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(Cashton, WI) The Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame (WPHF) is proud to announce its presentation of the "Distinguished Service Award" to Gary Gilbertson and Lou Allen in recognition for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the polka music industry throughout the State of Wisconsin.

The event takes place this Saturday April 20th at Brian Brueggen's Cashton Bash, Cashton Community Hall Cashton, WI. The WPHF will present the award at 7:00PM in conjunction with dancing all day from 11AM -10PM.The admission for the whole day is only $13 ($11 for WPHF MEMBERS) and is open to the public.

 

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"NEWS"

 

The Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame is a Non-Profit, Wisconsin based corporation formed in 1995. The organization is dedicated to recognize and honor those individuals who have excelled in the performance, preservation, and promotion of ethnic folk music in "Polka Style" within the State of Wisconsin. The Polka Dance is the Official Dance of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame as part of its duties, will historically maintain the various ethnic backgrounds of the traditional music of Wisconsin for generations to come.

Members of the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame are entitled to nominate and vote for persons who have made contributions to polka music within the State of Wisconsin.

Awards are presented annually to winners of nomination in categories such as:

Lifetime Achievement

Cultural Heritage Award

Support and Promotion

Honor Roll Award

Side Person of the Year

Band of the Year

Youth Achievement

Youth Mentor

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.

 

If you have any questions, please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you!

"Tuba Dan" Jerabek – President

(920) 428-7931

Mark Hildebrand – Vice President

Tom Schneider – Treasurer
Aaron Schuelke – Secretary

WISCONSIN POLKA HALL OF FAME

AWARD CEREMONY & DANCE

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 11th - 2012

Music by...

The Mark Jirikovec Orchestra

1-6 PM

ROMY'S NITINGALE - BLACK CREEK, WI

Congratulations and good luck to all Nominees!

Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame

2012 WPHF NOMINEES

Lifetime Achievement
Norm Dombrowski         Ray Konkol

Honor Roll
Carl Laack          Romy's Nitingale
Brian Breuggen          Duane Westphal

Support & Promotion
Aaron Schuelke            Gary Brueggan

Side Person of the Year
Brian Seehafer            Cliff Penniston
Bob Skornicka         Marty Nachreiner
Mike Cielecki          Mark Dombrowski
Don Hunjadi

Cultural Heritage Award

Dozynki Harvest Fest       Bob Ziegenbein       D'Oberlandler       Jerry Voelker

Band of the Year

Mark Jirikovec Orchestra

Brian's Mississippi Valley Dutchmen

Neal Zunker & the Music Connection

Youth Mentor

Ernest Broeniman

Youth Achievement

Derrick Ziegenbein

Dear Friends of Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, Inc.

Thank you for helping make the 2011 Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony & Dance a huge success! Your membership, support and participation are greatly appreciated! Now in our sixteenth year of existence, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame has recognized, honored, and inducted over 185 individuals!

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Jerry Voelker

SIDE PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tom Schneider

Mike Marnocha

John Wudtke

HONOR ROLL AWARD

Gary Kuchenbecker

Mike Schneider

CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD

Orv Konop and the OK Dance Band

SUPPORT AND PROMOTION

Wisconsin Polka Boosters

BAND OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jerry Schneider Band

YOUTH MENTOR AWARD

Craig Gall

YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Tyler Sawall

SIDE PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Don Hunjadi (S. Meisner, M. Schneider, T. Brusky)

Tom Schneider (Jerry Schneider Band, "Tuba Dan" Band)

Mike Marnocha (D. Rogers, D. Schlies, OK Dance Band)

John Wudtke (Neal Zunker and the Music Connection)

Cliff Penniston (M. Schneider, J. Winard, D. Austin)

Dave Austin (R. Bright, Jeff Winard, I'ntl Main St. P.B.)

HONOR ROLL AWARD

Rick Gundrum (Musician, Radio D.J., Promoter)

Duane Westphal (Band Leader, Musician, Arranger)

Johnny Hoffmann (Band Leader, Musician)

Gary Kuchenbecker (Band Leader, Musician, Radio D.J.)

Mike Schneider (Band Leader, Musician)

CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD

(S.V.E.V.) D'Oberlandler Schuhplattlers

River City Blaskapelle

Orv Konop and the OK Dance Band

Leon Ostrowski & Dozynki Harvest Festival

SUPPORT AND PROMOTION AWARD

Aaron Schuelke - WRJQ (WRJQradio.com – Internet D.J.)

Wisconsin Polka Boosters (Bi-Monthly news letter & lessons)

BAND OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jerry Schneider Band

Carol & the Keynotes

Mark Jirikovec Orchestra

Official Inductees of 2010

Lifetime Achievement Award: Alvin Styczynski

Support & Promotion: "Tuba Dan" Jerabek

Cultural Heritage Award: Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt

Honor Roll Award: Mark Jirikovec, Gary Brueggen

Side Person of the Year Award: Tom Schneider, Laurie Solberg, Denis Thull

Band of the Year Award: Neal Zunker and the Music Connection

Youth Mentor: Jason J. Sebranek

Youth Achievement: Emmitt Raczkowski