The Polka Jammer Network

Richie and his lovely bride: Suellen

2010 IPA Hall-Of-Fame Inductee

E-Mail Richie & Suellen

The “Richie Gomulka Polka Show”
airs Wednesday afternoons from
1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
(12:00pm - 1:00pm CST)

The “Richie Gomulka Waltz Show”
airs Friday nights from
11:00pm - 12:00am EST
(10:00pm - 11:00pm CST)

Richie Gomulka was born on February 6, 1942 in Chicago to Polish parents: Ted & Mary (Owca) Gomulka. As early as he could remember, he had and continues to have a love for polka music. Older people always asked him to sing for them even before he learned to play an instrument. A t the young age of twelve, Richie taught himself to play the accordion. He switched to drums after watching with admiration the late Lil’ Wally.

At the age of thirteen, the first band Richie performed with were the Lucky Boys. That band featured Lou Jedlowski, Jr., Jerry Jendreas, Fred Hudy, and Richie. As he pursued his musical career, he performed with The Sharps and The Harmony Jesters. He did substitute work for the late Lil’ Wally. He went on to perform and eventually manage The Eddie Zima Orchestra until the passing of Eddie in July of 1966. Richie appeared with the late Casey Siewierski Polka Band, the late Eddie Korosa, the late Lil’ Richard, The Imperials, the late Eddie Cnota C Notes, The Tones Orchestra (of which he titled “The Cadillac Sound”), The Paliga Polka Dots, the late Casey Homel, Jim Homel & The Changing Times, Lenny Gomulka & The Chicago Push, The Ampol-Aires Orchestra, as well as other Polka bands. For a brief time, he appeared with Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. & the Versatones, and Chicago’s own Harmony Kings. Richie co-hosted the Polkarama Show that aired in the Chicagoland area with Don Jodlowski. Overall, Richie did many remote shows.

Richie Gomulka made several television appearances. His first appearance, at the age of thirteen, was on the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour in Chicago which resulted in becoming a prize winner. He presently records for the Chicago Polkas record label.

Richie was often featured in Chicago at Polka lounges such as: Jakes’ Hop-Cyk-Cyk Polka Palace, Club Mono, Lucy’s Wisconsin Rendezvous, and Mary and Murph’s Le Polka Den of which Richie was part manager. In his travels, he performed at many other Polka lounges and halls as well as many private engagements. Richie makes appearances from time to time with his son-in-law: Bob Piven who is a concertina player, and several chosen musicians. Some of Richie’s other mentors that he would like to acknowledge are: the late Gene Lind (Lipczynski), Joe Jarosz, the late Lou Jedlowski, Sr., Johnnie Bomba, the late Steve Adamczyk, Leon Kozicki, the late Jolly Ted Rogalski, and the late Mattie Czech.

Richie is a member of the International Polka Association (IPA), and the American Polka Association (APA).

The Richie Gomulka Polka Show can be heard every Sunday from 11:00AM - 12:00PM Central Time on radio station WPNA 1490AM. (on the web at: www.wpna1490am.com). His co-host is Chet Schafer along with his engineer: Jerry Wantroba.
Richie and Suellen, wife and Polka sweetheart of thirty-three years, have five children, many grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Richie has two sisters: Angie Gomulka and Dianne (Steve) Paliga. He has one brother: Lenny (Estelle) Gomulka. Our parents would bring Lenny at the age of eleven to sit in with my band as an attraction. He would play a few tunes on his trumpet. There is quite a bit of history in regards to Lenny and Polka music, but currently he is the band leader of the Chicago Push. He originated this band and began making public appearances in January of 1980.

In addition to Polka music, Richie’s other interests are antique cars, older model cars, and is an avid fan of the sport of boxing as well as martial arts. Richie enjoys visiting various Catholic Churches as he has a strong devotion to Our Blessed Mother as well as The Blessed Sacrament.

Richie’s future plans are to appear with The New England All-Stars of Massachusetts.

While continuing with his Sunday radio program, Richie is also pursuing a show on the Polka Jammer Network. His ultimate goal is to make people happy. Richie’s lifelong dream has always been to share his love for Polka music with all Polka people. His tireless efforts were rewarded in 2010 with his induction into the IPA Hall-Of-Fame.

Richie Gomulka and his wife, Suellen, can be contacted at their e-mail address: richiesueg@att.net