In 2009 the Joey Tomsick Orchestra marked it's 25th year anniversary of entertaining audiences nationwide. The four-piece group, known as the "JTO" was organized in 1984 by Joey and has since become one of greater Cleveland's most popularly active all-occasion bands, performing a wide range of music for all types of audiences and social events from weddings, festivals, "polka parties", Inaugural Balls and Presidential visits!
The Joey Tomsick Orchestra has seven nominations in the 2009 Polka Hall of Fame Awards! Categories include: Best Musician-Individual (Joey), Band of the Year (The Joey Tomsick Orchestra), Recording of the Year (Polka Funhouse), Best Sideman (Phil Hrvatin & Hank Guzel, Jr.) and Best New Original Polka (2 nominations: Someone Polka and Polka Funhouse).
Breaking news :Joey Tomsick Orchestra Sweeps Polka Awards
The Joey Tomsick Orchestra of Cleveland took top honors at the 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony presented by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, November 28, 2009. The band, which celebrated it's 25th Anniversary this year, triumphed in all five categories in which it was nominated. Bandleader Joey Tomsick was named Musician of the Year, while Bandmembers Phil Hrvatin and Hank Guzel, Jr. received the award for Sidemen of the Year. Earlier this year, the Joey Tomsick Orchestra released it's long awaited for CD "Polka Funhouse" which was named Polka Album of the Year, as voted on by the membership of the Polka Hall of Fame. The title track of the album won for Best Original Song of the Year. The Joey Tomsick Orchestra also won the most coveted award for Band of the Year, an honor that they will treasure forever! This crystal award was presented by Cleveland media personalities Dick Russ and Loree Vick before an audience of close to 1000 people at the St. Clair Slovenian National Home.
The Polka Funhouse CD features 16 selections, about half of which are new or originals. You'll find several button box tunes, some snappy new polkas, delightful waltzes, the beautiful "Grandpa" song, and the hot Polish-style selection "What Would I Do Without You". By the way, you may purchase the award-winning album directly through Joey's website at www.joeytomsick.com.
