Bob Raskob (1926-2016) & The Medina Ballroom
Special Recognition Award, 2008
Brothers Joe, Cliff, and Bob Raskob enjoyed dancing and bowling, and their dream was to build their own year-round ballroom and bowling alley. In 1956, property was purchased for $800, and their idea- which was sketched onto a manila envelope- was handed over to a draftsman to start building plans. The Raskob brothers worked full-time on their day jobs and were pounding nails late into the night. The Raskobs were jacks-of-all-trades working as owners, managers, bartenders, servers, janitors, and more. The first band to play Opening Night in 1956 at The Medina Ballroom was The Earl Baker Orchestra- with free admission- and the place was packed. Regular admission in the first year was normally 95 cents. On Friday nights, bands generally played old-tyme polka music, Saturday night was variety music, and Sundays featured two polka bands. After the Raskobs opened a restaurant, guests would dance until 1 AM and then enjoy a snack, often staying as late as 4 AM. The Medina has always featured big-band dance music, and has hosted many orchestras over the years including Al Pierson’s Big Band U.S.A., Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadian Orchestra, Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra, and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. From the 1950s through 1970s, polka music was the main staple with bands such as The Six Fat Dutchmen, The Chiemelewski Fun-Time, The Babe Wagner Band, Cousin Fuzzy and His Cousins, The Eddie Skeets Orchestra, and Ray Dorschner’s Rainbow Valley Dutchmen. Tragedy struck June 1974 when an explosion and fire leveled the ballroom, killing Bob’s daughter Kathy and her friend Laurie Ellingston. In the same year, a million-dollar complex was planned and built, including a new balloom, restaurant, bowling alley, and liquor store on the same location. Grand Opening on Sunday, March 23rd 1975 featured The Eddie Skeets Orchestra. By the early 1980s, The Medina Ballroom had become The Medina Entertainment Center Ballroom and Motel. The Raskobs hosted many national acts over the years including The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mickey Gilley, The Marshall Tucker Band, Bobby Vee, Charley Pride, Paul Revere and The Raiders, Zakk Wylde & Black Label Society, Ray Price, and many others. The first time Garth Brooks publicly-sang his hit song “Friends in Low Places” was at The Medina. The MEC continues today, and is still growing strong.
