George Staiduhar

George Staiduhar was born February 9, 1945, and was the product of E. 185th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, an area rich in Slovenian style music and culture. He started lessons at age six under the auspices and teachings of Bill Sneller of Euclid, Ohio. His training and study was focused on classical music, which he incorporated into his own Cleveland style polkas and waltzes. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s, he participated in many accordion contests and received No. 1 and No. 2 recognition for the State of Ohio in his age group playing an overture and one of Mendelsohn’s violin concertos. Having played with various bands from Cleveland’s Eastside, during and after his high school years, and after discharge from the Army in 1968, he formed the “George Staiduhar Orchestra” becoming one of Cleveland’s most sought after groups in the early 70’s. He released his first recording in 1970 entitled, “Polkas on the Slope” followed by “Polka Swingin with Staiduhar”. Throughout the ‘70s, the George Staiduhar Orchestra appeared on Cleveland’s Channel 5 TV “Polka Varieties,” once having received “Most Popular Band of the Year” Award. In the 1980’s, he was asked to join the Harry Faint Revue and in 1990, released a cassette entitled, “Polkas by George.” In 1991, that recording was Album of the Year voted by the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame. Again, all the music was written and arranged by him, who included their signature tune, “Mozart’s Polka.” That tune received recognition in 2003 by the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame as an All Time Greatest Hit. He was also voted by the Polka Hall of Fame as Musician of the Year in 1991, 1994, and 2000. He released “Cadillac Polkas” in 1993. In 1999, the name of the band was changed to “George Staiduhar and the Revue.” In 2000, the Staiduhar Revue released a CD entitled “Y2K Polkas.” It was nominated for a Grammy. In 2004, he retired from music after 45 years and he culminated his musical career by receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, again, from the Polka Hall of Fame. It is the highest honor award given. He works as a Federal Court Reporter with the U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio.