Eddie Korosa Jr. plays Christmas songs on his accordion. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
Polka star Eddie Korosa Jr. adds another honor
By Steve Metsch
Local polka legend Eddie Korosa Jr., has another honor for his growing collection.
Korosa was recently named to the honor roll of the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.
The ceremony was held over the Thanksgiving weekend.
But Korosa – who seldom has a weekend off – was unable to attend. That’s right, he was performing with his band, The Boys from Illinois, in Glendale Heights and Tinley Park.
Asked if it bothered him to miss an award because he had to perform, Korosa laughed. “We keep it going,” he said.
Cleveland-style polka music is a bit different than Chicago-style, Korosa said.
“Cleveland is the sounds of Frankie Yankovic. He’s not the originator but one of the first to bring out the Cleveland-style polka music,” Korosa said.
A standard Cleveland-style polka band has a lead accordion, another accordion that plays fill, a drummer, bass player and a banjo player, he said.
While one may not think about the banjo when it comes to polka music, it is important: “It’s for the rhythm,” he said.
Korosa grew up in Chicago. His band plays Polish, German, American and Cleveland-style polka music.
“I play a variety, like my dad did, all different styles of polka music,” he said.
His father, also named Eddie, and mother were the driving force behind their nightspot, The Baby Doll Polka Club, that was located for years near Midway Airport.
Awards, honors and Korosa are getting to be old buddies.
He was nominated for a polka Grammy Award in 2008, but did not win.
He has won several awards in Chicago, including one in 2012 for lifetime achievement from the Chicago Music Awards. That organization awarded him best polka entertainer in 2013.
In 2014, he won the Frankie Award, which is named for the late Yankovic.
Korosa is quick to point out that he and his band are featured in the “Home Alone” movie.
A “Home Alone” Christmas Party will be held at The Stadium Club in McCook from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 20 with Korosa set to perform, of course.
Korosa and his band have 12 shows booked in December.
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