Trustees Honor Roll

Lausche, Josephine

Vocal Duet with Mary Udovich
Inducted on November 30, 1991

Together with Dr. William J. "Doc'' Lausche, Josephine Lausche Welf and Mary Udovich advanced the transition of Slovenian folk music into the Cleveland-style polka. With Dr. Lausche on piano, Josephine and Mary made their first recording around 1919 for the Victor Talking Machine Company. Performing on John Grdina's and Heinie Martin Antoncic's Slovenian radio programs beginning in the 1920s, Josephine, Mary and the Doc Lausche Orchestra added excitement to Slovenian music with a new beat that presaged the Cleveland-style polkas that would follow. Between 1927 and 1932, Josephine and Mary sang with Dr. Lausche as he recorded some 60 selections for the Columbia Gramophone Company with a large studio orchestra. In 1942, Josephine and Mary recorded for Continental with the Lausche Trio, featuring Johnny Pecon.