Grammy Award for Best Polka Album
Encyclopedia
The Grammy Award for Best Polka Album was an award presented at the Grammy Award
s, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality polka
albums. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Originally called the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording, the award was first presented to Frankie Yankovic
in 1986. Previously, polka recordings had been placed in the folk category. While neither Billboard
nor the Recording Industry Association of America
tracked polka sales at the time the award category was introduced, polka musicians viewed its inclusion as a sign of respect and increasing popularity. In 1987, a tie vote resulted in awards being presented to Jimmy Sturr
and His Orchestra for the album I Remember Warsaw
as well as to Eddie Blazonczyk
's Versatones for the album Another Polka Celebration
. In 1992, the name of the category was changed to Best Polka Album. Beginning in 2001, award recipients included the producers
, engineers
, and/or mixers
associated with the nominated work in addition to the recording artists. The Academy retired the award category in 2009 to remain "relevant and responsive" to the music community.
Sturr holds the record for the most wins in this category, with a total of eighteen (including six as the leader of the group known as Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra). Sturr also holds the record for the most consecutive Grammy wins. Walter Ostanek
received the award three times consecutively, and the band Brave Combo
was presented the award twice. American artists were presented with the award more than any other nationality, though it was presented to Ostanek and his band from Canada three times. Lenny Gomulka
holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with twelve.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|bgcolor="#CFECEC"|||Indicates a joint award for that year
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Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
stated that the Academy needed to do so in order to remain a "relevant and responsive" organization within a "dynamic music community". Polka musicians and fans were disappointed with the category elimination. Three-time award winner Walter Ostanek admitted he "[felt] sorry for the future artists" that would fail to be recognized by the Academy. Carl Finch
of the group Brave Combo stated the following: "Having a polka category was the most important step to legitimacy that we could ever hope to achieve. To have that taken away, it's like it was all for nothing." Apart from ensuring that the "awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape", the Academy cited dwindling competition as one reason for the category retirement. Others speculated that Jimmy Sturr's eighteen wins led to the elimination. Due to the elimination of a polka-specific category, polka musicians are likely to submit recordings in the folk and world music
categories.
In 2011, the Grammy Award organisation announced a major overhaul of Grammy categories, lowering the number of awards from over 120 to just 78. Several regional American roots genres, such as Hawaiian music or Native American music, were combined in the new Best Regional Roots Music Album category, for which polka albums would also be eligible.
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
albums. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Originally called the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording, the award was first presented to Frankie Yankovic
Frankie Yankovic
Frankie Yankovic was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.-Background:Of Slovene descent, he was raised in South Euclid, Ohio...
in 1986. Previously, polka recordings had been placed in the folk category. While neither Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
nor the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
tracked polka sales at the time the award category was introduced, polka musicians viewed its inclusion as a sign of respect and increasing popularity. In 1987, a tie vote resulted in awards being presented to Jimmy Sturr
Jimmy Sturr
James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired...
and His Orchestra for the album I Remember Warsaw
I Remember Warsaw
I Remember Warsaw is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. In 1986, the album won Sturr a Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording....
as well as to Eddie Blazonczyk
Eddie Blazonczyk
Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998...
's Versatones for the album Another Polka Celebration
Another Polka Celebration
Another Polka Celebration is an album by Eddie Blazonczyk. In 1986, the album won Blazonczyk the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording....
. In 1992, the name of the category was changed to Best Polka Album. Beginning in 2001, award recipients included the producers
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineers
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, and/or mixers
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
associated with the nominated work in addition to the recording artists. The Academy retired the award category in 2009 to remain "relevant and responsive" to the music community.
Sturr holds the record for the most wins in this category, with a total of eighteen (including six as the leader of the group known as Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra). Sturr also holds the record for the most consecutive Grammy wins. Walter Ostanek
Walter Ostanek
-External links:***...
received the award three times consecutively, and the band Brave Combo
Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years...
was presented the award twice. American artists were presented with the award more than any other nationality, though it was presented to Ostanek and his band from Canada three times. Lenny Gomulka
Lenny gomulka
Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award...
holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with twelve.
