My own responses would be the following....

HONKY: Of course it goes without saying Lil Wally did alot. But my
absolute favorite when it comes to honky rhythm is Eddie Blazonczyk...
although he isn't usually associate with being a drummer. And, for
having a unique and recognizable style, I also have to mention Wayne
Sienkowski from The Ampol Aires.

PUSH: Personal favorite? Paul Pietrucha with The Chicago Push.

EASTERN: Hands down, for a current eastern band, Ken Yash. I also love
Jack "Wacky Jackie" Zolnierowski's drumming with Oberaitis.

SLOVENIAN: Although I've heard many good ones, I don't know enough by
name to pick.

-Troy
HONKY EXPRESS

On Oct 15, 5:41 pm, Troy Gawlak <the_polish_p... at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:



My own responses would be the following....

HONKY: Of course it goes without saying Lil Wally did alot. But my
absolute favorite when it comes to honky rhythm is Eddie Blazonczyk...
although he isn't usually associate with being a drummer. And, for
having a unique and recognizable style, I also have to mention Wayne
Sienkowski from The Ampol Aires.

PUSH: Personal favorite? Paul Pietrucha with The Chicago Push.

EASTERN: Hands down, for a current eastern band, Ken Yash. I also love
Jack "Wacky Jackie" Zolnierowski's drumming with Oberaitis.

SLOVENIAN: Although I've heard many good ones, I don't know enough by
name to pick.

-Troy
HONKY EXPRESS

    I'll just respond for a couple of categories where I have
favorites ( and hope I "do" the categories right ) : Honky
( deceased/"forever" category ) : Lil Wally
            Honky/living category : Andy Fenus/Ray Jay :  Each is
different but I love both their styles.
           Push ( I think the general consensus is that his band
belongs to this style) : John Winiarz of Góra/Górale

Everytime I want to get our drummer Donnie wound up, I always tell him
one of my favorite polka jokes...

Q: What do you call a guy who follows around a group of musicians?
A: "Drummer"

But in all seriousness, anybody in the polka world (either on the
stage, or on the dance floor) can tell you how important the drummer
really is.So, I submit the following question:

What drummer/drummers (living or deceased) are your favorite in the
following categories?

1. Honky
2. Push
3. Eastern
4. Slovenian

In article <b6870e85-e8f3-4028-9d9c-dfea1defb... at (no spam) g23g2000yqh.googlegroups..com>,
 Troy Gawlak <the_polish_p... at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:





Everytime I want to get our drummer Donnie wound up, I always tell him
one of my favorite polka jokes...

Q: What do you call a guy who follows around a group of musicians?
A: "Drummer"

But in all seriousness, anybody in the polka world (either on the
stage, or on the dance floor) can tell you how important the drummer
really is.So, I submit the following question:

What drummer/drummers (living or deceased) are your favorite in the
following categories?

1. Honky
2. Push
3. Eastern
4. Slovenian

For Eastern or for me the "Chicago Style"()which was slower tempo), Hank Leja who played a melody
style and he came from the Wayne King Orchestra.

--
Jim- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Everytime I want to get our drummer Donnie wound up, I always tell him
one of my favorite polka jokes...

Q: What do you call a guy who follows around a group of musicians?
A: "Drummer"

But in all seriousness, anybody in the polka world (either on the
stage, or on the dance floor) can tell you how important the drummer
really is.So, I submit the following question:

What drummer/drummers (living or deceased) are your favorite in the
following categories?

1. Honky
2. Push
3. Eastern
4. Slovenian

honky I have to go with Lil Wally

eastern,
100.  Ken Yash
99,999999 Frankie Chop
99.999998 Greg Guzevich

When it comes to putting on a show with spinning, bouncing, flipping
the stix while playing you have to think of Walt Solek

I disagree John, every time I have enjoyed Ken Yash, he has changed
his contribution to the Maestros Men, he has been very inovative and
is the most progressive polka dummer that I have ever  enjoyed and
know of.  Keep in mind that I have enjoyed the late Frankie Chop,
considered  one of the best polka dummers ever, and Kenny is at his
level,if not better. Of course all of this is subjective and opinion
related.

I just disagree with many of you ....there are so many other drummers
that I've seen  (may not know their names) out in Chicago or at a
festival, that never get mentioned. Maybe because of family or work
obligations..

The drummers of today for the most part; just ride the cymbal, and
don't really pay any attention to the song, until it's over, SAD.

I just disagree with many of you ....there are so many other drummers
that I've seen  (may not know their names) out in Chicago or at a
festival, that never get mentioned. Maybe because of family or work
obligations..

The drummers of today for the most part; just ride the cymbal, and
don't really pay any attention to the song, until it's over, SAD.

Brilliant observation. You hit the nail squarely. Some of these
drummers pound like if they are trying to kill something. Watch Rodger
Malinowski with Full Circle and take notice for a few good lessons. He
plays the perfect dance beat and he compliments every part of the
song. Us dancers love that Chicago beat. When it comes to polka music
Chicago dance tempo has it all over the rest. I'm going to hear from
the ranks for that but talk to the people and they will tell you the
same thing.
-Howard Henry

On Oct 19, 1:52 pm, Howard <HBal... at (no spam) yahoo.com> wrote:





I just disagree with many of you ....there are so many other drummers
that I've seen  (may not know their names) out in Chicago or at a
festival, that never get mentioned. Maybe because of family or work
obligations..

The drummers of today for the most part; just ride the cymbal, and
don't really pay any attention to the song, until it's over, SAD.

Brilliant observation. You hit the nail squarely. Some of these
drummers pound like if they are trying to kill something. Watch Rodger
Malinowski with Full Circle and take notice for a few good lessons. He
plays the perfect dance beat and he compliments every part of the
song. Us dancers love that Chicago beat. When it comes to polka music
Chicago dance tempo has it all over the rest. I'm going to hear from
the ranks for that but talk to the people and they will tell you the
same thing.
-Howard Henry

Polish--How about Larry Trojak, Matt Lewandowski, Wayne from the Ampol
Aires, Paul Krywy from the DynaBrass.

Craig Ebel is well rounded when it comes to Polish-Honky and Push,
along with the Dutchmen style, along with Dennis Nadherny, Crystal
Malek, Jeff Langen and Mr Solid--Ray Wells from the Rainbow Valley
Dutchmen

Jeff Heinz from the Music Connection here in WI does it all too!

On the Slovenian side, Kim Rodick, Eddie Rodick III-the 3rd, Eddie
Klancnik is a powerhouse, Fred Ziwich

Also another versitile great drummer is Ted Lange from Squeezebox!!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -