♫ Greatest All-
2006 GREATEST ALL-
Inducted 2006
“GREEN VALLEY”
Composer: Roger Bright
Lyrics: Bob Lorenz, and Gene Tebo
Original Hit Recording:
Roger Bright Orchestra
Album: “Longing for Switzerland”
Cuca Records K 2600
1969
Time: 2:45
Other Recordings:
Richie Vadnal Orchestra
Eddie Rodick Orchestra
Kenny Brandt Band
Fred Ziwich & his International Sound Machine
Mahoning Valley Button Box Club
Key: Bb, Eb, Ab
Musicians on Hit Recording:
Roger Bright, accordion
Joey Miskulin, accordion
Gene Tebo, vocal
Bob Lorenz, piano
Karl Gmur, bass
Roger Pulver, guitar
Robbie Schneider, yodeler
Green Valley is a lilting waltz with romantic lyrics and winsome yodeling that pleases listeners and dancers alike. Joey Miskulin played on the original recording of Green Valley by Roger Bright in Wisconsin. As he recalls, Roger’s first album “Come to the Mountain” was such a success he decided to record another album in his Swiss-Slovenian style. Joey, who returned to Cleveland in 1967, heard many new songs that were recorded in Slovenia on polka radio. He took note of one of the tunes in particular, an Alpine melody. Joey suggested to Roger that Gene Tebo and Bobby Lorenz, who had written lyrics for other songs, create English words, and Roger work on the tune. The result was “Green Valley” waltz, with Gene Tebo on the vocal and champion yodeler Robbie Schneider, owner of the New Glarus Hotel where Roger Bright’s orchestra played. Joey played a European-style accordion accompaniment. Richie Vadnal liked the song so well, that he wanted his orchestra to record it with Slovenian lyrics. Richie asked Jack Tomsic, a Slovenian-born Clevelander to translate the English words into the Slovenian language. With help from Frankie Vadnal, the Slovenian lyrics came about. Richie recorded the song in Slovenia, titled “Zelena Dolina,” with Frankie singing the vocal, and brother Tony, yodeling. The Vadnals also released the tune in America.
Eddie Rodick recorded “Green Valley” on his live CD recording in 1990, “60 Years of Cleveland-Style Polkas.” He called upon Joe Stradiot to sing the vocal on his version. The song’s popularity continues with two recent recordings, one by Fred Ziwich’s orchestra and the other by Mahoning Valley Button Box Club.