Five names have been nominated for the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum. Nominations have also been released for annual awards in eleven categories. Polka Hall of Fame members have until Friday, September 6, 2019, to return their ballots.
The organization’s membership determined that these polka music achievers are to be considered for induction into the Polka Hall of Fame. Two will be chosen:
Rudy Kershishnik, musician and vocalist
Joe Kusar, accordionist and bandleader
Al Meixner, accordionist and bandleader
Anton Mervar, accordion manufacturer
Joe Mlakar, accordionist and bandleader
The winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the Polka Hall of Fame membership meeting and Awards Show Preview Party, Thursday, September 19, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Euclid City Hall Council Chambers, 585 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio. Trustees Honor Roll recipients will also be revealed.
Annual award winners are announced at the gala Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show presentation on Saturday, November 30, 2:00 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 127 Public Square, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Awards Show is the high point of the three-day Polka Hall of Fame Thanksgiving Polka Weekend at the Marriott. This year’s musical acts include TV’s Alex Meixner, Nashville’s LynnMarie and E3, and Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostanek.
The Awards Show is the featured event of the 56th annual Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend with three days of dancing, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 28, 29 and 30, 2019, at the Marriott. A list of all 2019 Polka Hall of Fame nominees is below.
Tickets are on sale for the Awards Show and the evening dances. Special reduced Marriott Hotel rates apply. For hotel information, call Kollander Travel, (216) 692-1000. For tickets, call (216) 261-FAME, toll-free (866) 66-POLKA, or write to polkashop @ aol.com. Check the Polka Hall of Fame website, www.polkafame.com.
New member applications for the purpose of voting MUST be received with payment at the Polka Hall of Fame before Friday, August 23, 2019, to allow for processing, mailing ballots, and return by the September 6 deadline (U.S. addresses only).
The Polka Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1987 by musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations. It is located at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio, in the historic former Euclid City Hall. Hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 to 4:00. Admission is free. Polka recordings are available in the museum store.
Polka Hall of Fame 2019 Annual Awards Nominations
Band of the Year:
Rob DeBlander Band
Fritz’s Polka Band
Klancnik and Friends
Kordupel and Culkar Band
Recording of the Year:
“Me to You,” Al Battistelli
“Positively Polka,” Tom Brusky
“Home,” LynnMarie and E3
“Having Fun with Polkas,” Kordupel and Culkar Band
“Make Some Noise,” Alex Meixner
Musician of the Year:
Anthony Culkar
Joshua Kay
Alex Meixner
Brian O’Boyle
Eddie Rodick III
Fritz Scherz
Side Musicians of the Year (3 elected):
Aaron Dussing
Don Hunjadi
RJ Likovic
TJ Likovic
Eddie Rodick III
Garrett Tatano
Frank Yasnowski
Paul Yeager
Joe Zdelar
Support & Promotion:
Joe Godina
Val Pawlowski
Sharon Staiduhar
Joe Valencic
Pam & Jerry Zagar
Cultural & Heritage:
Tony Klepec
Slovenian Society Home, Euclid, OH
SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
SNPJ Recreation Center, Enon Valley, PA
United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania
Button Box: Artist or Duo:
Patty Candela
Joe Grkman Jr.
Ron Likovic
TJ Likovic
Alex Meixner
Fred Scherz
Button Box Group or Band:
Button Box Divas
Fairport Jammers
Ron Likovic and Friends
Magic Buttons
Patty C and the Guys
Western Pennsylvania SNPJ Button Box Club
Vocalist:
Gary Byndas
Murray McFadgen
Kim Skovenski
Dave Skrajner
New, Original Song:
“Fred’s Polka” (Fritz Scherz)
“Home” (LynnMarie Hrovat and Eddie Rodick III)
“La Parisian” (Al Battistelli)
“Rapid Fire Polka” (Mike Schneider)
“Why Don’t You?” (Lyle Schaefer)
Greatest All-Time Hit Song (2 Elected):
Back Home in Pennsylvania
Keystone Polka
No Beer on Sunday
Tony’s Polka Village
Windy City Polka
