About The DTO

Mention the DICK TADY ORCHESTRA in the Pennsylvania Tri-State area and you will hear their polka loving fans speak highlly of the talent and longevity this band possesses. 

Dick Tady joined the Kenny Kron Band in 1962, taking over as the band leader in 1963, changing the name of the band to the DICK TADY ORCHESTRA.  Over the years, the DTO has gone through some changes in musicians, but the core members of the group, Dick Tady, Bob McBride and Joe Gill remained as the core of the group and are still members today.

The band has gone on to achieve many musical accomplishments while performing throughout the Ohio, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and their home state of Pennsylvania.   They’ve also performed in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida, Hawaii, Canada and the Caribbean.

While they carry the banner of “American-Slovenian” style polka and waltzes, their musical talents are not limited to polka music.  They also play excellent Croatian-Dalmation, German, Serbian and Swiss arrangements, specializing in tremendous sounding four-part vocal harmonies, not to be matched anywhere in the polka industry.  The DTO is not limited to playing ethnic music, they have mastered the art of playing all styles of American music, including; Big Band, Oldies, Country, Pop and Rock-N-Roll music.

With over 16 albums and CD’s, a professionally released video, appearing on television commercials, perform at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival, Pittsburgh Steelers Tailgate Parties, performing as guest radio hosts on Pittsburgh’s #1 Rock radio station WDVE, appeared in a Pittsburgh Pirates music video, a motion picture and being featured in four episodes of the nationally televised RFD-TV hit show “Mollie B’s Polka Party”, you can be sure the DTO is working on their next project!

Recognized Awards and Achievements

• 1990
  The composition, “That Polka Medley” (My Favorite Polka), written by Dick Tady and Bob McBride was recorded by 16 time NARAS Grammy Winner, Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra. The album was the Grammy winning album (Best Polka Album Category) at the 33rd Grammy Awards.

• 1990
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) released their 8th album entitled “Polkas and Waltzes with A Touch of Class”.

• 1991
  Dick received the 1991 United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania (UMPAPA) “Man of the Year” award. This was presented to Dick on November 10, 1991 at the United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania Annual Banquet which was held at the SNPJ Lodge #6 – Sygan Slovenian Club in Bridgeville, PA.

• 1992
  DTO musicians, Tony Grandovic (accordionist and keyboardist), was nominated for “Best Sideman” by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation (National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame).

• 1992
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) released their 9th album entitled “Happy Polka Days”.

• 1992
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) was nominated by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for a grammy at the 35th Annual Grammy Award Show at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. The nomination was for their album “Happy Polka Days” recording (Best Polka Album Category).

• 1992
  The Dick Tady Orchestra released their first professional video, “The Best of the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO)”.

• 1993
  DTO Musicians, Bob McBride (Banjo, Guitar, Vocals) was nominated for “Best Sideman” by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation (National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame).

• 1993
  Dick Tady was a member of the Hall of Fame All-Star Band, for the Nation Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Award Show VI, which took place at the Shore Cultural Center, Euclid, OH on November 27, 1993.

• 1993
  Polka Dee-Jay Del Sinchak presented the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) with the Wammy Award (People’s Choice Award) on May 2, 1993, at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield, OH. Listeners had the opportunity to vote for their favorite Grammy Nominated Polka Band. Voters had to abide by the voting rules of the National Acadamy of Recording Arts and Sciences and were invited to join Del in presenting the annual award to the DTO.

• 1993
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) released their 10th album entitled, “30 Years of Great Polka Times”. The album featured the DTO and Canada’s Polka King and 3-time Grammy Winner, Walter Ostanek and his Band.

• 1993
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) appeared on the Grammy Winning Album, “Accordionally Yours”, with 3-time Grammy winner and Canada’s Polka King, Walter Ostanek and his Orchestra. The DTO performed the selection “Lulubelle Polka”.

• 1994
  The President of Slovenia, Milan Kucan, headed an International Delegation of Guests at the dedication of the New Slovenian National Benefit Society headquarters in North Fayette. The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) provided the music for the banquet, and happy Slovenian polka and waltz music for dancing.

• 1994
  Dick Tady (Band Leader, Saxophone, Button Box, Wind Controller, Vocalist) was presented the prestigious Chrystal Award for “Musician of the Year (Musician, Individual).” This annual achievement award is presented by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation at the Nation Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Award Show, which was held at the Shore Culter Center, Euclid, OH.

• 1995
  The Penn-Ohio Polka Pals and Penn-Ohio Polka Pals Booster Club presented Dick Tady with the 1995 POPP “Man of The Year” award. Dick was honored at their annual Testimonial Dinner Dance at DiVieste’s Banquet Hall on March 26, 1995, in Warren Ohio.

• 1995
  The Polka News Network, St. Charles, Michigan, presented Dick Tady with the “Lifetime Award of Fame and Honor” (for the promotion of European-American Music) at DiViesti’s Banquet Hall on March 26, in Warren, Ohio.

• 1995
  Dick Tady received the “Musical Heritage Award (Legacy Award for Ethnic Music)” for outstanding achievements. The award was presented during the Allegheny-Kiski Historical Society’s Annual Dinner and Award meeting on November 4, 1995, at the New Harmar House in Acmetonia, Pennsylvania.

• 1995
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) was presented the prestigious Crystal Award for “Band of The Year”. This annual achievement award was presented by the American Slovenian Foundation at the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame award show, at the Shore Cultural Center, Euclid, Ohio.

• 1996
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) released their 11th album entitled, “Award Winning Polkas and Waltzes – DTO Style”.

