SEPTEMBER 5, 2008: Nominees for Awards Show #21 on November 29 in Cleveland are:   LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Frankie Mullec, Lynn Marie, Eddie Rodick, Del Sinchak, Hank Thunander and Eddie Vallus.  ALL-TIME HITS:  Argentina Waltz, El Rio Drive, Glas Harmonika, Pony Tail, Quick Stop, Squeezer's, and Zip Polka.  NEW POLKA OR WALTZ:  Walter's Polka by Fred Scherz, The Love That We Both Share by Ken Novak, Denis' Fast Polka by Denis Novato, Don't Play Me A Sad Song at Christmas by Fred Ziwich.  CULTURAL HERITAGE:  Fairport American Slovenian Club, Fantije Na Vasi, SNPJ Circle 2 Junior Chorus and Joe Valencic. SUPPORT/PROMOTION:  John and Helen Kuzman, Ed Ostry, Larry Placek, Joe Valencic and Pam and Jerry Zagar.  BUTTON BOX INDIVIDUAL:  Al Ray Combo, Joe Grkman Jr., Ron Likovic, Joe Novak, Denis Novato and Fred Ziwich.  BUTTON BOX GROUP:  Fairport Jammers, Magic Buttons, Magic City Showcase, Mahoning Valley and Western PA SNPJ Club.   BEST VOCALIST:  Bob Feritto, Christine Hibbs, Nancy Novak, Kim Rodick, John Ross and Ken Umeck.  BEST MUSICIAN:  Joe Grkman Jr., Eric Noltkamper, Joe Novak, Brian O'Boyle, and Fred Ziwich.  BAND OF THE YEAR:  Klancnik and Friends, Joe Novak and Friends, Eddie Rodick Orchestra, Wayne Tomsic Combo, Fred Ziwich and the ISM.  RECORDING OF THE YEAR:  "Tribute to Benzy Rathbone" by Tony Grandovic and Friends, "Denis Novato Plays Cleveland Style" by Denis Novato, "Dueling Polkas" by Walter Ostanek and the Western Senators, "Diamnond Anniversary Edition" by Penn-Ohio Polka Pals, "Live from Casino Regina" by Eddie Rodick and "Whoop" by Western PA SNPJ Button Box Club.  BEST SIDEMEN:  Gary Byndas (ISM), Bob Feritto (Joe Novak), Gary Fisher (Joe Novak), Fran Gondell (Turcola and Zalac),  Steve Grkman (Grkmania), Frank Puskar (Karl Lukitsch), Joe Reboudo (Wayne Tomsic), Eddie Rodick III (Eddie Rodick), Kim Rodick (Eddie Rodick), and Brian Zupancic (Joe Novak).  If you wish to vote and you are not a member of the Polka Hall of Fame, contact them at 1-216-261FAME or go to their website at www.clevelandstyle.com .   Winners are in bold.

NOVEMBER 29, 2008: We were lucky enough to attend awards show XXI for the Polka Hall of Fame today.  Here are the winners of the various categories.  To see all nominees, go down to our news from September 5 farther down this page.  Congratulations to all winners and listen to our show tomorrow for music from the winners.  LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:  Eddie Rodick and Frankie Mullec.  TRUSTEES HONOR ROLL:  Louis Spehek, Bob Turcola, Violet Ruparcich, Dick Sodja, Tony Fortuna, Dave Wolnik.  SONGS OF THE YEAR:  Zip Polka and Argentina Waltz.  NEW SONG:  Don't Play Me A Sad Song at Christmas by Fred Ziwich.  CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD:  Joe Valencic.  SUPPORT/PROMOTION:  Ed Ostry.  BUTTON BOX/INDIVIDUAL:  Ron Likovic.  BUTTON BOX/GROUP:  Western PA. SNPJ Button Box Group.  BEST VOCALIST:  Kim Rodick.  BEST MUSICIAN:  Eric Noltkamper.  BAND OF THE YEAR:  Eddie Rodick Orchestra.  RECORDING OF THE YEAR:  A Tribute to Benzy Rathbone by Tony Grandovic and Friends.  SIDEMEN (3 WINNERS) OF THE YEAR:  Steve Grkman, Eddie Rodick III and Kim Rodick.

NOVEMBER 28, 2009:  The Awards Show 22 winners were announced today in Cleveland.  We are very proud that Johnny Spetich will be one of the trustees honor roll recipients.  Winners are in bold.  Nominees for Awards Show #22 on November 28 in Cleveland are:   LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Del Sinchak, Hank Thunander, Bill Seles, Art Perko and Fred Kuhar..  ALL-TIME HITS:   El Rio Drive, Give Back My Heart, Glas Harmonika, Pony Tail, Quick Stop, Squeezer's, Iron Mike, Red Lips Red Wine, Waltz of Love.   TRUSTEES HONOR ROLL:  Johnny Spetich, Greg Drust, SNPJ Farm, Kathy Hlad, Ron Luznar and Mirk Yama.  NEW POLKA OR WALTZ:  "Chili Donuts" by Joe Bajuk, "Half of the Time" by Mikey Dee, "Quarter to 3 in the Morning" by Ron Pivovar, "Please Don't Wait Till Tomorrow Waltz" by Fred Sherz Sr., "Someone" by Ron Sluga and Joey Tomsick, "Polka Funhouse" by Joey Tomsick.  CULTURAL HERITAGE:  Fantije Na Vasi, SNPJ Circle 2 Junior Chorus, Glasbena Matica, Slovenian Home East 80th, SNPJ Heritage Center, and Joe Valencic. SUPPORT/PROMOTION:  John and Helen Kuzman, Joe Gabrosek and Gene Kovack,SNPJ Lodge #6 Sygan, Val Pawlowski and Pam and Jerry Zagar.  BUTTON BOX INDIVIDUAL: Joe Grkman Jr., Ron Likovic, Joe Novak, Ron Pivovar and Fred Ziwich.  BUTTON BOX GROUP:  Fairport Jammers, Magic Buttons, Mahoning Valley and Western PA SNPJ Club.   BEST VOCALIST:   Christine Hibbs, Nancy Novak, Kim Rodick, John Ross and Ken Umeck.  BEST MUSICIAN:  Joe Grkman Jr. Bob Kravos, Eric Noltkamper, Joe Novak, Brian O'Boyle, Joey Tomsick, and Fred Ziwich.  BAND OF THE YEAR:   Joe Novak and Friends, Eddie Rodick Orchestra, Joey Tomsick , Mikey Dee and Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band..  RECORDING OF THE YEAR:  "Bang!" by Mikey Dee, "Gaylord Klancnik" by Gaylord Klancnik, "Polka Funhouse" by Joey Tomsick, and "Back to Back" by Ostanek, Kravos and Darlak.   BEST SIDEMEN:  Gary Byndas (ISM), Bob Feritto (Joe Novak), Gary Fisher (Joe Novak), Fran Gondell (Turcola and Zalac), Frank Puskar (Karl Lukitsch), Joe Reboudo (Wayne Tomsic), Hank Guzel (Joey Tomsick), Phil Hrvatin (Joey Tomsick), Jack Tankovich (Bob Kravos)  and Brian Zupancic (Joe Novak). 

JUNE 20, 2010:  The Polka Hall of Fame's yearly concert in Hudson, Ohio will take place on July 18, 2010.  Music will be provided at the Gazebo on the Green by Joey Tomsick and the JTO.  Music will be from 7-9 PM and the cost is free.  Just bring your lawn chair.  Also, the Polka Hall will sponsor their annual Sausage Festival on September 15, 2010 at the SNPJ Farm in Kirtland, Ohio.  We will update you as more details become available.