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A visual history · Grammys

The winners who defined Polka Album.

24 ceremonies, 1986–2009. 7 different winners. The longest run belongs to Jimmy Sturr, with 5 straight wins.

Who won most recently?
Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra in 2009 for Let the Whole World Sing.
Who has won the most?
Jimmy Sturr, 12 wins (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004).
  1. Let the Whole World SingJimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
  2. Come Share the WineJimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
  3. Polka in ParadiseJimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
  4. Shake, Rattle and Polka!Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
  5. Let's Kiss: 25th Anniversary AlbumBrave Combo
  6. Let's Polka 'RoundJimmy Sturr
Years explored
1986–2009
Different winners
7
Category leader
Jimmy Sturr · 12
About this record

Best Polka Album was first awarded in 1986, so it does not run the full 1959–2025 window.

It was awarded for the last time in 2009.

The Recording Academy retired the category outright in 2009, so nothing replaced it.

2000–2009

10 ceremonies

19862009

01 / The reigns

Jimmy Sturr set the longest run.

The timeline turns the 2000–2009 record into a sequence of reigns. Longer bands reveal sustained runs; color shows the credited label.

  1. 01
    Jimmy Sturr4 wins
  2. 02
    Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra4 wins
  3. 03
    Brave Combo2 wins
Each band is one winner’s reign. Wider means a longer run. Colored by label; hover for details.
Brave Combo'00
Jimmy Sturr'01–'04×4
Brave Combo'05
Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra'06–'09×4

02 / The power map

Who stood behind the winners?

Independent leads the recorded label credits with 8 wins, 2000–2009. The full distribution shows whether power was concentrated or shared.

Independent8 wins
Cleveland International1 win
Dentone Records1 win
Wins by label
  1. Independent880%
  2. Cleveland International110%
  3. Dentone Records110%

03 / The near misses

The names that kept coming back without the ending they wanted.

Counting nominations in this category only, 2000–2009.

Most nominated, never won this award

  1. 01
    Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
    8 noms
  2. 02
    John Gora and Gorale
    3 noms
  3. 03
    Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push
    3 noms
  4. 04
    LynnMarie
    3 noms
  5. 05
    Jerry Darlak and the Touch
    2 noms
  6. 06
    Walter Ostanek
    2 noms

Most losses in this category

  1. 01
    Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
    8L · 0W
  2. 02
    John Gora and Gorale
    3L · 0W
  3. 03
    Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push
    3L · 0W
  4. 04
    LynnMarie
    3L · 0W
  5. 05
    Brave Combo
    2L · 2W
  6. 06
    Jerry Darlak and the Touch
    2L · 0W

04 / The archive

Every year.
Every winner.

The complete reference behind the story, showing 2000–2009. Open any year to see the rest of the field when nominee records are available.

YearWinnerLabel
2009Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Let the Whole World Sing)repeat
beat 4 others
  • Paulino Bernal (El Maestro del Acordeón y Sus Polkas)
  • LynnMarie and Charlie Kelley as the Boxhounds (Speechless)
  • Walter Ostanek and His Band, Jerry Darlak and The Touch, and Bob Kravos and His Band (Back to Back Hall of Fame Polkas)
  • Polka Family Band (Hungry for More)
Rounder
2008Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Come Share the Wine)repeat
beat 4 others
  • Brave Combo (Polka's Revenge)
  • John Gora and Gorale (Bulletproof Polkas)
  • Bubba Hernandez and Alex Meixner (Polka Freak Out)
  • Walter Ostanek and His Band and Brian Sklar and the Western Senators (Dueling Polkas)
Rounder
2007Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Polka in Paradise)repeat
beat 4 others
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Batteries Not Included)
  • Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push (As Sweet as Candy)
  • LynnMarie and the Boxhounds (Party Dress)
  • Walter Ostanek and Fred Ziwich (Good Friends Good Music)
Rounder
2006Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Shake, Rattle and Polka!)
beat 4 others
  • Del Sinchak Band (Polka Pizzazz)
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Under the Influence)
  • Walter Ostanek and Ron Sluga (Time Out for Polkas and Waltzes)
  • Kevin Solecki (Solecktions)
Rounder
2005Brave Combo (Let's Kiss: 25th Anniversary Album)
beat 4 others
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Highways & Dancehalls)
  • John Gora and Gorale (Pangora's Box)
  • Henny and the Versa J's (Come on Over)
  • Walter Ostanek and Gaylord Klancnik (Polkas United)
Dentone Records
2004Jimmy Sturr (Let's Polka 'Round)repeat
beat 5 others
  • Dennis Polisky and the Maestro's Men (Strike Up the Band)
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Versalicious!)
  • Jerry Darlak and the Touch (Polkas in Black and White)
  • LynnMarie (LynnMarie and the Boxhounds)
  • Walter Ostanek and Bob Kravos (Just for You)
Rounder
2003Jimmy Sturr (Top of the World)repeat
beat 4 others
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (My Father's Shoes)
  • Jerry Darlak and the Touch (Let the Good Times Roll)
  • LynnMarie (The Polka Record)
  • Walter Ostanek and His Band (Good Time Polkas and Waltzes)
Rounder
2002Jimmy Sturr (Gone Polka)repeat
beat 4 others
  • Brave Combo (Kick-Ass Polkas)
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Live and Kickin)
  • Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push (Lenny Live)
  • Walter Ostanek and His Band (Happy Times)
Rounder
2001Jimmy Sturr (Touched by a Polka)
beat 4 others
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Another Day at the Office)
  • Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push (Mi Lenny Um)
  • LynnMarie (SqueezeBox)
  • Walter Ostanek (Let's Dance!)
Rounder
2000Brave Combo (Polkasonic)
beat 4 others
  • Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones (Smokin' Polkas)
  • John Gora and Gorale (Follow Me)
  • Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Polkapalooza)
  • Walter Ostanek (Yearning for Polkas and Waltzes)
Cleveland International