Gaylord Klancnik were inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in polka music. Voters also designated two all-time hits songs, "Barking Dog Polka," a polka standard adapted from a Slovenian folk melody, and "Roses of Love," a waltz from Slovenia which became popular in North America in the 1960s and is still enjoyed today. Pittsburgh accordionist Sam Pugliano and Cleveland vocalist Cecilia Dolgan performed their definitive versions of each song.

 

The awards show reunited Polka Hall of Fame honorees from the past twenty years, including Canada's Polka King, Walter Ostanek, and Joey Miskulin, accordionist for the cowboy combo, Riders in the Sky. The stage orchestra was made up of several Hall-of-Famers, under the direction of bandleader Fred Ziwich, a trustee of the sponsoring organization, the American Slovenian Polka Foundation. The ceremony was recorded for a cable broadcast. A reception and polka dance at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland followed the program.

 

"The polka legends came out in force for our 20th anniversary spectacular," said Cecilia Dolgan, president of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. "The music was incredible to hear. It was like having Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman and Elvis performing on the same stage."

 

"This was the best show yet," added Jack Videtich, a polka bandleader from Hesperia, Michigan. "I come here every year, but this was something special. There was so much great polka music." Buses from Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Canada, brought polka fans to the event. Visitors attended from Australia and Europe, such as Jelse Vos, who hosts a Cleveland-style polka radio show in the Netherlands.

 

Orchestra leader Jeff Pecon was chosen Musician of the Year, Other winners were Ron Likovic for Button Accordionist; Ken Zalar and the Captain's Crew for Button Accordion Ensemble; Pittsburgh radio deejays Pam and Jerry Zagar for Support and Promotion; and Joe Valencic for Culture and Heritage. Three side musicians received awards: Chris Byndas, Hank Guzel, and John Ross. Kim Rodick was the featured singer on the Rodick Band's winning album, "Polka Sweethearts."

 

Trustees of the Polka Hall of Fame selected eight individuals for the organization's Honor Roll, in acknowledgement of their contributions to polka music: Pittsburgh bandleader and record producer Johnny Krizancic; Cleveland accordionist Frank Culkar; the late Slovenian-American community leader Jennie Zaman; Pennsylvania musician Bob Zgonc; and the late Joe and Millie Wojtila, who raised a family of seven Cleveland polka musicians. Three founding trustees of the Polka Hall of Fame were also added to the Honor Roll: bandleader Joey Tomsick, polka historian Joe Valencic, and musician and radio host Denny Bucar.

 

The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame was founded in 1987 by musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations. The museum traces the story of the city's home-grown sound from its roots in the old Slovenian neighborhoods to nationwide popularity with audio exhibits, historic photographs and original instruments, including an accordion belonging to Frank Yankovic, America's Polka King. The archive preserves 3,000 vintage recordings, some dating back to 1916. 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 Polka Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio, in the historic former Euclid City Hall. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5:00, and Saturdays, 10:00 to 3:00. Admission is free. Polka recordings are available in the museum store. As a nonprofit organization, the Polka Hall of Fame and Museum relies on fundraising and memberships. For more information, call (216) 261-FAME, toll-free (866) 66-POLKA, or log onto the website, www.clevelandstyle.com.