National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame

2008 TRUSTEES HONOR ROLL RECIPIENTS

BOB TURCOLA – Accordionist and bandleader, Bob Turcola, better know as “Turk,” has been on the polka scene in the Youngstown areafor almost six decades. He started playing piano accordion at age five, and studied with Hank Racich. Bob joined the Al Hreno Band in 1960. Since 1964, Bob has led the Bob Turcola orchestra. Bob has six Cleveland style albums to his credit and one Slovak album. Bob feels his greatest achievement as a musician is the sponsorship of an annual dance to benefit Tod’s Children’s Hospital in Youngstown. Over the past 30 years, he has donated over $100,000 to the Hospital. Bob enjoys polka jam sessions during the summer at his trailer at the SNPJ Campsite in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania.

TONY FORTUNA – Accordionist and bandleader,Tony Fortuna did not have to look very far for inspiration to be a polka musician. His mother Valerie was the only sister of the legendary Vadnal brothers Johnny, Frankie, Tony, and Richie. But it was Tony’s father Tony who brought home two button accordions from a visit to Slovenia in the 1970s. Tony, his father, and brother learned to play the accordions and the bass. The three men joined the Holmes Hall Buttonaires in Cleveland. In 1984, Tony joined Al Markic’s band. After a four-year stint, Tony put together his own orchestra, and performed until 2004. Tony is a founder of the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame. His major contributions were designing the former Museum and the interior design of the Museum at its present location. Tony also designed the stage sets for the initial Awards Shows.

DICK SODJA – Accordionist and bandleader, Dick Sodja brought an exciting style of accordion technique to each polka band he played in. His polka style has inspired many accordionists. Dick joined the Kenny Bass band at age 17 and was a member of the group for 15 years. In the 1960s, Dick was a regular on piano and accordion with Frankie Yankovic’s band on television in Cleveland. Dick joined Al Markic in the late 1960s to form the Almars. He and the group recorded and stayed together for five years. In all, Dick has played on 200 recordings. He played accordion on recordings by Kenny Bass, the Almars, Hank Haller, and Ron Sluga. He is heard on piano on recordings by Frankie Yankovic, the Slogars, and Johnny Pecon. For many years, Dick operated “Sodja’s” a music store business. He retired in 2006 and lives in Arizona.

LOUIS SPEHEK – Pioneer accordionist,Slovenian-born Louis Spehek embraced his new home in the United States by entertaining on the button accordion, and becoming the first Slovenian-American recording artist. Louis arrived in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1902, but soon moved to Cleveland (1905) where he could play for larger audiences. Louis first recorded on Victor Records in 1924,in Cleveland, Ohio, teaming with Math. Arko (Matt Hoyer) on two 78s. During the same session he recorded another recording with singer-actress Augusta Danilova. Louis signed with Columbia Recording and recorded six 78s, in 1928.Both of Louis’ sons, Louis and Frank, learned to play the accordion and joined him in playing for weddings, baptisms, and lodge events. Louis, who owned a fencebuildingcompany, introduced the “Pillow Dance” (Povster Tanc) toAmerican-Slovenians.

VIOLET RUPARCICH – Singer, Radio Host, Record Producer and Promoter, Violet Ruparcich is known for her deep, rich, contralto singing voice, and as a recording artist of Slovenian folk songs. Violet has been heard on her weekly radio program “Songs and Melodies from Beautiful Slovenia” for 23 years, on WEDO-810AM, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Violet was born in Chisholm, Minnesota to Slovenian immigrant parents, who introduced her to Slovenian music on the Iron Range by attending concerts and dances. Violet joined Greyko Records in Pittsburgh in 1957. She sang on her own recording in 1961, the first of ten. At Greyko, Violet released albums by Bob Timko, Ray Champa, Dick Tady, Jack Tady, Martin Serro, Tony Grandovic, and Al Morouse. As a concert organizer, Violet has hosted the Slovenski Oktet and various musical ensembles from Slovenia.

DAVE WOLNIK – Drummer, Dave Wolnik’s steady beat as a drummer was so much in demand that in his lifetime he played in 84 different bands. Dave, who always had a ready smile and cheerful disposition, gave personality and a firm rhythmic foundation to each polka band. In a career spanning 50 years, Dave played and recorded, as a regular band member, with Bobby Timko, Frankie Yankovic, Joe Fedorchak, and Eric Noltkamper. Dave, based in Cleveland, was the drummer with Frankie Yankovic, on the Polka King’s television appearance on the Johnny Carson Show, and on Yankovic’s Grammy Award winning album. Dave received the Polka Hall of Fame Sideman of the Year award in 2001.