Joey Miskulin---"The CowPolka King!"---is no stranger to any medium or genre. Accordion in hands, he's garnished audio and video recordings, movie tracks and live performances for rock 'n roll artists and polka bands alike. Though he's played the gamut of musical homefronts, Joey specializes in two areas that represent our rich culture: polka music and Western music. (That's "Western" as in Gene Autry.) This unlikely marriage has brought a special, wonderful sound to Joey's most recent projects.
RIDERS IN THE SKY proclaimed him "Joey The Cowpolka King" after he appeared on their recordings and their radio show, Riders Radio Theater. Joey then began touring with Riders In The Sky, and now tours as part of the group, performing more than 200 shows per year throughout the U.S. and other countries. With Riders, Joey's skillful musicianship rounds out the groups' fine sound on the road and on recordings, and it garnishes the drama in Riders' Radio Theatre.
Joey has also produced Riders In The Sky's albums, beginning with "Cowboys In Love" (Columbia Records) and continuing with the Wrangle-award winning "Always Drink Upstream From the Herd" (Rounder Records) and multiple others, including the most recent Riders' collection---the Grammy-award winning "Woody's Roundup featuring Riders In the Sky" on Disney Records.
"It was through my association with the Riders that I met Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Baxter Black, The Sons Of The San Joaquin, and first attended the Cowboy Poetry gathering in Elko, Nevada."
Joey's association with Michael Martin Murphey lead to the two co-producing Warner western recordings featuring Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, and The Sons Of The San Joaquin. Joey's role as producer has expanded to include other artists, as well as additional Michael Martin Murphey albums, including a recent collection of his greatest hits.
Joey's list of treasured friends is long, but he is especially grateful to several who were instrumental in helping him pursue his career in music: Ronnie Lee (Joey's first band leader), Roman Possedi (who encouraged Joey to pursue music and used him to record), Frank Yankovic (who introduced him to major label recording and the road), Roger Bright (who never lost faith in him), Steve Popovich (who suggested the move to Nashville and introduced him to Jack "Cowboy" Clement). "I give special thanks to Jack for taking me under his wing, as he did so many others, and introducing me to the Nashville recording community."
Joey manages to tour with Riders, perform occasionally with other artists, and also record and produce in the studio. He combines these segments of his career very successfully.
"I started traveling on the road back in the 60s and I guess it's in my blood. If I don't perform before a live audience for an extended period of time, I start to miss it. I also love my studio work, so I try to maintain a good balance between the two. I'm fortunate to have a very supportive family. They seem to understand when I go on the road, or bury my head in the studio for days or weeks: I'm doing what I love."
While Joey claims no philosophy as his own, he does cite one espoused by Jack Clement: "We're in the 'fun' business, and if we're not having fun, we're not doing our job."
Recording Credits:...
Grammy Award Winning Albums:
"Monster's Inc--Scream Factory Favorites": Riders In The Sky (2003),
"Woody's Roundup Featuring Riders In The Sky": Riders In The Sky (2001),
"70 Years Of Hits" : Frank Yankovic featuring Joey Miskulin,
"35th Anniversary" : Walter Ostanek,
"Accordionally Yours" : Walter Ostanek,
"Music And Friends" : Walter Ostanek,
Grammy Nominated Albums:
"America's Favorites: Frank Yankovic featuring Joey Miskulin
"Songs Of The Polka King" Vol 1: Frank Yankovic featuring Joey Miskulin
"Songs Of The Polka King" Vol 2: Frank Yankovic featuring Joey Miskulin
Platinum Albums:
Andrej Sifrer
Dolly Parton (3)
Garth Brooks
Ricky Van Shelton (2)
Shania Twain (20 million plus)
Gold Albums:
Garth Brooks,
Hal Ketchum,
Rick Travino,
Sammy Kershaw,
Suzy Boggus,
Appeared On Albums with:
Ace Cannon,
Alabama,
Alan Jackson,
Alison Brown,
Alison Krauss,
Andrej Sifrer,
Andy Williams,
Asleep At The Wheel,
Brenda Lee,
Brook Shields,
Charlie Daniels,
Charlie Pride,
Chet Atkins,
Clay Walker,
Crystal Gayle,
Doc Severenson,
Dolly Parton,
Don Edwards,
Donna Fargo,
Doug Kershaw,
Eddie Rabbit,
Ellen Foley,
EmmyLou Harris,
Everly Brothers,
Frank Yankovic,
Freddy Fender,
Garth Brooks,
Glen Campbell,
George Jones,
Hal Ketchum,
Hank Williams, Jr.,
Herb Jeffries,
Herve Villechaize,
Honky Tonk Angels,
Ian Tyson,
Iron City Houserockers,
Jack Clement,
Janie Fricke,
Jim Messina,
Jimmy Hall,
Joe Ely,
John Hartford,
John Prine,
Johnny Cash,
Kate Campbell,
Linda Lee,
Loretta Lynn,
Mac Wiseman,
Mark O'Connor,
Marty Balen,
Marty Robbins,
Marty Stuart,
Marty Brown,
Maura O'Connell,
Melissa Manchester,
Michael Martin Murphey,
Mike Reid,
Patricia Conroy,
Paul McCartney,
Rick Trevino,
Ricky Skaggs,
Ricky Van Shelton,
Riders In The Sky,
Rob Quist,
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.,
Roger Bright,
Roman Possedi,
Roy Rogers,
Sammy Kershaw,
Shania Twain,
Sons Of The San Joaquin,
Steve Haggard,
Suzy Boggus,
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo,
Tammy Wynette,
Townes Van Zandt,
U2,
Waddie Mitchell,
Wade Hayes,
Walter Ostanek,
Waylon Jennings....
