WHO/ WHAT IS A POLKA KING?
For the past five years, on my weekly Tuesday evening program broadcast on WHRW-FM and simulcast at www.whrwfm.org , the "European Ethnic Melodies Show," I have identified the program and radio station, WHRW-FM , as "the Official Music of the World's Polka Kings Station ...and Program." There's a very logical and legitimate reason for that title. For, on the airwaves at WHRW-FM, I do, in fact , play all the music of all the world's polka kings(from both Europe and the USA) from the past century and more of recorded multi-ethnic, folk, world, and polka music.
I have received numerous calls over the past five years asking about my definition of the term, "Polka King." Actually, over the past seven or more years, I began to draft and then I wrote a very clear and concise definition for this specific term that would immediately be recognized and also be accepted by the members of my audience. This term would also be recognized by the people who would answer to the term, "polka king," namely, all of the polka kings themselves.
And, now the definition of: ...............
WHO/ WHAT IS A POLKA KING?
First, by a singular and the ONLY correct definition, and, in my professional opinion as a recognized ethno-musicologist and polka music historian, a polka king is, first and foremost, a musician, composer, and bandleader, who, over the years of his lifetime, has distinguished himself through his original musical talents and recordings in the polka music field of entertainment.
Second, by a singular and the ONLY correct definition, in my opinion as an ethno-musicologist and polka music historian, a polka king is recognized for his specifically unique or particular stylings of the original recorded sound of the music of his band or orchestra.
Third, and very importantly, in my opinion as an ethno-musicologist and polka music historian, a polka king is recognized by his fellow musicians(peers) in the polka music field for his tireless dedication and attention to the craft of creatively writing and then recording his own original selections of polkas and other tempos of original music as a means of both preserving the ethnic music and the ethnic heritage.
Further, my definition, and in my opinion of what constitutes and comprises a true and legitimate polka king, would immediately exclude any and all musician, composer, or bandleader who compiled someone else's original music and stylings and then re-wrote and re-recorded the tempos of these other music genres as "legitimate" and original polka music recordings.
Fourth, by a singular and the ONLY correct definition, in my opinion as an ethno-musicologist and polka music historian, a polka king is further recognized by and for the continuous contributions of his original music to the preservation of the heritage of that particular ethnic group or ethnic heritage which he represents.
Fifth, by a singular and the ONLY correct definition, in my opinion, a polka king DOES NOT arbitrarily take the title of "Polka King." The title is bestowed upon him by his fans and fellow musicians who,together, recognize what the musician, composer, and bandleader has contributed to the field of original recorded polka music. The term is not bestowed on any individual who recorded "dumbed down "versions of someone else's original music, regardless of the fame/notoriety of the band or bandleader.
Therefore, ANYONE CAN NOT, repeat CAN NOT, arbitrarily claim/pilfer/seize/defraud/render/take/ acquire /buy/usurp ...what is known as the title of... "A Polka King" or "The Polka King" regardless of whether the person is the owner of a business such as a polka music recording company or a promoter, columnist, or critic of polka music in any and all capacities. ANYONE can not call oneself "A Polka King" or "The Polka King" regardless of the amount of time and money spent in the polka music field, regardless of how many television and/or radio shows which are currently or have been in syndication across the nation.
Further, in my opinion, to call oneself by the term or any variation of the term "A Polka King or "The Polka King", ""King of the Polkas", etc., WITHOUT first and foremost being a musician, composer, and bandleader, is both an affront and an insult of the very worst kind, in an arrogantly ignorant or in an arrogantly indifferent effort, to demean and to further diminish the honor of all of the true polka kings of the world, including those who are deceased.
To conclude, the definition of "A Polka King" is very clear and precise. In my opinion as an ethno-musicolo- gist and polka music historian, the term is NOT arbitrary and it is NOT subject to casual interpretation from anyone or by anyone ANYWHERE in the polka music field or in the world . A "Polka King" is, first and foremost, a musician, composer, and bandleader who is known and recognized by his fans and peers to be the best... by and for the original music he wrote and then recorded.
And, on my weekly radio show, the abovemmentioned criteria identify the way I continue to recognize and honor all the "World's Polka Kings" and all the "Music of the World's Polka Kings" ...for all of the many melodies...and memories...
In my opinion, there are NO OTHER definitions or interpretations of the legitimate and very honorable term of "Polka King" ANYWHERE!!! The definition stands, as is!
Submitted,
Daniel Jan Walikis
May 20, 2007
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