John Demerski – Pioneer Category – Inducted 2007

  *Deceased in 2015* John Demerski is a life-long resident of Forestville, Connecticut. He attended Butler University, the University of Hartford, Central Connecticut State University and has a degree in Industrial Management.   John served in the U.S. Army Infantry and in the Connecticut Army National Guard. He was believed…

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Jerry Darlak – Living Category – Inducted 1997

    Jerry M. Darlak has devoted his whole life to the promotion of polka music. In his many years as a working musician, he has performed and recorded with the nation’s most prestigious polka orchestras. His love of polka music is indisputable. He continued this tradition with his own…

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Ray Dorschner – Living Category – Inducted 1996

   Ray Dorschner was born in the tiny village of Ziattau, Wisconsin, one of seven children born to Theodore and Berta Dorschner. Theodore owned and operated a sawmill and woodworking business in Zittau and was an old-time fiddler. Dad and sons occasionally played for local parties and dances. Ray started…

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Chet Dragon – Pioneer Category – Inducted 1993

    At the age of 12 Chet had a couple of neighbors that were musicians one played the clarinet, the other the accordion. Chet knew that if he purchased a trumpet he would be asked to join them. Chet’s family couldn’t afford to just purchase one for him outright,…

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Lawrence Duchow – Deceased Category – Inducted 1983

    Lawrence Duchow started his musical career in 1932 playing with Hal’s Bluebirds out of Chilton, Wisconsin.  Their first job was for a dance at Kleist’s Hall in Potter, Wisconsin.  Lawrence took over the operation reins in 1933 and called it the Lawrence Duchow and his Red Raven Inn…

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Marisha Data – Deceased Category – Inducted 1974

    She was known in the polka field for her song hits “Wishing Well Waltz” and “Violins Play For Me”; but she was also known in the radio and stage field as a radio announcer, operatic and concert singer and a comedienne.  Gifted with a great voice and acting…

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Walter Dana – Living Category – Inducted 1971

  Walter Dana – Wladyslaw Dan Danilowski – a resident of Miami Beach, Florida, was born in Warsaw, Poland.  He began playing piano and composing at the age of seven.  His musical education was obtained at the Warsaw Conservatory and Paris.  He received a law diploma at the Warsaw University. …

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