Recipients
|bgcolor="#CFECEC"|||Indicates a joint award for that year
|}
| Year | Performing artist(s) | Nationality | Work | Nominees | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 |
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| 1987* | Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Frankie Yankovic Frankie Yankovic was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.-Background:Of Slovene descent, he was raised in South Euclid, Ohio... – America's Favorites |
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| 1987* | Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones |
Frankie Yankovic Frankie Yankovic was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.-Background:Of Slovene descent, he was raised in South Euclid, Ohio... – America's Favorites |
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| 1988 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Let's Celebrate Again Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Dick Pillar – In Polka Unity Walt Groller Walt Groller is an American polka musician. He is generally considered one of the premier polka musicians in the world.-Early years:... – It's Polkamatic |
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| 1989 |
Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... 's Chicago Push – Join the Polka Generation Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band – All Aboard It's Polka Time |
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| 1990 |
Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band – Any Time is Polka Time |
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| 1991 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Everybody Polka |
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| 1992 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – All Around the World Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – A Wonderful World of Polkas and Waltzs |
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| 1993 | Walter Ostanek Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – All American Country Flavored Polkas Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and the Chicago Push – Where Were You Back Then? Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... – Sturr-It-Up |
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| 1994 | Walter Ostanek Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – A New Batch of Polkas Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and the Chicago Push – Most Requested Hits |
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| 1995 | Walter Ostanek Walter Ostanek -External links:***... Band |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Always... Forever... and a Day Happy Louie and Julcia's Polka Band Happy Louie is a musician and leader of the Happy Louie and Julcia's Polka Band. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Polka Album in 1995. He was inducted to the International Polka Association Polka Hall of Fame in 1982. His MGM original recording of Accordion A go-go was featured in a... – Your Polka Sweethearts Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra and Johnny Karas – Polka Your Troubles Away |
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| 1996 |
Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... – Polkas for a Gloomy World Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Better Than Ever Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – For Old Times Sake Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – Happiness is Polkas and Waltzes |
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| 1997 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Music, Music, Music! Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – Irresistible You Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and Friends – Putting It All To-Gether Frankie Yankovic Frankie Yankovic was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.-Background:Of Slovene descent, he was raised in South Euclid, Ohio... and Friends – Songs of the Polka King, Volume 1 |
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| 1998 |
Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and the Chicago Push – Home Is Where the Heart Is Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – Moments to Remember Frankie Yankovic Frankie Yankovic was a Grammy Award-winning polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King," Yankovic was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during a long and successful career.-Background:Of Slovene descent, he was raised in South Euclid, Ohio... and Friends – Songs of the Polka King |
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| 1999 | Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... – Polka Party with Brave Combo: Live and Wild! Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – Push It to the Limit Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – Memories |
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| 2000 | Brave Combo Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Smokin' Polkas Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – Yearning for Polkas and Waltzes |
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| 2001 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Another Day at the Office Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – Mi Lenny Um Walter Ostanek -External links:***... – Let's Dance! |
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| 2002 |
Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... – Kick-Ass Polkas Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Live and Kickin Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – Lenny Live Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band – Happy Times |
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| 2003 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – My Father's Shoes Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band – Good Time Polkas and Waltzes |
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| 2004 |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Versalicious! Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and Bob Kravos – Just for You |
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| 2005 | Brave Combo Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Highways & Dancehalls Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and Gaylord Klancnik – Polkas United |
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| 2006 | Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Under the Influence Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and Ron Sluga – Time Out for Polkas and Waltzes |
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| 2007 | Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Eddie Blazonczyk Eddie Blazonczyk is a polka musician and leader of the band The Versatones. He was born in Chicago to Polish Immigrant parents. Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998... 's Versatones – Batteries Not Included Lenny gomulka Lenny Gomulka is a musician, singer, bandleader, composer, publisher, and the author of "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts", the official polka of the State of Massachusetts. He is an inductee of the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame, and a twelve-time Grammy Award... and Chicago Push – As Sweet as Candy Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and Fred Ziwich – Good Friends Good Music |
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| 2008 50th Grammy Awards The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,... |
Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Brave Combo Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years... – Polka's Revenge Bubba Hernandez Bubba Hernandez and Alex Meixner were nominated in the Best Polka album category in the 50th Annual Grammy Awards for their self-titled debut album, Polka Freak Out.He is a former member of the Denton, Texas based band, Brave Combo.... and Alex Meixner – Polka Freak Out Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band and Brian Sklar and the Western Senators – Dueling Polkas |
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| 2009 51st Grammy Awards The 51st Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 8, 2009. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the biggest winners of the night, jointly winning five awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year... |
Jimmy Sturr Jimmy Sturr James W. "Jimmy" Sturr, Jr. is a polka musician, trumpeter/clarinetist/saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired... and His Orchestra |
Paulino Bernal Paulino Bernal is an accordion player and Christian evangelist. He was a member of the Tejano Tex-Mex group Conjunto Bernal.... – El Maestro del Acordeón y Sus Polkas Walter Ostanek -External links:***... and His Band, Jerry Darlak and The Touch, and Bob Kravos and His Band – Back to Back Hall of Fame Polkas |
Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
Category retirement
In 2009, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the retirement of the award category. President and CEO Neil PortnowNeil Portnow
Neil R. Portnow is the current president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences . Portnow was formerly the vice-president of the West Coast division of Jive Records.-Early career:...
stated that the Academy needed to do so in order to remain a "relevant and responsive" organization within a "dynamic music community". Polka musicians and fans were disappointed with the category elimination. Three-time award winner Walter Ostanek admitted he "[felt] sorry for the future artists" that would fail to be recognized by the Academy. Carl Finch
Carl Finch
Carl Finch is a guitarist, keyboardist, accordionist, vocalist, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Grammy-winning polka/dance band Brave Combo in 1979 in Denton, Texas.-Career highlights:...
of the group Brave Combo stated the following: "Having a polka category was the most important step to legitimacy that we could ever hope to achieve. To have that taken away, it's like it was all for nothing." Apart from ensuring that the "awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape", the Academy cited dwindling competition as one reason for the category retirement. Others speculated that Jimmy Sturr's eighteen wins led to the elimination. Due to the elimination of a polka-specific category, polka musicians are likely to submit recordings in the folk and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
categories.
In 2011, the Grammy Award organisation announced a major overhaul of Grammy categories, lowering the number of awards from over 120 to just 78. Several regional American roots genres, such as Hawaiian music or Native American music, were combined in the new Best Regional Roots Music Album category, for which polka albums would also be eligible.