Past Award Winners
Each year, the Foundation recognizes the outstanding achievements of the prior year through its Annual Awards. Members nominate and select the winners in various categories of activity that serve to promote and preserve Cleveland-
Band of the Year
2019 Klancnik & Friends
2018 Klancnik & Friends
2017 Klancnik & Friends
2016 Jeff Pecon Orchestra
2015 Frank Stanger Orchestra
2014 Frank Stanger Orchestra
2013 Frank Stanger Orchestra
2012 Joey Tomsick Orchestra
2011 Joey Tomsick Orchestra
2010 Dick Tady Orchestra
2009 Joey Tomsick Orchestra
2008 Eddie Rodick Orchestra
2007 Eddie Rodick Orchestra
2006 Joe “Grkamania” Grkman Band
2005 Bob Kravos & The Boys in the Band
2004 Bob Kravos & The Boys in the Band
2003 George Staiduhar Revue
2002 Eddie Rodick Orchestra
2001 Jeff Pecon Orchestra
2000 Jeff Pecon Orchestra
1999 Jeff Pecon Orchestra
1998 Bob Kravos & The Boys in the Band
1997 Del Sinchak Band
1996 Del Sinchak Band
1995 Dick Tady & the DTO
1994 Don Wojtila Orchestra
1993 Walter Ostanek Band
1992 Tony Klepec Orchestra
1991 Joe Fedorchak Orchestra
1990 Eddie Rodick Orchestra
1989 Jeff Pecon Orchestra
Recording of the Year
2019 “Home” – LynnMarie & E3
2018 “Play ‘Em Hot” – Rob DeBlander
2017 “40th Anniversary” – Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine
2016 “He’s Back” – Dick Tady
2015 “A Polka Love Affair” – Frank Stanger Orchestra
2014 “We Are Back” – Bob Kravos & Walter Ostanek
2013 “All Keyed Up” – Frank Stanger Orchestra
2012 “Staiduhar’s Finale” – George Staiduhar
2011 “Something For Everyone” – Bob Kravos
2010 “The Best Of Cleveland/Style” – Bob Kravos
2009 “Polka Fun House” – Joey Tomsick Orchestra
2008 “Tribute To Benzy Rathbone” – Tony Grandovic
2007 “Polka Sweethearts” – Eddie Rodick Orchestra
2006 “Polkas on Broadway” – Don Wojtila and Fred Gregorich
2005 “Ziwich Plays Avsenik” – Fred Ziwich
2004 “Just For You” – Walter Ostanek & Bob Kravos
2003 “Greatest All Time Slovenian Hits” – Dick Tady
2002 “Memories From Back Home in PA” – Jake Zagger
2001 “What A Little Polka Can Do” – Fred Ziwich
2000 “Pecon-Trebar The End of an Era” – Johnny Pecon Orchestra
1999 “Smile” – Joey Tomsick Orchestra
1998 “Boys in the Band” – Bob Kravos & The Boys in the Band
1997 “Songs of the Polka King” – Frank Yankovic and Friends
1996 “Polka or Else” – Del Sinchak Band
1995 “Music & Friends” – Walter Ostanek Band
1994 “That Old Gang of Mine” – Joe Fedorchak Orchestra
1993 “35th Anniversary” – Walter Ostanek Band
1992 “I Remember Slovenia” – Tony Klepec Orchestra
1991 “Polkas by George” – Harry Faint Revue
1990 “Welcome Back Again” – Eddie Rodick Orchestra
1989 “Polkastalgia” – Walter Ostanek and Friends
Musician of the Year: Individual
2019 Brian O’Boyle
2018 Brian O’Boyle
2017 Brian O’Boyle
2016 Frank Stanger
2015 Frank Stanger
2014 Brian O’Boyle
2013 Frank Stanger
2012 Brian O’Boyle
2011 Joey Tomsick
2010 Bob Kravos
2009 Joey Tomsick
2008 Eddie Rodick
2007 Jeff Pecon
2006 Eric Noltkamper
2005 Fred Ziwich
2004 Bob Kravos
2003 Eddie Rodick
2002 Frank Moravcik
2001 Fred Ziwich
2000 George Staiduhar
1999 Joey Tomsick
1998 Fred Ziwich
1997 Jeff Pecon
1996 Dick Tady
1995 Johnny Vadnal
1994 Dick Tady / George Staiduhar
1993 Fred Ziwich
1992 Norm Kobal
1991 George Staiduhar
1990 Walter Ostanek
1989 Joey Miskulin
Vocalist of the Year
2019 Murray McFadgen
2018 Jim Lapinsky
2017 Dave Skrainer
2016 Christine Hibbs
2015 Christine Hibbs
2014 Kim Rodick
2013 Dale Bucar
2012 Dale Bucar
2011 Kim Rodick
2010 Christine Hibbs
2009 John Ross
2008 Kim Rodick
2007 Kim Rodick
2006 Christine Hibbs
2005 Christine Hibbs
2004 Christine Hibbs
2003 Christine Hibbs
2002 Paul Yanchar
2001 Ron Sluga
2000 Jerry Suhar
1999 Dave Skrajner
1998 Denny Bucar
1997 Christine Hibbs
1996 Paul Yanchar
1995 Tony Vadnal
**Category introduced in 1995
Best New/Young Band of the Year
2002 Joe Novak and Friends
2001 Somich-Tomsic Orchestra
2000 Mike Wojtila’s Grand Avenue
1999 The Sidemen
1998 Force of Habat
1997 Frank Moravcik Orchestra
1996 Larry Placek and the Tunemasters
1995 Benzy Rathbone Combo
1994 Tony Fortuna
1993 The Polka Poppers
1992 Bob Kravos
1991 Mike Wojtila
1990 Sumrada Brothers
1989 Joey Tomsick
Side Musician of the Year
2019 TJ Likovic, RJ Likovic, Eddie Rodick III
2018 Al Bambic, Joe Wojtila, Gary Byndas
2017 Joe Wojtila, Joe Strukel, Eric Stehle
2016 Mike Grkman, Mike Wojtila, Joe Zdelar
2015 Al Bambic / Paul Yeager / Joe Zdelar
2014 Mark Habat / Jim Penko / Brian Zupancic
2013 Mark Habat / Jack Tankovich / Brian Zupancic
2012 Al Bambic / Mark Habat / Frank Okicki
2011 Mark Habat / Phil Hrvatin / Brian O’Boyle / Frank Okicki
2010 Phil Hrvatin / Gary Byndas / Brian O’Boyle
2009 Hank Guzel / Phil Hrvatin
2008 Eddie Rodick III / Kim Rodick
2007 Chris Bynbus / Hank Guzel Jr. / John Ross
2006 John Gerl / Mike Grkman/Ed Klancnik
2005 Mike Grkman / Mark Habat / Ron Sluga
2004 John Gerl / Eric Noltkamper / Ron Sluga
2003 Wayne Habat/Eddie Klancnik/Ron Sluga
2002 John Pecon Jr. / Ralph Delligatti / Ron Sluga
2001 Ralph Delligatti / Ron Sluga / Dave Wolnik
2000 Bob Bacha / Hank Guzel / Frank Okicki
1999 John Gerl / Wayne Habat / Phil Hrvatin
1998 Eric Noltkamper / Ralph Delligatti / Bob Bacha
1997 Denny Bucar / Pete Kuhar / Ron Sluga
1996 Mark Habat / Norm Kobal / Ron Sluga
1995 Norm Kobal
