Randy Koslosky – Living Category – Inducted 2015

  Randy Koslosky has made significant contributions to the polka industry as a performer, songwriter, studio musician, producer, and creator of unique polka productions. Born in Pittsburgh in 1962, Randy has been actively performing polka music since 1976. He started with a band formed along with his brother that later…

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Johnny Krizancic – Deceased Category – Inducted 2011

    Johnny Krizancic was born March 31, 1929, and at the age of eight years old he started his musical career with the area tamburitzans. After serving in the Air Force and attending college, he married Martha Dzurinda and performed with many musicians. In 1960, Johnny and his wife…

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Thomas Karas – Deceased Category – Inducted 2004

    Thomas Anthony (Tommy) Karas was born March 28, 1946 in Buffalo, New York. He was the eldest of four children born to Anthony J. and Carrie M. (Bieniek) Karas. Both sets of grandparents were Polish immigrants. His father was a steel worker at Bethlehem Steel and his mother…

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Johnny Karas – Living Category – Inducted 2001

  Johnny Karas, lead vocalist and tenor saxophone for the Jimmy Sturr Band, has regaled audiences with his virtuosity for over forty years.  His intensity, versatility and creativity on the tenor sax have resulted in most observers describing him as one of, if not the best saxophonist ever in the…

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Eddie Korosa – Pioneer Category – Inducted 1998

  Few can equal the contributions made by Eddie Korosa in popularizing polka music. Eddie has left his mark across the entertainment spectrum, inspiring new generations of polka lovers along the way.   Eddie Korosa was born in the Southwest side of Chicago in 1918; a first generation American of…

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Ernie Kucera – Pioneer Category – Inducted 1992

    With the unique sound of an accordion and the oom pah pah of the tuba, “Abie”, Nebraska’s Ernie Kucera and his band has been entertaining people with polka music for the past fifty years. Kucera first started playing drums in his brother’s band, The Kucera Accordion Band in…

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Chet Kowalkowski – Living Category – Inducted 1991

    Destined to be a prominent figure in the polka circuit, Chet Kowalkowski began his musical career with the accordion at the age of eight. At twelve, he already won his first merit of achievement for the accordion on the John Nieminski WOPA Polka Show. After entering high school,…

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Lucian Kryger – Living Category – Inducted 1989

    As a teenager Lucian Kryger had recorded several 78 RPM recordings with his father’s orchestra (Brunon Kryger) on the Harmonia Label of N.Y. In 1951 Lucian, Jerry and brother Bruce recorded two 78 rpm recordings for Polo Records.  One of the hit sides was entitled, “Little Boy Oberek.” …

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Leon Kozicki – Living Category – Inducted 1977

 Leon J. Kozicki was born on July 4, 1930 in Chicago.  He attended grammar school at St. Peter and Paul’s at which time he first became exposed to music when his father presented him with a button accordion one Christmas.  As a youngster he became ill with pneumonia and upon…

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