The Polka Jammer Network
Jayne Debevec-Vadnal "Polka Lovin' Gal Program"
THE POLKA LOVIN' GAL PROGRAM Jayne Debevec-Vadnal is truly a trailblazer. Mary Jane Palmieri was born and raised in the small town of Johnstown, PA. Her mother, Alma, took her to see many Slovenian polka bands, and instilled in her the love of polka music. She learned how to play accordion and piano. In the 1950's, Jayne was approached by polka band leader Johnny (DeBevits) Debevec and asked her if she could learn to play drums. He needed a substitute for his drummer Tony Zupanchick Sr. as he was working on a swing shift. Johnny needed a drummer and said that knowing the music was most of the battle. Jayne later married Johnny (DeBevits) Debevec and moved to Cleveland, OH where he was employed. Johnny called her Jayne. So when she went on the air, Mary Jane became known as Jayne Debevec. Ever since Jayne started performing, she aspired to become a polka DJ. Her break came in the late 1950’s when she got the opportunity to become the first female DJ in Cleveland, OH. Her show: “Polka Lovin’ Gal” debuted on WZAK 93.1FM and aired LIVE on Sunday nights from 12Midnight – 1:00am. (later the show moved to 11:00pm). Many factory workers and night watchmen tuned in to hear her sensual and sultry voice, and being that WZAK was a 100,000 watt station, her show could be heard in a number of states. Jayne was the first DJ to air listener requests (or as she called it: a LIVE feedback program), and she developed a huge following. Her program aired until 1972 when she moved to Florida.Jayne continued to promote polka music and even brought Frankie Yankovic to Florida in 1977. For a time, she was married to Johnny Vadnal and performed with him. Today, Jayne can be seen occasionally performing in her hometown of Pompano Beach, FL, and she lives right down the street from another icon in the polka world: America’s Concertina King – Jersey Polka Richie.Although Jayne continued to promote polka music down in Florida, by 2006 she missed being on the radio. One day, she came across The Jammer Network and was struck by our sound quality. With the encouragement of her friend Frank Moravcik, she inquired about doing a Slovenian show here. Jayne will be sharing with you the best in Cleveland Slovenian style polka music, as well as the beautiful music of Slovenia. NOTE: This is a specialty program featuring the finest in
Cleveland Slovenian style polka music. |
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