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Beyond performing and recording, Joey Miskulin has made his mark as an award-winning producer.
RIDERS IN THE SKY:
"Monster's Inc--Scream Factory Favorites": Riders In The Sky (2003 Grammy Award for Best Musical Album For Children)
"Woody's Roundup Featuring Riders In The Sky" (Disney Records)
"A Pair Of Kings"
"Christmas The Cowboy Way"
"A Great Big Western Howdy"
"Songs Of The Sage" (Ranger Doug)
"Public Cowboy 1: A Tribute To Gene Autry"
"Always Drink Upstream From The Herd" (1996 Wrangler-award winner)
"Cowboys In Love:
"Davy Crockett"
"Home On The Range"
JOHNNY CASH:
"Johnny Cash Is Coming To Town"
(Executive Producer)
"Water From The Wells Of Home"
(Executive Producer)
WARNER WESTERN (WARNER BROS.):
"The Looney West"
"Christmas In The West"
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY:
"Playing Favorites"
"Cowboy Songs Four"
"Horse Legends"
"Cowboy Songs Three / Rhymes Of The Renegades"
"America's Horses"
SONS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN:
"A Cowboy Has To Sing"
"Songs Of The Silver Screen"
"From Whence Came The Cowboy"
FRANK YANKOVIC:
"Songs Of The Polka King" Volumes 1 and 2
(1997 and 1998 Grammy-award nominees)
"70 Years Of Hits" (Grammy-award winner)
"I Wish I Was 18 Again"
"Christmas Memories"
"America's Favorites"
"Live In Nashville"
"Let's Have A Party"
"Bye Bye My Baby"
DON EDWARDS:
"Songs Of The Trail"
"Goin' Back To Texas"
ANDREJ SIFRER:
"Hiti Pocasi" / "Underground Cowboy"
WADDIE MITCHELL:
"Lone Driftin' Rider"
"Buckaroo Poet"
JOEY MISKULIN:
"The World's Greatest Instrumental Christmas Polka Party"
"Mis-tre Polkas And Waltzes"
"Miskulin And Trebar 2"
"Hooked On Polkas"
"Hooked On Polkas 2"
"Country Polkatime"
Performance Credits:.....
Outside of the album-recording studio, Joey Miskulin has appeared on television and radio, in movies and music videos.
Television Credits:...
"The Tonight Show" With Johnny Carson.
"The Late Show" With David Letterman.
The Phil Donahue Show.
Nashville Now.
New Country.
Austin City Limits.
Polka Time U.S.A.
Crook And Chase.
Music City Tonight.
Prime Time Country.
An Evening Of Country Greats.
Michael Martin Murphey's Sagebrush Symphony.
A Night Out.
Polka Varieties.
Grand Old Opry Live..
Christmas The Cowboy Way (TNN).
Riders Radio Theater: The Television Show (TNN).
The Roots Of Country Music (CBS).
Movie Credits:..
1999:
"Toy Story 2" (Disney/Pixar).
"A Step In Time".
"Rattle And Hum".
Video Credits:...
"Austin City Limits: Cowboy Songs".
"Polka Gold".
"Super Polkas"..
"Angel Of Harlem".
"I'm Dancing With A Memory".
Radio Credits:..
Riders Radio Theater.
Mountain Stage.
Sam's Place.
The Grand Old Opry.
TO VIEW ALL CREDITS CLICK HERE ON MUSIC WAGON PRODUCTIONS
Just thought I'd drop by and say Hi, was unwinding after a show in N. Carolina and you were on tv on the woodsongs broadcast, and wanted to let you know it sounded great, really enjoyed it. peace tony
Just had to stop by and give another listen to our favorite cowboy group!! Hope you guys have a great weekend....and you're welcome around our campfire...any time!
Donna, Rhonda & Janet "Sisters of the Silver Sage"
