Visit this page to stay up to date with the latest recordings in the Slovenian, Cleveland-Style Polka field. We will list the recordings we are receiving and airing on our show (sorry you won't hear Polish, Dutchman styles, etc.). Some may be new to us, but not a latest release. We will also give you information as to how to contact the bands or musicians so you can get your own copy from them. If you have any CD's of the Cleveland-Style genre you would like played on the air, go to our "SHOW FACTS" page and get in touch with us at slovenianmelodies@yahoo.com
This page was last updated: January 10, 2012
"Swiss Button Box Polkas" is the title of the disc we received from Hank Haller and his band. Ken Umeck, Hank Haller and Fred Ziwich are featured on the button box on this twelve song recording (including two vocal arrangements), along with Hank's usual sidemen. To get your copy, write to Hank Haller, 27672 Royal Forest Drive, Westlake, Ohio 44145. Thanks to Hank for supporting our show through the years.
59 songs, three CD's, classic music from the polka pioneers, all in one set? It sounds too good to be true, but it isn't. This 3 CD set was sent to us from the United Kingdom and features music from the Hoyer Trio, Anton Schubel and Mary Udovich and Josephine Lausche. This set features many tunes that are still heard today by the modern day polka bands. For ordering information, go to www.polkaconnection.com and Chuck will help you out. This would make a great Christmas gift for the Cleveland Style Polka fan.
"Something for Everyone" is the latest release by Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band. However, it is not just Bob's regular orchestra, but many special guests who play and sing on this release that is sure to get a nomination next fall for the Polka Hall of Fame "Recording of the Year". The 17 tunes on this disc are excellent (including our two favorites, "Nasvidenje" and the "Slovenian Polka Medley"). To get your copy, email Bob at bkboysintheband@aol.com
Uncle Mike Schneider from Milwaukee has sent us "Pint Size Polkas, Volume 2" and we are playing it over and over. This disc is designed for polka fans of all ages, with 15 tunes for the youngsters and the young at heart. Uncle Mike has done a great job with Slovenian style tunes and originals that he came up with for his pint size fans. Uncle Mike has taken the success of Volume 1 and built on it with his touring the country and this new disc. To get yours, visit Uncle Mike at www.pintsizepolkas.com
RECEIVED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011: Don Tortola and RIch Underation have produced a button box CD with 12 polkas and waltzes on it entitled, "Button Box Favorites". Joined by three sidemen, Don and RIch do a nice job of playing the button box and vocalizing on this recording produced by Tim Klemper in Canton, Ohio. We have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Rich and Don and know how good they are. To get your CD, contact Tim Klemper at Kool Kat Studios, by email at suzcryan1@aol.com or 6392 Strawberry Fields Circle NE, Canton, Ohio, 44721.
RECEIVED ON MARCH 19, 2011: Del Sinchak has produced a CD for the waltz lovers that includes 24 waltzes with a variety of musicians and vocalists with the Sinchak Band. Del has been in the polka business for over 50 years and has always produced quality recordings at Peppermint Records and this is one of those discs. To get your copy, contact Del at Peppermint at 330-783-2222.
RECEIVED ON MARCH 23, 2011: Ken Novak from Arizona has sent us his new CD, "Polkas and Waltzes from My Heart". This 22 tune disc is a combination of polkas and waltzes with Ken's originals and some tunes from the past you will recognize. It is always great to get a new CD with new polka tunes on it, never heard or recorded before. To get your copy, call Ken at 520-797-2441 or visit Ken's website at www.kennovakmusic.com
RECEIVED ON APRIL 13, 2011: Polkas are alive and well in California, and Joe Bajuk's new recording proves it! "Cleveland-Style Polkas and a SYMPHONY of WALTZES" is the title of Joe's new release. Twelve tunes are played by Joe with the help of Cleveland's best sidemen (Mark Habat, Ralph Delligatti, Eddie Rodick III, Frank Okicki, Mike Dragas Jr and the late Norm Kobal). This all instrumental release features all original tunes written by Joe, and that is a breath of fresh air in the polka field. To get your copy, contact Joe at 650-992-8799 or write to him at 3 Eastgate Drive, Daly City, CA, 94015
RECEIVED ON APRIL 28, 2011: A fantastic singing group from Minnesota, "The Singing Slovenes", have produced a new CD that is very well done. Frank Bucar leads this group of singers of various ages and this CD, "Triglav" will make you smile when you hear some of the old Slovenian favorites, and some new ones, too on this recording. 17 tracks are included, and not only is the singing fabulous, but the instrumental musicians done a great job, too. To get your copy, contact Frank Bucar at 218-626-1928 or visit their website at www.singingslovenes.com
RECEIVED ON MAY 16, 2011: Those of you who attended Tony's Thanksgiving Polka Party or those who go to the NBAF in Bessemer are familiar with the Alaska Polka Chips and Marge Ford. Marge was kind enough to send us her two latest releases, "Triple Crown Serenade" and "Polka Hooty Booty". These two recordings offer a variety of polkas, waltzes, fox trots, swing numbers and more, all done on the button box. Marge and her group do a fantastic job on these two CD's. To get your copy, contact Marge at oldtime@gci.net or by mail at PO Box 92294, Anchorage, Alaska, 99509. You will be happy when you get these discs!
RECEIVED MAY 31, 2011: Frankie Spetich has a new release by the title of "Frankie Spetich's Rainbow of Music". For ordering information, song listings and more, go to our "Spetich" page on our website. You will want to get this CD to add to your collection.
