Trustees Honor Roll

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Kobal, Stan

Accordionist and Bandleader (1910- 1997)
Inducted on November 28, 1998

Stanley Kobal was a Cleveland-Style Polka pioneer in the Penn-Ohio area, leading the Airliners orchestra from 1946-1955. Born in Slovenia and growing up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Stan mastered the trumpet, playing with the Moxham Slovenian Band, and the button box, soloing at weddings, picnics and banquets. Moving to Girard, Ohio, in 1935, Stan played his trumpet with various bands including performances on the NBC radio network (from WTAM in Cleveland) with the Ohio Leather Works Band, a concert group. Playing the chromatic accordion, Stan cut four sides with his Airliners at Cleveland Recording in 1947 and performed regularly in Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. After retiring from the Airliners, Stan made limited appearances through the early 1960s.

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