Hall of Fame

Eddie was born in Toledo, Ohio to a musical family.  Mother Gina is a trained clarinetist and vocalist while father, Dionysius "Danny" Biegaj played trumpet and sang.  With the help of "Busia" Helen (his maternal grandmother) at a young age Eddie started his love for polka and Polish culture and heritage by singing along to the 78 RPMs and 45's of such greats as Frank Wojnarowski, the "Connecticut Twins" and "The Naturals".  He started formal training on drums in 2nd grade.

Born on May 20, 1921 in the "Old Polish" Fleet Avenue neighborhood of Cleveland, OH, Chester Budny became one of the city's great southside musicians of the 1940s and 1950s. At the young age of 4, he displayed a keen interest in music and was given a violin at age 6. Later at the age of 12, Chester bought himself a drum. Since the young artist loved to sing while he played he be-came known as "The Singing Drummer." He performed in the St. Stanislaus marching band and later played drums in the U.S Army.

Jerry M. Darlak has devoted his whole life to the promotion of polka music. In his many years as a working musician, he has performed and recorded with the nation's most prestigious polka orchestras. His love of polka music is indisputable. He continued this tradition with his own band and work as a promoter. All too often, musicians like Jerry Darlak are overlooked for honors that are bestowed upon the industry's most identifiable names. However, Jerry has been much more than a professional sideman; for over 25 years his sole occupation was that of a polka musician, an achievement that warrants the attention of both his peers and those who have enjoyed the contributions. Jerry has made a contribution to the polka industry.

Bandleader of The Imperials of Toledo, Drummer, Vocalist, Emcee, Polka Promoter, founder of The International Music Association Bob was born on Aug 21, 1930 to a Polish mother and English father. Bob grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Toledo ,Ohio. In 1951 Bob married wife, Mary and had 3 children, Jim, Bob Jr and Mary. Bob founded Earl Bros. Transmission and Auto Repair Centers and quickly trained his sons to take over the business so he could spend more time with his real life's passion, traveling with his polka band.

Craig Ebel has been involved in polka music all his life. Craig grew up in a musical family with his mother, LaVay, singing and playing guitar in country western bands and his father, Elhart, building and operating the Bel-Rae Ballroom in Mounds View, Minnesota, from 1964 to 1971. The Bel-Rae became one of the most popular dance spots in the country and the foundation of Craig's musical career. Craig has been playing drums professionally for over 35 years in all styles of music including rock, country, big band and polka. He has performed and traveled with America's Polka King Frank Yankovic, Canada's Polka King Walter Ostanek, Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Show, Dick Contino, The Mrozinski Brothers Aleatoric Ensemble, The Six Fat Dutchmen, Nashville's Joey Miskulin, Al & Alex Meixner, Karl & the Country Dutchmen, Frankie Kramer and countless more.

Andrew (Andy) Fenus, along with his brother Steve Fenus, organized The Trel Tones polka band in 1954.  Since that time the band has performed at venues across the United States and Canada and appeared on numerous radio and TV shows in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including a three-hour special about polka music on Public Television.  The Trel-Tones recorded six albums on such renowned record labels as Bel-Aire of Chicago, IL, WRS of Cleveland, OH, and WAM of Youngstown, OH.  In 1981 their "Polka Encounters of the Honky Kind" recording won the United States Polka Association's Album of the Year and in 1984 their "Going Downtown" polka won the USPA's Song of the Year. 

Stanley "Stas" Golonka was born in 1944 into a polish family in Chicago. He was raised in a Polish neighborhood, attended a Polish school, and listened regularly to Polish radio programs. Inspired by the music of Li'l wally, Stas developed his vocal and drumming skills and formed his first band, the Polka Diamonds, in the late 1950s. After his return from service in the U.S. Army in 1967, Stas resumed his musical career and performed with polka greats that included Li'l Wally and Marion Lush. In the late 1970s, he formed his most well-known band, the Chicago Masters

Richie Gomulka was born on February 6, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois to first generation American-born parents, Ted and Mary (Owca) Gomulka. Richie is the oldest of four children. He has two sisters, Angie Gomulka and Dianne (Steve) Paliga, and one brother Lenny (Estelle) Gomulka. Richie is happily married to his polka sweetheart of 35 years, Suellen. Together they have five wonderful children Gary, Ronnie, Michelle, Karen and Mary Sue. They boast proudly of their many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bernie Goydish has been an active member of the polka community for more than 28 years.  He is a musician, bandleader, promoter, record manufacturer, distributor, and polka disc jockey.  He introduced more young new polka bands to the field than anyone else.  His Sunday polka radio show is the longest running in New Jersey, 18 years.  He has unselfishly donated thousands of hours to polka oriented charitable functions and organizations.  Through the use of his polka radio show, he has helped raise over $100,000 for the Heart Association, the Cancer Society, and has aided many organizations as well as individuals.

The words Polka Music and Johnny Haas are synonymous.  It is rare that one is said without the other, for this man of worldwide fame was polka.  But let's find out more about this legend. Johnny Haas said he was half-Polish and half-Pennsylvania Dutch, and he used his background to its best advantage.  Having been bitten by the "Music Bug" at an early age.  Haas began playing the drums at age 9. As he grew older, he joined several bands in the Philadelphia area.  But feeling the need to go further, he started his own band in 1949. Haas made sure that his musical library consisted of both the top tunes of the day as well as the old favorites, and was always aware of what tunes received the best response.  He found that the Polkas were favored and thus, The Johnny Haas Polka Band was born.