[Postcard2] What the?

[William W Western]

a.. 5 Jun 2009
a.. National Post
a.. BY MARK MEDLEY
POLKA KING SQUEEZED OUT OF GRAMMYS
In a world of iPods and MP3s, it appears there is no longer a place for a 
man and his accordion. The Grammy Awards have announced it has ditched the 
Best Polka Album category "to ensure the awards process remains 
representative of the current musical landscape." And so, when the ceremony 
takes place next January, there will be no chicken dancing.

Canada's Polka King, Walter Ostanek - who has three Grammys, along with 21 
nominations - was not outraged by the Recording Academy's choice, but 
rather, concerned about the effect on the next generation of polka 
superstars. S

"I don't have anything negative to say about it, just that it's too bad that 
they've taken it out," said Mr. Ostanek, about an hour and a half after 
learning of the decision. Polkameister Walter Ostanek said a Hollywood movie 
might do for polka what O Brother Where Art Thou did for bluegrass.

"Not so much for myself, because I've had a great run, but for the 
up-and-coming young musicians. They'd probably like to get nominated or 
 win."

At the age of 42, Bobby Kravos is one of the younger stars on the polka 
scene. His great uncle was the legendary Frank Yankovic, who won the very 
first Grammy for polka music.

"A lot of the icons are passing on," said Mr. Kravos, himself a Grammy 
nominee. "It's up to this younger generation to keep this music going, and 
when we do our recordings, we want to have recognition too. How better to 
have recognition than the Grammys?"

Mr. Ostanek said the Recording Academy did not consult him or any other 
polka musician he knows before coming to their decision.

Cecilia Dolgan, president of the Cleveland-Style National Polka Hall of 
Fame - guardians of "the happiest sound around" - was dismayed by the news.

"Why would they be dropping that?" asked an incredulous Ms. Dolgan. "They' 
ll hear from the polka lovers of America!"

Reading between the lines of the Recording Academy's press release, it would 
seem it is suggesting no one listens to polka music any more. Ms. Dolgan, 
however, insists there's no lack of new music - the Hall of Fame stocks 600 
different CDs in its gift shop, and sales are steady.

"Polka is an international ballroom dance and music that the whole world 
knows."

Mr. Ostanek suggested it might take Hollywood to help the music's image, 
pointing to the boost bluegrass received from the George Clooney film O 
Brother, Where Art Thou? in 2000.

In any case, don't assume a little thing like the most prestigious music 
awards in the world dropping his musical category will stop Ms. Ostanek from 
squeezing his accordion. Mr. Ostanek, now 74, is recording his 88th album.