Richard Midura was born on August 12, 1935, in Chicopee, Ma. Known as “the pioneer of polka clarinet improvisation” by his peers, he lent his smooth clarinet and saxophone mastery to the live performances and recordings of the most prominent eastern style polka bands of his day. Richard's unique playing style influenced generations of polka clarinetists. Over his career, he toured with Ed Swierand's Aristocrats, Al Soyka, and Gene Wisniewski, and performed and recorded with Eddie Siwicki, Al Cocoa, Walt Solek, Ray Henry, and the Connecticut Twins. On June 7, 1956, Richard appeared on national television performing the clarinet polka on the Ed Sullivan show. Later in life, he helped raise money for polka broadcasting by hosting radio shows on WMUA in Massachusetts.

For his many accomplishments in the polka industry, Richard Midura has been deemed deserving by the electorate of the International Polka Association for induction into the Polka Music Hall of Fame®.