Hall of Fame

Steve Adamczyk was born in Chicago, the eldest of four children of the late Stephen and Lottie (nee Kazanecki) Adamczyk. His parents introduced Steve to music at an early age, enrolling him as a student of piano, his first teachers being the Felician Sisters of SS. Peter and Paul Parish. When a school was organized, Steve turned his attention to the saxophone and clarinet.

Kevin Adams is an accomplished musician, composer, producer and recording artist, having recorded on Trumpet, Clarinet, Guitar and Piano. His work is featured on over 40 recordings of which 11 have received Grammy® nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Kevin has been performing polka music across the country for nearly 40 years with numerous nationally touring polka bands including lengthy stints of extensive road work with the band of IPA Hall of Famers Dick Pillar, Eddie Blazonczyk and Lenny Gomulka. Other bands that he has played or recorded with include IPA Hall of Famers Joe Czerniak and Eddie Skinger as well as the Swinging Brass, Dobosenski Brothers and the Cavaliers, Brass Dimension, Pete Shalins and the Michigan Connection.

William (Bill) Borek was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on July 19, 1941, to Joseph and Stella (Socha) Borek. His dad owned and operated a very successful Polonia Bakery in northern Rhode Island for many years, where he and his younger brother Edward would work as kids helping to bake and deliver bread, rolls and many traditional Polish pastries. This is where Borek developed and cultivated the work ethic and appreciation for Polish culture that would become the hallmarks of his life.

Mollie Busta Lange, commonly known as "Mollie B," has been active in the polka industry her entire life. She began at age three on vocals with the Jim Busta Band, and to date, has performed in 35 states and eleven countries in addition to appearing on over 35 recordings. Always involving polka music, Mollie has been an educator and role model through her performances, dance lessons, and school workshops.

Walter Dana - Wladyslaw Dan Danilowski - a resident of Miami Beach, Florida, was born in Warsaw, Poland.  He began playing piano and composing at the age of seven.  His musical education was obtained at the Warsaw Conservatory and Paris.  He received a law diploma at the Warsaw University.  He worked as press attaché at the Polish Foreign Office and also as an accompanist and musical illustrator with the "Qui Pro Quo" Theatre.  He was the founder conductor and coach of the popular vocal quintet "Chor Dana" making records, films, radio and public concerts all over Europe, and in 1936-38 two concert tours in U.S. Dana wrote many scores and songs for films in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Italy, was director of the light music department of the Polish Radio Network and director of the Tip Top Theatre for which he received decorations of the Polish Gold Cross of Merit from President Moscicki, and the Royal Diamond Pin with Crown from Italy's Queen.

A dentist by profession, Dr. Lausche was active for nearly sixty years in the music field. Dr. Lausche was a brilliant composer and arranger; played the piano proficiently; produced and directed recordings on national labels; taught and rehearsed some of the most famous Cleveland style polka artists; coached singing groups; and was active outside of purely ethnic circles in Cleveland's cultural community.

Jackie Libera of Charlton, Massachusetts is a musician, former bandleader, deejay, arranger, vocalist, recorded many albums, and a featured performer with various bands. To say that John "Jackie" Libera has been involved with polka music virtually all his life is an understatement.

Dee-Dee Jasiewicz Ogrodny has had polkas in her heart since she was born, and she has been a fixture at polka events since she was 18 months old, first with her Mom, Josephine Jasiewicz, and with her Dad and brother, Henry and Henny Jasiewicz (both Inductees of the IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame). Dee-Dee started to sing with the Bell Hops' "Hopettes" and then solo with the Bell Hops when she was 9 years old, standing on a chair to reach the microphone.

Wanda S. Pietrzak was a singer who achieved national acclaim in polka music's only mother and daughter team, "Wanda and Stephanie." As half of "Wanda and Stephanie", known as "American's Polka Sweethearts," she recorded many albums. She scored a #1 polka hit in 1971 with a song she wrote, "Lover Oh Lover."

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.