Six Decades of Polka Playing

The music started decades ago for a man at the Byesville Blast. While, it’s faded from the spotlight. It’s a tune he plans to keep playing. WHIZ’s Kandee Ferrell reports.

Polka may seem like a thing of the past, but one man heard it once and vows to never give up on the sound.

“Frank Yancovic was a big polka man back then,” explained Polka Player Raymond Galla. “I got his beat in my ear somehow and never got rid of it and I had to do it. That was it. That set me off for my future I guess.”

Galla has been playing polka for 60 years. He’s lost band mates along the way.

“The original poker jam were around here in Pleasant City but most of them has now passed away, sorry, I kept up the band so far.”

Galla said polka won’t fade on his watch.

“We’re still doing it… keep it alive best we can.

He spends his retirement playing polka and even helped his wife discover the beat.

“Never saw an accordion in her life she’s saw it now for 44 years… we’re at 44 years this year in marriage.”

Galla found himself at the Byesville Blast on Sunday and the audience enjoyed the accordion style music.

“Well they’re dancing… let’s put it that way. That means something.”

And Galla said he’ll be back.