Trustees Honor Roll

Accordionist, Bandleader and Promoter (1915)
Inducted on November 28, 1998

Martin Serro's passion for Cleveland-Style Polkas and Slovenian culture precipitated over sixty years of distinguished service in the American-Slovenian community. Learning the button box at an early age, Martin led his own band from 1935-1942. Joining with the LaValles in 1960, Martin wrote the lyrics for "Slovenian Picnic Waltz" and recorded what would beome a Greatest All-Time Cleveland-Style Waltz hit. Assuming leadership roles, Martin was President of the Sloveinian Radio Hour, President of the American Slovenes of Western Pennsylvania, and the founding President of the Slovenian Ballroom in Herminie, Pennsylvania. Under Martin, Herminie became a major center for Cleveland-Style music with concerts, dances, and jam sessions. In 1970, Martin founded the Herminie Button Box Club which toured extensively and recorded for Greyko.