Johnny Krizancic

Sharon, Pennsylvania tamburitza player (b. March 31, 1929 in Pennsylvania - d. April 25, 2009 in Farrell, Pennsylvania), Krizancic, who lived in Hermitage, was a noted radio personality, recording artist, Slovene-style polka master and Croatian/Serbian tamburitza musician. For 50 years, Krzancic was an important force in the world of tamburitza/polka music, a genre rooted in eastern-central Europe. The “tamburitza” is a lute-like instrument resembling a mandolin. It would be hard to find a musical directory or history that doesn’t mention his talents. He was inducted into the TAA Hall of Fame in 1983. He hosted a polka show on WPIC radio for decades. Johnny and his wife Martha Krizancic founded Marjon International Records and Marjon Sound Productions, producing and recording their first long-play record album with the Veseli Tamburitzans. Since that time, more than 200 tamburitza albums were recorded and produced by Johnny and Marjon. His record albums through Marjon’s direct mail media were selling so well that one of the top ten major record companies (‘London Records’) began distributing his albums throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. London Records sold more than 350,000 of Krizancic’s records. In 1966, he was placed into Who’s Who in America for his contribution of tamburitza artistry to the American public, and also in the same year he received his first Gold Record. Since 1966, hecontinued with hit record albums, including Divni Dani, The Best of Johnny Krizancic, Fun Fest Polkas, An Evening with Johnny Krizancic, and Zivila Braca, Ziveli Sestre, for which Johnny wrote the title song.