Johnny Koenig
Allison Park, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Forget about rock 'n' roll, New York City native Johnny Koenig moved to Northeast Ohio last summer to keep polka music alive. "It's still so big in the Cleveland area compared to other parts of the country, so the music brought me here," said 19-year-old Koenig, whose father John was a well-known New York-based polka musician in the '70s and '80s.
Koenig recently talked with regular Plain Dealer freelance writer John Benson, who writes the weekly LocalBeat music column for the Friday! magazine.
"Cleveland has been noted as the polka capitol of the country and it's lived up to its billing," Koenig tells Benson. "It's been great. I've met a lot of people and some talented musicians. It's just a great hobby and a great way to meet people and have a good time. You're getting paid for one of the most fun things to do."
Koenig, who recently released his debut effort, the Slovenian-based polka album "New Kid in Town," said he's looking forward to taking part in the upcoming "Connecting Generations Diversity Day" at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Gallery West, second-floor library, Tri-C Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road, Parma. "They thought it would be good to have a polka band trying to show my generation what the music and culture is about," said Koenig, who hinted he'll be playing polka versions of Van Morrison and Toby Keith songs for the youthful audience. You can keep up with Koenig's career at MySpace.com/johnnykoenig.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
18 year old Johnny Koenig is indeed the "New Kid In Town" having moved to Cleveland from the New York City area in 2006.
His fine accordion work is enhanced by Bob Kravos (recording engineer) on accordion fills, bass, piano, and solovox; Norm Kobal on sax; Mark Habat on drums and Frank Okicki on banjo and guitar. Special guest performers include Canada's Polka King Walter Ostanek and Joey "The Cow-Polka King" Miskulin.
Johnny began playing music at age five with the influence from his late dad John, an entertainer and promoter in the New York area for many years. - Tony Petkovsek, WELW Radio
18 year old Johnny Koenig is indeed the "New Kid In Town" having moved to Cleveland from the New York City area in 2006.
His fine accordion work is enhanced by Bob Kravos (recording engineer) on accordion fills, bass, piano, and solovox; Norm Kobal on sax; Mark Habat on drums and Frank Okicki on banjo and guitar. Special guest performers include Canada's Polka King Walter Ostanek and Joey "The Cow-Polka King" Miskulin.
Johnny began playing music at age five with the influence from his late dad John, an entertainer and promoter in the New York area for many years. - Tony Petkovsek, WELW Radio
Discography
Audio:
2007 - "The New Kid In Town"
TV/Video:
2009 - "Polka! The Movie" - TV Slovenia
Second CD slated for release spring/summer 2013!
Photos
Bio
Johnny Koenig is a high energy, young star accordion player in the polka field, now living in the Pittsburgh area. The style that Johnny plays is Americanized folk music based with roots in Europe. This style of music appeals to all ages and a broad audience.
Born and raised in New York City, Johnny grew up with polka music, first learning from his father who had his own band for many years. This is where Johnny first learned accordion. He picked up his first accordion at age five, and took private lessons from a local music teacher for a few years. Johnny, only seven years old at the time, had the honor of singing with America's Polka King Frankie Yankovic at an event in New York City. He began performing professionally at age fifteen, taking over for his father after he passed away. During his years in high school, he played trumpet in the school's concert band.
Johnny released his first professional recording in 2007 entitled "The New Kid In Town". In 2008, this CD made the second round GRAMMY ballot in four categories.
In 2007, he produced and arranged the music for VerbBallet's "Polka Madness" dance repertoire. Johnny was interviewed in the movie documentary "Polka! The Movie" which is repeatedly shown on TV Slovenia in Europe. During his time in Cleveland, Johnny also served as a trustee on the Board of Directors for the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.
Throughout his musical career, he has performed in over twelve states and Canada. He is currently working on his second full-length CD, as well as recording with various musicians in rock, folk, R&B, and jazz. His fan base continues to grow as Johnny attracts new fans, old and young at Oktoberfests throughout the country. A significant amount of his time is also dedicated to working as a full-time paramedic, saving countless lives.
Band Members
Links
