June, 2009 (PMN)—The Grammy’s polka category has been eliminated as of June 3, 2009. The action was taken by the Recording Academy, also known as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

While eliminating the Polka, the Academy added new entries, namely Contemporary Folk and Americana from the previous Folk/Americana category. Two Latin Rock categories will apparently merge into one.

Although trying not to appear upset with NARAS, 18-time Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr stated, "There are millions of polka fans worldwide, Sturr noted, and hundreds of working polka bands in this country alone. They have taken your grandfather’s music and merged it with Tex-Mex, rock, Tejano and other forms to create a distinctly American sound."

On a more strident note, Sturr added he suspected that if there were 20 people on the committee that recommended dropping the category, "19 of them have never been to a polka concert."

Some polka musicians agreed with Steve Meisner, 48, who grew up playing with polka bands, including the one led by his late father, Verne Meisner. He says he is giving up his NARAS membership, explaining, "There’s no reason for me to stay a member."

Some observers say that a problem is that polka music does not appeal to young people and fans are mostly seniors. But not everyone accepts that opinion. Ohio polka DJ Joe Gabrosek says, "There is also a youth movement on the polka scene, with performers [such as] Johnny Koenig, a 21-year-old accordion player who moved from New York City to Cleveland in 2006." There are other examples around the country, such as 14-year-old teenage drummer, Jake Mikrut, in Chicago.

The International Polka Association (IPA) held a general membership meeting at its Chicago base on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, and discussed the issue. A meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for June 30, 2009, and it is anticipated that an official letter will be addressed to NARAS asking that the polka category be reinstated.

IPA ANNOUNCES HALL OF
FAME AND MUSIC WINNERS

May, 2009—The International Polka Association (IPA) announced the names of the persons to be inducted into the Polka Music Hall of Fame and the winners of the 2008 Polka Awards on its radio show of May 3, 2009. The inductions and awards will take place at the IPA Festival, August 6-9, 2009.

The following have been elected to the Polka Music Hall of Fame:

Joe Oberaitis – Living Category
Stas Bulanda – Living Category
Eddie Habat – Deceased Category

An inductee in the Pioneer Category will be announced at a later date.

The following will receive a 2008 Polka Music Award:

Favorite Female Vocalist – Stephanie Pietrzak
Favorite Male Vocalist – Lenny Gomulka
Favorite Instrumental Group – Dennis Polisky & the Maestro’s Men
Favorite CD – "4th Edition" by the Knewz
Favorite Song – "Polka Memories" by Stephanie Pietrzak

The inductions will occur and the awards will be presented at a banquet on Saturday, August 8, during the three-day IPA Festival at the Doubletree Hotel in Independence, Ohio, just south of Cleveland.

IPA ORGANIZES BUS TRIP
TO 2009 FESTIVAL IN OHIO

April, 2009–The International Polka Association has organized a bus trip to the 2009 IPA Festival in August, 2009, in Independence, Ohio, located just south of Cleveland. The tour offers convenience and economy. The bus leaves in the morning on Friday, August 7, and returns on Sunday, August 9.

The trip costs only $225 per person (double occupancy) and includes two nights lodging, two nights admission to the festival, continental breakfast on Friday morning, and snacks and refreshments on the bus. A deposit of $100 per person is required upon making a reservation. The deadline to sign up is June 1, 2009.

For more information and reservations call Dave Ulczycki at (312) 315-2215.

April, 2009—Alexander L. "Jolly Joe" Truszkowski, 64, of Chestnut Street, Hanover Township, passed away April 23, 2009, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Truszkowski was born in Warrior Run, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1944, a son of the late Alexander L. Sr. "Lefty" and Stella Pozarzecki Truszkowski. He was a 1962 graduate of E.L. Meyers High School, and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

Alex Truszkowski was well known in the music industry as "Jolly Joe." He served as a polka promoter and bandleader for Jolly Joe and the Bavarians, who played Polish, German polkas, accommodating many varieties of music.

His band was the first to record "The Chicken Dance" in the United States, and also released various recordings. In 1983, he was elected as the "Polish Citizen of the Year" by the Polish American Journal. He was involved in the polka music business for over 52 years. His passion was spending countless hours spreading the joy of his music to a variety of groups. He especially enjoyed going to nursing facilities and spending time with fellow veterans.

Truszkowski was a Polka D.J. for over 37 years at various radio stations throughout the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton areas, most recently with WICK (1340 AM, Scranton, Pa.) hosting his original Jolly Joe’s Bavarian Bandstand.

Jolly Joe's dedication to the polka industry has not gone unseen. In 1983, The Polka News, a Michigan based publication, named him their 1983 Polish Citizen of the Year. "That’s an honor the will stay with me the rest of my life," said Joe. "I’ll cherish it until the day that I die."

At the time of his death, Truszkowski was a nominee for the International Polka Association’s annual Polka Music Hall of Fame inductions.

