Happy Tappy Polka Show

_Andrew Krystopolski is a native of Wilmington, DE. He was introduced to polka music by his father and grandfather. Monthly polka dances at St. Hedwig's Modjeska Hall were a regular part of family life for the Krystopolski's. This is where Andrew was exposed to the music of Eddie Blazonczyk, Happy Louie, and many others. Listening to the polka radio shows on Saturday and Sunday (before the days of the Internet) helped Andrew developed a strong appreciation, interest, and love for the heritage that is Polish polka music. His father played drums with a local polka band in Wilmington and Andrew could usually be found on the stage playing tambourine, bells, or even singing with the band. Andrew began musical studies in violin and piano at the Wilmington Music School. In the early 90's, Andrew discovered a small accordion that belonged to his grandfather and taught himself to play like his polka heroes.

Andrew's love affair for polka music really began in 2000, when he got his driver's license and could drive himself to polka dances in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. The year 2000 was also the year that Andrew was presented the prestigious Freddy K, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was used at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa where he pursued a degree in Church Music. During his 5 year college career, Andrew became the host of "The Polka Power Hour", which ran for 3 years on WVMW 91.5FM from Marywood University. During its 3 year run, The Polka Power Hour was rated #1 show every year. His crowning achievement for the Polka Power Hour was a live 24 hour marathon called, "Polkas for a Cause." During the marathon, he was able to raise $3,000.00 for local charities in the Northeast Pennsylvania Region. The event also made the top story on the 5:00pm News on 2 television stations.

The first time Andrew heard Stephanie sing a song on stage with the late Stas Bulanda was when he fell in love with the concertina and Honky polka music. That year he purchased a concertina and has been playing ever since. Andrew has been lucky to be a guest musician with such bands as Polka Family, Phocus, The New Tradition, Doubleshot, and America's Polka Sweetheart: Stephanie. Currently, Andrew plays with The Associates Polka Band from New Jersey. In the past, he has also played with the TKO Band of Baltimore. 

Andrew lives in Troy, NY and when he is not playing polka music, he works as a Church Musician as well as for the Albany Polish Community Center.

_Stan “Stas” Wilgocki, was introduced to Polka music at a young age. Stan’s dad: Larry Wilgocki, was a huge fan of Happy Louie, and Marion Lush. One of eight children, Stas’ could be found on many weekends, traveling to performances by Happy Louie, Eddie Forman, Heavy Chicago, and Dick Pillar throughout the Albany / Schenectady area of Upstate New York. At the age of eight, Stas’ began to take accordion lessons which began is own passion for Polkas. 

Stas’ lives in Rotterdam New York with his wife of 19 years: Basia, and their children Emily, and Alex. When not working as a career Lieutenant/Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Schenectady Fire Department, he can be found promoting Polish traditions, customs, and Polka music thought the organization he founded in 2006 the Casimir Pulaski Society.

Originally created as a fraternal organization within the fire department for Polish and Slavic members, the group has expanded outside the fire service and now boasts a Facebook following of over 250 members with some distinguished members of the Polka music community. 

In 2009, Stas’ began a Dyngus Day celebration in Rotterdam New York that now has attendance numbers well over 550. His hope is that Rotterdam New York can become the premier Dyngus Day spot East of Buffalo. 

Musically, Stas’ considers his favorite groups to be the Polka Country Musicians, Lenny Gomulka, The Beat, Frankie Liska & TBC, and Dennis Polisky. 

His hope is to promote and spread the word about Polkas, and show younger folks the fun that can be had at a Polka event.

_Chris Valcik, born and raised in the Capital District of New York has always been surrounded by a huge Polish and Czech family. The youngest of six boys, Chris grew up listening to polkas every weekend with his family, whether it was his Dad playing them at home, tuning in to Big Stas’ Polka Show or attending the many dances in the area.

It was in the mid 70’s when Chris’ love for the music blossomed after spending every year at the Pillar Polkabration, Hunter Mountain, and numerous festivals, seeing the biggest and best ... Happy Louie, Eddie Blazonczyk, The Dynatones, The Sounds, and so many other bands that always stopped in the area to treat us to the best in music.

Chris is a graphic designer and owns his own company, Custom Graphics. He spends most of his day behind a computer designing print material for his many clients. But, when the work is over, he spends his time with his wife Mary. They enjoy making pierogi’s and golumbki’s and spending time with family and friends.

One of Chris’ hobbies over the years has been collecting the best in Polka music. Owning the best and latest in today’s technology, Chris spends endless hours remastering old albums obtained from his father, family and friends, creating digital files of the music to be preserved forever. When a Polka band comes to the area, you will usually find Chris video recording the band and their music and eventually finding many of his videos on YouTube.

Now, some 30 years later, Chris is still very much family orientated, still listening to polkas every single day, tuning in to the many shows and attending area polka dances when he can.

Chris met Stas and Andrew at a Polka Country Musician’s Dance and it was then that their friendship was born and their love and dedication to Polka music was combined into a great idea to Preserve, Promote, and Play Polka Music. Chris is the engineer of the Happy Tappy Polka Show.