RECEIVED MAY 31, 2011: Martha Krizancic continues to produce CD's for Marjon Records, even though her husband Johnny passed away and we thank her for sending two new releases, "Waltz Away with Johnny K" and "Polka Legends Play Your Favorites". The first one features Johnny on 23 waltzes playing a variety of instruments and doing some excellent vocals. The second has 26 polkas, waltzes and "other" tunes done by the Legends: Krizancic, Zalac, Yankovich, Ostanek, Haller, Enrietti, Possedi, and Soldridge. To get either disc, or both, contact Martha at 159 Easton Rd, Hermitage, Pennsylvania, 16148, or by phone at 724-347-4726. Call or write today.
RECEIVED MAY 20, 2011: Button Box guru Ron Pivovar has released his 9th CD in the Otter Creek series, with that title of "Polka Lust". This 19 song recording feautres Ron playing all of the instruments except drums (John Gerl) and doing the vocals, as well. All of these tunes are originals of Ron, giving the Slovenian field a new, fresh recording. To get your copy, write to Ron at 10 Henry Rd., Greenville, PA 16125, call him at 724-588-3786 or click on the link to email him at rpivovar@verizon.net
RECEIVED JUNE 18, 2011: Bud Hyrczyk, from Texas, has sent us an 18 track, all instrumental, CD. Seventeen of the 18 tunes are originals of Bud's, something quite refreshing for the polka field. On top of that, how about these three sidemen?: Eric Noltkamper (Banjo, Guitar), Don Hunjadi (Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Bass, Piano), and Chris Doszak (Drums). Add Bud's awesome button box and keyboard work and this is a great disc. To get your copy, go to Bud's website at www.BudHyrczyk.com. You need this CD in your collection.
RECEIVED JUNE 25, 2011: Tony Grandovic told us a few months ago he was working on a new CD, and we are excited to finally receive it. "An Encore Tribute to Benzy Rathbone" is available with 20 fantastic songs on this new recording. Tony has done most of the instrumental work on his own, along with Michael Cushma, Fred Gregorich, Dr. John Plesha, Bob McBride and Joe Alsippi. This is the second disc Tony has produced in tribute to Benzy Rathbone. For ordering information, contact Tony at 111 Carolyn Drive, Coraopolis, PA, 15108, or call Tony at 724-695-0146. You will not be disappointed.
RECEIVED: JULY 5, 2011: Dan Peters, known for playing accordion with Frank Moravcik, Bob Kravos and other bands, has released his first compact disc. The title, "Getting Together", teams Dan up with Rose Braidich on the button box and some fabulous sidemen (Hank Guzel, Larry Sintic, Michael Dragas Jr., Frank Okicki, Bob Kravos, and Jim Udovich). This fifteen tune recording features three of Dan's originals and other great songs. To get a copy, contact Dan at 440-439-9309 or Rose at 440-842-2148.
RECEIVED: JULY 26, 2011: Lori Ann Skvarch has gone to Peppermint Records and come away with a fantastic 12 song recording. 6 of the songs are original recordings written by Lori and Ed Skvarch. Lori is a fantastic button box player that many know from her appearances on the Jimmy Sturr television show and she has accomplished sidmen on this recording: Ron Austalash: Keyboards, Alan Koss: Bass, Carmen White: Drums. To get your copy, contact Del Sinchak at Peppermint Records at 330-783-2222.
RECEIVED: AUGUST 13, 2011: When most people think of a Three Ring Circus, they think negative thoughts. Not so with Alex Meixner's new release by that name. This CD is out of this world. Pick a style of music you like and enjoy and it is part of this 23 track CD. From beer drinking songs to Slovenian Style Polkas and everything else in between. If you have seen Alex perform live, this CD captures that energy and talent seen and heard on the band stand. To get a copy, contact Alex through his website at www.alexmeixner.com
RECEIVED NOVEMBER 12, 2011: Canada's Polka King, Walter Ostanek, has added to his polka library by producing another new CD, "Carefree Polkas and Waltzes". Walter is good for at least one new disc a year and this 22 song recording is a good one with many of the "usual" sidemen along with Walter. It also includes the Green Gables Polka, done by Klancnik and Friends. To get your copy, go to www.polkaconnection.com
RECEIVED NOVEMBER 25, 2011: Polka Legend, Eddie Habat, was one of the pioneers of our style of music. Thanks to Joe Godina, 28 of Eddie's favorite tunes are available on a new compact disc. Many of these tunes have not been heard in many years, including the ones recorded with the Sokach-Habat Orchestra. To get your copy, contact Joe Godina at 2429 St. Mary's Road, Hermitage, Pennsylvania or by email at spotlightpolka@yahoo.com
RECEIVED NOVEMBER 26, 2011: In celebration of Tony Petkovsek's 50 years on the radio, John Hasper, (who has the best Cleveland Style polka website) has released Frank Novak's 75th Birthday Album onto CD. These button box favorites have never been produced on CD before, and John should be commended for doing this in honor or Tony's 50th. To get your copy, go to John's awesome website at www.polkas.nl
RECEIVED NOVEMBER 26, 2011: Two polka legends, Joey Miskulin and Walter Ostanek, have teamed up (with help on two songs from Klancnik and Friends) on this 20 song CD release titled, "Polka Celebration". Many of the bands usual performers (Ostanek, Miskulin, Kobal, Sluga, Habat, and McFadgen) are included on this disc. To get your copy, call the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid at 216-261-FAME.
