Joey Miskulin
Joseph Michael Miskulin (born January 6, 1949) is an American accordionist and producer. In a music career spanning more than four decades, Joey Miskulin has collaborated with a range of artists including Johnny Cash, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Paul McCartney, Ricky Skaggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Andy Williams, Frankie Yankovic, as well as many others. He is a performer, studio musician, producer and pedagogue.
Joey Miskulin | |
|---|---|
 Joey Miskulin performing as "Joey the CowPolka King" | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Michael Miskulin |
| Also known as | Joey the CowPolka King |
| Born | January 6, 1949 |
| Genres | Western swing |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) | |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Website | www |
Early life
As a child in Chicago, Miskulin displayed early signs of musical prodigy, spontaneously showing an interest in the accordion by the time he was four.[1] Beginning music training a year later, Joey was performing professionally by age eleven with the Ronnie Lee Band, and had his first recording produced by Roman Possedi at age twelve.[1] A year later, the boy would meet Frankie Yankovic, forming a personal and professional relationship with the man known as "America's Polka King" that would last a lifetime.
Performing career
Miskulin toured the United States with Yankovic as his featured accordionist for six years, writing and arranging songs between performances.[2] Miskulin joined the musical comedy ensemble Riders in the Sky in 1988, although he wasn't made an official member until the early to mid 1990s.
He was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame[3] in 2012. He has won two Grammy Awards with his band.
He still remains a member and with them is billed as "Joey the Cowpolka King".
Further reading
Dolgan, Bob (2006). America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic. Cleveland, OH: Gray & Company, Publishers. ISBN 978-1-59851-026-3
References
- "Joey Miskulin". Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- "Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Miskulin, Joey". Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- Woody Paul at the National Fiddler Hall of Fame; retrieved December 20, 2020