Johnny Koenig: News

Johnny is currently in pre-production for his next full length CD, which is due out in January. He has asked Pledge Music to help him gain support for the album. As you may know, the cost of producing a professional recording is expensive, and Johnny and many other independent artists usually cover these expenses out of their own pockets. What we're offering is a pre-sale of the CD and digital downloads, as well as many other fan exclusive items! Want to hang out in studio? Want a lyric sheet? Items and experiences like those are available!

As a Pledger, you will be receive the music before the general public does! Not only will you help produce great music, but 15% of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. Johnny chose this charity because he has lost many fellow musicians and family members to cancer.

Also as Pledger, you will receive exclusive updates, blogs, videos, pictures, and bonus material not released to the public!

Special guests will also be released during the Pledge process, but confirmed musicians on this project include Jon Ihle, Gary Hendrickson, Tom Brusky, RJ Likovic, David Skrajner, and Juan Barco.

You can make a pledge by clicking on the following link - it will take you directly to the project! http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/partylikeapolkastar

RTV Slovenia released last week their polka documentary that was filmed in 2008 and 2009, entitled "Slovenian Polka Music in Cleveland, Ohio". The documentary features an interview with Johnny and footage of his band performing at the Kent State Oktoberfest. Other interviews and performances include Walter Ostanek, Joey Miskulin, Eddie Rodick, Kim Rodick, Joey Tomsick, and Tony Petkovsek! Both parts together are about 90 minutes long. This is a must see for any polka fan!

http://tvslo.si/predvajaj/polka-film-o-glasbi-klobasah-in-slovencih-v-ameriki-1-2/ava2.68903718

http://tvslo.si/predvajaj/polka-film-o-glasbi-klobasah-in-slovencih-v-ameriki-1-2/ava2.69631127

Stay tuned for updates for Johnny's 2010 Coast-To-Coast tour, with many stops in between. Cities include Cleveland, New York City, Milwaukee, and Seattle. More shows will be added to the calendar as dates are confirmed.

A 21st birthday celebration has been planned for Johnny Koenig, which will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 beginning at 7PM. It will be held at Sneakee Pete's in Eastlake, Ohio. Johnny and his band will perform, along with Yinz4, The Flatliners, Ron Likovic, and many special guests! Please call and get your tickets early, as it will sell out quickly! Call (440)-382-8765 for tickets.

Johnny appeared live on WCPN 90.3 FM on Wednesday, August 27th at the IdeaCenter in Cleveland, OH, where he was interviewed by Dee Brown. The segment also features three songs.
Click the link below for audio and webcam feed of the performance:
http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/an/14097/

Johnny Koenig recently received a webpage on MTV's Soundtrack website. This relatively new site is where artists and fans can interact.
Please cast your vote for Johnny on his MTV Soundtrack page!
http://soundtrack.mtv.com/profile/johnnykoenig

"The new kid in town", Johnny Koenig, was appointed to the position of trustee to the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame at the annual membership meeting on March 18th in Euclid, Ohio. He brings his enthusiasm to the organization to be of assistance in any way possible.

Three videos of Johnny Koenig and his band performing at Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving Polka Weekend were posted on YOUTUBE!
Special thanks to Pam & Jerry Zagar for posting the videos!

Strabane Polka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Iyy0EUv8c

I Wanna Call You Sweetheart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92UQYKWwMJ8

Alone Again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnzI5he_yp0

Johnny Koenig is gearing up for one of the most anticipated festivals of each year! Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving Polka Weekend will take place from November 22-24, 2007 at the Cleveland Marriott Key Center, 127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio. Johnny will be performing on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd at 11:30 PM. For this extravaganza, Johnny will be featuring Joey Miskulin, Bob Kravos, Mark Habat, David Skrajner, Frank Okicki, and Mel Petroski. Johnny will also be running the all-night jamming party starting at midnight on November 22nd & 23rd.

Johnny Koenig's first professional recording, "The New Kid In Town", which was released in February of 2007, has been nominated for "Recording of the Year" by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. The Winner will be announced at the Awards Show XX at Euclid High School on November 24th.

Johnny Koenig and his band will be providing music for a ballet entitled "Polka Madness", put together by VerbBallets, a dance company based in Cleveland. They will be performing seven shows throughout the summer. The songs and arrangements, orginally done by Frankie Yankovic, include "Cleveland The Polkatown", "Just Because", and "Pretty Polly". Check calendar for upcoming schedule.