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.