The 51st Grammy Awards will be held February 8th.
Being a Grammy Nominee, it is once again an exciting time in the Ostanek household as the anticipation of the 51st Grammy Awards grows with each day.
This year, I’m grateful to be celebrating my 21st Grammy Award Nomination for “Best Polka Album”. Imagine, 21 years! Where did the time go? I remember my very first Grammy Nomination in 1987 like it was yesterday.
Each of the Grammy Awards shows has provided Irene and me with some very special memories. N.A.R.A.S. is a very classy organization that always puts on a first-class event and the nominees are truly treated like royalty. Because of the Grammys we’ve had the opportunity to mix with many of the world’s most popular celebrities at the various Grammy events surrounding the awards show. Almost everyone is approachable and friendly. This experience alone is worth the hard work it takes to get there, whether you take home the big prize or not. Just being at the Grammy Awards makes it all worthwhile.
One of my very fondest memories is when I got to spend some time with Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Show. Myron was not only a world-class accordion player, but he was also a true gentleman. Just a real down to earth nice guy.
Being a pretty positive guy, I’m visualizing, and hoping to place a 4th Grammy Award Trophy on my mantel at home. That would truly be wonderful. At the same time, however, I wish all of the Grammy Nominees in the Polka category, the best of luck. Although we are competitors for the highest honour in the music industry, I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of them, and regard them as friends.
I’d like to thank Walter Ostanek Band followers and supporters for their encouragement and continued support. I’d also like to thank my friends and partners, Jerry Darlak & The Touch, and Bob Kravos, and the boys in the band, for their dedication to this year’s Grammy Award entry, “Back to Back Hall of Fame Polkas”.
I hope you’ll tune in to the Grammy Awards on CBS on February 8th, at 8:00pm (eastern).
