Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, est Dec 3, 1995

est. Dec 3, 1995

Nominees & Inductees

The selecting and voting for the nominees and inductees into the hall of fame is done by the membership at large, with each member, the board and trustees included, casting one vote. The process begins in late summer when nomination requests are mailed to the entire roster of members. The returned forms are presented, unopened, to a certified public accountant for tabulation, and the results are returned to the WPHOF Board.

The qualified nominees are posted on a ballot in their appropriate categories and again, it is sent to the entire membership for voting. The tabulation process is repeated and the resulting information permits the board to manufacture the awards, plaques, etc. This, in late fall, culminates in the awards ceremony.

Wisconsin Polka Hall of Famers

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Frank Yankovic (honorary)

1997: Louie Bashell, Dick Rogers, Verne Meisner

1998: Ray Dorschner, Romy Gosz, Don Peachey

1999: Lawrence Duchow, Carlo "Spike" Micale, Bernie Roberts

2000: Roger Bright, Jerry Schneider

2001: Don Gralak, Syl Liebl Sr.

2002: Gene Heier, Tony Rademacher

2003: Bill Thull, "Concertina Millie" Kaminski

2004: n/a

2005: Dr. John Check

2006: Don Schlies

2007: Karl Hartwich

SENIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

1997: Louie Bashell, Roger Bright, Concertina Millie, Verne Meisner, Carlo "Spike" Micale, Al Roberts, Dick Rogers

1998: Dr. John Check, Ray Dorschner, Joey Klass, Don Peachey, Al Roberts, Jerry Schneider

1999: Ferd Buchel, Tony Rademacher, Bernie Roberts, Bill Thull

2000: Jim Boren, Don Fleury, Steve Young

2001: Normie Dogs, Syl Liebl Sr., Dick Metko, Alvin Styczynski, Louis Zdrazil

2002: Kenny Brandt, Gary Frank, Ray Konkol, Jerry Voelker

2003: Herbert Behnke, Bob Schamber, Don Schleis

2004: n/a

2005: Earl McNellis (Cousin Fuzzy), Willard Breuggen

2006: Tuba Dan Jerabek, Ray Wells

2007: Ernie Broeniman, Phil Brueggen

SUPPORT & PROMOTION

1997: Noyes Lane

1998: Scott Lopas

1999: Greg Drust

2000: Wisconsin Polka Boosters

2001: Jim Ebner

2002: Don Heidt

2003: n/a

2004: n/a

2005: Greg Drust

2006: Jeff Heinz

2007: Arl Brooks

HONOR ROLL AWARD

PIONEER AWARD 1940-1975

2003: Louis Bashell, John & Irene Ignasiak, Dick Rogers

2004: n/a

2005: Elmer & Tootie Marks

2006: Jerry Schneider

2007: Doc Perko

ACTIVE 1975-2003

2003: Jim Ebner, Bryan O'Donnell, "Tuba Dan" Jerabek

2004: n/a

2005: Steve Meisner

2006: Gary Kuchenbecker

2007: Jerry Schneider

SIDE PERSON OF THE YEAR

1997: Mark Kremer, Dick Metko, Jeff Winard

1998: Tom Brusky, Scott Koehn, Bob Schamber

1999: Gary Hendrickson, Bill Micale, Dale Stelzer, Chet Zurawick

2000: Jim Dorschner, Randy Dorschner, Dave Martinsek, Duane Matuszak

2001: Bill Hagemann, Chuck Schneider, Gene Tebo, Stan Sterle, Ron VanDenboom

2002: Michelle Jerabek, Randy Thull, Jeff Walker, Bob Breuer, Larry Sokolowski

2003: Ernest Bartell, Herbert Behnke, Bernie Hoppe, Missy Thull, Richard Talatzko

2004: n/a

2005: Chuck Schneider, Marty Nachreiner, Dave Heuer

2006: Tom Brusky, Tom Schneider, Russell Thull

2007: Tom Schneider, Brian Seehafer

BAND OF THE YEAR

1997: Roger Bright

1998: Steve Meisner

1999: Jeff Winard

2000: Kick (Danny Jerabek Jr.)

2001: Karl (Hartwich) & The Country Dutchmen

2002: Goodtime Dutchmen (Ralph Thull)

2003: Gary's (Brueggen) Ridgeland Dutchmen

2004: n/a

2005: Karl (Hartwich) & The Country Dutchmen

2006: Neal Zunker & The Music Connection

2007: Dorf Kapelle

YOUTH MENTOR

2007: Don Chesebro

YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT

2007: Andy Hacker

CULTURAL/HERITAGE

1997: Polish Krakow

1998: Jerry Schneider

1999: Dorf Kapelle

2000: Jerry Halkoski

2001: Johnny Hoffmann

2002: Friestadt Alte Kameraden

HORIZON

1997: Mike Schneider & Goodtime Dutchmen

1998: Gary's Ridgeland Dutchmen & Kick (Danny Jerabek Jr.)

1999: Chad Przybylski

2000: Tom Brusky

2001: Dave Austin

2002: Music Connection

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

1999: Dick & Marian Kosmatka "Dick Kossins", Irv Matti, Jimmy Maupin, Norman Margaff "Fritz the Plumber"