Hall of Fame

Fred Hudy's introduction to music was at the age of 10 when a representative of the Midwest Accordion School visited SS. Peter and Paul School on Chicago's Southwest side. Practicing daily, he soon joined his first polka band with Richie Gomulka and Louie Jedlowski called "Little Louie and the Lucky Boys." At the age of twelve he and this band took second place on the then famous Morris B. Sachs amateur hour. The band also made an appearance on WGN-TV in Chicago during a broadcast of the "Ron Terry Polka Party."

Leon J. Kozicki was born on July 4, 1930 in Chicago.  He attended grammar school at St. Peter and Paul's at which time he first became exposed to music when his father presented him with a button accordion one Christmas.  As a youngster he became ill with pneumonia and upon recovery the doctor recommended a wind instrument to help develop and strengthen his lungs.  He tried the trumpet but settled with the clarinet on which he became very proficient.  While in grammar school he formed his first band, the Rhythm Kids.  While at Holy Trinity High School he formed another band.  His group played showers, weddings, dances and numerous charitable engagements. 

Emily Pinter began her music and dancing at the early age of five, studying piano, ballet and tap dancing.  At age 16, while dancing with the Alliance of Polish Clubs group, the dancing instructor took ill, and Emily was asked to take over the class.  The following year she was hired full-time, launching her on a career of dancing.  In 1948, Emily directed her first recital.  She continued with musical lessons on piano, accordion and clarinet at Northwestern University School of Music.

Richard Walter Rzeszutko was born on March 6, 1958, to Sally & Chester Rzeszutko of Chicago, IL. Since his grandfather was the original drummer with the Steve Adamczyk Band, Rick was exposed to the sounds of polka music from an early age. While attending St. Peter & Paul School, Rick played trumpet in the same band program that taught Lenny Gomulka and Jerry Mytych, along with many other prominent polka musicians. Later, he joined a band called the Moon Rays and went on to perform with the Kelly High School Band. At that time, Rick began performing with Chicago's Dial-a-Tones polka band, where he shared the stage with John Furmaniak. In 1974, he joined a band called the Music Company that became a mainstay on the Chicago polka scene for over 50 years. Rick became the group's leader and main vocalist back in the late 1970s when his brother Bob "Ode" also joined the group.