Polka lovers honor Big Joe

WAHOO, Neb. — For the first time in 20 years, Joe Siedlik was back in his home state to tape his “Big Joe Polka Show.”

For the first time in many, many years, all five of his children and seven grandchildren were present for the taping of one of his shows for RFD-TV.

Siedlik, along with the children and grandchildren, thought they were gathering at the Starlite Ballroom near Wahoo last weekend for a family photo.

But Martha Siedlik had something else in store for her family. Big Joe's wife was one of the people who helped to organize special recognition for the polka legend. She said she wanted to keep it a surprise for the entire family.

Siedlik was presented with a plaque from the Polka Lovers of America, and the man who has found the words to promote polkas for 50-plus years was almost speechless.

“I appreciate that more than you can imagine,” Siedlik said.

Making the presentation “on behalf of all polka lovers” was band leader Louie Oborny and KMMG Grand Island radio personality Willie Skala.

Skala said he has known Siedlik for the past 30 years and has been working with him for about the last six weeks for the “Big Joe Polka Show” stop in Wahoo.

He said he and Martha Siedlik started talking one day about special recognition.

“In my mind, I didn't think he ever had that kind of recognition,” he said.

While Siedlik does not do his show for the recognition, Skala said he deserves plenty of applause.

“He's a promoter of polka music to the umpteenth degree,” he said. That is why it was important to him, Skala said, to get the ball rolling for some special recognition.

Polka in Nebraska is playing to an older audience, but that's not the case in other parts of the country, Skala said. Watch the “Big Joe Polka Show” on RFD-TV and you'll see young and old in the audience.

And regardless of age, he said, people at a “Big Joe Polka Show” are always smiling because Siedlik keeps the beat true to form — upbeat and quick.

“It's just been a real occasion to be around someone who has kept it going,” Skala added.

Janie Romero is the youngest of the Siedliks' five children. She too knows what it's like to be around polka music.

“When I was little, I was sleeping under tables to the beat of polka music,” she said.

Romero now helps her dad out with his shows. She said she is more than happy to help keep the polka tradition alive.

“It's actually a privilege to have Big Joe as your dad. He is, I believe, a true polka legend,” Romero said. “He does all of this for the love of polka.”

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