The 1990 honorees to the Living Category of the Polka Music Hall of Fame were two individuals who have both in their own ways made great strides in the promotion and advancement of polka music. Myron Floren is a highly recognized name in the entertainment world besides his relationship to polka music. He was born and raised on a farm in Day County, South Dakota. His interest in the accordion began after…
Jolly Joe Timmer of of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has a radio show, television show, polka band, music store and picnic grove all strongly promoting polka music. When asked when and how he became involved in polka music Joe said, “My time started after high school, 1948. Before he had a band, he used to go dancing every Saturday night at the Lincoln Hall in Miller Heights, Pennsylvania. He danced every polka, waltz…
Rock ‘N’ Roll may be here to stay, but so is polka music, according to Norman Marggraff. Marggraff should know: For over 40 years he has made a living spinning “oompah”-type records on the radio. If the name Marggraff doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps his other name, Fritz the Plumber, will. “Fritz the Plumber, they don’t come any dumber,” Marggraff joked one recent Saturday morning as he broadcast from WYLO in Jackson,…
Bruce Kryger has been playing with his own band since 1954. In 1962 he joined with his brother Lucian and formed what became known as the Kryger Brothers Band. Bruce played the cordovox accordion and composed many of the arrangements for the band. The band had several hit recordings including “The Bridal Dance,” “The Boys from Wilkes-Barre” and “Mary on a Bike.” Bruce was a partner with his brother in the Kryger Music…