Walter Ostanek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Ostanek
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Walter Ostanek at Marineland in July 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ladislav John Ostanek |
| Born | 20 April 1935 Duparquet, Quebec, Canada |
| Origin | St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Polka |
| Occupation(s) | musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Accordion |
| Years active | 1957-present |
Ladislav John "Walter" Ostanek, a member of the Order of Canada, is a famous Canadian musician. He was born on April 20, 1935. Many people know him as "Canada's Polka King." He has been nominated for Grammy Awards twenty-one times and has won three of these awards.
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Early Life of Walter Ostanek
Walter Ostanek was born in Duparquet, Quebec in 1935. When he was a young boy, his family moved to St. Catharines, Ontario. Walter received his first accordion as a special gift in 1944. After several years, Walter became a popular performer in Southern Ontario. He played Slovenian-style polkas and waltzes. You could often hear his music on the radio in St. Catharines and Welland.
Walter Ostanek's Music Career
In 1957, Walter Ostanek started his own band. They played Slovenian-style polka music. In 1963, Walter and his band, the Walter Ostanek Band, recorded their first album. Over his career, Walter recorded more than 50 albums. He became known as Canada's Polka King. He has won three Grammy Awards and was nominated thirteen times. People often compare his music style to America's Polka King, Frankie Yankovic. Both Walter Ostanek and Frankie Yankovic are of Slovene descent.
Walter Ostanek hosted his own television shows. One of his shows ran for fourteen years in a row. He also had radio shows and led polka tours. He appeared on many famous TV shows. These include The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Phil Donahue. He also appeared on the Tommy Hunter Show and Cleveland's Polka Varieties. He even had his own TV specials and telethons that won awards.
Walter has performed concerts with many well-known artists. Some of these include Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Ronnie Milsap. He also played with Ray Price, Mel Tillis, and Brenda Lee. Other artists he performed with are Slim Whitman, Tom T. Hall, and T. G. Sheppard. He also shared the stage with Tommy Hunter, Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, and Frank Yankovic.
Walter Ostanek is a member of Canada's Walk of Fame. He is also in the Polka Halls of Fame in Cleveland and Chicago. Today, Walter Ostanek performs two main concert sets each year. One is at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The other is during Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Ontario.
In 2006, a documentary about him was made. It was called The Cult of Walt: Canada's Polka King. Walter Ostanek also inspired a funny polka parody on the show Second City Television. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual SOCAN Awards in Toronto.
Walter Ostanek lives in St. Catharines, Ontario. He used to own a popular music store called "Ostanek's." The store became a Long & McQuade on April 1, 2013. He still plays music in his local area.
Walter Ostanek Wins the Lottery
In July 2016, Walter Ostanek was in the news. He won one million dollars in the London Dream Lottery. This lottery helps raise money for hospitals.
Awards and Special Recognition
Walter Ostanek has received many awards for his musical talents:
- 1992, 1993, 1994: He won the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album.
- 1999: He was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada.
- 2001: He was added to Canada's Walk of Fame.
- 2007: He received the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award.
Walter Ostanek's Music Albums
Walter Ostanek has recorded many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:
Singles
- Around 1962: "Walter Ostan" Marianne
- 1998: "Larhonda Polka" Here Come the Polka Heroes
Walter Ostanek Band
- The Walter Ostanek Band
Walter Ostanek and His Band
- 35th Anniversary
- Accordionally Yours
Walter Ostanek and His Polka Band
- I Like Frankie Yankovic
Walter Ostanek and His Polka Kings
- Polka Party
Walter Ostanek
- Music and Friends
- Marineland Favourites
- Like Father, Like Son
- 1995 Polka Monster (EP)
Walter Ostanek and his Orchestra
- Centennial Dance Party
