Johnny Helget
Johnny Helget (1939-2022) Inducted 2018 Johnny Louis Helget, the youngest son of John and Mary Helget, was born in New Ulm, Minnesota. When Johnny was eight, Mary taught him what […]
John “Jack” Volinkaty
John “Jack” Volinkaty (1943-1992) Inducted 2015 Jack Volinkaty was born in St. Louis Park, MN and three years later the family moved to Lafayette, Minnesota, a town of 500 people. […]
Leon Olsen
Leon Olsen Inducted 2013 Leon Olsen was born in Tyler, Minnesota. In the fifth grade, he started playing the trumpet but was also very interested in the concertina. His first […]
Keith Reese
Keith Reese Inducted 2010 At age 15, Keith Reese worked with the Eddie Wilfahrt and Clem Rhode Bands. An accomplished musician, he had perfect pitch and wrote and arranged music […]
Dick Kimmel
Dick Kimmel (1947- ) Inducted 2010 Dick Kimmel has been called “The Ambassador of Bluegrass” and has been associated with traditional bluegrass and old-time country music since 1970. Dick was […]
Steve Moran
Steve Moran Inducted 2009 Steve Moran acquired his interest and love for music while at Lourdes High School in Rochester, Minnesota where he graduated in 1969. In college he participated […]
Tom Ginkel
Tom Ginkel Inducted 2008 Tom’s first introduction to music was at age 10 when his parents bought him a clarinet. He despised it, and at age 13 he traded it […]
John Arsers
John Arsers (1926-2019) Inducted 2008 John Arsers grew up in Chatfield, Minnesota and his father was the High School and City Band Director. He started playing the clarinet in the […]
Peter & Paul Wendinger
Peter & Paul Wendinger Inducted 2007 Peter and Paul have spent their entire lives growing up together, farming, and entertaining audiences near and far with their Polka Band. In 1962, […]
John Henle
John Henle (1926-2020) Inducted 2007 John Henle’s biggest contribution to the Minnesota music scene was his 33-year career as a music educator. John’s music education began as a fourth grader […]