Polkamotion

06/13/2026

06/08/2026

Career Calling Cards: In 2025, Greg Chwojdak retired after nearly 50 years of promoting & broadcasting polka music in Western New York.

Chwojdak officially launched his professional radio career on September 17, 1976, bringing polka music to the airwaves at International Cable. In 1979, he joined WWOL 1120 AM, further expanding his presence. His landmark show "Polkamotion" made the pivotal move on January 26, 1985, transitioning from WWOL/WNYS 1120 AM to WXRL 1300 AM, succeeding the legendary Stan Jasinski's Polish American Program. Over the decades, Chwojdak's engaging broadcasts have been staples on WWOL-AM, WECK-AM, and, currently, WXRL-AM.

In the mid-1970s, Greg revolutionized Polish-American broadcasting in Buffalo, connecting with younger listeners and appealing directly to third and fourth-generation Polish Americans.

“He infused traditional ethnic programming with the lively energy of Top 40 radio, distinguishing himself from the slower-paced programs of his predecessors by conducting his shows in English rather than Polish,” Buffalo broadcasting historian and author of “Buffalo Radio” Marty Biniasz. “Greg is second only to Broadcasting Hall of Fame member Stan Jasinski as the longest performing, Polish-American broadcaster in Western New York radio history.”

Chwojdak's broadcasts were known for their creativity and humor. In the 1980s and 1990s he would feature his parents, “Big Al” and “Bea Chwojdak,” in ongoing comedic on-air segments. This tradition of laughter continued well into recent years with popular weekly appearances by “Accordion Bill” Malczewski.

Additionally, Greg utilized his musical and creative talents to record memorable radio jingles for prominent Polish-American businesses, such as the Ampol Eagle and Babcia’s Pierogi.

Beyond his contributions to polka music, Greg has leveraged his broadcasting platform to promote and support various community projects. He spearheaded campaigns that raised over $200,000 for United Cerebral Palsy and provided substantial support to the Response to Love Center on Buffalo’s East Side. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he extended his charitable efforts internationally, organizing a clothing drive and fundraising for an orphanage in Buffalo's sister city, Rzeszow, Poland.

Greg's enduring dedication to both his craft and his community cements his legacy as a leader in the polka broadcasting industry and beyond.

Image: Just a few of Greg's business cards from a 50-year career broadcasting & promoting polka music in Buffalo.

06/06/2026

In Cleveland for CPA

05/26/2026

Former Buffalo radio program director Ken Johnson (WWOL & WYRK) shares a little Buffalo polka broadcasting history. A great look back!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B3Svk28kW/

Image: WYRK's Ken Johnson with his personal collection of country music which he used to augment and build the original WYRK library.

Ken Johnson/Polka Radio: In an August 1983 article, the Buffalo Evening News reported that legendary Buffalo program director Ken Johnson was clearing out & selling WYRK-FM’s collection of polka records—many inherited from the station’s predecessor, WADV-FM—to make room for more country music. Recently, we asked Ken to share the story of his own connection to polka broadcasting. Ken wrote:

I've always enjoyed polka music. I grew up listening to Stan 'Stas' Jasinski on WWOL (and later WMMJ) My family always tuned in to Stan's weekday Polka Beehive shows, Saturday Polka Party & the Sunday Polish American Program. In the 70's Bob Mycek's Polka Jamboree on WWOL every Sunday was also essential listening.

When my Dad bought an FM receiver in the late 60's, Dan Lesniak's Polka Ballroom on WADV was added to our weekend polka listening. I recall hearing Happy Harry's polka shows on WBLK and WNIA and Walt Jaworski's show. Just a few of the many programs that featured polka music on WNY radio in that era. In the early 60's WGR-TV had the Pic-A-Polka TV show on Sunday's featuring Frank Wojnarowski with Joe Macielag's orchestra. So along with country music my Polish-American family also enjoyed a regular dose of polkas.

I was hired at WWOL in 1974 to be a country DJ. But late that year WWOL General Manager Bob Mycek left the station to move to Atlanta to join a family business. Bob was looking for someone to host the polka show and I raised my hand. My familiarity & love of polka music and my ethnic heritage (all four of my Grandparents were Polish immigrants) provided winning qualifications. I did not speak Polish but I knew the music and could pronounce the Polish names & titles fairly accurately.

Since you asked, I have many favorite polka singers & bands. My earliest memories include spinning 78 RPM records from parent's collection at home. Lil' Wally and the Connecticut Twins ranked among my early favorites.

Every year a highlight of our Erie County Fair visit was a trip to the Iroquois Beer tent where Big Steve (Krzeminski) and his band The Bellaires performed. They were always big local favorites and mine too. Steve later hosted his own excellent polka radio program that still continues today with Ron Dombrowski.

I always preferred the "Chicago" style of polkas. Lil' Wally was an early purveyor of that sound. My favorite vocalist was "The Golden Voice" Marion Lush. One of the best voices in the genre who recorded so many classic songs that still sound great today. Also loved Eddie Blazonczyk & his Versatones and Lil' Richard. Had the chance to meet all four gentlemen. They were first class guys and leaders in their genre.

While doing the program I became acquainted with members of the Buffalo polka bands. Invited them on the show whenever they released new albums. The Dynatones (featuring the inimitable Dave 'Scrubby' Seweryniak), The Modernaires, G-Notes, Wanda & Stephanie, Happy Richie & The Royalaires and the Pole Cats [Ray Barsukiewicz' great band that gave me the honor of providing liner notes for their album and including my photo on the back cover] were played regularly.

After a few months hosting the show I changed the name to 'Polka Country' playing off the fact that WWOL was primarily a country music station.

Through Don Ruda at Ruda's Record Shop I met Tony Rozek who became my volunteer polka advisor on the show. Tony supplied vintage recordings from his immense collection to play on the program and provided great suggestions of tracks that we should play. Tony was an encyclopedia of polka music and a great guy to hang out with. He went on to later host his own polka show.

By 1977 WWOL management realized that a full of day of ethnic programming on Sundays [Italian, Jewish, Polish Polka, German & Greek Shows) were not conducive to ratings success. Those shows chased away most regular country music fans and the audience turnover from show-to-show was not ratings-friendly. By that time, the financial gain from those shows had become incremental.

That's why in 1977 all of the shows were cancelled, and WWOL-AM began programming country music 7 days a week. Most of those ethnic shows found new homes on other WNY radio stations.

I totally enjoyed my time hosting the polka show and it definitely boosted my stock value in the eyes of my Polish relatives.

Image: Ken Johnson with his personal collection of country music which he used to augment and build the original WYRK library.

05/23/2026