Trustees Honor Roll

Garchar, Steve

Accordionist and Bandleader (1928)
Inducted on: November 26, 1994

When Cleveland-Style polkas were at their peak after World War II, Steve Garchar was the standard-bearer in the Penn-Ohio arena, leading his orchestra virtually every night of the week and performing live on area radio stations. Playing the accordion since age ten, Steve formed his first band in high school and, pursuing music full-time, came to dominate the Youngstown/Sharon polka scene. The Steve Garchar Orchestra recorded for Coral records, releasing hit singles including "Jolly Time Polka," "Blue Mountain Waltz," "Highland Polka" and "Bridge Street Waltz." Steve continued performing during his stint in the service and reorganized his band for a short time afterward during the 1950s. Active in the promotion of Cleveland-Style polkas ever since, Steve again regrouped his orchestra in 1991 and has returned to the recording studio.