1994 Ron Sluga
1993 Dan Wojtila
1992 Ron Sluga
1991 Bill Srnick Sr.
1990 Paul Yanchar
1989 Tony Vadnal
Button Box: Group of the Year
2019 Ron Likovic And Friends
2018 Western Pennsylvania SNPJ Button Box Club
2017 Patty C and the Guys
2016 Fairport Jammers
2015 Patty C and the Guys
2014 Patty C and the Guys
2013 Fairport Jammers
2012 Fairport Jammers
2011 Fairport Jammers
2010 Fairport Jammers
2009 Western Pennsylvania Button Box Club
2008 Fairport Jammers
2007 Captain’s Crew
2006 Captain’s Crew
2005 Captain’s Crew
2004 Captain’s Crew
2003 Captain’s Crew
2002 Lipa Park Button Box Club
2001 Magic Buttons
2000 Lipa Park Button Box Club
1999 Mahoning Valley Button Box Club
1998 Mahoning Valley Button Box Club
1997 Cleveland Lake Erie Button Box Club
1996 Cleveland Lake Erie Button Box Club
1995 Holmes Hall Buttonaires
1994 Holmes Hall Buttonaires
1993 Holmes Hall Buttonaires
**Category introduced in 1993
Button Box: Individual or Duo of the Year
2019 Joe Grkman
2018 Frank & Darryl Valencic
2017 Ron Likovic
2016 Kathy Hlad, Frank & Darryl Valencic
2015 Kathy Hlad
2014 Kathy Hlad
2013 Kathy Hlad
2012 Joey Tomsick
2011 Kathy Hlad
2010 Ron Likovic
2009 Ron Likovic
2008 Ron Likovic
2007 Ron Likovic
2006 Ron Likovic
2005 Fred Ziwich
2004 Ron Likovic
2003 Kathy Hlad
2002 Jake Zagger
2001 Al Battistelli
2000 Fred Ziwich
1999 Joey Tomsick
1998 Fred Ziwich
1997 Jake Zagger
1996 Lynn Marie Rink
1995 Fred Ziwich
1994 Joey Tomsick
1993 Kathy Hlad & Ron Likovic
1992 Jake Zagger
1991 Zeke & Charlie
1990 Joey Tomsick & Lynn Marie Rink
1989 Fairport Ensemble
Support/Promotion of the Year
2019 Jerry & Pam Zagar
2018 Joe Godina
2017 Joe Godina
2016 Mark Habat
2015 247 Polka Heaven/Ray Zalokar
2014 Mark Habat
2013 Mark Habat
2012 Joe Gabrosek & Gene Kovack
2011 Ed Ostry
2010 Val Pawlowski
2009 John & Helen Kuzman
2008 Ed Ostry
2007 Jerry & Pam Zagar
2006 Ed Ostry
2005 Ed Ostry
2004 Val Pawlowski
2003 Ken Zalar
2002 Val Pawlowski
2001 Val Pawlowski
2000 Dale Bucar
1999 Mike Podboy
1998 Denny Bucar
1997 Val Pawlowski
1996 George Knaus
1995 George Knaus
1994 Tony Petkovsek
1993 WELW Radio
1992 Denny Bucar/George Knaus
1991 George Knaus
1990 Eddie, Denny and Dale Bucar
1989 Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club
Cultural/Heritage of the Year
2018 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
2018 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
2017 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
2016 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
2015 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, OH
2014 SNPJ Heritage Center, Enon Valley, PA
2013 SNPJ Farm, Kirtland, Ohio
2012 SNPJ Recreation Grounds, Kirtland, Ohio
2011 Singing Slovenes
2010 SNPJ Heritage Room
2009 SNPJ Heritage Center
2008 Joe Valencic
2007 Joe Valencic
2006 Slovene National Benefit Society
2005 SNPJ
2004 SNPJ Circle 2
2003 Penn Ohio Polka Pals Boosters
2002 Friends of the Slovenian Society Home St. Clair
2001 SNPJ Circle 2 Junior Chorus
2000 SNPJ Heritage Center
1999 SNPJ Recreation Farm
1998 Slovenian Heritage Group of Western PA
1997 Fantje Na Vasi
1996 Glasbena Matica
1995 Jadran Singing Society
1994 Eddie Kenik
1993 SNPJ Circle 2
1992 Florence Unetich
1991 Zarja Singing Society
1990 John Habat
1989 Eddie Kenik
Best New Original Song of the Year
2019 Home (LynnMarie)
2017 Happy Polka Day (Mike Schneider)
2016 Justie And Maggie’s Song (Dick Tady)
2014 Happy Birthday Polka (Frank Stanger)
2013 Punxsuatawney Phil Polka (Frank Stanger, Bob Debevits)
2012 Sweet Memories Waltz (George Staiduhar)
2011 Arlene’s Waltz (Dan Peters)
2010 Bella Luna Waltz (Dick Tady)
2009 Polka Funhouse (Joey Tomsick, Frank Doblekar)
2008 Don’t Play Me A Sad Song At Christmas (Fred Ziwich)
**Category introduced in 2008
Since 1989, Joey Tomsick won the most Awards (13)
He is followed by Fred Ziwich (12) and Bob Kravos (11)
Ron Likovic won the most Awards (8) in the same category
He is followed by Kathy Hlad (7)