Thank you for visiting the online home of The Klancnik & Friends Band and Ranch Recordings. Here you will find the latest information about the KNF band, our CDs available for purchase, and updates regarding projects that are currently in production. With an eye to the future, our mission continues to be the preservation and further development of American polka music. If this genre interests you, please take the time to learn more about who we are, and what we do.
The Klancnik and Friends Band and it's members have been nominated for several awards by the voters of the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall Of Fame:
The Klancnik and Friends Band - Band Of The Year
Brian O'Boyle - Musician Of The Year, Best Sideman
Eric Stehle - Best Sideman
Pam and Jerry Zagar - Support / Promotion
We would like to thank everyone who voted for us. The Awards Show will be held on November 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Euclid, Ohio.
The KNF Band will be performing on November 24, 2011 at Tony Petkovsek's 50th Annual Thanksgiving Polka Extravganza in Cleveland, Ohio at 10pm. We will also be backing up Alex Meixner at festival for his 3pm show on Friday, November 25th.
On Sunday, November 27, 2011 the KNF Band will be making our 1st appearance at S.N.P.J. Lodge 106 in Imperial, Pennsylvania. We would like to thank the members of Lodge 106 and Kevin Richards for making this date possible. KNF will be alternating from 1-7pm with George Suhon and Silver Sky.
February 3-5, 2012 marks the return of Klancnik and Friends to Bob Doszak's Illinois Polkafest in Oakbrook, Illinois. The event features several bands including: Steve Meisner, Eddie Rodick, Karl Lukitsch, Del Sinchak, and The Music Connection.
Click the link below to view any additional information or flyers about these dates.
The Klancnik and Friends Band have recorded three new songs that will be featured on Walter Ostanek's two upcoming CD releases.
Polka 76, which was written by Verne Meisner, and I'm Nobody's Baby, which was originally recorded by Eddie Rodick, will appear on Polka Celebration. This CD is a joint effort by Grammy winners Joey Miskulin and Walter Ostanek. It should be noted that this is the first time Brian O'Boyle and Eric Stehle have recorded with Joey.
Green Gables, which was written by Al Morouse, appears on Walter's other new CD, Carefree Polkas and Waltzes. This selection also features Brian O'Boyle and Joey Miskulin on accordion, Eric Stehle on sax, Jerry Zagar on bass, and Ed Klancnik on drums and banjo.
Both of these CDs are set to be released in the Fall of 2011. They will ultimately be available for purchase from the Cleveland Style Polka Hall Of Fame Gift Shop and www.PolkaConnection.com
Eric Stehle hails from Denver, Colorado where he currently works as a music performer, educator and clinician. He began his musical career at the age of 6, when he began playing the hammer dulcimer and piano. Two years later, he stumbled upon an alto saxophone in the basement and immediately fell in love with the instrument. By the age of 9, Eric was playing steadily in his father’s band, the Alpine Polkadots, along with his parents and brother, John. Over the next several years he would begin to learn other instruments such as clarinet, bass, drums, accordion and button box. Eric has performed at several venues across the United States, Canada and Europe. In 2004, Eric graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He has performed with famous jazz musicians such as Debra Brown, Terence Blanchard, Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck and many others. In 2005, Eric had the honor of playing at George Bush’s Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. He has received numerous accolades including Downbeat Magazine’s Award for being an Outstanding Jazz Soloist, in addition to winning a jazz combo award. Despite his affinity for other music genres, Eric Stehle continues to follow his heart and play polka music, the style he grew up on and is the fondest of. Eric received a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies in May 2011.
