♫ Polka Hall of Fame Radio” Now Airs Music Every Saturday
The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum takes to the airwaves with a two hour weekly radio and internet polka music broadcast. “Polka Hall of Fame Radio” airs every Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m. EST on Cleveland radio station WINT, 101.5 FM and 1330 AM, and streaming worldwide on the internet on 247PolkaHeaven.com. The show repeats Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. “Polka Hall of Fame Radio” features polka and waltz music, especially the Cleveland-Style Polka, the genre of American dance music that emerged from the city’s Slovenian and nationality neighborhoods a century ago and became a national sensation in 1940s and 1950s.
The music was first made popular by Cleveland native Frank Yankovic, America’s Polka King, and is still enjoyed today across the country at dances, festivals and family occasions. In addition to music, the Polka Hall of Fame will produce exclusive programming, such as new artists, album premieres, interviews and profiles, on-location shows, community news, and live entertainment. The organization hosts ten music events each year, including the Slovenian Sausage Festival, the Super Button Box Bash, and the three-day Thanksgiving Polka Weekend.
Each year, the gala Polka Music Awards Show honors achievers in various categories. “Polka music is a lively part of American culture, and the Polka Hall of Fame and Museum was founded to preserve and promote it,” said John Muhvic, President of the American Slovenian Polka Foundation, which manages the organization. “Radio and internet programming enhances our efforts to connect music-lovers with polka’s past, present and future.” The show is hosted by long-time polka deejay Denny Bucar with Joe Valencic and Joey Tomsick. All three were among the founding trustees of the Polka Hall of Fame in 1987. Denny is a bass player and vocalist who has been broadcasting for fifty years. He was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in 2014 and serves on the group’s executive committee. Joe Valencic‘s segment presents music and news from Slovenia. Joe is the Museum Director of the Polka Hall of Fame and a past President and current Vice-President. He announces in both English and Slovenian. Joey Tomsick presents Button Box Beat, with music featuring the diatonic accordion, unique to Cleveland-Style Polka. He is an accordionist and bandleader. With “Polka Hall of Fame Radio,” Denny, Joe and Joey continue the radio legacy of the late Tony Petkovsek, who started the broadcast in 1961 and boosted the polka scene until his passing in 2019. They co-hosted Tony’s programs on WINT for many years. “WINT has always been a community-oriented radio station with a strong music and nationality presence and listenership,” said Ray Somich, WINT President. “Radio is a high-profile way for the Polka Hall of Fame to expand the popularity of polka music.”
“The Polka Hall of Fame can now share the happy sound of polka around the world through the internet,” added Ray Zalokar, founder of the first polka webcasting site, 247PolkaHeaven.com, which will carry the broadcast. “This new show will win over new audiences, anytime and anywhere. The Cleveland-Style Polka is known as America’s Good-Time Music. Bands are led by the accordion and joined with banjo, bass and drums for rhythm and saxophone or wind instruments to round out the distinctive sound. Couples perform the bouncy polka step in 2/4 time with a signature skip or hop on the half-beat. The waltz glides with a smooth one-two three pace. Both dances evolved in Central Europe in the early 1800s and revolutionized social dancing with pairs embracing as they turn.
Polka music is a staple at many festivals, such as Oktoberfests, Dyngus Day celebrations, church and nationality socials, and community fairs. The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Museum features interactive music exhibits and an extensive archive of recordings in the historic Old City Hall in Euclid, a suburb of Cleveland.
The Hall of Fame gallery pays tribute to the performers and individuals who popularized the music. Thirty celebrity accordions are on display with a story behind each.
The Polka Gift Shop offers recordings, t-shirts and apparel, and items with polka, Slovenian, Polish and nationality themes.
The Museum is located at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio, between Euclid City Hall and Euclid Public Library. Hours are 11:00 to 4:00, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Free admission and parking.
The Polka Hall of Fame and its activities are supported by members, sponsors, grants and donations. Gifts to the Polka Hall of Fame may be tax-deductible.
For more information on “Polka Hall of Fame Radio,” call (216) 261-3263, or e-mail PolkaShop@aol.com. Check the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Facebook page and PolkaFame.com for announcements and upcoming events.
