Best Polka Album Grammy Axed

The National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences has eliminated the best polka album Grammy.

The Academy said it cut the category because it wanted to "ensure the awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape," according to CTV News.

Is there no polka in the current musical landscape? Is this to say nobody listens to polka anymore?

Try telling that to Walter Ostanek, a 21-time Grammy Award nominee, who's called Canada's Polka King for a reason. He's won the best polka album Grammy Award three times, is a member of the Order Of Canada and has a star on Canada's Walk Of Fame. You'd have to wonder how he feels about the award getting axed.

We aren't the only ones surprised about this. White Cowbell Oklahoma took to their Twitter yesterday (Thursday) to voice their outrage at this event.

"White Cowbell Oklahoma assume Walter Ostanek's vengeance towards the Grammy Assoc will be swift, stealthy and overwhelming," they Tweeted.

We figure that vengeance would be soundtracked by an accordion.

Joking aside, it turns out Ostanek isn't angry at the news — he's sad, instead.

"I don't have anything negative to say about it, just that it's too bad that they've taken it out," Ostanek told the National Post newspaper.

"Not so much for myself, because I've had a great run, but for the up-and-coming young musicians. They'd probably like to get nominated or win."

Ostanek added the Academy had not consulted him or any other polka musicians before it made a decision.

The 74-year-old Ostranek is working on his 88th album, which will not be nominated for a best polka album Grammy Award. It can't be nominated for a best polka album Juno Award, either, because there is no such category. Apparently polka does not exist in Canada, either. The residents of Toronto's Roncesvalles Village neighbourhood are now very angry.