He was a member of the Good Shepherd Polish National Catholic Church, Plymouth. He was very loyal to his country as a patriotic citizen, and was a member of AMVETS Post 59, Hanover Township, VFW Post 5267, formerly of Hanover Township, Catholic War Veterans Post 274, Ashley, Vietnam War Veterans, Pittston, D.A.V., Dupont.

Alex Truszkowski is survived by his wife of 28 years, Bernadette; sons, Michael Truszkowski and Alex (Truszkowski) Halter; sisters, Christine Kopacz, Lorraine Hoech; brother, Peter Truszkowski; and several nieces and nephews.

April, 2009—Popular polka personality Johnny Hyzny passed away on April 14, 2009, after a heart attack and short stay in the hospital. He would have been 79 years old on April 25.

Johnny Hyzny was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1930 to Joe and Ann Hyzny. His brother, Joe, played the accordion at a very early age, but John had always had his eye on the drum and finally received a set one Christmas.

His first professional job, for which he received $3.00, was a wedding that he played with his brother Joe. A few years later, John played with a six-piece groups called The 4 Hamms, featured at local clubs like Pep’s Club and the Sabre Room. During this time, John’s brother was playing at the Casino Lounge with and another band, whose drummer passed away. John replaced him and played at the Casino Lounge three nights a week. At that time, John Korosa was doing a radio show from his Club Irene every Sunday, where John and Joe finally had the chance to play. Then Eddie Korosa opened the Baby Doll Polka Club and John became his drummer for four years, playing every Sunday on radio, appearing on WGN-TV, and all the band’s road trips.

A few years later, Johnny went out on his own with, of course, brother Joe on accordion and four other musicians. The band went under the name of Johnny Hyzny and his Music Makers. They appeared on Ron Terry’s polka party on WGN-TV and throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The band recorded on both Jay Jay and Ampol record labels. Some of the other musicians that played with Johnny were Don Ptak (trumpet), Frank Seliga (bass), Jerry Rajewski (piano), Eddie Benbenek (sax and clarinet) and Tony Paliga (trumpet). 

In addition to playing, in the early 1960s Johnny Hyzny and Leon Kozicki along with Marge Vassiv, Lorraine Zawada Benbenek, Marion & Elaine Nowak and Evelyn Golon, published the first polka magazine, called the Polka Guide. A few years later, Johnny formed the International Polka Convention, held in Buffalo, Detroit, and at Polonia Grove in Chicago.

In January, 1968, Johnny Hyzny, Leon Kozicki, Joe and Jean Salomon, Eddie Blazonczyk and Don Jodlowski met to discuss plans for the next convention. After a series of meetings, they began preparations for the formation of the International Polka Association (IPA). In October, Johnny resigned as President and named Leon Kozicki to replace him until an election could be held. 

In 1965, Johnny became the owner and operator of the Personality Lodge banquet facilities. The name of his business was taken from a title bestowed on him by polka fans, bandleaders and promoters in 1963: "Mr. Personality."

Hyzny was an active participant in civic and community affairs for many years. He was Vice-President for Encephalitis Fund of Chicago and Vice-President of the Chicagoland Polka Disc Jockey Association. He was a member of numerous organizations, including the American Legion, Lions, Greater Midway Economic Development Committee, Bill Bonnett’s Social Athletic Club, Polish American Police Association and many others. He was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his efforts in behalf of charitable and other worthy causes.

In March, 1984, Johnny celebrated his 30th year on radio, which over the years included remote broadcasts from New York and Michigan plus numerous local festivals and carnivals.

Johnny Hyzny was the Founder and President of the United Polka Association (UPA). He led a successful drive to erect a monument to deceased polka musicians in suburban Chicago, which came to fruition shortly after his decease.

He and his wife, Lorraine, had two daughters, Roseann and Diane, three sons, John Jr., Wayne, and Gary, and a grandson, Matthew.

In the words of John’s late father, "Remember, Life is short. Enjoy yourself." Happily, he did. Johnny Hyzny died on April 15, 2009.

IPA CELEBRATES NATIONAL
POLKA MONTH WITH FESTIVAL

January, 2009–For the last forty years the International Polka Association (IPA) has held its Festival of Chicago Bands, and continues to do so this year. This all-day affair will be held, Sunday, January 18, at Glendora Banquets, 10225 S. Harlem Avenue, Chicago Ridge, Illinois. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. with music commencing at 11:30 a.m.

Bands scheduled to entertain polka fans include Music Company, Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, Downtown Sound, Stas Bulanda & the Old School Review, Joe Walega & the Happy Hearts, Jimmy Kilian, Ampol Aires, Jake Mikrut & the All Stars, Freeze Dried and Stas Golonka & the Chicago Masters.

Listen to the IPA radio show on WPNA (1490 AM, Chicago, or via the Internet) on Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:30 a.m. for more information.