New York City …. “Hi Polka Cuzzins!” Walt Procanyn is an accordionist and bandleader who currently resides in Woodside, the Queens section of the big apple. Walt is well known throughout the big band and polka circle as a maverick and innovator. He has revolutionized the polka industry by incorporating…
Tony Petkovsek was born August 21, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio to parents of Slovenian descent. At age 20 he began what would become the longest running daily two hour polka program, self-produced with his own sponsors. That daily show aired six days a week from 1961 through 2011 and…
Don Peachey hails from Burnett, Wisconsin, a small town located an hour from Milwaukee. He began playing the accordion at the age of 14. Don made his first paying performance at the civic center in Fairwater, Wisconsin. Except for two years in the U.S. Army, he has been…
It all started at the age of seven when Stephanie was being taught the accordion by her mom, Wanda, and the Polish vocals by her grandmother, Stephanie. This created an interest in listening to Polish music. While Henry her father was off bowling, Wanda took Stephanie to see…
Dennis Polisky, leader, clarinet, tenor saxophone player for the Maestro’s Men Orchestra from Colchester, Connecticut, has been performing and entertaining audiences for over 38 years. His dedication, versatility and personality has earned him the recognition as one of the best clarinet players in the polka field today. He…
Polka music has been a part of Al Piatkowski’s life as long as he could remember. Born in Syracuse, NY on January 17, 1959, Al grew up listening to the Sunday polka programs. His parents, Mike and Gloria, would attend the local polka dances and bring home the…
Wanda S. Pietrzak was a singer who achieved national acclaim in polka music’s only mother and daughter team, “Wanda and Stephanie.” As half of “Wanda and Stephanie”, known as “American’s Polka Sweethearts,” she recorded many albums. She scored a #1 polka hit in 1971 with a song…
John (Jas) Stanley Przasnyski was born a twin on May 25, 1926, in Bristol, Connecticut. John was the eldest of the two boys. After World War II, John attended the Julius Hartt School of Music in Hartford and learned to play the drums. From the point, he…
*Deceased* Born in 1926 in Bristol Connecticut, he started to study the accordion at age ten while attending St. Stanislaus School. At the age of thirteen he was playing professionally at social affairs, concert solos, and private parties. He started a four-piece band at the age of eighteen. A…
Emily Pinter began her music and dancing at the early age of five, studying piano, ballet and tap dancing. At age 16, while dancing with the Alliance of Polish Clubs group, the dancing instructor took ill, and Emily was asked to take over the class. The following year…
Lou Prohut was born in Chicago where he attended local parochial schools and began studying the accordion almost as soon as he learned to walk. His talents led him to an appearance on the famed Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour when he was a mere five years old. After…
“Joe Pat” Paterek was born in Chicago to Joseph and Mary Paterek on May 21, 1919. His father was of Slovak ancestry and his mother was of Polish origin. Joe became interested in music at an early age and began taking music lessons while attending local schools. After…
Ignacy Podgorski was a musician, composer, arranger, publisher, recording artist and violinist who conducted his own orchestra. He was born on February 1, 1886 in Kielce, Poland. As a boy he lived in Czestochowa where he obtained his musical education and acquired a love for native folk-lore. …
Johnny Pecon was born on February 3, 1915 in Cleveland. At age five he began playing on a small accordion. In his teens he already sat in with some of the Slovenian polka bands. At age 19 he formed his own polka band. Johnny joined the Navy…
Two words that are virtually synonymous to thousands of fans throughout the country are “polka” and “Pillar,” like celery and salt they were made for each other. Born 34 years ago to Joseph and Stella Pillar Pillar of Uncasville, Connecticut, Richard has been setting toes a-tapping since 1958 when…
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