Al Soyka was born May 6, 1922 in Rockville, Connecticut. At the early age of thirteen the Soyka Trio was formed with Al on the accordion, brother Ray on vocals and cousin Ed on the violin. The group entered a local talent show and won first prize, which was a trip to radio stations in Boston, Massachusetts. A polka band was formed with Al’s three brother, Ray, Stanley and Edwin, and also his cousin…
Born in Frankenmuth, Michigan, on August 9, 1932, lived there until his decease. Having a natural affinity to music, at age 12 he began playing a forty-eight bass accordion, then acquired his own and played his first job the following New Year’s Eve. With his father, Otto Herzog, playing the banjo, and his friends Bill Braeutigam on the drums and Arno Rogner on the guitar, his first band was formed. Being of German…
Roman (Romy) Gosz was born on August 2, 1910. He took his first piano lesson at age 7. At 11 he joined his father Paul, and his two brothers, George and Mike, in the Gosz family orchestra in 1921. In 1930 Romy took over the band. When he lost his trumpet player in 1931 and couldn’t find a replacement, as a band leader, Romy had to fill in himself. He taught himself to play…