Wisconsin Polka Hall Of Fame
Preserving Ethnic Roots - Honoring Performance Excellence - Connecting Generations
Welcome to the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame!
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In 1995, a group of volunteers came together to form a non-profit organization to boost the radio signal of southeastern Wisconsin polka radio station WTKM. This boost was to allow WTKM to rebroadcast into the city of Milwaukee. At that time, there was great interest for WTKM's happy polka beat. Following several meetings, it was discovered that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) had just assigned the only available radio frequency in Milwaukee to WFMR, a classical station. This closed the door on the idea of rebroadcasting WTKM into Milwaukee, and left the motivated individuals without a mission.
In the weeks to follow, it was decided that the group would move forward with the creation of a new organization. This organization would recognize and honor individuals who have influenced the polka industry throughout the state of Wisconsin.
On December 3, 1995 there was a big “kick-off” dance, held at the Blue Canary in Milwaukee, WI to introduce this non-profit organization, known as the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. As of today, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame has inducted many talented individuals. The categories of recognition include: Lifetime Achievement, Senior Achievement, Honor Roll, Support and Promotion, Side Person of the Year, Band of the Year, Youth Achievement,Youth Mentor and Gone But Not Forgotten. The founders include: Noyes Lane, Barbara Lane-Krainz, Ray Mallak, Gene Schweiger, Bernadine Nelson, John Pinter, Greg Drust and Jim Boren.
On December 3, 1995 there was a big “kick-off” dance, held at the Blue Canary in Milwaukee, WI to introduce this non-profit organization, known as the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. As of today, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame has inducted many talented individuals. The categories of recognition include: Lifetime Achievement, Senior Achievement, Honor Roll, Support and Promotion, Side Person of the Year, Band of the Year, Youth Achievement,Youth Mentor and Gone But Not Forgotten. The founders include: Noyes Lane, Barbara Lane-Krainz, Ray Mallak, Gene Schweiger, Bernadine Nelson, John Pinter, Greg Drust and Jim Boren.
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Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame has been formed to recognize and honor those individuals who have excelled in performance, preservation and promotion of polka music in the state of Wisconsin and thereby historically maintaining the various ethnic roots of the music for all generations.