Single of the Day!
On March 29th, the Versatones recording of
"OH HOW I MISS YOU"
was chosen as the "Single of the Day"
Click the link below to hear more:
http://www.singleoftheday.com/2008/03/29/tattoos-not-included/

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Chicago Music Award Winner
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones were named "Best Polka Entertainers of 2007" at the 27th Annual Chicago Music Awards!  Also honored this year were Kanye West, The Chi-Lites, Otis Clay, Rachel Barton Pine, Koko Taylor, Wilco, & many others.  Congratulations to all this year's recipients!

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247 POLKAHEAVEN.COM
The World's Polka Network
"BEST OF 2006"
Polka Fans have spoken and the results are final. After 6 weeks of nominations and voting by our Internet Jockeys and then our Polka audience, we are proud to announce 247Polkaheaven's "Best of 2006." Every known Polka CD released in 2006 was nominated by the IJ's. Polka fans from around the world cast 4,358 votes in 5 categories for the best Polka CD's, Songs and Entertainers of 2006. Congratulations to all the Polka Fans who participated in the voting and to the Polka Entertainers that have been recognized for their outstanding contributions. You are all truly winners.

Ray Zalokar - 247Polkaheaven

FAVORITE NEW SONG
1. OH HOW I MISS YOU
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones

FAVORITE POLISH STYLE CD  
1. AS SWEET AS CANDY
Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push
(2. BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED…Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones)     


POLKA ENTERTAINERS OF THE YEAR
1. LynnMarie & the Boxhounds   
(5. Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones)

FAVORITE SLOVENIAN CLEVELAND STYLE CD
1. GOOD FRIENDS GOOD MUSIC
Walter Ostanek and Fred Ziwich

FAVORITE VARIETY CD
1. OFF THE WALL
The Al Meixner Trio  

Congratulations to all the winners!!!
www.247polkaheaven.com

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Caring About The Bears
Fernway Elementary School in Orland Hills (Kirby School District #140)  Celebrated the Bears Super Bowl  bid with an all school assembly.

The children performed the new "Chicago Cares About The Bears Polka" by Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones!  Teachers and students danced the polka in the gym.  Under the direction of music teacher Mrs. Janet Jones, the students and staff also sang "Bear Down Chicago Bears" and "The Super-Bowl Shuffle!"

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January 2, 2007 there was an article in the
Chicago Tribune about Eddie Blazoncyzk
Click For Link To Article

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AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC: CHICAGO
Original documentary, hosted by Harold Ramis, debuted on PBS WTTW11 in Chicago in November 2006.

Chicago - A new documentary, American Roots Music: Chicago, celebrating Chicago's vibrant musical heritage will debut on WTTW11 on November 16 at 9:00 p.m.  Narrated by Chicago native Harold Ramis, the program explores key musical genres that the city nurtured and popularized: jazz, blues, gospel, folk music, polka, and country.  The documentary's premiere on WTTW11 also heralds the opening of a related exhibit at the ChicagoHistoryMuseum.

American Roots Music: Chicago features appearances by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Big Bill Broonzy, Studs Terkel, Mahalia Jackson, Mavis Staples, Thomas A. Dorsey, Jeff Tweedy, Jon Langford, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Fred Anderson, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Nicole Mitchell, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Bob Gibson, Roger McGuinn, Pete Seeger, Robbie Robertson, Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, L'il Wally Jagiello, Eddie Blazonczyk (Sr. and Jr.), Timuel Black, and Earl Pionke (The Earl of Old Town).  In addition to rare archival material, the documentary includes present-day interviews and performances of musicians at Chicago sites ranging from the Chicago Blues Festival and the Old Town School of Folk Music to neighborhood taverns and dance halls.

Directed by Jim Brown
Produced by Jim Brown, Paul Lovelace, Sam Pollard, Bob Reisman, Jeff Rosen
Written by Paul Lovelace, Bob Reisman, Charles Wolfe

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IPA Awards
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones would like to say
THANK YOU - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
to the International Polka Association for naming our recording UNDER THE INFLUENCE, the Favorite Recording of 2005 and also for naming our song SQUEEZEBOX, the Favorite Song of 2005.
The awards were presented at a ceremony on August 5, 2006 in Rosemont, Illinois.

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On Sunday, April 30, 2006 the International Polka Association announced the results of the 2006 Hall of Fame
and the 2005 Music Awards voting.

Selected to be inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame this August are:
Gary Rhamy
Jimmy Weber
Eddie Forman
Gary Seibert

The 2005 Music Awards are as follows:

Favorite CD
"Under the Influence"
by Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones

Favorite Song
"Squeeze Box"
by Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones

Favorite Male Vocalist
Lenny Gomulka

Favorite Female Vocalist
Stephanie Pietrzak

Favorite Instrumental Band
Dennis Polisky and the Maetros Men  

Congratulations to all the IPA Hall of Fame inductees
and Music Award winners!  

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WPNA Top Ten Polkas Of 2005
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones single "A Few Things I Know" from the CD "Under The Influence" is named most requested Polka of 2005 as announced by DJ Jarek Obrecki
WPNA 1490 AM  Oak Park/Chicago

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Chicago Music Awards
On December 10th, it was announced that Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones have been chosen as the "Best Polka Entertainer" at the 25th Chicago Music Awards.

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God Bless Our Polish Pope - John Paul II
May He Rest In Peace

Pope John Paul II with Eddie Blazonczyk Jr

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Sunday, February 13, 2005 on the TV Guide Channel, Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones appeared with Joan & Melissa Rivers live at the Grammy Awards on the Red Green Carpet during the Grammy Awards Pre-Show.

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New EBV Compilation
A new Greatest Hits Compilation titled: "Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones - Masters of the New American Polka" has been released by Cracker Barrel's Old Country Stores nationwide! 14 Classic Versatone cuts from "Polka Celebration" to "Lying in My Arms"! Stop by your nearest Cracker Barrel and pick up this new CD for just $11.99.

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Morning Edition Interview
Eddie Blazonczyk, Jr. was interviewed about the competition for this year's Polka Grammy in a piece that aired National Public Radio's Morning Edition on February 10th. An archived version of the story can be heard at NPR's website www.npr.org.

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A Note from Eddie Sr.

May 2003 -

I was very pleased to be able to attend the USPA Convention over Memorial Week-end. It was my first road trip out of state in over a year. The week-end was filled with excitement for me, for many reasons.

I am so very proud of my son Eddie Jr, and the Versatones, for being awarded the "Favorite Recording of the Year" for "My Father's Shoes".

I was very happy to receive the First Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the USPA, and it was extra special to have Jr present it to me.

I was more than excited to see a lot of my polka friends & fans, fellow musicians, DJs and promoters. It was wonderful to hear the Sounds Reunion. They sounded GREAT.

My family and I were able to visit Sokolowski's University Inn, where Mike Sokolowski was our cordial host with some great Polish dishes. Whenever you're in the Cleveland area, I highly suggest you stop at Sokolowski's for one of the best meals you'll ever eat.

I look forward to seeing more of you this summer.

Eddie B. Sr.