FILM AND TELEVISION CREDITS

CARS  Disney Motion Pictures

GOOD MORNING AMERICA  ABC

THE CULT OF WALT  Bravo Network

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO  NBC

LIFE OF THE POLKA KING  PBS

TENNESSEE CROSSROADS PBS

PRESS

THE DETROIT NEWS AND FREE PRESS

THE LANSING STATE JOURNAL

THE NASHVILLE SCENE

THE POLKA NEWS

THE POLKA TIMES

THE TEXAS POLKA NEWS

SHAKE MAGAZINE

THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

THE STATE NEWS

Ed Klancnik has been playing music almost his entire life. It all began when he was two years old and his parents presented him with a small drum set for Christmas. On the front of the bass drum was a picture of Mickey Mouse and three other Disney characters playing various instruments. This is very interesting because the four different instruments each one was pictured with (Drums, Banjo, Guitar, and Bass) turned out to be the ones that Ed eventually pursued.

When he was growing up, Ed spent several hours a week in the family’s basement practicing with his father, Gaylord Klancnik. It wasn't long before he began to “sit in” with his Dad’s band and at age 13, officially joined the group.  That same year, Ed also played his first official “gig” with the legendary accordionist, Steve Meisner. While in school, he studied music and took private lessons. At age 16, he was given the opportunity to play banjo and guitar with The Don Wojtila Orchestra. Don and the members of his band would later play a major role in the shaping of Ed’s musical approach.

In addition to his father, Ed Klancnik’s next biggest influence was easily that of Jack “Porky” Ponikvar. It was from him that Ed developed much of his technique, finesse and, most certainly, attitude. Jack had a unique perspective on things and this helped to point young Edward in the right direction both musically and socially.

While attending Michigan State University, Ed and his friend, James “Sal” Bonomo, started a rock band called “Dimestore Freud.” The band was together for almost 10 years, toured the United States, and recorded 3 CDs. It was also at this time that Ed recorded his first polka track at Peppermint Productions. It was an original song called “Fast Eddie’s” written by his Dad in 1973. It should be noted that this was the first time Ed and his father had ever recorded together. This was also the first track of The Gaylord Klancnik Orchestra to be released on a Walter Ostanek project. Walter became very influential to Ed’s career and the success of “Fast Eddie’s” would lead to several other recordings.

Ed Klancnik’s experience at Peppermint Productions would prove to be one of the significant turning points in his life. The actions of renowned engineer, Gary Rhamy, were so inspiring that Ed began making demos on an old 4-track reel to reel recorder. He constantly experimented with getting different sounds from the machine and eventually began buying new equipment. Recording demos was an interesting hobby that allowed Ed to take a technical look at the process of making music and made him begin to re-evaluate his own playing characteristics.

In 1997, Ed moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He was able to meet many local musicians, songwriters and media specialists. A performing musician, Ed started playing gigs around town and began to pick up recording sessions on drums. In 1998, he and his father recorded the live CD “Direct From Nashville” and soon thereafter, Ranch Recordings was founded. The project was Gaylord’s first full-length album in almost 30 years and its success helped fund the cost of new studio equipment.

One of Ed’s initial clients was Jeff Lewis. They grew to be very close friends which, ultimately, led to several more projects and Jeff even becoming the vocalist for The Gaylord Klancnik Orchestra. Many of Ed’s later CDs feature some of the musicians on this first project which included Bob Hatter and the incomparable Tony Paoletta. The group even co-wrote the “SOS Polka” which appeared on “Polkas United”, a 2004 Grammy nominated release.

Two Nashville producers who have been very influential to Ed’s career are “Cowboy” Jack Clement and Joey Miskulin. Jack, a music industry legend, introduced him to a completely different style of music production… one without defined parameters or limitations. Joey, a longtime friend of the Klancnik’s, offered Ed the opportunity to play drums on some of his sessions. Both of these producers are music industry icons, but each also has a strong tie to polka music.

Ed Klancnik’s operations have grown to include media manufacturing and graphic design. He has coordinated the replication of over 100,000 units for various clients and is credited with creating several artwork packages. These talents have made his business capable of handling all facets of production from start to finish.

Ed Klancnik has performed all across the United States and Canada as well as Mexico, Brazil and Europe. He has worked on dozens of projects as either a musician, engineer, or as an artist. Ed has been recognized by The National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, winning the “Musician of the Year Sideman” award twice. Together with some of his closest peers, the “Klancnik and Friends” band has been formed and they can be seen performing at some of the nation’s largest polka festivals. Music has become a lifelong endeavor for Ed Klancnik and the beat will go on.