• 1996
  Dick Tady was a featured singer with the Polka All-Stars on the Grammy nominated album “Songs of The Polka King (Volume 1)” by Frank Yankovic and Friends.

• 1996
  Dick Tady was presented the prestigious Crystal Award for “1996 Musician of the Year (Musician, Individual). The annual achievement award was presented by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation at the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame award show, at the Shore Cultural Center, Euclid, Ohio.

• 1997
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) did a live performance from the Coffee House on Pittsburgh’s #1 Rock Radio Station, 102.5FM WDVE (‘DVE’) on the morning show featuring Scott Pulsen and Jimmy Krenn.

• 1997
  Dick Tady received the 1997 UMPAPA “Man of the Year” Award. This award was presented to Dick on November 9, 1997, at the annual awards dinner and dance. The Presentation by the United Musicians Polka Association (UMPAPA) took place at the SNPJ Lodge #6 Slovenian Club in Bridgeville, PA.

• 1997
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) released their 12th album entitled, “A Special DTO Christmas”.

• 1998
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) appeared live from the Gateway Clipper fleet’s Majestic. The performances were done for Pittsburgh’s #1 Rock Radio Station 102.5 FM-WDVE (‘DVE’) on the Morning Show featuring Scott Pulsen and Jimmy Krenn.

• 1999
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) performed in the Subway Restuarant Television Commercial entitled, “The Return of the Myron Cope Kielbasa Sub”. The commercial was produced by New Perspective Production Company and featured Myron Cope (the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers), the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO), Subway Restaurant personnel and Pittsburgh polka dancers.

• 2002
  Dick Tady, leader of the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) releases his solo album entitled, “Richard Allen Michael Tady Presents: The Greatest Slovenian Polka Hits!”. Dick played all of the instrument parts and sang all of the Slovenian lyrics on this recording.

• 2002
  The recording, “Richard Allen Michael Tady Presents: The Greatest Slovenian Polka Hits!” was nominated for “Best Recording of the Year” by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation and won the honor for “Recording of the Year” at the Polka Hall of Fame Award Show XVI on November 29, 2003, in Cleveland, Ohio.

• 2005
  The first of four recordings, “The Best of the DTO (Volume 1 – The 5th Decade – American Slovene Polkas and Waltzes” was released in December. This album includes 25 of the most popular DTO selections. It features songs from the past, tunes from the present and newly recorded material.

• 2006
  The second of four recordings, “The Best of the DTO (Volume 2 – The 5th Decade- All-Time Requested Hits!” was released in December 2006. The album includes American, Croatian-Dalmatian, German, Servian, Slovenian and Swill melodies.

• 2007
  In August, the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) performed before the Pittsburgh Pirate baseball game at PNC Park for Slovak Days.

• 2007
  Dick Tady was a performing member of the Lifetime Achievers Hall of Fame All-Star Band at the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Show XX that took place at the Euclid High School Auditorium in Euclid, Ohio on November 24, 2007.

• 2008
  The third of four recordings, “The Best of the DTO (Volume3) – The 5th Decade – American-Slovene Style Polkas and Waltzes” was released in June 2008. This album includes 24 of the most popular DTO selections. It features songs from the past, tunes from the present and newly recorded material.

• 2008
  In July, the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) performed before the Pittsburgh Pirate baseball game at PNC Park for Slovak Days.

• 2008
  In October, the Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) performed for the wedding reception of TV Celebrity/Musician, Jonathan Dressel and his wife Maggie. Jonathan is the drummer for Cleo and the Cletones, (aka: The Jimmy Kimmel Show Band).

• 2009
  DTO musicians, Joe Gill (Drummer and vocalist) and Ed Gould (Bassist and Vocalist) were nominated for “Sideman of the Year” by the United Polka Association of Pennsylvania (UMPAMPA).

• 2010
  The forth of four recordings, “The Best of the DTO (Volume 4) – The 5th Decade – Button Box Magic?” was released in April 2010. This album includes 24 of the most popular DTO button box selections. It features songs from the past, tunes from the present and newly recorded materials.

• 2010
  The Dick Tady Orchestra (DTO) are nominated and won annual achievement awards at the Polka Hall of Fame Award Show XXIII, on November 27, 2010:
  1. Dick Tady – won “Button Box Indvidual/Duo”.
  2. Dick Tady – won “Vocalist of the Year”.
  3. Dick Tady – won “Musician/Individual of the Year”.
  4. The Dick Tady Orchestra – wone “Band of the Year”.
  5. Joe Gill – nominated “Sideman of the Year”.
  6. Ed Gould – nominated “Sideman of the Year”.
  7. Dick Tady – won “Best New Polka or Waltz” for La Bella Luna Waltz (Margie’s Song)
  8. The Dick Tady Orchestra – inducted for Greatest All-Time Cleveland Style Hits/Song Category: “Happy Polka Days”.

• 2010
  In the latter part of November and early December, the Dick Tady Orchestra had the pleasure of recording and filming the “Hot Dog Shoot Polka” video for the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization. The music video was released in the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season and was played on the stadium jumbotron scoreboard to introduce the Pirates mascot “Pirate Parrot” as he shoots hot dogs into the stands from a pneumatic gun to awaiting baseball fans.

• 2011
  Joe Gill (Drummer and Vocalist) was nominated and inducted into the United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania (UMPAPA) as “Sideman of the Year”.

• 2012
  Ed Gould (Bassist and Vocalist) was nominated and inducted into the United Musicians Polka Association of Pennsylvania (UMPAPA) as “Sideman of the Year”.