Six Nebraska musicians were inducted into the Southeast Nebraska Musicians Hall of Fame during the 26th annual ceremony, accordion jamboree and dance held at Lodge Tabor Hall, rural Dorchester, NE, on Jan. 31, 2026. Throughout the afternoon, musicians entertained a large audience with traditional Czech polkas and waltzes. The event concluded with a dance by Randy Korbelik and the Moonlighters.
All honorees have made significant contributions in preserving Czech musical traditions in Nebraska and the Midwest throughout their lives.
Those honored for their dedication to the preservation of Czech music were David Divoky, Bellevue; Stan Johnson, Shickley; Debbie Skalak Korbelik, Weeping Water; Donna Spicka Cihal, Valparaiso. Honored posthumously were Howard Jahnke, DeWitt; and Robert P. Chudly, Milligan.
David Divoky was born Dec. 15, 1964, to Marie (Dolly) and Gerald Divoky in Omaha. His love for polka music started at a very early age, listening with his dad, Jerry, to KOTD radio out of Plattsmouth, the Big Joe Polka Show, the South’O Polka show, the Moostash Joe Polka Show, and currently, The Allstar Polka Show. Dave’s parents instilled in their sons the importance of being proud of their Czech Heritage and carrying on the Czech traditions and the love for polka music. As a young child, you could find Dave sitting on stage with the bands, watching the musicians, specifically the drummers.
Dave took three years of piano lessons and two years of drum lessons. Dave also practiced many evenings and weekends in his parent’s basement to records and 8-track tapes. Dave and his brothers also played with their dad’s cousin, Erma Rassmasen, on accordion at the Vrbsky family reunions.
At the age of 14, David played his first job at the Roam Inn Lounge in Omaha with The Jolly Yanks. The band members consisted of Rich Novak, George Folan, Bob Barnhart, all on button accordion, Leonard Janak on drums, and Jim Kostka on bass horn. He went on to play many dance jobs. Dave was initially chaperoned by his parents because he did not yet have a driver’s license.
In the early 1980s, Dave was hired by the Czechlanders as their full-time drummer. In 1998, Dave played full-time with the Jim Kucera band.
Dave has had the honor of playing with many bands over the past 46 years. Some of the bands Dave has played with include Frank Kostka and the Boys, Jim Kucera, Barry Boyce, Dick Janak, Jeff Janda, Raynold Woita Trio, Brad Husak, Frank Hazuka, The Bouncing Czechs, Jolly Yanks, Czechlanders, Leo Lonnie, Kenny Janak, Vern Luddington, and Addie Hejl. Playing in the bands doesn’t seem like a “job” because Dave enjoys it so much. It is the best hobby!
A permanent plaque featuring the engraved names of the inductees is located at Lodge Tabor Hall, rural Dorchester, Nebraska. Contact committee members Randy Korbelik, (402) 416-1300; Debra Polacek, (402) 469-6986, or Sue Placek, (402) 641-0669 to nominate musicians for the 2027 Musicians Hall of Fame inductions. Selections are held in the fall, and all past inductees are welcome to attend the meeting to vote on new recipients.
| Photo Submitted by Debra Polacek |
