Controversy reigns supreme in wake of story about local ‘Polka King’

As a journalist, it’s always interesting to see which stories fly under the radar, and which prompt the most reader feedback.

Sometimes, a seemingly innocuous feature can incite mass controversy, as was the case with my recent profile of Gene Sadowsky, the self-proclaimed Polka King, and his group the Little Bohemian Band.

Although I grew up watching “The Lawrence Welk Show,” I don’t know much about accordion music. I got to hear Sadowsky play when I went to his North Albany home for an interview. In my completely amateur opinion, his polkas and waltzes were toe-tapping fun.

Some readers wrote in saying how much they enjoyed Sadowsky’s performances. Others questioned his claim to the polka throne, and whether he ruled more by dictatorship than divine right.

Richard Kadrmas, Sadowsky’s former bandmate, has gone so far as to challenge his rival to an accordion duel.

“Anytime, anyplace,” said Kadrmas, of Creswell. Kadrmas and his wife, Judie, now play in the R-K Polka Band.

A polka playoff would be quite exciting, I think. Kadrmas suggested the winner could be crowned based on audience applause, but I think perhaps impartial experts — maybe a panel of judges from Oregon State University’s music department — should decide who will be named Polka King of the Willamette Valley.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like such a standoff will be happening.

“That kind of talk I don’t want nothing to do with. I do it for the love of music. I don’t want nothing to do with Richard Kadrmas,” said Sadowsky, adding that a duel would be a “waste of my time.”

Being the Polka King is about more than accordion chops, although he does have those, Sadowsky said.

“I do a lot for the polka world. That’s part of being a Polka King. I do a lot for people, and people like me,” he said, acknowledging that it’s impossible to be popular with everyone, and suggesting that jealousy fuels his detractors’ animosity.

Kadrmas said his affiliation with the Little Bohemian Band ended over money disputes. Little green dollar signs dancing in musicians’ eyes have been known to destroy groups such as the original Beach Boys and Guns ’N’ Roses, so I would imagine that similar rifts could happen in the polka world.

“Gene only knows how to play 10 or 15 songs, and they’re the simplest polkas and waltzes,” Kadrmas said. “Polka music means a lot to a lot of people, and when you have people out there just doing it to make a buck, it’s a slap.”

Dave Howard of Lebanon, who first suggested the Entertainer do a story on Sadowsky after seeing his band perform on the “Big Joe Polka Show,” said he thinks our Polka King plays pretty well, especially for someone no longer living in the Midwest, the polka heartland.

“When I heard Gene Sadowsky that night on TV, my own amateur instinct placed him among the better groups I’ve heard on the show,” said Howard, who played in a small Albany polka group during high school in the 1960s.

Toby Hanson, a friend of Kadrmas, plays in the Smilin’ Scandinavians polka band, based just outside of Seattle.

He said he’s had negative dealings with Sadowsky in the past, and that Sadowsky undercuts the polka market by keeping his prices low to attract a crowd, hurting other bands in the process.

“While I appreciate the publicity Gene generates for our community, I wish he were able to back it up with better musicianship and business practices,” said Hanson.

A representative from the Queens City Club in Kadrmas’ and Sadowsky’s native Dickinson, N.D., said both men are good accordion players.

Lee Klein, the club’s bartender, said Sadowsky “is a character, but he treats people right.”

Reviews were less favorable from the Apache Junction Elks Club in Arizona, where Sadowsky is persona non grata, according to Exulted Ruler Denny Walter.

Not so at the North Portland Eagles Aerie, where the Polka King plays at least one gig a month, and will perform on New Year’s Eve.

“His music’s good. He draws a good crowd, has a good following,” said Larry Lieble, the organization’s secretary.

Lieble, who does the bookings for the aerie, said Sadowsky and his band always get people out on the dance floor.

“He’s very good. He’s well-known all over the country. He’s very good to work with, always joking, an outgoing individual,” Lieble said.

Michael van der Hout, a card-carrying member of the Little Bohemiam Band Fan Club, agreed.

The Portland-based van der Hout does the band’s art, and is a regular at most of Sadowsky’s shows throughout the Northwest.

“It is a real treat, a real party to attend any of Gene’s performances. Along with the accordion music, the decorated stage, Gene’s incredible humor and loyal fan base, it is always a friendly and rewarding experience,” said van der Hout.

“A lot of people think accordion music is outdated and useless, but it’s such happy music that makes people want to get up and dance. Gene’s music, humor and disposition are a testament to this and give accordion music an entirely new culture and depth.”

With no dueling accordions to look forward to, the local polka world will have to decide for itself who will wear the Polka King crown. And maybe there’s even room for multiple kings. I doubt too many performances of the “Moonlighter’s Waltz” ever hurt anyone.

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at 758-9518 or maryann.albright@lee.net.