DJ DANIELCZUK
REACTS TO
LOSS OF GRAMMY CATEGORY
Waterbury, Connecticut (PMN)—Peter
J. Danielczuk, well known polka DJ and a Director of the
International Polka Association (IPA), drafted a letter about
the Grammy Awards expressing disenchantment not long after
hearing the news. In the letter, Danielczuk, a staple of the
state’s polka scene for 39 years, relinquished his Grammy Awards
ballot-casting privileges in protest.
The Republican-American,
published in Waterbury, Connecticut, quoted Danielczuk in its
January 24, 2010, edition, as saying "Polka is not dead, and
we’re not going to let that be the death of polka." He has spent
decades spinning polka over Connecticut airwaves and even
writing and performing a few tunes.
For the first time in 24 years,
there was be no "Best Polka Album" category at this year’s
Grammy ceremonies, broadcast live on January 31, 2010. The
Recording Academy cut the category this summer, saying it wanted
to "ensure the awards process remains representative of the
current musical landscape."
As a result, 18-time Grammy winner
Jimmy Sturr found his polka music competing against non-polka
acts for Best Traditional Folk Album. He did not get the trophy
this time. Other polka artists found themselves shut out
entirely.