Career
Born in Duparquet, Quebec in 1935, his family moved to Saint Catharines, Ontario, when he was a boy. A young Ostanek received his first accordion as a gift in 1944. After several years, Ostanek became a popular entertainer in Southern Ontario, performing Slovenian-style (also known as Cleveland-style) polkas and waltzes.
He could be heard frequently on the radio in Saint Catharines and Welland.
Walter began playing polka after his best friend introduced him to the accordion at age 5. In 1957 Ostanek formed his own band playing Slovenian-style polka music
In 1963, Ostanek and his band, the, would record their first of many albums. Over his career, Ostanek would record more than 50 albums and become known as Canada"s Polka King.
His style has been compared to America"s Polka King, Frankie Yankovic of Cleveland.
Like the late Yankovic, is of Slovene descent. Ostanek hosted his own television shows (one for fourteen consecutive years), radio shows, and polka tours. He has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Philosophy Donahue, Tommy Hunter Show, Cleveland"s Polka Varieties, and his own award-winning television specials and telethons.
He has appeared in concert with Roy Clark, the Oakridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Ray Price, Mel Tillis, Brenda Lee, Slim Whitman, Tom T. Hall, T. G. Shepard, Tommy Hunter, Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, Frank Yankovic, Black Forest Band, and Weiss Blau.
Currently Ostanek does two main concert sets each year: one at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the other during Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Ontario. He is also the subject of the 2006 Bravo! network documentary The Cult of Walt: Canada’s Polka King.
Ostanek is also cited as the inspiration for the Second City Television polka parody, the Shmenge Brothers. and the Osler show. Walter currently resides in Saint Catharines, Ontario.
He was the owner of the popular music store "Ostanek"s" until 1 April 2013, when the store was converted to a Long & McQuade"son
He still plays locally.
